Wk 4 Publishing/Leadership project part 2of 2: Thinking Out Loud
I decided to prepare a paper for publication verses creating a Powerpoint or Keynote project because of time constraints. I spent two days without electricity when the storms went through Ohio this whole week. I plan to create a presentation down the road for future use.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Wk 4 Publishing/Leadership project
Wk 4 Publishing/Leadership project
Since I have worked as a Technology Coordinator for 15 years I feel that the best choice for my submission to publish my Action Research is with the ISTE’s Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education (formerly the Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, JCTE), which features peer-reviewed articles, which focus on teaching with technology in the educational environment. My hope is to share my AR with teachers and pre teachers, educators, policy makers and fellow technology coordinators across the world in order to affect change in the K-12 educational classroom.
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/submission-information/journals-submission-information/jdlte-submission-guidelines.aspx
Link to Publishing/Leadership project
https://public.me.com/mcgeebr
Wk 4 Publishing/Leadership project part 1 of 2: My initial plan of action
http://bdmcgee-buildinglifelonglearners.blogspot.com/2011/05/wk-4-publishingleadership-project-part.html
Wk 4 Publishing/Leadership project part 2 of 2: Thinking Out Loud
http://bdmcgee-buildinglifelonglearners.blogspot.com/2011/05/wk-4-publishingleadership-project-part_29.html
Since I have worked as a Technology Coordinator for 15 years I feel that the best choice for my submission to publish my Action Research is with the ISTE’s Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education (formerly the Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, JCTE), which features peer-reviewed articles, which focus on teaching with technology in the educational environment. My hope is to share my AR with teachers and pre teachers, educators, policy makers and fellow technology coordinators across the world in order to affect change in the K-12 educational classroom.
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/submission-information/journals-submission-information/jdlte-submission-guidelines.aspx
Link to Publishing/Leadership project
https://public.me.com/mcgeebr
Wk 4 Publishing/Leadership project part 1 of 2: My initial plan of action
http://bdmcgee-buildinglifelonglearners.blogspot.com/2011/05/wk-4-publishingleadership-project-part.html
Wk 4 Publishing/Leadership project part 2 of 2: Thinking Out Loud
http://bdmcgee-buildinglifelonglearners.blogspot.com/2011/05/wk-4-publishingleadership-project-part_29.html
Wk4 Response To Peer Reading: Joanna Puello
Joanna Puello said,
MAC, Week 4, BP2: Reading the Art of Possibility
My husband is an amazingly talented artist in many realms. He paints, draws, sings professionally, writes his own music, and gives seminars. He’s also his own boss. I’m an artist of a different sort. I write, play two instruments, act, and love to make my physical environment an inspirational place to be. We’ve been “self-employed” for years, and we’ve also been “self-UNemployed” many of times. Because we often have to pursue opportunities for income, it’s easy to feel frustrated and loose passion about the big vision. Or sometimes it’s easy to get so caught up in the big vision that we can’t see the next step. My husband has encountered endless obstacles in his musical career, and during the past two years, we have butted heads many times over what his long-term goals should be. My biggest desire for him is for him to be able to use his talents and abilities in their maximum expression. Obviously, he wants this, too. The question is how to get from here to there. In my opinion, the discussion and conflict that has revolved around this topic has been very healthy for both of us (even when it’s been hard). We’re still working through the details on some life-changing decisions, so I was extremely inspired when I read this remarkable quote in Chapter 11: Creating Frameworks for Possibility: “The foremost challenge for leaders today…is to maintain the clarity to stand confidently…no matter how fierce the competition, no matter how stark the necessity to go for the short-term goal, no matter how fearful people are, and no matter how urgently the wolf may appear to howl at the door. It is to have the courage and persistence to distinguish the downward spiral from the radiant realm of possibility in the face of any challenge.” (Zander, p. 163)
Brenda commented,
I was a freelance Graphic Designer and sold houses for years but I gave in to fear and went back to the world of 9-5 and a 401K. I loved the world of creativity and flexibility of time but a regular check and benefits became more practical when I found myself raising my kids alone. Working 9-5 comes with it’s own set of stresses. I am looking forward to the possibility of going back to the world of creativity and avoiding the downward spiral of accepting the safe space as my future home.
MAC, Week 4, BP2: Reading the Art of Possibility
My husband is an amazingly talented artist in many realms. He paints, draws, sings professionally, writes his own music, and gives seminars. He’s also his own boss. I’m an artist of a different sort. I write, play two instruments, act, and love to make my physical environment an inspirational place to be. We’ve been “self-employed” for years, and we’ve also been “self-UNemployed” many of times. Because we often have to pursue opportunities for income, it’s easy to feel frustrated and loose passion about the big vision. Or sometimes it’s easy to get so caught up in the big vision that we can’t see the next step. My husband has encountered endless obstacles in his musical career, and during the past two years, we have butted heads many times over what his long-term goals should be. My biggest desire for him is for him to be able to use his talents and abilities in their maximum expression. Obviously, he wants this, too. The question is how to get from here to there. In my opinion, the discussion and conflict that has revolved around this topic has been very healthy for both of us (even when it’s been hard). We’re still working through the details on some life-changing decisions, so I was extremely inspired when I read this remarkable quote in Chapter 11: Creating Frameworks for Possibility: “The foremost challenge for leaders today…is to maintain the clarity to stand confidently…no matter how fierce the competition, no matter how stark the necessity to go for the short-term goal, no matter how fearful people are, and no matter how urgently the wolf may appear to howl at the door. It is to have the courage and persistence to distinguish the downward spiral from the radiant realm of possibility in the face of any challenge.” (Zander, p. 163)
Brenda commented,
I was a freelance Graphic Designer and sold houses for years but I gave in to fear and went back to the world of 9-5 and a 401K. I loved the world of creativity and flexibility of time but a regular check and benefits became more practical when I found myself raising my kids alone. Working 9-5 comes with it’s own set of stresses. I am looking forward to the possibility of going back to the world of creativity and avoiding the downward spiral of accepting the safe space as my future home.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Wk4 Response To Peer Reading: Jazmin Jones
Jazmin said
I really enjoyed "A New Children's Story" in ch 11. I also think that it was no coincidence that it was the chapter following "Being a Board. When I was in middle school, we learned about using 'I' language in situations of conflict. For example, instead of saying "you are mean" you would say "I feel hurt when...". Ch 10 brought that back for me. In both cases, it is about owing your situation instead of allowing others to control it. Using 'I' language, or being the board, makes you feel less helpless. So, how does that relate to ch 11? Well, being the board is something that comes with age and practice. Most second graders are not ready to be the board. The teacher, understanding the situation, created the framework that her students needed. Instead of seeing the baldness as something to fear, it was just another possibility, as the book stated. Had the students been older, the girl most likely could have conveyed this on her own. Instead, the teacher used it as a teaching moment, something that would benefit the students both then and in the future.
