So technically, that last one wasn't really the "last" one. Hahahaa.
Here ya go;
Case-By-Case
When I first started taking consultations at the Writing Center, I was hesitant to try any kind of practices that weren't strictly out of our guide books. It took me a few weeks, before I realized the fluidity and malleable qualities of every session I conducted within a day's work. The most marvelous of things happened, and I began to vividly envision the way my sessions could go if I adopted an adaptative approach to each and every session. The possibilities were endless and entirely new, a different and fascinating world opened up to me as a Writing Center consultant.
During our classes, discussion became rooted less in a theoretical sense, and more within reality. We all began to understand the ways of consulting, and the power of one-on-one sessions with students. This powerful academic interaction has yet to cease in fascinating me, holding me in a tight, vice-like grip; showing the real potential behind a student's work and the ways in which to coax it out of even the most introverted. As Melissa always said to us in class, “We're giving you tools to put into your tool belt to use during these sessions.” And right before my eyes, I witnessed myself implementing strategies I had read about and incorporating them seamlessly into a session, so much so I would always want to stop and ask the student if they noticed me doing it. But of course that would ruin the magic!
Tutoring became a much less complex web of strategy and more like an organized compartment of drawers inside my mind. I like to keep things in tidy little boxes, possibly with labels, so they are easy and quick to locate and use when the situation calls for it. I began to use a quick mental check list that was vague and generally applicable to most students and their work, and once I had located the student within a category or need, I could use the group of tools that best suit them and their personality. I know this seems like the start of stereotyping, but I made sure to never let silly assumptions get in the way of helping a student to the fullest of my capabilities and knowledge. The multitude of readings on the very act of simply categorizing gave me enough warning to know when to stop assuming and start asking questions. Which leads into one of the biggest pillars of my own philosophy on the art of tutoring. (And yes, it's an art form.)
Beyond the standard greeting and “How is your day going so far?”, I always ask the student to be specific in the assignment's parameters and guidelines. Usually they are delightfully prepared and bring the syllabus or assignment sheet and I get the chance to see, just by that small amount of writing, what their professor may or may not tolerate, and exactly how far I can go with this student. And I say, “far” because I strive to take them somewhere, even if its just a few inches forward. If I happen to be having a rather brilliant day, and I get to take them more than just a few inches or feet, but leaps and bounds beyond where they started, I know that I did my job and I did it well. This is top priority; new realizations, a new skill (however small) or just a different way of seeing the same paper they've been frantically staring at is my ultimate goal.
I feel that I may take too dominant of a stance with a student and their work, assuming a more “teacherly” role rather than tutorly, and I have worked to try tone this aggressiveness down. I always try to remember to ask the student what they want, it's a simple as that. “What do you want me to look over?”, “What would you like to go over today?”. These deceivingly simple requests which can make all the difference in the world. It can take a session from down right stale to ablaze with creativity and best of all, productivity. When going at it from a general angle I keep the HOC's in mind and work on down to the LOC's if there is time. Generally, and we all know this is true, no piece of writing is ever truly finished, and can always use another round of revision or a new pair of eyes. This holds true with even the most pretentious of students (and yes, I am going to call them pretentious, because some of them smack of it). It's always interesting to see their reactions to my seemingly mystical ability to pull something new and possibly (hopefully) even better from their brains.
Vocalization of ideas and using a pencil on paper, rather then a pen or marker are also central pillars in my practices and therefore my philosophy. There is no limit to how much you can quiz, poke, prod and squeeze out of someone. “Why”, asked a hundred times should still a get a slightly new and genuine response; there can never be a moment of conclusion. Expansion is one of my favorite activities to focus on when I work with students and I can usually manage to get even a little bit in on the most stubborn. I refuse to use pens or markers on student papers, and sometimes I'll refuse to write on it completely. I will put a pencil between their fingers if need be, and I'm not afraid to confront an issue head on at any stage of the writing or surrounding any topic. I keep my subjectivity to a minimum, always acting immensely interested in their research or observations while usually having an easy time finding something to discuss with the student about what they just read to me, or I may have just read to them.
These practices may be simple, and I like them that way. There should be a certain level of thought and contemplation put into a student's experience while working with us, but to over think and unnecessarily nit pick at a student or their behavior or even your own reaction to them will always be awkward and cause tension. The easiest way to handle any situation while working with a student is to take it step by step, using the tools we have as well as know-how and experience we've acquired and had bestowed on us through our fellow consultants. All in all, case by case is my mantra, and always keeping in mind that strategy includes a healthy dose of “It just depends!”.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The End..
