Muffins

http://chinesekite.blogspot.com/2009/05/blueberry-oatmeal-apple-sauce-muffins.html

http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/light-apple-cinnamon-muffins/

Well my posting is complete for a few weeks.  I am off to the lake for a great summer vacation with my girls.  I have enjoyed these readings and this class and look forward to learning more about student affairs through first-hand experience.  Have a great summer!

This quote bothered me however, I know many people who would agree with it L: “Evidence of a lack of confidence in higher education’s ability and willingness to prepare effective and productive citizens is long-standing and plentiful” (p. 483).  Perhaps I am biased toward higher ed. given my education background and the trends I have saw in the small town I grew up in.  People who are educated are happy and successful with a positive world view.  People who are uneducated are basically the opposite.  Again, take these observations as a grain of salt.  I am a huge advocate of higher education.  I think partnerships are a great way to foster better learning environments as well as increase job motivation.  If student affairs professionals can build positive partnerships with colleagues in the institution I think the benefits will extend to the students and communities as a whole.  I will now get off my soap box.

            And now the big T…technology!  I think when it comes to technology this is a perfect area to let the students lead the discussion.  I honestly feel that a fairly “tech – savvy” adult knows about as much about technology as a 14 year old, if that.  I think student affairs professionals should strive to stay up to date about technology advancements and be able to give students the tools they need to function in the work place.  I think things above this level are best learned through co-operative learning opportunities between students and professionals.  It is a great way to allow students to be the “expert”.  I think this leads to a great mutual respect and better institution culture all around.  Maybe that is me being an old man again but after interaction with my kids on a daily basis this is the conclusion I have come to accept.

Conflict is a normal part of life.  It is my belief that it is something that helps individuals grow and develop emotionally and socially if handled correctly.  I tend to be a very critical thinker when it comes to conflict resolution.  I try separate emotions and rather analyze facts to ensure the best decision is made.  I think this leads to fairness for everyone involved.  It was great to read about other approaches and I do think that as long as consistency is maintained conflicts can be resolve through many approaches.

            I briefly discussed community development in my post on student fees.  Little did I know a whole chapter was going to address this SUPER important topic!  I must admit it is one of my favorites.  I think that when people work together with a common goal it is possible to accomplish more than we ever imagined.  This mindset is something that must be taught not only through words but also through actions.  In this case, actions really do speak louder than words.  This can be achieved through various means such as the discussed living-learning communities or participating in a good-will club such as “Operation Christmas Box”. 

After reading this chapter I am almost starting to think that what student affairs professionals teach students is more important than a professor’s lessons.  I know that students are enrolled in higher education to earn a degree that can be used in future professions yet the lessons they learn outside the classroom walls could be deemed more important in development.  This development I believe is what helps an individual be successful in their chosen career.  Thus these lessons must go hand in hand.

Reading chapters 23 and 24 took a weight off my shoulders (metaphorically speaking!) and have created a new respect for student affairs professionals.  It was a relief to read about how much emphasis is put on counseling and helping skills in student affairs.  I would not expect these professionals to take full responsibility for these areas because I think it is still the student’s family and friends to be part of this area however, it is good to know that there are professionals able to assist students.   Page 404 outlined a three stage helping model that I think is great!  It shows that student affairs professionals care about the student and want to create a good relationship with their students before trying to guide them.  This is a good skill I have learned as a parent.  If I simply try to approach my daughters in a way that suggests “I am an adult and I will tell you how to fix your problem” I am usually unsuccessful.  Rather I need to approach my kids in a way that shows I care about them and want to help them through the problem one step at a time.  The same is true when dealing with university students so I am glad this was discussed in the text.  Advising follows a similar model.

In Ava’s social studies class they just learned about paradigm shifts.  It was interesting when I saw that term in this week’s reading.  In the future I can see students entering college with better cultural awareness than generations before.  I think this is being implemented all throughout the education system and the increased amount of cultural sensitive lessons students learn during their lifetime will continue to develop their multicultural competence.  Because of this I think my girls could graduate university with a competence that I could possibly never achieve.  Hopefully this will create a waterfall effect down through generations in the future so that eventually it will be a basic common knowledge skill rather than a specific area of focus of student affairs professionals.

            Next came the topic of leadership.  I see both of my girls as leaders in their social groups but in different ways.  Ava leads by example.  People are drawn to her because of her great attitude, solid work ethic, and good communication skills.  After reading about the behavioral theory regarding leadership this sounded like Ava to a tee.  Bella’s leadership position falls more into the trait theory…she is smart, quick on her feet regarding decision making, and definitely not afraid to take charge.  I am not sure if these theories are still widely accepted however it was ironic how perfectly they described my kids.  I am hoping they both adopt servant leadership because I try to get my girls to help others whenever the opportunity arises.  Hopefully they keep this lesson in mind as they move through life!

            Quick thought on co-curriculums – I feel that they are necessary and appropriate K – 12 institutions so that everyone can learn to their full potential.  Perhaps this is an “old school” way of thinking but…I struggle with the thought of modifying the higher education curriculums.  To me these curriculums should be rigorous and not necessarily for every individual.  Not everyone is cut out to be a university graduate. These are just my old man thoughts for the day.

This quote bothered me however, I know many people who would agree with it L: “Evidence of a lack of confidence in higher education’s ability and willingness to prepare effective and productive citizens is long-standing and plentiful” (p. 483).  Perhaps I am biased toward higher ed. given my education background and the trends I have saw in the small town I grew up in.  People who are educated are happy and successful with a positive world view.  People who are uneducated are basically the opposite.  Again, take these observations as a grain of salt.  I am a huge advocate of higher education.  I think partnerships are a great way to foster better learning environments as well as increase job motivation.  If student affairs professionals can build positive partnerships with colleagues in the institution I think the benefits will extend to the students and communities as a whole.  I will now get off my soap box.

            And now the big T…technology!  I think when it comes to technology this is a perfect area to let the students lead the discussion.  I honestly feel that a fairly “tech – savvy” adult knows about as much about technology as a 14 year old, if that.  I think student affairs professionals should strive to stay up to date about technology advancements and be able to give students the tools they need to function in the work place.  I think things above this level are best learned through co-operative learning opportunities between students and professionals.  It is a great way to allow students to be the “expert”.  I think this leads to a great mutual respect and better institution culture all around.  Maybe that is me being an old man again but after interaction with my kids on a daily basis this is the conclusion I have come to accept.