Capstone Portfolio Journey Journal - Module Four Reflections:
"Obsessed with perfection and doing it right, we want to go straight to the 'lion'. We don't realize the significance of the path of first tracks and how to be invested in a discovery rather than an outcome."
- Boyd Varty
"Obsessed with perfection and doing it right, we want to go straight to the 'lion'. We don't realize the significance of the path of first tracks and how to be invested in a discovery rather than an outcome."
- Boyd Varty
Sunday, February 7th, 2021:
The quote above from Boyd Varty really resonated with me as Module Four kicked off this week. I caught myself looking ahead with anticipation and a lot of excitement as I am now one week closer to reaching a personally significant waypoint in my educational journey. A journey that 15 or 20 years ago I would never considered to be achievable. That said, I had to take a step back and adjust my focus to the task at hand: Module Four and the creation of a ~500 word goals reflection essay. Module Four is also the first module where we are now going to be preparing a formal writing assignment to include in our Capstone Portfolio. I went with the title of 'Learning Goals Retrospective' as I wanted to have a title that was descriptive and distinctive, but something that also stayed on point with the topic of the activity. I might ultimately change it, but for right now, I kind of like the ring that has to it.
Reflecting on the feedback I have been receiving, as I sit here typing this out, I am really beyond grateful for the feedback that other learners have been providing via FlipGrid. This also includes the feedback that I am receiving from the instructors for the first time on my Capstone Portfolio project. Week #3 ended with some more incredible feedback from Catharine S. and Sarah A. Catharine S., who was the learner that recommended I move my 'About Travis' menu option next to the home page and to use buttons, commented that she really liked what I had done by implementing those changes. Sarah A., who ironically was in at least one of my kinesiology courses during my journey at Michigan State, also commented on the change of the 'About Travis' menu item and how it fits more appropriately right next to the 'Home' menu option. I am really happy having moved it as well. What I found most interesting in their feedback was that they both commented on the descriptors/domains I listed under my name on the homepage (lifelong learner / educator / coach). The reason I thought this was interesting is that they had been there since Day 1, however, I had just updated the listing that very morning they viewed it to read: "Lifelong Learner / Educator / Coach". Prior to that morning it had read: "Learner / Educator / Coach." I wish I could remember where I saw it, but in looking around at other portfolios it really caught my eye when the individual used "Lifelong" in front of learner. Again, I think it adds a bit of uniqueness and differentiation. It was great to get that feedback from Catherine S. and Sarah A. that the descriptors/domains caught their attention - sort of validating the change. They both also mentioned the hyperlinks that were incorporated into my main/home landing page. Ironically, this was feedback/recommended by the instructors in their review. I honestly can't believe that I didn't think to do that initially and once again the feedback process has served to make my page more aesthetically appealing. Having implemented these changes I am so much more happy with the way the portfolio is coming along and the feedback has simply been invaluable to my creative process.
The last piece of feedback was on what you are reading right now: my Capstone Portfolio journal! Catherine S. had asked what the long-term purpose of the journal might be and it actually made me stop and reflect on its creation and role as part of my portfolio. My original purpose was to capture my thoughts, feelings, reflections, machinations, and process in an informal fashion throughout the Capstone Portfolio course. I was originally thinking that these weekly journal entries could serve not only as a legacy of my journey in the course, but possibly the tracks that other learners might stumble upon along their path and journey in this course. I wanted to leave something behind on what that experience looked like for me. A map, if you will, that tracks out my journey from week to week; that details each of the waypoints as I arrive each week; that can possibly serve as a guide for future Capstone Portfolio project travelers. I thought it was interesting that Catherine S. mentioned it could also serve as 'flair' as this is something that I had not thought of up until she made that comment. Hopefully that is possible as well.
Here are my brainstorming and random thoughts from the start of Module Four until today. Again, I try to capture key ideas, actions, thoughts, and design decisions while I make my way through each module:
The quote above from Boyd Varty really resonated with me as Module Four kicked off this week. I caught myself looking ahead with anticipation and a lot of excitement as I am now one week closer to reaching a personally significant waypoint in my educational journey. A journey that 15 or 20 years ago I would never considered to be achievable. That said, I had to take a step back and adjust my focus to the task at hand: Module Four and the creation of a ~500 word goals reflection essay. Module Four is also the first module where we are now going to be preparing a formal writing assignment to include in our Capstone Portfolio. I went with the title of 'Learning Goals Retrospective' as I wanted to have a title that was descriptive and distinctive, but something that also stayed on point with the topic of the activity. I might ultimately change it, but for right now, I kind of like the ring that has to it.
