the encouragement lounge

Monday, June 24, 2013

Encouragement Lounge on summer schedule

Hello friends,

I had hoped to keep up with the blog over the summer but I'm hard at work to meet two writing deadlines and prepare for fall classes, so am going to take time away from the E Lounge, for now. I will resume posting in August.

Sending you good energy for the work!

Harriet

Photo by HLS

Friday, May 10, 2013

David Pogue -- 10 Top Time-Saving Tech Tips

Hi All, If you haven't seen this, check out David Pogue's TED talk. Most tech time-saving posts and videos that I have seen offer advice about managing email, being disciplined about social media, and so on. Pogue's talk offers something even more basic -- a number of keyboard shortcuts and search tips that may be more efficient than what you are currently doing. It's a quick talk and worth viewing.

All the best,
Harriet

Monday, April 15, 2013

Busy end of the semester

Hi All,

Like you, I'm quite busy with end-of-semester work. So I'm just writing this quick post to wish you all the best as you finish papers, projects, dissertations, and other work.

Keep at it!

Harriet

Photo by HLS

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Good Powerpoint Design by Garr Reynolds

Many of you are preparing slides for end-of-semester presentations. Here is terrific advice from Garr Reynolds. I worked through his book "Presentation Zen" while I was a doc student and I believe that my powerpoint design skills improved significantly. For a short version of his strategy, visit

What is good powerpoint design?

For more, check out his book: "Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (2nd Edition) (Voices That Matter)" by Garr Reynolds. (New Riders 2011)

Sending you good energy for the work!
Harriet

Photo by HLS

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Proofreading tips

Hi all,

Grammar Girl is an excellent resource to help you sort out grammar questions and to understand writing feedback that you might get from your professors. Here's a terrific grammar girl post that will help you improve your writing:

Proofreading Tips

Cheering you on in your work!
Harriet

Photo by HLS

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Basic Technology Advice for Students

The following is a document created by Professor George Williams - this will help you consider good back-up strategies, keyboard shortcuts, and more:

Basic Technology Advice for Students

Please note, that this is not my document, so the comments about not using technology as an excuse don't necessarily pertain to my classes (I have my own policies). However the rest might be helpful to you.

Cheering you on in your work!
Harriet

Photo by HLS

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Sending you good energy!

Hello all, I'm in the midst of my own deadlines this week, so am not going to write a real post. However, know that I send you all good energy for the work!

Keep at it,
Harriet

Photo by HLS

Working adult students, on my mind...

I hope this blog will be helpful to friends and others involved in a variety of endeavors. However, I created the blog with students in mind and continue to develop it with that specific group as my focus.

I believe that with the increase in evening, weekend, and low-residency programs, students are working more and more in isolation. If we were all full-time students on campus, we would have the informal support that comes with being able to go down the hall and talk with a colleague, etc. But instead, we are working late nights and weekends at home in front of the laptop.

With that in mind, I hope the encouragement lounge provides brief moments of respite and energizing connection. This does not at all replace valuable face-to-face contact. Many aspects of the academic journey can only be addressed via in-depth conversations with colleagues and teachers. And I would always rather sit down and talk with someone than to communicate online. Nonetheless, my aim is to give you one more channel for quick hits of support.