A500.9.4.RB - Course Reflections

I feel that this course was extremely insightful for me. It reinforced ideas that I always try to practice in my personal and educational life. I have always valued critical thinking and being knowledgeable in why you have the opinions and views that you do. This course helped me realize that you should always be on the lookout for new ideas and perspectives.

I really did not feel like I had any negative views in the course. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the process. It was a bit difficult for me to get in the groove of an online class. For me personally, I feel that I tend to do better and enjoy a Face to Face experience in a classroom more than in an online modality. This will not prevent me from taking more courses in the future with this program, but it made me realize I need to change my thinking when it comes to online courses and staying on top of work when you do not have the pressure of Face to Face.

I feel that all of the topics in the course were relevant to me. I feel that Leadership is necessary for all careers. I could feel this especially in education. I could use all of the ideas we discussed in the classroom. I keep going back to my history background, but I really value critical thinking, especially in a Social Studies classroom. Part of my philosophy of Education was that I believe that teachers should help guide students into thinking for themselves to become competent, participant members of society. This meant, to me, that students should be able to speak intelligently about their opinions and use fact, reason, and sometimes opinion to discuss current events and viewpoints. I do not believe that people should follow blindly. A person needs to be able to think for themselves rationally to come to a conclusion. I feel that this course helped reinforce how important this concept is for me.  

A500.8.3.RB

I have a long standing history with sitting through presentations. From sitting in a high school classroom, to college level classes, and even through my current job in Education, I believe that I am well versed in what a good presentation entails. To me, a good presentation involves a few key points including design and layout, the way you speak, and determining what information is important to the audience.

Design and layout of a presentation should be clear and interesting, free from distraction and wordiness. It is very boring to sit through a presentation that is filled with the run of the mill current PowerPoint slides that everybody uses. It is even worse to sit through a PowerPoint filled with enough words to fill every slide. Through my experience in Education, I know that people have short attention spans and do not enjoy wordiness. People like to hear the ‘point’ and move on to the next idea.

Next, I think that a good presentation entails a good public speaker. Nobody likes to listen to somebody who has a monotone voice. Part of being a good public speaker means not saying words like, “um”, or “like”. This contributes to wordiness as well as making you sound like you do not know what you are talking about. Also, it makes it difficult for the listener to follow what you are saying.

Finally, it is important to keep your audience in mind when you are giving a presentation. This is important because you need to be able to give the information that they need without anything extra. For example, I don’t know how many presentations that I have attended where the presenter was giving information that should already been known. This, in my opinion, makes the presentation a waste of time. 

A500.7.3.RB - Quantitative Research Reflection

The quantitative method is different from the qualitative method in that it seeks to ask ‘Why’ (Mamia). This means that the quantitative method is based on measured, and numerically expressed data or information. Basically, to me, the quantitative method revolved around data deriving from numbers and statistical evidence determined from a data matrix (Mamia). This type of research is best used to compare groups or ideas. Alternatively, it can only be used for measurable events or ideas.

It is important to plan your research when using the quantitative method. You need to make sure you have your topic selected and do some research about this topic (Mamia). Additionally, you need to select a theoretical approach as well as specify the problem on what you want to do your research. Finally, you will need to plan the empirical research process (Mamia).

You will need to select a sampling, or observation units (people). These should be a wide variety so that you can get a sample of a large group that could represent an entire population. This can be done successfully, for the most part, by random sampling to avoid any error (Mamia). To obtain the data, you can do surveys through email or the post, in addition to interviews (Mamia).

I can use this type of research method if I wanted to get more concrete data as opposed to using quotes. I feel that I would enjoy the process of qualitative research better because it is less likely to use numbers. I am not confident in my use of analyzing figures and numbers. I feel like I would be more successful using a qualitative method. I feel that a qualitative method is best suited for more scientific projects, or projects that use a great number of people to gain results. 

A500.6.3.RB - Qualitative Research

To me, qualitative research is using research to explore an idea to gain a greater understanding of the topic. This type of research can be used to gain more detailed information about a topic. Typically, the researcher will ask a question, or form a hypothesis. The researcher will observe to find out an answer to this hypothesis, or gain a new perspective. There are many features of qualitative research, for example, the researcher acts as the ‘human instrument’ of the data collection (Hoepfl, 1997). This means that the researcher is actively involved in the data collection. Qualitative research should be descriptive as well as trying to incorporate expressive language in the research (Hoepfl, 1997).

There are multiple things that are the responsibility of the researcher, for example, they must have a stance on the idea or topic they are researching. To me, this means having a clear hypothesis. The researcher much be completely involved in the research process to come to a conclusion about their hypothesis from their experiences.

There are multiple ways to collect data from qualitative research. First, a focus needs to be determined for the inquiry. Additionally, the researcher must decide how to obtain the research, and from where they will find it. Finally, the researcher must have a plan for the analysis of the research along with thinking about how to determine trustworthiness of the participants (Hoepfl, 1997).

