Week Four Wimba

I was unable to attend both wimba session but I am corresponding with my critical friends and peers for responds.

Think Out Loud Blog #2

After much consideration, I have decided to publish my article instead of a presentation I have found to place I would like to publish with is Edutopia (http://www.edutopia.org/). I am continuing my research to find at least one more. If you have any suggest let me know.Wish me luck!

My link to my AR project is

http://web.me.com/tonnechebrown/Tonneche_Browns_Action_Research/Literature_Review.html

Any help is appreciated.

Comment to Elaine- Week 4

Elaine wrote

There are so many concepts of my life I can apply Zanders philosophies to both personally and professionally. However, as I write this passage, at this very moment my thoughts are with the five at-risk youth I am trying to work with. I stress trying because as life ‘is what it is’ for me, I had to realize it is the same for them. I may not be able to change them, well influence their beliefs is a better and more appropriate phrase. I can only lead by example, show them I sincerely love and care for them and want the best that life can offer, feed them positivity and show them the possible outcome.

How I pay-forward is in my passion and unending desire to help, I tell those I meet how I feel about them, I am not afraid to show or express myself. Even when my kindness is misunderstood or turned away it hurts but as the Zanders stated Life just is and there are things we have to accept. We make the attempts and if lucky and pushed hard enough sometimes the results are right on. Truth and reality, however, lets me know it may not always be that way. I am only responsible for the effort not necessarily the outcome. Which is why Zanders speaks so against blaming oneself.

I can only hope for the future of these five young men. I know that I have touched them in more ways than they express, for I see the changes, the smiles, the report cards, and occasionally I get an actual “thank you Elaine for helping me.” What is hard to muster is that it is not from all five of them. That two or three of them are showing signs of regression and that is difficult. I asked the questions still, “Why aren’t they listening to me? Why can’t they seem that the pathway they are choosing will hold the possibility of assured struggles? What didn’t I do right?” So I follow Zander’s advice and can only focus on the part that I played, while continuing to be there and just simply do the best I can for or by them. I have no power over all the circumstances in their lives. My job wasn’t to fix them but to show them a better way and hope that in those learnings, the young men would gain a better light of themselves just enough to make a change. I have left the spark at times I see it turn into a fire that ignites the positive changes I mentioned. So I will hope that if the fire goes out that maybe the spark I left will ignite again but at a time that may be better suited for them.

I have met many great and inspiring people during my journey at Full Sail. I hope that at some point I will get back on track financially and obtain that career that will allow me to work with others who have the talent of loving, giving, and receiving. I look forward to my growth for I know that I will continue to use that growth to inspire others and to watch all the imaginings come true.

My respond:

Elaine keep being the spark that those youths need. Never feel that your work is not appreciate. You are a jewel. Keep pushing your work will pay out in a big way.

Comment To Kelly-Week 4

Kelly wrote:

Everything in education starts with the teacher. Too often you hear people say “it’s the kids” or “kids today” . You cant change to kids or the parents or the administration. The only thing you have control over is you. Lighting the spark and being the board deal, in my opinion, speak to how I as the educator have to find ways to engange the students with the material. When I am no longer able to find an external source to motivate them, then I have to look inside to see what I need to change in order to achieve the goals.

In order to achieve said goals in education you have to be able to persevere in the face of criticism. Once you have set the board you need to move the pieces as they are supposed to move and not take the shortcuts. That could only lead to needing to change the board again.

While the teacher is the start of it the students are the life of it. What ever we decide as educators we need to listen to the needs of the students and ask ourselves what will work best for all of us. The classroom is a group dynamic and while each student has their own individual needs and wants and the teacher has her own, the only way to achieve success is to look at the best possible things for the whole not the parts.

My respond:

Love this concept and the last line says it all. As teachers, we must think of the classroom as a whole and not them against us. We must always put the needs of our student a priority. No matter what the ultimate goal is to prepare them for the world.

Week Four Reading

As teachers we are definitely responsible for lighting the spark in our students but we sometimes wonder how. Most of our students are not amazed by anything we do or say. It's just teenage natural to see parents and teachers as uncool.

