What are the areas of professional practice that capture my interest (this might be a disorder, anything related to treatment or diagnosis, etc)? With respect to this general topic, what would an essential question for me be? What do I already know about this topic? What don’t I know about this topic?

I guess the area that captures my attention is swallowing. The biological function of swallowing sounded so complicated to me until Ms. Allman explained it last semester in neurogenics. She told us to swallow and then think about what was involved. The only thing that I knew was that my tongue pressed up against the roof of my mouth, my airway closed, and I could feel my larynx with my fingers move upward. So basically I knew very little of what the swallowing process involved. I’m not saying that I know much more than that now because I don’t but Ms. Allman was able to fill in some of the gaps that I had. She taught us that there are four phases to swallowing, oral prep phase, oral phase, pharyngeal phase, and esophageal phase and that the brainstem is our swallowing center. So now in regards to my knowledge about swallowing I feel like I have a basic foundation and I hunger to know more.

Another burning desire that I have had for a long time is related to an individual’s satisfaction with being able to chew food. What is it about the chewing process that makes a person feel satisfied and content with food? Why must a person chew their food rather than drink it through a straw or be feed by a tube? What is it about the chewing and grinding process? Is this a psychological factor or is it deeper than that? I don’t know but I am extremely curious about the feeling people get from the chewing process. Are humans just geared this way? I don’t even know if this question is appropriate to be my essential question but one day I would like to find the answer.

Geneva

I began thinking about what I would write in my journal for this week on Monday or Labor Day while riding my bike.

I thought what is it about reading material connected to school that I dislike so much. I’ve always considered myself to be someone who enjoys reading or even an avid reader and I really don’t understand why I dislike reading school assignments. When I read a book for pleasure I can tell you all sorts of details about the story but when I read for school I have to force myself. Forcing myself usually results in my retaining very little of the info. So I thought and thought and considered maybe it was because someone told me I had to do it. I ruled that out because for most of my life someone, somewhere has always been telling me what to do. Maybe growing up I got the idea that reading for school was bad. I don’t know. Then in 426 class on Thursday Ms. McComas mentioned that academic books were written in passive voice and novels were written in active voice. And maybe this could explain why academic books usually ended up being boring. A light came on when she said this and I thought maybe voice is the reason why I don’t like reading assignments for school. Oh well….I really don’t know for sure what my problem is but I wish I would find out.

Onto my aims and objectives for this week. After reading Kelly’s journal I decided to be a copycat and get myself a schedule book. I too am disorganized. I mean everyday I’m pulling out every class syllabus making sure I haven’t overlooked anything that’s due for the next day. By doing this I’m beginning to feel disorganized and overwhelmed. So I’m going to Wal-Mart ASAP and pull myself together. One other piece of advice that
Ms. McComas mentioned is taking one thing at a time. Think about what is due next and not thinking about the whole semester. Boy did I need to hear this. That’s Excellent with a capital E, advice for me.

As I work towards completing the assignments for week two I realize that I have done some deep thinking actually more than I’ve done in a long long time. For me to open up and share my innermost feelings about myself with everyone is difficult and sometimes embarrassing. But there’s just something about Ms. McComas because she continually challenges me, pushes me, and makes me want to do my best that I’ve really dug deep for these assignments. I’m still working on Essential Questions but I plan on finishing that tomorrow.

Last I just want to add that I thought when we got to be seniors there would be a lot of work and there is but there’s something else going on. Maybe it’s because we are doing more application than ever and we want some written rules given to us. I think a lot of us are also thinking about the GRE and grad school as we always seem to be looking ahead instead of focusing on the here and now. Well my main goal is: take one day at a time and make the best of it.

Geneva

How can I continue to forge my professional and academic development? How might I inquire (research) into my learning in an ongoing manner? How might my professional and academic development and practice be informed by my ongoing research? How do I respond to opportunities for inquiry (research)? How do I meet my own learning needs?

Well let me start by WOW!!! That’s a lot of questions.

The communication disorder program has definitely taught me how important information is. I have been taught that it is imperative that I continue on this learning road. Because to me that’s what learning is a road.

This question also made me think about the conference we attended last year. As I think back about the seminars we attended I remember my feelings then. I thought this is great for students because there is only so much you can learn in the classroom and actually being able to attend a conference did make an impact on my learning. I know that our class has been told over and over about breath support and how crucial it is to voice. But it really didn’t hit home until I was sitting there listening to this man talk about the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy Program. I was thinking oh man I wish I were working so I could try this on someone.

I do understand how important learning will be to my professional and academic development. I mean what if some great technique for therapy is developed and I’ve chosen to stop learning then I won’t find out about it. This would lead to a violation of the code of ethics because I haven’t maintained my highest level of professional competence. It will be my duty to continue developing my knowledge and skills so that I can better serve my clients. A hunger for knowledge is just a given for SLP’s. So I plan on taking every opportunity to update and share my knowledge even after I graduate. It’s not only in the best interest of my clients but also myself as a person. I feel I can be a better person because of learning.

Geneva