Blog 23: Senior project reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

I am most proud of the fact I was able to make and carry out a presentation in which had both a Judo demonstration and a way of teaching. I was able to teach a topic that really relya on the type of character a person in Judo becomes. This was very challenging to me because my EQ and my three answers had to do with a way of thinking. While creating my presentation I was put up to the challenge of taking Judo which is very visual and explaining the spiritual aspect and creating an activity for it.


(2) Questions to Consider

a. What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation (self-assessment)?

AE/P

b. What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)?

P+

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?
What worked in my senior project was how it had me explore new feilds, I allowed for it to push me to almost an uncomfortable boundary for my independent component and my answers. That's what worked though, what really kept my interest this whole year was the push to find and explore new areas. It expanded my knowlege in Judo as well as honed my skills in being able to explore and face new areas in a certain feildor topic.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?

If I could go back and do something differently I would work on discovering different answers in the beginning of the year. At least come up with things I think could possibly answer my EQ and begin my exploring from there. As I went on with my mentorship and finding of different answers I got new mentors new people to interview, that was great and all but it would have been nice to know then what I know now. I'm sure any senior would say that though.

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors? Be specific and use examples.
This senior project has allowed me yo look at my character within Judo and where it came from. It allowed me to examine the different aspects of Judo and what I need as a Judoka. By my second answer of networking I feel I have gained the most. The reason I feel I have gained the most is because my Judo through working at different places and with different people I am able to better myself and my Judo. I was also able to learn a life skill of cars on the way.

Blog 22: Mentorship

Content:

    Literal

·     Log of specific hours with a total and a description of your duties updated on the right hand side of your blog

       A log of my hours with Sensei Gary, Arvin Limen, Sensei OJ at Goltz Judo

    Interpretive

     What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

I gained a new way of thinking, a new way of not just looking at Judo but a new way of looking at everything I approach. This includes networking (My best answer), which I learned a new trade; working on cars.  Learning a life skill I feel this is the most important experience ive gained.

   Applied

     How has what you’ve done helped you to answer your EQ?  Please explain.

My mentor ship has helped me answer my EQ by giving me a place to experiment, try different aspects of Judo and how it shapes people, then experience these things on my own.

Exit Interview

My essential question: What is the best way a Judoka can use Judo on and off of the mat?

Answers: 1. Principles, focusing on the basics

                2. Networking, helping Judokas just as they would help you

                3. Practice, heard of the term "Practice makes perfect" in Judo and outside

These answers are all based on a way of thinking. Each of my answers go deaper then what is said which allows me to elaborate why Judo is so essential to each of them, and makes them so different than learning these skills from anywhere else. My second answer would have to be my best answer. Not for the reason, "well I feel its the best" or even "I think its the best", I believe my second answer is my best answer because this is what I have experienced in my mentorship. Over the course of a year I was determined to explore each of these answers and focus on each one of them for a certain time. Networking had to be the most helpful and the most useful in the long run!

To arrive at each one of my answers I had to work on exploring new aspects of Judo, I didn't know any of my answers when I first came up with my question, nor did I know any of my answers much after I came up with my question. To acheive each of my answers I had to work on having some what of an idea as to what I wanted my answer to be, then explore the feild. Networking, my best answer, I came about by reading an article that my Sensei recomended to me, writen by his son. I also read a presentation writen by him, binging me to the decision "is networking in Judo really that different" and it is.

Just like any experiment I did come on some problems, for one; during my mentorship at Judo I broke two little bones on the bottom of my food. Definitely not the most painful thing, but it made doing the most simple tasks difficult; walking, running, doing Judo. The way I worked though this problem was to just tape up my foot and ignore the pain. I couldn't let something so simple do something so drastic to me like a dislocated shoulder or sprained tendons in my hand, did last year. To this day the pain is still there, dull, but its still there. I believe I did the best for my project, because even though I had broken bones in my foot I was still able to practice and network, which lead me to be so involved with my mentor Arvin Limen.

