Core Skills
“The best view comes after the hardest climb.” - Unknown
Critical Thinking
The learner will identify, interpret, analyze, or synthesize problems before developing and implementing solutions in a manner effective and appropriate for the intended audience.
Goal 1: In mathematics, I will collect and analyze data using statistical formulas.
Goal 2: In mathematics, I will create a project that showcases my ability to organize the data I collect using tools such as tables and boxplots.
For the Critical Thinking Core Skill, I have presented a project from MAT 152, Statistical Methods I, which I took in the Fall of 2024. My project was the first of two projects assigned in the Statistics course. I picked this artifact because it allowed me to test my knowledge in statistics with a real-world scenario. The core skill of Critical Thinking relates to my future major in Psychology in many ways. The ability to interpret and analyze data, offer solutions, and help people solve problems is critical as a counselor.
My first SMART goal was to collect and analyze data using statistical methods. I did this by first collecting a sample of thirty states showing their cost of living and median salary for my chosen profession. I chose the profession of School Psychologist. It was very interesting to see the median salaries for this profession in the different states.
My second SMART goal was to create a project that showcased my ability to organize the data I collect using tools such as tables and boxplots. I accomplished my goal by labeling each step of my project clearly, so it was easy to follow. As a visual illustration, I created box plots to organize the five number summary information and identify any outliers and tables to display the data for the information on the thirty states median salary and cost of living calculations.
What I gained from this project is how to use statistics in real-world scenarios. This type of project made the language of statistics really come to life. Statistics was a challenging course for me and doing this project showed me that I was comprehending the materials to present a project I was proud of. What I can improve when faced with difficult courses, such as statistics, is to find something I can relate to or that is familiar. By choosing a profession that I was interested in pursuing and providing a statistical analysis, I found the project fun and interesting.
Information Literacy
The learner will locate, identify, evaluate, use, and disseminate information ethically and effectively.
Goal 1: In the course of American Literature, I will research the life and works of American author Charles Chesnutt and use my findings to create an author website with six pages including a bibliography, timeline of his life, and an analysis of one of his works.
Goal 2: In the course of American Literature, I will learn to use MLA format to correctly cite the in-text citations and Works Cited page on my Charles Chesnutt Author Website.
For the Information Literacy Core Skill, I have presented my Author Website project from ENG 232, American Literature II, which I took in the Summer of 2024. My author website is dedicated to Charles Chesnutt. I picked this artifact because I consider it the most challenging project that I was tasked with in my educational experience thus far and I am proud to showcase it. I consider it my most prized artifact because it tested my ability to not only to research and compile a large amount of information in a short time but to create a website. Neither of those were things I had ever done before. This project was a personal challenge as well as an educational one and I will always remember it as a defining moment that showed me, I can do things that I feel are too big for me. The core skill of Information Literacy relates to my future major in psychology by giving me an opportunity to research a topic using various sources and communicate them in an organized and simplified way. As a counselor, being able to take information and simplify it or rephrase it in a way that is easily digestible for a client is a very important skill.
My first SMART goal was to research the life and works of American author, Charles Chesnutt and use my findings to create an author website with six pages including a bibliography, timeline of his life, and an analysis of one of his works. I was able to accomplish this SMART goal by first organizing my project and then creating a research page for the website. I began researching the bibliography portion of the assignment. The research for this project took more time than writing and designing the website but I consider it the most important part of the project. I collected information from reliable sources including the NAACP and Black Past. I was able to find more than seven sources. I used more sources in this project than in any other project I have ever done. After I collected my sources, I immediately created a Works Cited page on my research document so that I could easily locate this information again. I complied my research into a bibliography page for my website. I used this method of research for all the pages I created.
My second SMART goal was to use MLA format to correctly cite the in-text citations and Works Cited page for my Charles Chesnutt Website. I was able to accomplish this SMART goal by consulting the rules on citing sources in MLA format many times. By first creating the Works Cited list on my project research page, I was able to easily consult it when writing each page for the author website. Having this information was helpful when adding in-text citations because I knew exactly how to cite them.
What I gained from the project was, after feeling that the project was a large mountain to climb, I got to see what it felt like to reach the top. This experience offered an amazing feeling of what it was like to persist without exception. I also gained an appreciation for an author who had a life much different than my own and was able to get to know him better. There is always room for improvement but, in this case, I have learned to be proud of accomplishing building an author website and doing my best to present the life and works of Charles Chesnutt in a way that can be appreciated by others.
Intercultural Competence
The learner will demonstrate cultural awareness and objectivity through critical reflection.
Goal 1: In Spanish, I will research El Salvador, a country I am unfamiliar and learn more about its traditions and customs and write an essay using at least seven scholarly sources.
Goal 2: In Spanish, I will compare the daily lives of those living in El Salvador to my own and give at least four examples of cultural differences.
For the Intercultural Competence Core Skill, I have presented my final project essay from SPA 112, Elementary Spanish II, which I took in the Spring of 2024. My final project is titled “North Carolina and El Salvador Comparison". I picked this artifact because it required researching a culture different from my own and offers a simple comparison between the two. Intercultural Competence is a valuable skill in my chosen major of psychology because, as a counselor, I will be interacting with people from many different cultures than my own. Appreciating the differences in other cultures is a key skill when working with people. They need to feel free to embrace who they are and that is my whole reasoning for wanting to be a counselor.
