Sabrina's blog

 BLOG #2 YALAH FAGOTH MOLINA

Reflection on the Change Makers of the 1700s

    The Change Makers of the 1700s presentations were one of the most interesting assignments I completed this semester. The project allowed me to learn about important historical figures who influenced society through their ideas, leadership, and activism. It also gave me the chance to improve my research and public speaking skills. Even though I was nervous before presenting, I felt proud of my work once I finished.

    For my part of the group presentation, I researched and presented Mary Wollstonecraft. Before starting this project, I had heard her name before, but I did not know much about her life or her accomplishments. As I researched her, I learned that she was one of the earliest advocates for women's rights and believed strongly that women should have the same educational opportunities as men. I found her story inspiring because she challenged the expectations of society during a time when women had very limited rights and opportunities.

    One of the most interesting things I learned about Mary Wollstonecraft was her book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. In this work, she argued that women deserved equal access to education and should not be viewed as less capable than men. These ideas may seem normal today, but during the 1700s they were considered very controversial. Learning about her courage and determination helped me understand how difficult it was for women to speak out and advocate for equality during that time period.

    While researching Mary Wollstonecraft, I realized that many of the issues she discussed are still relevant today. Although women have gained many rights and opportunities since the 1700s, conversations about equality, education, and gender expectations continue. This made the project feel more meaningful because it connected history to modern society. Instead of seeing history as something distant, I was able to understand how the ideas of people like Mary Wollstonecraft continue to influence the world we live in today.

    Creating my slides was one of my favorite parts of the project. I spent time looking for information and images that would help explain who Mary Wollstonecraft was and why she was important. I wanted my slides to look organized and professional while also keeping the audience interested. As I worked on the presentation, I learned how important it is to present information clearly and avoid overcrowding slides with too much text. This helped me improve my presentation design skills.

    When it was time to present on Zoom, I felt nervous at first. Even though I was speaking from home, I still felt the pressure of presenting in front of my classmates. I was worried about forgetting information or making mistakes. However, once I started talking about Mary Wollstonecraft, I became more comfortable. Since I had spent time researching the topic, I felt confident explaining the information. By the end of my presentation, I felt relieved and proud that I had successfully shared what I learned.

    One thing I liked about presenting through Zoom was that I could use screen sharing to easily show my slides. The technology made it simple for everyone to follow along with the presentation. At the same time, presenting online felt a little different because I could not always see everyone's reactions. In a classroom setting, it is easier to read body language and know if people are engaged. Even so, I think the Zoom format worked well and allowed everyone to participate.

    I also enjoyed watching my classmates present their sections of the project. Since our group focused on different change makers from the 1700s, I learned about several historical figures that I was not very familiar with before. Listening to the other presentations helped me understand how different people contributed to shaping history in different ways. Some focused on government and politics, while others influenced social change and human rights. It was interesting to see how each person's contributions are connected to the larger theme of creating change.

    Another thing I appreciated was seeing the different presentation styles used by my classmates. Some students included interesting visuals, while others focused on storytelling or sharing facts. Watching their presentations gave me ideas for how I can improve my own presentations in the future. It also reminded me that there are many effective ways to communicate information to an audience.

    This project taught me more than just historical facts. It helped me develop skills that are useful in many areas of life. Researching Mary Wollstonecraft required me to find reliable information, organize my ideas, and decide what details were most important to include. Presenting required me to speak clearly and confidently. These are skills that I know will help me in future classes and eventually in my career.

    Overall, I really enjoyed the Change Makers of the 1700s presentations. Researching and presenting Mary Wollstonecraft helped me learn about an important historical figure who fought for women's rights and educational equality. I found her story inspiring and relevant to issues that still exist today. Although I was nervous before presenting on Zoom, the experience helped me build confidence in my public speaking abilities. I also enjoyed learning from my classmates and hearing about the other change makers included in our group project. By the end of the assignment, I had gained a greater appreciation for both history and the people who have worked to create positive change in society. This project was educational, enjoyable, and a valuable learning experience that I will remember.