Hixson Blog Post #8
What sort of descriptive words come to mind when describing a leader? Enthusiastic, well educated, good communication, or consistent? These are just a few of many characteristics of a leader.
Leading groups effectively was the topic of discussion for this week. There are many effective ways in working with groups, but leading one requires a little more skill. An effective leader will provide the members of the group incentive to engage, create, and assume responsibility for them to achieve goals. We also talked about the physical environment that can influence the group's nature of activity and level of performance. One way of effectively leading a group in the physical environment. This is usually not considered enough. It will include factors such as temperature, lighting, seating, distractions, and seating arrangements appropriate for the tasks of the group. When leading our session next fall it will be important for me to be sure to be aware of such factors, for they will only help with cooperation with the students. When a leader acts in these ways group members will truly engage and own results as their own and will be able say "we did it ourselves." (Newton:Students helping students)
Question: Are leaders born or developed into one?
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
ISCORE
ISCORE
On Friday March 1st, 2013 i attended my first ever ISCORE. ISCORE is a conference on race and ethnicity. The first event I went to was the keynote speaker, Nancy Barcelo. She talked about equity and diversity in the higher education. She mentioned that Iowa State is doing a great job at this. She also talked about the challenges growing up with diversity in New Mexico. Diversity is your reality, she would say. Being activity involved with diversity will allow you to have a clear understanding of it and the positives that come out of it. She also said not to have tunnel vision and have inclusion. I learned a lot of new things and from different viewpoints. The only negative I got from this event was sometimes it was hard to understand what she who she referring to when she said "we". Other than that it was a great learning experience and I had a good time spending it with Easton, Ally, and Debra.
Expand your dialogue and do something new.
Cole Schlitzer
On Friday March 1st, 2013 i attended my first ever ISCORE. ISCORE is a conference on race and ethnicity. The first event I went to was the keynote speaker, Nancy Barcelo. She talked about equity and diversity in the higher education. She mentioned that Iowa State is doing a great job at this. She also talked about the challenges growing up with diversity in New Mexico. Diversity is your reality, she would say. Being activity involved with diversity will allow you to have a clear understanding of it and the positives that come out of it. She also said not to have tunnel vision and have inclusion. I learned a lot of new things and from different viewpoints. The only negative I got from this event was sometimes it was hard to understand what she who she referring to when she said "we". Other than that it was a great learning experience and I had a good time spending it with Easton, Ally, and Debra.
Expand your dialogue and do something new.
Cole Schlitzer
Friday, March 1, 2013
Hixson Blog Post #7
Hixson Blog Post #7
Already March and you know what that means? Spring Break, Midterms, March Madness, just to name a few exciting activities!
This past week we talked about understanding group process. A good majority of your life you will spend time interacting with groups of people. The types of groups that you interact with will vary, from the levels of effectiveness, to satisfaction of members. How well people work together to accomplish their purposes and how much cohesiveness develops to motivate a commitment to be involved with group activity. You need communication, formation, member roles, motivation, cohesion, decision-making strategies, task accomplishment, and maturation level to have a productive group.
As being a peer mentor it is my job to provide the students with different group processes and appropriate diagnosis as too how a group should function. One of my strengths is how well I am in working with others in a group setting. This experience will benefit me in showing the section how a healthy group works. A healthy group becomes a resource from providing information, sharing knowledge, accomplishing tasks, and enhancing personal learning. These resources are advantages over individual work or methods. In class we also did some ice breakers, which we will use a lot in the fall to better know each other. Being able to effectively carry out an ice breaker in a group setting will be key in showing your students how groups work.
That game vs Kansas though...we all know the refs hosed us the whole game. Such a heart breaker. It would be nice to play them in the Big 12 tournament and beat them though! We still are looking like we will be playing in the NCAA tournament, although may be a bubble team. Just need to finish with a win in 2 of the 3 games we play, Oklahoma tomorrow, Oklahoma State, and @West Virginia.
Real question... Who's ready for March Madness!? This and football season are by far my favorite times of the year in regards to sports. That;s all I have this week. Tomorrow or Sunday I will be writing a post about attending ISCORE.
Stay Warm and Have a Great Week Ahead!
Cole Schlitzer
Already March and you know what that means? Spring Break, Midterms, March Madness, just to name a few exciting activities!
This past week we talked about understanding group process. A good majority of your life you will spend time interacting with groups of people. The types of groups that you interact with will vary, from the levels of effectiveness, to satisfaction of members. How well people work together to accomplish their purposes and how much cohesiveness develops to motivate a commitment to be involved with group activity. You need communication, formation, member roles, motivation, cohesion, decision-making strategies, task accomplishment, and maturation level to have a productive group.