So it is our job to outwit them by letting them find of light their own spark. Or let them think they are lighting their own spark. This can be done by simply becoming more a facilitator of learning whether than a teacher of learning. Allow room for error in yourself as well as in your students. You will that you both may be finding a spark.

wk4-2 Discussion Board Quickies: my dream teaching/presentation environment

The only strand between me and my dream job is breaking the wall of communication I must learn to better communicate with both my parents and my students. Once this wall is brought down I will see a new light. I'm learning to bring it down a little a at time

wk4-1 Discussion Board Quickies: my dream teaching/presentation environment

My dream teaching environment would be an environment that allow students to be free to express. Teacher would be able to facilitate learning in students and not teach test. NO STATE TESTS!! Students and parents will embrace education and teachers are not begging students to learn. Technology will be available to all students and use to support learning.

wk3-3 Discussion Deeper: Video Use in Education

Excel 2010 Tutorial: Creating a Basic Worksheet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtTTTy_Nu6s&feature=related

Love using these to help introduce a unit for my classes.

Flocabulary Hip Hop In The Classroom

http://www.flocabulary.com/

Great for cross curriculum teaching.

Technology Teacher

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-technology-teacher/id271883259

Never used this site before but plan to use it to help support technology use in my classroom.

Microsoft FrontPage tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap_O1mG_hM4&feature=related

Love using this to introduce my students to Frontpage.

Think Outloud No. 1

I think I am going to create a presentation for the publishing leadership assignment.

Week Three Wimba

What's next? I never really gave that a thought until now. This process has been long and hard for me but the lesson I have learned far outweigh the hardship. The very thought that I may be a major part of change in my school or anywhere is unbelievable. Full sail is and has been a blessings to me. Thanks for the journey.

I know that whatever is next is up to me. My struggle will not over shadow my success.

Comment to Traci -Week 3

Traci wrote:

My district introduced the International Baccalaureate Program, via the Middle Years Program, to our campus several years ago and it proved to be an experiment gone bad. The program wasn’t the problem, but the buy in and commitment from faculty and staff to make it a success was the stickler. When people don’t buy in or support what is being presented it makes it very difficult to implement the program and yield any benefit. We would have a portion of the staff that would fully implement the program and the other half would drag their heels in protest. The lack of participation and lackadaisical attitudes made it impossible to successfully implement the program and now it doesn’t exist. I think our staff missed out on an opportunity to bring an international perspective to our campus and engage our students with global concerns.

My respond:

I agree with you 100% the lack of buy-in and full participation can kill any program.

Comment to Elaine _ Week 3

Elaine wrote:


My most popular saying at work was that, “Sometimes the Motivator Needs Motivating.” The passage taken from the online article sums up that resistance too change has to do with a scope of many variables. It would be truly difficult to really and respectfully answer the above question. The answer will be different for each educator as it will for each company. Finding a way to motivate those who are resistant is key too resolving the issue.

“Though higher education should lead the way in the most diverse and cutting edge learning methods, the truth is that many faculty fall into what Clark and Gottfredson (2008) call learning 1.0 and 2.0, satisfied with the skills they had when hired or only interested in maintaining current status. They often see little need to change their ideas, to receive further training, and are resistant to new methods and innovations that would require they change. Those in learning 2.0 may attend conferences and workshops to maintain skills, but they mainly do so in isolation, not working collaboratively or accessing the variety of resources available via the web. Because "most organizations still tolerate a significant amount of non-learning from employees" (Clark & Gottfredson, 2008, p. 16), campus struggle with a significant number of faculty who work mostly to maintain a certain level of proficiency, not to bring in innovative ideas or look for new solutions, which is learning 3.0 (pp. 16-17). Leaders must be aware, though, that learning 3.0 has a dark side. Technology is not the answer to all problems and cannot solve issues based in an "outdated learning mindset or autocratic leadership" (p. 17). If people try to force technology onto these people, the result will be more turmoil and resistance. Schein (2008) states that, "learning and change cannot be imposed on people" (p. 369). This is due in part to the culture of an organization, which "becomes a powerful influence on members' perceiving, thinking, and feeling, and these predispositions, along with situational factors, will influence the members' behavior...[C]ulture at this stage of organizational evolution will be clung to even if it becomes dysfunctional" (p. 367). No matter how effective new ideas are, without the right presentation that avoids top-down dictates that have little to no input from stakeholders, and without open minds willing to try something different, the organization will not be agile. People must have motivation to change (Kotter, 2008a, p. 371).”

