One of the biggest political topics throughout all comedy shows the past 5-7 years has been about Donald Trump. In this John Oliver clip, he uses jokes and humorous comparisons to describe his actual concern of Donald Trump potentially becoming president of the United States (please note, this clip is from 5 years ago). While some may think Donald Trump jokes have been overused, this clip shows the very beginning of poking fun at him. This political comedy clip is fresh, new, and amusing. While John Oliver gets laughs from the audience after everything he says, he is still reporting news. He provides data and information from several sources: interviews, articles, social media accounts, etc. Donald Trump jokes are very amusing, even to this day. Most politicians can take a joke and move on, but this politician has had a hard time taking each joke with a grain of salt. In this clip, John Oliver even shows a clip from an interview with Donald Trump discussing a ‘Twitter feud’ between him and John Oliver himself. This, in turn (as we have witnessed) causes more comedy show hosts to poke fun at Donald Trump because he will fight back, give traction to the comedy show, and most likely make Donald Trump look bad. John Oliver goes on in this clip to debunk certain things Trump supporters may have said about him. While John Oliver does not outright say, ‘Do not vote for Donald Trump,’ he insinuates this more than a few times. Whether the audience and viewers know this or not, John Oliver’s words are affecting their mindsets and overall impression of Donald Trump. This is the biggest effect of most political comedy clips/skits: the hidden meaning and overall influence. 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuEu3YfxKhw In a large contrast to the previous clip, this clip pokes fun at Donald Trump’s opponent from the 2020 presidential election: Joe Biden. This SNL (Saturday Night Live) clip from a month ago shows what a message/press conference from Joe Biden would look like. SNL is different from all other comedy shows because it comes from the perspective and viewpoint of the subject. For example, the actors/actresses and comedians on SNL portray public figures that are usually in the media light at the moment. In this clip, SNL writers make fun of Joe Biden’s simpleness, lack of knowledge on certain things, his thoughts on COVID, and more. SNL took a very easy approach in this clip by bringing the public’s view on Joe Biden to life. Many people throughout the media and the public do not see Joe Biden as the smartest man and think of him as older who is ‘not all the way there’ mentally. SNL plays on this by hyperbolizing the lack of knowledge Joe Biden’s character has. Of course, the real Joe Biden does not actually blame the Spider Man movie for the spread of the Omicron variant. I believe SNL, specifically this clip, over exaggerates certain things about political figures to make the skits funnier, but this has a deeper effect on the audience than they first may think. As SNL continues to make skits, poking fun at Joe Biden’s intelligence, it will continue to shift the audience’s mindset and overall opinion on Joe Biden. 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoOQvNfNlMo There are many news shows that are still considered comedic, but only surrounding specific details of the news. In this clip from ‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,’ he is reporting real news, without really twisting the story at all. Instead, he pokes fun at little details within the news stories. For example, in this clip Trevor Noah shows an interview with Joe Biden speaking over a helicopter. Instead of making fun of Joe Biden or the topics mentioned, he chooses to make a joke about Joe Biden speaking over the helicopter in the background. ‘They’re wasting fuel… don’t [start it up] until he gets on.’ While this is still considered comedy, it is not aimed at anyone or anything specific; he tends to pick the smallest, most random things in the news show to make fun of. Trevor Noah is still reporting important news but presenting it in a way that lightens the overall mood. Of course, Trevor Noah still has a specific point of view that he represents on his show, but compared to the other two sources above, this is the most unbiased and serious so far. 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01ZqJR5TMDQ Like the prior clip, this clip does not attack a specific political figure, but rather reports news including funny jabs at specific groups of people. In this clip from a couple days ago, Stephen Colbert announces that Black History Month is upon us. He makes a small joke about Republicans not wanting this month to begin, then continues to discuss news on Black History Month and American racism. Stephen Colbert takes a very sensitive and serious subject in America and puts a lighter, funny spin on it. As the clip goes on, Colbert shows his political views and opinions more as he pokes fun at the Republican party while only reporting the news aspects of the Democratic party. This detail could be unnoticeable to the general audience at times. Colbert does a very good job at disguising little jokes throughout this clip that are solely aimed at the Republican party. Colbert makes small jokes that are not specifically directed at the Republican party but tends to touch upon specific details of the party. For example, the vocabulary used by the Republican party, instead of their specific views. He presents a quote made by the Republican party of a specific state that had the words ‘divisive subjects’ describing teachers. Colbert did not directly make fun of the political party; instead, he made a joke of connecting that quote to the mathematical operation, division. Just like the other clips, this puts a lighter spin on a very serious topic: teaching critical race theory in American schools. 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4S_EzS944U There are some topics that have become political and debatable due to our media and internet access. At the beginning of this clip, Jimmy Kimmel touches upon individuals protesting mandates regarding face masks protecting people from COVID. As the two previous clips have done, this clip makes fun of the little details of the news coverage. Instead of stating something like, ‘this huge group of people will most likely get COVID and hurt their health,’ he described the protest with a group of people as, ‘Covid-cella’ as a play on words of ‘Coachella.’ In this clip, Jimmy Kimmel shows his views in a way that Trevor Noah does: by reporting factual news along with poking fun at smaller details of the story. For example, he showed a clip of the speaker at the protest stating he is not a doctor. Jimmy Kimmel stopped the clip right there and made a joke about where they found this guy. His opinions and political views are being shown throughout this clip, but in much more subtle ways. Jimmy Kimmel does a great job at joking about things that should be common sense in his mind (i.e. mask mandates). Before this much access and input into the media, would health mandates even be up for debate? While the media and talk shows are entertaining, they are also extremely powerful. Every single person seems to have an opinion and a viewpoint on everything. While this may seem like an issue, this is also what drives all the views, popularity, and money for these comedy shows -their biggest topic of each show is politics.