Brenda commented,
I was not talk to use the “I” language or I do not recall it however it is an excellent concept and I will remember to use it with my students. I grew up a victim to bullying and allowed myself to be the victim but I grew up and regained my control and it helped me to develop in my later life. I really enjoyed this book and will continue to share this book with others.
I really enjoyed "A New Children's Story" in ch 11. I also think that it was no coincidence that it was the chapter following "Being a Board. When I was in middle school, we learned about using 'I' language in situations of conflict. For example, instead of saying "you are mean" you would say "I feel hurt when...". Ch 10 brought that back for me. In both cases, it is about owing your situation instead of allowing others to control it. Using 'I' language, or being the board, makes you feel less helpless. So, how does that relate to ch 11? Well, being the board is something that comes with age and practice. Most second graders are not ready to be the board. The teacher, understanding the situation, created the framework that her students needed. Instead of seeing the baldness as something to fear, it was just another possibility, as the book stated. Had the students been older, the girl most likely could have conveyed this on her own. Instead, the teacher used it as a teaching moment, something that would benefit the students both then and in the future.
Brenda commented,
I was not talk to use the “I” language or I do not recall it however it is an excellent concept and I will remember to use it with my students. I grew up a victim to bullying and allowed myself to be the victim but I grew up and regained my control and it helped me to develop in my later life. I really enjoyed this book and will continue to share this book with others.
Wk4 Reading: Art of Possibility Chapters 9 – 12
Photo By Rellie Manlapaz
In my reading this week two chapters really stood out with me which were Chapters 9 and 11. In Chapter 9, the catchphrase “Being the board”…is my new focus and understanding that I am the framework for what happens in my life. “If I cannot be present without resistance to the way things are and act effectively, if I feel myself to be wronged, a loser, or a victim, I will tell myself that some assumptions I have made are the source of my difficulty”. Working to avoid questioning all of the bad things that happen but accepting that, it is a part of life will return the control back to me. Letting go of the past because I have no control over the past and being the board rewards me with self-respect. If I try to exhibit courage and compassion, I can move forward.
Chapter 11 discusses removing the “me, me, me” and replacing it with “we, we, we” and everybody wins, everybody moves forward. The world has moved away from “we” and this has caused a downward spiral in the world. Our kids have not learned how to respect, share, love, or have compassion for each other. I miss the village because it appears to have disappeared from the concept of rearing children. I try to leave a mark with every child I meet. I leave them with positive words of wisdom and a feeling that someone cares about their existence and they do matter.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wk 4 Publishing/Leadership project part 1 of 2: My initial plan of action
My plan of action for publishing my Action Research project involves researching the TechTrends - Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, A publication of the Association for Educational Communications & Technology. TechTrends is a publication for professionals in the educational technology field and I want to share my AR with fellow professionals in the technology field with the hopes of sharing knowledge about what I studied in the area of technology integration.
http://www.springer.com/education+%26+language/learning+%26+instruction/journal/11528
My second choice is Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education (formerly the Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, JCTE) , which features peer reviewed articles which focus on teaching with technology in the educational environment. My hope is to share my AR with teachers and pre teachers, educators, policy makers and fellow technology coordinators across the world in order to affect change in the K-12 educational classroom.
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/submission-information/journals-submission-information/jdlte-submission-guidelines.aspx
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Wk3 Wimba Session
Someone asked the question in the Wimba , “How do you deal with leadership that is not supportive?” My administrator is not supportive of a selection of the staff and has favorites and it hard to work in this type of environment. I constantly support her in her initiatives but she does not support me unless I am working behind the scenes to boost her success. I go to work every day with a positive attitude and work to find ways to motivate.
Wk3 Response To Peer Reading: Rowdy Granado
Rowdy said:
In this part of the book, we are looking at the leadership aspects of people and what really exemplifies a good leader. It was mentioned in the reading that the ability to make others feel empowered is a sign of a good leader.
I can attest to this from both sides in gaining the respect of your peers/coworkers as well as being given this power. I have had two great “bosses” before I became a teacher who really empowered me as an employee and made me feel like what I did and what I contributed mattered to the growth of our company.
While I was at Texas Tech, my supervisor informed me of the job/task at hand, got my input on it and then either approved it or we tweaked it together. After this, she pretty much let me take care of the job with little or no supervision. Once the job was complete, we sat down again and she provided feedback and/or let me know what changes needed to be made. She trusted me to get the job done, she gave me the tools and support needed, and supported my ideas.
My other supervisor empowered me much in the same way. The best way she did it, was she took a shot when everyone else advised against her move. She made me one of the youngest Market Managers for Sprint at the ripe old age of 24. I was in charge of a market that included Southeast Missouri and Southwest Illinois. I had 6 retail stores, 3rd party and business-to-business channels and over 75+ employees as well as in charge of profit and loss of millions of dollars. Lot’s on the line for someone so young. But she let me know, she wouldn’t have put me in that position if she didn’t think I couldn’t do it. Like it said in the reading, she made me feel powerful,
Neither one of these leaders had any type of superiority complex or ever made me feel belittled, micromanaged or like they were better than me. I always felt acknowledge, listened to and respected. Many times I never felt like their employee, but in the truest sense, their colleague.
