A500.3.4.RB - Explore the Hunt Library

A500.3.4.RB_Manglona,Matthew-Napu

As I ventured through the Hunt library I was amazed with the vast amount of information available for me to use as reference material such as journal articles, magazine articles, and the books/e-books. As I reflect back to the days when I was obtaining my Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Guam, I remember having to go to the library to do research. The University of Guam did not have an on-line library back then, but if there was one, it would have made research easier.

This source will definitely be beneficial to me as a resource. For example, searching for an article on leadership for the assignment given to us for this module was very easy. The search feature was easy to use and the articles listed as references were exactly what I was looking for. I look forward to using the Hunt library for future assignments.

Resources are scholarly in nature because it provides access to academic pursuits of knowledge. When I research for something I have to think to myself, “What makes this article reliable?” “Does the author or writer have enough evidence to support his/her claim? It is well known know that Wiki-Pedia is not a good resource because it does not provide factual information and is not a reliable source.  Therefore, when I do research, I always think about the source at hand and if the reference material is an appropriate news/ journal article, book, or video.

It is known that the information available on the internet may not always be accurate therefore it takes a little more time to find legitimate and authentic articles to use as a source. The Hunt library provides me with precisely what I am looking for and I am not as reluctant to open the files to read.  For example, I researched Military Leadership articles for our assignment and there were an estimated 25 plus of journals or articles to choose from. I selected a few to read over and found some articles that contained citing’s, therefore I felt a sense of relief knowing the articles contained valid information.

The Hunt Library could represent a system of thinking compared to the body of information. The library produces a system of thinking by giving us a wide variety of choosing for information. Whereas articles or research from a search engine gives us the representation of a body of information. I rarely see the information located in search engines being put out and recognizing other author’s inputs compared to the library. I have found that the library articles I have read often reflect off other articles and compliment other references in the research process. Although I enjoy the ease in using search engines such as Google, the information from Google is not as meaningful or helpful as the information as using the on-line library and not as convenient.

A500.2.3.RB_MANGLONA,MATTHEW-NAPU Tell your story

A500.2.3.RB_MANGLONA,MATTHEW-NAPU

There are a few standards that I hold dear to my heart. I would like to talk about the critical thinking standard of consistency. Throughout my life, I have learned to think logically, and to continue to challenge myself mentally and physically, no matter how big or small the circumstance is. I consider these values as a standard in everything I do, and I attribute them to the teachings of my father, who is one of the most hardest working men that I know.

When I commit to something, I am determined to see it through to the end. I have learned to believe in everything I do and carry a positive attitude while doing it. I am always consistent in my belief of doing well. I believe everything happens for a reason, and there is something good in every situation. For example as an officer in the Army, my personal goal is to consistently exceed the standards of the physical fitness standards. I set this goal not only as a self-motivator, but also to motivate the soldiers in my platoon. There are other factors that motivate me and I often ask myself “Will scoring low on my PT Test result in delay in promotions?” or “If my soldiers see me fail or score low then that means it will be okay to emulate and do the same”.  Then my thoughts turn into things such as, “I have set a standard for them, they should follow” or “I will be able to be Number 1 on the board for selection to the next grade (Promotion)”.

Self-improvement is a continuous challenge, but that is what motivates me. Challenge allows me to excel. Standards will change throughout the years, but we also mature as time goes by. I take the lessons learned from the past experiences and challenge myself by setting a higher bar of expectations for myself. This is a consistent application on everything I do. Whether it be school work, work at the office, or my physical fitness, consistency always goes a long way with me.

A non-critical thinking standard that I hold will be opportunistic. I acquired this standard from my mentor in the Army. He always told me when an opportunity is presented in front of me to always take advantage and seize that opportunity. For example, I was offered to go to “Air Assault” school with only one-week notice. The two-week school is rigorous both physically and mentally demanding. But I knew that completion of this training will benefit me both personally and professionally. I can see claim vs. fact in my statement. I see a claim that the course would be physically and mentally demanding but I know it’s a fact that it will be beneficial for me. I say a claim because it depends on the individual going to the school, as it may be difficult for some and easy for others. And I state that it is beneficial for me because completing the school will give me necessary points for promotion.