As being a peer mentor it is my job to provide the students with different group processes and appropriate diagnosis as too how a group should function. One of my strengths is how well I am in working with others in a group setting. This experience will benefit me in showing the section how a healthy group works. A healthy group becomes a resource from providing information, sharing knowledge, accomplishing tasks, and enhancing personal learning. These resources are advantages over individual work or methods. In class we also did some ice breakers, which we will use a lot in the fall to better know each other. Being able to effectively carry out an ice breaker in a group setting will be key in showing your students how groups work.
That game vs Kansas though...we all know the refs hosed us the whole game. Such a heart breaker. It would be nice to play them in the Big 12 tournament and beat them though! We still are looking like we will be playing in the NCAA tournament, although may be a bubble team. Just need to finish with a win in 2 of the 3 games we play, Oklahoma tomorrow, Oklahoma State, and @West Virginia.
Real question... Who's ready for March Madness!? This and football season are by far my favorite times of the year in regards to sports. That;s all I have this week. Tomorrow or Sunday I will be writing a post about attending ISCORE.
Stay Warm and Have a Great Week Ahead!
Cole Schlitzer
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Hixson Blog Post #6
Hixson Blog Post #6
This week in class we talked about Problem Solving with Individuals. We talked about different strategies that can be used when assisting others with problem situations.
Setting up your goals properly will help the student be more specific about them and will be more likely to reach them. The goal must be clear and explicit. Goals must be attainable with a stretch, meaning the goal must be realistic and has to push the person to extend his or her typical input. Lastly the goal should be measurable. A good guide you should follow to attain your goals, is using SMART goals. Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Relevant. Time frame. Make them both short term and long term. When you have made these goals, formulate and summative evaluate them. This will help in resolving a problem and achieving a goal. A formative evaluation is objectively charting progress on a plan of action. A summative evaluation is ongoing and occurs at the end of the action plan. Instead of just making "goals" make smart goals and make sure to evaluate them in order to achieve them correctly.
In class we also are in the beginning stages of our digital story telling project. This is my freshman year seminar and our DST. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi29mQWzdE&list=UU-G5bw5Zf-t2eR9RmWLhHig&index=14
We will being doing something similar in our peer mentor class UST311. More details to come later. Oh and all last week was social media week! #ust311 to follow the hixson tweets!
22 Straight at Hilton! Beat Texas Tech yesterday by 20, now tomorrow is a huge game for us vs Kansas. Pack Hilton! Sorry so short this week.
Have a great Week!
Cole Schlitzer
This week in class we talked about Problem Solving with Individuals. We talked about different strategies that can be used when assisting others with problem situations.
Setting up your goals properly will help the student be more specific about them and will be more likely to reach them. The goal must be clear and explicit. Goals must be attainable with a stretch, meaning the goal must be realistic and has to push the person to extend his or her typical input. Lastly the goal should be measurable. A good guide you should follow to attain your goals, is using SMART goals. Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Relevant. Time frame. Make them both short term and long term. When you have made these goals, formulate and summative evaluate them. This will help in resolving a problem and achieving a goal. A formative evaluation is objectively charting progress on a plan of action. A summative evaluation is ongoing and occurs at the end of the action plan. Instead of just making "goals" make smart goals and make sure to evaluate them in order to achieve them correctly.
In class we also are in the beginning stages of our digital story telling project. This is my freshman year seminar and our DST. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi29mQWzdE&list=UU-G5bw5Zf-t2eR9RmWLhHig&index=14
We will being doing something similar in our peer mentor class UST311. More details to come later. Oh and all last week was social media week! #ust311 to follow the hixson tweets!
22 Straight at Hilton! Beat Texas Tech yesterday by 20, now tomorrow is a huge game for us vs Kansas. Pack Hilton! Sorry so short this week.
Have a great Week!
Cole Schlitzer
Friday, February 15, 2013
Hixson Blog Post #5
Hixson Blog Post #5
Ya'll have a great week ahead!
Another week, another blog post.
Just finished my 4th test this week, and man does it feel good to be done! The last couple and future blog posts will be all about how to be an effective peer mentor. I guess you can call it a series, so this would be part 2 of the series. Lets get it!
In the role as being a Hixson Peer Mentor it is my job to be available for the students to call upon me for assistance with figuring out problems either in their personal life or their academic life. My goal is to be able to help him or her in not just solving the problem for them, but help them solve the problem. Furthermore, developing interpersonal communication skills will be necessary for becoming an effective peer mentor.
