Capstone Final Paper
Introduction
As I was thinking and going through
many different ideas for my capstone, I started to become frustrated and unsure
of what I felt was going to be an ethical decision. I wanted to participate in
an internship that I could first hand be involved with and apply my knowledge
towards improving a company. So, I have chosen to participate in my internship
program allowing myself to study and work on a professional project within an
academic treatment center.
Within my professional project, I
want to study and analyze why Red Rock Canyon School’s (RRCS) graduation
percentage is below average. I have decided to indulge into the academic
program that RRCS offers and how it compares to other treatment centers within
the state of Utah. Also, I have taken the time to contact different treatment
centers in order to gain more knowledge and insight on what’s working and the
aspects that aren’t working for the students. But, in order to instill the
process of learning, I provided my time and effort into working with certain
kids on their course material in order to fully understand why things aren’t
working out so well for these students.
Within my internship and
professional project, I have learned about the students and their motivation to
graduate. Interning within a treatment center that holds troubled adolescents
steered me to run into a couple roadblocks that contradicts my pitch and idea
of turning their program around. I have worked with the principle, counselors,
teachers, staff members, and students in order to create a pitch for a program
change within the structure of the company, but due to their structured
program, I was unable to solidify my ideas towards progressing and providing
opportunities for the students.
Literature
In society, we are all labeled as
an individual, which means people tend to learn, act, think, and react
differently than others. A big problem we have all encountered growing up was
that we were being forced into an educational system that forced each “individual”
to learn and gain knowledge in the same types of way. Now, isn’t that contradicting? A major
problem within treatment centers typically lies under the wing of the academic
program and structure certain centers hold.
Constructivism Theory argues that humans generate
knowledge and meaning from interaction between their experiences and their
ideas. We instruct constructivism in order for students to engage in problem
solving and meaningful context. For children, learning is a bit more meaningful
to students when they are able to interact with a problem or concept.
Constructivism is supposed to utilize interactive teaching strategies to create
meaningful contexts that help students construct knowledge based on their own
experiences.
According to Ericsson, in the short
film “The Future of Learning”, he states, “We take children and have them adapt
to a system not allowing each student to expand on the way they learn best”
(Ericsson, 2015). The system that children are enrolled in, structures every individual
to learn and execute their knowledge in the same way. I find that very
difficult, due to the different learning abilities and styles each student
attains. Ericsson stated, “The system isn’t a great fit for everyone” and
within the educational system they make the mistake by conforming each student
to work and follow the guidelines set for the system as a whole.
People must understand that there
are flaws within the educational system, major flaw studies have proven is the poorly
designed testing system. According to professor David E. Drew (PhD, Harvard University, Three flaws in the Education System and How
to Fix Them), we have two major problems in the implementation of high
stakes testing. Professor Drew states, “First, there is too much testing. This
steals time from the instructional program and significantly increases student
anxiety levels” (Drew, 2005). The affect of increased anxiety levels reduces
the ability for students to learn. Professor Drew also stated, “Second,
virtually all testing is done with standardized, multiple-choice exams,
although we know that such testing only scratches the surface of assessment of
learning” (Drew, pg. 3). With this being stated, there is more to learning than
testing high on standardized test. The program can benefit and expand ones
knowledge, but it only applies to the people that can apply the information
they have learned in their own ways.
Proposal
As a communication major, I wanted
to implement how communication can affect and compliment students programs
within academics. I finally decided to indulge myself into an internship with
Red Rock Canyon School’s Academic Program in order to observe, learn, and
connect with students. Treatment centers are known for low graduation percentages,
and Red Rock Canyon School’s graduation rate has dropped over the last decade
due to a change in the program.
The program
that RRCS has converted from traditional textbook work to an online educational
program called, “Anywhere Learning System”. It is a program that is well suited
for students that need online remediation, and can cover multiple grade levels.
This program also provides accelerated learning for advanced students,
extending their knowledge well beyond core curriculum.
