Wk 4 Comment to Alison Oprea’s Blog

http://aoedm613.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/the-art-of-possibility-ch-9-12/

To me, the entire book has been about creating a paradigm shift. The Zanders have challenged the reader to view the world differently. It’s very easy to look at the negative, to gossip about others, to find the worst in things and people. But with a slight change in perception, one little glimmer of hope or ray of light can change the game.

One part of the book that particularly resonated with me was when Mr. Zander was fed up with musicians not coming to his rehearsal. He had every right to be upset, and he forgot to remember rule number 6. Adding insult to injury, one of the musicians spoke up against him, saying that she would no longer take his “abuse”. Infuriating as that was, instead of raking her across the coals, he wrote a letter to her stating what he learned from their exchange. The end result was much more positive than it could have been.

I plan on reading this book again and keeping it close for those times I don’t remember rule number 6 and need a reminder of how I can better contribute to this world.

Alison,

This book is about living life to it’s fullest. We are players in this Earth game and we are the only ones that have the power to change the play in the game. We have to live this life in the positive and not in the entire negative that surrounds us. I agree with you that this book should be kept close to our nightstand to remind us that there are many possibilities that are out there. We only have one life to live, let’s live it.

Wk 4 Comment to Dwayne Maynard’s Blog

http://edm613blog.blogspot.com/2012/04/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-ja-x.html

In my leadership project, I explain a challenge based research that was conducted on Broadcasting I students at Northwest Whitfield High School in Dalton, Georgia. The project showed the relationship between engagement in the classroom and the use of technology. I am looking forward to applying to my state CTAE conference. It is a gathering of career tech teachers from throughout the state of Georgia. Being able to present my leadership project to other broadcasting and video production teachers from the state of Georgia would be very exciting. If I was not accepted to this conference, then I would look at a regional conference of CTAE teachers with the hopes that my presentation would be noticed by the larger state meeting.

Dwayne,

You have done an awesome job with your presentation of your CBR project. I believe your students have accomplished much learning with this project. I commend you for your hard work and hope that your presentation gets picked for the state CTAE conference. This project will demonstrate a different way of engaging students with the use technology to increase learning. Be proud at what you have accomplished. I hope you continue your education career learning to gain more knowledge so you can pass it on to your students. 

Wk 4 Leadership Presentation Blog Post

The leadership project was created from my Challenge Research Project through this EMDT program within this year. It demonstrates how students increase learning and are engaged through the incorporation of technology in the classroom.


It will be my pleasure to present my leadership project in a presentation to TCEA or Region 4.

TCEA is the Texas Computer Education Association, which assists educators with innovative strategies and knowledge with technology.  It provides conferences, webinars, professional development, newsletters, and magazines.

In Texas Region 4 Technology Applications Conference also assists educators with innovative learning about technology. It invites educators to demonstrate and share the skills and knowledge they utilize in their classrooms through a conference.

Gonzalez_Ana_Leadership Presentation

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WK 1 - Leadership Blog Post


WK 2 - Leadership Blog Post


WK 3 - Leadership Blog Post

Wk 4 Reading Ch. 9 - 12

The vision of life starts at birth and ends with death. Life is life and there is only one. The vision of ones owns life, which is life of possibilities. Possibilities you live with not live up to. Vision lets you see the possibility to make ways for solutions you have encountered by seeing the clear line ahead. Vision is the possibility to make a difference and not an improvement. In the long line of vision in its context and clarity may cause change, which conveys thoughts or feelings in the possibility of framework. In the framework goals and objectives are part of the vision and when you do not meet the goal or the objective does not mean you are not successful. You do not have to be the best of the best but be part of the best. The possibilities are out there and you need to find the way you are going to use those possibilities in your life. Life is precious and you only live once.

Wk 3 Comment to Jenn Hollern's Blog

http://ajennduh.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/week-3-leadership/

The conference that I am really excited about presenting at is the Summit on Transformative Learning. Rollins College hosts and calls for submissions every year, and they base the format on TED Talks – a scholar or expert offers comments on a topic for 18 minutes and there are a few minutes left for questions. Short. SImple. Sassy. And most of all, it requires absolutely precise word choice. 

I love this format so much and just believe in the mission of the entire summit – to talk about ways that we can transform learning. Topics range from everything between experiential learning to better science curriculum to media-based education. Such a wide variety of talent, but may not fit within the requirements of this project.

So my second option is at the National Association for Multicultural Education National Conference. Since my CBR project is based around increasing the visibility of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and diversifying the media-based awareness initiatives, I think this would be an ideal venue to talk about how we present multicultural education. 

Jenn,

You have always been an excited person to listen to. I am glad read that you will present your CBR project at Summit on Transformative Learning or the National Association for Multicultural Education National Conference. I would understand the TED Talks format would interest you because of the precise word choice, because you have a good sense of words. I remember how you defended your target audience at one of the Wimba session in LSM course. You have a great voice for presenting and defending what you believe in. I believe you will do a great job in presenting your CBR project. You will do a wonderful job. Good Luck with your presentation!

