Welcome to our class! We will use this commons space to share our thoughts, reflect on what we're learning, post relevant news, and stay in touch with each other during the time we're not in class.
Hey Everybody, The group I was in came up with a few techniques that we thought were most helpful in our schooling careers, and they include:
1.Small group discussions- especially when following a lecture.
2.Involved and passionate professors(This could mean meeting with students one on one to discuss issues, or even jumping on desks to express a point-as one professor at NSCC has been known to do).
3. Visually stimulating classes were helpful, it was expressed that lectures tend to be hard to follow. Power points and films are a favorite!
4. Getting information in multiple formats helps us synthesize information and be able to analyze and reflect on it.
5.Group quizzes and group reviews were a favorite as well.(Group quizzes seemed to be most effective when not just multiple choice questions)
1. Study group. 2. Feedback. 3. Setting a reasonable expections with achievable goals for each other. 4. Students share what they know with each other. 5. discussions before seminar papers.
Our group (Irene, Sasha, Jenn, Jamie, Gary, Justin and Eddie) discussed our learning likes and dislikes. We came up with the following points: 1. Reading aloud isn't very helpful. 2. Clear points and goals established by the professor(s). 3. Healthy discussions - Opposing points of views and gray areas that allow for opinions to form. 4. Establishing a level of intimate relationships with other members in the class. 5. Diversity in views, opinions and importance. 6. Understanding of the material and how it is applicable to us in life. 7. No fish-bowl discussions. 8. Small group discussions vs. large group discussions. Large groups are difficult to cultivate deeper conversations. 9. Lectures and note-taking of those lectures make some members of our group happy. 10. Visual Lectures (PowerPoint type) and visual aides make other members of our group happy. 11. Free Writes based on reflections of lectures/lessons.
Jen-Ashley-Andrea-Winnie-Ashley-Grace and I We came up with the following ideas to become a successful learner. (How to hold the power)
- To have interesting conversation /debate (small group communication) - To EXCEPT every question with out judgment no question is a bad question except the ones you don't ask! - Teachers who take ownership when needed/ Flexibility - Visual learning and small group { being able to have the chance to fully understand the same concept but from a different perspective} -Relevance -Notes for reminders in comprehension - A general atmosphere of the people who are willing to learn and hear new ideas - To be able to see the big picture and have faith that we will get there through building strong relationships with our peers
Kevin, Rosa, Alex, Garret, Nathan, Tia, and I came up with the following suggestions for a positive learning environment. If I wrote down any of the names incorrectly or forgot someone please let me know. 1. Short debates, about 5 minutes where opinions are expressed and challenged, but not too long where it becomes mundane 2. Open communication and understanding with Professors and students. 3. Smaller group discussions 4. Writing papers that include specific topics and/or questions 5. Smaller classrooms or environments where one feels comfortable to take part in discussions 6. A place where everyone feels included and safe
Our group (Suzanne, Yoshi,Jessica, Ginger, Ebrahim,Kevin and Noa)came up with these ideas for our class learning environment:
1. Define end goal - what are we getting out of this? 2. Consistent groups - sometimes its hard to keep that flow of relationships when you are switching between a lot of different people. 3. Safe environment to share thoughts and ideas. 4. Everyone needs to be prepared - have your Game Face on! 5. If you are not prepared - try not to get in the way of the conversation. 6. Expectations of assignments need to be very clear. 7. Peer reviews - should be include intentional, thoughtful feedback (positive or negative) that is useful and relevant. 8. Tolerate difference of opinion - be respectful - agree to disagree - don't be afraid to disagree - don't take it personally. 9. Listen actively - set aside personal biases and opinions while listening.
Yes, we should have class tonight, unless the weather changes drastically. Keep an eye on the college website for weather related closures.
Also: our COURSE READERS are ready at Prestige copy & Print, 365-5770 (see the syllabus for address). If you can swing by Northgate on the way to class, it will be helpful to have a few copies on hand tonight. They cost about $13.
Hi classmates - I missed class yesterday, and it would appear that by doing so I missed getting a partner for the cultural interview. Anyone else out there in need of a partner?
Hi Jessica, If I am not in class tomorrow night (if I really do fly to New York), ask Margot to make an announcement in class to see if there are others who still need a partner to interview. I remember one group had 3 people so at least one could be available. Good luck! Jane
hey jessica, my friend cecilia also missed class and does not have a partner. if we do have class tomorrow she will be attending. maybe you can ask her then?
FINAL PUNCTUATION ON DRAMA QUOTE WITH SEVERAL CHARACTERS: PERIOD BEFORE PARENTHETICAL NOTE.
The final period in the indented drama quote (several characters) should be BEFORE the parenthetical note of act, scene, line. this according to MLA Handbook, 6th edition, section 3.7.4.
Subject: Sasha Glenn (Interviewer) Jamie Reynolds (Interviewee) I interviewed Jamie, it was surprising how two people who may be perceived as very similar because of appearence,(blonde hair, blue eyes, American), are actually quite different because life experiences make us into complex individuals. I learned that interviewing someone from the same country can be just as exciting as interviewing someone from another country. One thing I would change is that I would be more prepared with questions to ask. It was really fun and not as hard as I thought. Sasha
Subject: Jamie Reynolds (Inerviewer) Sasha Glenn (Interviewee) I interviewed Sasha, At first i thought we wouldn't have a lot in common with our age difference, but having the same ethnicity we had more than i thought.I learned that regardless of age, life experinces brought more of a connection then expected. One thing i would change is be more opened minded and don't judge people's life exposure, based on age. Jamie
My interview with Irene was a surprisingly vibrant conversation about travel, food, religion, and love for the families we are born into and the families we choose. We planned for 1.5 hrs and talked for 2.5! We used the assignment paper and Hofstede's work to guide our questions but ultimately found that the questions and conversation just flowed! I was most surprised by Irene's ability to be open and transparent about her life experiences. It allowed me to better understand how her sense of culture is still forming within her family and for herself.
Subject: Gretchen Smith, Interviewed by Ashley Topacio
Gretchen was a great interviewer as well as interviewee, and it was fun getting to know one another. She shared about her close-knit, super loving family, and I learned that her culture is a bit more collectivist than individualistic. I was surprised by how much I felt I knew Gretchen after our interviews; her warm personality made the experience feel more like a friendly visit than a class assignment. If I could change anything about our interviews, I may have had her over while my family was at work and school, but I think she enjoyed their presence as much as they did hers.