Like I stated in the last paragraph big part of helping the students is to not solve the problems of others, but to HELP them explore ways to better understand their own problems, develop and evaluate alternatives, set some personal courses of action and then carry it out. Knowing how to do this will be key and benefit you in being a better peer mentor. An example from class on Wednesday we talked about how to distinguish between helping relationships and relationships that may not benefit those seeking help. Within a helping relationship, you are primarily expressing your ability to listen effectively and with empathy. Empathy meaning to understand the other's world through his or her perspective and to know how he or she thinks and feels in regard to what is being said. Some ways to respond to these questions or statements would be done by clarifying, summarizing, and respectfully confronting discrepancies that will help the student to explore concerns in more depth and gain deeper levels of self-understanding. Basically... respecting, active listening, and providing valuable constructive feedback to the student.
For me if I ever come across questions or need advice, I usually either go to my parents, family, or close friends. Trust is a big factor for me and growing up with these people makes it possible to go to for advice or any other information.
My goal as being a Hixson Peer Mentor would becoming a figure that the students can look up to and can trust for effective advice.
Another heartbreaking game for Iowa State...Yet another desperation three to tie in regulation then falling in 2OT to Texas 89-86. Melvin had a hell of a game though with 20 points and 16 boards. For Texas, their best player was back, Kabongo who providing them with a spark unfortunately. It is so frustrating to watch them on the road. We get so close and then at the end we manage to get out played. Hilton Magic is back tomorrow vs TCU. I will be at the game, but working...we have junior days for football and about 15 kids are coming up, so I will have some things to do tomorrow with that. That's all.
Ya'll have a great week ahead!
Cole Schlitzer
Friday, February 8, 2013
Hixson Blog Post #4
Hixson Blog Post #4
Another eventful school week has gone by and again I find myself thinking where DOES the time go?
(Comment with your answer haha)
Our last class we talked about enhancing cultural proficiency. First off lets define the word cultural proficiency for those of you that don't know it. Cultural Proficiency refers to your ability to interact with people from different backgrounds. We all grew up differently and came from different backgrounds. For example I have lived in Dubuque, Iowa my whole life. Grew up on a dairy farm where we milked about 100 dairy Holstein cows twice a day. Went to church every Sunday, my parents never divorced, conservative background, and went to basically an all white high school. That was my culture, my background, and group of people that I was surrounded by. When coming to Iowa State, I was really surprised at all of the different diverse cultures here. It really opened my eyes. My biggest problem coming in was being stereotypical of others. I believe everyone makes judgments and stereotypes to a certain extent. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable talking about some issue, but through learning and being around a diverse group of people you can change. I understand that everyone has different values and backgrounds, it is important for me being a peer mentor to be a major contributor to the promotion and demonstration of cultural inclusion. My ability to relate to people with differing background can be a strength.
When reading our book for class I found that these principles are key to my success with cultural proficiency.
Principle 1. All of your assumptions are cultural, and may or may not align with the assumptions and understandings of others.
Principle 2. When exploring the cultures of others, it is necessary to suspend judgement temporarily.
Principle 3. Both context and content are important.
Principle 4. Becoming comfortable with discomfort is possible and necessary to the development of cultural proficiency.
Principle 5. Curiosity and deliberate inquisitiveness provide a richer, more accurate context for interaction.
As being a peer mentor for the Hixson Opportunity Award, I have learned to develop an awareness to cultural proficiency. I will continue to add, omit, and alter some values and beliefs through my life.
The clones have won 20 straight at Hilton. This ranks 6th in the NCAA Men's Basketball home court winning streak. Wow. An Iowa State commit Maurice Jones is no longer eligible to play basketball at Iowa State, due to bad grades at USC. (do your homework and study!) ALSO one of my favorite times of the year National Signing Day was last Wednesday. I am able to see all of my hard work in the football office pay off. 25 new Cyclones have been added to the roster! Can't wait til next football season.
Have a great weekend and week ahead!
Cole Schlitzer
Another eventful school week has gone by and again I find myself thinking where DOES the time go?
(Comment with your answer haha)
Our last class we talked about enhancing cultural proficiency. First off lets define the word cultural proficiency for those of you that don't know it. Cultural Proficiency refers to your ability to interact with people from different backgrounds. We all grew up differently and came from different backgrounds. For example I have lived in Dubuque, Iowa my whole life. Grew up on a dairy farm where we milked about 100 dairy Holstein cows twice a day. Went to church every Sunday, my parents never divorced, conservative background, and went to basically an all white high school. That was my culture, my background, and group of people that I was surrounded by. When coming to Iowa State, I was really surprised at all of the different diverse cultures here. It really opened my eyes. My biggest problem coming in was being stereotypical of others. I believe everyone makes judgments and stereotypes to a certain extent. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable talking about some issue, but through learning and being around a diverse group of people you can change. I understand that everyone has different values and backgrounds, it is important for me being a peer mentor to be a major contributor to the promotion and demonstration of cultural inclusion. My ability to relate to people with differing background can be a strength.
