My Goal Grade
| A Work | B Work | C Work |
-Misses one class or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Annotates all readings thoroughly -Makes substantive comments in discussions -Completes all assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Work demonstrates intellectual engagement, care, effort, and growth in response to feedback -Collaborates substantially, contributes to vision, works equally with peers | -Misses two classes or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Annotates readings -Often participates in discussion -Completes all major assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Completes most SAs on time -Work demonstrates care, effort and growth in response to feedback -Collaborates equally, completes required work | -Misses three classes or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Completes most readings -Sometimes adds to discussion -Completes all major assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Completes at least four SAs -Meets minimal expectations on assignments; shows limited growth in response to feedback -Completes required collaborative work |
First-Week Introduction
These five goals: Reading, Intercultural Knowledge and Competence, Information Literacy, and Collaboration will all pave the way to success for me this semester. After just recently taking on the role as a “CODES ambassador”, I need to learn how to manage my time well, effectively brainstorm, and work with my peers, in order to succeed. I need to set aside time for each assignment and plan ahead.
Reading plays a big part in this section of CODES. “Give Methods a Chance” is a great book that challenges readers to get a deeper understanding of anything and everything. I want to excel in analyzing these weekly readings. I want to participate in class discussions and, hopefully, give another perspective to them.
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence is something I am always wanting to improve on. As a white woman, it is hard for me to fully grasp what my classmates might go through, but I want to try my hardest. I am so interested in other cultures and their way of life.
Information Literacy is something I’ve always been good at, but will be a great goal for this semester because I want to further learn how to analyze data. I am looking forward to conducting surveys and learning how to be ethical when doing so. I have always been good with numbers, but I need to work on presenting them in an easy to digest way.
Lastly, collaboration: This goal goes hand in hand with all of my other goals. If I had to describe CODES in one word it would have to be collaborative. We are constantly working together and pushing one another to grasp this wicked problem. I am excited but nervous to see our final projects.
Midterm Introduction
This semester has been a great opportunity to learn about data collection and ethics. I have enjoyed learning about conducting surveys ethically. I put a lot more thought into the composition of this survey than I usually would have. I didn’t realize there were this many layers to conducting a survey. I enjoyed learning about the kinds of unethical surveys that had been conducted in the past and learning what not to do.
I struggled with article annotations. It was hard for me to be interested enough in some of the articles and pull information out of them. I want to improve more on looking at things from all sides. I have so many intelligent peers in class, and sometimes it feels challenging for me to add to a conversation, because they have it down-pat! I strive to think about things as detailed as they do, and ask deeper questions.
With this being said, for the last half of the semester, I want to come to class even more prepared- reading more in-depth, annotations thoroughly written, and notes with compelling questions ironed out and ready to go. I was very involved in class discussions last semester with Dr. DeSpain, but I think everyone is so comfortable now, they speak up more often and I find it difficult to know when to butt in.
Final Introduction
I learned a lot of valuable information and skills this semester. I enjoyed that most of the topics covered in here could be related and put to work in our research team class. I believe I overachieved my goals for the semester. I took extra strides to better understand readings, improve my oral communication, collaborate effectively with my classmates, analyze information, and lastly submerge myself in intercultural environments.
Although in my previous introductions I’ve expressed some concerns in certain areas, I now feel confident in my work and plan to take this knowledge and bring it to my CODES classes in the Fall.
Course Goals
Goal 1: Reading (20%)
Evaluates texts’ scholarly significance to apply reading to other contexts or issues.
As I read through our textbook, I want to appropriately digest the material in order to participate as much as possible in class discussions. I want to take what we learn in the textbook and apply it to my focus of the water crisis.
| 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? |
| I want to take what we learn in the textbook and apply it to my focus of the water crisis. | Various “Top 5” assignments Annotations on “Give Methods a Chance” Citi Training | I want to appropriately digest the material in order to participate as much as possible in class discussions. |
Above some notes I took from Chapter 6 of Give “Methods a Chance”. This shows that I took the time to fully digest the chapter and came to class prepared to engage in conversation. Applying this to my concentration of the water crisis, it is helpful to look at ethical and nonethical studies to ensure our survey reaches the right audience and does not include any risks.
At the beginning of the semester, we completed Citi training. This was difficult and required a lot of comprehension. It was not required that we necessarily pass the training, but to do our best. I took it upon myself to pass this training instead of completing it.
Goal 2: Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (20%)
Demonstrates 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.
This goal is very important to me, not only in this class, but as a CODES student in general. I am not racially underrepresented, but almost all of my classmates are and it is extremely important that I make good relationships and try to understand their struggles to the best of my ability.
| 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? |
| I want to gain a better understanding of what my classmates go through. White people are not racially underrepresented but my classmates need my full support. | Henrietta Lacks “Top 5” Participation in class discussions | Listening to classmates and participating in class discussions. Analyzing why and how minorities are misrepresented in society. |
Although I don’t talk much in class, I find myself aggressively head nodding and smiling at others’ inputs. I strive to focus more on this in the second half of the semester. It is so interesting to see what others struggle with and what experiences have led them to where they are today.