I have also done this with my students. I give them the tools and support and allow them to put their input into what we are learning, how we learn it and what they create. I give them that empowerment and they understand that for their projects to be good, it relies more on their effort, understanding and cooperation than me just “teaching” them what I want them to know.
Some of my fellow teachers and even my principal have recently visited my class during a live production of the broadcast and mentioned afterwards that they never knew how much work the kids do and how hard it is to get a live show done. This actually made me feel better because many times other teachers think all we do is the “fun” stuff and press record on a camera, that it isn’t too hard to do that. Now they know.
The reading asked “How much greatest are we willing to grant some people?” I feel like I allow all of my students to achieve as much as they can. Sometimes it does bite me in the rear because I may give some too much credit or freedom/flexibility, but I would rather quell that, then stifle the possible growth.
I loved when he spoke about allowing the Cuban musicians to lead the American musicians. I will tend to do this as well. I see which students are better at shooting, or editing or writing and use them to help their peers when they have questions. I see more being accomplished this way then if I tried to help each one individually. Plus, the students helping love being able to help, they feel important now.
My school should adopt saying “Remember Rule No. 6” as well, our principals and staff are all pretty amazing and I feel as though we may have that tattooed on our arms. None of us take ourselves too seriously and promote such a comfortable work environment that I heard various amount of other teachers and parents talking tonight from other schools how they wish they were at our school. Rule No. 6 rules.
Brenda McGee said:
“The ability to make others feel empowered is a sign of a good leader” This statement is a statement that is essential to the growth of any leader of a company. If the leader does not understand this coming in the door, it is hard to gain respect and support of the staff in the future. The staff at my school would benefit from visiting your school to see what a team looks like. I will be sharing this book with my principal with hopes that she will purchase it for our staff.
In this part of the book, we are looking at the leadership aspects of people and what really exemplifies a good leader. It was mentioned in the reading that the ability to make others feel empowered is a sign of a good leader.
I can attest to this from both sides in gaining the respect of your peers/coworkers as well as being given this power. I have had two great “bosses” before I became a teacher who really empowered me as an employee and made me feel like what I did and what I contributed mattered to the growth of our company.
While I was at Texas Tech, my supervisor informed me of the job/task at hand, got my input on it and then either approved it or we tweaked it together. After this, she pretty much let me take care of the job with little or no supervision. Once the job was complete, we sat down again and she provided feedback and/or let me know what changes needed to be made. She trusted me to get the job done, she gave me the tools and support needed, and supported my ideas.
My other supervisor empowered me much in the same way. The best way she did it, was she took a shot when everyone else advised against her move. She made me one of the youngest Market Managers for Sprint at the ripe old age of 24. I was in charge of a market that included Southeast Missouri and Southwest Illinois. I had 6 retail stores, 3rd party and business-to-business channels and over 75+ employees as well as in charge of profit and loss of millions of dollars. Lot’s on the line for someone so young. But she let me know, she wouldn’t have put me in that position if she didn’t think I couldn’t do it. Like it said in the reading, she made me feel powerful,
Neither one of these leaders had any type of superiority complex or ever made me feel belittled, micromanaged or like they were better than me. I always felt acknowledge, listened to and respected. Many times I never felt like their employee, but in the truest sense, their colleague.
I have also done this with my students. I give them the tools and support and allow them to put their input into what we are learning, how we learn it and what they create. I give them that empowerment and they understand that for their projects to be good, it relies more on their effort, understanding and cooperation than me just “teaching” them what I want them to know.
Some of my fellow teachers and even my principal have recently visited my class during a live production of the broadcast and mentioned afterwards that they never knew how much work the kids do and how hard it is to get a live show done. This actually made me feel better because many times other teachers think all we do is the “fun” stuff and press record on a camera, that it isn’t too hard to do that. Now they know.
The reading asked “How much greatest are we willing to grant some people?” I feel like I allow all of my students to achieve as much as they can. Sometimes it does bite me in the rear because I may give some too much credit or freedom/flexibility, but I would rather quell that, then stifle the possible growth.
I loved when he spoke about allowing the Cuban musicians to lead the American musicians. I will tend to do this as well. I see which students are better at shooting, or editing or writing and use them to help their peers when they have questions. I see more being accomplished this way then if I tried to help each one individually. Plus, the students helping love being able to help, they feel important now.
My school should adopt saying “Remember Rule No. 6” as well, our principals and staff are all pretty amazing and I feel as though we may have that tattooed on our arms. None of us take ourselves too seriously and promote such a comfortable work environment that I heard various amount of other teachers and parents talking tonight from other schools how they wish they were at our school. Rule No. 6 rules.
Brenda McGee said:
“The ability to make others feel empowered is a sign of a good leader” This statement is a statement that is essential to the growth of any leader of a company. If the leader does not understand this coming in the door, it is hard to gain respect and support of the staff in the future. The staff at my school would benefit from visiting your school to see what a team looks like. I will be sharing this book with my principal with hopes that she will purchase it for our staff.
Wk3 Response To Peer Reading: JoAnne Green
JoAnne said:
Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair: We’re all leaders. How can we make a difference in the people will influence each day? How do we listen to those who help us make our dreams become reality?
As an instructor at my school where I teach mathematics, I try to instill in my students to be a leader not a follower. Many of our adolescents love to fit in with their acquaintances that they really think are their friends. Once they are capable of realizing that their associates are not really their “real friends”, then they can understand that they have no one to impress and they can be leaders and not followers.
Brenda McGee said:
This is a challenge we face today with our young people. They are intertwined with feelings of acceptance and fear of rejection, they have forgotten about individuality. The sense of creativity is gone in these young people. When given a choice they aired on the side of safe, and whatever gets the job done with little or no effort. Continue to influence your students with hope and promise of success.
Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair: We’re all leaders. How can we make a difference in the people will influence each day? How do we listen to those who help us make our dreams become reality?
