Final Exam

This semester has gone by so quickly. I cannot believe that finals are here and I will be graduating in less than three weeks. It is definitely a mixed bag of feelings for me - I am relieved to be done (for now at least) with my studies, but saddened by the end of these four years of fun, friends, and freedom. Doc Chris definitely brought together friends, fun, and studies in his class, though. It was a great class to have as a second semester senior - we learned a lot, but we also had a great time.

(goosewatch.com, 2012)

1) What were two or three of the most memorable/significant moments in this class?

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about significant things that we as a class have done this semester is the Federal Women's Council interview event held back in February at the Staybridge Suites in Columbia, Maryland. By our attendance and live tweeting and Facebook updating about the event, as well as all the work and posts we contributed to the Facebook pages for the council within the next week, we had an extremely significant effect on the success of the Hall of Fame event held in March. We more than doubled the attendee registration. Doc Chris, the president of the council, even had to turn people away because the cutoff was at 500. Doc Chris brought this up in almost every class following our work that night, and he did not neglect it during our semester reflection on the last day of class:

Staybridge Suites Event

(Hall of Fame Event: Tina Marciano, 2012)

This class really included so many things. Though we did video tape things often, I was even able to get on the other end of the camera one day when Janet Thomas was there and each group interviewed her about her cooking skills and experience. Team Worldwide voted me to conduct the interview, while the other members of the team came up with the three questions we asked her and taped the interview. It really tested my ability to memorize questions quickly, think on my feet, have charisma on camera, and be able to let the conversation flow naturally and not let everything seem so planned. I think I did pretty well, but you can check it out and judge for yourself by watching the video below...

Here are some of the great foods and desserts Janet was nice enough to make and bring to class for us over the course of the semester:

St. Patrick's Day

Easter

Final Class

Though sometimes it seemed like Judge Doctor Chris Court trials put people on the spot, I think they were an important learning tool for knowing what Doc Chris expected from each of us in the class, and they also gave us a chance to interact with one another and get to know all our peers a little better. Trials were not always bad either. There were definitely plenty of good trials in the class - we had some really strong teams and individual students. Praise is just as important to learning as constructive criticism. Come to court by watching the bad and good trials below...

 Bad Trial

 Good Trials

2) What will you remember most about this class and why?

Doc Chris' enthusiasm in the classroom is something I will never forget and has never been and never will be met by any other professor. He does not only have enthusiasm for all the work he does, but also for each and every one of his students. I remember being completely overwhelmed on the first day of class with all the new social media tools Doc Chris wanted us to try out, but during the next few classes that followed, he took the time to work with individual students and help us sort out our confusion. It seemed like a lot to take in at first, but now I have an entire list of social media outlets I am proficient in that I was not before, even Tout!!!

(www.socialmediaworld.com, 2012)

I also can't neglect the enjoyment and collaboration that working in teams brought to the class and my learning experience. Team Worldwide (me, Sudesna, Lauren, Scott, and Jimmy) worked so well together and each brought their individual strengths to help one another and the team as a whole. We really developed a camaraderie as the weeks went on as well. I'll never forget the Google+ hangout session we had just a couple weeks back instead of a regular class session. We played some videos for each other and talked about class, but then we also discovered the animal face button and spent a few minutes longer than necessary laughing and talking about it. It was a lot of fun - I even taped the whole hangout!

  Part ONE

  Part TWO

(Team Worldwide, 2012)

3) Evaluate yourself and Doc Chris.

I really have come a long way in this class and in my proficiency of social media skills, real life events, and being creative in my presentation of important information. As I mentioned above, I was extremely overwhelmed on the first day of class, but now I can say that I know how to use Blogger, WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Gmail, and Tout well and to help reach professional goals. I can always say that I helped the Federal Women's Council Hall of Fame 2012 event become a huge success - the attendance registration skyrocketed after our class coverage of the initial FEB press event back in February. I have improved my multitasking skills, both inside and outside the classroom, and Doc Chris' high energy in the classroom to help me do so. I used his energy to my advantage. I now have an entire online portfolio that spans 15 weeks of events in both my school and personal life that I will be able to show to a potential future employer. This class has helped to greatly increase my willingness to try new online sites, even if I won't use them regularly. Simply being acquainted with a site can help me go so far in the professional world of communication today.

