Wk4 Presentation and Link

Slide by: Deborah Sanders

This project was developed while working towards a Master’s in Education Media Design and Technology at Full Sail University during 2010 and 2011. The premise of this presentation is to refocus the way teachers learn from their place and space using The Online Option for Professional Development.

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The OnLine Option

Wk4 Reflection Chapters 9-12

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Lighting the Spark: This chapter speaks to me and says that we should not accept ‘no” - in anything.  “No” means it cannot be done, it will not be done -- it is not possible.   We should always attempt to push the envelope - expand what “can be” and make it happen.  Children should be empowered in their learning to do the same -- if a task seems “impossible” show them how to turn that situation around and ignite in them a “spark” to achieve.   Extending yourself -- and  engaging others with what you have is not sufficient - incorporating others to complete the picture - find a way to use what/who  is available to achieve success and make use of other “sparks” to build a larger fire.  Share your vision with your colleagues, family, co-workers, etc., they can fill voids - fill the holes in the picture - achieve completion - the final product can become greater than your original vision and serve a greater number of people.  Among those who participate with you, who knows? -- an expected star or  “leader” may be produced/introduced to the world.   As an educator you can BECOME A LIFE-FORCE -- Take what you have and add it to what someone else has -- now each of you have more than what you contributed.   

Being the Board:  The study of a person being involved in a traffic accident as the result of someone “hitting them from behind’ sends a  clear message:  our intentions and our goals must withstand unforeseen events in order to be realized.  To that effect, we must own up to the decisions we make and assume the risk that results.  If we take on the definition of being “a board on which a game is played”  --  we do that by controlling the boundaries within which the game is played and the direction of the moves.   We assess the skill levels of the players and evaluate those skills which are beneficial towards ultimate victory.   The players you choose and the moves that are made are your decision.  When a play goes wrong, accept that as a “calculated risk” and move on to the next play.  They are playing on your field, on your turf.  Overall, keep your teams working together to eliminate fault finding and/or blame because this will result in divisiveness and feelings of lack of ability.  Stay in the game, keep the board and playing field level.

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Many times in life, we are ‘hit from behind” and find ourselves ready to accept defeat in our purpose.  You made the decision to embark on a career -- with or without knowing whether or not you would be successful.  The risk factor becomes apparent to you when once you have completed the necessary education, received certification, etc., you find yourself among thousands of other candidates for 2 positions!  You may begin to wonder if maybe you chose the wrong career.  What about redirecting your attention to another position that will connect you to other individuals who can help you to reach the desired career.  What about an educator who is trained to teach grades 3 to 5 and is offered a position to teach K to 3?  How do you respond to this?   Are you ready to take a chance on this job and see where it leads?  - maybe doing well in this job will put you in line for the position you want.   There are many times in our everyday lives when we have to redefine our goals.  What you have to do is create a pathway towards accomplishment!

Creating Frameworks:  Zander’s words  -- “ What distinction shall we make here that will bring possibility to the situation?”  This thought reminds me of a common situation among young Pre-school students.  I hear from many students -- often the phrase, “No one likes me, or he/she said  -- they’re not my friend.”  As a framework I use several strategies to provide the student with as many academic and social successes as possible in order for his/her peers to gain the opportunity to view him/her in a more positive light.  At times it become necessary to make adjustments in the environment (seating, line order, groups etc.) to hopefully prevent the student from experiencing stress and anger.  It’s important to structure the environment in order that the student does not have time to dwell on real or imagined problems.  Many of these students need encouragement to participate in class or extra curricular activities to develop skills necessary to interact appropriately with others at school and beyond.  It’s important to remember to never criticize.  While in this corrective mode -- being honest, yet supportive -- it should be remembered to never, ever let the student feel bad about himself/herself.  Never, ever would I force the child to interact with others if they are not in communicative mood.  There are many variables with this kind of situation;  it’s all about getting to know your students and making sure they are not demonstrating a lack of confidence as a means of getting attention.  As Zander stated, “A Vision is a powerful framework to take the operation of any organization of any size from the downward spiral into the arena of possibility.”