Of a new beginning! GOTCHA! :D
So this may or may not be my final entry into this blog, who knows, I may write more about my philosophy or experiences or post other seriously relevant WC knowledge on here. Especially the Lolcatz. Those have utmost importance.
Well, all in all, I will say, as my first semester working one-on-one with students, it went a helluva lot more smooth then I really expected. I won't go so far as to say that I expected brimstone and the burning pits of hell at times, but I didn't expect all the fun I'd have. Especially at a JOB. I mean sure there were times when things were a bit tense and awkward with students or even the other consultants, but those times blew over rather quickly and with some easy, and I found myself a bit more experienced socially. I mean, me, being socially graceful or even slightly appropriate, thats nonsense. Except it happened. I got more damn people skillz. This is a good and bad development, I am rather attached to my "bad" attitude. But there is always a time and a place I guess. And while working with students I'm genuinely happy, interested and willing to help so its not all entirely a rouse, I'm a softie way deep down.
So I'm going to start with the bad first, in our typical fashion. I had the hardest week of the ENTIRE semester this week. I have now made a resolute decision to NEVER work finals AGAIN… People were rude, cranky, snarky, bitchy and short with me, and they're the ones asking ME for help. Last time I checked, you can't come in and have us wave our magic WC wands and make the paper a spectacular piece of work with no errors and an exponentially important grade. Sorry, not how it works buddy. I almost lost it with a woman this morning, she came 20 minutes early, and I wasn't on yet so I had her wait. I guess I could have surfed FB somewhere else but she was sighing and giving me all kinds of nasty body language. Well, I'm one of those people that when stuff like that happens to me, it only reinforces a resistance and stubbornness within me. I won't do exactly what you WANT me to do because you're being snotty. Its how I was raised, and it's how I work now, and I know its not exactly, mature, per-say, but thats the way I see it.
So after working with her, I was left with a very nasty, sour taste in the back of my throat. She was insolent, rude and pushy. She didn't bring anything to work on and was convinced neither I, nor Phil were giving her the information she wanted. She went out in a huff and made me feel bad. That is exactly how I DON'T want to remember my last day of the first semester… It got a lot better with my other appointment so that was worth it.
BUT HONESTLY, I wanted to smack most of the people that did come in today, and all of the ones that essentially stood us up. Good thing they don't really miss out anything skipping out on the last day were open. Sucks for those who think we're open tomorrow. MUAHAHAHAHAHAA….. alright, so I may be a BIT vengeful because of the extreme sense of exhaustion and stress I can't seem to shake just yet even tho this is technically the LAST assignment for me this semester. :D
Anyhow, on to the good. It was all good. The class was good, the question of the day was good. The veterans and the 303ers were too. I love everyone and I am so happy to know all of them and to have had this great and wonderful opportunity. It was awesome and I feel really at home in the Center and am so happy I found it when I had the ability to stay here for a few years. :D I'm going to miss Melissa as director next year, but thats to think about then, WE STILL GOT YOU FOR A WHOLE NEW SEMESTER. :D Good, good good gooooood. I'm really sleep deprived right now, and I'm just positively giddy.
I made so many friends this semester and had the opportunity to hold so many cool conversations, however brief, with people in the Center. I can't imagine how my life would be like right now without them. I'm not much of a friend maker, and I seem to be more of a friend loser at this point, but those that are sticking around are the ones worth having around and the new ones make life new and bright and shiny again. Even in the dull nasty grossness of icky winter. I've learned so much about myself as well this semester. I didn't think it was possible to learn as much as I did. I've really started to grow and turn into a person I like seeing in the mirror and to me thats the most valuable of all life experience. I wouldn't be able to do it without the people I go to work with though.
And my writing! Goodness gracious, I didn't think I could make that much progress either. I know I have raw talent but this class and these experiences have made me really take a few steps back from the shitty first and fifth drafts and really hone in on things that need real attention. I've started to become more aware of some of the most minute details and I've ever started getting better at mentally organizing my thoughts so I have less global revision to do, and concentrating more on sentence level issues that I never gave the time of day to before this semester. And just in the nick of time for upper division!
I can't thank you Melissa, nor everyone else enough for everything. Its just been fantastic. I tell EVERYONE about how much I love my job, and how much it means to me and how valuable the experience has been and will continue to be.
I can't wait for next semester and I can't wait to be a part of the Mentoring program, and making even more new friends and seeing even more improvement within student work beyond just one session or a few. :D
Here's the to coolest director, boss and teacher as well as friend I know!
Thank you Melissa.
:D
LOL CATS TIME!!!!