Mastering the Art of Online Learning: Your Guide to Acing Online Courses

Introduction

In recent years, the popularity of online courses has skyrocketed, offering learners the flexibility to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes. However, succeeding in online courses requires a different approach compared to traditional classroom settings. To help you make the most of your online learning experience, this article presents essential strategies and tips to ace your online courses.

1. Set Clear Goals and Plan Ahead

Before embarking on an online course, establish clear goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve by the end of the course and break down your goals into manageable milestones. Create a study schedule that aligns with your other commitments, ensuring you allocate dedicated time for coursework, assignments, and revision.

2. Create a Productive Study Environment

Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for online learning success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can concentrate without distractions. Remove any potential interruptions, such as notifications from social media or email. Organize your study materials and have a reliable internet connection to ensure seamless access to course materials.

3. Actively Engage in the Course

Active participation is key to mastering online courses. Engage with course materials, including videos, readings, and interactive components. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key concepts and ideas. Participate in discussion boards, forums, and virtual meetings to interact with instructors and peers, fostering a sense of community and enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

Online courses offer flexibility, but it’s essential to manage your time wisely to avoid falling behind. Create a detailed schedule, allocating specific time slots for coursework, assignments, and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable segments to prevent procrastination. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dedicate focused time to each one, ensuring consistent progress throughout the course.

5. Develop Effective Communication Skills

Online courses often rely on written communication, making it crucial to hone your skills in this area. Be concise and clear in your written responses, paying attention to grammar and spelling. Actively participate in discussions, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive feedback to your peers. Regularly check your course emails and notifications, ensuring you stay updated with any important announcements or changes.

6. Utilize Available Resources

Take full advantage of the resources provided by your online course platform and instructors. Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) and explore its features. Access supplementary materials, such as textbooks, lecture slides, and external resources recommended by instructors. Utilize online libraries, research databases, and tutorial services to deepen your understanding of the subject matter.

7. Stay Motivated and Engaged

Maintaining motivation throughout an online course can be challenging, particularly when faced with competing priorities or a lack of face-to-face interaction. Set short-term goals and reward yourself upon their completion. Connect with fellow learners through virtual study groups or online forums to foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly remind yourself of the benefits and personal growth associated with completing the course successfully.

8. Seek Support and Clarification

Don’t hesitate to seek support or clarification when needed. Reach out to your instructors for guidance or clarification on course material. Utilize online discussion forums to ask questions or engage in collaborative problem-solving. Leverage the support services provided by your course platform or institution, such as technical support or academic advising.

Conclusion

Online courses present unique opportunities for self-paced learning and personal growth. By setting clear goals, creating a productive study environment, actively engaging with course materials, and managing your time effectively, you can maximize your chances of acing online courses. Remember to stay motivated, seek support when needed, and make the most of the available resources. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability of online learning to achieve your educational goals.