Dear Dr. DeSpain, 

In order to achieve an A in CODE120, here are the goals I’ve set for myself, and I’ll show my progress towards them. 

11.a: Evaluates texts’ scholarly significance to apply reading to other contexts or issues. 25% 

Based on this outcome, I want to challenge myself to compare articles to find a connected understanding of their significance with them. I believe that this will put my annotating and taking notes skills to another level when reading articles and understanding them. When I write my reflections, I can apply my reading to another issue or context and display my evidence of completing this goal in my writing. I can upload the reflections where I exhibited this skill to my e-portfolio and highlight the connections I’ve made, how I applied them, how thoroughly they were explained, and analyzed. 

13.b: Uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to illustrate mastery of the subject, conveying the writer’s understanding, and shaping the whole work. 25% 

I want to improve my written communication skills by understanding the significance of the work as a whole. In the past I’ve often struggled with communicating overall meanings with my writing. Within my reflections I want to curate central ideas and meanings that will communicate overall understanding of the work. With my reflections I can focus on interpreting the entirety of my readings and communicating the overarching meaning of the work as whole. In my e-portfolio I can show that I completed this goal by documenting the revisions of my writing.  

8.c: Develops clear, innovative central messages with significant supporting materials. 25% 

My goal for this outcome is to collectively develop distinct and significant themes from contributing materials to drive the presentation of the content. This may look like having more than a few resources of information that can drive my oral presentation: scholarly articles, newspaper articles, interviews. Specifically in my Digital Projects where I’ll have plenty of creative control, I will document the directions I went and how I found supporting materials/resources to compel my central message in my presentation. On my e-portfolio I will demonstrate this by uploading my processes and then steps I took to complete my projects. 

3.b: Takes risks in approaches to learning to create new knowledge. 15% 

With this goal, I aspire to think outside of the box to create new plans, discover different approaches, and develop interesting ideas to analyze and solve problems. To display my new findings, I will take the time to communicate them by engaging my thoughts in class discussions or giving oral presentations that amplify that knowledge. Along with going more in depth with brainstorming activities and using alternative strategies to enhance my ideas. In moments that I’ve dug deeper or overcome an obstacle I’ll showcase my enlightenment in my e-portfolio. 

5.a: Defines the scope of research questions effectively and selects information cogently to address them. 10% 

Based on this outcome, I want to concentrate on essential research questions and finding supporting evidence that acknowledges those questions that will strengthen my understanding and overall idea of the content. During my research projects I will take the time to formulate more in-depth questions and supporting evidence to drive research. I will take the time to display my questions and the information I discovered by uploading my research on my e-portfolio. 

Sincerely,  

TaKara Gilbert