Sheryl Savage

December 18, 2007

I. "MY SYNTHESIS PRODUCT SHOWS THAT..."

A. I can convey who I want to influence/affect concerning what (Subject, Audience, Purpose).

a. I started out with a clear mission in my mind to bring humor into my every day work environment to be used as a tool to open up and affirm creativity to stimulate effective problem solving and thus bring about much needed. I planned on initially developing a humor workshop that I would try out on my colleagues at the college. After the shift in my direction for my synthesis work, I know feel confident that I would like to develop a support group/workshop using gentle humor to help people deal with loss of a loved one.

b. I am still struggling with being able to speak and work with groups of people with whom I could share my own personal tragedy that led me in this new direction. Starting my initial presentation of my work on my synthesis with the CCT Synthesis Class and Faculty was a safe environment for me to take this risk.




B. I know what others have done before, either in the form of writing or action, that informs and connects with my project, and I know what others are doing now.

a. I found lots of anecdotal evidence supporting my original synthesis on Humor in the Workplace and then as a critical thinker, I knew I needed to also find empirical evidence as well. With my change in direction for humor as a tool to heal with loss, I read many lay books on the subject and felt motivated to then search for scholarly evidence to support the power of humor to help heal. I was pleased to find many studies that have measurable results to prove various theories. Going back to one of the earliest writings on humor as a healing tool, I carefully read through Norman Cousin’s work in Anatomy of an Illness. I was inspired from that to move forward to read the work of other groundbreakers including Patch Adams, M.D. A defining moment for me was finding the AATH, The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor through Allen Klein’s writing.

b. I truly want to focus my efforts in reading through more literature on humor as a coping tool as well as to meet with some of the leaders in the field, through the AATH organization.



C. I have teased out my vision, so as to expand my view of issues associated with the project, expose possible new directions, clarify direction/scope within the larger set of issues, and decide the most important direction.

a. The Mind Map I originally used in Practicum was a tool I constantly referred back to. Even though I originally did this project for “Adding humor to my tool kit as a change agent in the workplace, I found many pieces in my Mind Map that went beyond this expectation towards other directions. In my later synthesis work of humor as a tool for coping with loss, I went back to the Mind Map again and found components on humor as a tool for better health, a stress reliever and other powerful uses.

b. I intend to do a Mind Map for my new direction, using humor as a tool for coping with loss to further expand my view of issues around this topic.



D. I have identified the premises and propositions that my project depends on, and can state counter-propositions. I have taken stock of the thinking and research I need to do to counter those counter-propositions or to revise my own propositions.

My research has identified specific techniques on bringing the power of humor into your environment to take you out
of sadness even if only for a few minutes. When grieving for a loss, the power of humor to help you heal is uplifting.

b. I have paid careful attention to writings on the possible negative effects of humor. Thus I am aware of the need to use
gentle and appropriate humor as a tool for helping to heal from loss.


E. I have clear objectives with respect to product, both written and practice, and process, including personal development as a reflective practitioner. I have arranged my work in a sequence (with realistic deadlines) to realize these objectives.

I feel my transition from humor in the workplace to humor as a healing tool to deal with loss has been achieved
through extensive research and reflection. My own personal tragedy was the impetus for me to search for new meaning in the power of humor to influence my life and others. The shift in the direction of my synthesis energized me and gave me new purpose in life. I have spent every spare moment I have on this research and writing.

b. Once again, I have realized, as I did in Practicum as well, that even realistic deadlines cannot be met when the
unexpected happens to you. As Peter Taylor said, “life is more important than arbitrary deadlines.” An important
lesson of life is to learn to flexibility and to realize no plans are set in stone. Life happens…



F. I have gained direct information, models, and experience not readily available from other sources.

The interviewing process is a powerful technique to use in gleaning best practices information. The two leaders
I interviewed shared thoughtful insight into why their methods worked for them.

b. I look forward to interviewing members of the AATH for their thoughts on the use of humor in healing.




G. I have clarified the overall progression or argument underlying my research and the written reports.

a. My revised synthesis on humor as a healing tool has given me hope to continue the healing process in my life and in the lives of those closest to me and then to expand that to others.

b. I still need to heal more myself, before I “take my act on the road.”




H. My writing and other products Grab the attention of the readers/audience, Orient them, move them along in Steps, so they appreciate the Position I've led them to.

a. My oral presentation to the synthesis class and the faculty showed me that people are interested in hearing what I have to say on the subject and become quite engaged in the process. The use of props and audience participation are both important factors as well.

b. I hope to develop further audience interaction that is appropriate to whatever group I am presenting to at the time.




I. I have facilitated new avenues of classroom, workplace, and public participation.

a. After my public presentation in class, I feel comfortable in going forward to develop a support group to be used for the
general public as well. I appreciate the safe atmosphere of the CCT Program, but I know the confidence I have
acquired will help me in any situation.

b. I want to stay in touch with my CCT family and I am hopeful I can do additional presentations in the future as a testing
ground for my work.



J. To feed into my future learning and other work, I have taken stock of what has been working well and what needs changing.

a. I know that I need to take a step back and work on some issues in my life that I have put on the back burner while I was concentrating on completing my synthesis.

b. My continual struggle with “not enough time in my life” goes on. I have learned to prioritize tasks and actions and I will continue to do so.

II. DEVELOPING AS A REFLECTIVE PRACTITIONER, INCLUDING TAKING INITIATIVE IN AND THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

1. I have integrated knowledge and perspectives from CCT and other courses into my own inquiry and engagement in social and/or educational change.

