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Teagan Crist
End of Semester Summative Reflection
10th Honors Lit/Comp
Lester and Hamilton
Spring 2012
Spring 2012 End of Semester Summative Reflection
Project Topic: Rehabilitation of PTSD-Afflicted Veterans
1. I have learned a lot through this research project, especially about the treatments and
symptoms of PTSD. I never knew that there were so many options for treatments as well as symptoms
that can affect someone with the mental illness. I feel as though the world is blind on this subject – we
have no knowledge on how negatively war is affecting our veterans. I did not realize that PTSD was a
great deal more dangerous than it really is. Veterans with PTSD have a higher chance of domestic
violence problems, self-medication, alcoholism, self-mutilation, and committing suicide. So why has not
this illness become more known? Why are we failing supporting PTSD victims like we do with breast
cancer or Alzheimer’s?
2. I think I can speak for both Kristiena and myself when I say that it was difficult to find a variety of
information. We generally seemed to find great articles that just reiterated what we had already read. It
was a challenge to find information that could give us the depth and accuracy that we needed. In the
end, it took a lot of diligent searching and dedication for us to find what we needed. Aside from this
issue, I do not believe we had any problems as a group. Our time management was well thought-out and
generally very effective. If one of us was slacking due to lack of time or other issues (such as internet
connection problems), we would make sure we did something to make up for the extra work our

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partner had to do. For example, we had done a small part of the shaping sheet during the week and had
promised each other to do our shares over the weekend, but when the time came my internet was
down and would not allow me to view the google-docs file. Because Kristiena had to finish the shaping
sheet on her own, I took up the responsibility of doing the voicethread by myself.
3. Honestly, I do not really think we had any difficulties aside from having problems finding the
information we needed. Our project ran really smoothly and efficiently once we got our information. I
will admit that Netvibes did give us some problems every now and then, but we worked around those
problems by using different computers or by trial and error. While I am very interested in PTSD, I did at
times find myself growing a little bored with reading the same information over and over. The most
rewarding part of this project has to be the interview we got with Dr. Kimberley. Though Daniel Ryan,
the Public Affairs Officer of the VA Medical Center in New York, we got the opportunity to talk with an
expert. I think that having the experience of talking to a professional gives me an advantage in the
future when I may have to interview someone for a project or job.
4. In my opinion, I do believe that my book, Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac, influenced my interest
in PTSD. At one point in the book, Ned, the main character, displayed symptoms of PTSD, such as when
he described waking up in the middle of the night to terrible nightmares and when he would jump at
loud noises. On multiple occasions in the Fishbowl discussions, our group did talk about PTSD and the
effects it has on soldiers. With influence from both the book and our discussions, I believe my interest in
PTSD grew exponentially.
5. The two learning experiences that will leave a lasting impression on me were the two books and
the creation of the final project. While I did not really enjoy reading All Quiet on the Western Front, the
book itself was well written and overall had a moving message. I did, however, enjoy reading Code
Talker. The book covered a story that I had heard of but had never really understood and had a great
style of writing that allowed the reader to feel exactly how the main character felt. I feel like these two

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books really opened my eyes to the lives of the soldiers. As for creating the final project, I have to admit
that it was a lot of fun – well, aside from writing the essay, but having it finished is satisfying. Using
other elements such as photography and poems really made it more enjoyable to learn about our topic.
6. I think that we did a great job of working with Netvibes and making the project appealing to the
eye. I am not lying when I say that we spent several class periods and time at home just trying to make it
look organized. I am proud of how our project turned out, but my pride is mostly directed towards the
photography I did. I have always had a passion for photography but I have never had the time or reason
to put that passion into action. I feel like my photography gives the project the sort of seriousness the
project needs. I guess I just like the photography can shock a person into understanding the seriousness
of PTSD.
7. As stated before, we mainly had problems with technology and stress. The computers we used
often had issues such as deleting our saved files and just not cooperating in general. Sometimes we had
to switch computers so we could actually access our files, though a lot of the time we just sent them to
ourselves via email and finished them at home. The stress of the project was another factor. While
meeting deadlines was never a problem, the stress of feeling rushed and feeling as if technology was
slowing us down was a heavy weight on our shoulders. In the end we had to toughen up and work
through this stress – I believe this did help us in the end.
8. During this research project, I feel as though my research and information literacy skills have
improved. First of all, I improved on 1.1.2, using prior and background knowledge as context for new
learning. I based a lot of my research on what I had learned before we started this project. This basis
allowed me to quickly find information that would aid our research. I also improved on 1.2.6, displaying
emotional resilience by persisting in information searching despite challenged. While we did have some
issues finding the information we needed, we got through our struggles and came out with great
information. Another skill I improved on was 2.1.2, organizing knowledge so that it is useful. The

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Netvibes page really allowed us to effectively organize our knowledge so it is easy, attractive, and
efficient. 2.4.4, developing directions for future investigations, is another literacy skill I improved on. I
think that though this project, I have learned how to manage myself and how to work to successfully
investigate the topics I am researching. Last but certainly not least, I improved on skill 4.3.4, practicing
safe and ethical behaviors in personal electronic communication and interaction. Our interview emails
really showed us how professional you have to be when speaking to someone you don’t know. I feel
that these are only five of the many skills I improved on.
9. I think that being able to do a multi-genre project really helped my learning process because
instead of doing the work because I had to, I did the work because I wanted to. I feel like I am more
willing to work on something that has creative elements because I work best when not under the stress
of only an intense, knowledge-filled essay. I learn best through creativity, as seen in my mindmaps while
we were reading our chosen books. Being a visual learner, I felt like organizing my research and findings
was much more relaxing and controllable compared to just writing an essay.
10. Our Netvibes page is full of stuff. I think stuff is probably the only work to describe how many
different types of sources and information are crammed into it. We used our Netvibes as a creative,
attractive way to present our information without making the reader bored of our topic. I think that
next year I will figure out a more organized way of presenting an essay. Right now I feel that our essay is
just sort of sitting on the page with no purpose aside from being that boring part of the project. I do
believe that I will use Netvibes for my classes next year if I get the opportunity. I think that, compared to
making a poster or a powerpoint, Netvibes allows the viewer to get their hands on something, whether
it be by video, picture, or other multi-media items. I my Netvibes shows that I a an expressive, creative
person who is more interested in visual learning than anything else.
11. I cannot say that my skills in digital literacy has increased, though I do feel more comfortable
with using sites such as Netvibes, Easybib, Slideshare, and Voicethread. Both of the books we read this

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semester have gived me the opportunity to become more experienced in analytical reading. I feel as
though reading between the lines and picking out information I would not have normally seen has
become much easier for me. Writing emails and essays has allowed my vocabulary to strengthen and
has given me more confidence in writing in more professional styles. Most of all, I feel as though I have
learned so much from our research! Not only do I have more of a sense of what PTSD actually is, but I
feel as though I can more comfortably go into a research project and find the information I need without
fretting about it. All of these skills are bound to help me in my Lit/Comp class next year. I cannot wait!