Wk 4 Peer Comment-Helen

The WE attitude is so important in the classroom.  As a teacher, nothing we do is only about us.  There always has to be a WE attitude in order for the class to be successful.  I completely agree that taking things one day at a time is truly the secret of being happy.  I have been making an honest effort to take things one day at a time.  I notice that I am happier and my stress levels have gone down tremendously.  Before reading this book, I would be so focused on what was “supposed” to happen in the future that I was making myself crazy.  I too need to reread this book, especially when I feel frustrated or disillusioned with the world of education.  The lessons are inspiring.  Thank you for your post!

Photo Credit: SmartBoard Notebook Gallery

As I continued to piece together what I wanted to write about this week's reading...I came to the conclusion I am going to blog backwards...the ending to the 9th chapter. Roz and Ben were very storng throughout the reading and continued to end the book with WE being emphasized and I think it needs to...they are sooo right. We can't do anything on our own and that will continue to make us put strong judgements upon ourselves but we need to learn to accept the things around us and to adapt and understand what WE can do and what WE can evaluate and fix and accomplish. It is funny but the last chapter a lot of their examples, words, and sayings really hit me but every time I came to a capitalized 'WE' it made me reflect upon myself and how I need to use this methodology of WE more often. It made me really reflect upon my CBR and how WE (students and myself) made it work but they were the WE. I always tell my students that WE work as a classroom and WE need to support one another...like we are a team and a building structure that leans upon each brick. Ben and Roz really pushed for the WE aspect and to do a clear reflection on weather or not we are considered the board. 

As I also reflected upon the reading, it made me really realize that we need to take everything we go through one day and one example at a time. Roz and Ben gave so many enlightening stories that we need to be aware of the things around us and to take advantage of giving others A and a chance to make mistakes and be themselves. I strongly believe that everyone needs to read this book and that I NEED to reread this book during the winter slump in great old Wisconsin because the snow really does drain us of the lacking recesses and fresh air that is highly needed to keep us motivate and open minded to keep moving forward. 

Ben showed great characterization when he reflected upon his own life and examples and what he didn't understand or deal with when he went to be on the board. He really interpreted the things around him and noticed that he was wrong and he told the truth of what was going on even though he didn't want to hear it himself. We as humans need to do this and understand that pride is one thing but being prideful is another. 

We need to continue to see the world in the half full aspect and that we aren't always right. We need to be the board and challenge ourselves to really dig deep and reflect upon ourselves. 

The story that hit me the hardest this reading was the story of Ben and the Eastlea school and it really made me reflect upon my goals as a high schooler wanting to teach inner city and make a difference in the lives of my students...the lives of those less fortunate...that didn't have the things that I did or the family stronghold I did. I continued to look back at this a regret not doing what I was passionate about. But after reading Being the Board and being the conductor and spark....I can be the difference maker in the school I am in and touch the lives of each of my students I have now by allowing them to be the conductor and the board and the spark and giving them an a.....

Wk 4 Peer Comment-Cheryl

I too liked the parts of this week’s reading discussing generating a spark and the WE story.  Both are so important in education.  Lighting a spark can motivate students.  The WE story makes us think about us and our students as part of a unified whole.  This can only improve our interactions with each other.  You are right…It does change attitudes!

My favorite part of this weeks reading was that we need to generate a spark of possibility for others to share (hence my photo).  Chapters 9 and 12 were for me the most meaningful.  Besides the spark in chapter 9, I also liked the story of the hyper ten year old doing soooo well at conducting! My youngest son has been very active his whole life, and now he is the top order puller at his warehouse job nearly every month.  As educators we need to remember to look for what our students can excel at and help them find that level of achievement.  In chapter 12, we are told to approach all issues with "we" instead of "I".  Now that I am dealing with 3 paraprofessionals, "we" has become a favorite word in my vocabulary! The other part of chapter 12 that I loved was the story of the girl telling the lady that she knew what she wanted.  After thinking, the lady went to the store and brought back a can of beef stew.  It was exactly what what was wanted, and sometimes we need to remember to give our students and the people we work with that can of stew.  It can change attitudes and whole days.  Have a great day! Cheryl

Wk 4-Think Out Loud 2

After giving it some thought, I have decided to focus on submitting the paper for the publishing and leadership project.  In the future months, I may feel ambitious enough to put together a presentation to submit later.  I did not have ay idea before the Wimba during week 3 that publications were very strict on submissions to multiple journals.  I had originally though of the process as similar to applying for a job where you submit to as many as possible.  Knowing that this is not the case has made me think about venues for submission that are related to the work that I have done.  The audience for the work is so important.  In light of this information, I began to research the publications for the National Art Education Association.  They publish several journals worldwide dealing with issues in art education.  For this assignment, one of the biggest problems will be the submission process. The NAEA is one of the only organizations that require submissions to be mailed.  I will still submit my work but I am also going to submit to the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.  This journal takes online submissions so I will have my proof of submission sooner than the other journal.

