Reflection on humanities unit
John Dewey, an educational guru, writes that without reflection there is no learning. To that end, I ask you to write three things that you learned in this class so far that you did not know before day one. Try to list different ones than your peers if possible.
Next, write one question that is still lingering, a concept, skill, idea, etc. that isn't 100% crystal clear. Again, if possible, come up with something that hasn't been posted already.
Finally, I challenge you to answer the question posed by the person immediately before you. The person who posts first will answer the question of the person who posts last. Remember, the greatest learning occurs when you explain something to others. Of course, after all the answers have been posted, I'll be happy to offer follow up responses to specific questions if requested.
posted by DrEmmerling at 8:56 PM
20 Comments:
1) I learned the difference between first and second-order writing and that even though I am primarily a first-order writer, i learned how to use both to become a better writer.
2) I learned the Chinese version of "Cinderella." It was interesting to see the first known version and to hear how many other versions took ideas from the Chinese "Cinderella."
3) I learned how oral folk tales preserve family and cultural traditions.
I was still wondering why, even through the development of technology, the tradition of oral folk tales have faded away especially in America. I would have thought that advancements in techonology would have increased the spread of folktales. However, this has not been the case. Why?
-Matt Hale
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1. I learned the proper way to proceed through the writing process, starting with thesis, bibliography, outline, first draft, and then final.
2. I learned about first and second order thinking and writing. In high school, I was more of a second-order thinker, but I've had some opportunities to first-order write and think, and I find it to be very beneficial.
3. I learned about critiquing critiques, especially Bruno Bettelheim's critique of "Cinderella".
To answer Matt's question, I think that in the past when folk tales flourished it was because of the environment in which they were told. Storytellers were very well respected and listened to, and the setting of a storyteller with people gathered all around him seems to be very cohesive with spreading oral tradition. Television, radio, and other forms of media do not have the same feeling/environment as this old time way, and I think that is why the telling of folktales has decreased.
My question is regarding first-order thinking: If you flourish by doing first-order thinking and writing, when you plan your essay out do you just simply write ideas out on a piece of paper, or outline them with more structure? Where does it become "second-order"?
1. One thing that I have learned is that when writing a paper you have to take it piece by piece, starting with a thesis, outline, and rough draft. You cannot a quality final draft without taking the writing progress step by step.
2. I learned that in order to be a successful writer one must be able to use both first and second order thinking. First order thinking provides the writer with quick, creative ideas that can be improved upon when the writer uses second order thinking to go back revise their writings.
3. I also learned how to use critical thinking (2nd order thinking) to critique and analyze other people’s critiques.
In response to Michael's question, I believe that when you're writing a paper you first brainstorm for paper topics. After you have some concrete paper topics, you use first order thinking and you begin writing about the topic without becoming too concerned where your writing is taking you and how structured your paper is. The second order thinking comes into the writing process when you look back at the writing and begin to review and revise it. During your second order thinking you are able to see mistakes you made on your first draft and make the necessary changes.
I was wondering how, after all these years, the same fairy tales have not lost there popularity to newer fairy tales. It seems that traditional fairy tales continue to remain popular throughout the world, but very few new fairy tales are invented. If they are they rarely become as popular as the traditional tales, and I was wondering why this might be.
Chris Albo
Three things I’ve learned:
1). I never knew what the word humanities meant and now I know that it involves art, drama, film, and literature.
2). I learned about how the story of Cinderella has been around so long and how there are so many variations. I have always thought of Cinderella as Disney’s version not knowing that other cultures had different versions.
3). I learned about first and second order thinking. I had never thought abut it before and realized that there are different types of thinking and how each one can be beneficial in writing.
In response to Chris’ question:
I know exactly what you mean. It doesn’t quite make sense but here are a few possibilities:
I think the most important aspect of a fairytale is the fact that they are so widely popular and known. For years and years the same fairytales have been told. It would be hard to invent a new fairytale and have its popularity spread quickly enough for everyone to know of it. Maybe a story like Harry Potter will become somewhat of a fairytale someday? Because fairytales have been told for so long, everyone knows the story. Also, during this time in history, there are so many different kinds of entertainment and media. No one would have the time to tell stories like people would many years ago and fairytales wouldn’t have the same effect.