Reflecting on the feedback I have been receiving, as I sit here typing this out, I am really beyond grateful for the feedback that other learners have been providing via FlipGrid. This also includes the feedback that I am receiving from the instructors for the first time on my Capstone Portfolio project. Week #3 ended with some more incredible feedback from Catharine S. and Sarah A. Catharine S., who was the learner that recommended I move my 'About Travis' menu option next to the home page and to use buttons, commented that she really liked what I had done by implementing those changes. Sarah A., who ironically was in at least one of my kinesiology courses during my journey at Michigan State, also commented on the change of the 'About Travis' menu item and how it fits more appropriately right next to the 'Home' menu option. I am really happy having moved it as well. What I found most interesting in their feedback was that they both commented on the descriptors/domains I listed under my name on the homepage (lifelong learner / educator / coach). The reason I thought this was interesting is that they had been there since Day 1, however, I had just updated the listing that very morning they viewed it to read: "Lifelong Learner / Educator / Coach". Prior to that morning it had read: "Learner / Educator / Coach." I wish I could remember where I saw it, but in looking around at other portfolios it really caught my eye when the individual used "Lifelong" in front of learner. Again, I think it adds a bit of uniqueness and differentiation. It was great to get that feedback from Catherine S. and Sarah A. that the descriptors/domains caught their attention - sort of validating the change. They both also mentioned the hyperlinks that were incorporated into my main/home landing page. Ironically, this was feedback/recommended by the instructors in their review. I honestly can't believe that I didn't think to do that initially and once again the feedback process has served to make my page more aesthetically appealing. Having implemented these changes I am so much more happy with the way the portfolio is coming along and the feedback has simply been invaluable to my creative process.
The last piece of feedback was on what you are reading right now: my Capstone Portfolio journal! Catherine S. had asked what the long-term purpose of the journal might be and it actually made me stop and reflect on its creation and role as part of my portfolio. My original purpose was to capture my thoughts, feelings, reflections, machinations, and process in an informal fashion throughout the Capstone Portfolio course. I was originally thinking that these weekly journal entries could serve not only as a legacy of my journey in the course, but possibly the tracks that other learners might stumble upon along their path and journey in this course. I wanted to leave something behind on what that experience looked like for me. A map, if you will, that tracks out my journey from week to week; that details each of the waypoints as I arrive each week; that can possibly serve as a guide for future Capstone Portfolio project travelers. I thought it was interesting that Catherine S. mentioned it could also serve as 'flair' as this is something that I had not thought of up until she made that comment. Hopefully that is possible as well.
Here are my brainstorming and random thoughts from the start of Module Four until today. Again, I try to capture key ideas, actions, thoughts, and design decisions while I make my way through each module:
As you can see above, Module Three also introduced the idea of 'flair' to be added to our Capstone Portfolio projects. I wasn't sure what specifically this would mean, so I checked it out on the Capstone Portfolio course website. I was more than thrilled to learn that a number of the three (3) required pieces of flair could be a number of item I already have like a LinkedIn profile, a displaying of my digital certification badges, or a personal journey page inside my portfolio. I have already incorporated a number of these either through menu choices or through the Weebly social media buttons.
Here is the first and second drafts that I used to guide my FlipGrid video:
Here is the first and second drafts that I used to guide my FlipGrid video:
Here is the product of those thoughts above and enjoy my FlipGrid Module Four video review:
I was also pretty stoked that all of the work I had put in during Module Two and really having my home page set up and ready to go allowed me to post my FlipGrid video review first for the week! This meant that I was in the 'bonus' group where I get a pass on leaving feedback to others for this week. Here's to hoping that momentum can be maintained as I continue this transformative learning journey.
I now depart the Module Four waypoint and start my journey to the waypoint of Module Five!
Cheers,
Travis
I now depart the Module Four waypoint and start my journey to the waypoint of Module Five!
Cheers,
Travis
Header image downloaded from unsplash.com