For this
exercise, I want you to reflect on what you have learned in your Cornerstone
class. Write a brief summary of three things that you learned this past
semester and how they may have changed the way you act, think, or may have even
brought clarification to your areas of study.
Then choose one of
the following quizzes and right a brief summary of what you learned about
yourself that you may not have realized. These exercises can help you think
about areas in your life you would like to improve on or accentuate your
strengths.
Personality:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
Systematic Thinking: www.tinyurl.com/7taj8
What type of animal are you?
http://www.serengetibook.com/your-safari/what-animal-am-i/quiz/
or
http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm?action=go_detail&sub_action=take&obj_id=1442
I have come to realize both my strengths and my weaknesses as a future employee. My three strongest job skills are reliability, patience, and competence in one’s field. My three weakest job skills are having a thick skin, risk-taking, and a sense of adventure for the unknown. I can now work on improving my weaknesses and working toward turning them into my own strengths. I have also learned the importance of having a resume and keeping up with it. I am able to continue to add to my resume so that it will reflect who I am as an individual. The third thing that I have learned this semester is the importance of mentoring. I have learned a lot through this experience; getting advice and information, ideas, and learning that it is okay to ask questions and others’ opinions.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
DeleteYour strengths are very admirable. Patience is hard to attain for some people in such an instant society we live in. It is one of my weaknesses that I struggle with at times. It is very important to keep your resume current and I have learned beneficial to keep a few versions of it. I like to alter mine to the position I am applying for. It can seem time consuming to make severl different resumes, however I have noticed more responses after submitting a tailored resume to fit the organization I am applying to.
Good luck.
Denise
Hi Lisa,
DeleteI am glad you learned so much about yourself during this semester. I learned about having different resumes to cater to the job you are applying for only recently, because different companies look for different things. I also think that mentoring is important because not only does it provide you with support, it also allows you to have someone help you with your journey. I hope this class was beneficial and I hope that you are very successful in the future.
Lisa, don't ever forget how useful asking questions can be. Especially as you get into your upper level coursework. That lesson took me a long time to learn. Asking questions really does make life in college so much easier. It really helps out when you're at the end of a big project that makes or breaks your grade.
DeleteDavid Chicas
Denise, you're absolutely right about patience. The more advanced we get with technology it seems the quicker expect things to come to us. For a portion of the semester I had to use my desktop instead of my laptop since it was in for repairs. My desktop is only 2 years older than my laptop but it seemed like the desktop took forever just to use the internet.
DeleteDavid Chicas
Being able to understand ones own strength and weaknesses is a great start to improving. Reliability, patience and competence are three valuable qualities employers may be looking for. Even though your weaknesses are valuable qualities as well, acknowledging them is the first step in achieving these characteristics. I also like that you brought up the mentoring we got to experience this semester. Throwing ideas around between students that are in the same field of study, only with different interests was an eye opening experience.
DeleteLisa,
DeleteExcellent post! I forgot about the list of qualities we had to figure out, and they are so helpful! The resume is a living document in that it continually changes, so I totally agree with you that we need to keep it updated. Good luck in your future endeavors, and I know you'll be successful!
Justiss Wilder
I chose to do the “What type of animal are you?” quiz located at the following link: http://www.serengetibook.com/your-safari/what-animal-am-i/quiz/. These were my results:
ReplyDeleteThe word “grace” tends to vary in meaning from one person or situation to another, often depending upon the context in which it is used. While many see the grace of the giraffe in human-like terms such as elegance, charm, or a positive attitude, others consider it to be divine in origin. They believe that it represents that indispensable gift for the development, improvement, and expansion of one’s character.
No matter how you see it, grace is a disposition that requires compassion toward others and the desire to extend goodwill. It incorporates the exercise of love and kindness—most importantly, to those who may not deserve it. Grace is as crucial in business as it is in life.
This truth is embedded in the fiber of who we are, what we believe, our appreciation, and the contribution we make to society. Gracious people exhibit the following characteristics:
• They seek to make others feel like they’re the most important person with whom they can spend time, and always put the needs of others first.
• They live according to personal standards that are higher than any given code of conduct, and incorporate dignity, honor, and respect in extending grace to others—even when things have not gone their way.
I believe that this description describes me to a “t”. I always thought of myself as a very caring, considerate individual, and I believe that I could see myself in a giraffe by the way they are so gentle, charming, and kind-hearted.
Lisa,
DeleteThis quiz seemed to help you reflect on your personality strenghts. Grace is an outstanding quality to have. It can be rare to find someone that has comapssion for others. After taking this same quiz I scored a efficient cheetah. Although I have great observation for details and finishing things that I start, I thought I would've scored a hermit crab or something similar since I prefer a quiet day at home over an agenda filled day.
