Discussion Post

Unit #1 Discussion: Values Affirmation (Multiple Posts, Multiple Due Dates!) – BIOLC101 Discussion Group 2Introduction:

Your first discussion topic in this course requires you to participate in a Values Affirmation Exercise. In this exercise, you are given a list of values and asked to select three values that are most important to you. After selecting these three values, please reflect on why you chose them, and then write a short summary (250+ words) about why these values are important to you.

NOTE #1: Please make sure to write the due dates for this assignment down, and complete it before the assigned due dates. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND not waiting until the due date to start working on this assignment (finish it early so you don’t have as much work to do at the end of the unit!)

NOTE #2: Like all other assignments in this course, DO NOT use Artificial Intelligence Language models to assist you on this assignment. The use of AI for developing responses to homework assignments and discussion prompts is expressly prohibited in this course, and includes programs such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grammarly etc.! I reserve the right to request a student revise their assignment if concerns arise regarding originality, authenticity, or appropriate use of course context.

NOTE #3: I have randomly split you into discussion groups. Please keep in mind that there can be a lot of turnover in the beginning of an online course! If you are posting and not getting responses, it may be because students have dropped out of the course and your group is smaller. Please reach out ASAP if this happens so I can fix the problem (for example, by combining groups).

Directions:

1. Observe and write down the due dates for the MULTIPLE DISCUSSION POSTS that are due as part of this assignment
2. INSTRUCTOR NOTE: All discussion assignments in this course require multiple discussion posts, each with different due dates!
3. INSTRUCTOR TIP: Come down with a system that works for you to keep track of the due dates for these discussion posts (and all other assignments in this course)!
4. Read the theory section about the value affirmation exercise, below.
5. Read the activity section below and complete the Unit #1 Discussion Assignment
6. DISCUSSION POST #1: Write a personal introduction paragraph and then write a reflective post that summarizes the values you selected and why they are important to you. (250+ words)
7. DISCUSSION POST #2: Thoughtfully respond to at least two different students’ discussion post reflections using 50+ word responses.

Due Dates:

In order to receive full credit on this assignment, you must make at least three separate posts. Please make sure to have your posted submitted by the following days:

• DISCUSSION POST #1: DUE BY THURSDAY January 29th: Submit your initial 250+ word post
• DISCUSSION POST #2: DUE BY FRIDAY January 30th: Submit two 50+ word responses to at least two other students in the course
• TO BE CLEAR! You must submit one initial discussion post and two separate reply posts to receive full credit.

Theory:

• This value affirmation exercise is considered an “intervention” because it is intended to bring about change in the person performing the activity.
• Performing value affirmation exercises has been shown to mitigate feelings of stereotype threat.
• Stereotype threat is defined as a situational predicament in which people feel they are at risk of conforming to stereotypes about their social group.
• Research has indicated that stereotype threat is a contributing factor to long-standing racial and gender gaps in academic performance.
• Research suggests that value affirmation exercises can help foster a sense of belonging and possibly improve academic performance of underrepresented minorities in college courses.

References:

• Cohen, Geoffrey L., et al. “Reducing the racial achievement gap: A social-psychological intervention.” Science 313.5791 (2006): 1307-1310.
• Jordt, Hannah et al. Values Affirmation Intervention Reduces Achievement Gap between Underrepresented Minority and White Students in Introductory Biology Classes. CBE Life Sciences Education vol. 16,3 (2017): ar41. doi:10.1187/cbe.16-12-0351

Activity

In your DISCUSSION POST #1, include the following elements:

1. Out of the values listed below, select three values that are most important to you. Feel free to select a value not included on the list if you wish. Reflect on why these values are personally important to you using concrete examples from your own life (use personal, not general experiences).

• Creativity
• Relationships with family and friends
• Independence
• Learning and gaining knowledge
• Money, wealth and status
• Your social/cultural/racial identity
• Honesty or integrity or morality
• Helping society (or others)
• Achievements in athletics, education or your career
• Connection with nature or the environment
• Athleticism or fitness
• Spirituality or religion
• Sense of humor (or having fun)
• Living in the Moment
• Kindness and generosity
• Other

1. Connection to the theory section:
2. Reflect on your thoughts on this Values affirmation assignment BEFORE and AFTER reading the Theory section (above). Based on the theory section, do you expect this assignment to do what it claims to do? What specific idea from the theory section stood out to you? If you are skeptical, explain why (what remains unclear or unconvincing)?
3. Example sentence starters:
4. Before reading the theory, I assumed this activity was meant to…
5. One part of the theory that surprised me was…
6. This reading changed my thinking because…
7. This DISCUSSION POST #1 should be approximately 250+ words in length and is due January 29th.

In your DISCUSSION POST #2, include the following elements:

1. Respond to at least two classmates that :
2. Provides positive encouragement (do not be disrespectful to the ideas and thoughts of others).
3. Identifies one specific idea from their post that stood out to you, trying to make a connection to the post using your own personal experiences.
4. This DISCUSSION POST #2 includes two posts that are 50+ words in length and are due January 30th.