Dear Dr. Hildebrandt,
For the fall 2024 semester, here are ways I will demonstrate how I will achieve an A in our research team class. I have some skills that I am already proficient at, and also some skills that I am not as confident with and would like to improve on.
8B. Uses compelling, appropriate delivery techniques
This section will be worth 20% of my grade for the semester.
In my words, this learning outcome means that I will be able to inform others in a confident way, for better understanding. This outcome is one I really need to work on. I would rather be one to listen rather than talk. I will work on expanding my vocabulary, and improving my sentence structures. I am going to try to be more outgoing this semester and share my opinions and views on our topics. I will demonstrate these changes when doing class discussions, group discussions, and during my reflections. I will try to not be such a “behind the scenes” person, and try to contribute more in class and group discussions.
4A. Adapts and applies a deep understanding of multiple worldviews, experiences, and power structures while initiating meaningful interaction with other cultures to address significant global problems
This section will be worth 20% of my grade for the semester.
In my words, this learning outcome means that I will be able to fully understand how indigenous knowledge affects the garden. I will be able to address how indigenous knowledge needs to be demonstrated more in the garden. This will allow for garden visitors to change their perspective from a typical westernized science, to how Indigenous knowledge is also present. I will demonstrate this outcome by showing my understanding of indigenous cultures and how they worked to create the garden. I will demonstrate this when working on how we want to implement change in the garden, and also through our reflections.
9B. Identifies and evaluates multiple approaches for solving problems
This section will be worth 20% of my grade for the semester.
In my words, this learning outcome means that I will be able to look through different lens’ when solving problems. I will try to expand my knowledge on how other people may view things. Additionally, I will be mindful of others’ opinions and thoughts. I will demonstrate this when we are implementing our ideas into the garden. There are many different angels from which you have to view our issue. We will have to be able to be adaptive to not only what we think the garden needs, but also what our garden partners think we need. I will make sure our group is doing the best we can when using our different approaches to these issues. I will communicate with our group’s mentor on topics as necessary.
1B. Connects and extends knowledge from academic study to civic engagement
This section will be worth 20% of my grade for the semester.
In my words, this is showing how I will demonstrate how I am bringing my knowledge from the classroom into the garden. I will demonstrate this by making connections between things we have read, analyzed, or discussed, and show how it relates to our work at the botanical gardens. This semester will be more hands-on learning, so bringing things that we have learned in the past year will be crucial to our success at helping the garden improve in their different areas. Also, like you said in our meeting, I could be a communicator with our group’s garden mentor.
3C. Applies ethical concepts to a question and considers their full implications
This section will be worth 20% of my grade for the semester.
In my words, this means that when dealing with our aspects of the garden, we have to make sure we are doing it ethically. We are not saying there is a “right” way or use of something. We are taking into consideration that we are dealing with topics that need to be portrayed ethically, so we are not offending a certain group of people. As a group, we will make sure our ideas for the garden are realistic and can work. I will demonstrate this when coming up with and planning our ideas to make the best changes we can within the garden.
Thanks, Kasey Tipton