But, like
every other educational system, there are students who excel within an online
system and those that find it more of a challenge to comprehend. In the
educational system, roadblocks are approached because of the student’s ability
to learn material and comprehend the material engaged into. Basically, this new
style of program is projected for the students to learn and engage into material
on their own and apply it in order to complete standardized test. At RRCS there
is one teacher present that attends to every students needs, but every student
is covering different material due to their age and grade level material.
This
relates greatly to the material because of the unsuccessful rate RRCS is facing
right now. Each student has their own ways of learning, and when confining students
into a system where their motivation and drive is the key to their success,
they tend to fail. Students are placed in a treatment facility for the lack of
ethical behavior and problem solving. So, motivation and the will to learn is
the students only path towards graduating the program.
Project Plan
My ultimate purpose of my
professional project was to complete my internship with RRCS in order to
witness first hand the complications students encounter while fulfilling this
programs needs. Also, I was motivated to collect data, and come up with a way
that could provide guidance for the students who show good work ethics, but
just have a hard time retaining the material. I did so by conducting meetings
with students weekly in order to evaluate the pros and cons of their academic
program. Due to the program and structure of RRCS, I was unable to conduct
surveys and I was unable to have accurate information for my project.
My plan was
to work with students in guiding and expanding on the material in order for
them to create meaning and understanding for themselves. I wanted to keep track
of their grades and how it fluctuates based off of the help they receive from
beginning to end of treatment
Because of
privacy issues, I decided to conduct open/closed-ended surveys on staff members
instead. The most important people that can spark change are the staff members
that surround these students during their daily academic sessions.
Lastly,
with all the information gained I wanted to create a program that allows the
students to receive tutoring from volunteered interns, but students must first
meet the criteria and requirements. Being that RRCS is a treatment facility,
students may take advantage of the program and use tutors to complete their
work for them. To keep that from happening students must provide great work
ethics and honesty, to show that they are motivated to complete their programs.
Execution of Plan
The hours that were spent in the
classroom with students were to monitor and document the pros and cons of the
program. When I first entered classroom, I went to every student and engaged in
short conversations in order to evaluate how they were doing in school and if
they met quota for the day. By engaging with the students interpersonally, it
allowed myself to build rapport with each student. Each student has different
levels of motivation, and it fluctuates over the week. Every day is different
with each student, they may meet quota one day and the next not complete any
work.
After building a great rapport with
students, I engaged in simple tutoring lessons with the ones that needed help. I
compared and contrasted the work ethics of the students that received extra
help, from the students who decided to work on their own. As the weeks went by,
it was noticeable that students who were receiving extra help had an easier
time understanding the material in order to apply it to their standardized
tests.
By doing this, it allowed myself to document what motivates
the students and what holds them back from succeeding.
When I felt
that I had enough insight within the academic program I took it a step further
in contacting several local treatment facilities. The motive for doing so was
to engage within conversation to evaluate the positives and negatives of their
academic program. I indulged into asking questions such as their retention
rate, level of success within their program, and how they developed their
program in order to challenge their students.
In order to
receive alternative information, I have decided to conduct open and closed
ended questions for all levels of staff members to fill out. My questions
covered material in order for staff members to voice opinions that could be
evaluated and incorporated into my pitch for a different program for these
students. I was able to gather 35 completed surveys and evaluated all responses
in order to incorporate other ideas and opinions along with my own.
After
completing all of my internship hours, providing positive help and
reinforcement for students, and gaining insight from staff members, I created a
plan in order to pitch towards the Principal of RRCS. I’ve met with the
Principal a couple of times in order to update him on what I was doing, and how
it was not going against structure and their program. I was grateful that Principal Joel Beckstrand
was willing to hear my pitch and engage in conversation.
