Group Work

This past week was a good one! We started off class with an obstacle course which was really hard! Kaylene was my partner, the blindfolded one, and I was the one who could see.  Even with the advantage of sight the course was hard.  It took us the whole time just to get through once.  It was a great example of how important communication is for a group.  When reflecting on the activity we saw that it took all the skills that were key to a successful group to make it work.  Connecting the dots between the lesson and activities is a really good way to learn.


Once Thao and Darcy took the floor we did another good group activity (I think we may have cheated).  We all had to stand on a blanket and without moving our feet we had to flip it over.  Had we not been able to sit down and lean against the tables and marker board I don't think we could have accomplished it, but we had some good leadership to help us figure it out.  


We finished the night with a game of pictionary.  I started out with spring break and ended up with an alien.  It was a great game to play in such a big group.  Looking at the pictures and seeing what went wrong and when was the best part about it.  The game was another great way of showing how important communication and clear understanding is for a group to be successful.  Over all this was my favorite class for icebreakers; it was very interactive and the lessons were brought close to home. 

It Takes Two

This week in class Rachel and I had to play Mario.  The trick was we each could only have one hand on the controller.  I started off with the hand than ran the front to back movements of Mario, it seemed really easy.  Then Rachel and I switched and I had the controls that made him jump, spin, and control Yoshi.  That part was much harder.  It just went to show that you never realize what the other person is going through until you take a walk in their shoes.  The same game can come across a whole different way depending on what hand you have on the controller and I am sure the same goes for life.  


In chapter 6 of our book, groups were the topic.  It listed 10 factors that were important to being in a group.  While reading this chapter all I could think of was the group of peer mentors I am a part of.  I feel like we are a really good group.  The book said a few advantages of a group are support and assistance.  I really feel that on Wednesday nights.  Most of us are trying something new and it is great that we can go through it together.  


It is key to communicate while part of a group.  It is also important to know what your role is in the group.  Know when to talk, when to be somewhere, and when you are overstepping your place.  Keeping a high energy level can be a good way to make learning and growing more fun.  Throughout the semester it will be exciting to see us all grow individually and as a group. 

Chapter 5.

It seems that the reoccurring point of the past few weeks is open-ended questions.  They have come up in many different problem solving techniques.  Asking open-ended questions is one of the main things I have to work on, especially with how important they seem to be.  


In this chapter, open ended questions are important from the very beginning when trying to figure out goals.  In order to understand where a person wants to be in life asking them close ended questions will not get a good answer.  Asking 'yes or no' questions could get them to agree to goals that aren't really theirs.  Staying positive throughout problem solving is key to helping a student, or anyone, obtain their goals. 


This chapter can be very helpful when a student comes to one of us asking about what to do with their future and what major is right for them.  Helping someone keep their goals to an obtainable level is key also.  Hopefully I will remember all of these tips if a problem like this presents itself to me. 

Where do the Weeks Go?

For class this week Amy had us reflect on cultural diversity.  I really enjoyed her lesson plan because it had me thinking about things I wouldn't normally.  Her tying it together with blogging prompts was great!  Cultural diversity is everywhere. 


Growing up in a small down cultural diversity really wasn't something I ever had to worry about.  After coming to a state university I really wish it would have been.  I have never had the opportunity to become friends with someone of a different culture until moving to Ames.  When you grow up in a small town like I did, you tend to think a little more close minded.  Even now I am still uncomfortable around people who aren't like me and I would really like to change that.  


One main tip that stood out to me was acceptance.  I think this is what I struggle with at a deep level.  I always hold in my head that where I grew up and what I experienced was the best and everyone else should have grown up like I did.  When I hear people say they are from the big cities and they love it there I automatically don't feel like connecting with them.   Now when I hear people say they grew up on a farm I think very highly of them without knowing anything more about them.


I need to change the way I see people just by where they are from.  I am sure if I had been raised in a big city I would never imagine riding on a tractor could be a good time. And at the same time maybe I would have still loved that.  People have great experiences every where and just because I had a wonderful childhood where I grew up doesn't mean everyone else would.  I need to open my mind to backgrounds and realize that where you're from doesn't say exactly who you are.