Image courtesy of the NAEA website.

Wk 4 Reading

The reading his was insightful is a few different ways.  In chapter 9, Ben Zander describes the story where he went to meet the cellist to ask him to play to ask him to play in the concert.  The cellist agreed because Zander went in person to ask therefore avoiding the secretary who claimed the cellist was too busy.  Though technology has changed the way we interact with each other, I think it is still important to do things in person. 

As part of my job as the yearbook adviser, I am responsible for organizing and planning picture day for the entire school.  I work closely with the school photographer to organize the event.  We have to manage where, how, and when to get 3,600 students through five picture lines.  A time saving measure is the use of preprinted sit cards.  The sit cards are given to the teachers to pass out to students.  Students take the card to the photographer who scans that card and takes the photos.  This makes the lines move quickly since it only takes seconds to take the photograph and identify the person.  In order to get the cards printed, I am required to submit a listing of all students in the school by name, grade, teacher, period, and student id.  In past years, I have had the list within an hour after the request is made.  However this year, the district has changed the major computer database for storing student information.  The new system has numerous possibilities but no one on campus is comfortable with the new system yet.  I sent my customary email asking for the list to the attendance secretaries.  After two days, I still had not had a response.  The photographer had been contacting me for the list so my stress level was soaring.  I decided to go down and discuss the list in person.  I spent a few minutes discussing the situation with those in the office.  Those were the most important moments.  I came away from the conversation with a plan and a solid understanding of the situation.  It turns out that no one knew how to make a list using the new system and the office had been swamped with students entering and withdrawing.  I explained why I needed the information and explained what I did with it.  I felt that we had come together to solve a problem.  Taking the time to discuss the situation in person made it possible to see beyond the words written in an email.  So much of communication is body language and voice inflection, in which both get lost through an email message.  I got the list two days later.  Right after the list was sent to my email, I got a call from the one of the secretaries asking if the list was what I needed.  I had the opportunity to thank her and tell her how much I appreciate her work.  I think it sounds better when spoken versus typed. 

I feel that most communication should still be done in person.  Though it may take more time, I think this is important for problem solving and working together as a team.  

Photo by Sheri Brinkerhoff

Wk 4 Publishing and Leadership Project

For my publishing and leadership project, I plan to submit a paper to two educational journals. 

The first is the International Journal of Education Through Art.  They are currently issuing a call for submissions through the National Art Education Association.  This journal publishes articles dealing with research-based teaching practices related to art education.  Specific topics of interest include meaning making, image and identity in art education and public, community, and environmental art.    Since my challenge-based research project supports both topics, it would be an excellent fit for this publication.

The second journal is the Association for Advancement of Computing in Education.  This journal focuses on current issues and practices in technology education.  My paper would be perfect for either section.  The Current Issues section deals with theoretical discussions of technology in regard to teacher preparation.  My project focuses on the implementation of specific strategies dealing with technology, which would be helpful for other teachers who are interested in incorporating different types of technology within the classroom.  The Current Practice section focuses on shorter, easy to implement technology tools or teaching strategies by providing a look into the classroom in action.

Brinkerhoff_Sheri_Publishing.docx

Think Out Loud Post 1

Think Out Loud Post 2 

Wk 3 Peer Comment-Heidi

I too am passionate about art and nature.  This summer, I spent a lot of time outside with my daughter.  When I’m outside, I feel a connection to nature that my regular life is missing.  I wish you the best in Oregon!  It is a beautiful place.  I’ve had several friends and family members move there.  Your daughters are lucky to live in a beautiful and artistic place.  It is a shame that going to school means that they will be in a place that is devoid of art and nature.  I feel the same way when my daughter goes to school.  Like you, I try to make-up for it when we are at home. 

As for the downward spiral talk you and I both mentioned…I too started to eat lunch in my classroom away from the negativity.  Teaching is a hard job.  It doesn’t make it any easier after listening to all of the negative comments.  The negativity was so rampant the principal addressed it in a faculty meeting.  That was an eye opening experience.  Beyond my classroom and building, I know very little about what happens elsewhere in the school.  This year, I am going to avoid negativity at all costs in hopes of having a positive attitude.

Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair: We're all leaders. How can we make a difference in the people we influence each day? How do we listen to those who help us make our dreams become reality?

You need to ask yourself, “How can I make them engage” don’t ask “How great am I doing? How much greatness am I willing to give?” A leader listens to suggestions and can instill a sense of pride into those giving the suggestions.

Chapter 6. Rule Number 6: Don't take yourself so seriously. Life is a journey--enjoy and learn along the way. Live, laugh, and love!!

Rule Number 6: don’t take yourself so goddamn seriously. I love this line. I am reminded me of a time I was in an argument with someone. In a fit of rage, I threw a bag of un-husked corn on the cob at him. After that the fight was forgotten and laughter ensued at the absurdity of throwing a bag of corn!

Chapter 7. The Way Things Are: Sometimes settling for the way things are is a lowering of expectations, sometimes it’s finding a starting point so that one can make things better. Where are you in this continuum?

