foundation (fnd)
This section contains discussions related to the Foundation Module and issues relevant to new course participants (CPs). Threads are arranged in the following sub-categories:
FND Quick Nav:
study advice
Suggestion: To get more out of these discussions in this section, try the reflective task "Developing Your Approach to Master's Level Study" before reading them.
A Newcomer to the MSc
A new CP having trouble getting through the FND, especially with completing the portfolio tasks, gets advice.
Alternative FND Reading Sources
What are some alternative sources of readings for the FND module?
Consultation of Staff
What are the norms with regards to asking tutors for assistance? What are the limits of politeness? These questions and more are discussed in this thread that includes responses from former tutors Steve Mann and Keith Richards.
Doing the Tasks
Some veterans offer up their general impressions on how to go about doing the reflective tasks within the FND. In addition, the topic of journal writing is addressed, focusing on how to best do it and why it's not done more often.
Finishing the MSc in 2 Years
It's feasable to finish the MSc in two years, but is it desireable? Includes discussion of "Parkinson's Law," and an ad hoc survey of how long CPs took or are planning to take in finishing the MSc.
FND Study Time 1
A bit of advice for a CP concerned about how long it's taking her to finish FND.
FND Study Time 2
How long do CPs usually spend on this module? More detailed advice on this topic.
Information Retrieval Strategies
What system do you have for finding quotations/information/references again when you have to? Tips on information/reference storage strategies.
Journal Writing
The topic of journal writing is addressed, focusing on how to best do it and why it's not done more often.
Keeping an FND Blog
How about using a blog to keep your fnd journal? Includes a link to Blogger.com and an article about using blogs in EFL.
Keeping on Task
How about using a blog to keep your fnd journal? Includes a link to Blogger.com and an article about using blogs in EFL.
More Advice for Beginners
A new course participant (CP) gets answers to her question, "Can any of you remember back to when you had just begun the course? Is there anything you wish you know now about the course/studying/yourself that you wish you could have known then?"
More Study Skills Advice
Another iteration of the "study skills advice for a beginner" discussion.
Motivation
A CP gets advice on dealing with de-motivation in general as well as help on his MET portfolio task on motivation.
Required Reading
How much of the core reading and recommended reading in each module can most people realistically manage? Tips on how to approach reading for the MSc.
Study Advice for FND
Veteran CPs offer tips to a newbie for completing FND.
Study Skills
CPs share learning strategies. How do we go about the nitty-gritty of studying for our MSc?
Study Skills 2: Starting a Module
Although this thread deals specifically with the IIC module, the topics discussed are valuable reading for all new course participants. Advice is given on the "exam or assignment" issue, when to choose an assignment topic, and how to go about doing tasks.
Study Tips Revisited
A CP facing serious de-motivation issues gets advice and support from our community. Along the way, the topic of study tips is revisited.
What books for FND?
This thread starts out as a simple request for advice about which books are best to buy for the FND module. Discussion about the controversial book by Pennycook is prominent, especially in regards to the teaching situation in Switzerland.
fnd portfolio tasks
Suggestion: To get more out of the discussions in this section, try the reflective task "FND Portfolio Task Help" before reading them.
> Portfolio Task 1: SRPE article (AWD)
AWD Portfolio Task
A CP stumped on how to write up the AWD task of searching for the SPRE model in an article gets some help.
Finding a good SPRE Article
Help and advice for finding a suitable article for the SPRE portfolio task.
When S Equals P
Regarding the SPRE model, what is the difference between the Situation and the Problem? Is is possible they can be one in the same?
> Portfolio Task 2: Assignment Proposal (MET)
Finding a Focus
Advice for determining a focus for the MET proposal portfolio task.
> Portfolio Task 4: Analysing Recorded Data (ASI)
ASI Task Advice
Advice and suggestions for completing the ASI portfolio task.
> Portfolio Task 5: Lexical Density Calculation (GLE)
Lexical Density Task
It's often very difficult to guage whether a word is L or G; just what is the main point of this task anyway?
Stubbs Article
Some questions and advice about doing the portfolio task in unit 6, including comments about the Stubbs article.
Missing References, BB, & Interjections
Tutor Ramesh Krishnamurthy provides some missing refernces to the Stubbs & Ure articles, as well as advice on using Blackboard and the treatment of interjections.
> Portfolio Task 7: Syllabus Content (CMD)
Applying Graves' Categories
A CP having trouble applying Grave's model to her personal work situation gets some advice.
> Portfolio Task 10: Course Pathway Decisions
Suggestion: To get more out of the discussions in this section, try the reflective task "Deciding Your Course Pathway" before reading them.
Deciding Your Course Pathway 1
CPs give advice for deciding which modules to take after FND.
Deciding Your Course Pathway 2
More discussion and advice for choosing your next module.
Deciding Your Course Pathway 3
Yet another discussion on this topic, including commentary from tutor Nur Hooten.
New Program Pathway Decisions
An update of this common topic that reflects changes in the MSc program in the fall of 2004. A particular focus of this discussion is the issue of pedagogical vs. theoretical modules.
MAP or IIC?
Deciding your course pathway involves making decisions on what sequence you wish to take certain courses. So, which module is better to take first- MAP (now called "CMD"), or IIC (now known as "ASI")? The modules may have changed since this discussion took place, but the underlying principles and suggestions remain current.
general fnd issues
Action Research Cycles
A meditation on the nature of action research. Inspired from diving head first into the Unit 4 FND task asking for commentary on what went wrong for a teacher when attempting action research in her classroom.
Chinese Girl
Comments about the dilemma of the Chinese girl in the AWD section of the FND.
Landmines in Angola Analysis
An FND CP offers up his detailed SPRE analysis of the "Landmines in Angola" text in unit 2.
Landmines in Angola Challenge
A CP disagrees with Dr. Edge's SPRE analysis of the "Landmines in Angola" text in unit 2 of the FND.
Learning to Learn
Discussion and perspectives on the concept of 'learning to learn.' (Unit task 9.1)
Merchant Story
A CP posts her version of the "merchant story" FND task.
Pennycook & Cultural Imperialism
Reactions to Pennycook's book "Cultural Politics of English," and a far-ranging discussion on the topic of cultural imperialism. For more discussion on this topic, especially with regards to the teaching situation in Switzerland, see the "What Books for FND" thread.
Peer Observation & Evaluation
A CP needing help with unit task 7.4 gets instead a slew of commentary about peer observation & evaluation.
Raimes & Responses to Writing
In the Raimes article from unit 2, the author encourages teachers to respond to student's writing with specific directions on what to do next. What sort of directions should teachers give to their writing students? CPs weigh in with their experiences and advice on error correction and offering feedback.
SPRE
A discussion about the benefits, limitations, and practical applications of the Situation/Problem/Response/Evaluation writing template introduced in Unit 2 of the FND.
with 
and 
