Feb 24,
Today I met my mentee at 3pm. We worked on some ideas for the design and the content of the website. I had created a layout of the website on paper. It had a main menu and each section had subsections or pages. Dr. Value was adding other ideas so we can include as many items, menu options and information as needed.
Then, we went on to work on WIX. We created a new page for the "membership" option and changed the font size and colour. Dr. Value thought that it would be a good idea to add the courses and syllabus that each member has taught. For this we need to create a table in which we will include a picture of the person, description of the courses and syllabus. However, WIX does not have the option "table" so we were trying to use other options such as lists or shapes. I was investigating about the use of tables in WIX and found out that it requires some HTML programming to create a table. It is necessary to add some HTML code to the WIX website so a table can be added. However this table will no be dynamic and we will have to add the information mentioned earlier in the code. I explained this to Dr. Value and it seemed that it would be complex for her to engage in HTML coding so I suggested to use lists instead of tables. She agreed on this as she was not sure whether she would like to engage in HTML coding. We selected a list layout for 3 columns and started the editing process. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and could not finish it.
We will meet next Tuesday at 2pm. In the meantime I will continue investigating the use of tables in webpages.
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Monday, 17 February 2014
WEEK 6 (discussion)
Feb 17,
I don't care mentality. Why?
I believe that as Andrea mentioned, it has to do with lack of respect. Lack of respect to teachers and themselves. In my own country there are students who do not care about out their assignments or projects. Sometimes I think some reasons from students' point of view:
* the assignment is overwhelming
* the assignment is not worth enough points
* the assignment marking criteria is not clear
* the assignment doe snot reflect a learning process or does not make sense
* the assignment is boring and confusing
However, there are other reasons that may lead students to have the "I don´t care mentality"
* indeed they do not care. They think that they will pass the class just because they pay tuition.
* students believe that exams are more important and they can make the points only with exams.
* they don´t see the value of assignments at all
* they lack respect for commitment to class and teachers
* students do not realize how important is to work on assignments to gain experience, reinforce knowledge and question information given.
I agree that it is important to show concern to students about their progress. Students need to know that whatever choice they make they need to face the consequences. It may not necessarily be personal but students need to see that teachers are also have expectations for them. Teachers don't have to be paternal figures but at least show some "humanity" to students. We don't know if something is going on with them. It is a good idea to be patient and give them a hand when they struggle in school.
Punishing students is a controversial topic. Years back, physical punishment was the general rule in some schools in some countries but now children and young teenagers are respected. The fact that they are immature does not mean that they do whatever they want either. In some countries, it is really hard to get into school, those who get in are considered very lucky. Maybe, sometimes we take things for granted and believe the world revolves only around us.
Challenges with mentees
I think that my challenges in this program are two:
a) the need for me to know everything and acknowledging that I do't need to know everything to be able to guide my mentee in her adoption of an innovation
b) the need to have everything planned and outlined so I know exactly what to do and how to do it.
Fortunately, I am doing really well in this program and I have experience the fact that saying "I don't know" is not that bad. I prefer to say it rather than pretend I know something and try to do it. Besides, this give the opportunity to learn more, even things that I have not even thought about.
I have also been able to think that not everything thats has been planned works out the way we think. I am open to changes and understand that not everything has to be fixed. I can work as things go and try to let it go so we accomplish an objective. I am very happy that we do something rather than do something I want to do.
I am excited about this program. I do not lose control which is good. But, I sometimes worry I will not be able to do what I am supposed to (help her with her project). I have come to realize that I feel very comfortable working with Dr. Value, she is so understanding and gets very happy when we do something. It is like a little step at a time, it makes me feel great! It is like Andrea mentioned: mentees get excited as a child when we do something!.
Regarding the stages in the innovation-decision process, I think that my mentee is in the decision stage. We went through the knowledge and persuasion stages in the second meeting. I don't know the outcomes test, but I would like my mentee to adopt the website builder application to go on continue exploiting its capabilities. I think that my position at this stage is crucial because from here the adoption or rejection stage will take place. I will continue being patient and helping her with ideas and things that can we create in the SIG website so the adoption stage comes smoothly and even unnoticeable. I would like my mentee to consider this experience a successful so that it inspires her to continue exploring more technological tools.
I agree with Mina and Zina that the model is updated and does not reflect what the stages of our menthes are now. Probably a new version is needed to see how our experience is shaping the process of innovation-decision process. Our situation is more like learning in communities.
