Communication Competence
Learners will become effective communicators in their discipline.
I will learn to relay my thoughts and ideas and opinions through communication.
I am choosing Students Should Be Required to Learn a Musical Instrument from COM 231 – Public Speaking. This was my persuasive speech. I selected this topic because I learned to play the trumpet when I started Middle School. I felt strongly that it helped me to become a better student and helped me with my social skills. This topic gave me the ability to research and back my beliefs with evidence that my theory was true. The most impactful evidence that I came across while researching, was from a school in Winston Salem, NC. The students were from a lower income area. Two groups of students were mentioned. One group scored low on the end of grade testing and one scored high. The only difference was that the class that scored higher had music added to their curriculum. Everything else was the same.
My first SMART goal was to relay my thoughts through written words and speech. I believe that this showcased my ability to not only relay my thoughts through speech, but to create a power point presentation in order to persuade my audience. In the past I have found it hard to focus in on topics without wandering. I have learned to look outside of myself to draw attention to a topic by using colorful imagery. I chose my pictures carefully for the presentation as I know how important the images are to help relay my topic. These pictures were valuable to my speech, because they were personal. They showed that I have a personal connection to my topic including pictures of myself in the band in high school in the eighties. I discussed the benefits that are obtained through music including making students better problem solvers, more coordinated and helping them with social skills. The band in school for me helped with all of these aspects. The friends that I made within a music curriculum, are still my friends thirty years later. The words chosen for the power point presentation were also critical as they not only helped keep my audience engaged, but it helped me stay on track and guided me through my presentation. I have learned to brain storm ideas and research. I learned in order to do this, I need to allow myself time to complete a task. Not waiting until the last minute helps me to ensure that I have time to think things through, and allow time for feedback from class mates, or friends. I learned to take constructive criticism, and apply it to make me a better writer.
My second SMART goal was to be able to apply this communication competency to every aspect of my major. I learned that my first goal is inclusive of my second goal. In order to communicate effectively it works best for me to express my thoughts in written form to better organize and present my thoughts to others. This speech was later in the semester and I was able to learn to slow my words, and emphasize what I was speaking on to clearly communicate my thoughts and persuade my audience through my research. I was able to use visual images such as the pictures of me in high school, through the power point to make my presentation more interesting to my audience as well as words to guide my audience in my thought process. This has proven to be very important to each of the courses for my major.
I would say that the communication competence was one that I struggled with the most. This is one competence that is so important in life. We must be able to communicate with each other. This is probably one of the most important life skills as well. Being a good communicator, both in written word and in speech, is very important to my future educational and career path. I am now able to take what I have learned about communication and apply to my career. I have learned the importance of communication with my team members and how to present my words in a clear way that makes it easier to share my thoughts and for others to learn. I have seen first hand the importance of communication and what happens with the lack of communication in the working world and personal lives.
Creative Problem Solving
Learners will apply appropriate techniques to solving problems within their discipline.
I will learn to problem solve by using appropriate skills obtained through my degree.
I have chosen my Assessment Assignment - Amos Moving Company that was completed in Accounting 120. This class was particularly difficult for me. I had to spend numerous hours in order to comprehend the accounting principles. The more I studied, the more I understood, and the information fell into place. I started to really enjoy it, as it felt like I was solving puzzles. I enjoyed puzzles as a child. It was probably one of my favorite things to do. I can remember the wooden puzzles given to me and can still feel the pieces in my hand and the smell of the new puzzles. This assessment gave me minimal information and I had to complete an income statement, a retained earnings statement, balance sheets and journal entries.
My first SMART goal was to use information given to solve problems. When given financial information, I was able to prepare financial statements in accordance with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission approved “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (GAAP).
My second SMART goal was to use techniques learned to provide a reasonable solution. I was able to follow directives given in accounting to be able to obtain a reasonable and successful solution to problems in accounting. This is important because, not only was I successful in providing a reasonable solution to this particular problem, it has shown me that no matter the problem, whether it be on paper, or in life, I can use the techniques I have learned in problem solving to come to a reasonable solution.
Solving problems seems to be one large aspect of business. In my current role, problem solving is a daily, if not hourly task. Some of the problems that I deal with include scheduling and conflict management. In the healthcare setting, one of the puzzles we face are putting appointments on a schedule in the correct time slot and with the correct physician. As a "people-pleaser", I know that with critical thinking and problem solving, there is always the opportunity for conflict, and I have always been one to avoid conflict at all costs. But as a creative problem solver, I have learned that if you can solve problems using appropriate techniques, you can help improve the system and improve relationships. One must learn the techniques in order to be a productive problem solver. Good problem solvers are good "thinkers".
Information and Media Literacy
Learners will demonstrate the ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively and responsibly use and share that information for the problem at hand.