Here are the addresses to all my accounts I have utilized this semester:
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
Facebook
Tout
Wordpress
Blogger

Doc Chris Takes Attendance in Class

 Doc Chris Classroom Dynamics

Doc Chris was a great professor, and, as I said before, he brought an exceptional energy to the classroom that I have never seen in any other professor I have ever had. He understood that, especially in the communication world, it is a critical to a student's learning to get outside the classroom and have real-world experience that can teach lessons that could never be attained from a textbook or lecture. Both Federal Women's Council events proved this.

(Hall of Fame Event: Tina Marciano, 2012)

Doc Chris constantly gave us feedback on our work, whether virtually on Facebook ("NTWITA!!") or through good and bad Judge Doctor Chris Court trials in class. He really cared and wanted to help each and every one of us. He has said that, so long as we get an A in his class, he will provide recommendations for jobs and internships we will have in the future. Overall, Doc Chris was awesome!! He even did a "jig" on St. Patrick's Day. That gives him some extra points in my book!!!

THANK YOU for a great semester, Doc Chris!!!!


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Class 13 (Final Class) Reflection

This past Thursday marked the day of our final Introduction to Multimedia class with Doc Chris. I can't believe how fast this semester has flown by. I feel like it just began.

Since it was the last class, it was basically just a wrap-up and reflection of everything we have done and all our accomplishments. Doc Chris then explained our final exam assignment to us. He is being very kind with the assignment (it is just three short questions that we can write up in a blog post), as he knows that a majority of us are seniors. These are the three questions he posed: What are two or three of the most memorable moments/important things you learned in this class?; What will you remember most about this class and why?; Evaluate yourself and Doc Chris. See him explain it in the video below...

In the following video, I ask a clarification question regarding the regular class blog assignment and the final exam assignment. Those are two separate posts!!

As you have seen and heard, Doc Chris explained the significance of the official course evaluations and that he really likes when students take the time to write comments so that he can "learn from every class." As a work-study employee in the Academic Affairs office, which produces and processes these evaluations, I know how important they are to the future success of a professor. Here is Doc Chris about to hand out the evaluations to us all...

Thursday evening was a big night for the Communication department, and Doc Chris asked us to participate in the festivities by showing up, even for just a few minutes, at the alumni event being held in the space behind Starbucks before the stairs of the department. It was a really nice event with great food, a chance to network with some established people, and even have time to chat with professors outside of the classroom setting. Dr. King, the chair of the department, and Fr. Miracky, the dean of Loyola College, were both present to speak. The turnout was great and it seemed to be a huge success. 

The work of Loyola Communication students was on display; there was a WLOY Radio section, a GreyComm TV section, an Apprentice House section, an advertising section, and a PRSSA section, among others.

I stayed for a while, enjoyed the food, and talked with friends and professors, as I then had to go to the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society dinner in the 4th Floor Programming Room at 7 p.m. As secretary of the society, I helped run the induction ceremony, along with my three fellow officers. It was also a great success!

Before we left multimedia class to attend these festivities, we enjoyed a feast with Doc Chris and one another, thanks to Janet. Though we were supposed to have a BBQ, the weather was terrible and we had to eat inside. But Doc Chris didn't let us down simply because of the weather. Janet was kind enough to cook a whole dinner to make up for it. Though I didn't eat much, in anticipation of the dinner ahead of me, my classmates did and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Doc Chris shook each of our hands before we left and made us leave quickly because he didn't want to get emotional as he usually does on final days of class. Thanks for everything, Doc Chris! It has been a great semester!!!

