Look At Me Now Project
How challenging was this project for you? Be specific.
This project was somewhat challenging, but more than anything really fun and interesting for me. I enjoyed the challenges I gave myself, whether it be to better my writing or to come up with a new and inventive way of presenting my work. I decided to put my paragraphs and photos on my guitar, which I felt embodied a large part of myself and represented an important piece of my life. It was my first guitar I had ever owned, and I used it to teach myself how to play, and when starting on the worship team. It was originally for right handed players, but since I was a lefty, I had to get it restrung so that I could properly play it. Once I joined the worship team and began to get more involved in church, I wanted to be able to plug in, but my cheap guitar couldn't, so I ended up being gifted a new one that Christmas, and now I'm able to play and sing on my worship team.
I think the only true challenge for me was being able to easily write, and come up with good wording as well as a story that stuck. I had a difficult time figuring out what was important enough to write about, and what parts of my life I wanted to incorporate. I decided to stick with what I found was most "myself" and what has influenced me through both my recent and deeper past. that included but isn't limited to family, music, sports, friends, my self-struggles, and my memories. These all represent who I have become as an individual, and how I have grown.
The actual building of the piece was also a bit challenging. I had to find space for all of my writing and photos on my guitar, which isn't too large of a space considering I planned to write a good amount. I ended up asking friends for advice on the layout and finding what I did and didn't like. We would bounce ideas around and once something stuck, I used it. It turned out really well and I think that if I hadn't talked to others and asked for help, it wouldn't have been as good of a product.
I also had a bit of a challenge getting the photos scanned and printed so that they would look good and fit on my guitar. My first idea was to scan them, and then print them to size in color. Our printer ended up breaking, and our wireless connection went out, so that idea was then out the door. I decided to instead take photos of the photos with my phone, then put those photos on my computer, resize them, and would have to print them out in black and white at school. although they weren't as great quality as I would have like, I was able to successfully improvise and still complete my product.
What was the easiest part of this project?
The easiest part of the project was probably finding the photos and presenting my work. I love looking through photos, and our family is also very organized when it comes to old photographs. I was able to look back on old memories and enjoy my past and childhood through them. I am also very organized when it comes to digital photos, so I was able to pretty easily find the ones I wanted to use. I also really enjoyed and found a sense of relaxation in organizing and putting together my piece once everything was printed out and the layout was set. It was all pretty simple tasks to get it how I wanted it, and I was able to relax while doing it since it wasn't tiring at all. I would sit with my music and cut out the writing or the photos, tape them on how I wanted, and begin again. I spent a period braiding rope to add to my decoration since I had finished and it needed an extra touch.
I have gone to High Tech since sixth grade, which means I've had a lot of practice speaking in public settings and to strangers and big groups, so when I was told we had to present them, it didn't worry me in the slightest. I knew what I was talking about, I was comfortable with my class, and I felt open to sharing what I had written and created. I was very relaxed while sharing, and didn't get nervous or uncomfortable while talking. I could project my voice and was able to confidently speak.
How comfortable did you feel during your presentation?
Like I just said, very comfortable. I didn't feel like there was much pressure on the presentation, and it felt like a very laid back style too. I was able to project, speak confidently and clearly, and be calm throughout. I felt that I didn't need to worry since I had been presenting and speaking publicly since sixth grade. High Tech prepares you to be able to communicate not just with peers, but with large groups and complete strangers. Through those years of speeches, powerpoints, and exhibitions, I have become much more comfortable and confident when it comes to public speaking.
Did you receive critique and feedback from anyone (teacher, parent, classmate, etc)? If so, who?
I was able to get critique from my teacher on the writing, but I didn't need to change too much. Like I had stated earlier, I also got help and critique from my classmates on the layout and style ideas that ran through my head. They were able to point me in the right direction and get thoughts flowing in my head. Through them I was able to figure out what did and didn't work, and I didn't get trapped in the idea that it was my way or the highway. I of course didn't do something if I didn't think it would work for my product, but I took their feedback as much as I could and applied it when needed.
Was the feedback helpful?
The feedback was super helpful. I was able to make sure my writing was at the point it needed to be, and to get it approved by a teacher made me feel more confident in my abilities as well. Hearing my peers helpfully criticize my work made it so much better in the long run because I could look at what I'd done and was going to do from a new, fresh perspective and then figure out if it was a good idea. I was also able to talk to them about ideas I had or that they might have for layout and decoration because sometimes I needed a bit of guidance or someone to talk about ideas with to help find what I would prefer. It really helped to have someone to hear feedback from when running through ideas.
Did you provide kind, specific, and helpful feedback in the peer review session?