Data collection can include interviews, observations, as well as recording data. It is the responsibility of the researcher in regards to an interview to make sure that the interviewer is asking probing questions. Additionally, observations are important because you can watch people naturally and are free to take notes and make conclusions based on actions (Hoepfl, 1997).

Next, the researcher should analyze the data. To analyze data, one must identify common themes in the research (Hoepfl, 1997). Then, the researcher must use quotes from participants if necessary to help bolster the research. The researcher should see how the themes of the research are linked with their hypothesis.

A500.5.3.RB_MyersCatherine

When thinking about how, or even if, my critical thinking skills have changed throughout this course, I noticed that they actually have grown. I feel that I am able to be more open minded and view certain ideas from a different perspective. It may not change my opinion or view of the subject matter or idea, but I am definitely more open to the new ideas. I have enjoyed the discussion posts the most because it gives me another perspective other than my own. I feel like this is the part of the course that I benefit from the most. I would have to say that the portion of the class that has changed my views and perspectives the most would be the Claim vs. Fact discussion post. I feel that this particular discussion post allowed my critical thinking to get a ‘kick start’. I was able to look at facts from a different perspective, and to take certain ideas with a grain of salt until I am able to look at it from a research based perspective. I feel that this course is going to be a memorable one.

A500.4.3.RB_MyersCatherine - Ballet Slippers or Adorable?

Upon the completion of watching the TED video about choices as told by Dr. Iyengar, I was very intrigued by her research. I agree with her perspectives on choice. Having choices is not always a good thing. Additionally, enjoying and appreciating choices are different depending on your background and how you were raised. Americans tend to feel freedom in making choices. Americans tend to be apprehensive when they discover that their choices are removed. This to me, is due to the mindset of Americans. Americans tend to feel like something is taken from them when they do not have the ability to make their own choices. But often times, it may be easier to not have a choice, for example, when Dr. Iyengar was speaking about taking your baby off the ventilator. I feel that this point rang true when Dr. Iyengar did her action research on the children selecting their activity. The American children did better when they were able to choose the activity as well as the color of the marker they used. Asian American children on the other hand did better on their activity when their parents chose for them. This is due to how choices are viewed in their culture or society. This ties into leadership because certain people thrive better when they are directly told what, when and how to do something. Others thrive when they are given a choice and when they can be creative. I really enjoyed Dr. Iyengar’s final action research project when she was talking about the nail polishes. Names and descriptions of the nail polishes affected how you views them, basically, how they ‘looked’ to the consumer. I don’t think that is something that I would have thought about before. Her perspective is completely different because she is blind. She needed to rely on what others said about the nail polishes. When she decided to find out why they described the nail polishes in that particular way, she found out that the polishes were actually almost identical, leading me to believe that this was a marketing ploy. Ultimately, I agree with the points that Dr. Iyengar made about choices. I did not think about them in the perspective of how culture depends on how you react to choice.

A500.3.4.RB_MyersCatherine

Based on previous experience in higher education I understand and appreciate the benefits of using a school’s library as a means for research, and looking through the Hunt Library was no different. The Hunt Library will be extremely beneficial for me throughout the Master’s Program. Being able to search through the databases and gain access for full text articles online is something that will become very useful in the weeks to come. I have learned that through databases and the Hunt Library you can trust the information you are using. For example, when looking through Google on the topic of Leadership Communication, the first link that pops up is a Forbes link with a “Top 10” type article. While this may be useful, it is not something that is scholarly in context. This is the benefit of using the Hunt Library, you know the articles that you are using are scholarly in nature. In the Hunt Library while searching under the exact same search of Leadership Communication, I found many peer reviewed journal articles. Personally, I have more confidence in using these articles as a means for research than Google. In my opinion, there is a place for Google in education, maybe to get a basis of general information, but it is easy to fall into the trap of finding incorrect information from a website that is not scholarly. To avoid this, it is crucial to use the school’s library for research. I enjoy looking through the articles because I find a wide variety of opinions and information. You can get a well-rounded set of information when using the Hunt Library. 

A500.2.3.RB_MaryCatherineMyers

I have found, throughout my life, that I hold myself to certain standards. People hold themselves to certain standards because they are used to gauge thoughts, ideas, and actions. Upon reflection, I have found that while I mainly hold Non Critical Thinking Standards, I also value many Critical Thinking Standards.