Taken from McBride, K. (2010, September 28). Leadership in higher education: Handling faculty resistance to technology

through strategic planning. (8)4. Academic Leadership The Online Journal. Retrieved on July 12, 2011 from

http://www.academicleadership.org/article/leadership-in-higher-education-handling-faculty-resistance-to-technology- through-strategic-planning



My respond:

I agree that resistant is due to many variables and every teacher's story is different. Love the article.

Wk3-2 Discussion Board Quickies: Difficulties starting new programs/breaking the norm

Topic #2: Why do you think educators are so resistant to change, especially when it comes to technology? How do other institutions, such as business, deal with technological change?

Change is hard in any aspect. Fear of the unknown, failure and sometimes fear of success holds us back. The use of technology today by our students makes many teachers fear that the students know more about technology than they do.

Comfort is another reason teachers resist change. Teachers have become so comfortable with the way they have been doing things that they don't want to change.

Wk3-1 Discussion Board Quickies: Difficulties starting new programs/breaking the norm

Topic #1: Briefly share any experiences you’ve had when you’ve had a part in introducing a new program or a new way to do things at your job site. Please share any triumphs or frustrations you’ve had trying to improve the system or when you’ve pioneered or piloted some outside the norm.

I was lead teacher for our school Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2) Grant. The grant was put in place to provide new technology equipment and training for our core subjects’ teachers (English, Math, Science and History) in grades 9-12. Getting the equipment was fun but implementing the use of it was a struggle. The veteran teachers were use to their way of teaching and were not up for something new. We hire a tech facilitator to help ease some of the discomfort. We had extensive and on-going professional development to ensure that each teacher was properly trained. Eventually all the teachers ready a certain level of comfort and begin incorporate technology into their daily routine.

Week Three Reading

I really enjoyed chapter 5 and the story about the conductor and how he wanted to be personable with his orchestra. The members of the orchestra thought highly of him but were not personal with him. He received all the credit and praise but did not play or perform in the concert.

It is important to acknowledge all parts involve in a piece. The more you show appreciation for the whole group the more successful your project will be. If you tend to make every part count and special, you will get the most out of your group.

Week Two Wimba

Thanks for trying to clear up most of my issues with copyrighting. Again I say when in doubt ask. I believe unless I decide to get an law degree I will always be wondering if I am breaking the law or not. Maybe even breaking the law and not knowing it. This week session was a bit overwhelming but very informative.

Melissa said:

What moves me most about Chapter 1 is the following:

I so remember the 9-dot puzzle. It took me a moment to remember that the answer was not just going around the perimeter of the dots. It also made me think of a discussion I had with a fellow teacher not to long ago. She had never played the game dots. When you just place dots all over the paper and who ever can make the most boxes wins. I was so tickled that I could teacher her that game.

I like the way to “practice” the it’s “all invented”. I never thought about my thinking process in this way before.

What assumption am I making?

That I haven’t yet invented.

That would give me other choices?

Then

What might I now invent?

That I haven’t yet invented,

That would give me other choices?

We have to be willing to think differently. When everyone thinks a like, then conversations are boring, nothing new can occur, and nothing exciting can ever occur. In going through the process and asking questions allows for more meaningful conversations. In this society, we are in need of problem solvers, children who can think before they act, and understand how to think for themselves.

What moves me most about Chapter 2 is the following:

The chapter discusses the universe of possibility. Having the ability to give, create new ideas, and being a contributor. It further discusses the emotions such as joy, grace, wholeness, and passion. I am not a parent, but I can relate to watching the Olympics, understanding the life of Nelson Mandela, and seeing the fall of the Berlin Wall. The universe of possibility makes me reflect on the book The Secret. It discusses how you put out energy into the universe and receive back the energy positive or negative that you put out. Nelson Mandela continued to think beyond his confinement and was mentally free to imagine a life without Apartheid and eventually became physically free.

