Scott Rafalski commented on Monthly Summary for groups #2 and #5 

February Monthly Summary Group 3

This has been a very trying month for Group 3.  We lost a group member who moved to a different group. One group member had a life situation that didn’t allow her to communicate with the group as frequently as she would have liked but she still was able to overcome and complete her requirements.  As we established communication within our group we found it best to communicate by email as our group seems really to be overcommitted to our jobs and lives which makes it tough to find time to meet.  This isn’t an excuse but more the reality of life.  We have talked about how we need to find that balance in our lives but every class is different and it takes really a few weeks to find your footing.  I don’t think everyone was real happy with the grade we received on our first paper but we have to look at it more as we should really grow as a group and as we do we should and will do better on each assignment.  This is the idea that you need to learn from your mistakes philosophy. 

After our first attempt our group has outlined due dates for the next assignment and assigned roles for the various aspects and parts of the next project and paper.  So everything is set to be successful going forward but we just need to make time and honor the commitment we have made to this class.  It might also be possible that we are a group of procrastinators.  We have also discussed and spent time trying to figure out everyone’s schedules.  Some of us can really only focus on things over the weekends while others have some time during the week.  It would be really, really nice if things could be due on Sunday nights at Midnight for that reason because I know in our group most of us have time to work on Sunday but things aren’t due on that day because it is the beginning of a new week.  For example, Sunday is the only day that I do not work and have nothing that restricts me from doing work for this class.  These are the time constraints in which some of us are working in so some flexibility would be nice. 

We have some “newbies” in our group also so they are trying to get used to blogging and the intricacies behind that.  The nice thing about the blog is it really is a living, breathing animal.  It constantly needs to be fed with new information and we need it to continue to evolve.  It allows for our group to easily access the information though and make changes and it has been nice to see the other groups’ blogs and how creative they are.  I really like the idea that when the class is finished the blog will be like a journey that we have taken as a group to show where we have started and how much we accomplished and did to finish with an amazing project.  It works almost like a timeline. 

This month Group 3 completed our Community Based Learning Paper. Amanda did the main ideas, format prep, final organization and submission of the project.  John, Scott and Katrina all reviewed and did a write up on a different case study.  Jillian did our review and created the table along with adding a discussion piece.  I honestly feel like we were pretty proud just to get this turned in as we were late in submitting and our communication wasn’t clear in terms of making sure that we had done our best work and completed everything the way the rubric had asked.  We really learned to stick to the rubric here and that also we need to try to get things done early to allow everyone a chance to review, make changes and add their insightful suggestions and comments.  If we can complete things early we could then send them to Dr. Chang to review and get her feedback and questions also as she really is the only one that truly knows what the final submission should be and look like.  Again, we can only do this if we get things done early. 

Here is an outline for our next paper and the roles that we will play…………………….

Community Education Programs

Due March 8 (SATURDAY) 11:59pm

Deadline for group review March 5^th (WEDNESDAY) 10:00pm

Please attach your name clearly under your chosen task so we all know who is responsible for which aspect.

What do we want our topic to be??

Community Topic: _________________________________

Introduction: 1. ____________________________

1 person 2 references

· what was learned from the researched programs

· main ideas from text and course readings

· introduce the context and structure of the chosen community

o population

o organizations

o characteristics of the community

o why we chose this community

Cases: 1. __Jillian__ 2. Scott______________ 3. ____Adam____

THREE Community Education Programs, Projects, Initiatives

3 people at least 3 references

· Who are the major providers of the services?

· variety or community education programs, projects, and initiatives

o FORMAT FOR THIS SECTION INCLUDED IN SYLLABUS

· others….

Discussion/Table/SUBMIT FINAL PAPER (includes final review and re-formats if needed to submit complete paper): 1. ___Katrina ____

1 person Group edit March 6^th and 7^th; assigned person will submit paper by due date

· summarize main ideas about the programs

· what can we learn from the community programs

· use text information to support

Scott Rafalski- In the first 8 weeks I have learned the endless possibilities of service learning and how it can be transformational and life changing.  The case studies have really taught us the importance of service learning and that it can be implemented anywhere as we have looked at cases in different parts of the world including New Zealand, Australia, Canada and even Indiana.  I keep thinking about as an Ivy Tech (Indianapolis Region) student affairs staff member and instructor how I could institute more service learning in my own class and the opportunities we have to connect with the community here in Indy.  There are so many needs here in the city that as a community college we could be helping with.  This would truly be a win-win for all parties involved including the college, students, staff (instructors), community, etc. 