Analysis
Putting
together my findings and studies has been the most motivating aspect of my
project and being able to enhance the student’s ability to learn and attain
knowledge. What was most insightful was being able to engage with students
interpersonally in order to build a rapport with each individual. Within
engaging, I was able to locate their motivation levels, success rate, and their
willingness to apply their time and energy into what was most important for
them.
Working
with troubled adolescents was the most challenging aspect of my internship.
Student’s motivation levels fluctuated daily and sometimes hourly. These
students have been placed into this facility because of their past behaviors
and inability to make ethical decisions. It was extremely hard to force
students to indulge into their work, but the ones who were motivated and open
for help were the students who succeeded in this program.
Before I
started involving myself and allowing my attention towards students, I came up
with a solution that would prove to me the loyalty and willingness they had in
order to extend their knowledge. I created a quota that students needed to complete
in order for them to prove to me that they are willing to put in time and
effort to complete their courses. As the second week came, there were only five
students that met quota each day to reserve my help. Others wasn’t motivated
and the rest felt that they did not need any further guidance. Due to
confidentiality of grade scores, I was unable to view their weekly progress.
But, I have gained great positive feedback from students that were receiving my
help.
Due to the
fact that I was unable to document and survey for validation of my project, I
was restricted from collecting analytical data from students. But, I have
received great feedback from each individual on how I have positively impacted students.
Collecting
data from my surveys that were filled out by staff was a major eye opener.
After collecting all of my data and documenting it, I was able to figure out
the percentage gained from each question. It was no surprise that 80 percent of
the staff members claimed that most students front through their program and do
not attain any knowledge through the “Anywhere Learning System”. All staff
members agreed that their program is based off of the student’s motivation that
applies to how far they get within their program. “What can we do as staff to help
motivate and educate the students in order work their program and graduate?”
This question seemed to balance in the middle because as staff we aren’t
obligated to help these students. We are there for “safety and security”
reasons. Students need to find motivation within them to complete and work
their programs.
I have asked for insightful ways to
improve the program in order to educate and challenge our students ethically. I
have received answers on the aspects that staff should and need improve on, but
none about how students need to be held accountable.
In order to improve RRCS program I
took initiative to contact other local treatment facilities. My motive for this
was to gain knowledge from an outside source. I have attempted to contact Lava
Heights and Diamond Ranch Academy in hopes of gaining new knowledge that would
improve the academic program in RRCS. It was a frustrating aspect within my
project because I have yet to attain useful information to incorporate into my
studies due to the disclosing matters of the company’s personal information.
While in contact with Lava Heights
and Diamond Ranch Academy, I explained to them my purpose of calling and that I
was not a competing company that was trying to gain information simply for my
internship. After explaining my reasons for calling, I started to engage by
asking simple questions such as, “What are you graduation percentage”, “Have
they increased or decreased over the years”, and “How did you incorporate new
ideas in order to challenge your students”. What I received in response was not
exactly the information I wanted to hear. Because of privacy issues they were
unable to disclose any information to me about their program and structure.
They were hesitant and careful with engaging in conversation in hopes to not
disclose any personal information. This step in my analysis was most
frustrating and had no affect for my project.
In the process of creating a pitch
to present, I took in all aspects of their program and structure. I have
created a program that would allow Dixie State University students to intern
with RRCS to tutor and guide students with their schoolwork. We would allow
interns to volunteer and spare their time to progress and uplift the graduation
rate of RRCS academic program. Allowing interns was very contradicting with the
“Anywhere Learning System”, but we needed to take in consideration how
effective this program really is.
Students learn, act, and react
differently so, putting students into a system where they have to learn material
on their own and apply it to real world situations was not an ethical decision.
Having one teacher per 20 students all working on different material, does not
allow any direct or one-on-one time for the student. The program would allow
students who were motivated and serious to be scheduled with a tutor for
beneficial reasons in order to comply with the learning ability of the student.
It is a great pitch for a steady program, but due to legal issues and the
structure of the program, my pitch was not taken into consideration.