I think that my relationship with my mentee is a combination of partnership and professional. Although sometimes I think it is a faculty-student relationship.
As a partnership relationship I see a similar position, like she learns something and I also learn something. We help each other in the activities we are doing. I see it as "our website", "our work".
As professional relationship I see it from two points: she is a professional in her field, I am on my way to be a professional in my field. I try to see everything with objective eyes. Dr. Value has the last word and makes the decisions.
When I see it as faculty-student, it is my own position in the program. I am taking this class and I am going to work with a faculty member who needs my help.
I believe that we both lead and control the situation. For example, I try to suggest a work agenda we can have and tools we can use. However, Dr. Value has the control as she makes the final decision. However, I also think that there is a point in which we share decisions (time to meet, aspects of design)
I don't care mentality. Why?
I believe that as Andrea mentioned, it has to do with lack of respect. Lack of respect to teachers and themselves. In my own country there are students who do not care about out their assignments or projects. Sometimes I think some reasons from students' point of view:
* the assignment is overwhelming
* the assignment is not worth enough points
* the assignment marking criteria is not clear
* the assignment doe snot reflect a learning process or does not make sense
* the assignment is boring and confusing
However, there are other reasons that may lead students to have the "I don´t care mentality"
* indeed they do not care. They think that they will pass the class just because they pay tuition.
* students believe that exams are more important and they can make the points only with exams.
* they don´t see the value of assignments at all
* they lack respect for commitment to class and teachers
* students do not realize how important is to work on assignments to gain experience, reinforce knowledge and question information given.
I agree that it is important to show concern to students about their progress. Students need to know that whatever choice they make they need to face the consequences. It may not necessarily be personal but students need to see that teachers are also have expectations for them. Teachers don't have to be paternal figures but at least show some "humanity" to students. We don't know if something is going on with them. It is a good idea to be patient and give them a hand when they struggle in school.
Punishing students is a controversial topic. Years back, physical punishment was the general rule in some schools in some countries but now children and young teenagers are respected. The fact that they are immature does not mean that they do whatever they want either. In some countries, it is really hard to get into school, those who get in are considered very lucky. Maybe, sometimes we take things for granted and believe the world revolves only around us.
Challenges with mentees
I think that my challenges in this program are two:
a) the need for me to know everything and acknowledging that I do't need to know everything to be able to guide my mentee in her adoption of an innovation
b) the need to have everything planned and outlined so I know exactly what to do and how to do it.
Fortunately, I am doing really well in this program and I have experience the fact that saying "I don't know" is not that bad. I prefer to say it rather than pretend I know something and try to do it. Besides, this give the opportunity to learn more, even things that I have not even thought about.
I have also been able to think that not everything thats has been planned works out the way we think. I am open to changes and understand that not everything has to be fixed. I can work as things go and try to let it go so we accomplish an objective. I am very happy that we do something rather than do something I want to do.
I am excited about this program. I do not lose control which is good. But, I sometimes worry I will not be able to do what I am supposed to (help her with her project). I have come to realize that I feel very comfortable working with Dr. Value, she is so understanding and gets very happy when we do something. It is like a little step at a time, it makes me feel great! It is like Andrea mentioned: mentees get excited as a child when we do something!.
Regarding the stages in the innovation-decision process, I think that my mentee is in the decision stage. We went through the knowledge and persuasion stages in the second meeting. I don't know the outcomes test, but I would like my mentee to adopt the website builder application to go on continue exploiting its capabilities. I think that my position at this stage is crucial because from here the adoption or rejection stage will take place. I will continue being patient and helping her with ideas and things that can we create in the SIG website so the adoption stage comes smoothly and even unnoticeable. I would like my mentee to consider this experience a successful so that it inspires her to continue exploring more technological tools.
I agree with Mina and Zina that the model is updated and does not reflect what the stages of our menthes are now. Probably a new version is needed to see how our experience is shaping the process of innovation-decision process. Our situation is more like learning in communities.
I think that my relationship with my mentee is a combination of partnership and professional. Although sometimes I think it is a faculty-student relationship.
As a partnership relationship I see a similar position, like she learns something and I also learn something. We help each other in the activities we are doing. I see it as "our website", "our work".
As professional relationship I see it from two points: she is a professional in her field, I am on my way to be a professional in my field. I try to see everything with objective eyes. Dr. Value has the last word and makes the decisions.
When I see it as faculty-student, it is my own position in the program. I am taking this class and I am going to work with a faculty member who needs my help.