Throughout the last part of the semester, I was more comfortable participating in class discussions. I found the discussion slides very helpful. I was especially intrigued by Discussion #3 and #6. I connected with these articles on a deeper level so I was excited to share my thoughts in class.
Below is my article annotation on AI in the classroom. This is a very controversial topic nowadays and I made sure to assess all sides thoroughly.
Goal 3: Information Literacy (20%)
Accesses information using effective, well-designed search strategies and appropriate sources.
Throughout the semester, we are going to be conducting surveys/analyzing data. I want to be able to draw conclusions and tie these into our wicked problem. This goal will be crucial to interpreting data into digestible information.
| 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? |
| I will assess all sides of a problem and ensure the surveys we conduct are going to produce answers to our problems. | Find a survey assignment Data review worksheet | I want to be able to draw clear and concise conclusions from data. |
Below is my “Find a Survey” assignment. I found this to be especially useful when conducting my own survey in our research team. I had never conducted a survey before nor had I paid attention to the risks and ethics of a survey. This helped me practice how to draw conclusions from my own research.
Next is my “Dataset Review” worksheet. In case the “Find a Survey” assignment wasn’t helpful enough, this worksheet allowed me to practice more on analyzing data and interpreting it. I was able to take Dr. Bradley’s research and turn it into words that anyone could understand. I can then tie this back into the work we are doing in our research team when conducting and coding our research.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude for our library presentations this semester. Zotero training was extremely helpful as well as overall learning what the library has to offer. The library isn’t just a place to study or read books, but a place for research. I am now much more aware of the resources the library has for us as researchers and CODE Students.
Goal 4: Collaboration (20%)
Helps collaboration move forward by articulating the merits of alternative ideas.
Collaboration is the heart of CODES. We have to work together to tackle a problem, using knowledge we use in this section of CODES and applying it to the other. I want to ensure we are all communicating and learning how to be good group mates.
| 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? |
| I will work effectively in big and small groups. I want to participate in discussions and ask/answer questions. | “Top 5” on group dynamics Reflection #3 | Successful brainstorming within small groups, class participation, giving feedback. |
I have always perceived myself as a good communicator and collaborator. I always take the initiative and fall into leadership positions often. In CODES, we should all collaborate equally, so there should not necessarily be a designated “leader”. My team has been working exceptionally well thus far. When I read The Psychology of Groups, I learned a lot about how groups are structured.
In this Top 5 assignment, I actually wrote 6 annotations because I found this article very helpful. Here are a couple points I resonated with and now incorporate in groups:
These show that I am open to new ideas and change. I am always looking for more opinions and how to better myself. Thinking about these things while collaborating will make for a stronger team.
Adding on, there were two videos that I found helpful: Social Loafing and Social Facilitation. I related to both of these videos because I have been a leader in a group before and I have been a straggler in a group before. In CODES, we need to learn how to work together instead of one person doing everything or nothing. We all need to equally contribute to the work.
Finally, below is Reflection #3. I especially connected with this reflection because CODES is all about collaborating and learning how to work together. We are all in our first semester of college and working together looks different than it did in high school, but we are also faced with a daunting research question that we are working toward resolving everyday.
Goal 5: Collaboration (20%)
Works independently toward goals by contributing and meeting deadlines.
I really want to earn an A in this class and meeting deadlines plays a big part in that. One of my 2025 New Year’s Resolutions was to get started on assignments early and not procrastinate. Although there are group assignments, I still need to be responsible for the individual assignments.
| 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? |
| I want to get my work done in a timely manner but also thoroughly. I want to stay organized throughout the semester. | Planners To-do lists Submitting work on time | Organization and planning will be crucial. Offering my thoughts and opinions in class discussions. |
Thus far, I have submitted all work on time. I have done a good job at setting aside time throughout the week to get my assignments done. Below is one of many weekly To-do lists I’ve made:
This shows that I am organized and dedicated to getting my work done.
I chose to do my final project independently. There were many reasons why I chose this, enhancing this portion of my eportfolio being one of them, but ultimately, I am glad I chose this route. I was able to pace myself better and ensure everything was up to standard without stepping on any toes. I believe I present better alone because I can practice on my own time and thoroughly write out what I want to say.
My plagiarism training is another personal accomplishment I have completed this semester. This helped me throughout all of my article annotations, Top 5s, and reflections. Not only has it helped me in this class, but all other classes. Especially in my research team, as we are researching good after school activities for children, we need to give the proper credit to the creator.
Following up at the end of the semester, I can finally say I am done with all of my work for this class. I completed every single assignment on time and always came to class having had read the readings. I was always ready and excited to participate in discussions, however I’m not sure if that was me talking or the Venti Iced Shaken Espresso I’d have every morning 🙂