It discusses survival-thinking and scarcity-thinking. Survival-thinking makes me think of all the people who feel like they have to sell drugs, rob, steal, move back in with their parents, or staying in a broken marriage. People feel like they have to steal or sell drugs because they don’t have options in life to improve their quality of life. In the tough economy people move back home to save money and get emotional support due to the inability to find a job. Parents are staying in broken marriages to financially stay afloat or protect the emotional state of their children. Scarcity-thinking is in relation to the natural resources available in certain areas. I would also think it might now refer to the scarcity of jobs in this tough economic time.

What moves me most about Chapter 3 is the following:

The practice of giving an A and being present in the universe of possibility intrigues me.

When the author discusses giving all students an A with a stipulation as to why they deserve it, it makes me remember a time a teacher gave us all A’s. We were told it was ours to lose. That there were certain expectations and as long as we completed all activities and gave extreme effort at the end you would have an A. I think that process works well in a college and even high school class (depending on the course). I have to say it was one of the most relaxing atmospheres for learning. The course was a great experience. There were four of us that because close and challenged each other for the next years to come and took that professor for as many courses as possible. Sometimes having a great learning experience trumps the final grade. I love the letter from the Taiwanese student about being a 68 and now an A. So many people view themselves as a number. When you finally release others view of you and give yourself a fair chance, you can be successful and build your own self worth.

What moves me most about Chapter 4 is the following:

I think in today’s society there are so many families who don’t have meaningful communication at dinner or any other time of the day. So many children equate being successful with earning money and if they did a good or bad job. I think that the concept of contribution builds up the spirit. As a teacher I may not have all children in my class on grade level. However, I know that they have all shown growth academically and personally. I know that the student who was sent to the office every day of Kindergarten only spent 6 days in the office this past year. I know that my student whose father was in Japan during the tsunami was comforted when the class researched the tsunami and showed support. In life there are contributions we make in the lives of others that cannot be measured. Being able to pour into the life of another is immeasurable yet the feeling of being able to contribute is priceless.

My Respond:

Melissa, I like how you took the reading and analyzed it chapter by chapter. Seeing how others viewed the reading brought a totally different outlook for me. Thanks for sharing and giving me perspective.

wk2-3 Discussion Deeper: Podcasts in Education

Teaching with Technology

This is a site that publishes podcast on topics such as creating a website using Google and other great educational topics.

http://powertolearn.typepad.com/teaching_with_technology/

Consumerism Commentary

This site publishes podcast on topics relating to varies finance literacy topics. It is a great to use in accounting and other business classes.

http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/pod/

The Week In Rap

The Week in Rap is a weekly summary of news headlines in the form of a short rap video.

http://theweekinrap.com/

SMARTBoard Lessons Podcast

This sight is great for those teachers who need ideas and support on the SmartBoard.

http://pdtogo.com/smart/

Free Topic-Thinking outside of the box:

Thinking outside of the box:

Thinking outside the box is allowing your imagination to flow and run wild. it is the birthplace of creativity. Most of the time the fear of being different or even being wrong keeps us from thinking outside of the box. Thinking outside the box and allowing ourself to fail will in turn help us to grow. Knowing that there make be options other than the norm and exploring those options is thinking outside the box. Being confident and knowing that failure can equal to success will invent out of the box thinking.

wk2-2 Discussion Board Quickies: CD Ownership, Music Sharing or Spontaneous Listening

Topic #2: Pick one topic to respond to:

a. Do you remember the first song/artist that touched you on an emotional level, not just a catchy tune, but something that sank in under the skin?

The first song that really touch my soul would be New Edition's "Jealous Girl". I was around the 7th Grade and I had just bee dumped by my boyfriend. We were at a school dance and that song came on. He begin dancing with another girl (one of my friend none the less) and I was crushed. I never let it showed I danced all night. How tragic, but I still listen to that and remember my first heartbreak. I love the song now.

wk2-1 Discussion Board Quickies: CD Ownership, Music Sharing or Spontaneous Listening

Topic #1: Briefly share how you use music in your personal life: are you a CD collector, someone who gets their music off the Internet through friends or Peer-to-Peer networks or do you have a music subscription where you can listen to whatever music you feel like listening to at the moment? Or are you some combination of the above?

My is a great escape for me. I love listening to music. I'm usually listening to in my car, at home, while exercising and even in my classroom.

I am a mp3 freak. Itune is the best and I do support the artist by purchasing the track I want. Itune just allow me to purchase the track I want and not the whole CD.