As an instructor at my school where I teach mathematics, I try to instill in my students to be a leader not a follower. Many of our adolescents love to fit in with their acquaintances that they really think are their friends. Once they are capable of realizing that their associates are not really their “real friends”, then they can understand that they have no one to impress and they can be leaders and not followers.
Brenda McGee said:
This is a challenge we face today with our young people. They are intertwined with feelings of acceptance and fear of rejection, they have forgotten about individuality. The sense of creativity is gone in these young people. When given a choice they aired on the side of safe, and whatever gets the job done with little or no effort. Continue to influence your students with hope and promise of success.
Wk3 Reading: Art of Possibility Chapters 5 – 8
Rosamund and Benjamin Zander in the book The Art of Possibility discuss the principles of “Leading from any chair” and this chapter forces me to think about the difficulties I face daily at work. I struggle with seeking acceptance and recognition from my colleagues. No matter how hard I work to promote and support the new administrator and staff it is never noticed. It uses to bother me but I had to find ways to motivate and toot my own horn. I allowed this to frustrate me and focused on it too much. I had to eventually lightened up and break the hold it had on me in order to move forward. I work quietly and passionately, and stayed committed to the mission of the school, set my own goals, and strive to reach them, and that helps me to measure my successes. Chapter 7 talks about “being present to the way things are” but not accepting the way things are. After I figured out that, I was not changing the way people act by complaining I began to find ways to work in this environment without resistance. I began to kill the enemy with kindness and positive reaction and avoided taking anything personal. Once I stopped blaming and finding fault in other I was able to look at myself and what I was doing to affect how people responded to me. I have become an active participant in my life, now that I have taken the control back from others.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Wk2 Discussion Deeper: Podcasts in Education
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/space-sd/id428600948
Space – SD by Cassiopeia Project download this podcast to iTune U and explore the Solar System with your students. Great educational tour.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/space-sd/id428600948
Short podcast for educators to teach you how to get started with podcasting.
http://tech4teaching.org/wpblog/
Technology for Teaching Blog and how technology impacts learning
EPN
Education Podcast Network
Resources to use for teaching 21st Century Learners
http://epnweb.org/index.php?openpod=2#5
Space – SD by Cassiopeia Project download this podcast to iTune U and explore the Solar System with your students. Great educational tour.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/space-sd/id428600948
Short podcast for educators to teach you how to get started with podcasting.
http://tech4teaching.org/wpblog/
Technology for Teaching Blog and how technology impacts learning
EPN
Education Podcast Network
Resources to use for teaching 21st Century Learners
http://epnweb.org/index.php?openpod=2#5
Week 2 Response to Peer Reading: Monica Heaney
Brenda McGee commented by saying:
Monica,
I agree that it is important as educators we never label the students. We limit the possibilities for the students when we prejudge student abilities. I believe I was presented this book for a reason and I must apply what I learned in my daily living. The image we present is important because of the influence we have over the development of the students. I will share this book with my principal so she can share it with the staff as a whole.
Monica Heaney wrote:
Wk2 Reading: Art of Possibility
After reading Chapter 1 of The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund & Benjamin Zander, I was hooked. I read many paragraphs over and over because I didn’t want to forget the message. As a teacher with dual certification (regular and special education) I am often asked to identify a child’s disability. It really bothers me that so often students are compared to each other and not looked at as an individual. I can think of a particular student who takes longer to respond and process, this is considered a processing delay that I don’t agree with. I watch him listen and if he was an adult, he would say “give me a minute.” As a child if his response time is not immediate, we think something is wrong. Chapter 2 of “The Art of Possibility” reminds us how our measurements put limits on possibility. I believe that this student is very smart. Measuring him according to students who have the ability to express themselves quickly does not allow for the possibility of his intelligence to be expressed. Chapter 3, “Giving an A” should remind us to give this student an A. If we assume he has a lot to contribute and a lot to express, perhaps his anxiety would lessen. Maybe he would feel the belief of the teacher and maybe he would feel more comfortable in expressing himself and his ideas. The authors expressed the idea that you can change people. This is an instance were I believe this can happen. As the educator, if I provide an atmosphere of trust, acceptance, and high expectations, this student of concern would most likely express himself.
Making a contribution as mentioned in chapter 4 would be on my end as well as on the students end. As the teacher, my contribution would be, being extra patient with this student. My student’s contribution would be to express his ideas and become an integral voice in our class. Which, I would imagine would encourage him to repeat the contributions and become more confident and less anxious.
Posted by Monica Heaney at 5:49 PM
Monica,
I agree that it is important as educators we never label the students. We limit the possibilities for the students when we prejudge student abilities. I believe I was presented this book for a reason and I must apply what I learned in my daily living. The image we present is important because of the influence we have over the development of the students. I will share this book with my principal so she can share it with the staff as a whole.
Monica Heaney wrote:
Wk2 Reading: Art of Possibility
After reading Chapter 1 of The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund & Benjamin Zander, I was hooked. I read many paragraphs over and over because I didn’t want to forget the message. As a teacher with dual certification (regular and special education) I am often asked to identify a child’s disability. It really bothers me that so often students are compared to each other and not looked at as an individual. I can think of a particular student who takes longer to respond and process, this is considered a processing delay that I don’t agree with. I watch him listen and if he was an adult, he would say “give me a minute.” As a child if his response time is not immediate, we think something is wrong. Chapter 2 of “The Art of Possibility” reminds us how our measurements put limits on possibility. I believe that this student is very smart. Measuring him according to students who have the ability to express themselves quickly does not allow for the possibility of his intelligence to be expressed. Chapter 3, “Giving an A” should remind us to give this student an A. If we assume he has a lot to contribute and a lot to express, perhaps his anxiety would lessen. Maybe he would feel the belief of the teacher and maybe he would feel more comfortable in expressing himself and his ideas. The authors expressed the idea that you can change people. This is an instance were I believe this can happen. As the educator, if I provide an atmosphere of trust, acceptance, and high expectations, this student of concern would most likely express himself.