I believe I provided kind, specific, and helpful feedback in the peer review session. I read through their writing and could then assess what they could improve on and looked at grammar, spelling, punctuation, description, and overall execution of the work created. Although their work was already pretty good quality with few errors, it probably did help for me to look it over. It also helped me personally because I realized what I needed to improve on in my own writing.
Who did you assess? Explain.
I assessed Angeline. She didn't have many errors so there wasn't much to correct, but it was good for me to hear her style of writing and what she wrote about and then be able to apply that to my own writing in the sense of new ideas. It was interesting to hear what she had to say about her life, her theme, her antagonist and protagonist. I also enjoyed being able to learn things I didn't yet know about her.
Do you think you were on task for the vast majority of the time given in class to work on writing and construction? Explain.
I was on task for most of the time given to work. There were occasional times when I would talk to friends or goof around, but I was still working and was able to complete my work, and I believe quality work at that. When free time to work was given, I would usually go to the couches outside of the room and work because I can focus without distractions there. When others came to sit outside with me, it wasn't a big deal because I knew I had to stay focused and continue working, so even when we were talking or sharing a laugh, I was still getting work done on my product, whether that be writing, cutting, taping, or anything else that needed to be done. I was also able to manage my time well at home to complete my product, giving myself time to work on the writing and construction as much as I could.
What grade do you think you deserve? Why?
I believe I deserve an A because I was able to create a quality product with good writing, decent photos that connected to my writing, and a creative way to display my work. I was also able to manage my time wisely both in class and at home, ask for help and feedback, and participate when presentations were being given. I also presented calmly and confidently, able to speak clearly for everyone to hear while presenting my work effectively. I think I worked well with others when needed, whether it be for feedback or help in general, or just company while working, and that I put a lot of time and effort into every aspect of my product. Even when challenges came or I had to face an obstacle, I was able to handle it well and quickly so I could continue working without worrying about it.
If you could change something about this project, what would it be?
I would probably give myself more time on the photo part because they could've been way better quality, which would have added to the overall quality of the piece, and I would have had more time to work out the difficulties of both my scanning and printing process. I also would change the decorations put on the guitar. I tried out putting braided string on it, but it didn't really make sense as to why it was there or what it could represent. Honestly, it was more to spend time "working", but doesn't represent any background of my life. Other than that, I wouldn't want to change anything. I'm happy with my quality and presentation of my work and I don't think I would change much else.
This project was somewhat challenging, but more than anything really fun and interesting for me. I enjoyed the challenges I gave myself, whether it be to better my writing or to come up with a new and inventive way of presenting my work. I decided to put my paragraphs and photos on my guitar, which I felt embodied a large part of myself and represented an important piece of my life. It was my first guitar I had ever owned, and I used it to teach myself how to play, and when starting on the worship team. It was originally for right handed players, but since I was a lefty, I had to get it restrung so that I could properly play it. Once I joined the worship team and began to get more involved in church, I wanted to be able to plug in, but my cheap guitar couldn't, so I ended up being gifted a new one that Christmas, and now I'm able to play and sing on my worship team.
I think the only true challenge for me was being able to easily write, and come up with good wording as well as a story that stuck. I had a difficult time figuring out what was important enough to write about, and what parts of my life I wanted to incorporate. I decided to stick with what I found was most "myself" and what has influenced me through both my recent and deeper past. that included but isn't limited to family, music, sports, friends, my self-struggles, and my memories. These all represent who I have become as an individual, and how I have grown.
The actual building of the piece was also a bit challenging. I had to find space for all of my writing and photos on my guitar, which isn't too large of a space considering I planned to write a good amount. I ended up asking friends for advice on the layout and finding what I did and didn't like. We would bounce ideas around and once something stuck, I used it. It turned out really well and I think that if I hadn't talked to others and asked for help, it wouldn't have been as good of a product.
I also had a bit of a challenge getting the photos scanned and printed so that they would look good and fit on my guitar. My first idea was to scan them, and then print them to size in color. Our printer ended up breaking, and our wireless connection went out, so that idea was then out the door. I decided to instead take photos of the photos with my phone, then put those photos on my computer, resize them, and would have to print them out in black and white at school. although they weren't as great quality as I would have like, I was able to successfully improvise and still complete my product.
What was the easiest part of this project?
The easiest part of the project was probably finding the photos and presenting my work. I love looking through photos, and our family is also very organized when it comes to old photographs. I was able to look back on old memories and enjoy my past and childhood through them. I am also very organized when it comes to digital photos, so I was able to pretty easily find the ones I wanted to use. I also really enjoyed and found a sense of relaxation in organizing and putting together my piece once everything was printed out and the layout was set. It was all pretty simple tasks to get it how I wanted it, and I was able to relax while doing it since it wasn't tiring at all. I would sit with my music and cut out the writing or the photos, tape them on how I wanted, and begin again. I spent a period braiding rope to add to my decoration since I had finished and it needed an extra touch.