I believe that we both lead and control the situation. For example, I try to suggest a work agenda we can have and tools we can use. However, Dr. Value has the control as she makes the final decision. However, I also think that there is a point in which we share decisions (time to meet, aspects of design)
WEEK 6 (mentoring)
Feb 17,
I have browsed several websites for professional organizations to have a better idea of the design. I will have a paper-and-pencil layout for Dr. Value to have a look at in our next meeting. Then we can decide what functionalities we can have in the SIG website.
I have browsed several websites for professional organizations to have a better idea of the design. I will have a paper-and-pencil layout for Dr. Value to have a look at in our next meeting. Then we can decide what functionalities we can have in the SIG website.
Friday, 14 February 2014
WEEK 5 (mentoring part 2)
Feb 14,
Yesterday I met Dr. Value. She had already stet up a gmail account for the SIG group, had chosen a template in WIX and had added a couple of pages.
It was a really goo job!. I helped to have the SIG logo resized so it could fit the dimensions for the gmail profile. We also worked on the title and description of the website. She was actually very into the design and suggested the newsletter will be for later. We were so focused on the webpage design and we lost tack of time. We worked for 1h20 minutes!
It was a good and productive day. We will meet again next week on Thursday to work on the design and set tip up the membership / login page.
Yesterday I met Dr. Value. She had already stet up a gmail account for the SIG group, had chosen a template in WIX and had added a couple of pages.
It was a really goo job!. I helped to have the SIG logo resized so it could fit the dimensions for the gmail profile. We also worked on the title and description of the website. She was actually very into the design and suggested the newsletter will be for later. We were so focused on the webpage design and we lost tack of time. We worked for 1h20 minutes!
It was a good and productive day. We will meet again next week on Thursday to work on the design and set tip up the membership / login page.
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
WEEK 5 (mentoring)
Feb 12
Today I sent a message to Dr. Value with information about some examples of online newsletters so she can have a look at them and have a better idea of what exactly is we want to make and what kind of information will be posted.
Tomorrow we will meet and work on some design and content ideas. I have also looked for some applications and software that we can use to create the newsletter.
Today I sent a message to Dr. Value with information about some examples of online newsletters so she can have a look at them and have a better idea of what exactly is we want to make and what kind of information will be posted.
Tomorrow we will meet and work on some design and content ideas. I have also looked for some applications and software that we can use to create the newsletter.
Saturday, 8 February 2014
WEEK 4 (mentoring)
Feb 7, 2014
I had my second meeting with Dr. Value on Friday morning. Prior to this meeting I had prepared a summary of the features and pricing that 4 applications offer for website designing. I emailed this summary to Dr. Value so she can have a look at it and start thinking about which one she would like to use. I also prepared myself on how to create the websites using those tools. Because I have this very fixed belief that I need to know everything in order to guide my mentee in her process of learning and adopting a technology innovation, I had spent quite a lot of time last week learning about as much as possible about the website applications.
Minutes before my meeting with my mentee I received a lot of email messages in which Dr. Value and other members of the SIG were discussing about the project we are going to work on. At first, I was really happy that we had the support from some of the SIG members. However, I then felt shocked to start getting messages back and forth about the ideas for the website. And it was even more shocking to read in one of then that I was "the expert". I felt this huge responsibility on my shoulders that I need to be perfect so other people feel supported by "my expertise". I know that I do not know as much as I wish. But I thought that this was going to be ( and is!) my great chance to learn even more and I am so enthusiast about it. Besides, it will give me the chance to know other people in other areas of study as well.
At the meeting my mentee was so nice and friendly and she talked to me about the message she has been sending and receiving about our project. I saw her enthusiasm and relaxing attitude that I started to feel at ease as well. (probably my level of adrenaline lowered enormously, ha-ha). At the meeting we discussed the pros and cons of the applications. We navigated through the features of the first two applications and discussed how and what information will be posted. As it was predicted by the experience of the mentoring program, an issue arose and I did not know how to solve it!!
It was not a complicated situation: my mentee switched her idea of a website for information purposes to a website with option to log in and become a member!. I had prepared myself for everything, except that! However, I acknowledged that I did not know if that could be possible with the tools we were looking at in that moment.
My mentee was very supportive and understanding about the fact that I needed to check that information first. I actually felt fine to say "I don't". I believe that rather than pretending to know something, it is always better to say that I need time to check information or that simply I don't know. Dr. Value told me that it was fine and I could figure that out for our next meeting meanwhile we could have a look at the other features of the applications. Then, I cleared my mind, relaxed and started looking for information about the login part. Successfully, I found information about it, and guess what? It can actually be possible to do the login/membership option with one of the applications we were thinking to choose. So we both felt happy that we could find that information quick so made the decision about which tool to use for designing the SIG website. We decided to use WIX.