Personality quizzes can be enlightening and help remind us of the postitve characteristics we have.
It sounds that you were able to take away a lot of information from taking this quiz. It is wonderful that you were able to take this quiz and be able to relate and agree with what it was saying. Elegance, charm and a positive attitude are amazing qualities to have! After reading this I think I may go back and take this quiz. I’ve become more interested in seeing what my animal is!
DeleteLisa,
DeleteA giraffe! That's awesome. I don't know what animal I would be as I tend to think having spoken and written language and opposable thumbs is pretty awesome in my book! :) I'm kidding. I do think the elements you have listed are truly awesome and wonderful. Compassion is rare these days, and I'm glad there is someone here (mainly you from this exercise) that demonstrates how these personality traits can be realized.
Thanks,
Justiss Wilder
Thank you for your insight Denise!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to single out three separate things that I have learned in the Cornerstone class. Really the one thing that I have improved on is thinking outside of one specific field. For the most part I tended to think of solutions within the constructs of one discipline. I find myself now being able to think more openly and try to use the different thought processes to explain various issues.
ReplyDeleteI have always found these kinds of quizzes to be of little use. What will one quiz tell me about myself that I should already know through my own experiences. They often remind me of the tests that part time jobs require you to take when completing an application online. The wording that these quizzes have for their questions are often confusing because they talk in "almost absolutes." Simply by writing the explanation of my personality test this way exhibits the trait that is more dominant of my Extraverted, Sensing, Feelings, and Judging results which is Judging.
David Chicas
David, I think that the quizzes are very interesting because it gives you an outlook on what individuals are actually like after taking the quiz. I have taken several of the quizzes and have hit my exact personality everytime. I am a very outspoken person and people often misjudge me for that but when we do the quizess it actually comes out. I think they are fun and sometimes useful. Good luck with your future choices.
DeleteThinking outside of the box is also something i have learned to do as well. I am glad that you had the opportunity to experience this. When it comes to the quizzes I think you brought up an interesting point. I can see where you are coming from when saying that the quizzes did not come to much use. In the end I suppose it does shine light on qualities one should already know one has. Good post :].
DeleteDavid,
DeleteI have also learned how to integrate my two disciplines after taking this class. I feel that this class has helped me look at my disciplines from a different perspective, I'm not sure if that happened to you as well. Although I agree that a single quiz can not accurately tell you about yourself. I believe that it might be able to tell you something you may not have known before taking the quiz. I have never had to take a quiz outside of enjoyment purposes so I don't think I would know how it feels to have to take one for an application.
Hi David,
DeleteI enjoyed reading your response. I'm sorry you feel that the quiz section is of little use. This assigment is to help you reflect on what you have learned over the semester and how it may have altered your perception of your disciplines and of yourself. It can also help remind you of your strengths and weaknesses or maybe how your weknesses improved and became one of your strengths. Having taken pshychology courses, I have learned there is always room to further investigate and reflect, especially after having engaged in learning new ideas and different points of view.
Denise
Hey David,
DeleteLet me first say that the personality Dv tests some companies employ are so painstaking! Haha, I know what you mean there, but there is a rhyme and reason for them. Although you may be aware there is a clear dichotomous point in them, some others may not. I used to administer these for Applebees, INC, and it was fun to see peoples' responses. So then, which one did you do? :)
Great postage!
Justiss Wilder
After taking this course, there are many valuable lessons I have learned that I believe will help me in the future. I’ve learned how much experience I am lacking and opportunities I can take to change this. Before I did not realize how much there is to be done, but not after mapping out my goals and resume, these issues have been brought to light. It has been a wonderful eye opening experience that I’m glad to have had. I’ve also learned how to set up an e-portfolio that may appeal to my future employers more than a simple resume. Being able to do this allows me to project a more personal image of myself. Another thing I have learned is about all the opportunities being an IDS student open up for me. Being an IDS student gives me the ability to form my own major and relates to my interests.
ReplyDeleteRebekah I think that is outstanding that you have gained experience that you were unaware of. I hope that this mentoring experience for you has given you useful information to help you in your future.
DeleteRebekah,
DeleteI completely agree with the e-portfolio assignments! I had no idea how to do them, and this was a fantastic way to open up the possibilities and explanation of what an e-folio was as well as how to use it. Thanks for your post! I would like to say here on the final post that you are always so positive on here and I find it refreshing! Good luck in the future!
Justiss Wilder
Rebekah_ I’m glad you’ve learned so many lessons that will help you! Realizing opportunities available and mapping out your goals and resume are great achievements and am also glad to have learned how to set up the e-portfolio as I never have had that experience and agree that it should help us have more mass appeal!