Accuracy is one Critical Thinking Standard that I value the most. I always try to be accurate in the statements that I make as well as in my actions. Nosich explains accuracy by saying, “What matters for accuracy is not whether I believe a claim, but whether that claim actually fits the way things in fact are.” This statement holds a great deal of value to me, and this is a point that I always stress to my students. Think critically using accuracy to make decisions. I really enjoyed the idea that sometimes, it is more comfortable to keep your beliefs even when you receive evidence that your beliefs are not accurate. I feel that this is most important, especially when you are being open minded about a subject. I acquired this standard through my education and being honest with myself. People are prone to make quick judgments and opinions without thinking them through and using reliable sources. This is something that I value about myself, I try not to jump into a conversation or discuss ideas (in the academic world), unless, I feel that I am confident enough to hold an intelligent conversation. This is something that has always bothered me about fellow students and people in general. All too often I have come across people talking about a subject as if they know exactly what they are talking about, when in fact, they are spewing incorrect information. I feel that this standard should be one valued by everybody. One should always be on the lookout and have an open mind to accept information that they may not have known prior, and use it to help avoid generalizations or help shape their knowledge. This has changed greatly over the years and through my education. I did not realize the importance of being accurate until my academic career when you have a reputation to uphold. I pride myself in trying my absolute best to speak accurately and always be open minded for correction.

I also value many Non Critical Thinking Standards such as being moral. These standards I have acquired mostly through my parents, and I am whole-heartedly thankful they instilled these ideas in me. Having morals is something that will never change in my life. There are certain ideals and thoughts about topics that I will never change. To me, being moral means choosing right from wrong, and many of these morals that I hold are the ‘hot topic’ issues in society. I do not waiver when it comes to moral issues. It is who I am. I believe that people should be treated kindly, given natural rights, and follow the laws of the land. I also believe in the value of human life. These issues are black and white to me. Often, it is easy to be swayed one way or the other especially when you have a charismatic speaker or someone you look up to speaking to you. I think that it is very easy in college or in life, to have somebody like a professor, or politician tells you are wrong in your thinking. It takes a strong person to stand firm in your beliefs. This is something that I matured into understanding. I realize that this may sound contradictory to my above paragraph in accuracy. For example, one action that I am morally opposed to involves abortion. Scientists say all too often that a fetus is not a child and put stipulations on what makes someone ‘alive’. I believe that a person is alive at conception. I will never change my opinion on this.

I believe that sometimes standards are difficult to keep. It is hard to understand how I can value accuracy, as well as keep morals even if I know the facts of the situation. It seems to contradict itself. But, somehow I am okay with this. It is hard to understand and wrap my head around it. I suppose that as I get older, this will make more sense to me.

Nosich, G.M. (2012). Learning to think things through: A guide to critical thinking across the curriculum (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

A500.1.5.RB-MaryCatherineMyers

Intellectual Perseverance is important in the progression of my studies because it lays out the format on how to deal with issues that may arise while at the same time using intellect as opposed to irrationality. One portion of the definition of intellectual perseverance resonates extremely well with education, “a sense of the need to struggle with confusion and unsettled questions over an extended period of time to achieve deeper understanding or insight.” This, to me, epitomizes the process of education. Often times, one finds themselves at odds with the content of their studies and can become confused or even upset when they realize a truth. This is part of the process, there will always be times of learning and answering unsettling questions. It is important to know that these questions will make you wiser and you will achieve a deeper understanding of the content. For example, often times in my studies in the field of history, I discovered many instances of social injustice that I was not aware of, like the treatment of Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. I was horrified to learn that the Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes only to be segregated into camps across the United States. Through this unsettling information, I gained a deeper understanding of the state and mind of the nation at that time. I gained a deeper understanding of the fear and resentment that Americans held after being attacked by such a fierce enemy unexpectedly.

Intellectual perseverance is something that every good leader should know and understand. Being a leader will always come with difficulties, obstacles, and frustrations, but it is important to deal with these calamities using rationality and intellect. When problems arise, people look to their leader to help move them through the obstacle safely and efficiently; this takes a skilled levelheaded leader. One portion of the definition of intellectual perseverance comes to mind when I think about a leader, “firm adherence to rational principles despite the irrational opposition of others.” To me, times of opposition are what helps society or a group grow. These are the times when a leader needs to be rational and open to intellectual insight and truth. If the leader is going to make an educated decision that affects many people, it is necessary to make sure that they are receiving facts and the correct information. Sometimes it can be hard for a leader to weed out the irrationality of suggestions or oppositions of others in the group. For example, using my experience in education, disciplining children in the classroom can be difficult. As a teacher, you are the leader of a group, the students in your class. Generally, children, by nature, can be irrational. Often times, this leads to opposition and discipline problems in the classroom. An effective leader needs to be able to come to a conclusion with the student who is out of hand. For this to be successful, the teacher needs to stay rational and use best principles when disciplining the student. The student will look to the teacher to be fair in their ‘punishment’.

Intellectual Perseverance is crucial to any situation that involves a group of people as well as in your studies. The definition of Intellectual Perseverance serves as a guide to help handle rough situations and come out on the other side with growth and insight.