Wk 3 Comment to Amanda Castaneda's Blog

http://experiencinglearning.blogspot.com/2012/04/wk-3-leadership-post-where-do-i-want-to.html

As I stated in a previous blog post, I would ideally like to publish with Edutopia. However when going over the conference list provided in the LP overview I did not see Edutopia listed as a place available for publishing. I hope however this is something I can still pursue, but if I cannot publish with Edutopia I have found some other publications that would be great. The first one I found is the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education AACE and International Society for Technology in Education ISTE.

I choose to the AACE because its sole purpose is to advance information technology in education and e learning research. You are allowed to choose what journal you want your work to be reviewed for. I would like to submit my publication with the Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education CITE.

ISTE is probably the most known membership association. They, like AACE, focus on improving leaning and teaching through the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. ISTE has three journals that one may choose to submit their work for review each has its own specifications that must be met for a paper to qualify. 

Amanda,

Publishing your CBR project sounds great. I hope you get a chance to publish at Edutopia. It is an organization provides educational resources in this 21^st century. If there is a possibility that you will not be able to publish at Edutopia, I see you have a back up plan with AACE through CITE and ISTE. Either way you are ready to move forward. You have always done wonderful work through the entire program. I hope that you are approved to publish at Edutopia.

I plan to present my CBR project. I have decided on two places. One is TCEA at the Tots and Technology Conference and the other would at the Region 4 Technology Applications Conference. I am trying to follow into the footsteps of my Leader Kelli Erwin.

Wk 3 Leadership Post

Where Do I Want Share My Project:

As I have stated before I would like to present my CBR project through a presentation at either TCEA or Technology Applications Conference.

Texas Computer Education Association also known as TCEA is an organization in Texas. It is dedicated to the use of technology in education. It is an important association that its number one priority is integrating technology into the PreK through 12 grade classrooms. It provides much information through conferences, workshops, magazines, newsletters, and social media. TCEA also provides a Tots and Technology conference in Galveston which is closer to home. I would like to present here because it is a conference for elementary teachers. I have attended this conference before and I really enjoyed learning new tools for my classroom. This conference is held during the summer for two days.

Region 4 K-12 Technology Applications Conference provides innovative ideas and information in this 21^st Century. It also provides lessons, activities, and tips and tricks for educators to use in the classroom. Educators share their technology integration experiences through this conference. It is a great technology professional development. This conference is also close to home. I have only attended this conference once. It would be great to share my CBR project at this conference because I can also share the EMDT program from Full Sail University.

Wk 3 - Reading Ch. 5-8

The power in leading from any chair makes sense if you stay to the side and listen to the pupils and their needs, comments and suggestions. When leaders learn to listen, they become better leaders because they learn from their pupils. Being a leader is someone who influences on others and contributes to the possibilities of making changes.

Rule Number 6 is a powerful set of words not to take your self so seriously. In order to be a good contributor and powerful leader, one has to learn to humor rather than being negative to others. In order to resolve problems learn to laugh and not to take your self so serious.

Everything is the way it is and you are the only who could change it to benefit you. Life is life and in order to move you are in charge to create different possibilities to change or be successful. When things do not go the way you would like, you will have to face them and not escape, deny or blame the situation.

Giving away to passion is letting go of the obstacle that is not letting you live and be part of life. You are in charge of your life and in order to be able to live it you need to make wise choices and move on. Live life to its plainest.

Wk2 Comment to Del Richards’ Blog

http://deledm613.blogspot.com/2012/04/wk2-reading-entry.html

In Zander’s book The Art of Possibility, a couple of things caught my attention. Notes on practicing, Roz tells a story about her first white water rafting trip and the guide educating everyone about what to do if you fall out of the boat. The guide kept repeating toes to nose and look for the boat. It reminded me of my boss, Mr. Williams, telling our department staff to sell your program. He said it over and over in our department meetings. About the time the economy went south, the Georgia Department of Education changed the name of my introduction to construction class to Occupational Safety and Fundamentals. My first thought was what high school student would sign up for a class with that name. I thought about it for a few minutes knowing that to keep a CTAE Program alive you had to have numbers. My numbers were always high because my class was easy to recognize by the name until now. Then I could hear Mr. Williams say you have to sell your program. I began to sell my program by talking about what the new class would offer. I had to re-call the catch phrase that Mr. Williams had provided to me in advance.

Giving an A and taking away the fear of making mistakes would benefit my students. I remember back to my first construction job. I ran a crew for a small company remolding offices. My boss had a saying if you get into a situation and was unsure about what to do, he would say do the best you can with what you got. He also gave me an A from the start. He said to always make a decision and go with it and if it’s wrong we will fix it later. He said it was better to make a decision right or wrong than to just sit around and not do anything. I think as teachers we need to do the same for our students. I think if we provide for students with a learning environment free from the fear of making mistakes student learning will increase. I think sometimes teachers hold back students from learning because of the fear of failure.

