Reflection #2

To be honest about my work for the previous week and a half, I have definitely gotten off track. I hate to say it but I have fallen off schedule as I pack, organize and clean in preparation for our move from Fort Hood, Texas to Fort Riley, Texas. I am hoping that as soon as we arrive to our destination and unpack, I will be able to quickly get back to work and back on schedule.

The only things that I have been able to check off my task list for my project was (1) complete the first Reflection paper, (2) have Mr. White review and approve the project proposal, (3) begin the rough drafts of the story boards, (4) complete the research compilation and (5) the identification of all stakeholders.

I have also had the opportunity to have a meeting with Mr. White via the phone. We discussed several things including the scope, the cost and the timeline of the project. We have scaled down the project to include goals for myself and for Mr. White. For instance, I will design the training and compile the research for the training, but he will be responsible for having his teachers complete the training and completing the follow-up walkthroughs to see how the training is being utilized. He has agreed to the timeline since we worked on it together and he is perfectly ok with the cost of the project. All of my work is free! The cost will be taken from me in time but that time will help me achieve a project for my capstone. So it will work out for everyone.    

My short-term work objectives and my plans for achieving each objective for the next weeks are as follows:

1. Complete my second reflection paper – doing so now and turning in early due to the move
2. Send Pre-EconDa Training Survey via Monkey Survey – by 9/26
3. Complete the creation of storyboards for website – by 9/24
• Did not meet this previous goal, must try to meet by 10/07
4. Create Website Shell – by 9/24
• Did not meet this previous goal, must try to meet by 10/07
5. Begin first EconDa Module – by 9/24
• Did not meet this previous goal, must try to meet by 10/07
6. Send Storyboards to Mr. White for approval – 9/24
• Did not meet this previous goal, must try to meet by 10/07

7.      Complete EconDa Training Module – by 10/07

8.      Create first training video – by 10/15

9.      Begin work on Math EconDa Training Module – by 10/07

10.  Begin webpage and video for Math EconDa Training Module – by 10/07

11.  Complete Math EconDa Training Module – by 10/07

 

Lessons Learned

This week I have learned that I am not Superwoman. Although I try my hardest to accomplish several goals at once, there is only so much time in the day. Unfortunately, my personal life is winning out over my graduate school life. Packing and moving while also taking care of my little girl is more important at this moment than school work and my school is lacking because of it. It stresses me that this is currently happening but it is a part of life. Things will come up and a person must prioritize.

If I had known for sure that we were moving at the beginning of October (we were previously told this summer), I am not sure that I would have taken two courses this fall. Especially when one course is my Practicum Capstone course, the other one is on an entirely new software program and with already having an incomplete from a previous course. I would advise all other students to be more realistic when they look at taking more than one course. The Capstone course takes time and dedication. In retrospect, I wish I had take the Flash course and worked on the incomplete this fall. Then if I had taken the Capstone in the spring, I would have been a lot less stressed than I am now. 

Another thing I would other students is to always communicate with your professors. I have discussed my stresses and obligations with my professors and they have been very understanding. It doesn’t change the fact that my due dates are still the same or that I am still expected to complete my work, however they know I’m not missing class for something frivolous. By communicating, my professors also become a support system because they empathize with being overwhelmed in a graduate course. They’re there to help so students shouldn’t hesitate to speak with them.