Course Reflection

After completing this four week course in Advanced Composition, I have learned a tremendous amount and have grown as a writer. I have learned how to effectively defend an argument as well as recognize the components of other writer’s arguments. I have also developed my ability to conduct research in a more effective manner. I have learned how to eliminate wordiness from my writing. As result, I have discovered how to convey my thoughts in a way that is clear and concise.

At the beginning of this course, I knew that our instructor had high expectations of our work. The amount of work that was expected of us seemed a bit overwhelming at first. However, as the course unfolded, I found that the organization of the class assisted me in completing my tasks successfully. I felt I exceeded the expectations of the class. I turned in my assignments in a timely manner and did not procrastinate on assignments. I also put forth my best effort in each assignment that was given.

As far as my research paper is concerned, I felt that I did an excellent job conducting research and formatting the paper appropriately. By learning about the structure of arguments along the way, I was able to organize my paper that was consistent with what I learned. Additionally, I chose a topic that was of great interest to me which made the research process more appealing.

There is very little that I would change if I had to take this course over again. I did make one mistake in regards to my peer group. I posted my rough draft under the exploratory draft thread and did not get the kind of feedback that I needed. Because of this, one thing that I would change is to thoroughly look over all components of the discussion threads to ensure that I am posting my assignments in the appropriate areas. Other than that one aspect, I would do everything else in the same manner because I felt that I gained from staying organized and well on task.

The grade that I feel that I have earned is an A/A-. I honestly feel that I put forth my best effort in everything that I set out to accomplish. As a result, I have learned a vast amount of new knowledge about arguments, writing and research. It is my hope that I have met the instructor’s expectations and the work that I have done is of a professional nature, meeting or exceeding what was anticipated. I truly feel successful in all that I did.

Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail

Would Dr. King’s “Letter” work, in this day and age, as a blog entry? Why or why not?

Given Dr. Kings leadership skills and reputation, I think that his letter would serve the purpose that was intended. However, if Dr. King were simply a member of the general public and not the leader that he was, it may not be as influential as was intended. The reason being is that there is such a vast amount of blogs. The letter would certainly evoke strong feelings, critical reflections and thoughts of its readers, but it is difficult to make your thoughts stand out. The only way this letter would stand out is if, like Dr. King, you had a great following of individuals that believed in your philosophy and doctrine.

With that being said, Dr. King had a style of writing that was efficient and may develop a following more quickly than one might imagine. He clearly presented the facts of his argument. Even though he had quite an emotional investment in this letter, he still remained logical in his style of writing and did a more than sufficient job of appealing to the emotions of his readers. He backed up his thoughts and philosophies by many of our nation's founders and leaders. He also effectively quoted and gave examples of famous philosophers and religious leaders which further supported his claim.

MLA or APA

I have used MLA format a large majority of my papers at National University. I have used APA format on a few papers and I prefer it over MLA because I feel it looks very professional. When my husband was working on his thesis, he had to use APA. Now that he is a professor himself, he is very familiar with APA format and always showing me the appropriate format for in text citations, references, among other specifics. In the future, I foresee using APA format unless otherwise specified by an instructor.

I think that documentation is vital to research because without it your research would lack credibility and it is important to go back and review the data to make sure it is accurate. For example, British researchers recently reviewed a previous study in which they linked autism to childhood vaccines. After reviewing the data, a number of years later, they determined that their initial research was not accurate and there unable to find a link.
I find that documenting specific statistics is an easy task. I find it more difficult to document more subjective information. In general, the format for the works cited or reference page can prove to be a bit difficult because of the tediousness involved.

I have often found that the following website is very useful when formatting your paper in APA or MLA format.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Week 1 Reflection

Week 1 was a lot of work. However, it was filled with challenges that I enjoyed. I really love to write and discovering ways to become a more effective writer is fascinating to me.

I enjoyed many of the assignments given in week 1. Critiquing the arguments in our text truly helped me to think critically and break down essays into several parts. Recognizing the different parts of the argument helped me to reflect on my own ability to write in terms of argument.

Another assignment that I enjoyed was the exploratory draft. Because I am writing about a subject that I am passionate about, I am able to proceed forth into the research confident that I can do a thorough job in defending my proposal.

We had to take part in several discussion boards which leads me into the minds of my classmates. This helps me to better understand concepts we are studying by confirming or refuting my thoughts on a particular subject. It assists me in thinking critically and opens more doors to learning. I found the peer group assignment helpful as I gained new insight from my classmates that I will incorporate in my research. I also enjoyed reading the research proposals of my peers. I tried to give the most helpful suggestions to guide my classmates into a solid direction. It is my hope that they find my suggestions as helpful as I found theirs.

Of course, I think this blog assignment is a great idea. It gives everyone the experience of writing in an open forum about their experiences in this class. Because it is personal, I think we all feel a bit more free to write and reflect upon our thoughts.

Overall, even though the course has an abundance of requirements, I think I will benefit. All the hard work done in this class is sure to pay off in the end. Hard work will result in more knowledge and skill and for that I am thankful for.

My journey

We all are on a journey in this life. Our journeys shape us individuals. Reflection on our past helps us understand the importance of the decisions we make in the present. There are many facets of my own life that have led me to the decision to become an educator. It is my goal to become an educator who possesses an abundance of knowledge that is balanced and well-rounded.

As a young child, I always admired my teachers and had a desire to become a teacher myself. Fresh out of high school, I decided to take early education courses at my local community college. This would enable me to teach preschool while earning a teaching credential. However, life circumstances at that point in time did not allow me to continue the pursuit of my credential. As a result, I taught preschool for ten years. In 2001, I was given the opportunity to teach elementary school at a private school without having a credential. I taught first grade for four years. At that point, I knew that this was my calling in life. However, being a working mother and a wife allowed no extra time to attend classes.

Four years ago, I decided to stop teaching momentarily so that I could stay home with my children and focus on my education. I started taking general education courses at Mt. San Jacinto College. I transferred to National University two years ago. I am currently working on obtaining my BA in Interdisciplinary Studies while earning my multiple subject teaching credential. I also have a passion for nutrition and fitness. It is my aspiration to take courses in these areas as well.

I decided to major in interdisciplinary studies so that I can learn a way of looking at life from many different perspectives. I feel that this degree will be beneficial to me both personally and professionally. Personally, I will obtain the knowledge to tackle life’s obstacles by taking an interdisciplinary approach. Professionally, having this degree will allow me to assist my future students in learning and thinking critically. It will help me develop a curriculum that can integrate all areas of study in a balanced and well-rounded manner. I also hope to integrate my knowledge and experience with health and nutrition into the classroom. This will enable me to touch children’s lives in many different ways.