Communication and Collaboration

Well classmates, we have come to the end of another class. much success too all of you. I want to think you all for the support shown to me during this class by way of your insights, shared information, concerns and feedback. As we go in our different directions, maybe we will meet again. I wish all of you the best as you continue to reach your goals.

Team Development

During the adjourning phase of team development the project comes to an end and the team members goes their separate ways which may lead to some sad goodbyes. I can recall working with a church group on a project some years back and we all became a big family. All of us was committed to the project and each team member.  We all supported one another by asking questions, giving comments sometimes bad and good but no one got upset. I hated to see the last day of the project come to an end. I cried, others cried, these was sad goodbyes. Still today we all stay in touch with one another. Sometime we get together for lunch or a movie. 

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

On conflict that I have recently experienced is a disagreement with the cable company. My cable box had stop working so I called the company. The company arranged to replace the box in three days, they also agreed to reduce my bill because I could not get service. The next month when I received my bill, there were no reductions, I had been billed for the whole month. I called the company again and spoke with a lady in customer service that told me I could not get a reduction on my bill. I ask to speak to the manager, I was on hold for about thirty-five minutes, by this time I was very upset so I hung up. The next day I called the company’s customer service, I ask to speak with the manager and I was immediate connected to the manager. I explain to the company manager what was happening and ask him to disconnect my services. The manger wanted to come to an agreement and wanted me to continue my service with the company but I said no. After reading and reviewing the resources for this week I realize that if I had been a better communicator, there could have been a “productive resolution to the problem” ( O Hair & Wiemann, 2012.

Reference

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Who Am I as a Communicator?

During my communication evaluation this week, the one thing that surprised me the most was the evaluation done by my classmate. All of her evaluations communication, verbal, and listening was lower than my sister and I.

This week I gained insights about communication that I never really thought about. I now know that as I interact with others, I can get impressions from them that reveal how they evaluate me as a communicator (O Hair & Wiemann, 2012).

In the future, I will try to improve my communication skills because I know this will be a great step in my professional and personal life.

Communicating Across Cultures

                                      

As I think about the cultural diversity I see in my colleagues at school, and in my neighborhood, I do find myself communicating differently with people from different groups.

In my online classes I find myself communicating with different nationalities of people. We all share different stories about our families and culture.

In the neighborhood I live in there is a diverse mixture of cultures, Caucasians, Hispanics, and African Americans. Most of the families have young children that play together. The older adults seen to communicate well. I have learned the simple expressions and greetings in other languages.

Media Communication

The TV show I watched was I Love Lucy, the episode of the chocolate factory.

With the sound turned off, I think the characters' relationships based on the ways in which they are communicating is strong and friendly.

 Based on the nonverbal behavior I observed which was facial expression, the characters was feeling and expressing uneasiness, doubtfulness, slowness and ashamed.

With the sound turned on, the assumptions I made about the characters and plot based on the ways in which I interpreted the communication I observed was true. The characters appeared to be slow and not knowing what they were doing. I think my assumptions would have been just as accurate if I had been watching a show that I was familiar with.

From this experience I have learned that one’s assumptions about nonverbal communication is just as accurate as it would be about verbal communication. 

Demonstrating Competent Communication

Oprah Winfrey is an excellent communicator. Since she was a little girl reciting Bible passages in church, she has been comfortable in front of an audience. On television, she is able to talk to millions of people and have each person feel as if she is talking directly to him or her. Winfrey is also intelligent and well read, with a strong business sense. She is sincere, determined, and inspirational. Winfrey has a charismatic style of leadership that enables her to connect with people. She is spontaneous and expressive, and has a fearless ability to self-disclose. Because she has “been in the struggle” and survived, she is seen as a role model. Winfrey has overcome many obstacles in her life and encourages others to overcome their struggles, as well. Her message is a message of hope. 
Yes I would want to model some of my own communication behaviors after Oprah Winfrey because he is such an excellence communicator.

Reference

http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/40977_2.pdf)

Professional Hopes and Goals

                                                           

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that everyone working with children and families from diverse backgrounds will learn to respect diversity.

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice, is that myself and others in the early childhood field get educated in other languages, and classes related to diversity, equity, and social justice, so that we can better assist children and families from diverse backgrounds.

Well classmates, we have come the end of another exciting journey. I want to thank all of you for your support, and concern these pass eight weeks because you have really helped to shape my career. GOOD LUCK to all of you.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of my family’s country of origin is:

New Mexico

Five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family is by:

Calling a meeting with the child parents to find out things about the child and parents such as, do the child speak Spanish or English, any disabilities, anything special I should know?

Set up the classroom in Spanish and English with toys, books, games, ABC’s, food etc.

Let the other children know that there will be a new student entering the class.

When the child arrive have his or her cubby, seat, name already assigned.

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family.

I think by having things already in place when the child arrives will make the child and the family feel more welcome to the classroom.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or

oppression or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

The memory I have of an incident when I experienced bias, prejudice, and/oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression.