One question:
1). Although a summary seems like a simple thing, I would like to understand what exactly a summary is supposed to contain. I have always thought of a summary as just a shortened version of something but in class there seemed to be more that was needed for it to be a strong summary – what does a summary ideally contain?
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1) I have learned how to conduct a proper peer editing session. All of the ones I had experienced in high school were not helpful to me in any way possible for people weren't listening or giving good feedback. The one we had in class last Thursday was very successful and helped me a lot.
2) I learned how to use a blog, I had never even heard of them before, and it really helps me grow as a writer by reading others work.
3) I learned how to write an effective introduction by using a good hook, or question, or some sort of dialogue to grab the attention of the reader.
My Question:
I was wondering if there were more folktales or childhood stories like Snow White or Beauty and the Beast that had as many versions like Cinderella. I thought it was creative that they were put a spin on the already publicized fairy tale and I was just wondering if it had been done to others.
To answer Alexis's question about the summary, I used the information from our textbook, Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. First it says to read the passage carefully. (That is a given.) Secondly reread. Then write a one sentence summary to each paragraph you read. Then write a thesis about the entire thing you read. Then you can write your summary using the thesis and those topic sentences from each paragraph. Also it helps to add occasional quotes from the text to strengthen your summary. Also a key note from the book is to "use as very words as possible to convey the main ideas."
1. The first thing I learned was how to use my first order thinking. When writing a paper I usually just start with second order and don’t come up with much.
2. Second, I learned more about the structure of an analysis from reading Morrison’s critique on Cinderella.
3. I also learned the importance of folktales in preserving tradition and morals.
To answer Lauren’s question I looked on the internet for other versions of Sleeping Beauty versions. I found a Russian version, French version, and Grimm’s version.
My one question is how to stay on the track during first order thinking? I always seem to get off the subject of the prompt.
-Lauren Young
1)I learned the different versions of Cinderella and realized how similar they are to the Disney version I was familiar with.
2)I learned how utilize first and second order thinking in my writing and realized the importance of using them both.
3)I learned how to effectively participate in a peer review and found that reading my paper out loud was helpful as I caught some of my own mistakes.
In response to Lauren’s question:
I understand that first order thinking may take you off track when responding to a prompt. This is where I think second order thinking comes in handy because you can go back and organize all of your first order thinking and get rid of material that does not answer the prompt.
My question is why are the many versions of Cinderella very similar although they were written in different countries and during different time periods?
1) I learned that there are two ways of thinking and writing, and learneinker.d that I am more of a 1st order thinking.
2) I learned that there are many versions of Cinderella, but that they all pretty much tell the same tale.
3) I also learned that peer editing can be very helpful to the writing process and that it is great to get input from different people.
In response to Jesus question:
I think that although there are many versions and eventhough they were written in different parts of the world the stories are all influenced by things surrounding them, and many people go through the same things.
My question is why do some of us prefer 1st order thinking rather than 2nd order thinking?
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1)I learned why Cinderella's step-mother and her daughters are so mean to Cinderella.
2)I learned second-order thinking often leads people to stupidity since they say things they do not really believe when they think too much.
3)I learned that people do not agree with my ideas since my ideas are too strong and underdeveloped.
I was wondering why the story of Cinderella became so popular.
To answer Janet's question, first-order thinking is intuitive and creative and we do not need to think much for it.
1.I have learned how to write an effective paper in this class. It was much easier for me to generate my thoughts and ideas when I have my strong thesis and brief outlines before ahead.
2.I learned how the MLA system usually works and I actually had an opportunity to apply them into my paper about humanities (margins, headings, citations).
3.I learned the importance of having peer review session. By hearing other’s opinions and taking their advices, I was able to get an idea of what I am going to write more and make changes on my paper. It was helpful!
What are the differences between academic writing and standard writing?
In response to Kagami’s question:
The story of Cinderella was handed down to many people for a long time as one of the popular fairy tales. People continually talk about the story and make movies and book that are base on the fairy tale, Cinderella.
Kimberly
1) I've learned to make considerable changes in my revision process.
2) I've learned to take more advantage of the peer review process.
