For week one I felt that the reading and class worked started at a great place. The reading got us thinking about becoming a peer mentor and gave us things to think about and remember throughout the process. While at class we were able to get to know each other a little better and understand what we were going to be doing this semester to prepare for next fall.
Coming into this I felt I had a pretty good understanding of what a peer mentor does, however after the reading I see there is a lot more to it than what appears to the eye. For example one has to find motivation that is a mix of self and other focused. I had never thought about focus in mentoring, but after reading about it I see there is a big need for a balanced motivation, so both the mentor and mentee can get as much as possible out of the experience. The second big point from the reading that affected me was that there is not only a responsibility to those you are mentoring, but also to yourself. A mentor has to be aware of what they are doing and how it will affect the mentee which I knew. However, I never thought about how reflecting, goal setting, and studying smarter as an individual would affect how one was able to mentor others.
After going through the syllabus in class I realized that we will be expected to do a lot of different things throughout the duration of the semester. Two that I am looking forward to is the twittering for a week because I have never done it and it should be interesting. The second is the digital story telling because when I did it as a first year it was a blast. The diversity event and Iowa State Leadership Experience sessions should show for a lot of learning on my part. Overall, I feel that I am in for a lot of new experiences, which will be exciting!
Karen, While reading through your post I realized that we had very similar thoughts as reading through the book and going over the syllabus in class. Like you said, I too thought I knew what it meant to be a mentor, but the book breaks it down differently then I had thought. I have also never used twitter so my excited grows to expand my knowledge of new technologies. Looking forward to gettting to know you this semester and next year.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I also was unaware of how much material there is on mentoring, I never would have guessed there were textbooks on the subject. I too feel like there might be a lot I may not know about mentoring now. I like your point that it also taught that we are responsible for ourselves not just the mentees. I too have never before used twitter and I have never made a digital storytelling film either! Hopefully the rest you know more about technology than I do. Looking foward to seeing you in class.
ReplyDeleteI feel ya on the confidence thing. When coming into the class I was kind of also thinking that maybe I knew a lot of what was going to be talked about. The first week blew that out of the water. I for sure like it better that way and I'm stoked to be in this class learning all the ins and outs.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, good call on going to Dance Marathon! Amazing, right?!