Kenneth Goode

University 400

11/20/2012

TA Assessment

Opportunities for Student EnrichmentWhen I started this fall semester, I was afforded the opportunity to be a teaching assistant

to Dr. Linwood Clayton, Professor of Recreation, in one of the many University 100 classes

operating around Concord. I viewed this as a chance to learn and practice teaching skills that I

deemed important for graduate school. I remembered my experience in University 100 freshman

year, fall 2009, with Dr. Susan Williams to be a useful one. The standard instruction seemed to

make good sense and I found the volunteer exercise at Bramwell’s Ghost Walk in Mercer

County to be fun, but really cold that October. Freshman year was extremely difficult socially,

academically, and financially and I found myself playing “catch up” at every turn.

I think the most motivating reason to participate in the TA position was remembering

how difficult the challenges were for me when I decided to come back to college at 32. When

we started this fall semester, it immediately occurred to me that University 100 could be a place

for students to learn how to use computer tools better like Microsoft Office, geographic software,

and design tools like Adobe. I was given the opportunity towards the end of the semester to

share my experiences and skills in a fifty minute presentation in class. I also had talked to some

geography professors about some students having poor computer skills, and it was thought a

good idea and would incorporate into University 100. It is my belief that students would be

better prepared for classes in the future if Concord University would have a computer

proficiency element combined with their University 100 courses.

I want to provide feedback to professors at Concord regarding opportunities for student

success and classroom improvement. Evaluation forms could be passed out to students at the

beginning of the semester to provide real-time documentation of measurable progression

throughout the semester. Active discussion among the students and the professor will provide a

more inclusive environment for the participants to get better acquainted with each other and

create interest groups for students to discuss common interests. By the end of the semester the

students can submit a summary of their overall thoughts and experiences reflecting the new

college lifestyle.

Volunteer Experience

Based upon my own experiences in class and working with both state and national park

services, one option could be the Adopt-a-Trail program offered at West Virginia State Parks

(WVSP). This would be a beneficial and inclusive activity for college freshmen to build

necessary skills and be part of a program that helps maintain the beauty of our state parks. By

monitoring and maintaining a specific trail, individuals or groups can say “we make a

difference” and “we support our state park (or forest)” by keeping trails in good shape. Through

volunteer efforts, public trail adoption is a tremendous benefit to the quality of our state image

and the important role that our trails provide. The groups or individuals may elect to have their

names posted to the trails they maintain with Adopt-a-Trail signs and to the West Virginia State

Park webpage. By posting your involvement in this program, it is an opportunity for West

Virginia State Parks to recognize your work, and it encourages others to become part of this

program.

Another exciting and adventurous way to get freshmen involved in an inclusive,

geographical outdoor activity is Geocaching. Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for

GPS users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the features and

capability of a GPS unit and it invites you to explore the wonderful, natural world. After

obtaining permits from the WV State Parks Programming Office, and placing the geocaches on

established trails, GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Cache

permits are good for one year and monitoring of the caches should happen about every three

months. I think this would be a great way of exploring our state parks and working in a fitness

element in as well. Please mind your eco-manners! For more information about these particular

programs, please visit www.wvstateparks.com.