Every time I would visit the neighborhood hardware store I felt like I was being watched. On each visit one of the owners would ask a worker to help me after several responses of telling them no help was needed.  Not only are these in my opinion a form of racism, its sexism as well.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

The specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in this incident diminish equity by reducing my self-esteem. This incident lead me to believe that the people (Caucasians) that owns this store is racist. They think biracial people steals. But one cannot just look at a person and judge them.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

The owner of this store will have to change his views towards people that are different from him. After all this is a public place, one that don’t suppose to discriminate against anyone because of race. I believe if this store owner would put away his bias attitude and accept people that come into his store for who they are, he would make more sells.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident caused feelings of powerless, sadness, and fear to me.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

An instructor that I talked to at my son’s high school stated that culture to him is any and everything in one’s universe. Words, reactions, beliefs, space. Culture involves everything we encounter from day to day. Diversity involves components of our personal attributes, culture, character, and our background.

A sorority student that I had a conversation with this week defined culture as a connection between individuals and social constructions. An establishment of values, rules, goals, and beliefs. She described diversity as a uniqueness of people.

Aspects of culture such as belief, values, goals, and diversity as being unique that I studied in this course was included in the answers I received.

As I think about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity, I realize that everyone has different views of culture and diversity. This lead me to believe that one’s meaning of culture and diversity can be described at any given time.

My Family Culture

Three items I would choose if a major catastrophe had almost completely devastated the infrastructure of my country and I had to be evacuated to another country would be my Bible, family photos, and medication.

Each of these items is very special to my heart. The Bible I read every morning and at night because I believe in God. I cherish my family photos because I have memories of family that has passed on. My medication is a daily necessity.

I would feel upset and disappointed if I was told upon arrival that I could only keep one personal item and had to give up my other two items because these are things that belong to me and I should not have to depart from them.

I know things such as this could happen but, I pray it never do. Until situations arise no one knows what their reactions will be.

When I Think of Research

During this course I have gained a better understanding of the research process all of which I know will benefit me in the future. This class has been a great experience for me from finding a research topic to drawing conclusions. Research involves many different processes. Every assignment of this course has boost my knowledge and confidence. I feel I have taken the first step into the research world.

Thanks for all the feedback, questions, suggestions from the instructor and classmates that has help guide my way during this course. 

Research Around the World

Research around the World

The link I choose is Early Childhood Australia: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Some of the current international research topics on this website are:

Early Childhood News

Projects

Voice Newsletters

Resource Themes

Code of Ethics

Legal Statement

This early childhood website is compared to other early childhood websites, offering news articles, projects, resources all that are related to the early childhood field.

During my search of this website I notice its Quality Assurance Guidelines which stated:

Early Childhood Australia Quality Assurance Principles

To support its role as the peak organization in the early childhood field, Early Childhood Australia ensures that all of its publications adhere to its quality assurance principles.

Each publication

Is in the best interests of children

Is evidence-based, or if not, this is clearly stated

Contains accurate information

Is appropriate for the market

Is appropriately inclusive

Uses accessible language—avoids jargon and is not patronizing

Has demonstrated a balanced approach

Addresses the appropriate age range

Is referenced where appropriate

Is attractively designed and presented

Clearly acknowledges any commercial interests and/or biases

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Hello classmates I found this article very interesting.

Children spend more time in school than almost anywhere else. At school, recess provides one of the few opportunities for children to play and to potentially be outdoors. Gallup conducted a nationwide survey of 1,951 elementary school principals from urban, suburban, and rural schools to understand principals’ attitudes and experiences with recess. A few of the key findings include: 1) more than 80% of principals reported that recess has a positive impact on academic achievement; 2) 75% of principals stated that students are more focused in class after recess and listen better; and 3) more than 95% of principals believe that recess positively impacts students’ social development and general well-being. Despite these benefits, researchers found that many principals reported offering very limited recess times. For example, 50% of principals reported that students receive 30 minutes or less of recess per day. In addition, over 75% of principals reported taking recess away from students as a punishment. According to principals, one of the biggest challenges with recess is discipline-related problems. Principals identified additional staff, better equipment, and playground management training as ways to improve recess at schools.
Reference;
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2010). the state of play: Gallup survey of principals on school recess. Retrieved from

http://www.childrenandnature.org/research/volumes/C106/106

My Personal Research Journey

 My Personal Research Journey

I choose the topic title “Technology and Young Children”. I will be focusing on iPads in the kindergarten classroom.  I haven’t been able to find credible resources on iPads in the kindergarten classroom especially but, I have found credible resources on other technology used in kindergarten classrooms. Classmates do any of you have any advice or insights that might help me with this process?

Times are continually changing. During the time I was in kindergarten the learning tools was books, paper, and pencil. The reason why I choose the topic “Technology and Young Children” is to learn how iPads increase children knowledge in reading and math.

My research terminology has been enlightened since constructing the research chart; it has really made me look at research in a different way.