Downward Spiral Talk…rampant in Education. When I started teaching, I was full ideas and innovations, but in staff rooms and meetings my voice was drowned out by jaded, seasoned teachers complaing about this and that, until one day I found myself sucked into the Downward Spiral Talks. Of course it doesn’t help that our complaints and negative thoughts increased as working conditions decreased.

Chapter 8. Giving Way to Passion: Control says that the only way to avoid disappointment and frustration is to not care at all. No hits, no runs, but most importantly, no errors. What are you doing in your daily life that expresses your passion or the things you are passionate about?

I am passionate about art and nature. In the brief freedom of summer for my girls (before they go back to school and are sucked into a world mostly devoid of these things), I try to instill as much of these two high held passions as I can. This is one of the main reasons I chose Portland, OR to move to. This city is as passionate about art and nature as I am. I try to combine my passions, by teaching my kids that nature is full of art; nature is art. Finding and experiencing the beauty that is nature is experiencing art.

Link to Heidi's Blog 

Image by Sheri Brinkerhoff

Wk 3 Peer Comment-Barbara

I love that you included a medallion that is important to you.  When I think about ‘The Way Things Are,’ I think about accepting where you are in life.  It becomes so easy to start thinking about how things should be especially when you are faced with trials in life.  I loathe the powerless feeling I feel about my own life at times.  Sometimes I begin to focus on the past or what I think the future will hold instead of the present.  Maybe this is a defense to avoid focusing too much on the situation at hand.  The challenges in life can tear us down and force us to rebuild ourselves in new ways.    ‘Taking the Road Less Traveled’ is well worth the effort.  That’s where all of the most interesting experiences in life reside.  If everyone took the same road in life, we would not live in such a diverse world.  I wish you luck finding a new career!  It is an adventure but it is also exciting to think about all of the possibilities available.  Completing this degree will open doors for you.  

The Way Things Are.

This is a subject dear to my heart. I bought the medallion above about 2 years ago and carry it with me precisely to remind me of this very idea: always be where I am, and that takes discerning and accepting 'the way things are'. Being mindful is a tough practice whether I am really busy involved with work, or just the opposite, sitting in space, just doing nothing. I have had quite a lot of practice having to accept where I am because I have felt the frustration of powerlessness many times in my life. Like the Serenity Prayer reminds us, it takes awareness and wisdom to understand what we can change and what must accept.

I have had to find this balance most strikingly over the past 5 years. My meddle has been tested to the max by the housing downturn, economy and general drying up of work in my profession, which has resulted in successive job loses and the long list of the other losses that go along with that. I have free fallen, hit the ground, and bounced around. I have given myself time to heal, and tried my best to move forward. Being a student at Full Sail is part of this moving forward, proceeding with the skills and experience I have and hoping to translate them in the new world of education.

The other side of that medallion says, “Take the Road Less Traveled”. This has been my mantra since I was a teenager believe it or not. That idea excited me and propelled me to do untraditional jobs that I have been fairly successful at. This mid-life crisis, thrust upon me by the real world of economics, has been the most difficult time in my life to find the acceptance of “where I am”, and the powerlessness of it has been the most devastating.

Until I found this medallion, I had forgotten how much this idea meant to me so long ago. I realized that "Taking the Road Less Traveled" still holds promise and excitement for me. It means living in possibility, once again. The flip side, “Be where you are”, has helped me connect the difficult times, the dark dots of my life, with those youthful bright dots of idealism, and feel that it was all worth it and still can be. It helps me accept and stay in the here and now. The medallion keeps me aware of the continuum of my life's possibilities, and helps me strengthen the threads connecting up living a whole life in possibility.

Just before I started this post, I was perusing the job openings in higher education that I might be qualified for with my past experience and my new EMDT credential, because, once again, I am unemployed. This afternoon I have an appointment with a career coach to help me re-frame my experience toward this new job market. So today, I will be acting upon and living in the possibilities of a new career, step by step on the road less traveled.

 Link to Barbara's Blog
Image of the Road courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art

Wk 3 Free Post-The First Week of School

The first week of school is my favorite time of the school year.  There is an excitement in the air that seems to dissipate as the year goes on.  Everyone is excited for the possibilities the new school year holds.  Students are buzzing about what teachers they like or dislike and what projects they will be doing.  Both students and teachers get a fresh start.  I love that each semester, I get a new beginning to reinvent my classroom.  The opportunity to try again in new ways is exciting.  

Every year holds its own challenges and rewards.  This year my daughter also had her first week of first grade.  She missed the first two days of school due to a sinus infection and pink eye.  My husband stayed home from work the first day so that I could go to my own first day of school.  When I got home after work, I had to take my daughter to the doctor.  She needed to stay home another day until the antibiotics could take effect.   I had to miss the second day of school to stay home with my daughter because my husband had a video shoot he couldn’t miss.  Though it’s a challenge to miss the second day of school, I was where I needed to be.  The situation made me evaluate my priorities.   My family will always be a priority over any job or career but I cannot help feeling guilty knowing that so people are depending on me.  My students where very understanding about the situation.   

