Blog 5: The End

     The final blog saddens me because it reminds me that this is the end of my experience with the kids at Rock Island High School. It was an experience I will never forget and I don’t want it to end. I am so happy that I chose to take this class, because if I didn't I would never have had the opportunity to meet this amazing kids. There is something so special about these kids, and that’s that they are from many different places and are refugees. This fact only enriched my experience and created and intercultural element to my experience. Reviewing the sessions I had with the kids there were a few themes that came to mind

One theme I noticed was perception. I had my assumptions about what I thought the school and kids would be like. I did not think the experience would be as rewarding and amazing as it was. I believe that the kids also had their perceptions of how we would be and what the experience would be like. I was very wrong in my perceptions; I did not think the kids would be as open as they were. I also did not think they would like learning as much as they did and I didn't think they would respect me, but they did. It was an amazing experience and I am honestly sad that it is over. I wish I could keep going.

     Another theme is social exchange theory. Both the kids and I are getting something out of our relationship. If the relationship weren't beneficial I would not be upset that it is over and I would not want to keep going. The kids are gaining knowledge while having a fun intercultural experience from someone who is not their teacher, which makes the setting more comfortable and relaxed.  

     Through this experience I have learned not to believe my perceptions. I did not know much about what this experience would entail and that caused me to have incorrect perceptions. My perceptions affected my actions and emotions. I was very nervous and shy the first couple sessions because I did not know what to expect. I have learned that I need to become more knowledgeable in order to make my own judgments and perceptions.This experience has also strengthened my belief that relationship are operated and maintained by the social exchange theory. With any sort of relationship you want it to be beneficial. You don’t stay in a relationship if you aren't benefiting from it. 

Blog 4: Something Different

     The next couple sessions of going to Rock Island high school were a little more personal. The students started waving to us and asking our names and started talking to use more before we went down to the library to have a more personal one on one session with some of the students. We had the same two girls come with us every time. We went down to the library just like we always do, but this session was different. For the first time, we focused more on each other than on the homework and tasks that were to be done. The girls asked us how old we were, about college, if we had boyfriend, where we were from and we even showed them some pictures. We asked them more personal questions as well just to get to know them. I could tell that Kait and I were more careful with the sorts of questions we asked them. We did not want to ask a question that might offend them. Learning they were from Africa gave us some sort of cultural background on who they were. I believe that since we took this class Kait and I were more respectful and knowledgeable about their culture and how to communicate with them as well as not to over step our boundaries by asking certain questions.

     Both Kait and I as well as the girls practiced one of the many information seeking styles. We practiced the interactive strategy. This strategy means that we communicate directly with that person we are trying to get information from. Since we were all asking questions to each other we were using this interactive style while also in a group setting. We directly asked that specific person certain questions to get to know the other person better. We could have gone a different way like asking Mrs. Kanter some questions about them which would have been a different information seeking strategy called an active strategy. We chose to do the interactive way because we felt it was more personal and it would help in our sessions and interactions with the girls.

     In the future I believe I will practice this same sort of communication strategy. They had no problem with us asking questions, I actually think they enjoyed that we were truly interested in what they had to say, and I think they enjoyed telling us stories. They were very open and receptive to this style of communication and information seeking strategy. I believe that we will continue to talk in this way until the ends of our sessions. This session really took a big step in our relationships with the girls. It went from a more teacher-student relationship to a friendship. 

Blog 3: Rewarding

     The second week was much like the first. We had the same two girls come to the library with us. Two other girls decided to come with us this time. They were a little quieter than the usual two girls. Again, in this session, there were no real introductions or any sort of personal interaction. We were focused on the homework assignment that Mrs. Kanter had given them. One girl was having an especially hard time with these problems. I decided I would focus a lot of my time on her. She was really struggling and becoming frustrated with herself. I tried a couple different ways to teach her and encourage her but nothing seemed to be working. I eventually decided that I would have her go through the problem and tell me what she was doing every step and then I would correct her if she didn’t do it correctly. We went through a couple problems this way and it seemed to help. Once I felt like she knew it, I told her that for the next problems she would have to teach me how to do the next problems. After doing it this way she was getting all of them correct and I could see a big smile on her face. She no longer needed my help and ended up doing really well on the assignment. It was so rewarding for me to see the happiness in her face that she was understanding it, finally.