3) I've learned new insight into the first vs. second order thinking processes.
In response to Kimberly:
In it my belief that the differences in standard and academic writing all reside in the rhetorical devices used. Also, academic writing requires much more back up evidence then a standadrd writing style would, and follows a specific formatting depending on the subject at hand.
As for my question, I would like to know where is it our intuitive thoughts are created and how they are molded throughout our lives.
1) I learned how to use a blog. I have always heard of them but never really knew what they are, I see now how they can be a very important tool
2) I learned about first and second order thinking. I found it very interesting to read about it, and when I thought about it, it's really very true as I see the difference between the two in my own way of thinking depending on what I do.
3) I learned that peer editing isn't just finding mistakes in someone's paper, but also discussing the main theme and the persons thoughts on the subject.
In Response To Kimberly:
I believe the difference between academic writing and standard writing has to do with the subject matter. We use academic writing in mostly in projects for school or in the workplace, when it's more official, whereas standard writing is more of an expression of opinion and free to some extent
I was wondering of all the different versions of cinderella, how did it start? Do you think one person told the story and it traveled across the world getting changed in different countries?
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) One thing that really sticks out in my mind that I learned after the first unit is the difference between first order and second order thinking.
2) The second thing that I remember learning is the different ways of structuring solid essays. This includes both argumentitive and analysis essays.
3) I also learned how to be a better peer reader which will definitely help me not only edit other peoples papers but also my own.
My Question:
How to become better at analyzing in essays rather than summarizing, which I find myself doing too often.
Response to Jared:
I would have to say that I think Cinderella orginally started in China in the ninth century a.d. I think that probably one person wrote the story in China and over the years it traveled all over and really expanded in the past couple of centuries with the introduction of technology.
1. I learned how to stick with my topic even though I had lots of problems with it. In high school, I would have simply changed topics. Learning to write about something regardless of how easy it is to write about it definitely gives me the confidence to take on topics that I know nothing about and know I can write a decent paper on it.
2. Starting early on research papers is almost required to finish on time. Especially if you have a compressed time period.
3. I learned that it is sometimes better to simply write whatever you have in mind on a piece of paper to clear and organize your thoughts before you start writing a paper. If I just try to start writing, I tend to write each paragraph separately, and not have any lines of connection between them.
My question:
How much of a fairy-tale is made up? If it is based on reality, how do you prove it? I was just wondering if it was possible for a fairy-tale to have any reality-based roots. For the story of Cinderella, I think it is perfectly plausible for the story to be based on a real life incident.
Answer to previous post:
Ways to become better at analyzing:
I would just try and break it down into parts.
I’m really not sure what will work for you, but I will give you suggestions on what has helped me, and hopefully some of it might work for you.
1) I pick a passage that just sticks out at me. It could be the imagery used or the way the words are structured.
2) then you look at the passage in three levels
2a) what does the passage mean (literally).
2b) what is the hidden meaning ( what does the passage seem to say)
2c) expand the hidden meaning (I would usually apply it universally)
1. I learned how peer response can be helpful, it helped when I was revising my paper. Other's input brings new ideas to the surface and can really help with the overall paper.
2. I learned how to write in MLA style writing, and how to apply it to my writing.
3. I learned the difference between first and second-order thinking and writing, I new that both existed but the readings by Elbow clarified the correct title for both.
To answer Rita's question, I think if someone is writing a fairytale they have to draw some of the story from personal experiences. So maybe some of the plot in fairytales can possible be true, however it is very possible that the magic may not be real.
Can you be a strictly first-order thinker or a strictly second-order thinker and still write an above average paper?
sorry so late, went out of town this weekendto see family and had no computer :(
three things that i learned about that i had no prior knowledge of before where:
1. the differents parts of first and second order thinking and even that we have two different types of thinking that exists and how to draw on qualities from both orders of thinking when being creative.
2. to summarize much better than before
3. how to blog!
one question that is on my mind is does it really make a difference if you prefer second order over first order thinking? i mean i know there is a substantial difference as far as thinking goes but how much of a difference are the two levels of thinking really?
to answer the previous question which isvery similar to mine, i think that you can either have one or the other or characteristics of both orders of thinking and still excel in writing!:)
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