Just like I told my students…it’s not ideal to miss the second day of school but sometimes you just have to roll with whatever life throws at you.  My daughter is feeling much better and was able to go to school on the third day.  Soon it will all be a distant memory and forgotten as new challenges begin to surface.

Image of Kaia by Portrait Innovations

           

Wk 3 Reading-Rule Number 6

Chapter 6 resonated deeply with me this week.  I realized that I take myself way too seriously.  Goals and expectations fill my life.  My calculating self takes over and creates fear of failure, anxiety, and scarcity.  I am also in an environment focused on downward spiral thinking.  Everyone around me discusses pay cuts, benefit cuts, issues with students, etc.  It is very difficult not to fall into this trap.  With the beginning of the school year looming, I have decided that I do not want to participate in this type of thinking.  My personal goal is to rise above the circumstances of my present through observing Rule No. 6.  In making an effort not to take myself so seriously, I have realized that I am more at ease and generally happy. I made a Rule No. 6 sign to hang in my classroom. Yesterday, I told my students the story about the two prime ministers and Rule No. 6.  We proceeded to have a discussion on the benefits of Rule No. 6 in reference to creativity.  Many students are nervous to take an art class.   Past students told me they worry about their own artistic talent to the extent that they think they will not pass.  I told students that I did not want them to worry about making mistakes since that is where you learn the most.  The students seemed very perceptive and interested in the concept.    I am looking forward to seeing where this will lead.

Image by Sheri Brinkerhoff

Wk 2 Free Post: Think Out Loud 1

I have spent the last two weeks trying to determine what route to take on my journey through the publishing/leadership project.   It is a difficult decision because I would like to do both.  I want to take my career to new levels through both publication and presentations.  I want to use this opportunity to follow as many possibilities as I can.  I know it will not be easy to do double the work but I if I don’t try everything, I will always wonder what could have happened if I made another choice.  Doing a project of this nature while still involved in the program is a great benefit.  I would like to take the opportunity to get feedback on my prospective submissions.  I plan to do both projects and apply to as many journals, publications, and conferences as possible.  I am proud of my work I did for my CBR project and would like the opportunity to share my experiences with the world.

Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=balance&ctt=1#ai:MP900428019|mt:2|

Wk 2 Peer Comment-Stephania

I love that you went chapter by chapter discussing the most important points.  There are so many wonderful themes through out this book.  The limitations we put on ourselves also struck me.  On some level, I recognized that we create our own realities but this chapter helped me recognize the boxes we put around ourselves.    It truly is a matter of perspective.  I loved the references you made to the girls you were counseling.  I had no idea you had a psychology background.  You experience is a great example of how we can impact the lives of others through simple gestures of caring.  As educators, we do not always know the impact we have on the lives of others.  I believe being in the classroom is so much more about relationships than subject area knowledge.  The knowledge is important but the relationship has to come first.  We must all strive to be a contribution.

http://stephaniathestudent.blogspot.com/2011/08/week-2-reading-art-of-possibility-what.html?showComment=1313274235979#c3196964876157184177

Chapter 1: I had no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this book.  I guess I already put it in a particular “frame” and expected another textbook that should be relevant to this program to some degree.  To my surprise, Chapter 1 threw me for a major loop and actually struck a chord with me.   Challenging me to now really think of how I confine myself, my existence and even my own expectations of myself this chapter really got me thinking about all sorts of boxes I create in my life.  This particular quote towards the end of chapter 1 was so impactful that I actually copied it into my Facebook and Twitter statuses (an abridged version for Twitter though) “Every problem, every dilemma, every dead end we find ourselves facing in life, only appears unsolvable inside a particular frame or point of view.  Enlarge the box or create another frame around the data and the problems vanish, while new opportunities appear.”  I can’t tell you how often I see myself stuck writing a creative piece and can’t move forward because I don’t allow myself to truly be free in the creative writing process.  Or how many times I see my schedule as completely solid and when something unexpected occurs, it’s practically the end of the world because I initially think I can’t change my schedule.  Or when financial crisis sets in, and I feel like we are doomed because I’m not thinking outside the box and realize what other options are available that will ease the burdens.  I think this is something we all struggle with and since we are conditioned to actually fit things into neat little boxes to make them make sense, it becomes a struggle to deconstruct that pattern and try something “out of the box”. 

Chapter 2: Going through Chapter 2, I understand the concept of the world of measurement as basically the confines we fit everything into.  What makes us, “make sense “of the world and everything in it.   I would say my own thoughts and actions reflect the measurement world through my irrational anxieties of anything that involves change or the unknown.  Through my psych background, I know some of my irrational fears and anxieties are from learned or conditioned through certain life experiences.  As an adult, I’ve even learned to recognize where some of this comes from.  But I guess there is some comfort in my discomfort.  That although change and certain thoughts or things cripple me to the point of hyperventilating (heights, snakes, losing my children), I know exactly what they are, what triggers them and may even be more afraid of releasing them that I chose to hold on to them.  Now I know I’m probably going all over the place in this post, but while reading this book, I’ve been processing a lot of things in my frame of mind. 