Self Evaluation
The beginning stages of my senior
seminar were very stressful. I was unsure of what I wanted to do and indulge
myself into. I almost contemplated dropping the course and taking it next
semester. But, I stuck it out, figured out what I wanted to do and how I would
go about doing it.
When I began to start my internship
after figuring out my goals, what I wanted from this project, and how I’d
incorporate my knowledge into completing it, I felt great about the direction I
was heading. I felt that I had
everything in order and that it was going to run smoothly, but that’s not the
course it has taken.
I have engaged and indulged my time
and effort into this project only to leave empty handed. I have completed over
120 hours this semester in order fulfill all requirements. I have received and
gained all of my knowledge from exploring and engaging into this program along
with completing research and going out of my way in hopes to uplift this
companies success rate.
I have spent many hours tutoring
and working with different students in order to motivate and comply with their
learning abilities. I have taken into consideration to evaluate the pros and
cons of this program. After physically working with students I took initiative
to pick out different aspects that were working for each student and how their
teacher could effectively support their learning ability. I was restricted from
surveying the students, so I was unable to validate the success of my plan.
Knowing that the students I have guided improved on their academics over time
is the only aspect I am satisfied with.
In order to expand, I attempted to
contact several different treatment facilities in order to make assumptions on
how Red Rock Canyon School could improve their academic program and increase
their graduation rate. This aspect of my project was second most frustrating;
due to the rudeness and inconsiderate responses I received from each facility.
I would’ve greatly appreciated if they had explained to me that they were not
allowed to disclose any information pertaining to my project. But, they allowed
me to continue with false hope in regards to receiving information that would
compliment and boost my plan. I was very unhappy with this process, so in order
to balance out my information I decided to survey staff members of the
facility.
After receiving all information and
conducting it into my project plan, I engaged my time into creating an
alternative program that Red Rock Canyon School could utilize in order to
increase their graduation rate. The whole point of my project was to figure out
what holes needed to be filled within their system to allow students to
succeed. I used my valuable time to observe, explore, and correct the flaws
that were shown within their program. I have pitched their downfalls in hope of
being able to correct them, but they did not take into consideration my
assumptions. My plan would’ve created more opportunities for students to
succeed within the system, along with supplying college students with
internship experience.
I truly felt that my time and
effort was wasted in hopes of improving their academic program. I had support
from different staff members who applauded my hard work and vision, but the
people that needed it most took no time to overlook my project. The hardest
aspect to cope with is that I tried to improve their program knowing that they
have low graduation rates, but they showed no intentions of finding a different
alternative. It is sickening to see that kids are not getting the education
they need within this facility, but yet they overwhelm students with course
material in hopes that they will teach it to themselves.
As I whined down with completing my
project, I feel very content with the volunteer work I have done. I feel
satisfied knowing that I changed several students outlook on learning and
getting a good education. I tried my best to retain as much information
possible that I could incorporate and compliment my project with. As a soon to
be college graduate I am satisfied with the effort and hard work I have put
into for my last project. I would’ve liked for my project to be taken into
consideration by the facility, but I understand that they have a set structure
and program that they need to tend to. This was a great learning experience for
myself, because not only did it teach me patience, but also appreciation.
Overall I’m satisfied with the work
that I have completed and indulged my valuable time into, but I am not satisfied
with the route RRCS has taken. I hope they tweak their academic program so that
they can focus more on the student’s needs and their different learning
abilities.
References
·
Drew, D. (2005). The Claremont Letter. Three Flaws in
the Education System and How to Fix Them, Volume 1 (Issue 2).
·
Networked Society. (2015, November 2). Retrieved December
8, 2015, from http://www.ericsson.com/thinkingahead/networked_society/
·
The University of Sydney - Faculty of Education and Social
Work. (2015, December 6). Retrieved December 8, 2015, from
http://sydney.edu.au/education_social_work/learning_teaching/ict/theory/constructivism.shtml