ACA 122 College Transfer Success
https://eweb1165.wixsite.com/website-1
I will learn to use media to find and assess information and share the information appropriately.
The artifact I have chosen for Information and Media Literacy is my first attempt at the ePortfolio completed in ACA 122 College Transfer Success. I really struggled at first with the thought of building a website about myself. This course was one of the first taken as I continued my education. While there is a lot to say since I have already been working a career that I love, it was difficult for me to put it into words. As an older student, it is hard to say “I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up”. I should have this all together.
My first SMART goal was to be able to find appropriate media for research using the correct form of technology. I have learned to use of the internet to create a website about me, and how to use NC Wise resources for research. These skills are imperative throughout my major.
My second SMART goal was to be able to create a website that will introduce me to others whether in education or career. I have learned to create a website about me to show others who I am as a student and professional. It highlights my abilities in all curriculum, and shows that I am a well-rounded individual that would be an asset to any educational venue or career.
Media is a powerful tool in business. It helps consumers make informed judgments. It also fosters an environment where people can work together. I have learned recently, that you are either the consumer or the product when it comes to media. So it is very important to understand the role of media and how to use it to your advantage in a business career. I can use my electronic portfolio to showcase myself as a product to some extent. I am trying to encourage future employers or educators to invest in me. I am worth the investment!
Understanding the Arts and the Human Experience
Learners will demonstrate an understanding of arts and humanities in historical and cultural contexts.
HUM 115 Critical Thinking
https://eweb1165.wixsite.com/ewebb
The artifact that I have chosen is my e-Portfolio created in HUM 115 Critical Thinking. This course is one of the last courses needed to obtain my Associates Degree. As challenging as all of my courses have been, I don’t think any have been as challenging to me as this course. It is difficult for me to delve into my thoughts as deeply as this course requires. The self-evaluation is difficult for me. I am excited for the prospects of what I am in the process of learning about myself.
My first SMART goal was to fully understand the human experience and have the ability to apply it to my studies or career. The reality of the human experience, the mental, emotional, and spiritual characteristics of human life are evident in the Critical Thinking course. I have learned to communicate about myself, my knowledge, my imagination and thought process in the creation of this website.
My second SMART goal is to learn how the arts reflect culture. What I have learned through this artifact shows my creative skill and imagination. Showing these skills gives an insight into my personal identity. Art is diverse and inclusive of all humanity.
Understanding the Arts and the Human Experience is at the very center of human culture throughout time. It is important to thinking critically, be creative and be a success in a world that is ever changing. This is important to my field of business, because I feel that in business we sometimes forget about the human experience. We are all different and therefore shouldn't be grouped together as consumers. Our differences make us beautiful and unique.
Social Scientific Literacy
Learners will demonstrate an understanding of social science methodologies in order to explain the consequences of human actions.
PHI 240 Ethics
I will learn to understand society and social relationships and be able to explain the consequences of the actions that people take.
The artifact I have chosen is from PHI-240 Ethics, White Bear Position Defense. This was an episode of “Black Mirror”. The episode showed a futuristic society where a woman is being punished for crimes that she committed. This was all done for the enjoyment of others. The woman had no memory of what had happened. Each day, she is forced to live the same experiences over and over again, each time, having her memory erased. What I had to decide was is this ethical? Is this morally reprehensible? This had me really dive into my thoughts and decide for myself where I stand.
My first SMART goal is to understand human relationships and human actions. This artifact shows my ability to discern human relationships and actions. I watched the characters in the assignment, a helpless and confused woman ran and screamed for help, the by standers videoing her every move. She doesn't understand why those around her are not helping her. This interaction reminds me of those around me today. Focused on their mobile devices, "watchers" of their peers, rather than getting involved, they have become voyars. This is immediately the thoughts that come to my mind as I watch. We should stop watching and help, right? Human relationships are so important and our actions play a huge part in the interactions with others.
My second SMART goal is to be able to communicate the consequences of human actions. This artifact shows my ability to communicate my beliefs about the consequences of the actions of human beings. The woman in the video was being punished for her part in the murder of a young woman. While she did not kill the person, she stood by idol, and videoed while someone else killed. Thus her punishment. To repeat the same day, over and over again. Finding herself in the same scenario, in danger, with no help from the onlookers. The dilemma, should the punishment fit the crime? Is this morally reprenhensible? I believe so. After each day, her mind was wiped clean, to start the next with no recollection of the previous day. Therefore, only being punished mentally, and never learning from her mistakes.
The ethics course taken here, opened my eyes. While I have always been taught to be an "ethical person", and there are always consequences to my actions, ethics runs really deep. In my business education, to understand what ethics means in business as well. It means a lot to be an ethical business person. To exude honesty, integrity, be law abiding and instill trust in those around me. The ethics that I learn in my life lessons, and my education will indeed flood over into my business career.