Character Growth

Intro Video [3:48]

Fundamentally, I believe that my role as an instructor is to help you all not only learn content, but also develop character as individuals.  So, I’m opening up the following opportunities to “build character.” Throughout the semester, I tend to add a few more items, so check back in if you don’t find anything of interest on your first pass. Note: the audience for these assignments is you! I am merely an observer or can act as a guide.

Learning Outcome

For most of the assignments, the goal is for you to reflect from an asset-based approach to see how you react to a particular insight or idea.  For some of the assignments, you are building skills or practicing for future careers.  For a few assignments, you may be reflecting on your own experiences.  After completing up to five assessments, you will be able to reflect on how you have changed as a person, however big or small, through the practice of dedicated self-reflection time.

Assignments

Note: if you take multiple classes with me, do not reuse the same character growth assignments from previous semesters.

Things that count as 1 assignment

  • Reading and responding to an article listed below.  See in the content section under “Articles and Chapters to Read for Character Growth.”
  • Watch and three of the videos from The School of Life and follow any of the modalities shown in that section below.
  • Listen to an episode from any podcast listed here: player.fm or from any of these Ted Talks and write a reflection article on it.
  • Complete any of the workshops here: Functional Skills — Student Engagement and Career Development.
  • Complete the course Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT for one assignments. You do not need to pay for the course, just show you completed all the material.
  • Take any professional development on campus.  Consult with me first to double check it fits into a character growth assignment!
  • Schedule a meeting with me towards your future career or for mentoring. Plan on chatting for about 30 minutes! Do this two times throughout the semester with at least a two week gap between meeting 1 and 2 to get a pass for an assignment. 
  • If your class has >90% on the Student Course Surveys (SCS), this counts as one assignment.
  • You are welcome to suggest your own, but consult with me first!

Things that count as >1 assignment

  • (Re)write Your Story of a Lifelong Learner.
    • This counts as two assignments! Example here: Character Growth_My Story. Freshman already complete this in UNIV 101, so should find other assignments to complete. Sophomores-grad students are encouraged to revisit the assignment, but this will count as only one assignment instead of two.
  • Complete the FREE course: Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects from Coursera.
    • Completing the course counts as two assignments (submit a screenshot of completion); to get full credit, you need to include a 250 word summary of how you’ll change or have been informed of your study habits.
  • Take SBS 311 – Design Your Life (1 credit hour, 7-weeks), as seen here: Career Courses
    • Completing the course counts as two assignments (submit a screenshot of completion); following the modality below counts as a third assignment. This needs to be taken concurrently with your class you submit your CG assignment in!

Modality

The goal of this assignment is to be a reflection on your life or experiences. The audience for these assignments is you! I am merely an observer of your reflections. You can submit your document as one of the following:

  • A written document (750-1000 words of content, excluding the heading, title, etc.)
  • 5 minute presentation (+ or – 30 seconds) over what you learned or reflected on. Make sure you practice at least once before submitting! (This was updated 9/1/22, so rubric may not reflect this)
  • An info graph, such as one created by Adobe Spark.  Make sure you follow best practices! 
  • A piece of art that fully encompasses what you’ve learned or reflected on.
  • If something requires a screenshot, make sure the date and your name are included in that screenshot!

You may also suggest your own, but consult with me first! Also, some assignments will require one modality over another, or strongly suggest a modality (such as recording your interview responses in a video, found under Job/Finance).

Assignments need to be from the semester you are enrolled in my course. No double dipping assignments if you have me in multiple courses!

Grading of Individual Assignments

Articles and Chapters to Read for Character Growth

Social Justice

Learning/School Related

Personal Growth

Job/Finances

  • Select 5 questions from the following:  Practice Interview Questions
    • Suggestion: record yourself answering the questions and submit a video response (~7 min)
  • Read and reflect: On Getting Rejected a Lot (and Liking It)
  • Read and reflect: Is my major worth it?
  • Read, interact with, and reflect: Journey Map (Hyperlinked)
  • Reflect on the following image and comment: Work Success
  • Take the course: Financial Independence 101.  Submitting your completion is your modality for credit.  If you like the FI101 course, you can also take ChooseFI Travel Rewards 101.  Legal disclaimer from the site: ChooseFI.com makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information. All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progress. All information should be taken as two guy’s opinions and should not be misconstrued for professional or legal advice.
  • Open an individual retirement account (IRA) this semester.  Submit a screenshot of your account with your planned monthly or yearly submissions for credit.  I strongly suggest going through Vanguard with a ROTH IRA, but you are welcome to go through a local bank. Vanguard: How to open an IRA.
  • Review HAYS 202 U.S. Salary Guide and reflect on his this affects your views of your career path.

Belongingness in Sciences

Health/Environment/Ethics/Food Technology

  • Watch any of the following two videos from Engineering Ethics Course and the following video: Engineering Ethics: Crash Course Engineering #27.
  • Watch: Kiss the Ground [1:24:56] Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this award-winning documentary tells the story of a revolutionary group of activists, scientists, farmers and politicians who band together in a global movement of “Regenerative Agriculture” that could balance our climate, replenish our water supply and feed the world. This inspiring and groundbreaking film may reveal the first viable solution to our climate crisis.  Watch the Trailer.

Engineering (CHEE 205 Only)

  • Download and play on MatLab: Escape from Tower Byron.  This was created by students in CHEE 205!  All you need to do is submit a screen shot of winning to get credit.  

This is an opportunity for you all to explore different areas of life.  We have so many different social, culture, and political viewpoints that it’s hard to keep them all in mind.  Additionally, many of us have grown up “in a bubble.”  These opportunities are meant to help broaden your horizons.