Then we started to have a look at other websites and have an idea for the design. As we advanced in our ideas about the features and design, we realized that there are certain features in WIX that can be done at an extra cost. In that moment Dr. Value emailed her colleagues in the SIG group asking for
opinions about how to go about the cost.
I have this pleasing feeling that even though we did not end up doing what I had planned, we had a great progress. We:
* chose the application
* have a rough idea of what features we want the website have
* consulted the SIG group about payment
* set up a meeting for next week to start work
* prepared an agenda of work next week:
- buy the Pro version of WIX
- start the design
* prepared an agenda of work for the whole project
- first, work on SIG website
- then, work on the design of the newsletter
- next, work on links for AERA and other professional sites.
It is even better than what I had planned!!
This is going to be a great experience and I am so looking forward to it, and to find more issues so I can learn more how to solve them. And the most important things:
* support my mentee and help her on her way to integrating technology in her work
* support my classmates with the things that I learn on my way to creating this project.
I had my second meeting with Dr. Value on Friday morning. Prior to this meeting I had prepared a summary of the features and pricing that 4 applications offer for website designing. I emailed this summary to Dr. Value so she can have a look at it and start thinking about which one she would like to use. I also prepared myself on how to create the websites using those tools. Because I have this very fixed belief that I need to know everything in order to guide my mentee in her process of learning and adopting a technology innovation, I had spent quite a lot of time last week learning about as much as possible about the website applications.
Minutes before my meeting with my mentee I received a lot of email messages in which Dr. Value and other members of the SIG were discussing about the project we are going to work on. At first, I was really happy that we had the support from some of the SIG members. However, I then felt shocked to start getting messages back and forth about the ideas for the website. And it was even more shocking to read in one of then that I was "the expert". I felt this huge responsibility on my shoulders that I need to be perfect so other people feel supported by "my expertise". I know that I do not know as much as I wish. But I thought that this was going to be ( and is!) my great chance to learn even more and I am so enthusiast about it. Besides, it will give me the chance to know other people in other areas of study as well.
At the meeting my mentee was so nice and friendly and she talked to me about the message she has been sending and receiving about our project. I saw her enthusiasm and relaxing attitude that I started to feel at ease as well. (probably my level of adrenaline lowered enormously, ha-ha). At the meeting we discussed the pros and cons of the applications. We navigated through the features of the first two applications and discussed how and what information will be posted. As it was predicted by the experience of the mentoring program, an issue arose and I did not know how to solve it!!
It was not a complicated situation: my mentee switched her idea of a website for information purposes to a website with option to log in and become a member!. I had prepared myself for everything, except that! However, I acknowledged that I did not know if that could be possible with the tools we were looking at in that moment.
My mentee was very supportive and understanding about the fact that I needed to check that information first. I actually felt fine to say "I don't". I believe that rather than pretending to know something, it is always better to say that I need time to check information or that simply I don't know. Dr. Value told me that it was fine and I could figure that out for our next meeting meanwhile we could have a look at the other features of the applications. Then, I cleared my mind, relaxed and started looking for information about the login part. Successfully, I found information about it, and guess what? It can actually be possible to do the login/membership option with one of the applications we were thinking to choose. So we both felt happy that we could find that information quick so made the decision about which tool to use for designing the SIG website. We decided to use WIX.
Then we started to have a look at other websites and have an idea for the design. As we advanced in our ideas about the features and design, we realized that there are certain features in WIX that can be done at an extra cost. In that moment Dr. Value emailed her colleagues in the SIG group asking for
opinions about how to go about the cost.
I have this pleasing feeling that even though we did not end up doing what I had planned, we had a great progress. We:
* chose the application
* have a rough idea of what features we want the website have
* consulted the SIG group about payment
* set up a meeting for next week to start work
* prepared an agenda of work next week:
- buy the Pro version of WIX
- start the design
* prepared an agenda of work for the whole project
- first, work on SIG website
- then, work on the design of the newsletter
- next, work on links for AERA and other professional sites.
It is even better than what I had planned!!
This is going to be a great experience and I am so looking forward to it, and to find more issues so I can learn more how to solve them. And the most important things:
* support my mentee and help her on her way to integrating technology in her work
* support my classmates with the things that I learn on my way to creating this project.
