CSR – PERSONAL ASSESSMENT VS.DEFAULT PLAN

This year the students who enrolled in the CSR course had the option of choosing a default or a self defined personal assessment plan (PAP). These plans were similar as both had a mandatory mid term test and a presentation component for each individual. This is where the similarities end as the balance of the requirements are different for everyone unless the default was chosen. As everyone learns at a different speed or level it was more engaging and enjoyable knowing the workload was what we choose and not mandated to us. To me this was more beneficial as I could choose to either work in a group or on an individual setting. I felt this self defined learning option gave me more control over my time and the marks I would receive for this course. There were many varied options that one could choose from for the PAP. They ranged from case studies, journals, blogs, book reports, personal codes of conduct, and basically any other form of learning that had a direct correlation to the fundamentals of CSR. You could choose parts of one segment (case studies) and also choose the marks available for each of the projects you decided to do. The PAP was then handed into Les with our own personal plan, which included the marking scheme, what we were to complete and deadlines that we were to met. This was a form of a learning contract that we put in place with our professor. I chose to complete the book report, attendance option, and the personal code of conduct for my PAP. As I would be attending all classes I felt the attendance mark would be an easy reward for being where I was supposed to be. The book report was chosen as it was a book that would assist me in writing my code of conduct. Although these were bigger projects, I was able to work on them at regular intervals throughout the semester. These were the only projects I needed to focus on in this class. This took away the pressure of weekly deadlines with case reports, blogs etc. and allowed me to concentrate on my work. I would not be rushed with short deadlines and time restraints. I feel that completing the personal code of conduct was the most meaningful to me. As a second career student this option has allowed me to look back at the past and to really understand changes that I may need to make going forward. It is a personal challenge for me. The course was well laid out and explained many times throughout the semester. Les was always asking everyone if they had questions or had concerns about their projects. He was always available for those who needed guidance and assistance. The way Les set this course up I feel mirrored the working world, were your manager may give you a project to work on with a deadline. The manager will be expecting you to come up with ways to get the project completed. The manager will also require regular updates to ensure you are on track. The role Les was playing was that of my manager. I would recommend this course to others (faculty/students) as this teaching style will bring out the best in those who are taking the course. It will stimulate ones thinking to expand their comfort zones, think outside the box, and push one to do their best on the projects they have chosen. The PAP does create much more work for the professors from a marking perspective as there are a number of different projects being submitted with the same or different deadlines, however the caliber of the work submitted will be much higher, as this is the student’s personal work they have chosen to do. Those who are committed to the work chosen as per their contract with Les will do well; those who are not committed should not take this course. Les is passionate about his teachings as well as students challenging themselves to do their best. You get out of it what you put into it!!! TFTD – “Thrown dirt is ground lost” CONGRATS LES ON ANOTHER GREAT SEMESTER!!! Bob Mountenay

CSR setup

As you all know we were given the option to either do the default lesson plan or a custom learning plan. This was a great idea I think. Depending on your personality we all learn differently. The option of picking your own course really makes you want to learn. You can't sit there and complain that you don't want to do it because it was your choice. It makes the course more interactive and makes it personal. It also includes all the basics that you must do. You must write the first test. You have to do a class presentation and you had to decide on an assessment plan

I thought the various options presented were great. We had a wide variety of choices. From book reports to watching videos to creative endeavors. Case studies and anything else you could think of as long as it was teacher approved. I think they were all viable options because you get decide how you learn.

I decided to do the case studies, attendance, both tests, 2 blogs, and a presentation. I did very well with this breakdown. It got rid of my usual stress associated with group work. I also got to do my class presentation on something I was interested in making a big difference in the amount of effort I put forward.

All in all I think what Les did is a great idea. I think that other courses should try this type of assessment. Although I am sure it is a lot of extra work for the instructors the quality of work you will get form your students will raise. As well if they don't do their plans they have no one to blame but themselves.

Thanks Les for another great semester

James Gimblett

Good Businesses? Really?

In an effort to distract myself from the unbelievable amount of horrible corporations and the people who run them, I Googled good businesses. I came across hope. I came across people who are at least attempting to treat other people fairly and who at least care.

http://www.canadastop100.com/national/
^ Canada’s Top 100 employers

This competition provides a little transparency into the companies and allows everyone to see how and why they made the list. Every company has great benefits and more applications than they will ever need. They treat their employees with respect and dignity, just how we should be treated. Interestingly enough Monsanto Canada made the list.

There is also a list of ethical companies. The World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. Again there are 100 who made the list this year, 26 of them are new and 24 have been dropped from last year’s list. Not one Canadian company made it but Nike Inc. did.

http://ethisphere.com/wme2010/
^ Ethical Companies

If we were to dive into these companies would any make the list? Is there really a definition for Business Ethics? If there is I can’t think of a company that actually follows it, can you? More importantly, in your opinion, do you think we should give companies like Nike a second chance? I don’t, a tiger can’t change their stripes.