Comment to Traci -Week 2

Traci said:

It has been quite a journey to gain access to this book. After several attempts to download it, without success, I had to download an audio version in order to complete this assignment. I am not sure if this is a blessing or a curse, but I will persevere!

The Art of Possibility is requiring me to reflective upon my life in a variety of ways.

I believe the book helps the reader imagine transforming or redefining goals, perspectives and ideas.

Desire, perspective, invent, fine tune and opportunity are words that are used throughout the first four chapters. Throw yourself into life, what can you invent that can offer you more choices and the idea that species are fine tuned to receive information necessary for survival are nuggets from the book that stood out for me.

The authors bring so much information to the table that makes the reader think, reflect and take hold of the opportunities that present him or herself. In some chapters I thought of my students and in others I saw myself.

As an art teacher, I could really appreciate the initial concepts of this book. I think this book would help my students to broaden their thinking and encourage creativity in each artwork. I love the idea of the artist stringing events into story lines even if they seem to have no direct connection.

I believe this book speaks to creative individuals and people that are at a crossroad in their lives, because it challenges our thinking and asks us how far are we willing to go to experience life.

This is short and sweet until I can hunt down a physical copy of this book, you can't highlight an audiobook!


My Respond:

agree that the author is making the reader think and reflect on their opportunity. It also allows us to think and reflect on the opportunity we present to their students. Praising a mistake and learning from it what an awesome concept.

Hope you can download your book soon.

Reading one- The Art of Possibilities

Training the students to embrace their mistakes and learn or create from them will truly open up to an awesome learning environment. The author’s idea of actually celebrating and valuing mistakes was very impressive. In most class, students are given a bad grade for their mistakes how refreshing it would be to allow the student to embrace that mistake and learning from it.

Giving an A, what a concept? I was inspiring by the letters Ben Zander’s students wrote. This truly shows how one’s outlook on people and situations can change the outcomes and our emotions. By giving an A, you show concern, faith and respect to each students. No matter what the outcome, if they learn a lesson they should have an A attitude.

Week One Wimba

The wimba session was great and very informative. It has given me a better understand of what is expected of me and a better sense of direction.

Free Topic- Fair Use

I'm still a bit confused at the issue but let me take a shot. Fair Use is the ability to share ideas of others with breaking the law. I believe that fair use is a component that goes along with Free Speech.

Comment to Brandi - Week One

I agree with you that copyright laws are a confusing issue. Drawing the line is sometimes hard. Especially since most time we don't know where to draw it. It is our responsibility to educate our students to give credit where credit is due.

Week One DQ1

Topic #1: Briefly share an experience about using media (visual and/or auditory) in class or during a presentation, focus your comment on any work-arounds or solutions you used when the tech wasn’t quite working or when the tech wasn’t adequate to do what you had originally planned.

I have learned to always have a backup plan when using technology. Even the most well planned technology lesson can have its problems.

Week One DB Quickies 2

Topic #2: Tech in your workplace: How has your workplace kept up with tech or not kept up with tech? What kinds of tech things have you bought to use in your classroom/presentation?Please give examples (and have a little fun with the idea…).

Technology

Last year we received a grant Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2) that allowed us to received a mobile laptop cart with 24 laptops projector, a smartboard to be shared by 8 teachers. But this year will have been extreme blessed the same grant allowed for each of the 8 teachers to received their own laptop, document camera, projector, smartboard, the 2 math teachers got 30 digital calculators, 2 science teachers received digital microscope and the group got a digital camera and video camera. Professional Development was put in place at the beginning, and throughout the year. A tech facilitator was also hired for support.

Week One Reading

On the issue of copyrights, I believe that giving credit to the owner is a given. I believe that though the use of sampling and sharing of older artist a lot of history is learned. Yet it is always in good taste and respectful to give credit where credit is due. When it comes to copyright there is really no clear answer, the best thing to do is cite. It is better to ask permission than to break the law. Good Copy, Bad Copy was eye opening to see artists and producers sampling from each other.

Comment to Meg -Week 1 Reading

Love your story Meg. Glad you were able to use the image. Funny how the creator of the image didn't have copyright permissions.