I can also see a couple of elements of reasoning in my thought process. I already knew the purpose of going (as a leader it is expected of me to go) and I jumped at the opportunity presented to me knowing that it would be hard work but a good pay-off.  Unlike others individuals who make excuses such as “No, I am not ready”, or “One-week is not enough reaction time for me to leave”.

When the opportunity presented itself, I began to think about the “what-ifs”. For example, what if I go and do not pass, what if I pass this opportunity down and it does not come again because it was given to one of my colleagues, what if this class is what sets me apart from the next guy at promotion time, and lastly, what if budget cuts prevent me from ever going. This is the critical thinking in my though process.

A5001.5.RB_MANGLONA,MATTHEW-NAPU Intellectual Perseverance

A5001.5.RB_MANGLONA,MATTHEW-NAPU

Intellectual Perseverance referenced at  http://www.criticalthinking.org is defined as “Having a consciousness of the need to use intellectual insights and truths in spite of difficulties, obstacles, and frustrations; firm adherence to rational principles despite the irrational opposition of others; a sense of the need to struggle with confusion and unsettled questions over an extended period of time to achieve deeper understanding or insight”. I  relish this definition as it  relates  to resiliency and being able to overcome road blocks that may be presented in front of an individual.

This practice will be key to my performance in obtaining my Master’s degree. At times, there will be hardship and difficulties,  but I am  ready and committed to  adapt, overcome, and be successful. From experience I know I need to continue to work hard and remind myself about this  definition to become a successful leader, not only in my career, but a successful student as well.  I have made decisions on  many obstacles in life and I have struggled with confusion on  my decision making process.

One example was making a hard decision that I knew was right, versus making an wrong decision because it was an easy fix involving a on a service member that required “firm adherence to rational principles despite the opposition of others”. In this decision making process, I had to discharge a soldier because he consistently failed  to meet  the Army’s physical standards. This individual was a good person, however he was not a good soldier, which unfortunately led to his discharge.  This particular decision resulted in a mixture of emotions because I was viewed differently between my peers and some superiors.  Some were disappointed in me because they knew the this individual personally, and some were impressed because I took and hard line and stood my ground.

. During this time period, a lot ran through my mind, such as “ If I keep this soldier, what is the message I’ll be sending to those who were once in his position but were let go?” or “ If I let him go, what will  my friends and bosses who admire him going to think of me?” I was stuck in a dark cloud for a couple of months because I thought my unit hated me. However as time passed, I was content with my decision because I realized  that I made the right decision to  follow regulations.  

                As a leader in my organization, I would embrace the chance to  teach these fundamentals to other leaders who work under, aside, and above me. This will spread a great practice in our organization because this form of art is all but lost or practiced by very few. Based on my experience, I have seen individuals go through difficult times instead of intellectual perseverance, they simply give up.  Once they give up it is like a virus for those they work with, which  spreads before there is a chance for  resilient person to come in and save them from the road blocks they have created  on tasks that need to be completed.  

 I know in our discussions on fallacies intellectual perseverance will play a key role. For the example I used in the discussion of “Appeal to Consequence”, I would have to intellectually persevere and make the right decision with the facts  presented to me despite my close relationship with the individual. However I will have to sit and ponder to make the right decision even though there may be confusion, obstacles, and frustrations I may  experience. At the end of the day it will allow me to gather better insight and embrace the fact that I am wrong and the facts are right.

The critical thinking portion of our discussion board can go hand in hand with Intellectual Perseverance or at least be used as a sub tool. I would use it by thinking outside the lines of a solution realizing there will be difficulties and confusion but all to reach the end result of a deeper understanding. In comparison to Robert Ennis’s definition of “Critical Thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do”. (Nosich, 2012). The key phrase is deciding what to believe or do. Going back to my previous example above with the soldier failing his PT test I literally had to think critically of making the right decision because doing the right thing is what I believe in and what I do.