E-portfolio reflection

Looking back on this course, I recognize how it intersected with my personal interests and challenged me in new ways. As someone who loves learning about politics—both national and local—I came into the class with a solid foundation from my preferred mediums, like political podcasts and local news sources. While much of the material reinforced what I already knew, I appreciated the opportunity to deepen my understanding of new topics, like how interest groups function and the nuances of federalism. These topics added depth to my knowledge and gave me fresh perspectives on issues I care about. At the start of the term, I was an active participant in discussions, eager to engage in thoughtful exchanges. However, my enthusiasm waned as I felt the discussions often lacked genuine intellectual debate, with more agreement than respectful disagreement. This shift made me realize how much I value dynamic, face-to-face interactions in fostering meaningful dialogue.

As the course progressed, I adjusted my focus toward assignments I found more rewarding, such as the heavily weighted papers and quizzes. I channeled my energy into these tasks, striving to demonstrate my understanding and critical thinking in a way that felt more substantial than the weekly discussions. While I value the convenience of online learning, I found that the format didn’t always encourage the level of engagement I was seeking. In hindsight, I believe I would have been more engaged and perhaps a better student in an in-person setting, where discussions might have felt more stimulating and collaborative. Despite these challenges, I appreciate the knowledge I gained and the opportunity to reflect on how I learn best, which will inform how I approach future courses.