Week 4-Reading

As teachers we are definitely responsible for lighting the spark in our students but we sometimes wonder how. Most of our students are not amazed by anything we do or say. It's just teenage natural to see parents and teachers as uncool.

So it is our job to outwit them by letting them find of light their own spark. Or let them think they are lighting their own spark. This can be done by simply becoming more a facilitator of learning whether than a teacher of learning. Allow room for error in yourself as well as in your students. You will that you both may be finding a spark.

Week 4-Comment to Pam

Pam said:

I have recently added the phrase, "A vision articulates a possibility" to my Facebook page to see the comments that would be left. Since I am terrible with delayed gratification, after only one 'like' I moved onto my students to hear their comments. Some students were stuck at the word 'articulates' while others replied, "Oh yeah, yeah I get it Miss (for some reason all the kids use Miss instead of Mrs. such and such)." Anyway, I came to realize that students are the one who should be reading this book. The problem blocking most students is that they have no vision. Therefore blocking most possibilities and missed opportunities.


I look at myself. I always had vision and always steered my course to the direction I wanted it to go. I remember people asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I replied with specific details up to to the type of car I would drive. All have come true except my Eddie Bauer Explorer is a Kia Sedona (which most people think is the Cadillac). My visions determined my possibilities. I wish most of my students would see their visions like I saw (and still continue to see) mine, work towards those goals, and not miss opportunities that might belong to them. Like in the movie "Field of Dreams" if you build it, they will come.

My response:

I love this blog because I agree whole hearted with the students of today lacking vision. Today's generation is only concerned with right now gratification and have little or no concerned for the future. It is our task to show them opportunity or they will miss them.

Week 4-Comment to Curt

Curt said:

A distinction is not a standard to live up to, but a framework of possibility to live into.”

The Art of Possibilities, Rosamund Zander, and Benjamin Zander, 2000.

Instead of commenting on just one part of the last chapters of this book, I would like to write down a few simple thoughts on the whole book:

This book has really got me thinking about I interact with the people around me, and how I react to the environment that surrounds me.

I have to remind myself that reality is simply my reality and the perspective I view it from can be so fluid from day to day and moment to moment. I believe that it is up to me to create my world and to make sure that I try to tackle it from a positive and educated viewpoint and keep the WE factor in mind always.

I cannot say I have had a book that has stuck with me so well as the Art of Possibilities.

My Response:

We are in charge or in control of our reality. This is a great concept to install in our students. No matter what their situation is today they are ultimately in charge of their reality.

Week 4-Wimba

I was not able to attend any of the wimba sessions during this month. Because I was not able to make the wimba session I shared my AR presentation with my critical friends.

Ms. Wright critique my review and make suggestions. She loved the website.

Mr. Peterson said, Great Job! and I think that it looks great too! Can't wait to see the presentation.

Mr. Brown loves the sites and suggest I try to gear it more to the workforce and how it will be affected.

WK4 PUBLISHING_LEADERSHIP PROJECT

For my Action Research Project Presentation I have chosen to present at the Oktibbeha County School District Convocation. My project is specific to the teachers effectively utilizing technology in the classroom.

Presentation link a work in progress

https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0Aciw3zfRTluIZGhobWR6ZDRfMzVnYjdxenE3dg&hl=en

Think Out Loud Blog #2

I will definitely be presenting my Publishing Leadership Project.

Think Out Loud Blog # 1

I think I am going to create a presentation for the publishing leadership assignment.

Week 3-Wimba

What's next? I never really gave that a thought until now. This process has been long and hard for me but the lesson I have learned far outweigh the hardship. The very thought that I may be a major part of change in my school or anywhere is unbelievable. Full sail is and has been a blessings to me. Thanks for the journey.

Week 3 - Reading

I really enjoyed chapter 5 and the story about the conductor and how he wanted to be personable with his orchestra. The members of the orchestra thought highly of him but were not personal with him. he received all the credit and praise but did not play or perform in the concert.

It is important to acknowledge all parts involve in a piece. The more you show appreciate to the whole group the more successful your project will be. If you tend to make every part count and special, you will get the most out of your group.

