When I signed up for eng 102 I think I had expectations similar to most in regards to what the class would be like. Write paper after paper etc... on topics, learn to refine your writing but ultimately you're just writing to the professor. This class however, turned out to be totally different than I had expected. Instead of doing a bunch of research and regurgitating that information onto a paper in a specific format, we actually used the internet as the "turn in" source for all our assignments in the form of a blog. This media of communication takes writing to an entirely new level, instead of just your Professor reading your paper your entire class and others are able to view your writing. This really causes you to think about what you're writing in a different way. Initially my approach to writing a paper was to find a topic I liked, do some research, and then put it in a standard format. With the introduction of a new media visible to many it adds an element that normally does not exist, the element of peer review and the possibility of potentially offending someone with your writing, or let's face it the potential to look really stupid in front of your peers.
This obviously changes ones approach to writing and causes a person to really put on their thinking cap to produce a product worthy of being read, and potentially judged by their fellow classmates. Our first few blog posts were nothing spectacular or challenging, but as the course went on we had to refine our research and our writing.
The use of Toulmin's model, Wysoki's methods, and our text book Writing Analytically became invaluable resources. I learned a lot through the use of these systems, they helped me to adjust my writing style and skills and to take my thinking to the next level. Learning how to make my sources speak to one another and then interject myself into that conversation was difficult at first, but it became easier as the class moved along.
Developing a website about our research subject was another part that I did not expect from a regular English course. The writing portion for the website was tough, I had to be careful to not accidently offend our service learning partners, but at the same time maintain a focus and dialogue stressing the importance of their program and the people they provide a service for. The technical aspects of the website were annoying; trying to learn how to place this here and that there took hours and quite frankly irritated the hell out of me. But, in the end I got it done and felt really good about the site.
Our next unit was a group assignment and I have to say this is the part I am most proud of. We had to make a video about our service learning partner and what they do. I feel our little group of 3 did a fantastic job working together to produce an outstanding video that portrayed the HEP program well, and its importance. Not only did we have a lot of fun making the video but I feel our working together took us from classmates to becoming friends.
Our final project for the course is our final portfolio. Reflecting on ones writing is not an easy task especially after you have put a lot of work into it already. Going back rereading and rechecking facts is a small part of it, however the hard part is questioning your questions and reevaluating your thoughts. Using feedback from my group mates, I made some modifications to the general layout of the webpage. I changed some of the picture sizes so they had a better impact, and also changed the font size to make it easier to read. Another change I made was to modify the overall theme of the page to one I felt was more appropriate to the topic. Originally I had a cheesy little classroom chalk board like setting with a globe on it, this in the beginning I felt was appropriate seeing as how HEP is about helping migrant workers and their children gain a GED. But now I feel the two hands planting a small tree is more appropriate, it speaks to helping hands and fostering growth for these people, and the true impact the HEP program has on their lives. Lastly, based on feedback from Jeremy, I added another page to the website. He suggested I speak to the rhetoric surrounding immigration and how it has influenced me. I liked that idea so I created the reflections page of the website detailing my life views and experiences with immigrants and the HEP program and how the experience has fostered a change in the way I think, not only about these people but others throughout the world.
In closing, I would like to point out I have tried to keep this reflective letter in an informal format much like a conversation someone might have if asked what they thought about the course and what they gained from it. The tools and lessons I received from this course will be invaluable later on as I pursue my goal of becoming a Veterinarian, from writing letters to prospective Vet. Schools, grant proposals, and many other tasks I am sure to face in my time in college. Below you will find a link to my website please take the time to look it over I hope you gain an understanding of what challenges migrant workers face in there day to day lives.
http://hepsuccess.weebly.com/index.html
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