Making a contribution as mentioned in chapter 4 would be on my end as well as on the students end. As the teacher, my contribution would be, being extra patient with this student. My student’s contribution would be to express his ideas and become an integral voice in our class. Which, I would imagine would encourage him to repeat the contributions and become more confident and less anxious.
Posted by Monica Heaney at 5:49 PM
Week 2: Free Choice Topic
Wk2 Wimba Session: Copyright Issues
The copyright laws make creativity not so fun. This topic is very deep and can make the life of a teacher trying to teach creativity very difficult. When the younger students work on projects and need to get images they are usually directed to the Internet to get them. The technology standards expect students to be able to perform the technology task. The laws say that each elementary school student must get permission or is it OK to simply site the source?
The copyright laws make creativity not so fun. This topic is very deep and can make the life of a teacher trying to teach creativity very difficult. When the younger students work on projects and need to get images they are usually directed to the Internet to get them. The technology standards expect students to be able to perform the technology task. The laws say that each elementary school student must get permission or is it OK to simply site the source?
Week 2 Response To Peer Reading: Ginny Holm
Ginny,
I too am a big fan of Dr. Joyce Meyer and have several of her books in my collection. I started reading her books because a friend that I didn’t know took me under her wings to help carry me through a very difficult time in my life. She was like an angle that was sent to save what happiness I had left. After reading Dr. Joyce’s story about her relationship with her brother and her views about the struggles of life I felt I could walk through anything if I focus on my real purpose on this earth.
I wrote a poem as part of my final senior showing, a requirement for a BA in Graphic Design at the College of Mount Saint Joseph. When I wrote this poem I was reflecting on the religious studies at the Mount, the controversy that was going on in Cincinnati as well as the pain and suffering of the world.
Here is the poem: By Brenda McGee
Read the full poem first and then go back and read the bolded words to find the hidden message.
Ginny Holm Wrote:
Week 2 Reading Blog Post
This book is an easy read. I like the authors. They seem very relaxed and normal. It’s very motivational, and gives me insight to topics that I hadn’t thought about before.
New ways to approach things
Chapter 1: This chapter offered insightful views on not only thinking out of the box as well as seeing things in different ways to find new solutions. I have to admit that I stared at the 4-line puzzle and had no idea how to tackle it. After seeing the solution it seemed so simple. Sometimes the best solutions aren’t always the most obvious, but the require some “out of the box” thinking. We need to just think for a few minutes more and try to not be so logical and open our minds to see things in a new way.
Chapter 2: Everyday we measure our jobs, our families, more and ourselves. We try to find out how everyone’s day went, what he or she did and how well he or she did it. One must question - is measurement of everything in our life really necessary? Sometimes by just listening to what people are saying they will tell you what they did and there isn’t always a result. Normal, ordinary things happen everyday no measurement of what was done is needed. When I assign skills reviews for my students, I’m not necessarily looking to see how perfectly they recreated something, but more so if they understood what and why the tasks led to the final result. It’s hard to measure a beginner graphic design class when you have all levels of abilities in that class. I don’t ever want to discourage someone from going further in the field because I didn’t feel his or her work was not as good as another student’s.
Chapter 3: What an interesting idea of giving students an “A” and having them validate why they deserve it. I loved seeing their openness and the new revelations they discovered during the first two weeks. One of my favorites was the Asian student who always felt he was a low number. He over time developed more self esteem by seeing himself as an “A” and not as the actual ranking that was given statistically.
Chapter 4: Contributions - an interesting word. How do we contribute to our lives, and to the people in our lives? I’m a big fan of Dr. Joyce Meyers and she is all about staying focused on what you can do for others and for God, not what others expect of you or how they judge you. By contributing to benefit others, and not just to help yourself your life is more fulfilling and you accomplish more meaningful things, even if they are as simple as helping a friend by driving their child home from school because they have a late meeting. It’s out of your way, but not by much and the overall contribution makes more sense than being selfish and not seeing the big picture. I feel we’re here to contribute to the lives of others, not to get what benefits us most.
I too am a big fan of Dr. Joyce Meyer and have several of her books in my collection. I started reading her books because a friend that I didn’t know took me under her wings to help carry me through a very difficult time in my life. She was like an angle that was sent to save what happiness I had left. After reading Dr. Joyce’s story about her relationship with her brother and her views about the struggles of life I felt I could walk through anything if I focus on my real purpose on this earth.
I wrote a poem as part of my final senior showing, a requirement for a BA in Graphic Design at the College of Mount Saint Joseph. When I wrote this poem I was reflecting on the religious studies at the Mount, the controversy that was going on in Cincinnati as well as the pain and suffering of the world.
Here is the poem: By Brenda McGee
Read the full poem first and then go back and read the bolded words to find the hidden message.
Ginny Holm Wrote:
Week 2 Reading Blog Post
This book is an easy read. I like the authors. They seem very relaxed and normal. It’s very motivational, and gives me insight to topics that I hadn’t thought about before.
New ways to approach things
Chapter 1: This chapter offered insightful views on not only thinking out of the box as well as seeing things in different ways to find new solutions. I have to admit that I stared at the 4-line puzzle and had no idea how to tackle it. After seeing the solution it seemed so simple. Sometimes the best solutions aren’t always the most obvious, but the require some “out of the box” thinking. We need to just think for a few minutes more and try to not be so logical and open our minds to see things in a new way.
Chapter 2: Everyday we measure our jobs, our families, more and ourselves. We try to find out how everyone’s day went, what he or she did and how well he or she did it. One must question - is measurement of everything in our life really necessary? Sometimes by just listening to what people are saying they will tell you what they did and there isn’t always a result. Normal, ordinary things happen everyday no measurement of what was done is needed. When I assign skills reviews for my students, I’m not necessarily looking to see how perfectly they recreated something, but more so if they understood what and why the tasks led to the final result. It’s hard to measure a beginner graphic design class when you have all levels of abilities in that class. I don’t ever want to discourage someone from going further in the field because I didn’t feel his or her work was not as good as another student’s.
