Tips for Success!!
Human Relations is my favorite class and I think you will enjoy it. Please see student testimonies from last semester following. I am committed to your success and we want to make sure you are not anxious about the hybrid format which has been designed to provide the best of both curriculum delivery formats – F to F and online. The state now has a technology literacy standard embedded in the teacher licensure standards. Having the skills to teach and learn online is no longer an option. I have been teaching online for over a over 15 years (see me at bridgescreate.com) and I think you will be interested to know that digital curriculum skills are as valuable as being the soccer coach in terms of securing an appointment at a K-12 school!
More importantly, as most of you should know, the Minnesota Board of Teaching standards (the Standards of Effective Practice) must be covered while you are in our licensure program. There are standards embedded in the Human Relations Face-to-Face which can not be covered any other way so you MUST be at the MANDATORY Face-to-Face Meetings (This includes digital Webinars)
Many of you have come to the understanding that what you learn in our classes should be directly connected to your ability to pass your MTLE exit tests. Singing and dancing and having a big hug fest with no academic rigor will not meet Board of Teaching Standards or help you pass your MTLE tests. Teacher license is an entirely new higher education game! The gate is not the course GRADE, the gate is the KNOWLEDGE you have acquired to enable you to pass your exit tests!
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From: Veronica Soine [mailto:Veronica.Soine@live.bemidjistate.edu]
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2012 3:34 PM
Dr. Bridges,
My tips include giving yourself plenty of time to read and digest the material covered. It is also important to do the research and access alternate news sources to see the big picture. This course requires change, focus and growth. I also recommend doing the work in terms of the lesson plans because it is a benefit to have this opportunity to practice writing for social change. Do not skimp on any of the assignments because they are all a piece of a well designed puzzle that has been created to bring out the best teacher we can possibly be.
Veronica
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Human Relations Feedback
From: Anna SobolikWoinarowicz [mailto:Anna.SobolikWoinarowicz@live.bemidjistate.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 9:13 AM
I came into this class thinking that I had NO biases. I have worked hard to be where I am, and don't rely on others to get me where I need to be. I am not mean, rude, or outwardly prejudice to anybody. I was frustrated at different groups of minorities for blaming ME, a middle-class, white, american woman, for different hardships they faced. All I can say is to keep an open mind. I realized I DID and DO hold biases towards different group, and one of those biases is the frustrations that they blame ME. I didn't understand why they can't just get over it, or why they think they have it so hard. I learned so much about different marginalized groups, what they go through, what they endure, their past, their future, and WHY they can't "just get over it." I've learned so much about others, and more importantly, I've learned so much about myself. I can't pinpoint just ONE important thing that I have learned, because honestly, I have learned so much. This has honestly been the absolute MOST beneficial college course I have ever taken. Reflecting on this course gives me tears. I am determined to make a difference, and have learned different tools to do so. Anna
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From: Rebecca Mallory [mailto:Rebecca.Mallory@live.bemidjistate.edu]
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 9:46 AM
Dr. B,
What I struggled with the most in your class was what you meant by "move beyond the data". It wasn't enough for me to make a lesson plan and assess the students in a "traditional" way such as tests, word recognition, and written assessment. You wanted me to demonstrate how the students will put into action what they learned. You wanted to know how this lesson would make a difference and have these students show that they understand through action and demonstration. If you could elaborate on what it means to "move beyond the data" I think that will be most helpful. Most of us grew up in a time in school where pen and paper was the only form of assessment. It is hard to move past that. It takes a lot of creative thinking and new ideas to reconsider how you will teach. Please touch on this. Thank you, Rebecca Mallory
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From: Yelena Sobaskie [mailto:Yelena.Sobaskie@live.bemidjistate.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 9:29 AM
My experience: AMAZING, eye opening, and very reflective. My words of advice are open your minds, let everything in, don’t be afraid to be BOLD, take all resources given to you and USE them!
From: Jessica Christensen2 [mailto:Jessica.Christensen2@live.bemidjistate.edu]
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 11:29 PM
To: Barbara Bridges
Subject: Human Relations
Hi Prof. Bridges, I have just watched two of our films to compare and contrast, and I just want to say thanks for making me open my eyes yet again to what is happening in the world. There have been so many opportunities for me to learn and expand my views, I just had to say thanks and I really think this should be a required course not only for teachers, for every person. I can only dream of articulating all that I have learned into summaries and lessons as well as many of those in cohort S, as writing is not my strength. Though, I wanted to let you know that even though my words might not express what I have learned for this course, your messages have not been lost, and I will take each opportunity to model and teach acceptance to my students.
Thank you.
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From: Amy Johnson3 [mailto:Amy.Johnson3@live.bemidjistate.edu]
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 7:51 AM
Hi Dr. Bridges,
Ahhhh, my reflections from the Human Relations experience- I refer to it more as an experience rather than a class. When I think of class I think of learning material and being tested on it, this class was not like that, this class was a continuum of learning, with no tests, but then again a constant test of examining yourself and what you have thought you knew as the truth.
My advise to your students would be to "just go with it", delve in and let yourself go, this is so hard but make yourself comment on those posts, get conversations started and particiapte-you will learn so much. Try not to let the number of unread posts get you overwhelmed, it is daunting to log in and have hundreds of unread posts- you don't need to read them all, but pick several from each category and reply.
Dr. Bridges, I hope that your semester goes well, it will be interesting to hear what a younger demographic has to say.
Amy Johnson
Fall 2012 HR
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From: Verna Clark [mailto:Verna.Clark@live.bemidjistate.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 9:01 PM
To anyone looking forward to the Human Relations class:
This class will be an amazing experience for you. It will provide you with the opportunity to examine your own biases and prejudices. You will probably find some you didn't know you had. Then you will have the choice to assimilate them, accommodate them, or disregard them. That will be up to you, but you will at least know that you have them. I believe it was Socrates who said, “An unexamined life is not worth living”. This class will allow you to examine your own thoughts.
My advice is do the work. Check the calendar, watch for the due dates, and don’t work too far ahead.
Ahas
Look Importance of collecting data...every time
Be brave/go past the warm and fuzzy
Be honest with yourself, get over yourself (don't take yourself too seriously)
Resources will be used in your future, save them
Work towards common understanding, should thunder clouds appear on the horizon
Discussions close when the learner objective has been met...get your comments in there first
Involuntary Immigrants!
Tips for success
Always look at the criteria before you post
Read early and often
Reflect on what you learned, synthesize all data
Look at the calendar and weekly syllabus and use your common sense before you ask a question.
Make a master assignment sheet
Include assessments in specific activities
Print out the calendar and review often
Don't fear the pager
Professors and TAs are people too
If you have something saved in a Word doc and you want to copy and paste it, I'm sure you may have noticed that it gets all jumbled if you do it the normal, copy and past way. Go ahead and select your document, hit copy and then when you go to Compose, click on the little clipboard with the "W" on it. That should paste it as seen in word. This should save some of you from including attachments with your posts! =)