Subject: Kevin Pedersen (Interviewer) Julie Erlemeier (Interviewee)
I had a very good interview with Julie on Saturday. Before the interview I thought to myself that it was going to be difficult to fill in 45 minutes of interviewing per person, but I was wrong. Together the interviews actually went about 2 hours, and we could have gone longer but decided it was a good place to stop. I learned a lot about Julie, such as the cultural differences between Duluth, MN and Seattle, her scholastic/career goals, her passions, family and religious background.
The main thing that surprised me is how much she has already accomplished, seen and done already in her life. The other surprise was that I don’t really see myself as a conversationalist; but to me the interview went seamless with no periods of silence.
The only thing I would change is maybe concentrating a little longer on a particular subject. This was difficult for me because there was so many interesting things in our conversation that I almost felt overwhelmed on where to go, my head would be spinning with multiple questions.
Subject: Jen Vandiver, Interviewed by Nicole Savisky
Interviewing Jen was Awesome! After a pretty intense first question about views on family and the roles within the interview started to flow pretty effortlessly. We talked about religion and prejudices we have experienced. I was very surprised to hear about her background, it goes to show that what you see is not what you expect. Jen and I related a lot on a personal level and shared similar views on culture and present day society. One thing I may not have ever known if not for this interview: Jen HUNTS! Ducks and Geese! I think the only thing I would have changed for our interview would be that we had more time! I could have gone another hour asking her questions about her plans for the future and what it was like to grow up with 2 moms and 2 dads!
I was having a good conversation with Jessica. It was intense and awkward at first though, since I have a lot of questions on my mind and trying to follow the handout guideline. We were enjoying our conversation until an employer at starbucks where we met up told us that they were going to close the store in 10 minutes, later then we realized that we had been talking for about two hours!
Our conversation started with basic questions at first about her origin and her family history. I was thrilled that she was willing to share her life experiences that I have never heard before which broadens out my knowledge about her culture. As our conversation went by, we talked about our hobbies, movies, and our passions, and I found out that Jessica has been learning Japanese for a year!
Things that I would change for our interview would be that I put away all my chaotic questions on my mind so I could be more concentrate in listening to her and also I wish that we had more time for our conversation since I still have more further questions to ask about her passion in Japanese language and culture!
Rebecca Dadlani(interviewer) Alexandra Wilson(interviewee)
I had a great interview with Alex on Friday. She interviewed me first and that lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes. We then took a short break and then I interviewed her for about an hour or so. The interview went very smoothly and we both had tons to talk about. We are both from two very different cultures, and hearing Alex’s stories really inspired me. She shared a lot of her life experiences with me and I found them very interesting and knowledgeable.
There wasn’t an awkward moment and I really enjoyed sharing with Alex. We started with simple questions and we went on to talk about families, jobs, ambitions etc. We really talked a lot about cultural norms and expectations. I particularly found that topic very interesting.
The only thing I can think of that I would want to change is the amount of time we both could dedicate to this assignment. I still have so many things I would love to ask Alex.
Subject: Gary Ehret (interviewer), Justin Small (interviewee)
I interview Justin Small. Justin and I do not have a significant cultural difference, but we do have generational difference. Justin is 19 years old and I am 52 years old. I learned about Justin’s passions, his family, especially his older brother and some of the things he is currently focusing on in his life. I was surprised by how much he opened up to me and how comfortable our interview was. The 45 minutes passed very quickly. The one thing I would change was our meeting place. We met in the college library. We were seated in chairs next to each other. We shifted the chairs but we were still not facing each other and we had no table which made taking note a little awkward. Next time it would be preferable to be seated face to face with a table. I believe we would have be able to observe nonverbal cues much better if we were facing each other.
Subject: Andrew Rosser (interviewee), Grace Klein (interviewer)
I interviewed Andrea Rosser at a little Mexican restaurant in Lake City, and we spent about 2 hours sitting and chatting and learning about each other. I was surprised to find pretty quickly into our time together that we had a lot more in common than I had anticipated. Having both migrated to Seattle several years back from somewhere out East, we realized that a lot of our struggles were similar, despite our different backgrounds. I think we both quickly learned how easy it was to get to know someone when you take the time to ask questions and actually not only SHOW, but BE interested in them and their past and their life and their interests! If I could change anything, I would have had a slightly better or more structured list of questions to ask. Even so, it was a great experience, and it felt more like a friendly get together than “homework”.
Subject: Jenn Ellerton (Interviewer), Eddie Plano (interviewee)
I interviewed Eddie Plano. We met at a Barnes and Noble and spent a little over an hour and a half talking over cups of coffee. I learned that while culturally we come from different backgrounds we share many of the same values as far as family and community are concerned. We are both also very interested in sustainability. Eddie wants sustainability through green building practices and designing neighborhoods around community and culture. My idea of sustainability is based around healthy eating practices and the organic movement. I really learned the importance of listening and how much you can get out of a conversation by doing just that. It surprised me that it wasn't all that difficult to open up to someone I did not know at all before this exercise. What I would change is coming a little bit more prepared. Neither one of us had any preset questions we wanted to ask. It was a little bit difficult to get started. Once we did get started I was kind of happy we didn't have the structure of questions and just let the conversation go where it did but in the beginning it would have been nice to have some initial questions to ask.
I enjoyed interviewing Kevin Pedersen this past weekend. I learned a that out of the 'six stumbling blocks,' I tend to suffer from a 'tendency to evaluate' and 'assumption of similarities' the most. When listening to Kevin, I found myself trying to dig as deep as I could into the meaning of his words in order to figure him out and place a label on him so that I could make further assumptions based on his culture. I am now aware of this and can work on a more objective approach. In addition, I was surprised that Kevin and I didn't share as much in common because we both are Caucasian Americans in a similar age groups. I assumed our families' view on education and work were similar when the opposite was true. Given everything I learned and was surprised by, I would consciously clear my head and disregard my continuous need to figure Kevin out while he was talking in order to really understand his point of view.
