Blog #13 Final Semester Personal Reflection: Due Decenber 21, 12:00am

It has been an amazing 15 weeks hasn't it? I have learned so much from all of you and I grown as an educator. I have enjoyed our journey termendously and cannot imagine anything being any different.

I have been blessed to experience your first semester of college with you. Teaching dignitas means so much to me. I am honored to be a part of it. Being a part of your first year experience is truly a gift. I have enjoyed being a part of the entire process. Entering college and experiencing all it has to offer, can be very overwhelming. I still vividly remember my first year. When I think about it, I am flooded with emotions and memories. It was a rollercoaster. Honestly, I wish I would have had this program. I think it would have been so helpful. I felt very lost and did not know where to go for assistance. I remebering feeling like I was not prepared for this! But I made it and you will too!

For this final blog of the semester, I would like you to reflect on your growth. Read over your posts and comment on them. Please copy and paste things you wrote in the past. How have you grown, changed, and matured? How do you see yourself now? How is it different from before? Read your comment post on dignity. Can you add to it now? What would you add? What have you experienced here at CSS that has shown true dignity? What does dignity mean to you now?

There is no need to comment on each others postings. This is just meant to be your final semester reflection.

Have a wonderful and safe winter break. I look forward to continue our journey when you return.

Sincerely,
Your Partner in Learning~Monica

Presenation Requirements

Applying Theory to Practice

Individual and Group Assignment
Presentation to Class #3

Due: Week 15 groups will present to the class



Now that all projects has been presented, it is time to reflect on what happened and how successful you feel the projects went. The finished result of the projects should be a successful outcome where all group members could participate, inject their opinions and thoughts, and finally complete the project successfully. Select one project that your group feels met all the criteria of the assignment and brought all team players together to accomplish a common goal. This project will be presented to the entire class. Keep in mind, this does not mean that each member did not complete a meaningful and successful project.



Assignment Criteria



Your purpose was is to now create and organize a presentation that demonstrates the selected project and why it was meaningful and beneficial to your group. Clearly explain in detail the process of your project (what, how, where, why) and what all group members accomplished. Follow the guide below to help you create your presentation.

1. Why does the group feel the research you conducted for your project that was most beneficial and educational? Was more information needed? What could have been added? What could have been omitted? What was perfect? What would your group do differently next time?
• Explain the project and how it was presented to the group.
• What was the goal? Did all group members understand this goal? Did the goal get changed as you all worked together to complete the project?
• What did group members learn? What responses were stated so that this was known.
• Why was this project successful? (what,why,how)







2. The second step is to explain step –by- step how the project was led.
• How was the project planed and organized so all group members understood the task at hand?
• Did the collection of information help complete the project (references etc.) Why?
• How did the information collected contribute to the project? Did it help group members understand the projects goal better?
• Include your collection of tools in your presentation and explain how they enhanced your project. Visual aids (power points, DVD’s, handouts, game pieces, materials, etc.)
• Include specific directions given to group member to complete this project ( goals, roles & responsibilities, rules and methods)



3. The third step is a visual aid to show students what happened. You can create a power point with video clips, create a poster board, or other creative ideas that you have to enhance your presentation. You must have at least one visual aid.
• This visual aid needs to be creative, informative, captivating, and set up so that all students can clearly see the information.
• MAKE SURE IT IS ENGAGING!




Your Name
Assignment
Dignitas 1101
Instructor
Date

Writing Help

1. Review of Assignment/Paper Standards
a. Typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font.
b. 1” margins
c. Printed and Stapled prior to class
d. Header (click ‘View’ on toolbar, then ‘Header and Footer’)
e. Page numbers (click ‘Insert on toolbar, then ‘Page Numbers’)
i. Lower right hand corner
f. Reference page when appropriate
i. APA format/MLA Format
ii. Unless an English/Business major you will need to learn APA format ASAP- this is what you will be expected to know and use throughout college!!! Invest in a good manual or use credible online search engines.
g. Title of project when appropriate (different from assignment name)

2. Writing Center
a. If you have problems, or if you simply would like another set of eyes to proof your paper… If you need help understanding format… Can’t seem to figure out what scholarly writing means… Come here!
b. Check it out http://www.css.edu/x1635.xml
c. For more information contact Steve Backus: sbackus@css.edu or writingcenter@css.edu.
d. 2121T

Presentation Evaluation

Dignitas Group Presentations
Fall 2010

Speakers:_____________________________________________________________________

Topic:________________________________________________________________________

5 = Excellent 4 = Good 3 = Average 2=Fair 1 = Poor 0 = Missing

INTRODUCTION
Gained attention and interest 5 4 3 2 1 0 Comments:
Introduced topic early 5 4 3 2 1 0
Previewed body of speech 5 4 3 2 1 0
Related to audience 5 4 3 2 1 0