When reading our book for class I found that these principles are key to my success with cultural proficiency.
Principle 1. All of your assumptions are cultural, and may or may not align with the assumptions and understandings of others.
Principle 2. When exploring the cultures of others, it is necessary to suspend judgement temporarily.
Principle 3. Both context and content are important.
Principle 4. Becoming comfortable with discomfort is possible and necessary to the development of cultural proficiency.
Principle 5. Curiosity and deliberate inquisitiveness provide a richer, more accurate context for interaction.
As being a peer mentor for the Hixson Opportunity Award, I have learned to develop an awareness to cultural proficiency. I will continue to add, omit, and alter some values and beliefs through my life.
The clones have won 20 straight at Hilton. This ranks 6th in the NCAA Men's Basketball home court winning streak. Wow. An Iowa State commit Maurice Jones is no longer eligible to play basketball at Iowa State, due to bad grades at USC. (do your homework and study!) ALSO one of my favorite times of the year National Signing Day was last Wednesday. I am able to see all of my hard work in the football office pay off. 25 new Cyclones have been added to the roster! Can't wait til next football season.
Have a great weekend and week ahead!
Cole Schlitzer
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Hixson Blog Post #3
Hixson Blog Post #3
Another eventful week filled with great interactive activities. To start off, in class we got our MBTI interpretive report back. My results are as follows...the type that I came out to be is ESTJ (Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) It says that ESTJs are typically logical, analytical, and objectively critical. I tend to focus on seeing things as they are, not as they might be. I believe this test is fairly accurate and helps not only me understand how I learn, but also how others do. It was a fun time figuring out everyone's results and comparing them.
On Friday I attended the Learning Communities Mid-Year Institute. The first session I attended was about multiculturalism resources, programs, and basic terminology. This session was very informative and I learned about all the resources available for all sorts of help. I thought the most interesting facts were the Iowa State retention rates among different ethnicity. The second session I attended was about community building in your learning community. This one was really helpful with showing us different ideas that work best with community building. For the first year freshman it will be really beneficial to have great ideas and events that will better bring them closer as a community. Overall the institute provided me with great information and ideas.
Today I also attended the Iowa State Leadership Experience. Such a great learning experience and got to meet a lot of new people and here their story. The whole conference was about how to be an effective leader. Defiantly inspires you to get involved as much as you can in leadership positions. One activity we did was a 60 second elevator speech about our skills and how to utilize them with your future company. You just never know when you will have to give it and always be aware of who you meet, could be your next boss. Networking is key.
Still sick and congested. Doesn't work well with my daily schedule. Tonight I will be going to the men's basketball game vs Baylor. Lets hope we can get an 18th consecutive win at Hilton! Not much else to talk about, so until next time..
Have a great week ahead!
Cole Schlitzer
Another eventful week filled with great interactive activities. To start off, in class we got our MBTI interpretive report back. My results are as follows...the type that I came out to be is ESTJ (Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) It says that ESTJs are typically logical, analytical, and objectively critical. I tend to focus on seeing things as they are, not as they might be. I believe this test is fairly accurate and helps not only me understand how I learn, but also how others do. It was a fun time figuring out everyone's results and comparing them.
On Friday I attended the Learning Communities Mid-Year Institute. The first session I attended was about multiculturalism resources, programs, and basic terminology. This session was very informative and I learned about all the resources available for all sorts of help. I thought the most interesting facts were the Iowa State retention rates among different ethnicity. The second session I attended was about community building in your learning community. This one was really helpful with showing us different ideas that work best with community building. For the first year freshman it will be really beneficial to have great ideas and events that will better bring them closer as a community. Overall the institute provided me with great information and ideas.
Today I also attended the Iowa State Leadership Experience. Such a great learning experience and got to meet a lot of new people and here their story. The whole conference was about how to be an effective leader. Defiantly inspires you to get involved as much as you can in leadership positions. One activity we did was a 60 second elevator speech about our skills and how to utilize them with your future company. You just never know when you will have to give it and always be aware of who you meet, could be your next boss. Networking is key.
Still sick and congested. Doesn't work well with my daily schedule. Tonight I will be going to the men's basketball game vs Baylor. Lets hope we can get an 18th consecutive win at Hilton! Not much else to talk about, so until next time..
Have a great week ahead!
Cole Schlitzer
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