* This is your best way of communicating to me what you are taking away from our time together over the last 15 weeks. Help me see what might otherwise be invisible or less visible related to the energy you expended in contributing to our class this semester and what you have received as a result of being part of this class this semester.
* We remain in unusual times and your Gaves & Gains can reflect that. They do not need to be limited to Course Learning Outcomes, Non Profits and Fundraising, and can include what you learned from the demands and opportunities of virtual instruction and online student engagement.
All that said, here are some possible topics to write about, in addition to what you shared in the weekly Gaves & Gains throughout the semester:
For the Gave segment of your submission, share 10 (or more) specific ways that you meaningfully contributed to the class and related details. Some possible ways to get you thinking about what you gave include:
Allowing yourself to be known
Asking questions during office hours
Asking questions via email
Being courteous
Being curious
Being engaged
Being helpful
Being patient
Being pleasant company
Being willing to cooperate
Discussing assignments with classmates in person, by phone, via email, via Social Media, via texts
Emailing Wendy to share something from class that has made a difference for you
Extending appreciation
Having a positive attitude
Laughing
Lending my perspective, if it’s different than what’s already been shared
Lending respect, when someone says something I disagree with
Letting classmates know you could relate to something shared or appreciated their courage sharing it.
Maintaining a sense of humor
Meeting stated deadlines
Meeting up with classmates on campus prior to COVID-19 Safe at Home Standards or virtually after
Offering a different perspective
Providing constructive feedback
Providing encouragement
Providing examples
Providing good energy
Providing leadership
Providing support
Receiving appreciation
Receiving feedback
Receiving help, support or assistance
Sharing an article, video, image that the class might enjoy
Sharing stories from your life
Sharing your experience
Sharing your experience when it appears different from that of your classmates
Sharing your feelings
Sharing your ideas
Sharing your knowledge
Sharing your opinions
Sharing your point of view
Sharing your progress on assignments
Sharing your thoughts
Smiling
Visiting Wendy during Office Hours
Additional possible gaves in light of virtual classes: Arrived to our virtual classroom a few minutes early or stayed a few minutes after class ended, helped classmates with technology challenges, helped professor with technology challenges, raised hand to participate, voted Yes/No when asked, participated in a Poll or Breakout Room, used chat function to encourage or appreciate classmates, used chat function to further a related discussion or share a resource that might help others.
For the Gains segment of the reflection, share 10 (or more) specific things you gained from being in this class and related details. Below is a list of different facets of our classroom experience to consider:
The course syllabus (Starter Syllabus, Working Together Effectively and Assignment Details)
The classroom environment (Exploring Participation; Voting for Assignments)
Handouts distributed in class and via email
Professor comments/insights
Student comments/insights
Guest Lecturer comments/insights (Luke Farnell from Special Olympics on February 25th)
Our Graded Assignment: Donating Time or Donating Money
How our Graded Assignment evolved after we changed our approach to class in response to COVID-19
What from class has linked to your life
What from class you have utilized
What do you do differently as a result of completing this class?
What from class you have shared with others?
Resources shared in class that you followed up on/explored
Campus events that you attended as a result of class announcements
Insights gained from Extra Credit opportunities
Additional possible gains in light of virtual classes: Learned something new about how to work virtually, learned something new about how to limit distractions while working virtually, learned something new about how to lead teams in virtual settings, learned something new about classmates using details available through Zoom and/or Canvas.
The end result is a list of 10 (or more) specific things that you have contributed/gave to our time together and another list of 10 (or more) specific things that you have learned/received/gained from our time together.
Your list must be typed. It can be expressed in the form of mini paragraphs or bullets, yet bullets need to be in complete sentences. No cover sheet needed, simply put your name and SP21 RTM 444 in the top right hand corner.
I will be considering the thoughtfulness of your reflection more so than the length of what you submit. That said, to give you something to aim for, based on this being worth 10/100 points, I am expecting a minimum of two pages total and welcome more.
The Gaves & Gains Submission provides me with insight into how you experienced the class and your thoughts on your class participation, while allowing me to see what stood out to students over the course of the semester, what to ensure I include in the course design when I am asked to teach it again and what I might have casually included or mentioned that should be added more formally to future classes given the impact it provided.