So this may or may not be my final entry into this blog, who knows, I may write more about my philosophy or experiences or post other seriously relevant WC knowledge on here. Especially the Lolcatz. Those have utmost importance.
Well, all in all, I will say, as my first semester working one-on-one with students, it went a helluva lot more smooth then I really expected. I won't go so far as to say that I expected brimstone and the burning pits of hell at times, but I didn't expect all the fun I'd have. Especially at a JOB. I mean sure there were times when things were a bit tense and awkward with students or even the other consultants, but those times blew over rather quickly and with some easy, and I found myself a bit more experienced socially. I mean, me, being socially graceful or even slightly appropriate, thats nonsense. Except it happened. I got more damn people skillz. This is a good and bad development, I am rather attached to my "bad" attitude. But there is always a time and a place I guess. And while working with students I'm genuinely happy, interested and willing to help so its not all entirely a rouse, I'm a softie way deep down.
So I'm going to start with the bad first, in our typical fashion. I had the hardest week of the ENTIRE semester this week. I have now made a resolute decision to NEVER work finals AGAIN… People were rude, cranky, snarky, bitchy and short with me, and they're the ones asking ME for help. Last time I checked, you can't come in and have us wave our magic WC wands and make the paper a spectacular piece of work with no errors and an exponentially important grade. Sorry, not how it works buddy. I almost lost it with a woman this morning, she came 20 minutes early, and I wasn't on yet so I had her wait. I guess I could have surfed FB somewhere else but she was sighing and giving me all kinds of nasty body language. Well, I'm one of those people that when stuff like that happens to me, it only reinforces a resistance and stubbornness within me. I won't do exactly what you WANT me to do because you're being snotty. Its how I was raised, and it's how I work now, and I know its not exactly, mature, per-say, but thats the way I see it.
So after working with her, I was left with a very nasty, sour taste in the back of my throat. She was insolent, rude and pushy. She didn't bring anything to work on and was convinced neither I, nor Phil were giving her the information she wanted. She went out in a huff and made me feel bad. That is exactly how I DON'T want to remember my last day of the first semester… It got a lot better with my other appointment so that was worth it.
BUT HONESTLY, I wanted to smack most of the people that did come in today, and all of the ones that essentially stood us up. Good thing they don't really miss out anything skipping out on the last day were open. Sucks for those who think we're open tomorrow. MUAHAHAHAHAHAA….. alright, so I may be a BIT vengeful because of the extreme sense of exhaustion and stress I can't seem to shake just yet even tho this is technically the LAST assignment for me this semester. :D
Anyhow, on to the good. It was all good. The class was good, the question of the day was good. The veterans and the 303ers were too. I love everyone and I am so happy to know all of them and to have had this great and wonderful opportunity. It was awesome and I feel really at home in the Center and am so happy I found it when I had the ability to stay here for a few years. :D I'm going to miss Melissa as director next year, but thats to think about then, WE STILL GOT YOU FOR A WHOLE NEW SEMESTER. :D Good, good good gooooood. I'm really sleep deprived right now, and I'm just positively giddy.
I made so many friends this semester and had the opportunity to hold so many cool conversations, however brief, with people in the Center. I can't imagine how my life would be like right now without them. I'm not much of a friend maker, and I seem to be more of a friend loser at this point, but those that are sticking around are the ones worth having around and the new ones make life new and bright and shiny again. Even in the dull nasty grossness of icky winter. I've learned so much about myself as well this semester. I didn't think it was possible to learn as much as I did. I've really started to grow and turn into a person I like seeing in the mirror and to me thats the most valuable of all life experience. I wouldn't be able to do it without the people I go to work with though.
And my writing! Goodness gracious, I didn't think I could make that much progress either. I know I have raw talent but this class and these experiences have made me really take a few steps back from the shitty first and fifth drafts and really hone in on things that need real attention. I've started to become more aware of some of the most minute details and I've ever started getting better at mentally organizing my thoughts so I have less global revision to do, and concentrating more on sentence level issues that I never gave the time of day to before this semester. And just in the nick of time for upper division!
I can't thank you Melissa, nor everyone else enough for everything. Its just been fantastic. I tell EVERYONE about how much I love my job, and how much it means to me and how valuable the experience has been and will continue to be.
I can't wait for next semester and I can't wait to be a part of the Mentoring program, and making even more new friends and seeing even more improvement within student work beyond just one session or a few. :D
Here's the to coolest director, boss and teacher as well as friend I know!
Thank you Melissa.
:D
LOL CATS TIME!!!!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
I will still write in this periodically, I kept meaning to, but forget
Next week is our mock conference, dressing up optional, so it looks like I may be the only one.
