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
[Now that the semester is over, use your introduction to reflect in-depth on your process. How well did you meet the goals you set out to meet? What did you learn that surprised you? Focusing on your goals for this class, what do you want to remember to take with you into your future courses? What strategies can you use to continue developing toward these goals?]
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” | I want to appropriately digest the material in order to participate as much as possible in class discussions. |
Above are my annotations 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.
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.
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. |
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.
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.