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)