I have gone to High Tech since sixth grade, which means I've had a lot of practice speaking in public settings and to strangers and big groups, so when I was told we had to present them, it didn't worry me in the slightest. I knew what I was talking about, I was comfortable with my class, and I felt open to sharing what I had written and created. I was very relaxed while sharing, and didn't get nervous or uncomfortable while talking. I could project my voice and was able to confidently speak.
How comfortable did you feel during your presentation?
Like I just said, very comfortable. I didn't feel like there was much pressure on the presentation, and it felt like a very laid back style too. I was able to project, speak confidently and clearly, and be calm throughout. I felt that I didn't need to worry since I had been presenting and speaking publicly since sixth grade. High Tech prepares you to be able to communicate not just with peers, but with large groups and complete strangers. Through those years of speeches, powerpoints, and exhibitions, I have become much more comfortable and confident when it comes to public speaking.
Did you receive critique and feedback from anyone (teacher, parent, classmate, etc)? If so, who?
I was able to get critique from my teacher on the writing, but I didn't need to change too much. Like I had stated earlier, I also got help and critique from my classmates on the layout and style ideas that ran through my head. They were able to point me in the right direction and get thoughts flowing in my head. Through them I was able to figure out what did and didn't work, and I didn't get trapped in the idea that it was my way or the highway. I of course didn't do something if I didn't think it would work for my product, but I took their feedback as much as I could and applied it when needed.
Was the feedback helpful?
The feedback was super helpful. I was able to make sure my writing was at the point it needed to be, and to get it approved by a teacher made me feel more confident in my abilities as well. Hearing my peers helpfully criticize my work made it so much better in the long run because I could look at what I'd done and was going to do from a new, fresh perspective and then figure out if it was a good idea. I was also able to talk to them about ideas I had or that they might have for layout and decoration because sometimes I needed a bit of guidance or someone to talk about ideas with to help find what I would prefer. It really helped to have someone to hear feedback from when running through ideas.
Did you provide kind, specific, and helpful feedback in the peer review session?
I believe I provided kind, specific, and helpful feedback in the peer review session. I read through their writing and could then assess what they could improve on and looked at grammar, spelling, punctuation, description, and overall execution of the work created. Although their work was already pretty good quality with few errors, it probably did help for me to look it over. It also helped me personally because I realized what I needed to improve on in my own writing.
Who did you assess? Explain.
I assessed Angeline. She didn't have many errors so there wasn't much to correct, but it was good for me to hear her style of writing and what she wrote about and then be able to apply that to my own writing in the sense of new ideas. It was interesting to hear what she had to say about her life, her theme, her antagonist and protagonist. I also enjoyed being able to learn things I didn't yet know about her.
Do you think you were on task for the vast majority of the time given in class to work on writing and construction? Explain.
I was on task for most of the time given to work. There were occasional times when I would talk to friends or goof around, but I was still working and was able to complete my work, and I believe quality work at that. When free time to work was given, I would usually go to the couches outside of the room and work because I can focus without distractions there. When others came to sit outside with me, it wasn't a big deal because I knew I had to stay focused and continue working, so even when we were talking or sharing a laugh, I was still getting work done on my product, whether that be writing, cutting, taping, or anything else that needed to be done. I was also able to manage my time well at home to complete my product, giving myself time to work on the writing and construction as much as I could.
What grade do you think you deserve? Why?
I believe I deserve an A because I was able to create a quality product with good writing, decent photos that connected to my writing, and a creative way to display my work. I was also able to manage my time wisely both in class and at home, ask for help and feedback, and participate when presentations were being given. I also presented calmly and confidently, able to speak clearly for everyone to hear while presenting my work effectively. I think I worked well with others when needed, whether it be for feedback or help in general, or just company while working, and that I put a lot of time and effort into every aspect of my product. Even when challenges came or I had to face an obstacle, I was able to handle it well and quickly so I could continue working without worrying about it.
If you could change something about this project, what would it be?
I would probably give myself more time on the photo part because they could've been way better quality, which would have added to the overall quality of the piece, and I would have had more time to work out the difficulties of both my scanning and printing process. I also would change the decorations put on the guitar. I tried out putting braided string on it, but it didn't really make sense as to why it was there or what it could represent. Honestly, it was more to spend time "working", but doesn't represent any background of my life. Other than that, I wouldn't want to change anything. I'm happy with my quality and presentation of my work and I don't think I would change much else.