A 4th helping of learning and communication

During lecture, Amy Horras taught cultural diversity. I think she did an excellent job as a student teacher, but then again she did have previous experience here. One of the questions she asked us to think about is how I can improve my awareness of cultural diversity. I believe I can do so by getting to know those with a different cultural background better. I feel that if I ask questions and start discussions with those who are not of the same background as me, I can become more aware of diversity, and I would be less likely to make judgments based on a person’s background. Another question she asked us was how cultural diversity affects me. It affects me in a variety of ways. One way is that it introduces me to a great number of people from various backgrounds at college, work, and at events. Another way that it affects me is that it forces me to alter my plans at times. This is because I may be working with someone from another culture or I may be working with someone who doesn’t have the same strategy as me, so I must change how I approach a task.

In addition to Amy’s lesson, I attended a learning session on learning communities. The session I attended was on Healthy Relationships and Communication Styles. I learned a great deal including that characteristics of a healthy relationship include respect, equality, and trust and support. Understanding these characteristics will help me next semester when I have to interact and communicate with my recitation class. Overall, I feel this learning session helped me a great deal not just in UST 311, but also in life as I can use all of the communication information to better communicate with my friends and family. Also, during the day, there was a lunch with most of the peer mentors. I enjoyed this as well as it helped me learn more about my Hixson family.

Finally, the required reading touched on many of the things that I learned in the learning community session. What I particularly liked was that part that explained the difference between giving advice and a helping relationship. Before, I did not know that there was such a difference, but now that I do, I feel that knowing the difference will help if any students come to me seeking knowledge next semester.