“Thank you for coming to my presentation on learning. I am the expert on my own learning. I am also responsible and accountable for my own learning. You can expect me to give an honest evaluation of my progress. We will discuss my strengths and opportunities for growth. Thank you in advance for listening and for offering feedback that I can use to improve as a learner.”

Firstly, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Keaton Schisler, and I am accompanied today by my parents, Jeannette Schisler and Travis Schisler. Throughout this semester, I have witnessed remarkable improvement in my learning journey. Whether it be achieving the third highest grade in my math class, securing the second best grade in Engineering, or excelling in Humanities and actively participating in creative projects with my partner, Magnus, I have consistently strived for excellence.

During the previous semester, I established three goals to enhance my learning experience. 

Firstly, I aimed to dedicate my school hours solely to academic tasks, ensuring that all assignments were completed across all subjects before engaging in non-academic activities. Moreover, I committed to reviewing my work meticulously, rectifying any errors and making revisions to present it in the best possible form. Lastly, I endeavored to infuse creativity into my work, making it visually appealing and reflective of my personal style and perspective.

I am pleased to report that I have successfully accomplished two of these goals. For instance, in Humanities, I diligently utilized every moment of class time to complete my assignments promptly. As evidence, my partner, Magnus, and I collaborated on a five-minute stop-motion movie featuring our Frankenstuffies. While the original deadline was set before spring break, we devoted countless hours after school, capturing over 3,000 photos and working tirelessly to create the final product. As a result, we finished the movie within five days, surpassing expectations and demonstrating our effective time management skills.

Regarding my second goal, I wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to inject creativity into my projects. For instance, when Magnus and I were assigned to create a movie trailer, we proposed the idea of developing a longer movie instead. This decision aligned more closely with my strengths, as I find it easier to convey messages through visual representation rather than verbal descriptions. Additionally, in one of my projects, I used Mini Wheats cereal as sandbags in my model trench for the Spring Exhibition, showcasing my ability to think outside the box and personalize my work.

However, I must acknowledge that I did not fully achieve my third goal of independently reviewing and refining my work. Although I made an effort to check my work for grammar errors, I relied on tools such as Grammarly and Chat Gpt, as recommended by Ms. Kadi. To overcome this limitation, I aim to acquire the skills necessary to self-evaluate my work, thereby improving my grammar. Moreover, I plan to seek peer feedback from individuals I consider more knowledgeable in this area, such as Silas or Tom.

In this semester, I only had one PLP class, which limited the scope of my discussion. Nonetheless, I engaged in three noteworthy projects: “Rise of The Frankenstuffies,” “Dulce Et Dorum,” and “Building a Nation.” I have already shared extensive details about “Rise of The Frankenstuffies,” emphasizing our commitment to creating a stop-motion movie. In “Dulce Et Dorum,” my group focused on the contrasting elements of myth versus reality during World War 1. I was on the reality side of the room showing a model trench and a interactive keynote. For the “Building a Nation” project, Magnus and I collaborated on a captivating board game called “True North,” centered around the journey of a colony towards Confederation. This game accurately depicts the history of colonialism and showcases the unique contributions of each colony through their available resources.

Reflecting on my performance, I recognize the need for improved planning and deeper thoughtfulness in my projects. At times, I felt rushed and had to make frequent changes, even in significant aspects such as the rules of our board game. While revisions are essential, a more structured and thoughtful approach from the beginning would have mitigated the need for extensive modifications.

Looking ahead to the upcoming year, I have outlined several goals for personal and academic growth. Firstly, I intend to enhance my project planning skills by utilizing the Mind Node app to organize my ideas and thoughts effectively. This strategic approach will bring clarity and structure to my work. Additionally, I aim to improve the depth and detail of my communication by avoiding brevity and expanding on major topics, thereby providing a more comprehensive understanding. This skill will not only benefit my academic life but also enhance my personal interactions, as I tend to respond with brief phrases like “Yes” or “No,” which may come across as dismissive. Hence, I strive to be more explicit and detailed in my communication, especially in written and verbal exchanges. Lastly, I aim to maintain my motivation and focus throughout the entire semester, avoiding the decline in the quality of my work that I experienced during the last phase of the previous semester. I will approach each day with the mindset of constant improvement, knowing that consistent effort leads to success.

As I contemplate my future in PLP, I am currently undecided. While taking regular math classes this year has led me to question my path, I recall Mr. Hughes mentioning that many PLP students gain admission to UBC, which aligns with my aspirations. Furthermore, I value the camaraderie within PLP, the exciting field trips, and the absence of conventional tests. However, I must admit that I tend to enjoy regular classes more when my friends are present. For now, I have registered for PLP next year, primarily because of the enjoyable atmosphere created by my friends. I believe that high school should be a fun and enriching experience, preparing us for the future. Thus, I intend to make the most of it and ensure a positive and enjoyable journey. However, should my friends gradually transition out of PLP, I may consider following suit.

Now, addressing the question of why I believe I should progress to the next grade level, my answer is twofold. Firstly, as I have successfully passed all my classes, I have met the basic requirements to proceed. Secondly, my experience as a PLP student has taught me the importance of reflection and diligent effort. By consistently giving my best, I have demonstrated my capability to advance to the next level. Hence, I firmly believe that by continuing to dedicate myself and maintain a growth mindset, I can succeed in further academic pursuits.

To summarize, the previous semester was a remarkable experience for me. I relished the opportunity to learn new things, engaged in academic classes outside of PLP, took pride in my work, ensured completion of all tasks before pursuing other activities, reflected on my progress, improved my grades, forged new friendships, and established fresh goals. Personally, I consider the previous year a resounding success, despite potential differing opinions.

Once again, I extend my gratitude to all of you for lending me your ears. Your presence and attention have made this presentation even more meaningful. Thank you.