The Power of Satellite: Making the Most of the Honors Satellite Seminars
Tycia Foster is Phi Theta Kappa's 2006-07 International President. She is majoring in Early Childhood Development at Tallahassee Community College in Florida.
Our world has evolved through our continuous interaction with others of different ethnic, religious, social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. It is necessary for us to continue to provide a free intellectual atmosphere to pose questions, and provoke thought in areas that recess in our minds. When people join together to discuss subjects of substance and differences of opinions, their minds are enlightened and hopefully broadened by the information shared.
The Honors Satellite Seminar Series allows students to participate in a televised interactive forum, with other students from across the globe, led by nationally known experts in their fields. It gave our chapter a chance to increase awareness of the Honors Study Topic among our student body, and promote fellowship with other campus student organizations in an enriching and scholastic atmosphere.
The first time my chapter hosted a Seminar, it was a little intimidating. We had a small group of students ready to view a live feed - but all we picked up was fuzz! Our school satellite system was not compatible with the broadcast frequency (not something I thought to check!). To say the least, it was a flop.
For the next Seminar, we checked the frequencies in advance, and our chapter president sent a proposal to the college president and faculty requesting that students receive extra credit for attendance. Our chapter also encouraged students and faculty to serve on a panel, which would lead an informal question and answer session immediately following each broadcast. With the right technology, and the right incentives, our Satellite Seminars went from a fuzzy flop to a sure success!
We continued to have our low and high weeks of attendance, but after polling the students, we found the biggest reason some Seminars were more successful was not because of the extra credit, but because of interest in the topic. The extra credit got students to attend the first time, but after seeing the broadcasts and participating in our exciting group discussions, they were eager to return for topics that interested them.
When preparing to host the Seminar Series, I challenge you to provoke controversy, in order to begin positive change in the lives of your fellow students. Use this opportunity to serve your college. Your chapter can make a difference in how students view themselves, other students, faculty, and the many Honors Study Topic issues that will be explored in the Series. This can be an intriguing, eye-opening, and memorable experience for your chapter and college. Visit www.ptk.org/honorsseminars, and prepare to create thought, action and change on your campus!
