Flattered

I woke up this morning thinking of how much I had to do today. It was one of those days of lots of meetings followed by class. Except this class was different, this class I was actually conducting a 30 min lesson. To be honest the only difference that made was more work in between meetings to get my handouts ready. I have done so many presentation so far in my career and especially on this particular topic (Text-to-
Speech technology) that it really didn’t faze me. Hardly even worth mentioning except that it was part of my day. But I will get back to class later

I started the day doing some research for my mini lesson tonight, finishing up my outline and hand outs. I have a tendency to wait until the last minute on things. My fist meeting of the day was to go and observe the Dissertation Defense of one of my colleges. I am really glad I went! It was an enlightening experience. For one I had always envisioned a defense, and I’m probably not alone in this, to be like those old spy movies where they interrogate the prisoner. I, the doc student, sit in a dark room with a light shining in my face, while five faceless figures bombard me with questions, relentlessly drilling me. But that is not what happened at all. My college presented her research and her committee asked a few questions. But mostly words of support were said to her. It was a friendly calm experience. Well that’s how I perceived it anyway.

My next meeting in the day was great! For my job as a graduate assistant for the Technology and Distance programs at the COE, I am the administrator of a couple of databases and online systems. As part of my responsibilities I occasionally present to faculty both individually and in groups. Today I had the opportunity to present to the faculty of my department, something I enjoy doing. Well except the fist time, which is a story for another time? Today I presented on one of the systems I work with, while my boss and supervisor (I technically have 2 supervisors at work) presented on other aspects of the office. Well while my supervisor was presenting on the other system I work with, he asked for those of the faculty who have used it to talk about their experiences. One of my professors, and mentors stood up and talked about the system. He then closed his comments praising me for my efforts, really praising me. Then another professor I work with added a few accolades, followed by another faculty. I was a bit embarrassed and well very flattered. I thought to myself “wow this praise in front of my bosses and my entire department. It couldn’t be a better place and time for it.” My boss even commented to me after we left the meeting about getting complimented. I have never taken to compliments well. As a matter of fact I am more prone to come up with excuses as a response to being complimented then to just accept it. And more prone to just accept being criticized the come up with excuses for it. I know this may seem the opposite of how it should be, but I think it all has to do with my LD and lack of self confidence. It is pretty common for students with LD to have low self confidence. And I am sure I will talk more about this in later postings.

My next meeting of the day was pretty routine, just a meeting about a new online interface I am going to probably end up being some what involved with. Looks like a cool program though.

And finally was my class. I am doing my internship this semester co-teaching a class with that same professor who started the praise during the faculty meeting. I did think him for it by the way when we were setting up for class. I had 30 min to present the first of 2 parts on Text-to-Speech software today. I ran out of time of course, but in a good way. The students were asking questions and we were starting a discussion. But the class had to move on to other things. I am glad I set it up as a 2 parter. I felt good about my presentation and my professor also said it went well. As a whole I think the overall class went well. I am looking forward to finishing my lesson. One of the things I am working on under the guidance of my professor is to make my lessons more personal and more story like. I tend to be very didactic when I tech, and I agree that more personal and story like instructors are better instructors. I also feel I can be a good role model for other with LD so I am trying to bring my lessons home, so to say.

I am still on a high from that faculty meeting!

I woke up this morning thinking of how much I had to do today. It was one of those days of lots of meetings followed by class. Except this class was different, this class I was actually conducting a 30 min lesson. To be honest the only difference that made was more work in between meetings to get my handouts ready. I have done so many presentation so far in my career and especially on this particular topic (Text-to-
Speech technology) that it really didn’t faze me. Hardly even worth mentioning except that it was part of my day. But I will get back to class later

I started the day doing some research for my mini lesson tonight, finishing up my outline and hand outs. I have a tendency to wait until the last minute on things. My fist meeting of the day was to go and observe the Dissertation Defense of one of my colleges. I am really glad I went! It was an enlightening experience. For one I had always envisioned a defense, and I’m probably not alone in this, to be like those old spy movies where they interrogate the prisoner. I, the doc student, sit in a dark room with a light shining in my face, while five faceless figures bombard me with questions, relentlessly drilling me. But that is not what happened at all. My college presented her research and her committee asked a few questions. But mostly words of support were said to her. It was a friendly calm experience. Well that’s how I perceived it anyway.

My next meeting in the day was great! For my job as a graduate assistant for the Technology and Distance programs at the COE, I am the administrator of a couple of databases and online systems. As part of my responsibilities I occasionally present to faculty both individually and in groups. Today I had the opportunity to present to the faculty of my department, something I enjoy doing. Well except the fist time, which is a story for another time? Today I presented on one of the systems I work with, while my boss and supervisor (I technically have 2 supervisors at work) presented on other aspects of the office. Well while my supervisor was presenting on the other system I work with, he asked for those of the faculty who have used it to talk about their experiences. One of my professors, and mentors stood up and talked about the system. He then closed his comments praising me for my efforts, really praising me. Then another professor I work with added a few accolades, followed by another faculty. I was a bit embarrassed and well very flattered. I thought to myself “wow this praise in front of my bosses and my entire department. It couldn’t be a better place and time for it.” My boss even commented to me after we left the meeting about getting complimented. I have never taken to compliments well. As a matter of fact I am more prone to come up with excuses as a response to being complimented then to just accept it. And more prone to just accept being criticized the come up with excuses for it. I know this may seem the opposite of how it should be, but I think it all has to do with my LD and lack of self confidence. It is pretty common for students with LD to have low self confidence. And I am sure I will talk more about this in later postings.

My next meeting of the day was pretty routine, just a meeting about a new online interface I am going to probably end up being some what involved with. Looks like a cool program though.

And finally was my class. I am doing my internship this semester co-teaching a class with that same professor who started the praise during the faculty meeting. I did think him for it by the way when we were setting up for class. I had 30 min to present the first of 2 parts on Text-to-Speech software today. I ran out of time of course, but in a good way. The students were asking questions and we were starting a discussion. But the class had to move on to other things. I am glad I set it up as a 2 parter. I felt good about my presentation and my professor also said it went well. As a whole I think the overall class went well. I am looking forward to finishing my lesson. One of the things I am working on under the guidance of my professor is to make my lessons more personal and more story like. I tend to be very didactic when I tech, and I agree that more personal and story like instructors are better instructors. I also feel I can be a good role model for other with LD so I am trying to bring my lessons home, so to say.

I am still on a high from that faculty meeting!