Awat was kind enough to travel to my home where we could talk uninterrupted. There we found that out of his deeply communal culture and out of my highly independent one we have basically similar philosophies on the importance and value of community. I suppose this is what surprised me the most, since our pasts are so divergent.
To do it again, I would have more pointed questions prepared. As it was, there was plenty to talk about, and no shortage of learning, but it would have been nice to have been a little less floaty and widespread.
Tia Roeun (interviewer) Niklas Barde-Macnamara (interviewee)
Niklas and I met at Barnes & Noble to conduct the interviews. It was not as quiet as I would have liked it to be, but my focus was on the interview so I didn't let any distractions get in the way. I chose to interview Niklas because for the short period of time we got to know each other in class I found his story to be very interesting. We are from different cultures and family upbringing. We went into the interview not knowing much about each other's culture so it was nice to be able to find out more information. Although him and I are from different backgrounds, we had a lot in common as far as our way of thinking about certain situations in life and the perceptions we have on living in the US. I found myself completely focused on him when he would speak. I didn't make any assumptions and I tried not to think about what he was going to say next. I made sure to ask questions to get a better understanding when I didn't understand what he meant by certain words. I enjoyed the interview and I think the lectures and reading about listening helped me when I interviewed.
Suzanne and I interviewed each other on Friday morning at the Cafe Racer in Roosevelt. We discussed our respective places of origin and our family background along with more recent life developments. More than just intellectual understanding, we each tried to get a feel for the other's cultural background and worldview. Fortunately, we are both "talkers", so there was no shortage of information. However, I had realized that the most challenging part of the interview would be staying present and achieving a deeper level of listening. I think I was mostly successful at this, perhaps reaching the empathic level of listening at different points. Thanks to Suzanne for agreeing to become my interview partner.
Subject: Justin Small (interviewer) : Gary Ehret (interviewed)
I interviewed Gary Ehret at the North Seattle library. Although me and Gary have big age difference he being 52 and I am 19, we have very little cultural differences, and in fact we have more in common I feel than differences. I learned a lot about Gary; his love for money, his love for his job, his love for the National football league (and pretty much all sports), and his love for his wife. Gary is a very interesting man and I found that his life story very entertaining. It was surprising how easy it was for him to open up to me a stranger, and me likewise to him. As a result the 45 minutes passed very quickly. The one thing I would change is definitely where we meet. We meet at North Seattle’s library but the most opportune area to have our interview was one where we didn’t have a table, away from the general student population. So sitting next to each other in chairs made it a little difficult to right notes and look at each other. But otherwise it was a positive and enlightening experience, I really enjoyed learning a little more about Gary.
Interviewer-Raisa Asriyants Interviewee-Christie Bush
On Thursday, January 13 I met for an interview with my classmate Christie Bush. We initially met at a University Village Starbucks, but it was very noisy there so we moved to a Starbucks located inside the Barnes & Noble bookstore. At our second location the atmosphere was calm and pleasant and thus conducive to a productive discussion. Christie was the first to ask me questions. As she was a pleasant and considerate conversationalist, she helped me open up and be more confident when my turn came to be the interviewer. Through the interview, I learned many things about Christie as a person, as well as about her cultural and family heritage. I found out that active listening helps tremendously in obtaining interesting information through such techniques as follow-up questions and supportive remarks. Overall, I enjoyed the interview experience very much and look forward to reading Christie’s account of interviewing me.
Hey. Just got back home a few minutes ago from the Barnes and Noble at Northgate. I did my cultural interview with Reid Santabarbara. It was cool learning about my partner. Niether of us know much about our heritage or really identify with a religion but i guess thats part of alot of cultures today. Reid told me about how he is interested in lights(stage lighting, Lazers, etc.) and how he got into lighting when he was sixteen and was working as a master electrician at the moore theatre in Seattle by the time he was eightteen. We had similar situations with our parents moving and seporating too. I liked learning a bit about someone who was a complete stranger before but now is a friend. Thanks for a fun couple hours of hangin out Reid, I'll see you and everyone else wednesday. Have a good MLK Day!
Angela and I met in the espresso lounge in the evening and spent a good 2 and a half hours dialoguing. I learned so many things that I never would have guessed about Angela. She has prospered through many challenges in her life which have pushed her to becoming such a strong independent individual.
There were a couple things that surprised me in my interview with Angela; first of all, the majority of our class are white females which could put Angela and myself into one stereotype - but this is not the case at all - Angela and I have both had very extreme ways of being brought up but at the same time extremely different as well. One thing that surprised me was the similarity in the foundation of our beliefs. Even though we have had such different upbringings we've both come to similar conclusions about life, family, and religion.
If I could change one thing about our dialogue it would be the time it took us to get to the 'bottom of the pyramid.' Of course we were both very open and it wasn't difficult to have a deep conversation but it seemed to me that it took us both a little while to move from the top of the pyramid to the bottom. It would be great if next time we could just jump right in to the deeper more meaningful levels of conversation.
Subject: Gloria Forsythe(interviewer) Anand Tumurtogoo(Interviewee) I interviewed Anand. I feel I learned a lot about Anand and about Mongolian culture. I learned how how an assumption can really skew how you percieve something. I learned that through researching another culture, interviewing someone from that culture(as an "active listener" and being aware of the "six stumbling blocks"), analyzing the interaction and reflecting upon it can help me understand people including myself with more depth. As I listened to the recording of the interview I noticed that I must have been"reloading" and missed a very interesting fact about Anand that could have lead the interview into a different direction. So I guess I would have changed that. I also feel that I would not have changed anything becuase I learned so much and am continuing to learn from the whole experience.
i interviewed kenny, kenny was very generous, humble, and very respeful and i learned variety things from kenny such as his background and he was actually willing to answer some of the hard questioned that i appeared for him, which i was very suprised because if i was him i would actually feel strange to answer some of that hard questions but kenny was very respeful and understand me very well where i was coming from!so, overall, it was a good exprience. However, next time i would get into deeper understanding and that's what i would change!