(emimusic, 2009)

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Class 12 Reflection

Today was a very sad day because it marked the last time my multimedia class would meet in the classroom. Next week, we are going to have an outdoor BBQ during class time, and, though it will be a lot of fun, this was our last official session with Doc Chris.



(djysrv.blogspot.com, 2011)



He didn't disappoint, and immediately started Judge Doc Chris Court trials upon his arrival. Here is the first, in which he put Yvette, who finally showed up today, on trial for missing several classes and being behind on her blog posts. See below...

Doc Chris had the class put her on trial for her grade, and all the students voted that she should be given a second shot at that A. Of course, as Doc Chris says in this segment of the video below, he has the final say on each individual's fate. (Sorry for the cutoff video - my camera told me in the middle of the voting session that my memory card was full! Too many Multimedia videos, I guess!!! I had to take the time to delete some photos and videos to make room for new ones.)

Doc Chris then put Jimmy on trial, but let him get off easy because he "manned up" and admitted that he was guilty of the charges voiced against him. He also sent Doc Chris an email message explaining his situation and why he was so behind and had been missing class sessions. Jimmy redeemed himself - another thumbs up for a fabulous member of TEAM WORLDWIDE! We never fail!

(Team Worldwide, 2012)

Doc Chris was then nice enough to put each person on good trail individually. He literally went around the room to each student and said something positive about their work and his experience with them. He told me I was "one of his best students" and that I will "go down in the history books." It is always nice to know that my hard work is noticed and appreciated. So THANK YOU, Doc Chris!

Though I wasn't able to get my own good trial on video (Doc Chris did), I did film the beginnings of the good trials and recorded those of Carrie and Rob. It was really nice how Doc Chris took the time to say something unique about each individual and did not just keep spouting the same information at everyone. Everything he said was extremely genuine.

Here is Nicole during her good trial session with Doc Chris...

I think Doc Chris was feeling extra sentimental today, as he then began to tell us about how he has been seriously ill this semester. He said that coming to class each week and having his time with us to look forward to helped him get through and overcome it all. That was so nice to hear. The student-teacher relationship and benefits really run on a two-way street.

(healthbeat.areavoices.com, 2011)

Doc Chris ended by telling us that he will miss us all, but not to fret - we still have a BBQ next week!!! Each student was asked to bring something so Doc Chris doesn't have to worry about taking care of everything. I haven't decided what I would like to contribute yet since I don't really like to cook or bake, but I will bring something, I promise! Can't wait to see everyone there - it's going to be a lot of fun and a great close to a fantastic semester and four years at Loyola.

(catholiccollegesonline.org, 2011)

As I finish up this blog post, this is the mellow song I am listening to in order to calm me down during this hectic and exciting time:

(RusNicholasSparks, 2012)

Critical Analysis (answers to these questions are in the overview above):

- What did I learn?

- How did I grow?

- How did my group grow?

- What direction is the class moving in?

- How did Doc Chris do?

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Class 11 Reflection

It is so hard to believe, but the semester is beginning to wind down. No matter when Easter falls, whenever we get back from the break, there seems to be an eagerness for summer in the air. This was evident, as well as the effects of the changing weather (sickness!) and allergies, in the class, which made everyone a little more antsy than usual.



(cathyadamkiewicz.blogspot.com, 2011)


Doc Chris started the class by taking attendance, which he doesn't usually do. He used our Multimedia Class Facebook page pictures as a tool to do so.

We even had a Judge Doctor Chris Court session to determine how early we would get out of class. Though some students tried for as early as 5:30, that was ruled a no-go. Doc Chris voted for 6:30, but then ended up settling on 6:05. See the video of this court session below...