I have learned that many of us can sit down and list the issues and problems within our community but we have all these excuses why we don’t actively engage and do something about it.  Some play the blame game and think it is someone else’s responsibility and job or they don’t know where to start or they say they don’t know what’s out there.  The idea of that if you aren’t part of the solution you are part of the problem really applies here.  I saw an excellent motivational video recently about a blind mountain climber that said if you aren’t helping others and giving back then you aren’t truly living and he took it a step further and said that you shouldn’t even be living.  That statement and then thinking about this class has really made me rethink my job, my role and even my life in terms of being more involved in the community in which I live and work.  I have learned that if more volunteered and gave back that we can make a difference and change the community in which we are a part of.  

Katrina Owens- In the last month I have been extremely busy with life circumstances or surprises more or less.  Where I was living (apartment), there was some sort of hot water line leak that created so much heat and moisture that made it unbearable to live in.  This same heat and moisture caused mold to appear in all the bedrooms.  Long story short, I had to find a new place to live quickly and move as soon as possible.  In a matter of ten days I have done all of this and still was able to at least contribute of some sort to the group project. 

Although I was distracted to say the least I was engaged in the case study that I had found.  I was really intrigued on how far in-depth Princeton University’s community based program entailed.   The focus of interest within community programs varied from children & youth, literacy & literature to urban development.  There were several different courses offered at Princeton that supported this initiative to become involved within community learning. There was even an interactive map provided on the website that consisted of 28 student stories and reflections on each person’s academic, research and civic engagement experiences globally.  I was intrigued by this program very much so and will continue to follow its progress to possibly develop a sister program on the community college level.

Jillian Scholten – This month and semester have proven to be another difficult one. Throughout my time in online courses (4 semesters), I have learned I am my best when in an actual classroom setting. They don’t tell you how difficult working 45+ hours a week and having many additional hours of homework drains you. This course in particular. As mentioned, it is very difficult to get homework done when it has due dates of Friday or Saturday. This entire semester I have been working almost seven days a week and am struggling to find time other than on Sundays to complete the assignments. This past assignment taught me I need to be better. I think our group member leaving was for the best. It woke us up. At the same time, I will never be that person that gets homework done 2-3 weeks before the due date. I don’t have time and that is not who I am. I do, however, always get it done by the assigned deadline. Group projects are difficult in the classroom setting, let alone in an online format. We have a clear plan and deadlines of when we plan to finish the next project. I have high hopes we will continue to do much better and improve throughout this semester. I plan on writing many good things for the March blog!

Adam Murray - February has indeed been a busy month for us all, myself included.  I relocated this past week to Chicago to take a new job, and have been trying to find an apartment, work, finalize finances, and stay on top of my grad school responsibilities.  In many ways, this course has aided me in how I am approaching my new position of Community Outreach Director for The First Tee of Greater Chicago.  I've come to appreciate to a greater extent the service learner program at my previous job in California, and I'm currently seeking out similar opportunities for partnership here in Chicago.  Valuing these partnerships and recognizing the issues that each school or organization hopes to attend to is vital to there continuance.  Reading the case studies from my fellow group members has given me new ideas about how to breech literacy issues and tactics for success.  Defining community can still be a difficult task, especially in Chicago with the interweaving of cultures, neighborhoods, and socioeconomics, but I feel as though I am better suited at discovering that middle-ground, and helping others to appreciate it as well.  I look forward to March as being a much more organized, fluid group partnership, though I do think that we communicate well already.  Much like Scott said, our issues primarily stem from conflicting schedules and unforeseen life changes.  This, however, is part of the learning process.  Understanding that you need to be always prepared for whatever comes your way.  Bring on March!