Del,

I understand how you were put inside the box about your course. You had to think outside of the box to find a way to sell your course so students would sign up for it. You were presented with the problem and you had to find the solution to it. But by thinking of it, you created possibilities to find the solution. On giving an A, I could not agree with you more. I always tell my students to do their best and not to worry about they are going to make as a grade. When people tell you to move on and not to just stand there with arms crossed not knowing what to do. One has think and learn from life to be able to move on and not get stuck on the path of life. Life goes on and so will you. I really enjoyed reading you conclusion to the readings.

Wk2 Comment to Dana Scobie’s Blog

http://dscobie.blogspot.com/2012/04/week-2-reading.html

I love when required reading for classes is relevant and applicable, not just to class, but to life.  This is one of them.  In my undergrad, the "textbook" for one class was Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.  I would put The Art of Possibility in the same category.  One of the points that stood out to me was the 9 dot puzzle.  This teaches us to think outside the box, both literally and figuratively. Literally, it must be done to solve the puzzle.  Figuratively, to apply to life.  Challenges can't always be solved within our (self-imposed) confines.  We must expand our thinking to eliminate problems and create opportunities.

The Give an A principle also stood out to me.  It's a different way of thinking about things.  It's not comparing people, but about thinking positively about possibility.  The text mentions chipping away excess to reveal statue inside.  I thought Mr. Zander's story about his class at New England Conservatory where he gave them all A's and they had to explain what they did to earn it was a really neat concept.  It's interesting to take competition and comparison out of the equation completely.  It's about self improvement.  The topic of grades is an interesting one, and I'm sure many of us would have varying opinions, but having a background in music, I can relate to what Mr. Zander is saying.  Isn't that what playing music is all about?  Improving.  We make it about competition, but it's not what really matters.  I think this can apply to all subjects.  To a certain extent, I think letter grades shouldn't really matter.  As long as students are learning and improving, that's what we, as educators, should care about.  This ties closely with the next point that stood out to me which was how we view mistakes.  Zander mentions saying "how fascinating!"  when a mistake is made, which I thought was funny, yet very true.  Every mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Lastly, the idea of being a contribution was one I found interesting.  I think it's an important outlook to have on life.  It's not so much about success or failure, but contributing-you are important and make a difference!

Dana,

I am also glad this reading was relevant to life. One way or another we all have problems small or large and we have to find a solution to the problem by thinking of the possibilities that will assist in solving the problem. We are unique and we have to think about ourselves. We are the ones to make decisions by thinking outside the box. Our lives are puzzles and we have to use our thinking to develop our possible solutions. Your statement “Every mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve”, is a way to learn from life to make a better life. The whole idea of the readings is that it is all about I, YOU and ME.

Wk2 To Publish or To Present:

Should I publish or should I present? That is a great question. I have decided that my leadership project will be a presentation. By doing the presentation I will be able to share the process I went through with my Challenge Based Research project. By sharing the project with others, they will be able to learn ways they can use the information provided to better their instruction. This project will give me confidence as a speaker. It will provide me with an open door so people will get to know me and what I am capable of accomplishing. My role model Kelli Erwin has done many presentations at different conferences like ISSTE, TCEA, Region 4, at the district level, and others. My goal is to follow in her footsteps step by step. My first step was be part of the EMDT program, which I am about to complete and the next step is to present the CBR project to TCEA or Region 4 in Texas.

Wk 2 - Reading Ch. 1-4

The book “The Art of Possibility” the authors Zander and Zander state “The frames our minds create define-and confine-what we perceive to be possible. Every problem, every dilemma, every dead end we find ourselves in life, only appears unsolvable inside a particular frame or point of view. Enlarge the box, or create another frame around the data, and problems vanish, while new opportunities appear”. My interpretation of this is when one has a problem; we tend to not have a solution to it. We feel overwhelmed and confused as the problem arises. It takes time to find a solution to the problem. Once we can think outside the problem then we can move on to find the solution or another path to move on. I believe the statement has a lot of meaning because it happens to everyone. Problems arise and sometimes it is difficult to find the solution. It depends on the individual mind to be able to enlarge the box for the problem to disappear. The book also states how the possibilities are part of the outside box. When you acknowledge your thoughts from inside your box. Then you will be able to see the possibilities beyond the box. This process is part of the survival stage in once life. When your possibilities have opened up then you can solve problems or pursue your goals. I believe I give my self an “A” because I am pleased with my goals and myself. When giving an ”A” to someone it’s because we don’t judge them because of who they are or for any human error. Sometimes we don’t give an “A” to people because we judge them for whatever reason. Everyone is human and the grade should not matter. You are your own character and you need to take care of yourself inside and outside the box. To discuss contribution, I would have to say it means how can I help someone today or what can I do to better this day? No matter if there is a problem or not and how small or big is the problem, but how am I going to think outside of the box and find the possibilities of to make a difference.

Zander, R. S., & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press.