DeleteTiffany,
DeleteI'm gald you learned so much through creating your profile. Looking back at my Conerstone profile in my Capstone class, I did not realize how incomplete it was a few years ago. Capstone has helped me to really get my profolio completed and looking professional.Keeping an updated resume helps reflect where you came from as well.
Denise
The quiz that stood out the most to me was the personality test. I have taken this test before in the past and I was curious to see if it had changed at all over the years. Over a course of 4 years I have taken this test once per year. I have consistently resulted with being an ENFP. I thought this was pretty interesting that the foundation of my personality has not changed. I have learned through this that even though many of my views have changed and continue to grow, my core beliefs are still the same.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebekah,
DeleteThat is very interesting that your personality has remained the same. I have noticed that over several years that I have had events in my life that have altered my abilty to be empathetic towards others as well as become more of an analytical thinker. This has not always been the case. Soon after I had my daugher, I was very emotional and empathetic towards others.
Denise
In my interdisciplinary studies class I have learned to analyze my disciplines and discover some weaknesses. I have had the fortune of doing my internship this semester and I have discovered that there is many things that the college of education did not prepare me for and when talking with my Spanish professors I learned that the objective of the courses I have taken was to get me to a certain level of knowing the language and not necessary proficiency, which can be a problem when you are trying to teach the language and don’t come from a Hispanic background. Second thing I have learned is how to transfer the knowledge I gain from interdisciplinary studies and apply it to my teaching style.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I have learned in this class is the importance of a portfolio. Before I took this class I knew that portfolios were used in order to show what you have been working on but I never thought that a portfolio could be used to show any future employees what you have accomplished during your college career. I also discovered that portfolios can be helpful in the future when you are applying for grad school because it has all your information in one place so you won't have to go searching for it.
The third lesson I have learned is to use the knowledge I have learned and synthesize it through the activities that I can create. In my classroom, I have been able to use my knowledge in order to create exams and to think of better strategies to help my students excel.
I took the personality test which told me that I am introverted, intuitive, feeling and perceiving. I think that it describes me very well because I do have a tendency of spending a lot of time within myself. I think that although I like this quality about myself I should try to become more extroverted so that I will be able to learn new things from others. The test also told me that I am a healer that concerns myself with others. I think that is a good quality because it shows that care about those around.
Hi Helen,
DeleteI really liked your response. It must be frustrating to have taken Spanish courses and still have issues speaking it to really communicate to others. I have heard of many others going through this and have taken a course (not ofr college credit) just for verbal use.
I think the portfolio project was very beneficial as well. I remeber being in the Cornerstone class and thinking my protfolio was put together very well. However, working on it in the Conerstone class has shown me there was plenty of room for improvement.
I too have an issue with being introverted as well. This semester I realized I needed to strengthen my empathy towards others. In doing so, I have found that I've been more open to communication and giving others a genuine smile. These have helped me to become a little more outgoing and more comfortable to open up to others.
Denise
Helen- I am also glad to have learned how to set up the e-portfolio as I never have had that experience and agree with your statements. Just think of how it will grow with the activities you have planned in your classroom. I’m glad you have a better grasp on your disciplines. I enjoy finding a weakness of mine, thus giving me something to work on and towards and wish you luck on turning it in to an asset. Knowing you’re a healer is great and will help you stay in tune with your students.
Delete1. I have learned exactly what interdisciplinary is and how it is useful to exploring problems restricted by only one discipline. I didn't really know what interdisciplinary was until I started in the cornerstone class, and it's been extremely helpful and very enlightening.
ReplyDelete2. Throughout the course of this class I have come to learn the importance of competency in my disciplines. The more I know of my disciplines, the more I can contribute to the research and discussion of applying them to solve problems.
3. Another, and perhaps the most important, thing I have learned throughout this course is that interdisciplinarians work together to solve problems while suggesting and motivating others to continue to learn. If one interdisciplinarian sees a problem or how to make something better then he/she will bring it to others' attention so that it may be solved together!
I took the systematic quiz and found that I scored really low on it (22) because I function as a more emotional person than a systemic one. I'm not surprised as the score reflects what I feel my weaknesses are, and that's the sciences. Overall, I agree that I am much more an emotional person than a systemic one.
Justiss,
DeleteI also found out that I was more emotional by taking the Jung Typology test and receiving Feeling as one of my personality traits. However mine was a surprise to me at first, but after some careful consideration and realizing that i was emotional about receiving an emotional rating I concurred. We emotional people can achieve great things!