I'm currently in bed for the second day in a row fighting some kind of cold sickness that has taken up residence in my sinuses.
We met one of the two candidates for the director position next year and I was in a minority that liked him.
We meet our second candidate this week and I have a few chances to over the course of the week. I've been told I'll like him... MK. Haha.
I feel a library and tea session imminent as I've done nothing all weekend except browse and watch through too many netflix movies.
All in all, very excited for next semester, I have a fairly decent and heavy credit load, working in the Center AND the Fellyn program that is going to change to the Writing Mentor Program. :D
I'm going to go kick this cold's ass with a hard dose of homework conviction. Hahahaaaaa.
As always, lolcatz.
I'm currently in bed for the second day in a row fighting some kind of cold sickness that has taken up residence in my sinuses.
We met one of the two candidates for the director position next year and I was in a minority that liked him.
We meet our second candidate this week and I have a few chances to over the course of the week. I've been told I'll like him... MK. Haha.
I feel a library and tea session imminent as I've done nothing all weekend except browse and watch through too many netflix movies.
All in all, very excited for next semester, I have a fairly decent and heavy credit load, working in the Center AND the Fellyn program that is going to change to the Writing Mentor Program. :D
I'm going to go kick this cold's ass with a hard dose of homework conviction. Hahahaaaaa.
As always, lolcatz.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Supercritical Meltdown
Almost happened today.
Narrowly avoided. Still barely passing EDCIFS 201.
Meltdown is still eminent.
Awaiting proper decision making techniques to occur out of thin air...
This may take awhile...
ugh.
In the meantime I used this as an excuse to browse too many pages of lolcatz.
Narrowly avoided. Still barely passing EDCIFS 201.
Meltdown is still eminent.
Awaiting proper decision making techniques to occur out of thin air...
This may take awhile...
ugh.
In the meantime I used this as an excuse to browse too many pages of lolcatz.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"We are seriously like the American govt right now..." - Aundrea -- Journal 10
As always, my weeks are starting to go by pretty smoothly. I am handling the consultations with competence, and maybe even proficiency? I was starting to reflect on sessions after they happened, usually in other classes, because I get super bored. And I'd like to say that I'm definitely developing my own style. I was very excited to hear about six whole positions in the Fellyn program this next semester. I hope I get one?!
I found the revision of the evaluation at times, yes, frustrating, as that is where my quote for today came from. She was getting so upset. It was funny but also frustrating at the same time cuz I was enjoying myself. I also was wondering if we are getting a little too out of hand? I feel like after a while today you stopped really laughing with us and were kind of just getting frustrated. I do admit that it seems Michael and Val get really out of hand, even more then Rob and Justin who were, dare say I? Subdued? The antics of this class keeps me super interested and intrigued. I'm usually the loudest one in my most of my smaller classes, but this one has got me beat. I like to sit back a whole lot more in this one then any of the others and just watch it escalate.
I made a list of the projections I believe my fellow newbs make about their certain skills, knowledge and personality I don't know most of them THAT well, since I work with generally the same four people, but I've come in at different times to try and get a better feel and I try to sit in different places to mix it up. But I'm startin to really like sitting next o Aundria and April.
So, my list:
Justin: dreamy, whimsical, more fiction-esque, details and building (as in plot and characters)
Rob: Very professional, sharp, to the point, but always politically and politely correct.
Michael: Eclectic, always thinking of the negation, qualifier or Devil's advocate position. He seems to always be two steps ahead somehow, when I'm barely keeping up. Its kind of impressive, but he is very, colloquial? in his opinions.
Valerie: I'll be upfront, she looks and acts and laughs like my real mother of whom I'm not a large fan so I have this unfair grudge toward her for reminding me of the absolute last person I want to ever think of... BUT I think she's a lot more light hearted and humorous, though immature at times and very predictably so, but I think she uses it to cover up something else. Or just to have fun... I haven't figured her out at all yet... I wish she didn't remind me of my mom cuz I'd like her a lot more!
Lila: I love Lila. I just like that she's there and all thats she's gone through. She's "EXPERIENCE" in my mind. I used to be uncomfortable around her cuz she's like... a grandparent figure, but I'm sure she's more understanding then I give her credit for. She's one of the few I wish I got to spend ANY time with. She also reminds me of traditional times, simpler times, times when things were probably a lot different and I love that she's still going with it.
Heather: Since the second week GRAMMAR is all I can think of when I think of Heather. She's rules, and precision.