Chapter 3: What an interesting idea of giving students an “A” and having them validate why they deserve it. I loved seeing their openness and the new revelations they discovered during the first two weeks. One of my favorites was the Asian student who always felt he was a low number. He over time developed more self esteem by seeing himself as an “A” and not as the actual ranking that was given statistically.
Chapter 4: Contributions - an interesting word. How do we contribute to our lives, and to the people in our lives? I’m a big fan of Dr. Joyce Meyers and she is all about staying focused on what you can do for others and for God, not what others expect of you or how they judge you. By contributing to benefit others, and not just to help yourself your life is more fulfilling and you accomplish more meaningful things, even if they are as simple as helping a friend by driving their child home from school because they have a late meeting. It’s out of your way, but not by much and the overall contribution makes more sense than being selfish and not seeing the big picture. I feel we’re here to contribute to the lives of others, not to get what benefits us most.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Wk2 Reading: Art of Possibility Chapters 1 – 4
Rosamund and Benjamin Zander in the book The Art of Possibility, left me with mixed emotions about the teaching. I believe that anything is possible if you prey and trust God.
The authors presented a series of practices with catchphrases that were not based on old beliefs. They also talk about transforming entire worlds and moving outside of the box, we create for ourselves. I agree that the people, who have self-motivation and do not confine themselves to one plan, accomplish more in life. I have to admit that I create barriers for myself out of fear that I might fail. I would have accomplished more in life if I stepped outside of the box and ignored the fear that was holding me back earlier in life. When I decided to go back to school, there was fear that I would not accomplish this in one year. I asked God to guide my steps and remove the fear. I just let life unfold and look what I have accomplished, I am almost done with my Master’s degree. I had to step back and “size up the situation” enlarge the box and “move from the invented to the universe of possibility”.
AS it states in the book, Giving an “A” requires that one speak to people from a place of respect and developing a relationship, which includes teamwork and partnership. I find that today’s workplace is stressful because the focus is moving away from teamwork and respect. These barriers and the lack of contribution to others is tearing down companies.
I wake up everyday planning how I will make today count and what I can do to make a difference each day. Life does not matter if you do not leave a footprint everyday.
Zander, B. & Zander, R. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Images from Microsoft HD Clip Gallery User Database, Skyscape j0178460.jpg
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Wk1 Wimba Session: Course Intro & AR Activities
Wk1 Wimba Session: Course Intro & AR Activities
This week Wimba gave me answers to many questions about my AR project and what is expect for this month. This will be a busy month and everything must be completed to move to month twelve.
This week Wimba gave me answers to many questions about my AR project and what is expect for this month. This will be a busy month and everything must be completed to move to month twelve.
Week 1 Response to Peer Reading: Tiffany Jones
Tiffany Jones wrote:
Wk 1- Reading Copyright... what is Right??
This first week of Media Asset Creation has really provided some great learning opportunities, examining copyright from both sides.
The movies/clips were so informative, beginning with "Good Copy, Bad Copy" This was a very clever film that took a look at how music is being remixed and used around the world. How ultimately, the remixes are being remixed. After viewing this I was left wondering how I felt and what tack to take with this blog post. Then I reviewed the rest of the weeks assignments and read the book and discovered more about Creative Commons and what kind of service they provide to the creating world. Information is changing so quickly and the way multimedia is being used is evolving and becoming more common place, anyone can create something new. By allowing creators to easily put a copyright on their creations, supports the copyright laws while at the same time stays flexible enough so that materials can be shared. I believe that this is the way of the future, people are going to find things and put them together with their own spin. As long as creators are being given credit for creations, and people are being sensible with others work, resourcefulness can continue on with pure intentions. Piracy can be slowed and infringements can be turned around. The answer to this divide is education, letting students, creators and teachers know that they have rights and restrictions and what those both are. The more knowledge the more people have, the better the world will be.
Brenda McGee commented by saying:
Tiffany,
I agree that students need to be educated on the laws and restrictions. I learned some things I did not know by watching these videos. I am a Graphic Designer and Illustrator and I have seen some of my work reused repeatedly when it was purchased for something else.
The one thing I found disturbing is the locking away of history. The students of today will never see this very important history that helped to build this nation. I think these movies need to be available for educational purposes because in order to grow you need to know your history. I see this as a form of censorship and control over information.
Wk 1- Reading Copyright... what is Right??
This first week of Media Asset Creation has really provided some great learning opportunities, examining copyright from both sides.
The movies/clips were so informative, beginning with "Good Copy, Bad Copy" This was a very clever film that took a look at how music is being remixed and used around the world. How ultimately, the remixes are being remixed. After viewing this I was left wondering how I felt and what tack to take with this blog post. Then I reviewed the rest of the weeks assignments and read the book and discovered more about Creative Commons and what kind of service they provide to the creating world. Information is changing so quickly and the way multimedia is being used is evolving and becoming more common place, anyone can create something new. By allowing creators to easily put a copyright on their creations, supports the copyright laws while at the same time stays flexible enough so that materials can be shared. I believe that this is the way of the future, people are going to find things and put them together with their own spin. As long as creators are being given credit for creations, and people are being sensible with others work, resourcefulness can continue on with pure intentions. Piracy can be slowed and infringements can be turned around. The answer to this divide is education, letting students, creators and teachers know that they have rights and restrictions and what those both are. The more knowledge the more people have, the better the world will be.
Brenda McGee commented by saying:
Tiffany,
I agree that students need to be educated on the laws and restrictions. I learned some things I did not know by watching these videos. I am a Graphic Designer and Illustrator and I have seen some of my work reused repeatedly when it was purchased for something else.
The one thing I found disturbing is the locking away of history. The students of today will never see this very important history that helped to build this nation. I think these movies need to be available for educational purposes because in order to grow you need to know your history. I see this as a form of censorship and control over information.
