ENG311 Advice

Here are some Cliff's Notes for English 311

1. Image is everything.  You are advertising your brand everyday, act accordingly.

2. Learn to say more with less.

3. Communication in the workplace is crucial.  Verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic, we are always communicating and must be aware of what/how we are conveying that communication.

4. Although it is perfectly acceptable (and recommended) to be friends with your co-workers, always act in a professional manner while in the workplace.  You never know who is watching/listening.

Service Learning Skills

I think the most important skill that I have learned from the service learning project, as well as from English 311 in general is how to put a professional touch on all things work and volunteer related.  There are some very small touches that can be added to workplace documents that take them from causal to professional.  These touches are not necessarily cosmetic, many of them have to do with content.  The language that is used in everyday, casual documents is different than the language that should be used in workplace documents.  Furthermore, the structure should be designed in a way that allows more to be said with less.  The structure should also allow the point to be made quickly and pointedly.

Learning professionalism will serve me in my career in several ways.  First, being professional can build credibility with superiors and coworkers.  In addition, when submitting a document to a committee, or panel that you haven't met, the professional nature of that document can create a positive impression for you.  As I move forward in my academic career, I will have to write many papers and submit many documents.  Some will be informal, but most will likely need to be created with some professional formality  I suspect that my ability to create them with professionalism will increase each time.  Writing is a skill, and that skill needs to be practiced as does any skill that demands proficiency.  Professional touches are just another trick in the bag.

Service Learning Reflection

While working on the Service learning Project, I have found that I am able to provide professional services that are of use to not only our appointed organization, but various organizations.  The skills that I have acquired thus far in my college career, such as writing and critical thinking/analysis, are transferable to many different fields.  In addition, the Service learning Project has reinforced what I already knew about the importance of volunteering.  Non-Profit organizations aim to provide services for areas of the community that have been affected by unfortunate circumstances.  These organizations cannot afford to pay for the many professional services that are required to successfully operate a business.  Volunteering to help with these services can increase the quality and effectiveness of the organization's mission

While Midland is not my community per se, the characteristics and socioeconomic status associated with it can be found nearly every U.S. city.  There are people that need our help.  The idea of volunteerism should be as universal as its need.  

Team Definition Reflection

I am a member of a group that consists of Julie, Marissa, and myself.  During our initial collaboration and brainstorming session, I felt that the three of us operated well together.  We were respectful of each others ideas and all gave input in one way or another.  

If I had to identify a weakness, I would say that we were a little indecisive.  Each of us possesses leadership qualities, but we were being respectful to the point that no one stepped up to the plate and hammered out decisions.  This indecision is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to a small project.  Especially when the members are willing to do their share of the work.  On larger projects, however, indecision may prove to be a problem.  In which case it may be beneficial to appoint someone to make final decisions.

Both Julie, and Marissa, understand the importance collaboration in a group setting.  I think this was a strength that we all shared.  We had all worked in a group setting before, although not together, and have experienced bad group members.  No one wanted to be that guy.  Moreover, it was that previous experience that encouraged us to all work together in a civil fashion. 

 

Effective Page Design

Page design is important when it comes to professional documents.  The design is the first thing that a person notices when looking at a document.  Designs give an impression of the document before it is read.  A document that is clean and sharp exudes professionalism.  Documents that are bold and colorful  can give the come off as informal.  If the content of a document contains important information such as financial records or employee notices, it should not be designed like a birthday party flyer.  The design should complement the message that the author is trying to convey.

Furthermore, poor design could lead to the document being discarded before it is read.  The design of a document should draw people into it.  Designs should be appealing to the eye, not gaudy.  I think an individuals personality comes through when he or she designs anything.  Mood can be expressed via color, while attitude can be expressed through content.  Impression is an important concept when it comes to page design.  Even if the author doesn't intend to show his or her personality in a document, the readers of the document will make assumptions based on what they see.

Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 and has charged to the fore front of creating solutions for worldwide poverty.  Before becoming an established non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity was just a small concept that was being practiced by Clarence Jones and Millard and Linda Fuller on a small farm in Americus, Georgia.

They began building homes at no-profit, no interest, for people who disparately needed them.  Monies and supplies are raised and donated by supporters.  Any leftover monies and materials went toward the building of the future houses.

Today, through the collaboration of Habitat for Humanity, churches, and community groups, over 500,000 houses for over 1.5 million people in ninety countries worldwide.

In this service learning project, we are helping to spread the message and mission of Habitat for Humanity.  Relaying their message to the public creates awareness, and with awareness we can rally more support.  It is said that many hands make light work.  Respectively, Habitat for Humanity has been working with relatively few hands.  The services that the class is providing for Habitat for Humanity aims to bring more hands to to the work that is being done.

Collaboration Annotated Bibliography

 

Dubner, S. J. (2005, July 5). How Did This Collaboration Work? Retrieved from Freakonomics: http://www.freakonomics.com/2005/07/12/how-did-this-collaboration-work/

Stephen Dubnar talks about how he and fellow Freakonomics co-host Steven Levitt collaborate in order to provide an interesting look at some of life’s nuances that we take for granted.  Mr. Dubnar is a journalist, while Mr. Levitt, is an economist.  This article describes how the two blended their respective professions to create not only one, but two, best-selling books.

Eustice, K. (2012, October 20). Exploring student collaboration in schools - live chat. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/2012/oct/20/student-collaboration-teachers-schools-live-chat

This article from The Guardian looks at how teachers and student are collaborating to make learning more effective.  I think this article poses an interesting question.  Do students learn more if they actively participate in the academic structuring of a classroom?

TED. (n.d.). Collaboration. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from TED: Ideas Worth Spreading: http://www.ted.com/talks/tags/name/collaboration/page/1

This is one of my favorite websites.  It contains brief and engaging speeches about a wide variety of topics.  Listed here are nearly sixty short, compelling talks on collaboration, filmed live at the TED Conference.  They feature experts from all industries, sharing their work in 18 minutes or less.