I had no previous experience with blogs, so I was not entirely sure of what to expect from this course. While reading the syllabi weeks prior to the first day of class, I figured online blogging would be a relatively easy task to manage. I did not quite realize the amount of time that went into online journaling. However, I was intrigued by the opportunity we would have to share our thoughts and engage in dialogue with peers using a social media outlet. I was excited to utilize an online tool, which I had not previously used before, to enhance my learning.
I was eager to delve into the material for this course. I feel I have always had a strong interest in current issues, so I was excited about exploring issues as they related to the field of higher education and student affairs. I figured we would discuss prevalent matters such as funding and access, but surprisingly there were many issues I had not yet thought about, which were brought up in our class discussion and online blogs. Throughout the semester, I was overwhelmed at the amount of blogs being posted, as I was not able to read through all of them. With no previous experience in blogging, I had expected getting through all posts would be no problem but I quickly realized that was not as easy as I had anticipated.
In regards to individual posts, I had not expected the in-depth thought and research one had to conduct prior to submitting a post. As stated above, when first learning of these online assignments I figured they would not be as time consuming, and we would just be sharing our general perspective on a particular matter. I did appreciate the research and learning that took place, prior to submitting a blog.
My ‘best’ blogs are listed below;
“It’s never too early to begin recruiting.” – This was my first blog, ever. I was particularly proud of that. More importantly, I felt I was able to relate to the issue I was discussing, and that is what made this blog one of my favorites. The article I cited focused on the efforts of a college in south Texas, focused on getting young Latina/o kids to begin thinking about college. Since many Latina/o kids are prospective first-generation students, I think it is imperative to help expose them to a post-secondary education at an early age.
“No place to park.” – As one classmate alluded to, we often think of higher education issues as those associated with funding, embezzlement, unethical behavior, etc. I had fun writing about parking services on college campuses, as this is an issue I feel does not receive much attention. I was also able to share my frustrations with this area through an article in the Chronicle. I especially appreciated the comments and perspectives of other classmates that were shared on this issue.
“A further discussion on HSIs.” – I have done research on “Hispanic-serving Institutions” prior to this course, and I appreciated the opportunity to help further our class discussion on this topic. After our Saturday class, I felt there was important information that I could share, so I felt compelled to create a post. I also feel it is important for individuals at UNC and AIMS to consider the possibility, and benefits, of an institution receiving such status.
I had a great experience participating in our blogs. I was fortunate to not have experienced any technical difficulties, so I feel I was able to get much out of these required assignments. I remember spending several hours on a few of my blogs, this was helpful in enhancing my knowledge on a particular topic. I had to search for articles that were interesting enough to write about, analyze the content and offer my perspective, and gather data related to the issue using other sources. I paid extra attention to the detail of my blogs prior to making them public.
I also appreciated the required comments we had to leave on others’ blog posts. These comments also required critical thinking, as they could not be a simple, “good post” response. We had to read our classmates’ posts in their entirety, while also reading the links to articles and other websites that were provided. This helped me learn about issues I would not usually explore. It was also good to read comments from others that were left on my posts. It is imperative to look at an issue through various perspectives, and many of the individuals in class helped make that possible.
I feel this course was helpful in allowing us to explore issues related to higher education. Through the assigned readings and class discussion, I realized many of the issues addressed are not new to this field. Many of the issues we feel are currently relevant, were also discussed a hundred years ago, and prior. This is important to understand as legislation and budget cuts often make people panic. Higher education always seems to manage to adjust in a changing environment. However, it is interesting to think that the issues we discuss today, may also be relevant in the future.
Learning how to utilize technology in academia was also a great experience. It is imperative for us to understand the various forms the students we work with understand and grasp material. I do believe it is necessary for individuals in this field to become technologically competent, in order to effectively work with todays’ students.
Lastly, I learned that no department, program, or functional area in an institution of higher learning, is immune from encountering any challenges. Administrators, faculty, staff, and students all face pressing issues. Understanding this reality will prepare us in dealing with these situations in the future. It is also imperative to recognize that issues and challenges will always exist. The various perspectives offered in this class allowed me to understand that issues are not one-dimensional, but rather multifaceted, which require critical thought.
I appreciate that opportunity to have learned from all of you. Thank you for making this course an enjoyable experience.
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