Reid SantaBarbara (interviewer) Garret Mccarter (interviewee) The active listening got off to a great start and was present throughout the conversation. Garret and I warmed up a bit by simply talking about how our day was and how the weekend had unfolded for both of us. I believe this was a good way for us to warm up and soon after dove into deeper questions. As we went on we listened to stories of each others past and practiced some of the listening excercises we read about in class. It seemed as though we both got better at listening as we talked on, I think this is because we got more comfortable as the interview went on. The atomosphere we met in was quite enough where it was not distracting. The interview I would consider thought stimulating, suprising,and carried out in a manner that was comfortable.
Interviewer: Steven Wan Interviewee: Kevin Lennstrom
I interviewed Kevin last week and learned alot about his culture and background. We asked each other alot about our family and personal beliefs but we didn't dwell much into specific aspect of our cultures as it seemed we were both unaccustomed to talking about it. We also had some difficulty finding a particular subject to talk about after the obvious had been asked as we didn't know what kind of paper this is suppose to be. However, despite the little confusion, we were able to get alot of information from each other. In particular it was very interesting that despite us having very different backgrounds, we surprisingly have many similarities to each other. Though due to time constraints, we weren't able to through everything we want but we feel what we have everything we need right now and that it will be good enough for the rough draft. Until then we'll be keeping in contact with each other. Overall it was an interesting experience learning about another person's life and to open mines up to them too.
I had a great and insightful interview with Ruby on Friday afternoon. Our conversation started with basic questions, I began with her origin and her family history. There were several similarities and differences. For example the value of respect and thoughtfulness in Native American culture and Ethiopian culture is very similar. As we continued to talk there was less effort, silence and awkwardness. I was able to cover her career goals, her passions, family and religious background. To my surprise I learned that while culturally we come from different backgrounds we share many of the same values as far as cultural values and communities are concerned. I was amazed to find pretty quickly into our time together that we had a lot more in common than I had anticipated. We both learned how easy it was to get to know someone when you take the time to ask questions and actually not only show, but genuinely be interested in what they have to offer. Both our interviews took about three hours! If I could change anything, I would have had a slightly better or more structured list of questions to ask. My questions were very basic and didn’t go into depth like I wanted it too, I had to hesitate during the interview and try to dig deeper. Never the less I feel like we accomplished that by the end of the interview.
I had a great and insightful interview with Ruby on Friday afternoon. Our conversation started with basic questions, I began with her origin and her family history. There were several similarities and differences. For example the value of respect and thoughtfulness in Native American culture and Ethiopian culture is very similar. As we continued to talk there was less effort, silence and awkwardness. I was able to cover her career goals, her passions, family and religious background. To my surprise I learned that while culturally we come from different backgrounds we share many of the same values as far as cultural values and communities are concerned. I was amazed to find pretty quickly into our time together that we had a lot more in common than I had anticipated. We both learned how easy it was to get to know someone when you take the time to ask questions and actually not only show, but genuinely be interested in what they have to offer. Both our interviews took about three hours! If I could change anything, I would have had a slightly better or more structured list of questions to ask. My questions were very basic and didn’t go into depth like I wanted it too, I had to hesitate during the interview and try to dig deeper. Never the less I feel like we accomplished that by the end of the interview. (I wasn't sure I posted it in the right place the first time so here is another copy.)
HI Nikki, Look at the right side of the blog where it lists the diffent "comment headers" and look for one that says "systems thinking? Adaptive leadership." That's where you should post your comment! Jane
Hey. I've been sick for about five days now and it sucks. But i've got my dayquil and my nyquil and my emergen-c and some soup etc. so i should be good to go by monday. Can't wait to be in class~
I never really read all these great interviews til now. you all have gotten me very excited for my next interveiw and given me much more to think about while interviewing someone.thanks-Angelica
Hey. 11-51931. thats the case number i got from the officer who came to check out the broken window in my car yesterday. And 35mph is how fast i wast going today when i lost traction and hit a wall on my way home. I wish i coulda made it today but i got stuff to deal with. See y'all later~
League for Innovation 2011 Student Literary Competition FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES! Student writers can compete for local and national honors and cash prizes in the annual League for Innovation Literary Contest. Our District boasts two national winners in the last two years: Eryn Paull in the personal essay category and Tamarrah Phillips the previous year for short fiction. Maybe you're next! You can enter in the following categories: fiction (3000 words), one-act play (3000 words), personal essay (2000 words), and poetry (67 lines) . This year's deadline is Friday, March 18 at 5:00 PM. For more information, contact the coordinator at your college: North Seattle Community College Dani Blackman, Coordinator Danielle.Blackman@seattlecolleges.edu (206) 527-3741
Welcome to our class!
ReplyDeleteWe will use this commons space to share our thoughts, reflect on what we're learning, post relevant news, and stay in touch with each other during the time we're not in class.
Please sign in and welcome! Jane Lister Reis
Found it!
ReplyDeleteHey Everybody,
ReplyDeleteThe group I was in came up with a few techniques that we thought were most helpful in our schooling careers, and they include:
1.Small group discussions- especially when following a lecture.
2.Involved and passionate professors(This could mean meeting with students one on one to discuss issues, or even jumping on desks to express a point-as one professor at NSCC has been known to do).
3. Visually stimulating classes were helpful, it was expressed that lectures tend to be hard to follow. Power points and films are a favorite!
4. Getting information in multiple formats helps us synthesize information and be able to analyze and reflect on it.
5.Group quizzes and group reviews were a favorite as well.(Group quizzes seemed to be most effective when not just multiple choice questions)
Hopefully that covers everything,
Ruby Stacey
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI found it.
Gloria Forsythe
Hello all,
ReplyDeleteOur group come up with these ideas:
1. Study group.
2. Feedback.
3. Setting a reasonable expections with achievable goals for each other.
4. Students share what they know with each other.
5. discussions before seminar papers.
Muse,
got it!
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteOur group (Irene, Sasha, Jenn, Jamie, Gary, Justin and Eddie) discussed our learning likes and dislikes. We came up with the following points:
1. Reading aloud isn't very helpful.
2. Clear points and goals established by the professor(s).
3. Healthy discussions - Opposing points of views and gray areas that allow for opinions to form.
4. Establishing a level of intimate relationships with other members in the class.
5. Diversity in views, opinions and importance.
6. Understanding of the material and how it is applicable to us in life.
7. No fish-bowl discussions.
8. Small group discussions vs. large group discussions. Large groups are difficult to cultivate deeper conversations.
9. Lectures and note-taking of those lectures make some members of our group happy.
10. Visual Lectures (PowerPoint type) and visual aides make other members of our group happy.
11. Free Writes based on reflections of lectures/lessons.
thanks, Ruby, for the post!
