MLSD
500: Leadership Found in Research
A500.9.4RB – Course Reflections
Submitted to ERAU Worldwide
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the
Degree of MBAA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Worldwide
Online Campus
October 6, 2015
Course Reflections
It was
quoted that technology continues to expand and intertwine itself with everyday
life. When teaching students about higher learning, ePortfolios offer numerous
benefits, like facilitating reflection on learning in a course, showcasing
career skills, aiding in program review, and showcasing professional standards
(Chatham-Carpenter, Seawel, & Raschig, 2009).
Everything
that we have handed in for this course supports this theory. We wrote blogs
about our professional and personal standards; we created concept maps to allow
us to think conceptually, while using a new software program; and we captured
and edited research into media master showpieces.
The
course I am referring to is MLSD 500, a.k.a., Leadership Foundation in
Research. We started the course learning and then debating the differences
between a claim and a fact. An example is that Pluto was known factually to be
a planet. I had been taught and therefore always believed that Pluto was a
planet within our solar system.
Scientists
rescinded their claim and, instead, years later, have identified the “planet”
rather a “dwarf planet”. FACT. Really!!?? I don’t believe you anymore! Is it a
dog?
This
course guided the students in the discipline of discourse and debate on topics
like fallacies. The
concept of fallacy dates back to the time of Aristotle. I did not realize that
there were so many fallacies and outcomes of rationalization. There happen to
be more than 200.
I gravitated
toward the black-or-white fallacy, or the limitation of two choices that allow
only two outcomes. I have definitely rationalized myself out of a two-option
problem. I like this example of a black-or-white fallacy: Will you contribute $20 to our environmental
fund, or are you on the side of environmental destruction? A rational response is: I do want to prevent
the destruction of our environment, but I don't want to give $20 to your fund
(Dowden, 2015).
I feel
as though politics and party lines tend to be black or white and not a lot of
color in between.
Speaking
of politics, the Iran Nuclear Deal was actually being debated and voted upon
simultaneously, during the course of our learning process and debates regarding
critical thinking. Our President actually spoke about critical thinking
numerous times in his speech. Iran's supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, demonstrated that he also thought critically about the destruction of
a country and their people - many times, publicly.
Somehow
the Iran Nuclear Deal went through, and the very next day Iran's supreme
leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave a speech that Israel will not see the
end of the next 25 years, according to the IRN. "God willing, there will
be no such thing as a Zionist regime in 25 years. Until then, struggling,
heroic and jihadi morale will leave no moment of serenity for Zionists"
(McLaughlin, 2015).
Oh good.
I am glad that leaders are demonstrating
their critical thinking capabilities, as I have been asked to do over the past
few months. In fact, I was even asked to submit a research project that covered
improving some area of personal significance. I had been struggling to develop
a twenty-year plan. Actually, the past four years, I had been searching for
answers or even some guidance. This project enabled me to hone in on my
long-term goal and to develop an implementation strategy. As part of the
strategy, I identified potential companies that aligned with my values, goals
and desired lifestyle working environments.
The
outcome was fantastic! I had the opportunities for deep reflection, the time to
reach out to those who truly knew me – my family and friends – by creating a
survey to validate my direction, and the time to identify companies that were
in alignment with my vision. I came up with not just one summation for my
twenty-year plan but two videos!
Cheers to another fantastic ERAU semester!
References:
Chatham-Carpenter, April. (2009). Avoiding the Pitfalls: Current Practices and Recommendations for ePortfolios in Higher Education. Retrieved from pdf.
Chatham-Carpenter, April. (2009). Avoiding the Pitfalls: Current Practices and Recommendations for ePortfolios in Higher Education. Retrieved from pdf.
Dowden,
Bradley. 2015. Fallacies. IEP, A Peer-Reviewed Academic Resource. California
State University, Sacramento. ISSN 2161-0002. Retrieved from
http://www.iep.utm.edu/fallacy/#Black-or-White
McLaughlin,
Eliott, C. (2015). Iran's Supreme Leader: There will no such thing as Israel in
25 years. Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/10/middleeast/iran-khamenei-israel-will-not-exist-25-years/
