First-week Introduction
First week back! I’m excited to be back on my feet and ready to stay organized this semester. I am looking forward to finalizing a project I’ve been working on for 2 years now. When I first was introduced to our water conservation issue, I wasn’t interested in it. I have grown to become very passionate about water equity and aware about the struggling areas in our backyard. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have received from CODES and our partnership with JJK FAN. At the end of the semester, I hope to have my water fair toolkit ready to distribute to other after school programs and put CODES on the map!
Midterm Reflection
Halfway through the semester already! Part of me feels like the semester just began, but the other, bigger, part of me can’t believe we are only halfway to summer. So far this semester we have mostly worked on our Emplace group contribution. We were able to tell the story of the CODES Water Fair but also all of the work that got us to where we are now. I am proud of our final products: Toolkit, water fair, lesson plans, surveys, interviews, and so much more. I am excited to see what the rest of the semester entails.
| A Work | B Work | C Work |
– Misses one class or fewer, or completes make-up work for excused absences – Annotates all readings thoroughly – Contributes deeply to discussions – Completes allassignments on time or has approved extension – Work shows engagement, care, effort, and growth – Collaborates substantially, contributes to vision, and works equally with peers – Abides by the CODE of Conduct and classroom norms | – Misses two classes or fewer, or does make-up work for excused absences – Annotates most readings – Often participates in discussion – Completes allassignments on time or has approved extension – Work shows care, effort, and growth – Collaborates equally and completes required work – Abides by the CODE of Conduct and classroom norms | – Misses three classes or fewer, or does make-up work for excused absences – Completes most readings – Sometimes adds to discussion – Completes all major assignments and at least five SAs – Meets minimal expectations on assignments; shows some growth – Completes required collaborative work – Abides by the CODE of Conduct and classroom norms |
Course Goals
Goal 1 (20%)
Based on 7c: Reviews prior learning inside and outside of the classroom to reveal significantly changed perspectives about educational and life experiences.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Revisit my previous CODES assignments and make connections and real world decisions from them. | Reflections Emplace writing | These will show that I have taken my knowledge from previous CODES work and immersed myself in applying this to the real world. |
Below is an excerpt from our group Emplace contribution. This is just one short paragraph that touches on the work we have previously done in CODES. This shows that we reflected on our past work and, eventually, tie these to real world connections.
Goal 2 (20%)
Based on 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.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Connect with Zach and Kurly from JJK and incorporate their feedback in order to improve. | Dissemination Plan Communication with JJK and others | Water Fair Toolkit is successful and distributed to local educational establishments. |
This goal will be executed further during the second half of the semester, as we finalize and meet with JJK more. So far, we met with Zach from JJK to discuss our progress.
Goal 3 (20%)
Based on 8c: Develops clear, innovative central messages with significant supporting materials.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Take in feedback from peers and professors. Revise and practice presentation | Final presentation Speaking outline for Sophomore Showcase | Capture the audience’s attention at the Sophomore Showcase by presenting information in an engaging manner. |
Although this goal is focusing on oral presentation, I still think it is worth mentioning the introduction to our Emplace contribution. This introduction shows a clear central message and prepares the readers for the supporting materials to come.
Goal 4 (20%)
Based on 9c: Implements solutions to address multiple contextual factors.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Working with community partners, classmates, and faculty | Construction and finalization of toolkit Dissemination plan | Adaptability and changes shown along the way |
Our dissemination plan is a great example of achieving this goal. We contextualized stakeholders, addressed community partners, and planned solutions to our wicked problem. We still have 2 steps left in finalizing our dissemination plan. Below is just one piece from our plan
Goal 5 (20%)
Based on 12a: Helps collaboration move forward by articulating the merits of alternative ideas.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Work with group mates to incorporate their ideas | Group communication and brainstorming, Feedback and construction of lesson plans | Revisions made to these examples In-class collaboration |
When constructing our Emplace contribution, there were talks of many different ideas, some of which not everyone was on board with. We were able to come together, brainstorm, and decide on a blog with links throughout that showcased all of the different work we have done. We were also able to receive feedback from research team professors to enhance our work.