The weekly assignments were not abundant this week, so I focused my attention on working on my MRP. For instance, I accomplished my goal of gathering new sources, completing the new genres (poem and journal entries), spending a little time working with Power Point ideas, and finally, revising my essential/foundation questions and the components of my project prospectus. Here’s more about the processes I used in completing these assignments. First of all, I went to the library this Wednesday (since MOO class was cancelled) to locate more MRP sources. For this second search, I used many keywords that I had not previously thought of using. For example, I now know that my project will focus specifically on adequately assessing ESL client’s needs, therefore, I must provide my readers with a foundation about how a SLP may go about this process. I searched using new keywords like, “ESL clients and needs assessment,” and was given links to information about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the ERG theory, Gardener’s multiple intelligence theory, and personality assessment. Although these sources are not necessarily in the speech-language pathology field, I will still be able to adapt them to fulfill the needs of my MRP. Through this week’s research, I found out that there isn’t a specific format to use when assessing the needs of ESL client’s. The therapist must recognize that each ESL client is unique, therefore, assessment and therapy must be structured accordingly. So, there really is no definite “right” answer to my essential question…it will just be my interpretation of why needs assessment is so crucial in developing a therapy plan.

Next, I worked throughout the week on completing the poem and journal entries. I always save my work on Microsoft Word so that during the week, I can add to and revise it as I feel necessary. Sometimes, I may be happy with my work and post it the day I complete it. Usually, though, I will complete an assignment early on in the week, then not post it until the due date because I may not feel comfortable with its quality until that point. I am very satisfied with how my poem turned out. I put a lot of work into trying to make each line meaningful and not too lengthy. One of my peer reviewers gave me the suggestion that I should try to include what the client’s problem was, so I’m taking that into consideration. I may not include this, but instead, provide a one or two sentence introduction to the poem to provide greater clarification for the reader. One problem I encountered when writing the journal entries was that I found it difficult to put myself in the position of the client and the clinician. I am unfamiliar with either one of these roles and my sources didn’t really address “feelings,” (only facts, opinions, and statements). I will be eager to read my peer reviewers’ responses to these entries, because I really need some suggestions for the areas that need improvement.

While I was at the library on Wednesday, I also focused on the Power Point presentation. I got on the Internet and found some additional backgrounds and clip art to use. I also experimented more with the page layouts and tried to create a mental plan about the different information I wanted to include in this genre. I am now much more comfortable working with the program, but I am still contemplating what information is most significant and should be included in my presentation. Working with Power Point this week made me realize that all of the “frills” associated with the slides (the entertaining transitions, backdrops, etc.) aren’t really what makes a presentation successful in accomplishing its’ purpose…it’s the information on the slides and how well it is put together that counts. Sure the frills are visually appealing, but I plan to focus my attention more on the content of my Power Point and really making that component shine.

Moreover, due to my change in topic, I have had a lot of extra work to complete. Even though the topic shift was minimal, I had to revise components of my project prospectus such as the essential question, foundation questions, tentative point/purpose, and my genre explanations. Actually, I’m still in the process of completing this, but I was able to change a few things this week (the questions and point). I still need to come up with a new genre to replace the existing one, “Lesson Plans,” since my question doesn’t focus on therapy techniques anymore. Any suggestions would be welcomed. I just don’t feel there are many other genre options left that I would be interested in including in this project. Oh well, maybe I will come up with some new ideas next week. One question I have concerning the prospectus is…should I continue to add more resources as I acquire them since the prospectus is kind of a preliminary overview of the project…or is that why we’ve been asked to post our new library resources to our blogs?

In regards to additional questions, I STILL am trying to figure out how to make the font size and color consistent throughout my webliography. When I read the responses from my peer reviewers, they all commented on how half of my webliography is in one font and color and the other half is in another. I KNOW THIS…and, believe me, I’ve been trying hard to get it fixed, but have had no success. When I first noticed it, I posted my question to the class list and no one ever emailed me back. I just can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong even after playing around with many different options. I really need help! It’s not that it’s a huge deal, but it would most definitely make my webliography look neater and help it to flow more consistently. I think that’s all. Here is a quote that is often hard for me to accept when I really mess up on a test or assignment, but when reflecting back on my academic and personal history as a whole, I find it definitely holds true. ~Erin

“We don’t make mistakes. We just have learnings.” – Anne Wilson Schaef