Chapter 3:  So the “A” is not an expectation to live up to but a possibility to live in to”.  That sentence initially turned me off.  It’s through expectations we can learn what we are made of.  What we expect of ourselves shows us how far we can go.  What we expect of others, defines what we will and won’t put up with.  I never thought expectations were a bad thing as long as they were relevant, clear and consistent.  I completely understand where this chapter is going, but I may not be at the place to embrace it yet.  Learning to deconstruct how to function without expectations is utterly challenging and to some down right impossible.  I know it is something that must be done to further understand myself and break down the barriers I’ve created in my life and hopefully teach my children to do this early on and not have to wait until some midlife crisis to breakdown all they’ve ever know (which is kind of where I’m at now).  Regardless, upon reading the rest of the chapter, I understand where the author was going and must just accept this as another challenge I have to learn to overcome; another miseducation I must learn to deconstruct.

Chapter 4:  I don’t care what you’ve been raised to believe, but it is practically universal to understand that contributing, giving, inspiring, doing anything outside of yourself for the benefit of someone else without expecting anything in return makes you feel way better than not doing any of the previously listed.  Sometimes it is a challenge for others to come outside of themselves long enough to see how much more of an impact they will make by giving a little bit of themselves.  When I counseled abused and neglected girl, I learned what an impact I was making and how I was contributing to the future of these girls.  When a handful of them found me through social networking years later and have told me what a word, or gesture meant to them even know showed me how true it is.  Spiritually, I know that that being a giving person only enriches you.  So I try to contribute as often as I can.  I teach my children to contribute.  I try to create the idea “if I have, you have; if I eat, you eat; if I can be happy, I should help make you happy.”  It’s the only thing that makes sense to me more so now than ever before.

Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=hands&ctt=1#ai:MP910220975|mt:2|

Wk 2 Peer Comment-Marcos

Kaia Kneeboarding from Brett Brinkerhoff on Vimeo.

I completely agree that fear has the power to motivate us or paralyze us. It is up to us to decide what actions we will take when faced with adversity. While I was working on my bachelor’s degree, I attended an art show on campus. One artist developed his artwork around the theme of “What would you accomplish if you had no fear?” I have never forgotten this statement because sometimes our fear keeps us from doing what we truly want in life.

As a family, we go to the lake every weekend. My six-year old daughter wanted to learn how to kneeboard. We borrowed a kneeboard from a friend so she could learn how to do it. When it came time to try, she became very scared. After all of her excuses were exhausted, we finally got her to try. After a few tries, she could ride a short way down the lake by herself. She was so proud of herself! Now she can ride around the lake and we can’t keep her off of it. I asked why she was so scared. She said she didn’t know why but she was glad she did it. I think this situation is similar for all of us. We are sometimes afraid to try but once we do, we cannot remember why we were so afraid.

Fear can mean many things to different people. My brother is a burly man. He measures 5 feet 10 inches and weighs about 250 pounds. You show him a spider that measures 3 inches and he will go running in the other direction. Sometime we are so consumed by fear that we lose all rational thought and either run or become paralyzed. We forget where we are and what needs to be done. We just know that we do not want to be there anymore.

A parent receives a call saying that their child has been in an accident and that they do not know whether their child will make it or not. In this case fear comes into their life because they do not want to imagine what life would be like without that child. This time fear does not paralyze them. On the contrary, it motivates them. They rush out to wherever their child is and begin frantically searching for answers. They will literally move mountains to make sure that their child is all right.

Fear has two ways of affecting our lives. Either it paralyzes you or it motivates you. It all depends on our attitude and our outlook on life. No situation is too great that it cannot be resolved with some help. Many times it is fear that causes us to not ask for help because we do not want to feel rejected. If we could understand and conquer our fears then we would be better off because the fear would not control our life, we would control it.

http://emd613mediaassetdesign.blogspot.com/2011/08/week2-free-choice-fear.html?showComment=1313266008776#c6135679420817883448

Wk 2 Reading

Image by Sheri Brinkerhoff

All of the structure and ideals we use to bind ourselves into our lives are invented.  Only looking beyond the proverbial box can help us see beyond our immediate world.  I have often thought about how we create our own world based on our experiences. “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander is one of the most amazing book I have ever read. Unleashing the possibilities within should be the goal of every person.  It really is all invented.  Someone created the ideas we use to guide our lives.  What could we accomplish if we did not know fear?  Assumptions are the biggest hindrance for me in opening up to the realm of possibility.  It is so easy to make a judgment about someone or a situation.   