April: Fastly becoming a favorite, April is sweet, and nice. The girl next door, and she gives a little too much and cares a little too much, and I think thats the biggest thing we have in common. Today, I made fun of her for being so overtly feminine and se took it in stride. :D She's easy going and modest, and honest. And always engaged and caring. She never ceases to amaze me with how much effort she puts forth in just everyday activities.
Aundrea: OH AUNDREA. The inspiration of my title this week, the words I could not find to fit her other then, colorful. She's a good time.
Sara: I think of her as the Alt side of the center. I'm always expecting something unexpected from her. I really dig that.
Rachel: Contradictory, difficult and analytic. She's got a quick mind and wit but she's still super nice and personable, thats a hard task.
Ben: I think Ben is super funny, but I don't think he thinks he is. He's really serious, and reserved it seems, but then he wears tie dye wolf shirts. I think of him as the WoW strategist big time critical thinker.
Ryan: Is the closest thing to grey area I've ever seen, he has convictions but I never feel a zeal of passion or commitment from him, unless its about music. I do enjoy talking to him about Edu things tho. I also admire his ability to always be nice, and have this really awesomely friendly neutral tone that I know I'll never have.
Shawn: Easy enough, Pharoah. He's fun to talk to as well. Has lots of good stories and when he does speak up in class it's usually worth listening to.
(Not that anyone else isn't though.)
I figured I'd share my observations with you, and then also ask where you think I fall into this. And this ties in with the readings this week (look at these connections!) with the many "hats" we wear. I wrote a discussion Q on this, but I wanted to get your feedback as I have a hard time trying to categorize myself, and I'm me. I wonder if its hard for others? If I might be coming off some way I may not want to? I'm just mainly curious, I know I'm super forward usually and sometime a bit lacking in tact, but I'm all good intentions, I swears.
I made an equation today as well!
MINIMALIST + ALTERNATIVES (DIRECTIVE) = Good mix.
Its a generality I'm seeing in the patterns of my sessions. I've been trying to think back on my last session while I'm prepping or starting up my next so that I know what worked last time and how much I'll bank of that working this time or if I should use a different approach. I'll also switch mine a few times in one session to try and get the best results out of the student, but I also do as I mentioned in class, and I think I give a little too much too fast. I'm a bit too eager, and I have a hard time justifying making myself not be so, when all I want to do is do so! But after this weeks readings, it put me in a little bit more perspective, and I think I can maybe gauge a bit better about when to be super directive and uhm... controlling... and when to just lay off. I do enjoy the control...
Pretty much if there is a "norm" I'll find a way to break it and still get adequate if not preferable results from said actions. Thats just how I roll.
I have found a new mantra that I feel will be my guiding light for the next week or so, or whatever. REFLECTION REFLECTION REFLECTION. I thought the whole art analogy to sessions was almost dead on, but if taken to a mini-scale. I feel that if I made sure to set aside anywhere for a few to five (or more) minutes for the student to sit and talk about the paper as a whole, in sections and in connections, they might benefit. Even if its just asking, does your intro and conclusion essentially do the same but reversed thing? Sum up? Or do you feel that you lead the reader on a well guided journey? Does your destination, if you wish to call it that, get them where you wanted them? Do you like your writing? Did you learn anything?
I think that might help, and I'm curious to see what I get from students. I have one final note, and it should be quick, then a lol cats?!?!KFJDK!? (Its kinda late now that I finally starting writing this after thinking about writing it for two hours...)
Do the veterans have any kind of discussions like we do at all? I feel like we make a lot of Center-centered decisions without their input, but then I remember that you are the director and you must be getting theirs somehow... this was an issue for me mostly with the "community" issue. I don't know, I just wanted to see how that went about. I'm always curious about them. And I'm pretty sure I work with some of the quietest veterans (Ian, and Phil) but also some of the loudest (Rick).
Alright, I'm excited to see what you say to this and for next monday and just everything in general, as usual. ALSO SUPER STOKED TO FINALLY WRITE A REAL PAPER FOR A CLASS I LIKE AND WANT TO WRITE FOR. :D
LOLcatz time.
This isn't exactly a cat, but its still funny.
I found the revision of the evaluation at times, yes, frustrating, as that is where my quote for today came from. She was getting so upset. It was funny but also frustrating at the same time cuz I was enjoying myself. I also was wondering if we are getting a little too out of hand? I feel like after a while today you stopped really laughing with us and were kind of just getting frustrated. I do admit that it seems Michael and Val get really out of hand, even more then Rob and Justin who were, dare say I? Subdued? The antics of this class keeps me super interested and intrigued. I'm usually the loudest one in my most of my smaller classes, but this one has got me beat. I like to sit back a whole lot more in this one then any of the others and just watch it escalate.