Emilie Leonard

How Ethical Are You

I found this video on YouTube kind of by accident but I found it pretty interesting. It’s a six minute excerpt of a presentation from the AELC (Australian Experiential Learning Center). In the beginning of the video it goes through how to know if you are experiencing an ethical issue and how you might be feeling if you have got an ethical problem on your hands, such as ‘Are you losing sleep at night because of it?’ It has a lot of simple theories but I found it really made me think about how I personally make a decision that is ethics related. I probably consider some of these things but I would have to say I don’t really think that much into it. For instance it suggests you should ask yourself a series of questions like ‘How would you feel if your decision were to be exposed and if others found out?’ or ‘Is it something that I would feel comfortable telling my mother?’ Another thing that seems like it should be an obvious thing to do would be to put yourself in other peoples’ shoes and consider how it would affect the others involved. Taking a different viewpoint is an important thing to do when making any decision ethical or not because you need to look at it from all angles, consider all options as well as all outcomes. In addition to this, the presenter talks about power and how it can corrupt your moral compass. She explains how when people are in positions of power they frequently seem to think that they are ‘untouchable’ and might make unethical decisions due to that fact. Others are generally too afraid to question them or say no if they are in a lesser position. I found this rang a little too true for me because I know I have experienced people doing something that might not be right in my mind but I haven’t said anything because they are higher up than I am and I feel as though it’s either not my place to argue or I have been too nervous to stand up to them. I think this video is good to make yourself think about ethics in your own life and what you could change to become a more ethical decision maker. I think it was interesting and I would suggest watching the whole clip because it talks about other ethical topics also. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba0UjoovFFs

Can You Have No Impact?

For my video case study for CSR I ended up watching a documentary called No Impact Man. I found it very motivating and I think it would be a good film for some of you to watch if you are interested in this kind of thing as well. It follows Colin Beavan, his wife Michelle Conlin and their daughter Isabella through a project Colin came up with to cut his net environmental impact. No Impact Man entails the family making no environmental impact for one full year. The family went through phases, slowly taking things out of their life that most regular families like ours would have, such as vehicles, television, shopping, take out food and eventually electricity altogether. They also made a plan to eliminate all waste and compost any food waste created. I think this the type of film that is important to watch in order to become inspired to find ways to change regular activities we do on a daily basis that are harming the environment. Colin talks a lot throughout the project about how we as individuals need to begin taking into consideration the affects of our actions. I mentioned in my video case that in the film Colin said that he did not want people to try to be him, but instead find things that ‘we’ can do. We have the ability to try new things and see what will work for us; how we can implement new things into our lifestyle that would increase our positive impact rather than increase our negative impact. It is inspiring to watch the family go a full year and really understand how much of what they used to do in a day was hurting not only the environment but others around them. For instance, at one point in the video it talked about the health effects from living near landfills and the fact that people are dumping more and more into the garbage than is necessary. Things like this were the reason Colin and Michelle dressed their daughter in cloth diapers for the course of the year, because regular diapers are in the top three contributors to waste in landfills. Everyone is able to make a difference in their own way even if they start small. Colin created a website; www.noimpactcommunity.org for those people who want to join in or even get tips to change their ways. If people are looking to get involved, there are opportunities listed where you can learn about things you can do in your own community. The point is that anyone can make a difference if you set your mind to it and even the smallest of changes will add up and inspire others to follow suit. If you are interested in watching it you can find it on topdocumentaryfilms.com under the environment section. Or follow this link: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/no-impact-man/# Ashley Moynes

God help me...:)

here are the instructions

go to http://www.blogspot.com/
sign in with lsmith@flemingc.on.ca
the password is powercourse
pick the corporate social responsibility blog - this one you are reading:)

then click new post

add you post in the empty box
make sure the links work
then hit publish post

Please do not create any more new blogs under this account. Post on the main blog
Please do not change the settings anymore
Please just post your blog.

Thanks
Les

What water crisis?

Water, what do you think about when you hear that word. Do you think, drink, shower, rain, what about conservation? Our world is slowly running out of fresh water, not only is there a water crisis in the developing countries, but we are having one right here, and we have to do something about it.

http://www.cbc.ca/andthewinneris/

This link leads you to a CBC program called “And the winner is”, to listen to the clip you are going to have to go down the page until you reach March 8th, or “Tina and Kim Pittaway's Watery Road to Hell / Kindred Spirits in Kenya.” The program is about half an hour and very informative on how much water we use in our daily lives, not just how much we drink and flush down the toilet but how much water it takes to make your t-shirts, and that sometimes being lazy and using technology is actually better for the environment.

For CSR I had read a book about the Global Water crisis, but for the most part it talked about a crisis in India, and Africa and what they should be doing to help use the water they have to its full potential. While Tina and Kim really bring home what we can do to reduce our water footprint. It doesn’t take much, and I am going to start doing things differently, such as meatless Monday’s, using the dishwasher, taking my car to the carwash, and buying a low flow shower head, because for all I say I would take a 3 minute shower… there is no way.

This link is very informative on the many ways water impacts our lives, and what we can do to save this precious resource.

- Laura Macdonald