Clase de Español

My last unit in my STEAM course in System and Models is called Organization. During this unit I learned how to identify the synergy between individuals, groups, and organizations. This unit required big picture research about I-O Psych covering its history, fundamental psychological relevance, systems dynamics, and an organization's ability to attract and serve its employees symbiotically. The purpose for the last Action Project was to come up with an idea that can be improved in my school. We each had to pick a topic, I picked my third period class which is Spanish. For this project we also had to interview two students and two staff members in the school. The purpose for is to point out the flaws in the class and see what can be improved. What I struggled with was time, how I overcame that problem was sitting down and worked on what needed to be done. I enjoyed taking this course it was interesting and I can’t wait to take my last STEAM course. 

                            “Clase de español.”dfiles.me. 2014

In September I was excited to start my first ever Spanish class at GCE. GCE is known for having outrageous classes. The Spanish class was suppose to incorporated food, Spanish culture, and connection to Spanish-language parts of Chicago. The class was introduced and everyone was pretty pumped up about it; but the teacher wasn’t the perfect fit. I interviewed two of my classmates that took the class with me and two staff members. I wanted to get some feedback from my two classmates about what they thought from taking the class. I also wanted to know what worked for them and what didn’t. A student DNR said “The first Spanish class lacked guidance and instruction with lessons, students were wild and disrespectful. Just belligerent, I think the teacher should have been more prepared mentally and physically.” A student MF said “The big thing for me that didn't work was the fact that we were told the class was going to be a culture class and we were given a class where we just had to write sentence after sentence everyday with new verbs. I just felt like it was a waste of my time. I asked my Dean some questions about what happened behind the scenes during this time. She said, “I provided ongoing and specific feedback to the instructor who was struggling. He decided that it wasn't a fit and chose to leave rather than put into place specific suggestions we had for his teaching.” It was clear that this class was a failed mission.

Since the teacher wasn’t fully prepared students would be disrespectful and wouldn’t want to learn. Some would be on their phones and computers listening to music. It was a very depressing class for me and other students. Student MF also said “The teacher in the beginning was very difficult to deal with. He wasn't used to teaching anyone but college students which I think caused the disconnect. He would always tell us that he was shocked we weren't acting like "college students" which I think caused a lot of anger.” The first Spanish teacher quit on a day he was suppose to teach his class. The weakness in the first Spanish class was the teacher, student connection, and student behavior. 

I-O psychology is characterized by the scientific study of human behavior in organizations and the workplace. That specialty focuses on deriving principles of individual, group and organizational behavior and applying this knowledge to the solution of problems at work. We needed to apply I-O psychology to the Spanish class, and by doing that we ended up getting a new teacher and some things got better. The second Spanish class made some progress student DNR response to the new Spanish class and teacher was; “I think the teacher should have controlled his class a little more, lessons were short, and in the second Spanish class, students were a little too free, but slightly less disrespectful.” My opinion on the second Spanish class was the teacher saw how the students weren’t motivated and didn’t learn anything from the first Spanish class, so he just let us do whatever we wanted. He would sit down and read. From time to time he would teach a small lesson but that was it. The strengths we had in his class was learning Spanish a little bit more, and the opportunities we had was being able to learn Spanish online. Some students would use Duo-lingo and they enjoyed it.

I-O psychology fundamental assumption is that the people in organizations and the goals of organizations are best served when there is a good it between the two. Neither the students nor the teacher were benefiting from that situation, there needed to be a change again. GCE does follow Maslow’s hierarchy which is: Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, Esteem, and Self-Actualization. But there was a treat that was happening, some students decided not to take a language class at GCE, and went off to find a different way to learn the language. Some students take online classes or do dual-enrollment at community colleges. The second Spanish teacher left us and we ended up getting a new one. But this time it was different. The Spanish class was actually working. We got a teacher who cared about us, and a teacher who controlled the class. It was satisfying. The behavior in students changed and we started learning Spanish. I asked my Spanish teacher some questions about the steps she takes to run the class/lessons she said, “I try to bring in the basics of the language I want everyone to walk away knowing and work around those basic concepts to create projects and learning that is flexible and challenging for each student.”

But there is still a problem. We all share the same space in the class. Every Monday and Tuesday the class is told to read a book in Spanish. Some students are more advanced in Spanish than others. Students should be able to have Autonomy, which is one of the pillars at GCE. In order to learn a new language you have to start with the basics, but some students in that class are already bilingual. Instead of pushing the student to thrive more into that language it’s pushing them back. My suggestion to fix this problem is having multiple language level classes to benefit each student. I asked my Spanish teacher and my classmate if they could create a language class how would it work? DNR said “My language class would be a rewarding class. That's the easiest way to learn, right? Through competition and reward! I would also try to relate my language to their language because familiarity helps with remembering things.” My Spanish teacher said, “I think that second language acquisition is an important part of any education, especially at a school that prides itself on fostering the growth of global citizens. I would like to see more integration of language acquisition into core classes as well as language acquisition becoming a core subject of its own. Personally would like to have fully immersive classes that are separated by ability level so that each student can get the most challenging and rewarding learning experience.” I hope one day GCE can have language classes that benefit every student level.


Citations:

“America’s 20 Fastest Growing Jobs.” Farnham, Alan. abcnews.go.com. ABC News - Business. Feb 5, 2014. Web. Feb 6, 2017.

