MAC Week 4: Coment to Jennifer's Blog

 

 Wayne Nelson said...

Amen to that! You have such an eloquent way of stating the truth, and I am so lucky to have been a part of the EMDT experience with you. I agree with Shawn that we have to all stay in touch...even if it's at least a shout out in Facebook. You can always count on me for support, and I will try my best to pull you out of the downward spiral. The daily grind can wear on anyone, and it is important to have a positive support system. Finally, just FYI, I am eternally grateful that you were always on my team. Thanks!

November 20, 2011 4:16 PM 

 

 

Media Asset Creation: The Art of Possibility Chapters 9-12

Although the idea of reading a self-help book as the culmination of a masters program has completely tweaked me out, I decided this week to apply these 4 chapters to the next step in my life.  My robe came in the mail, the tassel is hanging on my computer, I’m contemplating the perfect shoes to wear, (so I won’t trip across the stage) but really my biggest concern is what happens when there’s not a group of people, a program, or a set of assignments to guide me and the gravitational pull of that downward spiral, that is sometimes more like a bureaucratic, educational black hole, exerts its grip.

A revenge creature!!

Remembering my initial forays into the field of education, I was naïve, optimistic and completely certain that I would not only light a spark but also ignite a fire.   And while some of the “no’s” I’ve heard along the way should have been an “invitation for enrollment”, many of them were completely earned due to a limited, unrealistic vision of what it takes to educate a community of children.   I hope that my re-discovered optimism is more tempered by realism, a larger picture of success tempers those manic tendencies by those on the eve of success, and my zeal is tempered by the now-glimpsed multitude of complexities that are human development.  However, I am grateful to Full Sail for re-igniting the spark.

Chapter 11 of The Art of Possibility, entitled “Creating frameworks for Possibility” stirred many options for me. Of the things I have learned in my 15 years of teaching, one of the greatest is that learning seldom, very seldom, happens in giant leaps.  It’s the daily grunt, the daily practice, the daily head banging, and the persistence (on the parts of student, teacher, parent, administrator, community members) that make it happen a little bit every day!

This past year at Full Sail has taken me from an educator who meets the challenges teaching serves up, to one who can design the stage on which her students and colleagues can learn.  Yet, for continued advancement, a framework of possibility is needed.  One that attends to those details of educating students.  One that attends to the need of perfection in the daily grind.   At the brilliant suggestion of a fellow conspirator, and the encouragement of my iPad donor, I will create a wiki as a means of charting progress and, hopefully, as a means of creating a “WE” story, for all of us who are trying to find our way through the unchartered waters of appropriately educating the next digital generation.  Here’s a link to its humble beginnings.   Care to join?

Posted by Jennifer Williams at 7:27 PM  

Week 4 Reading: Enrollment

In The Art of Possibility the Zanders discuss “the way things are” and its relation to “enrollment.” They discuss that a “no” can seem like a slamming door to which we can give up, attack, or manipulate. Personally, I have done all three. During the last two years of employment, I was presented with two major conflicts that led to my resignation. The first was two years ago; our small parochial school was invited to join the public school for athletics. Being the athletic director, I was not intrigued by the idea, and I did not support the movement. I tried to dissuade the school board and parents. The school board had rejected the proposal twice before; however, parents had threatened to pull their kids from our school if we did not join. After a third public meeting and vote, the school joined the public school for athletics. For me this was a slammed door, and I did not find it to be fascinating; however, I agreed to stay on as athletic director and support the merger. I tried to create a spark by reminding people of the job I had done in encouraging junior high students to remain at our school, and I reminded them of the growth of the sports programs under my supervision the previous two years; however, their answer was a resounding no. Of course, I took it personally, but after reading this book, I now am better suited and prepared for future confrontation of this sort. Even though my spark did not catch on, it is important to not take the way things are personally. There will always be another opportunity for enrollment, and I am better armed to handle the confrontation in the future.

Wk 4 Publishing_Presentation Project

I have chosen Edutopia to showcase my CBR project due to the fact that they have a project-based learning component to their Website. My presentation will cover two formats, and I will be able to blog my presentation as well as use the media to accompany the written material. The written and visual data are very important to the outcome of the project; therefore, this makes the Edutopia Website ideal for displaying all of the visuals with the project presentation. The project includes the use of technology in field work for conservation purposes therefore making this an excellent project-based learning experience.

Week 2 PPP: http://thenelsonianway.blogspot.com/2011/11/wk-2-publishingpresentation-project.html
Week 3 PPP: http://thenelsonianway.blogspot.com/2011/11/wk3-think-out-loud-ppp-post-another.html
Prezi Link: http://prezi.com/he8qoa_s6n1a/the-effervescent-sevens-presentation/
Presenter notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1psaVOQj66u5P78qRZz83r6zjkUUOQoI19mMStuIxSmw/edit?hl=en_US

Week 4 Response to Marc

Wayne Nelson said...
So often the downward spiral leads to putting out fires and finding someone to blame. I would much rather be proactive and find solutions to problems and situations. When dealing with administration, I had a former professor tell me to always make it their idea. It doesn't matter whose idea it is as long as you get what you want and something gets done! Great post, Marc!
November 19, 2011 4:03 PM

MAC: Week #4 - Reaction to Reading
This book for this course in previous weeks was a real quick read however, this week it seemed a bit drawn out with the examples the author used. I agree with him that they were necessary but I found myself hoping the concert with the young students would come and also end.