I made a list of the projections I believe my fellow newbs make about their certain skills, knowledge and personality I don't know most of them THAT well, since I work with generally the same four people, but I've come in at different times to try and get a better feel and I try to sit in different places to mix it up. But I'm startin to really like sitting next o Aundria and April.
So, my list:
Justin: dreamy, whimsical, more fiction-esque, details and building (as in plot and characters)
Rob: Very professional, sharp, to the point, but always politically and politely correct.
Michael: Eclectic, always thinking of the negation, qualifier or Devil's advocate position. He seems to always be two steps ahead somehow, when I'm barely keeping up. Its kind of impressive, but he is very, colloquial? in his opinions.
Valerie: I'll be upfront, she looks and acts and laughs like my real mother of whom I'm not a large fan so I have this unfair grudge toward her for reminding me of the absolute last person I want to ever think of... BUT I think she's a lot more light hearted and humorous, though immature at times and very predictably so, but I think she uses it to cover up something else. Or just to have fun... I haven't figured her out at all yet... I wish she didn't remind me of my mom cuz I'd like her a lot more!
Lila: I love Lila. I just like that she's there and all thats she's gone through. She's "EXPERIENCE" in my mind. I used to be uncomfortable around her cuz she's like... a grandparent figure, but I'm sure she's more understanding then I give her credit for. She's one of the few I wish I got to spend ANY time with. She also reminds me of traditional times, simpler times, times when things were probably a lot different and I love that she's still going with it.
Heather: Since the second week GRAMMAR is all I can think of when I think of Heather. She's rules, and precision.
April: Fastly becoming a favorite, April is sweet, and nice. The girl next door, and she gives a little too much and cares a little too much, and I think thats the biggest thing we have in common. Today, I made fun of her for being so overtly feminine and se took it in stride. :D She's easy going and modest, and honest. And always engaged and caring. She never ceases to amaze me with how much effort she puts forth in just everyday activities.
Aundrea: OH AUNDREA. The inspiration of my title this week, the words I could not find to fit her other then, colorful. She's a good time.
Sara: I think of her as the Alt side of the center. I'm always expecting something unexpected from her. I really dig that.
Rachel: Contradictory, difficult and analytic. She's got a quick mind and wit but she's still super nice and personable, thats a hard task.
Ben: I think Ben is super funny, but I don't think he thinks he is. He's really serious, and reserved it seems, but then he wears tie dye wolf shirts. I think of him as the WoW strategist big time critical thinker.
Ryan: Is the closest thing to grey area I've ever seen, he has convictions but I never feel a zeal of passion or commitment from him, unless its about music. I do enjoy talking to him about Edu things tho. I also admire his ability to always be nice, and have this really awesomely friendly neutral tone that I know I'll never have.
Shawn: Easy enough, Pharoah. He's fun to talk to as well. Has lots of good stories and when he does speak up in class it's usually worth listening to.
(Not that anyone else isn't though.)
I figured I'd share my observations with you, and then also ask where you think I fall into this. And this ties in with the readings this week (look at these connections!) with the many "hats" we wear. I wrote a discussion Q on this, but I wanted to get your feedback as I have a hard time trying to categorize myself, and I'm me. I wonder if its hard for others? If I might be coming off some way I may not want to? I'm just mainly curious, I know I'm super forward usually and sometime a bit lacking in tact, but I'm all good intentions, I swears.
I made an equation today as well!
MINIMALIST + ALTERNATIVES (DIRECTIVE) = Good mix.
Its a generality I'm seeing in the patterns of my sessions. I've been trying to think back on my last session while I'm prepping or starting up my next so that I know what worked last time and how much I'll bank of that working this time or if I should use a different approach. I'll also switch mine a few times in one session to try and get the best results out of the student, but I also do as I mentioned in class, and I think I give a little too much too fast. I'm a bit too eager, and I have a hard time justifying making myself not be so, when all I want to do is do so! But after this weeks readings, it put me in a little bit more perspective, and I think I can maybe gauge a bit better about when to be super directive and uhm... controlling... and when to just lay off. I do enjoy the control...
Pretty much if there is a "norm" I'll find a way to break it and still get adequate if not preferable results from said actions. Thats just how I roll.
I have found a new mantra that I feel will be my guiding light for the next week or so, or whatever. REFLECTION REFLECTION REFLECTION. I thought the whole art analogy to sessions was almost dead on, but if taken to a mini-scale. I feel that if I made sure to set aside anywhere for a few to five (or more) minutes for the student to sit and talk about the paper as a whole, in sections and in connections, they might benefit. Even if its just asking, does your intro and conclusion essentially do the same but reversed thing? Sum up? Or do you feel that you lead the reader on a well guided journey? Does your destination, if you wish to call it that, get them where you wanted them? Do you like your writing? Did you learn anything?
