Research and Study Competencies to develop before the final Required Courses

Computer use
• Open a second email account to keep school work separate from personal and junk emails (e.g., a UMB email account)
• Establish forwarding from your UMB student email account to the email you use.
• Establish a filing system for email and attachments downloaded to your own computer (recommended free software, Eudora)
• Establish a system on your computer of folders/directories and folders/directories inside folders/directories, so that all files are inside folders/directories and can be easily backed up or synchronized
  (Suggestion: Courses; Email; Bibliographic records; Work/Organizations; Correspondence;...)
• Establish a system using flash drives to synchronize files from one computer to the next (doubling as a backup so you are not crushed when your harddrive crashes)
  (Synchronize for MACs, CopyTo for Windows)
• Use of listservs
• Use of bulletin boards
• Use of wikis for collaborative knowledge generation, e.g., CCT wiki
• Use of social network sites
  to extend the experiences that we value in face-to-face and person-to-person interactions and to spark other kinds of generative interactions that hadn't been happening off-line, e.g., CCT Network ning (email request to join)
• Become familiar with the facilities and professional development opportunities provided by Information Technology
• Install an up-to-date internet browser and set your preferences on it
• Download Acrobat Reader to read PDF files
• Combine the above into a sustainable set of computer-use practices
  (see guide to a virtual office)
Library use and Research
• Get your student ID card and then a library bar code
  
• Access to electronic course reserves via Electronic reserves
  (path: Electronic reserves and Course Materials | select instructor or course, enter password provided by instructor)
• Access to on-line reference material and internet searching
  via on-line tutorial or workshops
• Establish a bibliography database for references (recommended software, Endnote, or for free RefWorks)
• Understand that using material you did not write witout citing the source is plagiarism and unacceptable.
• Establish a system of files to organize research materials that you have on paper (complementing the electronic filing system).
Writing and Editing
• Arrange peer and/or professional editorial assistance
  (which frees professors to interact with you around your ideas)
• Explore writing assistance if needed
  (e.g., Graduate Writing Center)
• Establish a bibliography database for references (recommended software, Endnote, or for free RefWorks)
• Establish preferred citation style and prepare a guide for yourself to use it consistently
  Citing references, a short guide
• Spelling and grammar check using wordprocessor
• Standard, consistent use of commas and other punctuation
  (use Turabian or other reference to create a checklist beside your computer)
• Formatting using wordprocessor's ruler, table layout, page breaks, indents (minimize use of tabs or spaces!)
• Phases of developing a synthesis project, which are adaptable to any project.
Reflective Practice
• Personal/professional workbook, including notes, journaling, information you want to refer back to
• Reflective Practice (or Metacognitive) Portfolio
• Use of social network sites
  to extend the experiences that we value in face-to-face and person-to-person interactions and to spark other kinds of generative interactions that hadn't been happening off-line, e.g., CCT Network ning (email request to join)
• Hidden diversity
  (See Student paper)
• The Rs of the CCT experience
  (personal, professional, and intellectual development through the CCT Program)
• Process Review option for capstone Synthesis
  If interested start compiling material all through your CCT studies
• Developing as a Reflective Practitioner
  designed for reviewing the synthesis project, but adaptable to any project.