Student Feedback (Week 05)

Great week of classes!  Seems like we all are understanding the functions and purpose of the United Nations.  Great job all, keep up the great work!  I had a really great week with all of you and I thank you for sharing this valuable feedback with me.  Remember, I’m here for you and you alone during this semester!  I want you all to succeed and every single one of you are capable of doing well in this course and your other courses, too.  Just do your best and focus.

The italicized comments are my responses.  I value all feedback, opinions, and contributions to the classroom.  Thank you for sharing this with me–it helps me address your needs as a section.  Please review these weekly, you’ll find that it benefits you well.  Be intentional when it comes to your education.  

Section 001 (MW)

• Love this class!  Love group discussions, look forward to more of them.  Makes me think about things even days later.
  • Fantastic!  Isn’t it awesome when we learn things that continually challenge us?  Thanks for sharing.
• I am learning a lot and am really enjoying this class.  🙂  I have seen quite a bit about the UN in the news since I’ve started this class; is the UN always so popular in the news?
  • Thanks for the feedback, and I am glad you’re learning and enjoying the class.  The UN is actually in the news quite frequently–mostly for political issues.  However, you’ll see tens of new articles posted daily on the UN.  Great job keeping up with the news!
• I was just wondering if the UN does internships for journalism students.
  • They actually do have many internships that journalism students would benefit from.  For example, currently there are positions for a ‘Multimedia’ Intern and a ‘Social Media Specialist’ Intern.  How awesome would that be?  To intern at the UN and live in NYC.  Check out their careers website.  
• Love the UN discussion.  I participated in Model UN in high school but I didn’t really understand it like I do now.
• When does the UNSC meet?
  • Great question.  They do meet while the General Assembly is in session, but they are technically always on-call year round.  Anytime global issues arise they meet in their offices in the UN headquarters in NYC.  
• Enjoy the UN discussion and getting everyone’s opinions on world problems.
  • I enjoy hearing everyone’s opinions too!  It’s so important that we are vocal.  Collaborative learning at its best!

SECTION 006 (TR)

• Thanks for helping me understand the UN better.  🙂
  • You’re welcome.  Here for you!
• I feel like curiosity is going to kill our planet.  Weirds e out how people care more about Jersey Shore than our planet.
  • Be the change! 😉
• What are all the factors taken into consideration when determining power?
  • This is such a great question with a complex answer.  Simply said, many of the factors taken into consideration for determining power are derived from previous resolutions, alliances, and events in history.  Individuals (leaders) also have a lot of power and influence.
• What languages can you speak?  Or want to learn?
  • I only speak two languages fluently:  English and Lao.  I would love to learn Spanish.  It’s an important language that will benefit us not only in the classroom but in business and other social ventures.  
• I really enjoyed learning about the UN, it’s something everyone should be more aware of.  Also, the group work and conversations help me understand concepts and see different viewpoints.
  • I enjoy learning about it from different viewpoints too.
• U.N. Military Peacekeepers:  Does each country provide the same amount of troops to the UN Peacekeeping Force?
  • Each member state has to be ‘available’ to provide troops for the PKOs, but what is seen more often is that these peacekeepers will come from low-income countries, mainly because the UN offers incentives for these soldiers from low-income countries.  Peacekeeping Operations thus provide some sort of revenue for their respective countries.  To answer your question, each member state does not provide the same amount of troops to the UN PKOs.  Great question.
• This video really got me thinking.  I have had a really rough week and I have been so close to just giving up on everything. I have never felt so hopeless or helpless in my life.  But I told myself don’t give up.  You can’t give up.  I want to succeed and this video inspired me.  Thank you.
  • Well I can’t imagine this being easy to share with anyone, but thank you for sharing this with me.  Your anonymous response is respected but please know that sometimes we all have bad days, myself included.  Sometimes it is just a matter of finding the groove of making it through the tough days, and then reassessing it all and challenging ourselves to stay focused.  You’re totally capable, not just in my course but all of your courses.  You can do it!  And if you want you can watch the video again here.  Again thanks for sharing, I know you’ll come out on top!  
• Justin, what is the meaning of life?
  • Ha! So witty.  Ironically, look what I stumbled upon online.  😉  

Section 009 (TR)

• I love your class, I learned so much I didn’t know about our global problems.  I’m wondering how many questions the test will have and if it’s multiple choice.
  • About thirty+ questions and no it is not multiple choice.  Glad you’re learning!
• I’ve really been looking forward to coming to class each day because I feel like I’ve become more knowledgable and more in tune with what’s happening around the world.
  • AWESOME!
• Do we learn about food slavery (i.e. chocolate slavery in Africa?)?
  • Unfortunately I do touch on the topic very briefly, but not enough for a whole lecture.  Keep an eye out for a Special Topics course coming in the fall.
• Really enjoying class!  Was wondering if there are any practice exams you will give out?
  • No, no practice exams will be given out.  Review the note taking guides and study guide for exam 1 and you will do well.  
• Saw “Big Miracle” last night–the whale movie–it was awesome.  Definitely recommend it!
  • I saw this last weekend!  I really enjoyed it, definitely a ‘feel good’ movie.  Thanks for the recommendation!
• Have you given points out yet for Twitter?
  • I have not.  Thanks for the reminder, I will work on it soon.
• I loved the discussion that we had about the U.N. and I think the U.N. is a major part of each and everyone’s lives even if they don’t realize.  U.N. should never be removed because the world is already falling apart and it’s just going to make it worse.
  • Interesting point!  Definitely something for the rest of us to think about…