Madison Vaughn reflects on her digital text research project on traumatic brain injuries (TBI). She learned a significant amount about TBI, including terms and advances in technology for diagnosing it. While researching was initially overwhelming, she gained valuable knowledge. Managing time and keeping information organized were some challenges she overcame. The process helped improve her research, communication, and technology skills, which will benefit her in upcoming classes.

1. Madison Vaughn
Mrs. Lester
Hon Lit/Comp 10
2 May 2012
End of Semester Summative Reflections
1. During the Digital Text research project, my knowledge of my topic, Traumatic Brain
Injury, has in increased in a great amount. I have learned a lot about TBI, including
terms of content. Before researching about Traumatic Brain Injuries, I had so many
questions going through my mind. When it was time to start looking for information, I
was overwhelmed with the amount of detail I was getting. My group and I decided to
base our research project on the family coping, advances in technology, and
preventions which relate to Traumatic Brain Injury. While researching about the
advances in technology, I have come to see how far the knowledge scientists and
medical doctors have learned when it comes to diagnosing a person with TBI. Even
though our research has come to an end, I feel that I have gained the knowledge that
is needed.

2. 2. I feel that in every group project there will always be a difficult challenge in when it
comes to finding information, communicating with each other, managing time, and
technology usage. I found the first few days of the project to be easy. I didnʼt have
much trouble finding articles that related to TBI. Although because this research
project needed to have great detail, I needed to find specific articles that really made
the point clear about TBI. I also found finding pictures to be a little struggle I had. Ms.
Hamilton really helped me when she showed us how to find abstract pictures by
playing around with the search terms. Managing my time was easy also. However
keeping everything organized in my binder became a little struggle for me.
3. While working on the Digital Text research project, I found very few difficulties.
Keeping up with new requirements in an organized manor is what I found most
difficult. I started to become stressed about all the deadlines. Once I realized that this
was going to help me in the long run with my upcoming classes, I learned quickly how
to make the best of things and how to work through my struggles. I honestly believe
that the whole process of this research project was rewarding. I have gained
knowledge about this whole project.

3. 4. Reading Purple Heart gave me a good idea as to what the life of a soldier with a TBI
really goes through. The main character, Matt Duffy, suffers from Traumatic Brain
Injury. This book really caught my attention and made me want to learn more. This
semesters cohort Fishbowl discussions also influenced me on my choice in topic. By
listening to each group talk about their topic, what really caught my attention was the
struggles with Traumatic Brain Injury. Right then I knew what I wanted to do my
research project on.
5. By reading two non-fiction books, I honestly think that they will have an impact on me.
I felt like I was learning more each day about war as I continued to read. Studying the
issue has also had an impact on me. It has made me realize how serious was can
really be. Soldiers are easily touched by what they gone through, what theyʼve seen,
and what has influenced them the most.
6. Looking back and reflecting on my work for the past eight weeks, i think I have
improved on deciding what information is really important and most useful for this

4. project. Communicating back and forth with my partners helped me find what
information I needed to include or not include. I honestly think that I have also really
improved in our Fishbowl discussions. Having a smaller group to talk to made it
easier for me to jump in and add my opinions. I found that having a large group made
it difficult to speak in because everyone wanted to state their ideas and opinions.
7. The most difficult challenge I came across was finding a person to interview. At first
we wanted to interview a lady who wrote an article about Traumatic Brain Injury. We
found her website but could not find any contact information. Which made us go to
plan B. We finally found another person who we were interested in interviewing.
However, due to the major time differences, we were not able to schedule an
interview. In this matter, he was kind enough to give us two more articles he had
written about TBI. With these articles, we were able to put more detail into our
research.
8. I think I have improved when it comes to researching the right information and getting
use to the new websites and sources that were provided by the help of Ms. Hamilton. I

5. feel more confident in the researching skills. This semester has taught me a lot and also
this whole year has taught me how to stay positive. I now have better computer literacy
skills in which will help me stay on topic for the years ahead.
9. The process in composing a Voice Thread increased my learning skills in this unit of
learning. I had to teach myself how to become aware of the way things worked when
it came to technology. Listening to Ms. Hamilton as she explained how everything
worked really helped me. She went step by step on how everything was supposed to
look, which really made things a whole lot easier.
10. My group and I decided to use Netvibes as our dashboard. This website helped us
gather our information into one place. It was a great way to stay organized because
everything was there on the front page. We put any new articles or pictures on our
Netvibes so that each of us had access to it. Netvibes was very confusing at first.
However, with the help from Ms. Hamilton and Ms. Lester, I was able to over come
my confusion. In the long run, Netvibes ended up being very helpful.

6. 11. When it comes to digital literacy, analytical reading and writing, I plan to keep
everything the same for the most part. The organization methods I developed for this
project seemed to turn out well so I plan to keep up the good work for the upcoming
years. When I am researching for any topic, I need to remember to use specific terms
that will eventually help me find up to date articles.