Am I in a (dis)comfort zone?

Active listening is an important part of communication and refers to a process of listening to understand the speaker. You can signal you value and respect another person by listening with purpose. By pausing to reflect and try on different perspectives, we could learn that while we intended to be helpful, our words might not have had the desired impact.

After the video, you’ll have a chance to practice active listening.

Practice Active Listening!

• Speaker: Take 1-2 minutes to respond to this prompt:

As you toured Fimbel, what was one stop that was in your comfort zone? Out of your comfort zone?

• Listener: Please do not interrupt when someone is sharing their story. You are practicing active listening. When the speaker is done:

Take 1 minute to say what you heard and what you heard from the speaker. You can mirror with phrases like:

“I heard you say…” or “It sounded like...”

• [If you are in a trio] Observer: Listen and keep time.

• Switch roles.

• If you have additional time, use these prompts to discuss what the activity was like for you.

  • When you were in the “speaker" role: do you think you changed how you communicated knowing that another person was actively listening to you?

  • When you were in the “listener” role: did you find yourself listening in a different way when you knew you were the one reflecting back?

• I am out of my comfort zone with sewing!! I always hurt myself and get super frustrated so I ask my costume design major bestie to fix my clothes so I’m excited to be more independent. A large amount of the maker space is my comfort zone, especially the electronics, woodshop, metal shop, laser cutter and kitchen. I have used these spaces a ton for my physics classes and also because I love baking. I’m excited to get more hands on and now I live in prospect so i spend way more time here by nature.

• I am exciting about trying new things. There are a great number of mahcines that I am not familiar with, but I think if I try hard, I will get there. If I am going to get a stamp on the ability badge, I will try woodcut because the wood have amazing patterns. I am comfortable trying new thinsg becasue of the positive mindset that gives me confidence.

• I felt so comfortable with laser cutter and sawing machines because I have being using it for a while. I am not that comfortable using big machines and also big electronic projects, that being sad I am not that much comfortable working at the wood and metal shop but I would love to use those spaces

• For me, it was very exciting to see all we can do at the fimble lab. Before today I did not know that this space was opened for everyone with little to no cost!! This is very exciting and I am very curious to try new things and projects. What sparked my eyes was the fabric section and the jewelry making. These two are both interests of mine and seeing that there is a space that I can make my own projects is exciting. One thing that was out of my comfort zone was the welding and wood area. These areas seem like lots of fun but being someone who has never handled equipment like that, it is definitely nerve racking and I will probably never go there on my own until I have training or I will be working with someone since it is very dangerous if now used properly. Today was fun and I can’t wait to use this space!

• I found that sewing and everything in the craft cabinet was definitely in my comfort zone. I grew up doing a lot of crafts and enjoy working with fabrics/craft materials even now, so it's totally understandable. However, I think that the laser cutters/welding equipment is definitely out of my comfort zone. I haven't ever done that before and haven't had access to any equipment remotely like that, so I'd be out of my comfort zone getting started but I'm definitely willing to try.

• I haven't had access to a lot of those tools until I enter college so most of the tools are outside of my comfort zone. I know a little bit about setting up camera room because I had to record things for my class, so I might be neutral about the documentation room. I used to do a little bit of jewelry making over the break with my host family so I'm neutral with that.

• I am not comfortable with any big machinery because I have no clue how to use the equipment. I also am not interested in making things that require the use of that equipment. What I was comfortable with was the sewing machine. I have not had much experience with one but I have an idea of what I would like to make with the sewing machine.

• in my comfort zone: arts and crafts, some simple soldering, a bit of hand sewing, some jewelry making. These are mostly in my comfort zone because I have had past experience with them and know that I enjoy doing them enough that I count them as a skill I have. Other things like many of the machines, more technical materials, and more involved projects are not necessarily out of my comfort zone in that I would not be open to them, but more so that I have just never had experience with them before and know there would be a bit of a learning curve.

• One thing that was in my comfort zone was the sewing station because I’ve done a bit of sewing in the past. However, the wood and metal shop was outside of my comfort zone as I’ve never done something similar before. There are lots of machines in the shop that I’m unfamiliar with.

• Something in my comfort zone is working with electrical circuits and woodworking. Having taken physics in high school, I find it quite fun and interesting to work with electrical circuits and components. Carpentry and woodworking is something I've always been interested in and is something I want to engage with. Now when it comes to my discomfort zone, sewing is so not my cup of tea. I tried fixing something of mine over winter break and failed so I'm quite apprehensive about it. I still hope to finally learn how to fix it and actually fix it back up!

• One station that was in my comfort zone was the jewelry making station. I don't have much experience, but I have been learning how to make some simple things like rings and it's been really fun! Something out of my comfort zone is definitely the soldering station. I've never used anything like that, and while it looks cool, it's definitely intimidating thinking about making things there and permanently putting things together.

• I felt like most of the stations were out of my comfort zone (e.g., 3D printing, wood/metal work, laser cutting etc.), though I am very excited to get the chance to learn how to work in these ways with these tools and materials. I felt more comfortable with the arts and crafts materials as I spend a lot of time making art, painting, drawing, and sculpting. My comfort levels feel rooted in past experiences I have had.

• Tour stops that are in my comfort zone are jewelry making, 3D printers, and vivyl cutter. One particular station that is not in my comfort zone is wood and metal shop. Other ones are more neutral to me. I think I determined the tour stops in my comfort zone and not in comfort zone based on how much already I know about those machines and how much I would feel comfortable using them.

• I was pretty familiar with the general workshop space, where I used to attend a lasercut workshop and make my own key chains. The woodshop and metal shop is the destination outside of my comfort zone, and I realize that I haven't been there even though I have been here for 3 years. I believe we tend to feel more comfortable with what we have some prior experience, and a bit more hesitant to what's new to us.

• I think documentation room is my comfort zone because I am little familiar with make videos and taking pictures. Although I have never used green screen. Laser cutting, sewing machine wood making and jewelry workshop aren’t my comfort zone. I am have never used it and I am afraid of using machines and laser. But I am looking forward to used this stuffs during this class and workshops.

• I am out of my comfort zone when it comes to the laser cutter and the metal shop, but I am in my comfort zone with the button maker and electrical area. Even though I don’t have much experience with any of those, it feels easier.

• Today, and my partner talked about how since we are pretty curious people, we didn't feel uncomfortable in any of the zones in the fimble lab. In her case, she says her boldness makes feel comfortable anywhere which is something I admire. In my case, I feel comfortable because I've worked on Fumble before and know if I'm uncomfortable it mostly rooted from unknown things. Wood working is the station I have least experience with so I'm more daunted by this zone than others because of sharp and dangerous machines. However I hope to learn how to work on them and feel more comfortable in this zone

• In comfort zone - craft supplies, sewing.
Lots of peace in these stations. Gives me a sense of independence when I’m able to sew a small tear or stick the sole of my shoe back. Also a chance to express creativity.
Out of comfort zone - electronics
Not done it before and for some reason not too keen on trying it either.
Neutral about everything else and more than willing to learn it and get better at it.

Due: Thursday 2/10 before class

On your web site, create a new reflection entry. You may choose whether to use a written (3-4 paragraphs) or recorded (1-3 minute audio/video) format.

1. Reflect on the role of active listening in your learning. Use these prompts to guide your reflection:

• What impact could engaging in active listening have in your own (dis)comfort level for a particular task, situation or setting?

• What impact could engaging in active listening have on others' (dis)comfort level for a particular task, situation or setting?

• How can it support your learning when in a group setting? Attending office hours? Asking a question in class?

• What opportunities do you have in this class in particular to practice active listening?