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Telling the WE Story:  “Traditional methods of resolving conflict, all the I/You approaches, tend to increase the level of discord . . .” When WE become the central focus all involved feels ownership for the outcome.  We can help each other achieve the desired outcome whether it is about a career, a personal relationship or any other aspect of life.   We do this by sharing not only our material means, but expressing our emotions, sharing in triumphs and tragedies and being the support for one another.  When you help a child complete a project in class, you are not only building up the self-esteem and productive qualities of that child, but you are reassuring yourself that you are “capable” of doing so. In the same manner, when it comes to conflict resolution, “we” must be in the equation otherwise resolution cannot occur. You have to realize and believe that your relationship with others is capable of  being restored/resolved -- and then set out to do so.

Wk 4 Response to Annie Woodle

Annie Woodle Wrote:

In the Art of Possibility Chapter 9 lighting the Spark stuck with me this week. I like the idea of enrolling people into your enthusiasm. This chapter inspired me to purchase the book for the teacher I worked with during my Action Research Project. She was excited to read it during summer break…and I thought wouldn’t it be great if it helped her in some way to see all the possibilities that pass through her classroom each semester. During my visit there was a lot of forgetting Rule Number 6, and seeing scarcity instead of abundance…not only from her, but also from myself…so I had thoughts about the possibilities of sharing the book. The section about doing things in person was good for me to read as well…Sometimes I try to do to many things from distance communication. When I was trying to secure a classroom to do my ARP in I emailed a lot, and called…but then I showed up…and it seemed like after I met people in person things just took off from there. This is a great read, just to remind us to look up and stay open.

My response:
I too was inspired to purchase this book for one of my critical friends.  She is a definite reader and is about to take a trip with her grandson who is an artist,  I perceived this book to be a good read for her trip.  Needless to say she has divulged into reading and has interesting metaphors and cliches to say that are over the top positive!  Also, there is so much truth spoken about one on one communication -- especially when you do not know your audience.  That’s how I feel when performing.  I need to be up close and personal with my audience.  The energy/vibes I receive are paramount in what I can give in return.  The possibilities are open.

Wk4 Response to Jessica Goodenow

Jessica Gooenow Wrote:

Chapter 12 spoke volumes to me. When considering myself and the road I have traveled, I sometimes forget to realize the affect I have on others. Has there been a time where I have had the pleasure of lifting a teammate, student, or stranger up enabling them to realize their dreams and exceed anything that you could have imagined? I HOPE SO! I hope I am positive to my team every day of the week. One circumstance where I looked outside of myself to uplift a colleague was with a para-professional. She is fantastic para. She has the presence of a teacher in the classroom. When she comes into the room, with a one-minute prep, she could co-teach the classroom. She is one in a million in the realm of para-professionals. One day I asked her if she had every considered being a teacher. She looked at me like that thought had never entered her brain. After explaining to her how wonderful she is with the students and in the classroom, she opened up to me about a disappointment she had had when trying to get her degree in education. She had gotten pregnant with her now 20 year old daughter and never thought she could be a mom and finish a degree. Life got crazy, but now is settling down again. I told her about how universities are trying to make degrees more accessible to older students and gave her a couple universities to look into. A couple weeks went by. She surprised me one day by saying she signed up for an art class to go towards her general requirements. I was so happy. She told me that I had been the bug in her ear. She needed to get back to her passion. She loves kids. Anyone could see that. It was all about honesty and appreciation.

I hope I live every day sharing honest appreciation with my family, colleagues, and students. You never know when a person might be needing a little bug to encourage them to seek what is possible! 