ReplyDeleteJen-Ashley-Andrea-Winnie-Ashley-Grace and I
ReplyDeleteWe came up with the following ideas to become a successful learner. (How to hold the power)
- To have interesting conversation /debate (small group communication)
- To EXCEPT every question with out judgment no question is a bad question except the ones you don't ask!
- Teachers who take ownership when needed/ Flexibility
- Visual learning and small group { being able to have the chance to fully understand the same concept but from a different perspective}
-Relevance
-Notes for reminders in comprehension
- A general atmosphere of the people who are willing to learn and hear new ideas
- To be able to see the big picture and have faith that we will get there through building strong relationships with our peers
It's great to see all these coming from the small groups. Hope everyone has a good weekend -- rainy weather is nice for reading! :-)
ReplyDeleteMargot
Hi everyone, checking in. Off to read
ReplyDeleteJamie R
I found it!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFound the class blog! See you all on Monday.
ReplyDeleteI found it, my first blog. Yea!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicole for posting for our table :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing my girly table on monday
Gretchen
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKevin, Rosa, Alex, Garret, Nathan, Tia, and I came up with the following suggestions for a positive learning environment. If I wrote down any of the names incorrectly or forgot someone please let me know.
ReplyDelete1. Short debates, about 5 minutes where opinions are expressed and challenged, but not too long where it becomes mundane
2. Open communication and understanding with Professors and students.
3. Smaller group discussions
4. Writing papers that include specific topics and/or questions
5. Smaller classrooms or environments where one feels comfortable to take part in discussions
6. A place where everyone feels included and safe
You forgot got me Chritie =( Niklas. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteHi, class - I'm a-followin' this here blog now. Where's my group?
ReplyDeleteSee you tomorrow night!
~ Ebrahim
Hoo-rah! Found it :-)
ReplyDeleteOur group (Suzanne, Yoshi,Jessica, Ginger, Ebrahim,Kevin and Noa)came up with these ideas for our class learning environment:
ReplyDelete1. Define end goal - what are we getting out of this?
2. Consistent groups - sometimes its hard to keep that flow of relationships when you are switching between a lot of different people.
3. Safe environment to share thoughts and ideas.
4. Everyone needs to be prepared - have your Game Face on!
5. If you are not prepared - try not to get in the way of the conversation.
6. Expectations of assignments need to be very clear.
7. Peer reviews - should be include intentional, thoughtful feedback (positive or negative) that is useful and relevant.
8. Tolerate difference of opinion - be respectful - agree to disagree - don't be afraid to disagree - don't take it personally.
9. Listen actively - set aside personal biases and opinions while listening.
It's interesting to see all the different ideas/suggestions from the different groups - and just how many of them have similar themes.
ReplyDeleteJessica
found it :)
ReplyDeletealso, do we have class today?
it snowed last night and usually when there's snow the night classes get cancelled.
Yes, we should have class tonight, unless the weather changes drastically. Keep an eye on the college website for weather related closures.
ReplyDeleteAlso: our COURSE READERS are ready at Prestige copy & Print, 365-5770 (see the syllabus for address). If you can swing by Northgate on the way to class, it will be helpful to have a few copies on hand tonight. They cost about $13.
Found It :)
ReplyDeleteHello fellow classmates... I've found myself without a partner for the cultural interview. Anyone need a partner?
ReplyDeleteChristie, I can be your partner)
ReplyDeleteGreat! Why don't you email me when you get a chance. chrslynn@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi classmates -
ReplyDeleteI missed class yesterday, and it would appear that by doing so I missed getting a partner for the cultural interview. Anyone else out there in need of a partner?
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteIf I am not in class tomorrow night (if I really do fly to New York), ask Margot to make an announcement in class to see if there are others who still need a partner to interview. I remember one group had 3 people so at least one could be available. Good luck! Jane
hey jessica, my friend cecilia also missed class and does not have a partner. if we do have class tomorrow she will be attending. maybe you can ask her then?
ReplyDeleteSounds like class then Right?
ReplyDeleteThanks for Posting for our group Christie!
ReplyDeleteRebecca - Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteJessica
hi I'm Awet Berhe
ReplyDeleteHi, my name is Cecilia
ReplyDeleteYes! I found it
ReplyDeleteFINAL PUNCTUATION ON DRAMA QUOTE WITH SEVERAL CHARACTERS: PERIOD BEFORE PARENTHETICAL NOTE.
ReplyDeleteThe final period in the indented drama quote (several characters) should be BEFORE the parenthetical note of act, scene, line. this according to MLA Handbook, 6th edition, section 3.7.4.
hope that helps.
Signing in.
ReplyDelete-Ginger
Subject: Sasha Glenn (Interviewer) Jamie Reynolds (Interviewee)
ReplyDeleteI interviewed Jamie, it was surprising how two people who may be perceived as very similar because of appearence,(blonde hair, blue eyes, American), are actually quite different because life experiences make us into complex individuals. I learned that interviewing someone from the same country can be just as exciting as interviewing someone from another country. One thing I would change is that I would be more prepared with questions to ask.
It was really fun and not as hard as I thought.
Sasha
Subject: Jamie Reynolds (Inerviewer) Sasha Glenn (Interviewee)
ReplyDeleteI interviewed Sasha, At first i thought we wouldn't have a lot in common with our age difference, but having the same ethnicity we had more than i thought.I learned that regardless of age, life experinces brought more of a connection then expected. One thing i would change is be more opened minded and don't judge people's life exposure, based on age.
Jamie
Subject: Angela Light (Interviewer) Irene Malloch (Interviewee)
ReplyDeleteMy interview with Irene was a surprisingly vibrant conversation about travel, food, religion, and love for the families we are born into and the families we choose. We planned for 1.5 hrs and talked for 2.5! We used the assignment paper and Hofstede's work to guide our questions but ultimately found that the questions and conversation just flowed! I was most surprised by Irene's ability to be open and transparent about her life experiences. It allowed me to better understand how her sense of culture is still forming within her family and for herself.
