Alina Alvarado

I realized I am more of a visual learner. I also learned that some of the language I have used in the past could be considered limiting. I will keep that in mind, especially when we are brainstorming. However, I still feel there is an appropriate time to address what didn't work in the past (but also review why and if there have been changes since then that could make the idea work now).

I learned that there was research showing  that low income students are price sensitive for grad rates and completion rates are a function of how students grew up. However, what I found most interesting was that the reason for undermatching according to William Bowen was lack of information instead of financial issues that would lead to students not applying to schools they knew they would not be able to afford or recieve enough aid coming from "modest circumstances". 

When applying to college, I was fortunate enough to be given a lot of support and information from my school staff and… >>>

Something that I had felt but never thought of " as a thing" is that you can demonstrate leadership in specific situations while still struggling to take a leadership roles in other  circumstances or areas of life. For example, I tend to lead more at work during normal activities, but in sports or competitive environments, I naturally stop using those skills. I liked tha assignment that allows the students to think of ways they demonstrate leadership in one situation and how that can be used in others to start expanding that skill.

I've realized that due to the enviroment of my previous institution, I have experienced a lot of coercive leadership that went extreme and lead to all the risks listed. However, I have more of an Authortative style which did help lead my team, but it also explains why I didn't feel as effective with working with other leaders.

Also, after watching The Principal Story, I really did not like the approach or attitude of the more seasoned principle, though I would love to emulate that of the newer principal. One would see a problem or misbehavior and simply approach it… >>>

According to the assessment, I am a leader, I but feel like I have incorporated both in my previous roles. With me team, I was a manager in supporting and evaluating curre t processes to help ensure good moral and efficiency. However, when I with other mangers or even higher leaders I would take on more leadership responsibilities, not to lead them but liaisoning with them to represent my team and department and advocate for needed changes (which I would then manage once in affect). 

I've also seen first hand what having bad leadership but good management does to the… >>>

It was interesting to learn more of of intermediate and advanced writing practices. Most of them that require more personal interactions are out of my element as those weren't considered "professional" ways to communicate. I would be more interested in incorporating the ARCs model.

I learned about different resources used for educational technology trends and what each provide. These will help stay current with trends that may be applied to my institution (or at least see what other competing schools may be providing).

I liked the way the information was broken down in these sections. It outlined the common compentencies that could and do help classify common online classroom issues. However, knowing these does more than just explain what the problem can be. If instructors/designers know these are common (especially if they recognize  these issues occurring in their real classes), the competencies can be used to ask "what can I provide to help meet these competencies?"

Regardless if learners fit the typical demographic, there can still be additional resources provided to help meet the competencies needed as long as students are at the… >>>

It was interesting to learn the difference between customer service and helping students when it comes to developing a working alliance. In the past, I had been told that to be in academic advisement, we needed strong customer service skills which does help, but as long as the endgoal of helping vs satisfying and serving is kept in mind. This will help in training future team members in interacting with learners.

This course really enforced the affect and meaning of instructor and staff engagement. At my previous institution, the technology including our LMS, was severely limited and outdated, and because it offered only asynchronous courses, the president had structured it so that there was 0 contact from instructors. Students would only have content with admissions advisors, academic mentors, and alumni advisors. Receiving feedback from instructors as the content experts is a key component to social engagement though. And having systems that allow for versatile, effective and efficient communication and incorporate useful technology would increase motivational engagement while decreasing procrastination and the… >>>