The two most significant sources I used to answer my essential question, I did not find on my own. The first is the presentation I had read though that my Sensei Gary wrote, this is what ignited the spark to want to explore this answer. My next source would have to be my coach Arvin Limen, with out him I wouldn't have been able to experience the answer as I did. There obviously is other people, and other Judokas in other dojos, but none of them were there at the perfect time that I was trying to achieve my second answer to my essential question. If my mentorship with Arvin Limen does not justify a source (of experience), I would have to say the article that my mentor recommended to me, mentor Gary Goltz, Judo, business, and life written by Nathan Goltz.

Extra Blog Post: April

During this month of April I worked on my independent component and closely with my mentor Arvin Limen. As I continue working with my coach, I continue getting first place. I also continue networking. As I explained last month he is the one who got me my job working with cars. He also gave me my chance on looking at a new way of fighting. This month I will post a few pictures of some of the cars I've been working on also at the last tournament that I was able to take two First places at.

Blog 19: Independent component 2

LITERAL

“I, Inez Torres affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

I did more mentorship hours under my mentor Gary Goltz and Arvin Limen.




For the most part gary goltz had me run classes that the little kids attended and the tiny tots participated in. He also had me work during the time of tournaments. This means recruiting people for the tournaments and help out during whether it be with refereeing, coaching, or doing the score board. Arvin Limen had me practice every day I was there but in terms of networking he would have me work with people he knew, learning a new skill, cars. Which gave me a strong ground to my second answer.

INTERPRETIVE

My mentorship for the independent component helped me develop my social skills with people I don't know and helped me understand the process of the Judo and networking within the Judo community. It helped me find my answer two and have clear evidence in terms of almost an experiment within myself. Also, this experiences allowed me to work with people I would have never talked to other wise and learn skills that I never knew about.

APPLIED

My Independent component two helped develop my second answer because as I was able to network and create an experiment on myself; how a Judoka can use Judo to network with in the Judo community. Everyone I worked with had a different background but they all came together to work with each other in Judo. The fact that in Judo everyone has their own background leads Judo to be so useful in terms of networking. Though this I learned the skills and benefits of networking through Judo and Judokas but as to working with my coach who is a second degree black belt to teach me a life skill about cars.

Extra Blog Post: March

This past month I did a lot of working with one of my mentors that is also my coach. I worked with him to get two first places at two tournaments these past months. He had promised me that I would actually get 3 first places in a row. I broke that yesterday when he wasn't at the tournament and I lost my first match by disqualification. All in all my coach keeps to his word, he works with me and shows me a lot of respect that many others in judo also show. As well as people in judo create a family setting, or feeling; everyone is willing to help each other. This month I really focused on what it means in judo being a family and being connected to each other.

Fourth Interview Questions

Content: Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in the field concerning your senior project. The focus of your questions should be on your answer to your EQ.

My EQ is What is the best way Judo can be used on and off the mat, what is your take on this question?







What was the purpose of you begining a life of Judo?
Did you know you would get this far, why? Why not?
What is your purpose now of staying with Judo?
Has Judo bettered your life?How?
Has Judo provided experience that you use in your daily life other than the fight?
Do you agree that the principles of Judo help a Judoka outside of Judo?
Which principles of Judo help a Judoka on and off the mat?
Would you say that Judo teaches Judokas to network, not just in the dojo?
10How have you used Judo to network in your life?
Can you give an example in which Judo has helped you outside of the mat?
Do you believe that a Judoka can treat everything like a lesson inside the dojo?
How does a Judoka reach the Second life of Judo?
How long does it normaly take a Judoka to reach the Second life of Judo?
What is your story on reaching the second life of Judo? Do you believe you have why or why not?
What was your drive in Judo?
Who kept you in Judo, yourself, sensei, coach?
Who was the one to help you through out your life of Judo?
What was your biggest struggle when being in Judo, getting to the point where you are now?
How can I reach a point of the Second life of Judo?

