-Reflection Ecology Project-
(note: I left no fluff, very concise and straightforward)
Prior learning-
What methods, theories, ideas and skills that you learned or used in class/current curriculum/other experiences were useful in completing this project?
In Freshman year Brian had us create a small infographic for our first mini project, we also had to write a report. This little mini project prepared me to get into more complex and strict deadlines in this project.
Present experience-
What are two of the most significant things you did during the experience?
Through those actions, how did you contribute to the success of the project?
In this project I found the data that was used for our paper and infographics. Before we were a little lost of what we were doing, we came up with the idea to research deer instead of macro-invertebrates. Making the sudden change set us back but luckily I found data and extra information in a couple of days.
In what ways did you experience difficulties (e.g., interacting with others, accomplishing tasks) and what personal characteristics contributed to the difficulties (e.g., skills, abilities, perspectives, attitudes, tendencies, knowledge)?
I had trouble being a leader in the group, I am naturally a dominant personality and I'm not afraid to speak my mind. It was troubling when I laid out the information for my group mates yet they continually needed to be told what to do. It was irritating, I just wanted the, to do their jobs. I have worked with them only a few times before and have heard from others that they are not hard workers. This was just hear-say so I wanted to give them the chance to take initiative but obviously that didn't work. I felt that I had to take control and be stern about it. Again, I am a dominant personality which means I'm a leader and having such submissive partners was aggravating. This caused problems.
What assumptions or conceptions (about yourself, others, or how things work) were confirmed or contradicted by the experience?
This project confirmed that I am a leader type and not afraid to take action and be blunt, when others are not pulling their weight. It also conirmed that I would rather work individually than work with people I don't trust.
What did you learn about your subject matter/research area that you had not known prior to having completed this project?
I didn't know that deer were one of the highest causes of the population decline in deer in Durango. I also didn't know that there so much data on the population decline and how important deer are in this area.
If you could do the project again, what might you do differently to achieve improved results?
I would like to be able to choose my own group, based on their strengths and ability to focus. I would change to a better program for infographics, even possibly using photoshop, to add more individual freedom and creativity.
Future Endeavours-
What could be the implications of what you learned from this experience for your future work/research/career?
In the future, I'll be able to undertake more work individually to further my group. This project also opens up some different options for art careers, such as making the infographics for a scientific presentations.
What skills, knowledge, or experience did you wish you had prior to attempting this project that would have aided you to get more from the experience and/or achieve better outcome?
I wish I knew how to write scientifically, not using pronouns and using some of nuances within the writing. I also wish I had more experience creating professional infographics.
How well did the activities focused on in this experience mesh with your learning style?
I am a visual learner, I learn through seeing and a more hands on approach. Diagrams, graphs and infographics work well for me, being able to design those meshed really well, and the content we learned while taking notes was useful.
How will having participated in this experience change how you approach projects/tasks/research in the future?
The positive thing that I took from participating in this project was how to time manage a group and myself in future projects in other classes or in this class. Now this has reinforced my opinion that we as students should be able to choose their own groups.
(note: I left no fluff, very concise and straightforward)
Prior learning-
What methods, theories, ideas and skills that you learned or used in class/current curriculum/other experiences were useful in completing this project?
In Freshman year Brian had us create a small infographic for our first mini project, we also had to write a report. This little mini project prepared me to get into more complex and strict deadlines in this project.
Present experience-
What are two of the most significant things you did during the experience?
Through those actions, how did you contribute to the success of the project?
In this project I found the data that was used for our paper and infographics. Before we were a little lost of what we were doing, we came up with the idea to research deer instead of macro-invertebrates. Making the sudden change set us back but luckily I found data and extra information in a couple of days.
In what ways did you experience difficulties (e.g., interacting with others, accomplishing tasks) and what personal characteristics contributed to the difficulties (e.g., skills, abilities, perspectives, attitudes, tendencies, knowledge)?
I had trouble being a leader in the group, I am naturally a dominant personality and I'm not afraid to speak my mind. It was troubling when I laid out the information for my group mates yet they continually needed to be told what to do. It was irritating, I just wanted the, to do their jobs. I have worked with them only a few times before and have heard from others that they are not hard workers. This was just hear-say so I wanted to give them the chance to take initiative but obviously that didn't work. I felt that I had to take control and be stern about it. Again, I am a dominant personality which means I'm a leader and having such submissive partners was aggravating. This caused problems.
What assumptions or conceptions (about yourself, others, or how things work) were confirmed or contradicted by the experience?
This project confirmed that I am a leader type and not afraid to take action and be blunt, when others are not pulling their weight. It also conirmed that I would rather work individually than work with people I don't trust.
What did you learn about your subject matter/research area that you had not known prior to having completed this project?
I didn't know that deer were one of the highest causes of the population decline in deer in Durango. I also didn't know that there so much data on the population decline and how important deer are in this area.
If you could do the project again, what might you do differently to achieve improved results?
I would like to be able to choose my own group, based on their strengths and ability to focus. I would change to a better program for infographics, even possibly using photoshop, to add more individual freedom and creativity.
Future Endeavours-
What could be the implications of what you learned from this experience for your future work/research/career?
In the future, I'll be able to undertake more work individually to further my group. This project also opens up some different options for art careers, such as making the infographics for a scientific presentations.
What skills, knowledge, or experience did you wish you had prior to attempting this project that would have aided you to get more from the experience and/or achieve better outcome?
I wish I knew how to write scientifically, not using pronouns and using some of nuances within the writing. I also wish I had more experience creating professional infographics.
How well did the activities focused on in this experience mesh with your learning style?
I am a visual learner, I learn through seeing and a more hands on approach. Diagrams, graphs and infographics work well for me, being able to design those meshed really well, and the content we learned while taking notes was useful.
How will having participated in this experience change how you approach projects/tasks/research in the future?
The positive thing that I took from participating in this project was how to time manage a group and myself in future projects in other classes or in this class. Now this has reinforced my opinion that we as students should be able to choose their own groups.