Subject: Gretchen Smith, Interviewed by Ashley Topacio
ReplyDeleteGretchen was a great interviewer as well as interviewee, and it was fun getting to know one another. She shared about her close-knit, super loving family, and I learned that her culture is a bit more collectivist than individualistic. I was surprised by how much I felt I knew Gretchen after our interviews; her warm personality made the experience feel more like a friendly visit than a class assignment. If I could change anything about our interviews, I may have had her over while my family was at work and school, but I think she enjoyed their presence as much as they did hers.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSubject: Kevin Pedersen (Interviewer) Julie Erlemeier (Interviewee)
ReplyDeleteI had a very good interview with Julie on Saturday. Before the interview I thought to myself that it was going to be difficult to fill in 45 minutes of interviewing per person, but I was wrong. Together the interviews actually went about 2 hours, and we could have gone longer but decided it was a good place to stop. I learned a lot about Julie, such as the cultural differences between Duluth, MN and Seattle, her scholastic/career goals, her passions, family and religious background.
The main thing that surprised me is how much she has already accomplished, seen and done already in her life. The other surprise was that I don’t really see myself as a conversationalist; but to me the interview went seamless with no periods of silence.
The only thing I would change is maybe concentrating a little longer on a particular subject. This was difficult for me because there was so many interesting things in our conversation that I almost felt overwhelmed on where to go, my head would be spinning with multiple questions.
Subject: Jen Vandiver, Interviewed by Nicole Savisky
ReplyDeleteInterviewing Jen was Awesome! After a pretty intense first question about views on family and the roles within the interview started to flow pretty effortlessly. We talked about religion and prejudices we have experienced. I was very surprised to hear about her background, it goes to show that what you see is not what you expect. Jen and I related a lot on a personal level and shared similar views on culture and present day society.
One thing I may not have ever known if not for this interview: Jen HUNTS! Ducks and Geese!
I think the only thing I would have changed for our interview would be that we had more time! I could have gone another hour asking her questions about her plans for the future and what it was like to grow up with 2 moms and 2 dads!
Subject: Cecilia Budiman (interviewer), Jessica Flanagan (interviewee)
ReplyDeleteI was having a good conversation with Jessica. It was intense and awkward at first though, since I have a lot of questions on my mind and trying to follow the handout guideline. We were enjoying our conversation until an employer at starbucks where we met up told us that they were going to close the store in 10 minutes, later then we realized that we had been talking for about two hours!
Our conversation started with basic questions at first about her origin and her family history. I was thrilled that she was willing to share her life experiences that I have never heard before which broadens out my knowledge about her culture. As our conversation went by, we talked about our hobbies, movies, and our passions, and I found out that Jessica has been learning Japanese for a year!
Things that I would change for our interview would be that I put away all my chaotic questions on my mind so I could be more concentrate in listening to her and also I wish that we had more time for our conversation since I still have more further questions to ask about her passion in Japanese language and culture!
Rebecca Dadlani(interviewer)
ReplyDeleteAlexandra Wilson(interviewee)
I had a great interview with Alex on Friday. She interviewed me first and that lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes. We then took a short break and then I interviewed her for about an hour or so. The interview went very smoothly and we both had tons to talk about. We are both from two very different cultures, and hearing Alex’s stories really inspired me. She shared a lot of her life experiences with me and I found them very interesting and knowledgeable.
There wasn’t an awkward moment and I really enjoyed sharing with Alex. We started with simple questions and we went on to talk about families, jobs, ambitions etc. We really talked a lot about cultural norms and expectations. I particularly found that topic very interesting.
The only thing I can think of that I would want to change is the amount of time we both could dedicate to this assignment. I still have so many things I would love to ask Alex.
Subject: Gary Ehret (interviewer), Justin Small (interviewee)
ReplyDeleteI interview Justin Small. Justin and I do not have a significant cultural difference, but we do have generational difference. Justin is 19 years old and I am 52 years old. I learned about Justin’s passions, his family, especially his older brother and some of the things he is currently focusing on in his life. I was surprised by how much he opened up to me and how comfortable our interview was. The 45 minutes passed very quickly. The one thing I would change was our meeting place. We met in the college library. We were seated in chairs next to each other. We shifted the chairs but we were still not facing each other and we had no table which made taking note a little awkward. Next time it would be preferable to be seated face to face with a table. I believe we would have be able to observe nonverbal cues much better if we were facing each other.
Subject: Andrew Rosser (interviewee), Grace Klein (interviewer)
ReplyDeleteI interviewed Andrea Rosser at a little Mexican restaurant in Lake City, and we spent about 2 hours sitting and chatting and learning about each other. I was surprised to find pretty quickly into our time together that we had a lot more in common than I had anticipated. Having both migrated to Seattle several years back from somewhere out East, we realized that a lot of our struggles were similar, despite our different backgrounds. I think we both quickly learned how easy it was to get to know someone when you take the time to ask questions and actually not only SHOW, but BE interested in them and their past and their life and their interests! If I could change anything, I would have had a slightly better or more structured list of questions to ask. Even so, it was a great experience, and it felt more like a friendly get together than “homework”.
Subject: Jenn Ellerton (Interviewer), Eddie Plano (interviewee)
ReplyDeleteI interviewed Eddie Plano. We met at a Barnes and Noble and spent a little over an hour and a half talking over cups of coffee. I learned that while culturally we come from different backgrounds we share many of the same values as far as family and community are concerned. We are both also very interested in sustainability. Eddie wants sustainability through green building practices and designing neighborhoods around community and culture. My idea of sustainability is based around healthy eating practices and the organic movement. I really learned the importance of listening and how much you can get out of a conversation by doing just that. It surprised me that it wasn't all that difficult to open up to someone I did not know at all before this exercise. What I would change is coming a little bit more prepared. Neither one of us had any preset questions we wanted to ask. It was a little bit difficult to get started. Once we did get started I was kind of happy we didn't have the structure of questions and just let the conversation go where it did but in the beginning it would have been nice to have some initial questions to ask.