During the last week, I have focused on trying to stop making assumptions about situations.  I find that when I do this I have an easier time giving someone an ”A.” I have found that I have more patience with people because I try not to make assumptions or judgments about behaviors and actions.  It helps to think about how you are contributing on a daily basis.  I loved that the idea of being a contribution releases one from the cycle of success versus failure.  The chapter where the author describes his class after giving everyone an “A” is very intriguing.  I have toyed with the notion of presenting this idea to my students.  Though I do not think my administration would be receptive to the idea, I like the affect on the students.  It releases them from the cycle of success versus failure and brings them to a place where they can focus on their personal journey.   

An excellent education teaches students how to live beyond the course material.  This class is an excellent example of the concept.  Though the course is titled “Media Asset Creation,” I feel as though I have learned more about how I want to live my life.  Lessons taken from this week’s reading have affected my personal thinking in ways that will extend beyond the course itself.

 

Wk 1 Peer Comment-Missy

 I completely agree with you when you said that all art is influenced by another idea.  When I was in art school, we were encouraged to look at artists and try to mimic their style.  I remember professors saying things like, “You work reminds me of…. You should research his/her work. “  Trying new styles of artwork lead to the development of a personal style through discovery of strengths and weaknesses.  It is so important for a society to share ideas.  New innovative discoveries take place because great ideas are developed and built upon. 

Inspiration comes from all over and sometimes ideas need to be tweaked, copied, and remixed to get creativity flowing or to learn the necessary techniques to eventually develop your own style. All art was influenced by another idea so I can see how copyright issues and personal censorship of one’s material can hinder creativity and the progression of our culture as a whole. The videos have shined a new light on how difficult it is for certain material to be continuously publicized to newer generations if the funds are not there; which was a sad result. That’s like your parents telling you to learn from their mistakes but never telling you what their mistakes were. 

Digital Age of Enlightenment-Melissa Cooper

http://melissacoopersdigitaled.blogspot.com/2011/08/wk1-reading-copyright-issues.html#comments
 

Image Courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=art&ctt=1#ai:MP900341529|mt:0|

Wk 1 Peer Comment-Heidi

I too was shocked by the video, “Eye on the Fair Use of the Prize.” It is horrifying that our history can remain unseen just because of a copyright issue.  History belongs to the people not to corporations.  I hadn’t thought about the political ramifications of the issue until I read your post.  The media is definitely one of the most powerful entities in this country.  The media creates popular viewpoints, pushes political candidates into office, insights public opinion of the law system, creates views of our lifestyle, and disperses information about new world developments.  By allowing important pieces of our history to remain unknown, we truly are changing the history of our country.

I think it is great that independent documentarians have stood up and created the “Best Practices in Fair Use” manual. What I don’t understand is why don’t people take more of a stand. If lawmakers can move the copyright length back to a lifetime plus 70 years, then with enough protest and civil disobedience it could be brought back to a more reasonable amount of time. I was particularly shocked by the video “Eye on the Fair Use of the Prize.” I think it is horrible and should be downright illegal for people to “lock away” our true history. It is truly a conspiracy of those in power to manipulate citizens (particularly young people that don’t have a reference) to make their political agendas reality. I find what was portrayed in that video to represent media using copyright laws to whitewash our history through lies of omission. I want to go beyond just “following the rules and sneaking around with Fair Use” people need to stand up and change these laws back to the people and not for profit makers.

Faberland: Where Motivation and Education Meet

http://faberhedm.blogspot.com/

Image courtesy of Microsoft Office Clip Art 
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=history#ai:MP900410154|mt:0| 

Wk 1 Free Post

A high school in one of the neighboring schools districts has developed a research program using iPads and completely paperless classrooms.  The textbooks are preloaded with the textbooks needed for the school year.  My perfect classroom would be completely paperless.  The situation made me think about how our world is changing and how the everyday real-lives of our students are at odds with the educational system.  I asked one of my high school students yesterday how often she hand wrote anything.  She admitted that beyond school, she did not write by hand very often.   Communication is largely done over the Internet or through cell phones. How often are we asked to hand write information outside of the k-12 classroom?  Personally, I do not hand write information very often.  Everything is digital.  I make my shopping list in the Notes application on my cell phone.  The previously handwritten post-it note reminders have been replaced with Stickies on my computer screen.  All communication through the workplace is done via email.  It is odd considering how important the practice of handwriting was during my own schooling.  I remember coming home with my report card in first grade.  It was full of satisfactory grades in all areas except handwriting.  I still remember my dad lecturing me on improving my handwriting.  (I was six so I am sure my memory is etched with the magnifying glass of a child’s psyche.)  However, I struggled through elementary school in the area of penmanship and neatness.  To this day, I still have terrible handwriting.  I can read my own writing just fine but no one else can.  Even my husband cannot read my handwriting.  I am so glad that I can type everything.  I can type faster than I can write by hand and correct any mistakes easily without rewriting everything again. 

