The First Week
What an incredible first week! Returning to graduate student mode is exciting, but also exhausting. I knew it would be like this when I signed up. The difference is actually “experiencing” it. Much love and thanks to Toki. She has been incredibly supportive in so many ways. Especially when I shared with her yesterday about feeling intimidated by my classmates. As I read their insightful and well supported postings to the assignment questions, my self-esteem began deflating. I asked myself, “Am I even able to “hang” with these folks? How do I support my opinions with references to books, articles, and research studies as they seem able to do consistently?”
Toki reminded me that I do have a great deal of resources--my experiences and Hawaiian library. Ka Puke ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (Pukui), Nā Honua Maoli Ola, Hoʻoulu (Meyer), and Mai Paʻa I Ka Leo (Nogelmeier) to name a few. Hello! Talk about letting myself be sucked into the Western academic vortex. Admittedly I was ashamed of myself--briefly. Just before speaking with Toki I wrote my instructor, Anne Guptill, sharing my doubts. Her supportive and mentoring response was uplifting!
I will be answering the same questions below at the end of each week. Mahalo for following along with me as I take this journey.
ʻO au iho nō me ka ʻoiaʻiʻo,Sincerely yours,
Liko
What Surprised Me the MostThe amount of time it takes to read through all the responses in the various discussion boards associated to assignments in order to provide a response that “moves the discussion along.” The amount of responses is exponential. It does not seem that many folks have paid attention to the guideline of setting a limit. (See previous blog entry under “The First Lecture”)
What I Liked the Best
The “Playing Devil’s Advocate” exercise. Attempting to craft a persuasive argument for something I actually disagree with is a new concept. It was difficult!
What I Liked the Least
Spinning my wheels in the late evening/early morning. Also, learning how to read something with particular questions in mind so I do not have to read the whole darn thing again--which I did anyway. Argh!
What to Keep or Change for My Courses
- Keeping Multi-media: I am still a bit disappointed that there are no audio files, video, or graphics associated with the content. It is still early, so I am sure that use of multi-media will be addressed in upcoming sections of the course.
- Changing how assignments and discussion boards reference each other by the numbering system employed. 1:1 = Week#:Assignment#
- Changing the importance of keeping a journal!
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