I think that might help, and I'm curious to see what I get from students. I have one final note, and it should be quick, then a lol cats?!?!KFJDK!? (Its kinda late now that I finally starting writing this after thinking about writing it for two hours...)
Do the veterans have any kind of discussions like we do at all? I feel like we make a lot of Center-centered decisions without their input, but then I remember that you are the director and you must be getting theirs somehow... this was an issue for me mostly with the "community" issue. I don't know, I just wanted to see how that went about. I'm always curious about them. And I'm pretty sure I work with some of the quietest veterans (Ian, and Phil) but also some of the loudest (Rick).
Alright, I'm excited to see what you say to this and for next monday and just everything in general, as usual. ALSO SUPER STOKED TO FINALLY WRITE A REAL PAPER FOR A CLASS I LIKE AND WANT TO WRITE FOR. :D
LOLcatz time.
This isn't exactly a cat, but its still funny.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Avoid being a "horrible red-pened douchebag" - MK
This week was a fairly productive one, my first shot at just a "practice" email consultation left me feeling pretty confident that I could continue doing any that I could get my hands on. It reminds me of the peer editing that we had in Kopplemann's class through both semesters I had wit him and I liked having the chance to really sit and reflect for a bit on a writer's work and concerns. Its a lot different then a face-to-face consultation but I like the differences, but still enjoy my one-on-one time. I found Joy's "mash-up" of our responses very useful, and she actually used more than entire paragraph from mine (am I allowed to disclose this information?!). This made me happy. :D I worried that going over the page limit and cramming as much information as I could for this one response would have negatively effect her decision to continue giving me these kinds of tasks later on in this semester or next, since it seems we don't get many email consults and the veterans already have a pretty strong grasp on them.
The readings were really great this week, Kudos Melissa for picking them! I really enjoyed the piece about Fannie the BW. It was long but it had all the right information in it to really feel like you experienced the consultations and frustrations of both the student and consultant. I didn't really like Morgan until the end, and when I read the same paragraph that you did in class (I have it underlined in my book) I realized that she was just doing the very best she could with very little training, support and determination and passion for her student. The learning disability presented in the other reading just blew my mind, again it makes me thankful that my brain works in a generally "normal" way. I do have a few difficulties absorbing and retrieving information if their not put into a fairly visual aspect, but nothing as severe as Barb's situation or Mike Tam's.
I also want to mention again that I've had NOTHING but good experiences with non-trad students, I don't ever feel like they're being condescending or judgmental towards little sophomore me with my piercings but still bubbly smile. I'm also glad that no one else in the Center seems to judge me for these small, aesthetic aspects of my entire person. It means a lot to me, its not that I'm insecure with the way I've made myself look, I'm just sick of being on the defensive for it. Generally I run into curiosity (especially now that I have my septum pierced) than harsh judgement, but I still hate having to give strangers an explanation. I don't really like strangers, ever, really. Except for the ones I get to work with and get to know, so they aren't "strangers" any longer.
My consultations this week went fairly and normally well. I had a lot of the communication 101 research papers and had different approaches to each one which made each session individualistic and interesting. Out of the four sessions I had this week that involved these papers there were two with positive experiences and one with a negative experience and another with a little bit of both. They were all at very different stages of the very recursive (see I remembered!) writing process. My negative experience had a hard time understanding why I wanted him to put in at least ONE TEENY TINY positive experience to try and balance his paper and make it seem a little bit more objective and not so slander-esque in nature. My positive experiences had nothing but good things to say about their groups, and one girl just needed me to have her formulate an actual "thesis". She had all her experiences and some research but no real direction. I got to do the whole, "tell me about it, write it down and contemplate it in the context of the entire essay" routine. It was fun and I think she really learned a good thing about writing one. Because her main concern was that her writing never seemed "focused" enough. And I got to show her how to get it to do that! :D
My last session this week was an international student who didn't opt to take the 121, 122, 123 classes to better help him with composition and writing. I asked him if he had taken these, he said "No." And he didn't seem very interested in my suggestions to do so. He can speak fairly well, and writes much better than he speaks, but as a Chinese exchange student he has some HOC concerns with structure, and formatting, as well as the typical issues with verb tenses and articles. I tried to touch on some stuff so he could go away with something other than me having him rewrite his thesis and APA citations, but he didn't seem very interested. I hate when they act like that. I just kept on going to what he wanted, but felt that he would benefit from a longer session or taking another composition class, but alas, as we discussed in class its not my PLACE let alone part of my job to have them realize what would ultimately be best for them.
