As I look back on this semester in Fieldwork, I can certainly see different instances of academic development through the course of the class. In the first half of the semester, my development was based primarily around the fantastic experience of getting to teach in a classroom. Teaching a lesson in a Fifth-grade classroom opened up areas of development for me especially with regard to the use of rhetorical strategies to captivate the classroom. I found myself reflecting while I was in the classroom on some of my first classes at VMI, in which I learned basic rhetorical strategies. I employed those strategies, unwittingly at first, to aid in keeping the attention and engagement of the class. For example, using the “Think Aloud” method of teaching strengthens the ethos of the teacher by allowing the class to think that they are witnessing authentic invention of ideas. That authenticity engages the class and pushes them to think on their own.
In the second half of the semester, after the transition to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw another kind of academic development. I struggled to remain on top of the class in an environment in which I was no longer subject to a disciplined schedule or lifestyle. Academics in an unstructured environment were difficult for me, especially because I am used to the structure of VMI and the structure that I had in high school at an all-male military boarding school. However, being forced to maintain a disciplined academic schedule on my own became an enormous developmental experience for me. I realized that this is how most college students and all graduate-level students are compelled to conduct their work. Being able to maintain the discipline of VMI by my own means is a skill that I will have to learn if I am going to pursue education after VMI, which I would like to do.
So, my academic development this semester was both in (a) realizing and implementing knowledge from other classes within the English major at VMI and (b) developing my ability to conduct academic work outside of a regimented lifestyle.
Joe,
I appreciate your sense of academic development as a self-directed learner, something that comes with practice, and I think a different motivation if and when you move into the role of a graduate student.
Perhaps I gave you your own taste of “guided release of responsibility”, which we reviewed with scaffolding chapter and Think Aloud preparation, to your own best strengths and weaknesses, seeing what independent learning muscles need stretching. What would make this post “sing” is returning to evidence in the “Scaffolding” chapter in Boss and think about how both your poetry think aloud, and your own learning benefits from scaffolds.
MAJ Hodde
Joe,
Very insightful perspective regarding the shift in discipline from the first half of the semester to the second. Finding the drive to maintain a rigid schedule seemed like a large test for you and I’m pleased you were able to pass with flying colors.
Aaron Josef Kempf
Cadet Kempf,
Well, I haven’t passed yet, so I guess we’ll see. As I mentioned in our peer discussion yesterday via FaceTime, you can never be certain!
Forever Yours,
Joe
JoE,
Good observations. True discipline is what you are able to do when you are not being held accountable by anyone other than yourself.
Casey
Marchant,
Thank you, I hope to be your equal some day in such matters.
Habemus Papem,
In Hoc Signo Vinces,
Flocci non Facio,
Murray.
Joe, I definitely agree that this new virtual way of learning puts a lot of students in environments that aren’t very conducive to their education. If it’s difficult for us, it makes me wonder how these high school students are handling it.
Joseph,
I enjoyed reading your blog. Somehow I feel that forcing yourself to develop the discipline to work hard when you’re not living in a structured environment wasn’t much of a challenge for you, considering you’ve told me you often sleep on the floor to develop self-discipline.
Joe,
I enjoyed having you as a partner this semester. I appreciate how you carried this team throughout the semester. In regards to your blog I like how you summarized it at the end. Do you think you grew any other way other than academically?
Joe,
I really like how you dive into the technical aspects of what you have learned from this class, especially in regard to your use of rhetorical strategies. In addition, I like how you took the whole COVID-19 and distance learning situation into account as well. You’re absolutely correct when you state that going to such a structured school, especially for both high school and college, makes it challenging when you are taken out of that structure, however, it looks like you are doing great! Great post!