Week 1 Readings
Wk1 Reading: Copyright Issues Part 1: Intro to Copyright 
The reading this week was very informative and I learned more than I previously understood about these topics. I now understand the definition of copyright as meaning when you create something; tangible you have right by law to have it protected against other people claiming it as there own works. Copyright is getting permission to use someone’s work. What cannot be copyrighted are Ideas, methods, systems, common knowledge, choreographic works, speeches, names, titles, catchy phrases or expressions and fashion clothing. Understanding these definitions gave me a clearer understanding about the topic of copyright and better ability to explain these issues to my students.
The Good Copy Bad Copy video enlightened me about the pirating industry. The new generation will tell you that they cannot remember the last time they purchased a CD because they do not want to be forced to buy songs they do not like. The general feeling is that CDs may have one to two songs they like and the rest are fillers that you do not want but you have to buy anyway. If they download the songs, they only pick what they like.
New technologies have made it very easy to pirate others works. This abuse has grown and making it harder to catch the abuser. Once you close one down, they open up in different areas. The music industry is suffering from this. Before watching these videos, I personally did not realize this was such a worldwide problem of this type of magnitude. Majority of the music in Brazil and Nigeria is pirated music. It does not surprise me when they said that the major consumer is the African American community and the poor communities because they usually have the limited financial resources and when presented with the price of FREE or $5.00… Who can compete with this? I do know I can go to any corner in the urban neighborhoods and see vendors selling newly released songs and videos for $5.00 to $10.00.
Wk1 Reading: Copyright Issues part 2: What the Heck is Fair Use?
Fair Use can be a confusing and I think it is interpreted in different ways. I think that most people overlook the details behind these laws. I thought that as long as you were using the material for educational purpose and sited the sources it was OK to use it. It is important that as educators we start to teach this information as early as elementary school because students really do not understand the laws behind Copyright, Fair Use, and Plagiarism and continue to use other works unlawfully.
I agree that on the Shepard Fairey case he should have asked permission because it is obvious that the image came from the photo because they look identical. It almost looks like it was traced from the original photo. I believe that as an artist he knew what he was doing when he was creating the artwork and just took the chance with the hope that it would not be discovered. I admire Fairy’s marketing ability as well as his artistic talents. Before seeing these videos, I was not aware of that Fairey was the creator of the Obama image but I purchased several shirts, stickers etc. The Obama image was an instant marketing hit and the photographer should receive money and credit despite what the original intent of use.
Wk1 Reading: Copyright Issues Part 3: The Creative Commons Solution
The most important thing I learned about Creative Commons is that I must to put authors name on the work; I cannot change or sell the work I use from Creative Commons. Some of the resources presented in the video are excellent resources to use in creative project with your students
(http://ccmixter.org, http://www.opsound.org/, http://magnatune.com/, http://www.dmusic.com/, http://www.soundclick.com/, http://search creative commons.org)
In the video, Larry Lessig’s TED Talk about Remix Culture: Ted makes a statement that “Ordinary people is living life against the law”. This statement is so true when it applies to the Internet and what we do with the Internet. The Internet has made it easier to break the law and even the kids will find ways to misuse the privilege. He is right in saying this because the students seen to have this attitude that these behavior are ok and continue to download and sell products they know are copyrighted.
images from Microsoft Office.com
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/similar.aspx#ai:MP900402794|
The reading this week was very informative and I learned more than I previously understood about these topics. I now understand the definition of copyright as meaning when you create something; tangible you have right by law to have it protected against other people claiming it as there own works. Copyright is getting permission to use someone’s work. What cannot be copyrighted are Ideas, methods, systems, common knowledge, choreographic works, speeches, names, titles, catchy phrases or expressions and fashion clothing. Understanding these definitions gave me a clearer understanding about the topic of copyright and better ability to explain these issues to my students.
The Good Copy Bad Copy video enlightened me about the pirating industry. The new generation will tell you that they cannot remember the last time they purchased a CD because they do not want to be forced to buy songs they do not like. The general feeling is that CDs may have one to two songs they like and the rest are fillers that you do not want but you have to buy anyway. If they download the songs, they only pick what they like.
New technologies have made it very easy to pirate others works. This abuse has grown and making it harder to catch the abuser. Once you close one down, they open up in different areas. The music industry is suffering from this. Before watching these videos, I personally did not realize this was such a worldwide problem of this type of magnitude. Majority of the music in Brazil and Nigeria is pirated music. It does not surprise me when they said that the major consumer is the African American community and the poor communities because they usually have the limited financial resources and when presented with the price of FREE or $5.00… Who can compete with this? I do know I can go to any corner in the urban neighborhoods and see vendors selling newly released songs and videos for $5.00 to $10.00.
Wk1 Reading: Copyright Issues part 2: What the Heck is Fair Use?
Fair Use can be a confusing and I think it is interpreted in different ways. I think that most people overlook the details behind these laws. I thought that as long as you were using the material for educational purpose and sited the sources it was OK to use it. It is important that as educators we start to teach this information as early as elementary school because students really do not understand the laws behind Copyright, Fair Use, and Plagiarism and continue to use other works unlawfully.
I agree that on the Shepard Fairey case he should have asked permission because it is obvious that the image came from the photo because they look identical. It almost looks like it was traced from the original photo. I believe that as an artist he knew what he was doing when he was creating the artwork and just took the chance with the hope that it would not be discovered. I admire Fairy’s marketing ability as well as his artistic talents. Before seeing these videos, I was not aware of that Fairey was the creator of the Obama image but I purchased several shirts, stickers etc. The Obama image was an instant marketing hit and the photographer should receive money and credit despite what the original intent of use.
