Final Presentation: Conclusion (Pt. 1)

Research Skills: Throughout this project, I was forced to do an abundant amount of research. Not only did I have to find information, I had to organize the information into categories within my paper, determine which information was useful for which section of my paper, which was relevant and reliable, and I had to cite them properly. Because the paper was factual and professional, I had to research properly and carefully to make sure that everything I included in the paper was accurate. 

Creative Thinking: Creative thinking was a skill that I exhibited through my solution for my government in Sudan. Instead of focusing on the federal government (which everyone seemed to attempt - unsuccessfully) I brainstormed for a while, and developed a solution I hadn’t even heard of before. Going local, and starting smaller rather than focusing on the federal government.

Critical thinking and logical problem solving skills: This skill was easily developed for me throughout this journey. I was working to solve a VERY large problem! Hunger and corrupt government in one of the worst off countries in the world. The accuracy required by the paper forced me to take everything into account when attempting to problem solve. It forced me to predict what would happen if a certain solution were to go into place, to infer how it would change the lives of the Sudanese people if certain things were to be changed in certain ways. It forced me to adjust MANY decisions when I deemed one solution unsuccessful. 

Communication Skills: My presentation, speech, and discussion skills were obviously put to use at the World Food Prize event in Ames. I had to not only present my entire paper in three short minutes, I then had to discuss it with professionals and discuss other students’ papers as well. These open ended discussions with professionals AND students/scholars my age easily improved my communication skills.

Quick Reflection: Research skills were primarily gained through the use of online research in the EdX class and other findings about my topic. Critical thinking was used to determine a solution different than every other solution, to attack the federal government. Critical thinking and logical problem solving skills were used to take everything into account when determining solutions. To predict the outcome if certain solutions were implemented, and to under how it would alter the lives of the Sudanese people if specific events were to occur. It forced me to adjust many times along the way. Communication skills were heavily strengthened at the Round Table discussion at Iowa State.