Dear Margot and Jane,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed interviewing Kevin Pedersen this past weekend. I learned a that out of the 'six stumbling blocks,' I tend to suffer from a 'tendency to evaluate' and 'assumption of similarities' the most. When listening to Kevin, I found myself trying to dig as deep as I could into the meaning of his words in order to figure him out and place a label on him so that I could make further assumptions based on his culture. I am now aware of this and can work on a more objective approach.
In addition, I was surprised that Kevin and I didn't share as much in common because we both are Caucasian Americans in a similar age groups. I assumed our families' view on education and work were similar when the opposite was true.
Given everything I learned and was surprised by, I would consciously clear my head and disregard my continuous need to figure Kevin out while he was talking in order to really understand his point of view.
Kenny Hancock interviewer
ReplyDeleteAwat Berhe interviewee
Awat was kind enough to travel to my home where we could talk uninterrupted. There we found that out of his deeply communal culture and out of my highly independent one we have basically similar philosophies on the importance and value of community. I suppose this is what surprised me the most, since our pasts are so divergent.
To do it again, I would have more pointed questions prepared. As it was, there was plenty to talk about, and no shortage of learning, but it would have been nice to have been a little less floaty and widespread.
Tia Roeun (interviewer)
ReplyDeleteNiklas Barde-Macnamara (interviewee)
Niklas and I met at Barnes & Noble to conduct the interviews. It was not as quiet as I would have liked it to be, but my focus was on the interview so I didn't let any distractions get in the way. I chose to interview Niklas because for the short period of time we got to know each other in class I found his story to be very interesting. We are from different cultures and family upbringing. We went into the interview not knowing much about each other's culture so it was nice to be able to find out more information. Although him and I are from different backgrounds, we had a lot in common as far as our way of thinking about certain situations in life and the perceptions we have on living in the US. I found myself completely focused on him when he would speak. I didn't make any assumptions and I tried not to think about what he was going to say next. I made sure to ask questions to get a better understanding when I didn't understand what he meant by certain words. I enjoyed the interview and I think the lectures and reading about listening helped me when I interviewed.
Suzanne and I interviewed each other on Friday morning at the Cafe Racer in Roosevelt. We discussed our respective places of origin and our family background along with more recent life developments. More than just intellectual understanding, we each tried to get a feel for the other's cultural background and worldview. Fortunately, we are both "talkers", so there was no shortage of information. However, I had realized that the most challenging part of the interview would be staying present and achieving a deeper level of listening. I think I was mostly successful at this, perhaps reaching the empathic level of listening at different points.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Suzanne for agreeing to become my interview partner.
Subject: Justin Small (interviewer) : Gary Ehret (interviewed)
ReplyDeleteI interviewed Gary Ehret at the North Seattle library. Although me and Gary have big age difference he being 52 and I am 19, we have very little cultural differences, and in fact we have more in common I feel than differences. I learned a lot about Gary; his love for money, his love for his job, his love for the National football league (and pretty much all sports), and his love for his wife. Gary is a very interesting man and I found that his life story very entertaining. It was surprising how easy it was for him to open up to me a stranger, and me likewise to him. As a result the 45 minutes passed very quickly. The one thing I would change is definitely where we meet. We meet at North Seattle’s library but the most opportune area to have our interview was one where we didn’t have a table, away from the general student population. So sitting next to each other in chairs made it a little difficult to right notes and look at each other. But otherwise it was a positive and enlightening experience, I really enjoyed learning a little more about Gary.
Interviewer-Raisa Asriyants
ReplyDeleteInterviewee-Christie Bush
On Thursday, January 13 I met for an interview with my classmate Christie Bush. We initially met at a University Village Starbucks, but it was very noisy there so we moved to a Starbucks located inside the Barnes & Noble bookstore. At our second location the atmosphere was calm and pleasant and thus conducive to a productive discussion. Christie was the first to ask me questions. As she was a pleasant and considerate conversationalist, she helped me open up and be more confident when my turn came to be the interviewer. Through the interview, I learned many things about Christie as a person, as well as about her cultural and family heritage. I found out that active listening helps tremendously in obtaining interesting information through such techniques as follow-up questions and supportive remarks. Overall, I enjoyed the interview experience very much and look forward to reading Christie’s account of interviewing me.
Hey. Just got back home a few minutes ago from the Barnes and Noble at Northgate. I did my cultural interview with Reid Santabarbara. It was cool learning about my partner. Niether of us know much about our heritage or really identify with a religion but i guess thats part of alot of cultures today. Reid told me about how he is interested in lights(stage lighting, Lazers, etc.) and how he got into lighting when he was sixteen and was working as a master electrician at the moore theatre in Seattle by the time he was eightteen. We had similar situations with our parents moving and seporating too. I liked learning a bit about someone who was a complete stranger before but now is a friend. Thanks for a fun couple hours of hangin out Reid, I'll see you and everyone else wednesday. Have a good MLK Day!
ReplyDeleteIrene Malloch interviewing Angela Light
ReplyDeleteAngela and I met in the espresso lounge in the evening and spent a good 2 and a half hours dialoguing. I learned so many things that I never would have guessed about Angela. She has prospered through many challenges in her life which have pushed her to becoming such a strong independent individual.
There were a couple things that surprised me in my interview with Angela; first of all, the majority of our class are white females which could put Angela and myself into one stereotype - but this is not the case at all - Angela and I have both had very extreme ways of being brought up but at the same time extremely different as well. One thing that surprised me was the similarity in the foundation of our beliefs. Even though we have had such different upbringings we've both come to similar conclusions about life, family, and religion.
If I could change one thing about our dialogue it would be the time it took us to get to the 'bottom of the pyramid.' Of course we were both very open and it wasn't difficult to have a deep conversation but it seemed to me that it took us both a little while to move from the top of the pyramid to the bottom. It would be great if next time we could just jump right in to the deeper more meaningful levels of conversation.
Subject: Gloria Forsythe(interviewer) Anand Tumurtogoo(Interviewee)
ReplyDeleteI interviewed Anand. I feel I learned a lot about Anand and about Mongolian culture. I learned how how an assumption can really skew how you percieve something. I learned that through researching another culture, interviewing someone from that culture(as an "active listener" and being aware of the "six stumbling blocks"), analyzing the interaction and reflecting upon it can help me understand people including myself with more depth. As I listened to the recording of the interview I noticed that I must have been"reloading" and missed a very interesting fact about Anand that could have lead the interview into a different direction. So I guess I would have changed that. I also feel that I would not have changed anything becuase I learned so much and am continuing to learn from the whole experience.
