Camila Barrera Reflection 2

Dear Sherri, I really enjoyed more this time and appreciated, how every presentation covered the essential concepts of Elections Matter which it is Education Policies. My group did and presented different point of views about education policies and how does it impact here in the U.S.. My part of the project was to try to get interviews from important people from the schools boarder, ask them several questions about their opinion and what do they think about some education policies. I was trying to reach the Dean of Students from MDC; Dr. Nelson Magaña, and also a kindergarten school teacher from where I work and the Assistant Principal. Unfortunately I did not get the interviews, but other than that, I also did some research about of how education policies impacts schools. U.S. education policies focus on promoting equality and preparing students for the future. Key federal policies include the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Higher Education Act. Recent reforms address the Common Core Standards, school choice options, and technology in education. Book banning has surged recently, with objections mainly around race, sexuality, and political content. 

 Group 1 focused on immigration policies, and their presentation was characterized by its creativity. However, the slides lacked sufficient content to make concepts clearer, and they used a variety of tones that reduced the visual uniformity of the presentation. Although the visual approach was effective, simplifying the color palette could improve cohesion. A strong point was their use of statistics to support the information, though these were not entirely clear; a more thorough interpretation or explanation would have helped the audience better understand. The presentation also introduced the Democratic and Republican party stances, which provided a basic perspective on the differences in their immigration approaches. However, it would have been ideal to delve into the factors that influence these positions, as well as to present a more global view on these policies, since this area lacked sufficient context. Learning about the organizations involved in immigration policies was interesting, but the presenters could enhance their vocal tone and fluency, as occasional pauses affected the clarity of the message. This group highlighted the importance of a clear structure and careful delivery when presenting complex topics.

Group 2 focused on gender equality, and although they had a good amount of information, the slides contained too much text, which diminished their visual appeal. Although the group demonstrated excellent material, it was challenging to follow the main themes without failing in detail due to the amount of text on slides. The female pay gap in the workplace and in sports was one of the most important topics discussed, highlighting a notable disparity in opportunity and recognition. They also talked about abortion rights, offering different legal, social, and cultural perspectives on this issue. To improve, they could reduce the text in their slides and add more visual elements, such as graphics, images, or real-life cases, which could be illustrated through a brief interview or personal testimony. This would not only make the presentation more engaging but also help to illustrate the real-life impact of gender inequality on individuals.

Group 3 focused on the electoral process, with a well-chosen selection of images that complemented the content. The slides' font size may be improved, though, as it was too small and challenging to read from a distance. They could improve readability and enable the audience to read comfortably by enlarging the font and decreasing the quantity of material. The lecture discussed how the electoral process has changed over time and how new procedures have been implemented to increase accessibility and transparency. Their examination of the media's impact on how elections are perceived was another intriguing aspect of their work. This is an important subject in the contemporary environment, where public opinion and the media are major players. They also discussed the significance of voting, highlighting the contribution that individuals and groups play in encouraging voting. The presentation included both internal and external perspectives, offering a comprehensive view of how these processes are perceived domestically in the U.S. and internationally. However, the group needs to be more concise, as the excessive duration of the presentation led to some points being drawn out unnecessarily. A shorter, more precise focus would help retain the audience’s attention without sacrificing the quality of the information presented.

Group 4 covered education policies and stood out for the clarity and appeal of their presentation. The slides were visually engaging, making it easy for the audience to follow along with key concepts that were clear and concise. The information was well-structured and presented in a way that was easy to follow, though reducing the amount of text on the slides could make them even more effective. This group provided an analysis of education policies, highlighting the organizations involved and their influence on policy implementation. Their explanations were supported by videos and interviews that enriched the presentation and offered a closer, practical view of the topic. By including testimonies and expert opinions in education, they gave depth to the content and presented a realistic perspective of educational policies and their societal effects. Also, they demonstrated confidence while presenting, which helped the audience to understand better what they were explaining. This group demonstrated the importance of using audiovisual resources and maintaining a balanced and coherent structure to keep the audience engaged.

In conclusion all the presentations were great in their own way. Each group did their tasks and provided the information that were given to do. Since this was the second time presenting as a group, we had to get to know each other a lot better and we had more confidence than the first time presenting. Starting off with me, I felt more confident with myself and that is something that I am proud of. The importance of all is that we always need to learn from our mistakes. In summary all the groups were excellent and very dedicated providing important information that we need to know for our futures.

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