WEEK 6

I believe that what Paulo was saying about silence is totally true. I believe that some of the most powerful things can be communicated without verbal communication. I think it is critical for speech and communication to occur. If silence was not available nothing could ever be communicated and people would lose important information. As social workers, silence is going to b one of our best allies when talking and interacting with others. First, our clients depend on us to be there for them and to be able to voice themselves with us. They depend on us to listen to them and to respond appropriately by allowing them to utilize us as an outlet. Secondly, our co-workers need us to pay silence when they are discussing things of value, whether it's listening for cnstuctive feedback, advise, help, or whatever the situation. Finally, other people in our lives need us to reward them with silence. Silence allows us to process and reflect on information, take in information from others, and allows us to utilize other means of expression and communication.

Week 4!!!

I think there are severall ways to facilitate the growth and overcoming of reluctance in others. First, I think by modeling people can receive a sense of hope or even confidence. By others hearing you talk or speak out, they will learn from you and hopefully your confidence can lead them into expressing themselves. Also I think a good technique is preparing people early on, like in the childhood years. This can prepare them for beig adults and speaking up for what is right, especially when it will make a big difference. A third thing I would like to bring up is practicing. I don't think enough people get enough practice in voicing their opinions, especially to others of authority and this stigma must change. How can change occur if we cannot talk and voice our opinions to the people who represent us? Practice is essential because if you don't you lose the skills or at least aren't as good at them. Support of each other is inclded in all of this too because without someone to listen or read, there's no use in talking or writing. Let's all get involved with our communities and get some ideas spreading around!

Week 3 with Maggie Craft!!!

I enjoyed the guest speaker this week, Maggie Craft. She had so much experience and knowledge to share with us and I feel that just by hearing her, how she dealt with situations and how she developed herself among a new culture, I grew a little bit. She was very informative and had heart-warming experiences to share with us all, although there were a couple bad ones, over all they were all learning experiences.

Week 2!!!

I think learning requires a lot of collaboration and interaction with others. To learn we all need to engage in conversation and help each other by giving our different views on different topics. By hearing each others' unique perspectives and experiences our outlook on the world will change. With more and more exposure with others we will begin to be more and more acceptant and our outlooks will widen. I like to contribute my own personal experiences so that I can reflect on things and so that I can contribute my perspective and mindset to the group.
(Sorry it took me sooooo long to figure this thing out)