End-of-Semester Reflection

It’s really hard to believe that the semester is over already, although the break will be welcome. I feel like so much has happened in our cohort and I’m not quite sure where to start.
I guess I have mixed feelings about a couple of aspects of Paideia so far. I think it has overall been a REALLY beneficial experience (and yes, a stretch too), but there are also things I might wish to see change a bit.

I feel like our cohort operates on two extremes and that makes the meetings kind of difficult to manage and maybe less productive than they could be. It seems to me that about half the group is really opinionated and verbal, while the other half doesn’t voice opinions at all. This dynamic is particularly frustrating for me because I feel that the more verbal half gets into heated debates/discussions (sometimes a fair amount more heated than I would like) while the other half doesn’t seem engaged at all. Although I am guilty for talking way to much I REALLY want to know what the more quiet people think about the issues that we talk about and why they think this. I don’t want anyone to read this to think I’m blaming people who are maybe more shy or quiet by nature for being that way, but I would like to see the more verbal of us (me included of course) to be more welcoming to comments from the less verbal. For anyone who feels like responding (if you all read other's blogs), can you think of other ways we could structure the meeting to facilitate this? I haven’t come up with anything yet, but I’m racking my brain! :)

First, I just want to start out this next point by saying I am as guilty about this critique as anyone and probably guiltier of this it than many. So here’s the critique: I feel that we are not as responsive to one another as we should be some of the time. For instance, I came up with a couple of different I ideas about our civic engagement project and asked for feedback on them that no one ever did discuss with me (or not until they were forced to do so). One of these situations was with ROCK, AI and LSCC. These were agencies I suggest we explore for our civic engagement, but no one ever talked about how they felt about these agencies until we had some one from ROCK come in and talk to us about their program, and I still never heard feedback about the other two. It’s not that I want every one to agree with me, but I would like to have a discussion (that’s why I came up with these ideas in the first place) and I would even LOVE to hear why you think these may be bad ideas, just so I can understand where you are coming from. It is also really frustrating to spend time doing a bit of research on and presenting these ideas in my blog, just to wonder if people even noticed them (even after we were assigned to read each other’s blog entries). I also felt as if my suggestion for a one-time event was ignored as well. The lack of response made me wonder if I even sent the email correctly. I know that every one is pretty busy and I sent it at a less than opportune time in terms how busy we all are, but I sent it because I wanted to hear why you did (or more importantly) did not like that idea. Like I said before I’m sure I am VERY guilty of being non-responsive as well, but these are just the examples that I have been able to come up with.

I feel bad that my blog so far has been so full of complaints and negativity, because I really do think that Paideia is a great program and I think that we as a cohort are off to a really good start. I feel like I have learned a great deal so far from EVERY individual in the cohort. Also, I want you all to know that I would honestly value any criticism you might have as well – I think that is how we can improve the way we function as a group. I’m looking forward to working on our civic engagement project and learning about what skills and knowledge each of us can offer. I’m also going to be very intrigued to see how to group dynamics change as we have group members absent to study abroad programs.

I just wanted to end by thanking everyone for the contributions that they do make, because (although you probably wouldn’t guess it after observing me talk so excessively this semester – sorry about that by the way) I am infinitely more interested in hearing what you have to say than just hearing myself talk.

I hope everyone has an awesome break! Dr. G, thank you for your holiday wishes by the way, the card is lovely!