Blog 17 Third Answer

Content:

Just like you did for answer 1 and 2 post your:

What is the best way a Judoka can use Judo on and off the mat?
A Judoka would be able to best use Judo through on and off the mat by treating everything like training, a lesson
training, working in free practice

getting in trouble, a situation where you want to learn

making money, practice makes more

Interview3

The second life of Judo
Interview 2


*Write your answer like you would write a thesis statement. Please don't give us one or two words or start your sentence with "by". Thanks!

Extra Blog Post: February

 

 During the month of February I have been injured since the last tournament, which indeed put a dent in my last presentation. I was going to make a demonstration of Judo to my fellow class mates and show how they could very well do the same on their own. This month I worked with my coach, Arvin Limen a lot, I was using Judo as a networking technique. Not only was my coach helping me to train and become better with my Judo (getting this first place) but I was helping my coach with his cars and other things he does. I know. Cars? Cars have nothing to do with Judo, but hey they do when they make you some money and you can get private lessons! Networking in Judo will definitely be my second answer. I have always had an appreciation for Judo.

Blog #16: Answer 2

1. What is your EQ?
What is the best way a Judoka can use Judo on and off the mat?
2. What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format)
A Judoka will be able to use any and all principles of Judo and training in a tournament, as well as outside of the dojo.
3. What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)
A Judoka can use lessons and skills learned inside of the dojo to communicate and network with people outside of the dojo as well as being able to utilize skills of people inside and outside the dojo.
4. List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.
My question is asking about how Judo can be used in the "REAL WORLD".
5. What printed source best supports your answer?
my interviews as well as a presentation that my sensei had showed me that he did.
6. What other source supports your answer?
Certain websites and blogs that are individual and tell a story of a Judoka that really has used Judo inside and outside of the dojo.
7. Tie this together with a concluding thought.
My first two ancwers to my EQ; ability to use principles of the tournament inside and outside of the dojo as well as skills learned inside the dojo, utilizing them by being able to network outside the dojo. These two answers have brought very different aspects of Judo together being able to use them outside the dojo. My interviews and many of my research shows clues of working with Judo inside and outside the dojo.

Blog 15: Independent Component 2 Approval

1. For my 30 hours I plan to visit different clubs to explore the aspect of using networking with different clubs and people. Discovering how the use of Judo can be used to network. I will try to work closer with each of my Senseis along with my coach and see how I cn network with people through Judo.

2. I will be going to other clubs, visiting and working with as many people independently as I can. Seeing how I can utilize their knowledge inside and outside of the dojo. This would mean working with Judokas inside the dojo on various technique as well as outside the dojo with as many talents I could help/use. Though this I'm sure I will become much closer to many of the judokas that I generally just associate with.

3. Explain how this component will help you explore your topic in more depth.
It will allow me to find specific examples where I can utilize talents inside and outside of the dojo, while using Judo. Showing the Judo is a great way to network.

4. Post a log in your Senior Project Hours link and label it "Independent Component 2" log.

Independed Component 1

LITERAL

(a)I, Inez Torres, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 45 hours of work.

(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component.
Clinic Held at Ogdens Judo school, by Sensei Gary Goltz and other skilled referees.

(c) Update your hours in your Senior Project Hours link. Make sure it is clearly labeled with hours for individual sessions as well as total hours.

(d) I have completed my referee certification. Though I have been a referee for a year now I have finally been able to go through the class and take the test to become one. I was required to learn the rules to a fine detail and be able to interpret them during a match, properly being able to referee a match.

INTERPRETIVE 

 

The initial clinic was an all day thing. Starting in the early morning and ending in the afternoon. Jovanny was explaining each of the rules and the use of them, while head referee Dan Takamoto and president of the USJA Gary Goltz pitched in their experiences and how they have seen the rules being used.