I-O Psychology Theories. Psychology.iresearchnet.com. N.P. N.D. Web. Feb 25, 2017.

YEAR 2117

The last unit in my Humanities course is called Herstory. In this unit I learned about issues that are in race, gender and, class. We predicted the future and what it might look for equality. I really enjoyed taking this course, it opened my eyes about gender, race, and, equality all around the world. I hope the future has better people leading countries and, people will live in happiness and don’t have to worry about what gender they are and, what skin color they are. The purpose of this Action Project is to imagine what our society will look like in the future. I had to create a time capsule filled with a series of elements that foretell what the struggle for equality might look like 100 years from now. This Action Project was tough because it was hard and scary thinking about what the future might look like. I wish I could live to see how it would be. Overall this course way by far my favorite, I can’t wait to take my next Humanities course. Down below is me opening my time capsule.  

                               

CHICAGO TRIBUNE JULY, 16 2117

DIFFERENT AMERICA

Hispanics are the fastest growing race in America. They are the largest majority beating Whites and African Americans. Spanish is the leading language in America; immigrants aren’t looked down on anymore. The President of the United States is a Latina. Her name is Luciana Zelaya; she is creating new laws which benefits everyone no matter race, gender, or class. There are more jobs in the United States because of President Zelaya. People aren’t in poverty anymore; everyone came together, and they made a change in America. Women get equal pay. Zelaya wants to show everyone that anything is possible as long as they put their mind to it; America is thriving. President Zelaya believes that everyone is equal and should be treated fairly.

President Zelaya’s great-grandparents were immigrants and struggled living in America. They were considered aliens; they couldn’t get good paying jobs, health care, or good housing. Many immigrants struggled and some races and religions were even banned from the country. They worked hard, and now, their great-grandchild is the President of the United States. The country has come a long way and it has definitely improved.

President Zelaya wants America to keep growing and improving, she knows she wouldn’t be where she is now if it were not for the past, her family, and the people of the United States. President Zelaya loves hearing what the people has to say, she wants to provide everything she can and stay true to her word. Zelaya listened to her people and she doesn’t want anyone to struggle when it come to money and providing food for families. She has recently passed a new law. Benefiting every household in the country making sure everyone has the right needs in order to fully live the “American Dream.”
           
Down below are two interviews of citizens; one voted for President Zelaya and, the other one is against President Zelaya.

Dear Editor,
I am beyond happy that I voted for President Zelaya, I had so much faith in her. I believed in her and knew she will be a great President. I never thought I will see the day that a Latina will be a president. I am a young woman and my great-grandparents were immigrants, so many will say, “You only voted for her because she is Latina.” Well, that is not true President Zelaya qualified to be the president we all needed. Since President Zelaya passed a the new law unemployment rate is much lower. People aren’t in poverty anymore, and are doing much better and many Americans are happy. President Zayala is doing an amazing job being the first Latina President of the United States. There are people that are mad about a Hispanic being president and on top of it’s a woman. Some are even protesting holding signs that say “Women can’t run this country.” I think it’s rude and uncalled for, they need to realize that America has changed and it’s going to keep changing. America has many people with different nationalities and religions it is important to embrace that as a country. 

Dear Editor, 
I do not accept that a women is leading our country. This country was founded by men and it should stay that way. I think the reason why she won was because only women voted for her. The law she passed is great but a man should be President. Hopefully she only last one term. 

                                     First Latina President Barbie Doll of 2117

      

This is Barbie President Luciana Zelaya she is 36 years old, and was born and raised is from Chicago, IL. Barbie President Luciana Zelaya teaches girls that they can be whatever they want. They can change the World and bring acceptance to all girls. She helped people out of poverty and continues to change the United States.

No Pet vs With Pet

Systems and Models is a STEAM course which studies people and how they behave, the second unit was called Group. In that unit I learned about how behaviors change in people and how others can view that change. We worked a lot in groups and did different activities. The purpose of this Action Project is to conduct a research study. I did this project solo studying two people and people surrounding them. This project was hard for me, I had trouble managing time and staying on track. I solved that problem by sitting down and focusing on what needed to be done. I enjoy completing this project and I hope you enjoy. 

Chapter 108

My humanities class is called Equality. In this class, we focus on Equality for women and people of color. We have discussions in class on how people can view the world differently and how we can make the world a better place. Our purpose is to change the norm of stereotypes and how people are viewed based on their gender and race. The first unit was called History, and in that unit we learned about historical background of race, gender and class to gain a greater understanding of the current context of these issues. The purpose of this Action Project was to recount a historical event through, and make it into a chapter that is in a textbook. The historical event I chose was when the Cubs won the 2016 World Series. I chose this event because it is very special to me and my family. This event relates to gender and race, Chicago is known for being one of the most violent cities in the United States. When the Cubs won the World Series, nobody was paying attention to race or gender. The city came together as one to celebrate the big victory. I had to interview someone that was there during the event. I chose to interview my boyfriend because he was with me when the Cubs won the World Series. We went to Wrigley Field the night the Cubs won. It was so crowded and so much fun. Everybody was screaming and running. There was so many people that the police came and had to gate and guard certain areas. I will never forget that night, I was apart of history. That Friday we attempted to go to the rally but there was just too many people. I enjoyed doing this project it was nice reminiscing on such a big event that took place in my city.