We had a second trial in the class for Scott, who sent Doc Chris an unsigned text message apologizing for his absence due to illness. Doc Chris had trouble figuring out who it was from and decided that the class should vote on whether or not he should be put on bad trial for not identifying himself in the original text message. We had a democratic vote and decided that Scott should NOT be put on trial. He made the effort to let Doc Chris know, which is a lot more than other people do when they don't attend class. The video of Doc Chris receiving Scott's original text message and the mini trial video, happening with Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River" as background music, are both below for your enjoyment. Doc Chris is quote the impersonator!

Doc Chris then went through blog and Tout inspections with each of us and helped some of us link all our accounts together. I'm still not sure I have done all of that correctly, but I think I did as much as I could. I hope everyone who views my profile can see the links to my other pages. In my Wordpress blog they are all under the "About" section, but I could only link my Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts to my Blogger page. That is all it would allow.

Nicole was an honorary member of Team Worldwide for the week because someone took her seat and we were the only ones who had an empty one in our row. It was nice to have you, Nicole!!!

It looks like the final exam for this class is going to be more fun and exciting than that of any other class I have ever taken at Loyola. It will be in two parts. First, each group will have a Google+ hangout and invite Doc Chris to join. Then, we will have a celebratory BBQ on the quad with a soul train line and all. Hear Doc Chris explain...

In preparation for that final party soul train line, Doc Chris had us practice our dance moves as we left the class. That was certainly unconventional, and it took a few minutes for everyone to build up the confidence to do it!!!

Critical Analysis (answers to these questions are in the overview above):

- What did I learn?

- How did I grow?

- How did my group grow?

- What direction is the class moving in?

- How did Doc Chris do?

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Easter 2012

Easter is the biggest and most important day in the Catholic Church. It is the day that Jesus rose from the dead and saved us from sin and death. After a bleak and reflective Lenten season, it is a glorious day that is filled with the hope of rebirth and new life.

(franklynschaefer, 2011)

In my Italian family, holidays are always characterized by A LOT of food. Antipasto, a main course, and then dessert fill us all with so much food. My favorite part is the antipasto. We had prosciutto, capicola, fresh mozzarella cheese, salami, feta cheese, spinach pie, hard-boiled eggs that we all colored, and the list goes on!

I think my other cousins, especially Bobby, who is 28, would argue that the mashed potatoes served during the main course are their favorite part of the meal. Bobby would eat the entire bowl on his own if we let him!

For the main course, we had beef and pork roasts baked asparagus, stuffed mushrooms, and, of course, mashed potatoes! Dessert also did not disappoint and offered a variety of choices so everyone could find something they liked. There were Italian pastries, chocolate cupcakes, donuts, and an Edible Arrangements fruit basket. I'm not a big fan of dessert or sweets, so I stuck to the fruit, but I thought the pastry arrangement looked really pretty on the platter.

Since we are always such a big group on major holidays (18 this time, but always between 15 and 20), there is always a separate "kid" table because we don't all fit around the main dining room table. Yesterday, my aunt decorated and set the "kid" table to make it just as festive as the "adult" table, which my mom helped set when we arrived.

Kids' Table 

Mom setting the adults' table

Though holidays involve a lot of eating, they are also characterized by a lot of socializing. We have to entertain ourselves during all the free time. The boys (my older brother, Stephen, and my three cousins, Bobby, Michael, and Paul) went outside to play KAN JAM in the beautiful spring weather.

Aunt Pammy, my mother's sister, has been taking ballroom dancing lessons with my uncle for a year now, and taught my eager 13-year-old cousin, Julia, a few steps.

I spent most of the day and night just sitting around and catching up with everyone. I hadn't been home since the Christmas break and hadn't seen any of my extended family members since then, so it was especially enjoyable to spend time with each of them.

As I write this, I am riding on the Bolt Bus back to Loyola for the last time. It is a bittersweet feeling for sure. It is great to know that the school part of school will be over in just a few short weeks, but it is totally depressing to know that all the fun that comes with living at Loyola will be too. I just have to cherish these last six weeks of my undergraduate career and enjoy every single moment.

(LoyolaMaryland, 2012)

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