On a positive note, I thought the idea of avoiding the "downward spiral" by the use of enrollment was really quite good and also relatable. My job depends on how many students want to take the video/sound production course so this chapter gave me a sense of urgency for sure. I try to find the spark in the students and also those who come by to either shadow the class or even just drop in for a visit. I also try to look back at what my curriculum map has and be sure to update that each year in order to keep current with industry trends and also try to point those trends into the students interests. I can see how easy it is for people, teachers, and students can get into that downward spiral by saying no and not having a solution or even asking for a solution like the author did when he asked for the two quarters.

The other take away from the reading I had was "becoming the board." This was very interesting. Imagine how many of us could take some stress out of projects and life if we take ourselves out of the equations and figure out what the "player" was looking for. Cool idea and way of thinking. First I was a bit confused and list but when the conversation between yourself on how to get your boss to hear the ideas you have then made sense. For educators I am sure we are told too many times "no" on certain classroom ideas, but, if we find a way to bring up those ideas where we can show how it relates to the current school agenda or even state's changing standards then those conversation might actually gain more approvals.
Posted by Mr. Marc Hunt at 12:56 PM

Wk3 Think Out-Loud PPP post: Another Paper

Just thinking out loud, but I am overwhelmed with the prospect of writing another paper and researching these journals is more than I can comprehend. However, to keep things in perspective, it would make sense that what I have done with my CBR project would dictate a journal that would appreciate the use of technology in nature. Also, a journal that would be interested in a learning management system and how I used Facebook, Schoology, and Google Docs to create a project-based learning experience. Edutopia would be a great site due to its PBL base; however, I do not see how to submit a paper here. The Quarterly Review of Distance Education may be a good choice, because my project can be used by distance learning students, and I can create the entire project in Schoology. The Journal of Interactive Learning Research (JILR) might work because of the interactive nature of my project. The Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE) is a possibility due to the fact that my project includes technology in nature. Overall, I think these show the most promise for a journal or site to which I could submit.

Week 3 Response to Jeff

I really like the way your blog post comment section works! Took me to a completely different page where I can view the contents to the left. Fascinating! I digress. Agreed. We tend to be so focused on perfection that we do not see the person and forget the humanity. We tend to see the fallible, imperfect human and look upon them with disdain. Sometimes it is difficult to look past the sin and see the person inside. Very insightful, Jeff. Thanks!
November 12, 2011 2:34 PM

Art of Possibility
The section I would like to comment about this time is that of "The way things are". What an interesting, peaceful, and intriguing perspective the authors shared. The authors shared a mixture of stories and points of view which all have the basic theme of being in control of one's own emotions and inner self by opening the mind to possibilities beyond the obvious, beyond any preconceptions.

Ben's story of having conducted one of Mahler's symphonies was intriguing. The first horn player apologized for his performance because he had made a few small mistakes. Ben was astonished because he thought that he had done a fantastic job. In fact, Mahler had intended for the symphony to be played by those willing to take risks with the technique. It was intended to be vulnerable and emotional...something that one who plays the piece perfectly as written would have a hard time doing. The whole point of this is, our world is so focused on perfection. Anything less than perfection is regarded with disdain and is scoffed at. But, herein lies the point: So many times, our humanity can be defined by our weaknesses and mistakes. Perfection sometimes leads us to being cold, unfeeling and, well......less human. In fact, learning from our mistakes and trying harder the next time and succeeded in our hard work is the crowning jewel of humanity.

"The risk the music invites us to take becomes a joyous adventure only when we stretch beyond our known capacities, while gladly affirming that we fail. And if we make a mistake, we can mentally raise our arms and say, 'How fascinating' and reroute our attention to the higher purpose at hand" (Zander & Zander, p. 103).

Week 3 Response to Marc

Excellent point about evaluation. I never did much of it in the past, but since I have been in this EMDT program I see the benefits. When I first started teaching, I used to give a survey at the end of the year, but much like Jennifer, even junior high students do not give much productive criticism. "You're a great teacher and you are funny" do not really tell me much! However, I really like the idea of giving your Week 5 evaluation in a timely fashion so that you can make modifications before there are problems. I hope to make this modification to my teaching. Thanks for the insight.
November 12, 2011 2:21 PM

MAC Wk #3: Reaction to Reading
I have found that "The Art of Possibility" has been an interesting read and also a fast one.
This week I enjoyed hearing about the 'White Sheets" the author would give to the orchestra as a way for them to critique him and also communicate their needs. I found this part of the book to directly relate to the ADDIE model we have studied through the EMDT program. I have always put value into the evaluation and and have began to use this method in my class as well. During the year when the students are given progress reports or final quarterly grades, I allow them to also grade me and give me ideas on how I can improve what we covered.

Here is the form I have given my students after the first 5 weeks of school: