Class Tuesday we did a lot to start thinking about our co-leader pairs and our recitation sections next fall. Our question to start off the day was "what is one skill that you will bring to your peer mentor pair and one skill you want to develop during your time as a peer mentor?" It was good to stop and think about. To my pair next fall I will be able to bring my past mentor experience and my organizational skills. What I would like to develop is to learn more about more students outside of my own section.
We got to play ice breaker games too. They can be really important to build community within your sections and they're a good way for you and your students to get to know each other. Some of them are more suited for extroverts, like the scream game we did with Zach, but they can still be a lot of fun for everyone. And something to keep in mind, ice breakers don't just have to be for the beginning of the semester. They can be for any time and make great fillers and just something fun to do when it's more of a dull day.
We also found out who our mentor pairs are. I'm so excited to be partners with Greg. I think it's gonna be a blast! And Anthony is in my sister section again, so we're both excited about that. :) I think all the pairings turned out really well and Allie, Silas and Debra did a great job working it all out. It's too bad that there were some scheduling problems, but I'm sure it'll all work out. I can't wait to find out for sure tomorrow in class! (again...) ;)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Fun Times... :)
So class yesterday was so much fun! I love scavenger hunts! :) It was really good to go around campus to find the Personal Counseling, Career Counseling, and Career Services, Theilen Health Center, the Study Abroad Center and the Financial Aid Office. Those places are important ones that every student should know, but even by the end of their first year, many incoming students don't. Knowing what those services are and where they're located is important for next year when we have our recitations and incoming students. You never know when you'll be faced with a situation where one will be needed. Being able to walk our students there if they need to and physically show them where it's at can make a bigger impact too. I always remember something better when I go there rather than just being told where it's at.
Well, sorry this blog is going to be a little short. Class was awesome and filming after went really good too. The script really came together and I can't wait to see it when it's done. I can't wait 'til Sunday for the retreat and more filming after! I hope the weather turns out to be nicer than the forecast is saying! Even if it's not we'll have fun though. :)
Have a great (and safe) VEISHEA all! :)
Well, sorry this blog is going to be a little short. Class was awesome and filming after went really good too. The script really came together and I can't wait to see it when it's done. I can't wait 'til Sunday for the retreat and more filming after! I hope the weather turns out to be nicer than the forecast is saying! Even if it's not we'll have fun though. :)
Have a great (and safe) VEISHEA all! :)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Goals vs. Wishes
Tuesday night Zach and Karen did a great job presenting the topic of goal-setting. They opened up the night with the quote "a goal not written down is only a wish." It's so true. I make goals for myself all the time but I find if I don't write it down for myself to see or at the very least tell someone about it who can hold me accountable to it, it's really easy to forget about it and have it not happen.
Tuesday night in class Zach and Karen did a great job of introducing the topic of goal-setting. In the chapter it laid out two forms of goal-setting techniques. The SMART goal probably most of us have heard of or done before. They are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-limited. To me, these goals are more short-term, very specific. They don't allow for a lot of leeway because they spell out exactly what needs to happen when and why.
The second goal-setting method is the Four M's. This includes motivation, make comments, modify environment, and monitor actions. To me, a goal in this setting would be more suited to long-term goals. It's basically a map to get to the ultimate end point and SMART goals can be made inside each step of the way through the process.
In class we were to make our own goals for our next year in the Hixson program, our college education, and our lives after college. I chose to use the SMART goal technique to make all of mine for the fact that it's a little easier to lay out. For this next year I want to learn the names of the students in my section withing 2 weeks and the names of the students in our sister section as well as at least 20 other students in the large group lecture by the end of the semester.
Last year I knew my students and a handful of others. I could recognize faces of those students in our sister section, but I could only maybe name one. Knowing the names of our students is so important in the relationships that we're trying to build. I know from my own classes that if the professor/TA knows my name, I feel like I'm not just another face in the crowd and that I'm important enough for them to know me. It's a simple thing that I can pass on and work with for my upcoming students in the fall and do better with this year.
Goals are important in that they give us something to strive and work towards. The sense of accomplishment that goes seeing it get done is a great feeling as well. We need to continually work to show our students in the fall that goal-setting is important but not only in lecture or by word of mouth. Just like so many other topics covered this past semester, it is sometimes best shown by example, making the greatest impression.
--Sorry this is a little late. I guess the autodraft wasn't working last night and it all went away when I went to submit it. I figured it'd be better to calm down a little before I worked on the new post in its stead. See you all tonight and tomorrow! :)
Tuesday night in class Zach and Karen did a great job of introducing the topic of goal-setting. In the chapter it laid out two forms of goal-setting techniques. The SMART goal probably most of us have heard of or done before. They are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-limited. To me, these goals are more short-term, very specific. They don't allow for a lot of leeway because they spell out exactly what needs to happen when and why.
The second goal-setting method is the Four M's. This includes motivation, make comments, modify environment, and monitor actions. To me, a goal in this setting would be more suited to long-term goals. It's basically a map to get to the ultimate end point and SMART goals can be made inside each step of the way through the process.
In class we were to make our own goals for our next year in the Hixson program, our college education, and our lives after college. I chose to use the SMART goal technique to make all of mine for the fact that it's a little easier to lay out. For this next year I want to learn the names of the students in my section withing 2 weeks and the names of the students in our sister section as well as at least 20 other students in the large group lecture by the end of the semester.
Last year I knew my students and a handful of others. I could recognize faces of those students in our sister section, but I could only maybe name one. Knowing the names of our students is so important in the relationships that we're trying to build. I know from my own classes that if the professor/TA knows my name, I feel like I'm not just another face in the crowd and that I'm important enough for them to know me. It's a simple thing that I can pass on and work with for my upcoming students in the fall and do better with this year.
Goals are important in that they give us something to strive and work towards. The sense of accomplishment that goes seeing it get done is a great feeling as well. We need to continually work to show our students in the fall that goal-setting is important but not only in lecture or by word of mouth. Just like so many other topics covered this past semester, it is sometimes best shown by example, making the greatest impression.
--Sorry this is a little late. I guess the autodraft wasn't working last night and it all went away when I went to submit it. I figured it'd be better to calm down a little before I worked on the new post in its stead. See you all tonight and tomorrow! :)
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