Humanities Homework Help

First two discussions 75 words minimum per response.

Discussion One

I use an app called Zotero to organize my sources. Zotero allows me to pull in PDFs of articles and it automatically extrapolates all of the information necessary for the reference and lists it (although it doesn’t write the reference). It allows for space to write notes on the article and it allows for the use of hashtags. The hashtags allow me to pull up all articles with a common theme (if I am looking for all articles that show a gap in literature, for example). I can also organize articles by author, title, date, etc.

I was told that many people use RefWorks but I tried it and didn’t like it. I found that RefWorks had a lot of issues pulling in the reference information (I would manually have to enter information like author, date, journal, etc for many of the articles). I can also allow Zotero to open when I am doing searches in different libraries (like Capella or Google) and, if I find an article I want to keep, automatically have Zotero save it.

I don’t know if I would say that Xiao and Watson’s (2019) article was the most relevant to my career but it was definitely the most relevant to writing a literature review for my dissertation. I wasn’t aware that there were so many different types of literature reviews and as such, I didn’t realize there were so many different purposes. I pretty much thought that a descriptive review, which provides a synthesis of literature available at the time of the review, was the standard (and, really, only) type of review. I have obviously learned very differently.

Discussion Two

I love reading #literaturereviews when I first begin to explore a topic as they provide great insight into the history of the topic, current gaps in research and a direction for future research, contributions from other fields, as well as controversies within the field. An excellent example of a literature review that I recently read is “The Influences of Environmental Enrichment, Cognitive Enhancement, and Physical Exercise on Brain Development: Can We Alter the Developmental Trajectory of ADHD?” by Halperin and Healey (2011). There are a number of ideas presented in this review that could become very confusing if the review was poorly organized. However, the authors presented the research on these different topics in separate, well-defined sections of the article making it easier to understand.

I have always struggled to organize my writing in a way that clearly communicates the information I am presenting. I am most drawn to using the research matrix to help organize a literature review as it lets you see a summary of the main findings and ideas presented in each article as well as the methods used by the articles authors. Seeing this information allows you to group articles together in the order that you wish to present them in your review.

One aspect of this weeks readings that I found particularly interesting was reducing #bias in literature reviews. Winchester and Salji (2016) state that bias is often unintentional and can affect all aspects of the literature review from identifying and selecting sources to choosing which data to present and which to exclude. The authors contend that following a protocol for identifying the objectives and scope of your review can help to reduce bias. They also suggest that it is important to avoid ‘cherry picking’ only the information that supports your hypothesis. It seems that there is a fine line between providing supporting evidence and presenting a biased review. However, providing research from diverse perspectives and disciplines can help to reduce bias.

For the next two discussion responses, Each response should be 150 words or more. When responding to a peer, consider whether your peer’s post contains any assumptions or faulty logic that should be questioned. Is it incomplete in any way? Can you expand upon the ideas presented or suggest variations? What points are made particularly well? Support your opinions by citing course readings or your own experience, if relevant.

Discussion Three

I have been a teacher and coach for 33 years and I am very popular with the students. I often converse and joke with the students in the halls between classes and on and off the court and track field. It is common for me to greet female and male students with a hug or a pat on the back. A boy student has complained to the administration that the physical I show, makes him uncomfortable so now I been advised by me administrators to stop all physical contact with students.

How might you unknowingly convey prejudice, bias, and discrimination in that situation?

I might put myself in a position of someone accusing me of sexual or physical abuse. Our Code indicates that the professional educator must “create an emotionally and physically safe and healthy learning environment for all students.” If students are uncomfortable with being touched, they do not feel safe and this will impact their learning environment. Also, the community has an expectation that a teacher will behave in a professional manner. The Code specifically reminds educators that their actions reflect directly upon the status and substance of the profession. My behavior may be viewed as unprofessional and I could subject my self possible claims of misconduct with a student. The Code specifically states that the professional educator shall not “sexually or physically harass or abuse students.”

• How do power and privilege factor into the situation you described?

My entire life has been about sports. I was very close to my PE teachers and coaches. It did not occur to me when I was younger that when the coaches hugged me or patted me on the back that it may have been dangerous. I do not think I would have said anything anyway because our coaches to us were Gods. We did not disobey them or cross them because they meant more to most of us than our family members. Even when I participated in sports in college, my coaches were the same way. I guess they were dominant leaders or the(privileged) because they were always adored by all.

Now, in the 21^st century, things have changed. Although the physical touching of students may not be intended as a sexual gesture, it may be perceived as such by the student.

I believe physical touching is to convey my friendship towards my students and to make them feel at ease with me. However, this kind of touching can be construed as inappropriate by some students who may feel that their personal space has been invaded or even worse, that the touching is sexual in nature. Although all teachers want to maintain a positive rapport with students, teachers are not friends; they are professionals and should maintain professional interactions. In cases of obvious sexual or physical abuse, educators can lose their jobs and licenses if proven true. However, in some cases, the abuse could be misrepresented and it is the accusation of one student that may put a teacher in a position of needing to defend him or herself regarding the accusation. This is the delicate balance of a very serious issue.

What do you need to do to avoid this kind of situation as much as possible?

Recognize, respect and uphold the dignity and worth of students as individual human beings, and, therefore, deal justly and considerately with students. Strive to exercise the highest level of professional judgment.

The consequences may vary depending upon whom and how many have expressed concern and the nature of their concern. In the most severe cases, I could lose my teaching license or face criminal charges. Some districts have or are developing policies regarding physical contact between teachers and students and between students. I could be in violation of his district’s policy.

All Students in our schools must feel that they have been listened to and that efforts will be made to secure their environment. I may have to demonstrate support and acceptance toward my students while respecting their personal space and avoiding physical contact.

Discussion Four

In this discussion of analyzing bias, I don’t have to hypothesize an event as there have been many situations in which I have faced either someone from a different ethnic background, gender, gender orientation, or race. One situation that comes to mind was the first time I had a meeting with a transgender couple. The couple had an autistic son that I worked with. Due to the novelty of the family, there was a lot of discussion around the office with regards to this family. As I have also been on the receiving end of prejudice I try to be as aware as possible in situations like this where I may inadvertently say something to convey bias. At the time of this meeting I had not encountered a transgender couple, so my silence and inadvertent cautiousness may have been biased. It certainly was not the way I behaved in most meetings.

The couple, I believe were two biological females, and one female was transitioning to male. We will call them “Betty” and “Ben.” “Ben” was very kind and ended up teaching all the staff correct terminology. As Carter (2015) noted, it is socially appropriate to label transgender people with the gender neutral “Zhe.” Ben introduced the office to this term and thanks to zhim I am more aware and understanding. Correctly identifying transgender people by correct terms is something that must be considered.

Interestingly, the American Psychiatric Association empowered a task force to ensure equal rights to the LGBTQ community and at one point, they wanted to overturn the disorder in the DSM to destigmatize, particularly transgender people. The DSM-5 currently states Gender Dysphoria- 302.5 and ICD code F64.1. Just as we have acceptance and understanding towards disabilities we have to have understanding towards transgender people.