Photograph by:  Deborah Sanders

My response:

Jessica, your story about the wonderful para professional you work with mirrors a story of mine. During a  re-organization in my district I was given the honor of being placed with a para who basically taught me the ropes of preschool.  I was a neophyte in this arena of education.  The first month or so she walked me through the motions and as she and I became WE our classroom and the work our children produced was recognition worthy.  Again our district went through another reorganization and all of the paras were phased out.  Talk about a blow to some of the paras self-esteem.  My para was graduating with a degree in another area and heart broken that she would not be returning to work with children.  It was I who suggested she take the Praxis and try to return to any district through an Alternate Route program.  She would need to take a year’s worth of education classes while she worked.  The idea resonated with her and she did just that! Yes the possibilities in life are endless.

Photograph by:  Deborah Sanders

Wk4 Free Choice: AR Presentation Blog

Courtesy of www.pics4learning.com

The broad spectrum of presentations that were presented on 05/24/11 were extremely interesting.  It was like a breath of fresh air to hear kindergarten teachers speak about incorporating new methodology using technology with such young audiences.  I also teach the young -- (preschoolers) and have found the experience rewarding.  I have taught my preschoolers to power-up the classroom computers, navigate to our class eBoard and then click language or math links which correspond with the number for that day.  There were Nay Sayers in the beginning of this school year who did not believe that children this age could be taught to navigate the system to obtain optimum results.  My students have proven them wrong and this is the prime reason we should spread our wings and share our knowledge to all that will listen.

Speaking of sharing, I have been commentating in front of audiences for many years.  For this reason I thought it would be best for me to present to an audience as opposed to doing a publication.  I am a person who loves the “feel” of an audience.  Having to do the presentation in this new medium/manner did not allow me to tap into the emotions of a live audience. I realize now, that I need to leave the “performer” out and just be a “presenter.”  With that said, my ARP had its ups and downs which I have clearly stated in previous AR blogs.  I’m still not absolutely clear if I need to add additional bullets to my slides.  Therefor, I’ll      

This presentation of my ARP has been a challenging experience as well as a learning experience.  There has been some discussion among my peers that it will be mandatory for teachers to use the eBoards in the next school year.  I can foresee a 3rd Cycle not being as difficult to get participant responses because this will become part of their mandatory work assignment.   Having the full involvement as well as cooperation of my participants using PLC’s as in the 2nd Cycle, will produce a significant change in my 3rd Cycle results.

Wk3 - Think Out Loud: Part 2 of 2 - My Choice!

NJEA

Recently I was reading the NJEAs Education Vision for Reform and one of the statements was... “Educators learn best from fellow educators whom they trust to understand the many challenges associated with integrating technology.”  They also mentioned “This team of teachers would act as turnkey trainers for other educators on new and innovative ways to integrate technology into New Jersey’s classrooms.  For this reason the conference that is paramount on my mind would be...

My first choice would be, the NJEA Summer Conference or the NJEA Teacher's Convention in November 2011.  Sadly my second choice, the Georgia Educational Technology Conference conflicts with the NJ convention.  Therefore, I will let this one pass for now.

My second choice would then be the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C).

The third choice is based on the focus of cyber learning and for this reason I choose...

Association for Educational Communications and Technology

Attendance at either one of these would be sufficient and promote some much-needed educational networking.

Wk3 - Think Out Loud: Part 1 of 2 - Present!

Flickr

I am a communicator who prefers to engage with an audience through a learning experience using a stage.  Presenting is where I feel most comfortable.  Using visual aids and making eye contact leaves me more fulfilled than publishing a piece of written work.  Being an entertainer and motivator at the same time -- demonstrating my pitch using the latest technology available -- is more satisfactory to me.  I would love to make the presentation interactive using a tool such as the Mimio Teach, to allow participation in the learning process.  This ideal setting would also allow the audience to visualize what a student would feel using this tool in class.  I have the passion, experience and enthusiasm to demonstrate and communicate data on latest research on Online Professional Development.