WEEK 4 (class discussion)
Feb 6th, 2014
In class we discussed about the responsibilities of each of the mentors. I had the chance to express my concerns about being an "expert". I personally believe that if I am going to teach someone something I need to know almost everything. That is why I have a very difficult time trying to accept the fact that in this mentoring program I do not need to know everything. It was a very discussion because everybody had the chance to provide some feedback about this concern. Besides, all classmates and professor were very supportive. They are going through the similar experience and also deal with difficulties. I find this class environment very rich in terms of what we generate as a community of mentors.
We also discussed about the technical difficulties we may encounter while working with out mentees. If there are issues we can not deal with, then technical staff will help us out to solve those problems. There are several IT services on campus that we can call for support.
Another important point in the discussion was the fact that children and young people are using a lot of apps and devices that prevent them from developing skills such as handwriting and doing mathematical operations in their minds. It is true that technology has come to make our lives easier but there needs to be a balance so we do not end up losing our human essence. This discussion gave us the chance to know that there are certain cultures such as Chinese and Arabic in which the handwriting skills seems to be an art that needs to be taught in order to learn how to read and write.
As we advance in our semester we will be discussing more issues about this very valuable experiencing of mentoring faculty.
In class we discussed about the responsibilities of each of the mentors. I had the chance to express my concerns about being an "expert". I personally believe that if I am going to teach someone something I need to know almost everything. That is why I have a very difficult time trying to accept the fact that in this mentoring program I do not need to know everything. It was a very discussion because everybody had the chance to provide some feedback about this concern. Besides, all classmates and professor were very supportive. They are going through the similar experience and also deal with difficulties. I find this class environment very rich in terms of what we generate as a community of mentors.
We also discussed about the technical difficulties we may encounter while working with out mentees. If there are issues we can not deal with, then technical staff will help us out to solve those problems. There are several IT services on campus that we can call for support.
Another important point in the discussion was the fact that children and young people are using a lot of apps and devices that prevent them from developing skills such as handwriting and doing mathematical operations in their minds. It is true that technology has come to make our lives easier but there needs to be a balance so we do not end up losing our human essence. This discussion gave us the chance to know that there are certain cultures such as Chinese and Arabic in which the handwriting skills seems to be an art that needs to be taught in order to learn how to read and write.
As we advance in our semester we will be discussing more issues about this very valuable experiencing of mentoring faculty.
Monday, 3 February 2014
WEEK 4 (Mentoring) Part I
I have written a summary of three websites that Dr. Value can choose for the website. I also included a resource for sharing research documents that can also be used in the website.
I have emailed the document to Dr. Value so she can have a look at the resources and then decide which one she would like to use.
We will be meeting on Friday Feb 7th, to discuss about the options and start working on the design and elements of the website.
WEEK 4 (Class discussion) Part I
For our class session on Thursday Jan 29th, we discussed about our meetings with your mentees. Every one provided an update of the project.
During the discussion in class, almost everybody shared their concerns about working on the project. Some people mentioned about commitment, time and work done.
Some other people shared their previous experiences working with senior faculty. There were suggestions and insights about what is better to do to resolve issues.
One suggestion was not to use email when it is necessary to go over certain important aspects.It is better to have a conversation face to face to clarify ideas and issues.
Dr. Nadolny pointed out that some faculty give some ideas about how old they are to work with certain things and they hide their worries.
Zina mentioned that sometimes people need motivation to do things. Pinar also mentioned that they need to feel supported. It is important to listen to them and try to connect them to technology.
Yi mentions that some faculty work little by little and end up getting into technology. Some faculty panic when they do not know what to do, therefore it is important to be patient and give them support.
What do we need to prepare before every meeting?
A list of activities to work on
Go over what have been discussed (assignments?)
Investigate the technology to be used
Talk about some personal questions to break the ice
Be caring
summarize the meeting and write a to-do list for next week
write the notes and see how they react if we send the notes to them
use the word "we" rather than "you"
Technical difficulties?
try to solve it if possible
discuss about it later
acknowledge that difficulty and try to find someone that can help
call IT services
act normal when problems happen
think aloud the problem
look for solutions on internet
call for support
have a list of contacts who may be more experienced
I am a bit concerned about these recommendations because I feel like I need to resolve those problem since I am the mentor. I know I do not have to know everything but I do not feel comfortable that way. I need to work on this a lot because it is a matter of personal responsibility.
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