Comment to Ashley- Week 3 Reading

Ashley May blogged:

“As I read through the chapters, I couldn’t help but think to myself. I know I have heard this all before. After about the fourth time I found myself saying this, it dawned on me; these are all Biblical principles being put into action. I had heard this all before. We have studied many of these same concepts in depth at my church. Such titles as What You are Expecting is Expecting You, Your Thoughts Create Your World, and Confession that Brings Possession immediately came to mind. You can click on any of the titles to purchase any of these titles or to read more information. My Bishop, S. Terri Smith, always says, “The principles work if you work them.” It is show true. Believer or non-believer, Christian or non-Christian, the principles of the Bible always work. After realizing that this book was simply a repeat of teaching that I had already received being presented in a different light, I was able to read and enjoy more. I was able to really get into what the Zanders had to say.

There were a few points that stuck out to me that I would like to address. First, Ben dealt with removing fear as an obstacle. This was a prevalent theme throughout the first 2 chapters. I had my “aha” moment when I (once again) realized that I am the biggest opposition to my own success. It’s my thought patterns about my environment and myself that have to change. I have to stop limiting myself to the box. Instead of thinking outside of the box, I have to operate as if the box doesn’t exist!

The second point that I absolutely loved was when Zander said, “When you make a mistake, lift your arms high in the air and say ‘how fascinating.’” I thought this would be a great exercise for me, personally. I tend to put an extraordinary amount of pressure on myself to do everything and be everything. What’s worse is that even though I know I cannot be perfect, I am still somehow disappointed when I am not. This exercise will be great for me to start to take some of the pressure off of myself, and to allow myself to make mistakes.

The third point that stood out was the story of the Taiwanese student. He went form seeing himself as a 68, to seeing himself as an A. It made me wonder, how do I see myself? Why do I let others define who I am? Why do we all let others define who we are, even if it’s just a small part of ourselves? This passage was extremely liberating for me. It also reinforced things that I knew, but that I hadn’t yet learned. I hope that makes sense to you! It’s just like when people hear you but they are not listening. Anyway, I am going to strive to do a better job of only caring about how I see myself, and giving myself that A!

The fourth and last point that I wanted to discuss was about making contributions, and about how that is like making ripples. It immediately brought me back to Professor Rena Hanaway’s class. Her theme was always “making ripples,” and I really, finally, truly got it! It’s really about doing enough to cause a change in others, and for that same change to cause a ripple effect. On a random side note, I thought it was rather befitting that I would reach this epiphany of sorts during the same week that I am hammering home cause and effect relationships with my 6th grade students!”


My response:

Thanks Ashley. Your words has been a revelation to me. I didn't analyze the reading in this way until I read your blog. Taking these same principles and applying them to our life both professionally and personally is unbelievable.

Comment to Trina - Week 3 Reading

Trinia says:

One of my favorite lines in this book is but his true power derives from his ability to make other people powerful. This is exactly what I think leadership is all about. I am the second grade team leader and have been for the last 9 years. My principal puts a great deal of responsibility on his team leaders and has very high expectations. He believes in a shared leadership philosophy. I often look around and wonder why or who has given some team leaders the attitude of I am in charge. I will decide what information is shared or not. That doesn't make sense to me. I feel that I am meant to represent my team. I also believe that it is my responsibility to share the strengths and successes that my team (of 8 teachers) has with my boss. We have an elementary school with over 1,000 students and only 1 principal and 1 assistant principal. How can he know everything at all times? It is my job to build my team up and ensure that he is aware of their value. I also feel strongly about highlighting the positives about each team member. The more a person feels valued the more they are willing to go the extra mile for the team, for the school, and most importantly for the children.

That makes me think of the other line that I love that being, I began to shift my attention to how effective I was at enabling the musicians to play each phrase as beautifully as they were capable. This is such a powerful statement. What a different world we would live in if we only allowed each person to shine and grow, and if we only believed that they could.

My response:

I agree this is a very powerful line. Leadership is about sharing the success. It is great the amount of trust and confident your principal has in you. It is also great that you have not let the word leader go to your head. Awesome work!

Week 2 Wimba

Thanks for trying to clear up most of my issues with copyrighting. When in doubt ask. I believe unless I decide to get an law degree I will always be wondering if I am breaking the law or not. Maybe even breaking the law and not knowing it. This week session was a bit overwhelming but very informative.