How does this relate to my students? Slowly but surely, students are doing more and more assignments using technology.   I will one day have my ideal classroom where paper is not a commodity.  No more piles of paper on my desk to be graded. It will be a beautiful thing…

Photo courtesy of Microsoft Clip Art

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/academic-CM079001901.aspx#ai:MP900401133|

Today is August 10, 2011.  I just found an article about the dying art of handwriting on CNN.  The comments after the article are an interesting read.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/08/10/handwriting.horror/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Wk 1 Reading-Copyright

One of the ideas that stands out to me during Larry Lessig’s Talk about Remix Culture is that we live in an ‘Age of Prohibitions” where we live life ‘against the law. ‘  He discussed the message we send our children by pushing the remix of our culture underground.  The use of digital media created by or culture has changed the way we view ourselves and copyright issues.  The biggest problem is the mixed messages in our society.  A good example is the remixing of famous music by Girl Talk and the Techno Bregga movement discussed in the movie, “Good Copy/Bad Copy.”  How much of an original work can be reproduced and considered original?  Previously, I would have guessed that both examples would be a clear copyright violation.  However, the albums are released and sold for profit affecting the commercialization of the product.  It could be considered a positive benefit or free publicity but who decides?  Even though it only a small amount of the original music that is recreated, the original artist is clearly identified.  There are no predefined terms of time limit and copyright varies by county.  I whole-heartedly believe an artist has the right to his creation.  Does this include the corporation who represents the artist? Who has the right to make this decision?  I believe we are on the verge of a revolution in the copyright industry.  When the young people of this generation become the leaders of our country there will most definitely be changes.

-TED Talk video: ReMix Culture by Larry Lessig, retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/187 on 8/3/11

-Blip.tv video: Good Copy, Bad Copy Directed by ANDREAS JOHNSEN, RALF CHRISTENSEN, HENRIK MOLTKE (http://www.goodcopybadcopy.net/), http://www.blip.tv/file/359180/ retrieved on 8/1/2011

-Copyright Image

 http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=copyright#ai:MC900282170|mt:0|

Apple Challenge Based Learning

I am excited to be accepted into the Challenge Based Learning Pilot program through Full Sail University.  After working with the Apple Challenge Based Learning Pilot project during the last few days, I have seem my students take ownership of their projects in a way that I had never thought possible.  It is amazing to hear their ideas.  They came up with things I hadn't though of during planning.  Initially, I had a difficult time planning for open ended responses while making lesson plans.  I felt like every moment had to be planned out.  This is just how I learned to be a teacher.  I had bell to bell teaching embedded in my brain.  This has been a process of letting go of old ideas.  This is a good thing.  My students still have a ways to go before the process is over.  So far this has been a worth while journey.  Here is my challenge video.  I am excited to see where this goes...

ETC_Final Project

Relevant and Innovative Learning Scenarios Plan

For my Emergent Technologies in a Collaborative Culture class, we created a Relevant Innovative Learning Scenario. This is my plan and a video showing how it was implemented into my classroom.

Target Audience: 9-12 grade photography 1 and 2 students. My classes are diverse including students of various grade and ability levels in the same class period.

Materials: cameras, computers with Internet connection, project directions, projector

Objectives: Student will create an Edmodo account with 80% mastery. Student will photograph a given theme with 80% mastery. Student will critique the work of a fellow student using Edmodo with 80% mastery.

Procedure: Students will photograph 20 pictures that represent who they are as a person. The photographs will be saved to the student’s folder on our school server. The student will choose one photograph to upload to Edmodo for critique. Each student must critique two other classmates’ photographs.

Web 2.0 Tool: Edmodo. Edmodo works just like Facebook for the classroom. Students can create posts, upload files, and have discussions. The site is completely private and students only need a group code, user name, and password to register.

Social Participation/Social Learning: Students will collaborate to critique the work of their peers. I hope that students will gain valuable insight into their own work as part of an effort to improve the work of the entire class. Most of my students already enjoy talking about each other’s work. I am hoping some of the quieter students will have another option to express their viewpoints.

Making Connections: Students will use previous knowledge about how the camera works to take new photographs. Since the semester just started, I usually start with something relatively easy to accomplish then build from there. Students will gain new knowledge in critique techniques and contribute to improving the work of fellow classmates. If the site is successful, I can use it for more than just critiques.

Create/Produce: Students are creating a body of photographic work. The Edmodo site will give students the capability to share their work with other photography students.

Reflection: Students will be asked to reflect on the experience through the daily classroom journals. Students will analyze their experience using Edmodo and provide suggestions about what is or is not working.

PE5_Edmodo

My students are going to begin using the social networking site, Edmodo later this week. I have created a group for each class period. One of the best features of Edmodo is the ability to send a message to designated groups. I can type one message and send it to one class or all of my classes simply by designating the group recipient in the send box.

Edmodo also has built in assignment template. You can post assignment directions complete with due dates.

You can also create polls to send to your group. This option would be great for checking understanding through a short quiz.

Teachers have the ability to connect with other teachers through the Connection option. This screen shows a connection I made with a fellow teacher at my school.

