Adjourning

As it relates to working in groups, it is one that I have found to be very challenging. This is so as there are many different groups in which I have been apart of and the same things keep occurring. For example, I always end up doing most of the work. Last year, I was apart of a group at my place of employment and we were given a specific topic wherein we were to formulate a display. There were approximately six of us in the group and when it was the day before the display I found out that three of the members of the group did not start doing anything towards the display which was due for the next morning. I had to sit all night with the other two group members to do the things that the other three persons had decided to do. I felt very relieved in leaving this group. This year I was placed in another group which will be finishing next month and I can attest that I feel it so much because in this group it is fully organized, obtains good relationships amongst all group members, mutual trust and understanding is evident and being exercised. When it comes to respect, this is fully established.

In regards to adjourning from my colleagues in this master's programme. It is one that will be very touching and emotional. This is so as I have bonded with everyone in the different groups to which I have been assigned. Each week I have worked collaboratively with everyone, shared our thoughts and in return have gained a vast amount of knowledge that will help me both professionally and personally. Therefore, adjourning from this will be very emotional for me as I will be filled with tears of joy, sense of accomplishment and mixed emotions.

Communication Conflict

As I view the assignment for this week, I felt relieved towards it as I can attest to something that I have been struggling with at work. The conflict is that we are given a literacy coordinator to implement various strategies that the ministry thinks will be beneficial towards uplifting the literacy skills of children on a national level. However, what is so appalling is that the person that is designated to do thus is not so familiar with her goals nor is able to give feasible feed backs to us as educators. When I asked her a certain question she pertuded a number of attitudes that were indeed not welcoming. This led to a number of disagreements among us. Though it is something that sounds feasible yet it starts out negatively based on the communication that is being established. This is simply because there is a level of disrespectful behaviors that are being pertuded by the coordinator. However, being the person that I am I remain calm throughout this issue. 

Upon reading the resources this week, I have obtained knowledge of how to deal with conflicts both on a personal and professional perspective that have given me a number of valuable insights about what to do. First according to the three S assumptions I have found out that a conflict is a natural and healthy process that is necessary for making progress and dealing with injustice. Second, I have an important role to play in transforming conflicts around me. Third, I have gained that in using the three S skills I  am capable of creating an atmosphere for positive collaboration to take place that in turns brings about positiveness among all. Fourth, I have been reminded by these resources that in everything there is good therefore, as educators, my aim is to put aside childish behaviors and focus on what is at hand and that is the education and care of the young children with whom I interact with daily. Fifth, I have found out that with the utilization of some of the three R's principles, I am capable of dealing with conflicts that arise on a hold. Sixth, in educating my colleagues about such principles, they too have realized the purpose of resolving conflicts and aree willing to apply the different strategies as issues arise.

Reference
The Third Side. (n.d.). The third side. Retrieved from http://www.thirdside.org/

Communication Skills

As I reflect on the assignment given this week,it was one  that was quite interesting and informative. As I evaluated myself and saw members of my family as well as colleagues do thus it was quite appalling. It was very interesting to see that my communication skills were very good and have touched the lives of so many persons. It was very nice to have observed the differences that were mentioned as well as the similarities that were found. The overall outcomes were indeed very close and verbally I was deemed to be moderate. This one was very surprising to me because I am normally a very reserve individual who dislike talking publicly but I was very glad t see that others perceptions were different. For my professional I feel empowered to do even more as my self esteem and self concept have been enhanced which have helped my self efficacy to unfold  within a positive and unique manner.

Blog Assignment-Week 3

Upon viewing the assignment on hand for this week and the questions posed I can attest that I do find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures. This is so as I have learn to accept other persons beliefs, value, cultural practices because we all reside in a diverse society that consist of different ethnic background and principles. Second, I communicate different at times because I have to show respect to others as well as learn to compromise at times. In doing thus I allow others to feel accepted, loved, cared for and most of all belonged to express self openly with confidence. This is in turn play a positive role in my life as I am accepted in return. 

Therefore, three strategies that I could use to help communicate more effectively with the people or groups that I have identified are:-
(a) Making a conscious decision to establish a good relationship with people from other cultures.
(b) Acquire adequate knowledge and understanding about others culture, customs and views.
(c) Be kind, just and bias free at all times.

Reflections on watching a program with/without sound

I chose the "Jeffersons" for this given assignment this week.  It was very quite interesting and exciting to have watched the movie without the sound. This is so as I was able to see a number of communication skills being executed through a nonverbal approach. I could see how George related to his wife, housekeeper and friends. It was rather filled with a lot of laughter as I was placed in a position to consider what they were really trying to communicate without hearing them speak the actual words. Based upon what I have observed it was evident that they all had a great relationship but at times could not agree with each other. These assumptions are based on the facial expressions and body languages that were being executed by the characters. However, when I watched it with the sound on I got a better feel about what the characters were trying to communicate with each other. Second, I was so surprised to see that some of the assumptions that I held about what I was viewing were indeed true as I watched the movie with the sound.
I believe that my assumptions would be incorrect if I was watching a show that I knew well because to be honest I would not be looking  closely for such communication skills at all. However, I have learn that in communicating with others I have to be very careful about my tone, facial expressions, body language as these kind of communication says a lot and sometimes they deliver a negative /positive message to the persons in which I am communicating.  

Blog Assignment

One person that I deem as setting an example of being an effective communicator is that of my former lecturer Dr. Christopher Clarke. He was a patient and respectful individual that addressed the needs of all the people that he interacted with on a daily basis. Dr. Clarke used a lot of gesture that created  an atmosphere that built people confidence, self worth and being. This in turns enhanced one's self esteem and self concept. His body languages that were articulated were always positive and welcoming. He gave a lot of eye contact because doing such he strongly believed showed him if he was reaching his audience effectively. I therefore, would want to model some of his communication behaviors. This is simply because I have learnt so much from him and his communicative skills are what lent his way for being such a positive role model. 

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds are that of :-
(a) Creating an environment that is warm, rich and filled with love and respect for all.
(b) Creating an environment that depicts an anti-bias atmosphere which promotes  positive and healthy opportunities for all regardless of their background.

One goal that I  would like to set for the early childhood field that is related to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is 'implementing strategies that creates opportunites that articulates diversity, equity and social justice for all in a developmentally appropriate mannner that is bias and prejudice free.'



I would like to take the time out to thank all of my colleagues that I have communicated with throughout this course. Your feed backs were very rich and inspiring to me. Today, I can say that I have learn a lot from you all and I am sure you can say the same in return. Thanks again and all the best to you all in your other courses. I do hope that we meet again in the other courses.