BODY
Main points clear 5 4 3 2 1 0 Comments:
Main points fully supported 5 4 3 2 1 0
Organization well planned 5 4 3 2 1 0
Clearly cited support materials
3 sources) 5 4 3 2 1 0
Language clear, concise, appropriate 5 4 3 2 1 0
Effective transition 5 4 3 2 1 0

CONCLUSION
Reviewed main points 5 4 3 2 1 0 Comments:
Reinforced central idea 5 4 3 2 1 0
Strong closing 5 4 3 2 1 0

DELIVERY
Maintained eye contact 5 4 3 2 1 0 Comments:
Used voice effectively 5 4 3 2 1 0
Presented 1 visual aid 5 4 3 2 1 0
Used nonverbal communication effectively5 4 3 2 1 0
Posture/ stance 5 4 3 2 1 0
Vocalized pauses 5 4 3 2 1 0

OVERALL EVALUATION
Speech was engaging/conveyed topic 5 4 3 2 1 0
Speech clearly stated goal 5 4 3 2 1 0
Speech completed in time limit (10 min) 5 4 3 2 1 0 Time: ______:______

Comments / Grade:___________

There are three posts this week. Be sure to read them all.

Have a great week!

Dear Class: A spider web of thoughts...I would love to hear your comments

“Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.”



My thoughts lately have been like a spider web; tangled, twisted, and spun in all directions, yet somehow all connected. I have been deeply affected by the diversity presentation and I have not been able to find peace with everything that I have been feeling. I was profoundly troubled by how this presentation was presented. My heart immediately went out to the students placed on the stage and I was devastated that they had to "bleed" for the majority yet again, without any warning or preparation. I was appalled; I still am. I have been angry with the presenter and have tried to understand how and why he did this. I have discussed with my students, co-workers, friends and family about the event, asking their thoughts and feelings. I have been searching for answers. But my focus has not been in the right place. I have made a grave mistake, and I wish to share it with you. I believe that in order to be an effective communicator one needs to be honest, support what they have to say, be able to see and admit mistakes, be real, be active listeners and really hear what others are saying, and understand who you are speaking to (race, sex, age, abilities, cultures, religions, etc). In order for me to be effective, I want to admit my mistake to you.

Last night, I spoke with a very special person, I had never met her before. She works directly with these students that were placed on stage. She was shocked when the students were put on the stage, she asked for this not to happen prior to the event. She too has been deeply affected by this event and is still checking in with these students to be sure they are okay. As she spoke, tears flowed freely down her face, and she without realizing it, reminded me of something that I need to share with all of you. The students on the stage and their message should be the focus nothing else, not Lee Mun Wah. These brave students shared with us freely and tried to help us get a glimpse of what their lives are like as minorities. What they said was honest and from their hearts. Their messages were powerful and real. They did not lie to us, they opened their hearts. By doing this we saw their pain. They were all true to themselves, and did it in front of hundreds of people.

It is true, we all have experienced things that hurtful, and unjust. We have been hurt for reasons that we cannot change. But can you imagine being judged, simply for the color of your skin and for your very being; who you are? My daughters, are minorities. They are even minorities within their own family. What is this like for them? How do they feel when they are surrounded by people that do not look like them? When they tell me one day that they feel alone, should I become defensive and get angry and tell them that they are loved with my entire heart and soul and that I would die for them if I had to? Should I feel hurt? I should only feel hurt for them. I need to hear them and put my feelings aside. I know I will hurt them, never intentionally, but I will. My parents hurt me when they could not understand why I felt isolated within my own family even though they did all in their power not to make me feel this way. I need to realize this is THEIR hurt and accept it. We immediately think to ourselves, that we haven't done anything. We defend that we are not racist. But really that is not what is being said. What is being said is how they feel and we should listen with an open mind and an open heart.

Let us remember, what we heard at this presentation. These are their stories and they have happened, and this is how they feel. Racism exists and it hurts. They have been hurt. We can change it. We can make a difference. We can acknowledge it. We start by breaking down the barriers; not reacting, but listening. We need to hear them and hear their stories. We need to see them as not only how they identify themselves, but also as individuals. Embrace what they said and learn from them.

I would love to hear your comments. Please feel free to comment here.

I am proud of all of you. I am honored to be a part of this journey with you. Lets be honest with each other, really honest. That is how we grow. Thank you for helping me become a better educator and person.

Monica