My students are going to create their accounts later this week. They will create accounts using the group code. Then they will add profile pictures and upload photographs to be critiqued by fellow classmates. As part of the final project for Emergent Technologies in a Collaborative Culture, I plan to document my students’ journey using Edmodo. If this assignment is well received I plan to use Edmodo for more through out the semester.

PE4_Edmodo

I have decided to focus my RILS project around Edmodo. I previously was working with Wikispaces to create an online community. One of the biggest drawbacks of that tool was the lack of ability to comment on another person’s page. I wanted the tool to act as a forum for my students to post their photographs and create discussions. Students could upload their photographs to Wikispaces as part of the new page function but they could not make comments anywhere except in the discussion forum. The discussion forum would not allow users to upload files. This led me to think about what I would want in my theoretical perfect web 2.0 tool. I began to realize that what I wanted was facebook in my classroom. The benefits of facebook are the ability to create new discussion posts that automatically get sent to a group of friends, the ability to upload photographs, and comment on any files or updates posted to the site. Of course facebook is not accepted as an educational tool by my school district. In fact, the website is blocked from all district-owned computers. After a bit of research, I came across Edmodo. This site is a classroom collaboration site the works just like facebook but it is set up to be accessed privately. Teachers can create groups for each of their classes. The site will give you a group access code to give to your students. Students create a username and password then enter the group code. Students do not need to enter an email address to register. I felt that was a huge benefit. Once into the site, students can upload a photo for their profile. As you can see from the photos below, the screen organization looks similar to facebook. Both the teacher and students can create new posts including files, photos, or links. The teacher and students can send private messages to each other but students cannot send private messages to other students. No one can access the class page without registering using the group code so the site is completely private. I am excited to implement this into my classroom.

BP7_Wikispaces Commercial

Here is the Wikispaces commercial I created using Final Cut Pro 7.

PE3_Final Cut Pro 7

I finished the last section of my tutorials today.  This was the creative part of editing with Final Cut Pro 7.  The tutorials went over adding titles, adding markers, importing and exporting files, using filters, adding transitions, and changing the speed of clips.  It was very informative and I learned how get the clips to act and look the way I wanted them to.  I feel like I know much more about using Final Cut Pro 7.  It was definitely worth the time it took to go through the tutorials.  Now on to my commercial...

PE2_Final Cut 7

For the second part of my Final Cut tutorials, I learned advanced editing techniques including the slip and slide tools, how to set your keyboard shortcuts, color coordinating your clips, changing the way you see your timeline, adjusting audio, and editing to smooth transitions through the footage.  The slip and slide tools allow you to edit clips already placed in your timeline.  The slip tool allows you to adjust the start and stop points of a clip.  Because Final Cut allows you to trim your footage but is not destructive, you can change the footage within a time frame without changing the length of your video clip. This is useful for editing out undesired parts of a clip.  The slide tool allows you to add footage to a clip.  This tool also changes the length of the final video.  The keyboard in Final Cut is completely adjustable.  You can change what keys are assigned shortcuts to fit your preferences.  Any shortcuts you assign appear in the menus next to the command.  The color and image size of the clips in the timeline can be adjusted to aid in organizing your work.  The audio can be separated from the video clip so that you can add other video images while keeping the main audio track.  The tutorial stressed using breaks or adjusting transitions to hide awkward video footage such as some one saying, “um.”  These areas can be smoothed over through changing the scene, adjusting the audio, or using a transition to hide the breaks and create separate scenes.  Tomorrow, I will finish the tutorials and begin creating my commercial.

Personal Thoughts-Seating Charts

Through out this program, I have noticed that I am changing the way I think and feel about my classroom.  I just started second semester this week with new classes.  It is like the first day of school all over again.  Every first day at the beginning of the semester, I create an alphabetical seating chart to project the first day.  I do this mainly so that I can get to know everyone's names and to create a controlled environment.  When I was studying to become a teacher, I remember reading a book about classroom management that said seating charts tell your students who is in control from the first day.  This semester I began to question why I did this after a few students asked my individually if they could change seats so that they could see better.  I was more than happy to accommodate their preferences.  The situation got me thinking and trying to remember what it was like to have someone tell me where to sit.  I remembered a time when I was placed sitting next to this boy. (We were both kids in school then.)  He was very nice and polite but he would constantly tap his foot which made the desk wobble.  It drove me crazy!  I would be writing and the desk would be shaking.  The seating chart had created a situation where it hindered my ability to pay attention to the teacher.   I wouldn't want to put one of my students in the same situation.  I have decided to allow my students to choose their own seats.  Since I have an intern coming into my class this semester,  I am going to allow my students to choose their seats after spring break.  Mostly because if this fails, I don't want my poor intern to have to work with my mess.  We'll see what happens.

BP6_Comments on Heidi's Blog

Follow this link to Heidi's blog discussing the PlanbookEdu web tool. 

BP5_Comments on Stephania's Blog

Follow this link to my comments on Stephania's blog about Twiducate.