Brian
Hi Justiss,
DeleteI'm glad you learned so much about IDS. Being in the Capstone class as I refelct on the last few years of college, I took all of my education classes in the begining and regret that I did not space these classes out. I have to go back through my books an notes to refresh much what I learned.
It is admirable that one of your qualities is being able to think emotionally. I think more systematically and realized that it may have effected my relationships with others.
Denise
1. I have learned more about interdisciplinary then I have ever knew. I thought it was just one major discipline, but now I know its not just one but three and can be a mix of all three.
ReplyDelete2. I have also learned how to make a resume look good for the job you want to get. I thought all good resume's were good, but didn't know that there were specific resumes for specific jobs.
3. Another thing I learned from this course is exactly what my strength and weaknesses are. This will help me in the future to make my strengths stronger and my weaknesses no longer a weakness.
Nick,
DeleteI'm right there with you on number one. When I first heard about interdisciplinary studies I didn't fully understand it, and really only signed up for it because it would allow me to graduate in the shortest amount of time. However the more I learn about it the more excited I am to be a part of it.
Brian
Nick_ I also realized a lot of my strengths and weaknesses this semester and will hopefully achieve with you making them all strengths. I also know now a more educated response and different views of interdisciplinary. Having the feedback on our resumes was helpful and I also had the realization about specific resumes. Good luck in everything!
DeleteHi Nick,
DeleteI'm glad the Conerstone class has helped you to define the meaning of IDS. It's a wonder why more the disciplines do not incoporate the the idea of using muliple disciplices to solve problems. I've noticed myself thinking about everyday situations how beneficial it can be to look at things from a different perspective. Like in healthcare and taking a patient's complete history and incorpotating herbal supplements they are taking for a full disclosure of their health condition.
Denise
I took the quiz on what animal you are and discovered I am the Efficient Cheetah. This makes sense since I like to get any job done very quickly, but I always do the job right. I don't slack off. What I learned is that I can manage people well, but I don't like to work in groups. I always thought i liked to work in groups, but who knows maybe I messed up somewhere in the questions.
ReplyDeleteNick,
DeleteI scored the Efficient Cheetah as well. It may be that you like working in groups , but that you feel more comfortable managing the group and being the group leader. However, it can be difficult in management to be more than a manager or mentor to the people that are being managed. Unfortunately, it can interfere with job security and effectively managing people that are close to you.
Denise
Rebekah, it makes since that your core beliefs don't change. People's belief are what makes them who they are. You may have changed your views on somethings, but you passion for what you believe in is still there.
ReplyDeleteThrough this cornerstone course my eyes have been opened as to how truly interdisciplinary this world is. No discipline lives in a bubble outside of Academia and it is empowering to know that I am receiving an education with real world application. I’ve learned what kind of person and employee I want to be when I go out into the job market. I also learned how to create an effective resume, something which I probably should have learned a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteI took the humanmetrics Jung typology test. I received a rating of ENFJ, which stands for Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Judging. I wasn’t really sure about how I felt with my rating until I stumbled upon the famous figures with my personality section. As someone interested in law and politics, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in the same personality company as great world leaders; Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Ronald Reagan.
Hi BBoelens,
DeleteI enjoyed reading your response. It can be beneficial to have a few different versions of your resume onfile to be able to adjust them to the postion and company you are applying for. This can same some time when you are job searching, which can be as time consuming as a part time job.
Suprisingly, the qualities you have are very admirable and can help you be very successful. From working in a competive environment, it is vital to have strong relationships with others in your field. It can help with creating more business and be helpful incase your company downsizes.
Denise
I’ve realized a lot during this cornerstone class, I think the top being that I need more work on my resume and building my portfolio. I liked the advice given by others and plan and implementing them. I feel like the interview links were the most helpful opening my eyes to real life interview situations that I haven’t encountered yet. And viewing other students’ areas of study and reasoning gave me insight. Although this course brought out the procrastination in me and has changed my feelings towards online courses in general. Exploring interdisciplinary as a whole has me better prepared to use and market my degree. I took the second quiz and thought it was interesting on the questions it asked but was confused at the rankings as it didn’t seem to give me any insight on how or why I scored like I did. I then took the first link on human metrics; this quiz gave me insight on my strengths and comfort zone. I enjoyed the exercises gave me time to reflect on how I view situations.
ReplyDeleteTiffany,
DeleteI am glad the second quiz was helpful. I believe that it can be insighful to occasionally take some sort of personality quiz to see how your point of views and characteristics have changed.
Online classes can be very challenging. I had one semester that I slacked a little in from being distracted by life. I found it helpful to implement an app on my phone for assignments and due dates to keep me on schedule and motivated.