Interviwer(Awet Berhe)
ReplyDeletei interviewed kenny, kenny was very generous, humble, and very respeful and i learned variety things from kenny such as his background and he was actually willing to answer some of the hard questioned that i appeared for him, which i was very suprised because if i was him i would actually feel strange to answer some of that hard questions but kenny was very respeful and understand me very well where i was coming from!so, overall, it was a good exprience. However, next time i would get into deeper understanding and that's what i would change!
Reid SantaBarbara (interviewer) Garret Mccarter (interviewee)
ReplyDeleteThe active listening got off to a great start and was present throughout the conversation. Garret and I warmed up a bit by simply talking about how our day was and how the weekend had unfolded for both of us. I believe this was a good way for us to warm up and soon after dove into deeper questions. As we went on we listened to stories of each others past and practiced some of the listening excercises we read about in class. It seemed as though we both got better at listening as we talked on, I think this is because we got more comfortable as the interview went on. The atomosphere we met in was quite enough where it was not distracting. The interview I would consider thought stimulating, suprising,and carried out in a manner that was comfortable.
Interviewer: Steven Wan
ReplyDeleteInterviewee: Kevin Lennstrom
I interviewed Kevin last week and learned alot about his culture and background. We asked each other alot about our family and personal beliefs but we didn't dwell much into specific aspect of our cultures as it seemed we were both unaccustomed to talking about it. We also had some difficulty finding a particular subject to talk about after the obvious had been asked as we didn't know what kind of paper this is suppose to be. However, despite the little confusion, we were able to get alot of information from each other. In particular it was very interesting that despite us having very different backgrounds, we surprisingly have many similarities to each other. Though due to time constraints, we weren't able to through everything we want but we feel what we have everything we need right now and that it will be good enough for the rough draft. Until then we'll be keeping in contact with each other. Overall it was an interesting experience learning about another person's life and to open mines up to them too.
Mezmur Assresu (Interviewer) Ruby Stacey (Interviewee)
ReplyDeleteI had a great and insightful interview with Ruby on Friday afternoon. Our conversation started with basic questions, I began with her origin and her family history. There were several similarities and differences. For example the value of respect and thoughtfulness in Native American culture and Ethiopian culture is very similar. As we continued to talk there was less effort, silence and awkwardness. I was able to cover her career goals, her passions, family and religious background. To my surprise I learned that while culturally we come from different backgrounds we share many of the same values as far as cultural values and communities are concerned. I was amazed to find pretty quickly into our time together that we had a lot more in common than I had anticipated. We both learned how easy it was to get to know someone when you take the time to ask questions and actually not only show, but genuinely be interested in what they have to offer. Both our interviews took about three hours! If I could change anything, I would have had a slightly better or more structured list of questions to ask. My questions were very basic and didn’t go into depth like I wanted it too, I had to hesitate during the interview and try to dig deeper. Never the less I feel like we accomplished that by the end of the interview.
Mezmur Assresu (Interviewer)
ReplyDeleteRuby Stacey (Interviewee)
I had a great and insightful interview with Ruby on Friday afternoon. Our conversation started with basic questions, I began with her origin and her family history. There were several similarities and differences. For example the value of respect and thoughtfulness in Native American culture and Ethiopian culture is very similar. As we continued to talk there was less effort, silence and awkwardness. I was able to cover her career goals, her passions, family and religious background. To my surprise I learned that while culturally we come from different backgrounds we share many of the same values as far as cultural values and communities are concerned. I was amazed to find pretty quickly into our time together that we had a lot more in common than I had anticipated. We both learned how easy it was to get to know someone when you take the time to ask questions and actually not only show, but genuinely be interested in what they have to offer. Both our interviews took about three hours! If I could change anything, I would have had a slightly better or more structured list of questions to ask. My questions were very basic and didn’t go into depth like I wanted it too, I had to hesitate during the interview and try to dig deeper. Never the less I feel like we accomplished that by the end of the interview. (I wasn't sure I posted it in the right place the first time so here is another copy.)
hi i have a question for Margot and Jane.
ReplyDeleteto write a paper for "dialogue" do i have to finish reading the entire book or can i just focus on the first 7 chapters that have been assigned?
is there a sample essay somewhere
ReplyDeleteWhat are we supposed to post on the blog for monday....I thought Jane was going to give us a prompt?
ReplyDeleteHI Nikki,
ReplyDeleteLook at the right side of the blog where it lists the diffent "comment headers" and look for one that says "systems thinking? Adaptive leadership." That's where you should post your comment!
Jane
Hey. I've been sick for about five days now and it sucks. But i've got my dayquil and my nyquil and my emergen-c and some soup etc. so i should be good to go by monday. Can't wait to be in class~
ReplyDeleteI never really read all these great interviews til now. you all have gotten me very excited for my next interveiw and given me much more to think about while interviewing someone.thanks-Angelica
ReplyDeleteHey i have a question for Margot and Jane,
ReplyDeleteis it ok if julie and i record a video and put video comments in instead of typing up a whole transcript....?
Hey. 11-51931. thats the case number i got from the officer who came to check out the broken window in my car yesterday. And 35mph is how fast i wast going today when i lost traction and hit a wall on my way home. I wish i coulda made it today but i got stuff to deal with. See y'all later~
ReplyDeleteHi everyone!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I can't come today (02.16.2011) to the class. Hope I will not miss something very important.
League for Innovation
ReplyDelete2011 Student Literary Competition
FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES!
Student writers can compete for local and national honors and cash prizes in the
annual League for Innovation Literary Contest. Our District boasts two national
winners in the last two years: Eryn Paull in the personal essay category and
Tamarrah Phillips the previous year for short fiction. Maybe you're next!
You can enter in the following categories: fiction (3000 words), one-act play
(3000 words), personal essay (2000 words), and poetry (67 lines) . This year's
deadline is Friday, March 18 at 5:00 PM.
For more information, contact the coordinator at your college:
North Seattle Community College
Dani Blackman, Coordinator
Danielle.Blackman@seattlecolleges.edu
(206) 527-3741