Wk1 Reading: Copyright Issues Part 3: The Creative Commons Solution
The most important thing I learned about Creative Commons is that I must to put authors name on the work; I cannot change or sell the work I use from Creative Commons. Some of the resources presented in the video are excellent resources to use in creative project with your students
(http://ccmixter.org, http://www.opsound.org/, http://magnatune.com/, http://www.dmusic.com/, http://www.soundclick.com/, http://search creative commons.org)
In the video, Larry Lessig’s TED Talk about Remix Culture: Ted makes a statement that “Ordinary people is living life against the law”. This statement is so true when it applies to the Internet and what we do with the Internet. The Internet has made it easier to break the law and even the kids will find ways to misuse the privilege. He is right in saying this because the students seen to have this attitude that these behavior are ok and continue to download and sell products they know are copyrighted.
images from Microsoft Office.com
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/similar.aspx#ai:MP900402794|
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Week 1 Response to Peer Reading: Peter Binskin
Peter Binskin wrote:
That was a great spread of information and personal stories about copyright in this digital age presented in the videos. Copyright is something that has been constantly with me through the years and something I’ve looked at closely in Australia and America. Being a songwriter I am constantly reminded of copyright issues as I consider the melodies I create and, as a performer, I am reminded of the idea of paying for what you use and respecting others work as I would have them respect mine.
Back in the early 90s I was a product demonstrator at Mac World in Sydney for a product that was the first version in what would be later known as Protools. I remember that there were two types of people coming to my stand. One type would be marveling at the technology available to manipulate sound to create new music, the other would be furious at those same abilities used to steal other’s creations (or manipulate their songs without permission). I had more than one person literally screaming at my Mac II and me that I was the beginning of the end of music and should be ashamed at my part in it.
I think it affected me so much that, since that time (until Garageband and even then I try to only use percussion and add my own live instruments) I would create my own percussion loops rather than sample someone else’s songs even though I had the gear to do it.
That’s why the Good Copy/Bad Copy video was quite personal to me and those same issues that faced me twenty years ago are still being faced around the world.
As a registered songwriter in Australia I still receive a very small amount of money every year from the performing rights association, not for the royalties of my music being played on TV or radio but from an amount that is paid to this same association (and then distributed to its members) by the Chinese government because they do not keep records of the sale, distribution or airplay of copyrighted music. This is one way in which governments are recognizing their responsibilities to artists but it does nothing to change the situation in that country.
I also loved the list of Brad Templeton’s copyright myths. I have heard every one of those come from the mouths of friends, colleagues and people who claim to be in the know and some of them very recently. Certainly number one is huge. Even though copyright is automatic, however, it’s easier to take someone to court if you have a piece of paper from the copyright office rather than a self addressed, sealed envelope with your CD and a fading postmark to prove that your wrote it and when.
I have to say, a positive thing about the course we are doing is that this knowledge about copyright and where to find creative commons and public domain material is going to help save us (and/or our bank accounts) in this digital age as we continue to create materials to help us deliver more effective education to our classes. We don’t know where it’s going to end up or who’s going to see so we better have all the creative bits locked down legally.
Brenda McGee commented by saying:
Peter,
You can find vendors selling music, videos, and knockoff merchandise at flea markets and at every corner store in the urban areas. They have a market of consumers buying these items and keeping them in business. There needs to be sticker laws and punishments to stop this type of infringement. The young people realize that it is wrong but the websites still exist where they can download the music.
There are people taking a stand against this type of copyright infringement. This week in Monroe, Ohio police raided nine vendors at Traders World for selling counterfeit merchandise branded with Fox Racing and Monster products. Charges are currently being filed against the booth owners.
You can read more about this news report by following this link:
http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_north_cincinnati/monroe/police-seize-counterfeit-merchandise-at-flea-market
That was a great spread of information and personal stories about copyright in this digital age presented in the videos. Copyright is something that has been constantly with me through the years and something I’ve looked at closely in Australia and America. Being a songwriter I am constantly reminded of copyright issues as I consider the melodies I create and, as a performer, I am reminded of the idea of paying for what you use and respecting others work as I would have them respect mine.
Back in the early 90s I was a product demonstrator at Mac World in Sydney for a product that was the first version in what would be later known as Protools. I remember that there were two types of people coming to my stand. One type would be marveling at the technology available to manipulate sound to create new music, the other would be furious at those same abilities used to steal other’s creations (or manipulate their songs without permission). I had more than one person literally screaming at my Mac II and me that I was the beginning of the end of music and should be ashamed at my part in it.
I think it affected me so much that, since that time (until Garageband and even then I try to only use percussion and add my own live instruments) I would create my own percussion loops rather than sample someone else’s songs even though I had the gear to do it.
That’s why the Good Copy/Bad Copy video was quite personal to me and those same issues that faced me twenty years ago are still being faced around the world.
As a registered songwriter in Australia I still receive a very small amount of money every year from the performing rights association, not for the royalties of my music being played on TV or radio but from an amount that is paid to this same association (and then distributed to its members) by the Chinese government because they do not keep records of the sale, distribution or airplay of copyrighted music. This is one way in which governments are recognizing their responsibilities to artists but it does nothing to change the situation in that country.
I also loved the list of Brad Templeton’s copyright myths. I have heard every one of those come from the mouths of friends, colleagues and people who claim to be in the know and some of them very recently. Certainly number one is huge. Even though copyright is automatic, however, it’s easier to take someone to court if you have a piece of paper from the copyright office rather than a self addressed, sealed envelope with your CD and a fading postmark to prove that your wrote it and when.
I have to say, a positive thing about the course we are doing is that this knowledge about copyright and where to find creative commons and public domain material is going to help save us (and/or our bank accounts) in this digital age as we continue to create materials to help us deliver more effective education to our classes. We don’t know where it’s going to end up or who’s going to see so we better have all the creative bits locked down legally.
Brenda McGee commented by saying:
Peter,
You can find vendors selling music, videos, and knockoff merchandise at flea markets and at every corner store in the urban areas. They have a market of consumers buying these items and keeping them in business. There needs to be sticker laws and punishments to stop this type of infringement. The young people realize that it is wrong but the websites still exist where they can download the music.
There are people taking a stand against this type of copyright infringement. This week in Monroe, Ohio police raided nine vendors at Traders World for selling counterfeit merchandise branded with Fox Racing and Monster products. Charges are currently being filed against the booth owners.
You can read more about this news report by following this link:
http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_north_cincinnati/monroe/police-seize-counterfeit-merchandise-at-flea-market
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