 

This demonstrates the time I took out to go to individual clubs to recruit players for the Winter Nationals. During Winter nationals, truly an all day event I was tasked to be a referee, being compared to the national referees being tested.


 APPLIED

The component helped me understand the way each competitor is "suppose" to play in Judo. There is truly a difference between learning tournament Judo and Judo in the dojo. Becoming a referee allows me to understand those points a little more and use these to my advantage. Visiting different dojos I was able to see how each of them prepare for Winter nationals, working in "tournament Judo". I was also able use the rules I learned while in the referee clinic to train by in preparation for the tournament.

Lesson 2 Reflection

Due Date: The day after your lesson presentation by 8:00 A.M.

Content:

1.What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?
I am most proud of my activity went fluently even though I could not do my demonstration with my broken foot. Most of the commendations that I recieved from my fellow classmates, liked my activity, with the demonstration could only make it better.
2. a. What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

AE-/ P+

b. Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.
I deserve an AE-/P+, is due to the fact I feel I covered all the P considerations on the component contract. The audience was clearly engaged in my presentation, as I did not see many people on their phone; texting, playing games, not paying attention, also receiving commentary back that my volume and the way I communicated to the audience was very clear. Not only was I professional attire but I was in a GI (whats worn in Judo), which was my prop, my powerpoint was everything that was required to cover in the contract and then some. My activity directly referred to my published research, one of my published research (Senior Handbook) that had extended detail on throws that I used in the Activity. The time allotted for my debrief was taken up by the fact I had such a trouble getting the students to stay focused, which I attribute to not being able to do my demonstration which would have held their focus a bit more.
3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?
In my lesson 2 the way I put the PowerPoint together was very good,the system I used did not allow me to put a lot of words, therefore I was pushed to use key words to provide a throw explination. As well as make use of the pictures I had for a backround.
4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?
Well, if I had a time machine I would go farther back than just my presentation to when I broke the two bones in my foot and not break them, allowing me to do the demonstration. Also put my resources on the board so I could remember to refur back to them.
5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?
The answer 2 to my essential question will have to do with the ability to use judo in a way of networking inside and outside the dojo.

Extra Blog Post: Janurary

This month I was able to get back to training in preparation for the upcoming tournaments. I was able to work with my coach, Arvin. Thankyou for being there for me, no matter the condition. You were there and worked with me to get a real learning experience at the tournament last week. It's great you were able to teach me so much standing technique and ground work in such short of time! This was a big help to my senior project. It taught me dedication and another form of Judo off of the mat. Teaching me confidence and demonstrating motivation. You told me; I was going to see results and I more than did! 

Blog 12: Mentorship 10 hours check

Content:

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?
A mix of my home dojo, Goltz Judo and other dojos I visit.
2.   Who is your contact?
Gary Goltz
3.   How many  hours have you done during the school year? (Summer Mentorship Hours and Mentorship Hours should be reflected separately in your Senior Project Hours log located on the right hand side of your blog).
A lot, 30 hours at least.
4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.
The service I have done is a mix of practice, helping out around the dojo, aiding to tournaments, and visiting clinics.

Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

Content:

1. It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school. What did you do over the break with your senior project?

Over the break I was able to find some new places on the internet to do research on Judo for my research Checks. I was also able to find an alternet dojo to work with, Jovany Valeria's Jiu-Jitsu club. Though it is not Judo there is a lot of comparison to be made.

2. What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why? What was the source of what you learned?

I learned that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, derived from Judo, has a lot of closely related techniques and methods to it. Though it focuses mainly on the ground, where as Judo focuses on techniques on the ground and standing.

3. If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers for your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

I would talk to my Sensei Gary Goltz, because he is a seventh dan in Judo and is very knowledgeable in Judo as well as the USJA (United States Judo Association) President. He is very good with words and would be able to help me word and ask the right things having to do with Judo.