ARGH! Haha, sometimes I wish I could just make them do as I say, but then I'd be a dictator, and no one likes a dictator. I have some notes on reader/writer assumption relationship, and also on our responses in sessions as well as email consults, and ho to make GENUINE responses that don't seem canned and unfriendly. I also liked April's idea of a compliment sandwich. which i use in person ALL the time when I want to criticize someone, but don't really want to make it totally obvious thats what I'm doing. I have a lot of notes, and I've already written a lot, and I don't want to take up too much of your time so I'll wrap it up. Aside from the entry I wrote last night, I just wanted to say that this is turning out to be a very worthwhile decision I made to give myself this opportunity. My semester would SUCK without the Center and all of the people in it.
:D
Again, Happy Halloween, have fun as Squirrelll! I'll be rocking the corpse bride look tomorrow.
The readings were really great this week, Kudos Melissa for picking them! I really enjoyed the piece about Fannie the BW. It was long but it had all the right information in it to really feel like you experienced the consultations and frustrations of both the student and consultant. I didn't really like Morgan until the end, and when I read the same paragraph that you did in class (I have it underlined in my book) I realized that she was just doing the very best she could with very little training, support and determination and passion for her student. The learning disability presented in the other reading just blew my mind, again it makes me thankful that my brain works in a generally "normal" way. I do have a few difficulties absorbing and retrieving information if their not put into a fairly visual aspect, but nothing as severe as Barb's situation or Mike Tam's.
I also want to mention again that I've had NOTHING but good experiences with non-trad students, I don't ever feel like they're being condescending or judgmental towards little sophomore me with my piercings but still bubbly smile. I'm also glad that no one else in the Center seems to judge me for these small, aesthetic aspects of my entire person. It means a lot to me, its not that I'm insecure with the way I've made myself look, I'm just sick of being on the defensive for it. Generally I run into curiosity (especially now that I have my septum pierced) than harsh judgement, but I still hate having to give strangers an explanation. I don't really like strangers, ever, really. Except for the ones I get to work with and get to know, so they aren't "strangers" any longer.
My consultations this week went fairly and normally well. I had a lot of the communication 101 research papers and had different approaches to each one which made each session individualistic and interesting. Out of the four sessions I had this week that involved these papers there were two with positive experiences and one with a negative experience and another with a little bit of both. They were all at very different stages of the very recursive (see I remembered!) writing process. My negative experience had a hard time understanding why I wanted him to put in at least ONE TEENY TINY positive experience to try and balance his paper and make it seem a little bit more objective and not so slander-esque in nature. My positive experiences had nothing but good things to say about their groups, and one girl just needed me to have her formulate an actual "thesis". She had all her experiences and some research but no real direction. I got to do the whole, "tell me about it, write it down and contemplate it in the context of the entire essay" routine. It was fun and I think she really learned a good thing about writing one. Because her main concern was that her writing never seemed "focused" enough. And I got to show her how to get it to do that! :D
My last session this week was an international student who didn't opt to take the 121, 122, 123 classes to better help him with composition and writing. I asked him if he had taken these, he said "No." And he didn't seem very interested in my suggestions to do so. He can speak fairly well, and writes much better than he speaks, but as a Chinese exchange student he has some HOC concerns with structure, and formatting, as well as the typical issues with verb tenses and articles. I tried to touch on some stuff so he could go away with something other than me having him rewrite his thesis and APA citations, but he didn't seem very interested. I hate when they act like that. I just kept on going to what he wanted, but felt that he would benefit from a longer session or taking another composition class, but alas, as we discussed in class its not my PLACE let alone part of my job to have them realize what would ultimately be best for them.
ARGH! Haha, sometimes I wish I could just make them do as I say, but then I'd be a dictator, and no one likes a dictator. I have some notes on reader/writer assumption relationship, and also on our responses in sessions as well as email consults, and ho to make GENUINE responses that don't seem canned and unfriendly. I also liked April's idea of a compliment sandwich. which i use in person ALL the time when I want to criticize someone, but don't really want to make it totally obvious thats what I'm doing. I have a lot of notes, and I've already written a lot, and I don't want to take up too much of your time so I'll wrap it up. Aside from the entry I wrote last night, I just wanted to say that this is turning out to be a very worthwhile decision I made to give myself this opportunity. My semester would SUCK without the Center and all of the people in it.
:D
Again, Happy Halloween, have fun as Squirrelll! I'll be rocking the corpse bride look tomorrow.
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