Week 2-Comment to Pam

I really enjoyed the first two chapters of this book. I actually stated to feel like I was watching a TED video presented by the author of this novel . It read like a lecture. I find myself saying, "Where could we possibly go from the technology we have today?" I have to remind myself that there are more blocks of stone to be chipped away at.

My mom tells me a story at how someone knocked on her door one day when she was young in the 1940's. A man was selling property on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Her father slammed the door, and said, "That land will all be under water in a few years." If only he didn't see the square his mind made. Ahhh the Art of Possibility.


My response

Great story Pam. I have never watched TED but I think I will now. I agree that technology is in no way at its peek but I a curious where do we go from here.

Comment to Jennifer- Week 2 Reading

The first four chapters of the Art of Possibility are truly inspiring. It really got me thinking about how I see my students and the expectations I place on them. I was particularly inspired by the authors' idea of celebrating and valuing mistakes. "...I actively train my students that when they make a mistake, they are to lift their arms in the air, smile, and say, "How fascinating!"" So often our students feel that if they do not have the right answers they will be punished or get a bad grade. I would like to work on this in my classroom and foster a more open environment where students feel comfortable enough to make mistakes and learn something from them.

I was also interested in the concept of 'giving an A' and enjoyed reading the letters from Ben Zander's students. It was inspiring to hear a student's opinion on what an A would look like for them at the end of the semester. So often we tell students what the final outcome of a course should be, without giving them the opportunity to take ownership of their learning along the way.

The only concern I have about what I have read so far is that it all seems very idealistic. I imagine that it is harder to apply these principles consistently.


My response
You are so right. Many student see mistakes as failure. Training the students to embrace their mistakes and learn or create from them will truly open up to a awesome learning environment. I also enjoyed the letters.

Thinking outside of the box:
Thinking outside the box is allowing your imagination to flow and run wild. it is the birthplace of creativity. Most of the time the fear of being different or even being wrong keeps us from thinking outside of the box. Thinking outside the box and allowing ourself to fail will in turn help us to grow. Knowing that there make be options other than the norm and exploring those options is thinking outside the box. Being confident and knowing that failure can equal to success will invent out of the box thinking.

Week 1 Wimba 1

This session of wimba has been very informative. I really appreciate the detail and structure of the class. Unfortunately due to other engagements I will have watch the archives for most of the session. I am excited about watching the videos associated with the class and see those of us who are attending the sessions discuss and evaluate everything. Unfortunately, I am suffering from diabetic neuropathy, and it hard to use my hands at this time. However, I have enjoyed every minute of this experience.

Week 1 Wimba 1

This session of wimba has been very informative. I really appreciate the detail and structure of the class. Unfortunately due to other engagements I will have watch the archives for most of the session. I am excited about watching the videos associated with the class and see those of us who are attending the sessions discuss and evaluate everything. Unfortunately, I am suffering from diabetic neuropathy, and it hard to use my hands at this time. However, I have enjoyed every minute of this experience.

wk 1- Fair Use

'm still a bit confused at the issue but let me take a shot. Fair Use is the ability to share ideas of others with breaking the law. I believe that fair use is a component that goes along with Free Speech.

Week 1- Copyright

On the issue of copyrights, I believe that giving credit to the owner is a given. But I also believe that though the use of sampling and sharing of older artist a lot of history is learned. When it comes to copyright there is really no clear answer, the best thing to do is cite. It is better to ask permission than to break the law. Good Copy, Bad Copy was eye opening to see artists and producers sampling from each other.

Technology

Last year we received a grant Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2) that allowed us to received a mobile laptop cart with 24 laptops projector, a smartboard to be shared by 8 teachers. But this year will have been extreme blessed the same grant allowed for each of the 8 teachers to received their own laptop, document camera, projector, smartboard, the 2 math teachers got 30 digital calculators, 2 science teachers received digital microscope and the group got a digital camera and video camera.

wk 1 Quickies

I have learned to always have a backup plan when using technology. Even the most well planned technology lesson can have its problems.

Wk1 DB Quickies

My school block a lot of useful information. I have a major problem at my school with using Youtube. If administratora are concerns with students accessing inappropriate video, I think they should at least allow teacher privilege. I also had problem with creating Google email account for my students. They kept requesting verification code for each account. Even now they are something requesting students for verification code and the account has been open for months. That really cause a problem in my class.