In both my professional and personal life, I have integrated much of the knowledge I have learned through my years in the CCT Program. My thoughts know no boundaries, as I can imagine and act upon many different solutions to complex issues. This is due to my experiences in CCT. Before I became a CCT student, I was more conventional in my thinking. My thought process and actions are forever changed by my experiences in the program.



2. I have also integrated into my own inquiry and engagement the processes, experiences, and struggles of previous courses.

The Practicum course was a struggle for me at first because it pushed me to change my ways of operating. Learning about RefWorks was a defining moment for me a as it gave me a powerful tool for my research efforts. Learning to be comfortable with re writing my work after reflection was an important lesson that helped carry me through synthesis. I was pleased to come back this year and talk with the students in Practicum, as once you get into the rhythm of the class, instead of struggling with the assignments, you learn to appreciate them and feel quite good about what you are accomplishing.


3. I have developed efficient ways to organize my time, research materials, computer access, bibliographies, etc.

Once again, CCT 698 gave me the skills to organize my work. As Peter said in class, “We do not have the time to not be organized.” I still use my back pack on wheels to tote around my papers and books. My flash stick with a purple curled ribbon tied on the end is my constant companion. I back up all my work both professionally and personally now. I also email myself my documents as an extra precautionary measure. I made my surroundings around my desk and computer conducive to sitting for long periods of time, with a more comfortable chair, bottled water and snacks within easy reach.



4. I have experimented with new tools and experiences, even if not every one became part of my toolkit as a learner, teacher/facilitator of others, and reflective practitioner.

Being able to use the UMB library over the internet has become a wonderful tool for me. I was always the old fashioned type who needed to be physically in the library. I find it amazing to be in the comfort of my own home and to have all sorts of knowledge come to me on my computer screen. Research is almost addictive. I must force myself to stop at times when I realize how long I have been at it.


5. I have paid attention to the emotional dimensions of undertaking my own project but have found ways to clear away distractions from other sources (present & past) and not get blocked, turning apparent obstacles into opportunities to move into unfamiliar or uncomfortable territory.

I faced a great challenge when I decided not to continue on the familiar path of humor in the workplace for my synthesis. I realized in time I could go back to that work, but I needed something else now to move me forward and help me heal. My ability to be a critical and creative thinker, gleaned from my years in the CCT Program, led the way for me to be able to take the steps necessary to try a new path for my synthesis and ultimately my life.


6. I have developed peer and other horizontal relationships. I have sought support and advice from peers, and have given support and advice to them when asked for.

The CCT Community is a warm and engaging family. The support of my fellow students was always a powerful force whenever I needed them. Questions, thoughts and more, emailed out to classmates were answered promptly. I always felt safe to ask for help and I always felt engaged to offer help when needed. Especially in my end of program classes, I felt that I could always count on getting the support and encouragement I needed any time I needed it by a simple phone call or email. I hope to keep this connection and remain a part of the CCT community.


7. I have taken the lead, not dragged my feet, in dialogue with my advisor and other readers. I didn't wait for the them to tell me how to solve an expository problem, what must be read and covered in a literature review, or what was meant by some comment I didn't understand. I didn't put off giving my writing to my advisor and other readers or avoid talking to them because I thought that they didn't see things the same way as I do.

I certainly had constant interaction with my advisor and reader. Nina and Carol were there every step of the way with me on my synthesis. We mostly communicated by email, but there were many phone calls as well when direct communication was necessitated. I also knew I could count on Peter and Arthur for comments and help when needed during the synthesis process. Interpreting and understanding comments on my writing became a crucial part of the procedure. By being open to any and all remarks, I grew in my ability to write a thoughtful, well constructed work that would make sense to the reader. I was able to see many perspectives. I came to realize that there is no one way to do anything, but many paths. We need to reflect on which is the best way at any given time.


8. I have revised seriously, which involved responding to the comments of others. I came to see this not as bowing down to the views of others, but taking them in and working them into my own reflective inquiry until I could convey more powerfully to others what I'm about (which may have changed as a result of the reflective inquiry).

Responding to the comments of others is time consuming and hard work, but ultimately quite rewarding. Revisions are important points of passage. Fresh eyes see things that you do not. Sometimes we are so caught up in our work, that what is apparent to us is not properly explained in our writings. Learning to listen to other views and learning to incorporate some of this into your own thinking is important work.


9. I have inquired and negotiated about formal standards, but gone on to develop and internalize my own criteria for doing work—criteria other than jumping through hoops set by the professor so I get a good grade.

I have been flexible in working through various issues in my synthesis, but I have also been firm on speaking through my own voice on parts of my work that I may have seen through a different lens than my advisor or reader.




10. I have approached the CCT synthesis course and the CCT program as works-in-progress, which means that, instead of harboring criticisms to submit after the fact, I have found opportunities to affirm what is working well and to suggest directions for further development.

My experiences in the CCT synthesis course and the entire CCT program have been life altering for me personally and professionally. As I have stated before in Practicum, I consider my entire life to be a works-in-progress. Even when we think we know where we are going, the road changes right before our eyes. For me, the twists and turns in my life left me scarred and not certain I could go on. Much like the characters in The Wizard of Oz, I needed to find the courage, the wisdom, and the heart to find my way home again. Thank you Nina, Peter, Carol, and Arthur for being my wizards by allowing me to see I had the power within myself all along…