Weekly Report #19 (2/2)

This week in ISM I have mainly focused on finishing my original work. For my original work, I conducted a survey in order to see the effects of lifestyle on vision. Interestingly, through my survey, I learned that diet is the number one lifestyle factor that affects vision. Students in my survey who ate healthy diets tended to have better vision than those who didn’t have healthy diets. As well, through the survey, I also learned that the amount of sun exposure students receive plays a big part in determining their vision. Students in my survey who spent less time outdoors tended to have better vision. This week I also met with Dr. Lao. During my visit, we discussed the findings of my original work. As well, Dr. Lao showed me how to adjust glasses and also how to set up a phoropter. I would consider this week a success as I finally finished my original work and learned a lot about how your lifestyle affects your vision through it. As well, I was able to learn more about two instruments that optometrists use. Next week, I will be preparing for my original work speech and complete another evidence of learning assessment. Lastly, I will shadow Dr. Lao on Wednesday. 

Weekly Report #18 (1/16)

This week in ISM, I have completed a mentor visit assessment, written a mentor bio, shadowed my mentor, and begun analyzing my original work survey data. On my mentor visit assessment, I wrote about my first visit with Dr. Lao. During the visit, we had a discussion on color blindness, and I also learned how to use a lens spectrometer. In class, we had a group discussion on our original work and also brainstormed for our final products. For my final product, I want it to be something that makes vision care more accessible to everyday people. Through my original work, I will hopefully be able to pinpoint an area in people's lifestyles that they can change to help improve their vision. This week on Wednesday, I also shadowed Dr. Lao and got to see how she conducts eye exams. I was surprised by the amount of things Dr. Lao checked for during her eye exams and how she was able to multi task very well. She often had to keep track of two patients at once as she waited for one of her patient's eyes to become dilated. Next week, I will finish my original work and visit again with my mentor.

Weekly Report #17 (1/19)

This week in ISM, I met with my mentor for the first time, started my original work, and had a student teacher conference. I was very excited to meet with Dr. Lao and learned a lot through my visit. During the visit, we made a tentative schedule, discussed about color blindness, and also checked the power on glasses. I really enjoyed the hands on experience from the visit as I learned how to use two instruments to check for the power on a lens. This week, I also made a survey for my original work. The survey asked questions about your exposure to the sun, your diet, and the amount of time you spend on electronic devices. My goal for my original work is to see if there is any correlation between lifestyle and vision. So far, I have received 30 responses for the survey. Lastly, I conferenced with my teacher, and set goals for myself to work on throughout the rest of the year. My ultimate goal is to deliver a solid presentation at final presentation night and have a good final product. Next week, I will be meeting again with my mentor and will write up a report for my original work.

Weekly Report #16 (1/12)

This week in ISM I have completed a research assessment and made S.M.A.R.T. goals for myself. Through my research assessment, I researched the causes, effects, and types of color blindness. Learning about color blindness helped broaden my perspective of optometry as it made me aware of problems people face beyond just blurry vision. By creating S.M.A.R.T. goals for myself, I was able to think deeply on what I want to do with my life and the steps I must take in order to reach my goals. For my short term goals, I want to finish the year strong and learn as much as I can about optometry. For my mid-term goals, I want to attain a biochemistry degree within four years and eventually go to a top medical school. And lastly, for my long term goals, I want to become a doctor and have started a family by the time I am 32. As well, I hope to contribute to the medical community and publish a few research papers by the time I am 40.  I would consider this week a success in that I was able to complete all assignments on time and set goals for myself. Next week, I will be meeting with my mentor for the first time.  As well, I will begin working on my original work and hopefully have completed my survey by the end of next week.

Weekly Report #15 (1/5)

This week in ISM has mainly been about the winter research showcase. On Tuesday, I attended the showcase and shared with others what I have learned in ISM so far. I really enjoyed the showcase as I was able to meet new people and tell them about ISM. As well, I was able to see the work my peers have done in ISM so far and was thoroughly impressed. Lastly, from the showcase I was able to think about what I need to improve upon for our final presentation night. I think for final presentation night, I want to have some type of food at my board and also I need to smile more. In class this week, we wrote thank you notes to all our teachers who came to the showcase. As well, we reflected on our showcase experience. Overall, I would consider this week a success as I felt the showcase went well. Over the break, I plan on doing another research assessment and also starting on my S.M.A.R.T. goals. By making my S.M.A.R.T. goals, I will be able to set up a frame work for the second semester of ISM. Finally, now that I have found a mentor, I look forward to working with Dr. Lao after the break to continue my studies of optometry. 

Weekly Report #14 (12/15)

This week in ISM I have completed another interview assessment and have also finished my board for the upcoming winter research showcase. As well, I have made my portfolio showcase ready by making sure all the fonts and formatting matched. Through my interview assessment, I reflected on my interview with Dr. Quach and the things I learned. From the interview, I learned about the pros and cons of optometry as well as the skills all optometrists must have. Finally, I received advice on what I should do in college in order to become an optometrist. In class, we prepared for the research showcase by asking each other potential questions that we might be asked the day of the showcase. As well, we went over what to do if we can’t answer a question or get stumped. Overall, I would say I was successful this week as I was able to finish my board and prepare for the showcase. I feel well prepared for the showcase and am sure that it will go well. Next week, I will be gathering some final materials to help create an optometry related atmosphere around my board. As well, I will do another research assessment and may even start on my original work.

Weekly Report #13

This week in ISM I have completed an interview assessment, original work proposal, a presentation board, and handed out invitations to our upcoming research showcase. Through my interview assessment, I reflected on my research interview with Dr. Lao and learned about what a typical day of an optometrist is like and the causes of vision loss. For my original work, I am planning on conducting a survey to determine if there is a relationship between your lifestyle and your vision. I specifically want to know what effects diet, sleep, and time spent on electronics have on your vision. This week I have also created my presentation board which I will showcase at the winter showcase. In class, I received critiques on my board and will work on implementing the suggestions that were made on my board. Next week, I will also be working on writing up my fifth research assessment and preparing for the winter showcase. As well, I will work on finalizing my portfolio and making a few stylistic edits. In the end, I would say I was successful this week in that I was able to complete all my assessments on time and create a rough draft of my display board.