    Social exchange theory was being practiced here. I was getting something from the girls and so were they. They were learning how to do math and gaining knowledge from it. I was receiving a rewarding experience of being the one that helps them and puts that smile on their face when they finally understand it. This is the reason we are in a relationship, we both get something out of the relationship and from each other. It really is a rewarding experience and great feeling when I help them and I see that light bulb go on in their head.

     For the future I will continue to be encouraging and help the kids. If I continue to help them with their math homework and tests I will continue to get that rewarding feeling. And if I continue to help them learn they will gain the knowledge and get that from me. According to the social exchange theory as long as me and the kids are getting something from each other and from the relationship the relationship will continue. If I did not get so happy and that rewarding feeling I would more than likely not be into helping them or having any sort of relationship with them because it would not be beneficial to me. 

Blog 2: The Journey Begins

     I was nervous going into the Rock Island high school for the first time. I was worried about many different things. I was worried that I wouldn’t remember or know the material enough to teach it to the kids and that I would look dumb and stupid. It was math that I would be teaching them, and math has never been a strength of mine I am very shy when I just get to know people and had never done any sort of tutoring before so my emotions were running high. I think I was just nervous because I really didn’t know what to expect. And kids, especially high school kids can be somewhat mischievous and don’t really care about strangers.

     As soon as I got there Mrs. Kanter made us feel very welcome and introduced us to the class. She asked if anyone wanted to go with us down to the library and immediately four girls raised their hands. We went down to the library and I feel like Kait and I were more nervous than the girls were. We looked at the homework they had to do and collectively we remember how to do these simple equations. I found that I was actually very good at teaching the kids and it was rewarding for me to see them learning.  During this first session we talked strictly about the math and the task at hand. We did not take the time to really get to know each other. There was no sort of introduction or background information given about each other.  The time flew by and I couldn’t wait to get back to help them again.

     Face concern was evident in the above situation. I was very worried about what the students would think of me. I was worried that I would look dumb or stupid if I didn’t know how to do something or got something wrong. I believe the kids themselves were struggling with this as well in their own way.  They would quickly try to do the problems and get them done and that would cause them to mess up. They would erase it quickly and insist that they know how to do the problem. It felt like they were worried that we were going to think that they were stupid. They very much wanted to impress us. It seemed as if we were both concerned about our own faces and how each other view and perceive the other person.

     For the future I know that I will be less nervous and less concerned about what the kids think of me as I get to know them it will be easier. I will also be more encouraging and let them know that it is okay to make mistakes, and that often times we learn the best when we make mistakes. I will encourage them more when they get the answer correct. I will hope that my positive and encouraging reinforcement will help them with their math. I hope that it will create a positive learning environment which will allow them to take their time and feel more comfortable doing their math in front of me and getting some questions wrong and know that it is okay to ask me questions. I will make it known that I do not expect them to know everything and I would love for them to ask me questions so we can work on it together and get the best grade possible as a team. 

Blog 1: expectations

My hopes for the service learning project, is not only to help the students with their homework and interpersonal interactions, but to learn something about myself. I would also like to learn from them, whether it's about where they are from, their language they speak, how it is adjusting to a certain way of life, anything really. 

My assumptions about the service learning site, would be that it is a normal high school, much like the one that I went too. Knowing that many refugees are at the school will be something different  that I have a hard time picturing because I went to a catholic high school where there were about 5 people that weren't white. 

I know that they emphasize in helping refugees develop a sense of belonging. They do this by, helping them adjust to the cultural life style, and by giving extra help in academic studies because, it is more difficult learning especially if English isn't your first language. 

What I know about the population they serve is that they have many refugees that come over and settle in this areas. This is why many different refugees are attending rock island high school. 

I absolutely love working with children I alway have and always will. I use to love to babysit when I was younger and actually still do. I was always told I am good with kids. In my future careers as a speech pathologist I would like to work with children. And I am shooting for that age group. I have always had a weak spot for minorities, so this will be a very rewarding experience for me. 

One great way of learning is through experience. When you service other people you are interacting with others and gaining life experiences. This can help you learn many different things, not just about a certain topic, but yourself as well.  Learning through service is a different kind of experience that isn't just a teacher lecturing at you in a classroom. It is a less obvious way of learning that can be very beneficial. Personally, I learn better when it is through my own experience, so learning in this way, for me, would be very helpful and something I am looking forward to.