Introduction
During the first half of the semester, I’ve learned many things about myself and about CODES. I learned that getting stuff done on time is important and giving myslef the time I need is even more important. I really enjoyed the freedom we get to choose what we get to work on and the amount of creativity that we were able to put into our work. Something I feel I struggled with in the first half of this semester was motivation. I feel that after the first couple weeks, my motivation to do things on time and efficiently faded away and impacted how I was able to develop some of the following skills. However, I do believe that I excelled at being able to creatively and clearly justify my central ideas as well as present my evidence in a way that convinces my audience to listen to what I have to say. I would like to continue developing these skills as well as gain new ones throughout the rest of my first semester.
Goal 1 (25%)
Based on 6b: I will be able to demonstrate sophisticated understanding of the complexity of elements important to members of another culture in relation to history, values, politics, communication styles, economy, or beliefs and practices
In my second Reflection, I analyzed a piece regarding the LGBTQ+ community. Through this, I learned a lot about the transgender part of the community specifically and it helped me to understand more of the struggles them as a community go through as well as the triumphs they have. In the future, I would go more in depth on how the difference between the triumphs and struggles are just as important as the triumphs and struggles themselves.
In my Photo Essay, I focused on the community that the Gardens of SIUE creates. This assignment helped me to develop a new perspective of the beauty that surrounds us. Making the photo essay and getting to be introduced to this different side of campus allowed me to gain more experience when it comes to observing other communities and cultures.
Goal 2 (35%)
8c: I will be able to develop clear, innovative central messages with significant supporting materials.
These are the rough draft and final draft of the script for my second Digital Project. I wanted to focus on getting all of my thoughts and ideas out first before condensing them into the script. This way I was able to find out the central idea of the text and a way to explain in a way that makes sense to my audience. In the future, I would go more in depth into the pain and suffering that isn’t necessarily described in the passage, as well as those that are happening around the world currently.
These are some clips from my presention of the Photo Essay project. During this presentation, I was able to showcase what I had learned and clearly get the main idea of the presentation acrosss to the class. Next time, I think I would include an interview or photos of other people outside of the class enjoying the gardens to portray an outside perspective of the Gardens.
Goal 3 (10%)
Based on 9b: I will be able to identify and evaluate multiple approaches for solving problems.
In my first Digital Project, I talked about how music has helped me become the person I am and get me through hard times. This project allowed me to give my peers another way of expressing their emotions and an outet for feeling their emotions as well.
Goal 4 (15%)
Based on 12a: I will be able to help collaboration move forward by articulating the merits of alternative ideas
In this peer evaluation, I was able to offer up some things that may nto have been thought of while still sticking to what she wanted to do with her Digital Project. This helped me get better at analyzing my peers’ work and giving constructive criticism. In the future, one thing I may do different would be to add in a few more examples to further explain the points I’m getting at.
Goal 5 (15%)
Based on 13a: I will be able to demonstrate a through understanding of context, audience, and purpose
With my rough draft of the second Digital Project, I was analyzing a type of media that I haven’t in a while. In addition, the topic was one that I knew of but wasn’t fully knowledgeable in. However, through this project and being able to analyze “A Poem (and a Painting) About the Suffering That Hides in Plain Sight”, I got more experience in analyzing this genre.