The first SMART goal of my final project was to research El Salvador, a country I am unfamiliar with to gain a better understanding of its people and culture and write an essay using at least seven scholarly sources. I chose El Salvador, because one of my co-workers was born there. By choosing El Salvador I was not only able to understand more about it, but more about a specific person in my life and relate to them better. I used sources such as National Geographic and Stanford University to gather data about the basic geography, education, popular foods, and recreation in El Salvador which gave me a deeper understanding of the culture and its people and I was able to have deeper conversations with my coworker about their country.
My second SMART goal was to compare the daily lives of those living in El Salvador to my own and give examples of at least four cultural differences. I did this by comparing the cost of living, average jobs, food prices and gas prices. I created a fictitious family and compared a day in their lives to a day in the life of a family from the United States. I was able to see that the people of El Salvador, although living with less material possessions, considered their bonds with family and friends of upmost importance.
What I gained from this final project was an appreciation for a culture different than my own. I learned that it is beneficial to take some time to learn about other cultures, especially if you have friends or co-workers from other parts of the world. One improvement I would make with this project is that I should have researched El Salvador with more depth. There is so much more information I could have added to this project to show my appreciation for Salvadoran culture. I enjoyed learning about El Salvador, the experience has helped me to further embrace people who are different from me but I fell like I only just scratched the surface.
Oral Communication
The learner will exchange ideas and information with others using the spoken word in a manner effective and appropriate for the intended audience.
Goal 1: In Public Speaking, I will learn the process of researching, planning, and presenting a speech that will make me a more effective communicator.
Goal 2: I will present an inspirational speech about the physical and mental health benefits of gardening and use information from credible sources plus my personal experiences as examples.
For the Oral Communication Core Skill, I have presented my inspirational speech from COM 232, Public Speaking, which I took in the Spring of 2024. My motivational speech was titled “Something There to Remind Me”. I picked this artifact because it shows my ability to research, plan, and present a speech to my audience in a way that motivated them to action. The core skill of Oral Communication is critical in my future major of psychology. From learning to use the Oreo Sandwich method to give constructive criticism to knowing your audience, as a future counselor, I can take everything I learned in this skill and use it to communicate effectively with my clients.
My first SMART goal was to learn the process of researching, planning, and presenting a speech that would make me a more effective communicator. I accomplished this goal by preparing a detailed outline of my speech and collecting credible sources that were written to show how gardening is good therapy and can relieve stress. I practiced my speech at least three times a day because I wanted to feel confident in front of my audience and I wanted my message to come through more than my nervousness about speaking in public.
My second SMART goal was to present an inspirational speech about the physical and mental health benefits of gardening and use information from credible sources plus my personal experiences as examples. I accomplished this goal by telling my story about how tending my garden lifted my spirits and is great physical exercise. I also shared information from credible sources such as an article written in the Mental Health Review Journal that describes how gardening can be used as a mental health intervention.
What I gained from this experience was that in order to inspire others, you should pick a topic that inspires you. I also learned that a good speech requires time to plan and practice. One very important thing that I can improve is to make sure that my speeches are recorded better. I used my laptop to record my speech and when I moved away from the camera, you couldn’t hear what I was saying. I enjoyed presenting this speech. This is one speech that I would give again, if I had the opportunity.
Written Communication
The learner will exchange ideas and information with using text in a manner effective and appropriate for the intended audience.
Goal 1: I will learn about the history of jazz, musical terminology, and popular jazz musicians and effectively share the knowledge I have gained.
Goal 2: I will create a bibliography about a jazz musician using seven scholarly sources and jazz terminology.
For the Written Communication Core Skill, I have presented my final project essay from MUS 112, Introduction to Jazz, which I took in the Fall of 2024. My essay is titled “Charles Mingus, 'The Angry Man of Jazz'” and it demonstrates my growth and learning on the topic of jazz. I picked this artifact because it represents my ability to research and create a piece of writing that showcases the most beautiful and interesting story of the life of Charles Mingus. I plan to use the core skill of Written Communication in my future major of psychology by writing encouraging and inspiring literature on various mental health topics as a source of healing.
My first SMART goal was to learn about the history of jazz, musical terminology and share the knowledge that I gained. I was able to showcase this goal in my essay by explaining the work of Charles Mingus and how he left his footprint on the jazz scene. He was a popular avant-garde jazz musician. He was a composer and bassist, and he played with all of the popular jazz musicians of his day. Mingus used his music to express his constantly changing emotions. His music was Charles Mingus in the form of musical notes.
My second SMART goal was to create a bibliography using scholarly sources, research a popular jazz musician, and include jazz terminology in my writing. I used sources such as National Public Radio and All About Jazz to compile my research, but most of the research I did was looking at the words of Charles Mingus himself and the words of those who maintain a website dedicated to him. I was able highlight his growth, struggles, and accomplishments to an audience who may have never heard of him.
I was able to use this final project to communicate my understanding of jazz. By writing about Charles Mingus’ life, I gained a deeper understanding of a person who was passionate about his work as a jazz musician and composer right up to the very end of his life. I will use the Written Communication Core Skill in the future by searching out the most inspiring and encouraging parts of a subject to present to my audience in hopes that they are compelled to learn more.