play more games, extend your life

jane mcgonigal gives a great ted talk on gaming to extend your life. i am already a big fan of games for entertainment and education, now i can add longevity to my list on why i love games. so watch the video, go play the game and live longer, now!

check out jane's game at superbetter also available in itunes.

week 4: leadership role model reflection

i am not sure why, but i have always had a hard time reflecting upon role models. it is not that i think i am better than anyone else but i dont look at people that way (as some one to aspire to be like) i really want to be like me and aspire to be the best me that i can. so when asked to write about role models i have a hard time.

i do aspire to have certain qualities that others around me exemplify, or have taught me, so in that sense they are my guiding models. my dad would be one of those models, he taught me to do the right thing, always, not because it is easy or fun or you would be recognized for it, but because it is right. my mother for her never ending love for her biological children as well as all of her students (her other children).

buddha, and other great leaders who give of themselves to help others realize their full potential and the potential for the world around us.

as far as educational leaders this one is really hard, i want to be the change, i feel that we have a broken system of learning and something needs to be done. this stems from my own experience from within the system and now as a teacher in the system. i am not sure if being a leader is what i would want to be, i see myself as more of a contributor, an enlightener (?), some one who shows others that the way we are doing things is not the only way, one who helps open others eyes, if this makes me a leader so be it, but it is not a role i choose.

week 4: wimba

week 4 wimba focused on the book we read this month, the art of possibility, and what we would do with the knowledge gained. one of the first things i will do with this book is reread it. this class (and program) have gone by so fast that i have not had the time to sit and digest everything that has gone on. in wimba the book was compared to others such as the secret and we were asked how this book was different. i have  read other books like this and i think they are very similar in that they are trying to awaken us to a different way of thinking. all too often we get stuck in such a linear way of thinking we can see no other possibilities to do any different. i have always thought of myself as one who likes to look around see what is out there, but as i have gotten older i too have been sucked into the fast lane where all i do is look straight ahead, this book has given me pause, just enough to look around, to remember how it feels to open myself up to new possibilities. it is a wonderful feeling that i hope to enjoy more and spread to others. it is a wonderful feeling that i will enjoy and spread to others. 

By dibytesDiane Hammond

oh the possibilities. 

week 4: comment 2 island girl at heart

Original post here

WK4 Leadership Blog Post: Leadership Role Model Reflection

When I think about great leaders I think about people who were able to do what was right even though they knew they would face ridicule and even persecution or death because of it. I think of people who were born into impoverished violent drug infested communities and were able to find a way out and returned to help others out as well. I think of men like the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln. I also think of people like Dr. Ben Carson and Oprah Winfrey. I think a great leader is someone who can see beyond their current situation into a world of what can be and change their future and the future of those around them for the better. 
I also think that people matter and that we have to care about others. So to me, a great leader leads by example, considers all involved, and has the courage to do what is right even if it means moving in a direction that’s against the current flow. 

http://newtrajectory.blogspot.com/2012/01/remembering-martin-luther-king-jr.html

Cheryl,
Great role models. I, like you and Katie, have some of the same thoughts about role models. I believe they must be able to do what is right and good for everyone not for themselves, they must lead by example and must be able to see something better for themselves and others. Great post.

week 4: comment 1 bryan andretti music

original post here

Week 4 blogg

So it took customer services to reconstructed the link for me twice to get the books the Art of possibilities. It was well worth the wait. I was so behind in my readings because of the error I didn't think I would ever catch up. However I had read so many great things about this book on my cohorts blogs that I could not wait to dive in. The read has been so engaging mainly because of the music references that are used by our author Ben. I watched his Ted presentation long ago and reading the words just reminded me how true his work is. I think a great question to ask ourselves as leaders is who are we that are followers are not shinning. What a powerful self evaluation tool.

Enrollment is the ability to produce a spark of possibility for other to share. We should ignite passion instead of fear as we lead. This leads me to think how one producer can get a better performance out of a singer in the studio by relating the song to the artist passion.
Declaring that I am the framework of my of my life reminds me of another powerful book that I read a few years ago The Secret. Basically saying that I control my universe.
I have enjoyed this book and I will use some of the lessons taught in my personal life.

Bryan,
I am glad you were finally able to read the book. This is a book that I rushed through for the class but will definitely reread during the summer break! I also really liked the TED talk with Ben, I have always believed that if the students are not shining then we are doing something wrong. I often find that other teachers/principals think that it is great when a teacher has a quiet class, but I often find that the kids are just scared to talk or are zoned out, they are dull no shine in their eyes! I always strive to have shiny eyes.

week 4 reading: being the board

every chapter of this book has shifted my perception of my world a little bit. being the board tilted my perception even more. i, as many people do, often blame others for what happens to me. but in this chapter i was presented with a new way of thinking. putting the blame on others takes all of your power, it makes it where the situation seems helpless because it is out of your realm. instead in the new way of looking at things you take that power back on to your "board" you have control of situations, or how you perceive the situation. 

i try to apply all of the chapters i am reading to my own life and this one is no different. i have been really stressed out lately and often blame it on my kids, my students, homework, time. but this is taking the power away from me. if i bring everything back to my board then i can choose a different way to look at or view my world. i chose to have a family (whom a truly love and am thankful for), to work at a school with challenging students, and to attain my masters degree this year. as i sit here at the start of a holiday weekend completing homework with my youngest child on my lap my older one sitting next to me, a stack of papers to grade, and a husband urging me to hurry up so we can leave on our vacation, i have to think this is my life, this is my board and i love it. 

week 3 wimba: total redo

i had started to do my presentation on the uses of edmodo in the classroom to increase engagement, motivate and connect with students but after receiving comments about my project from some close friends and fellow educators i have changed it up a little. i was worried other teachers would not understand or like the badge system so i wanted to do a little bit of everything for the audience. my reviewers thought otherwise so i will change my direction.

"I have seen presentations like this before at FETC, ....focus in on one thing. I looked at the conference details, you should do something about games. You are so passionate about the game stuff do that, I think people would like it." Kathleen Mattox (my mom and fellow educator and FETC attendee for the past 13 years).

my mom had a lot more to say but i will keep some of her more critical advise to myself. i do trust my mom, she has always been my biggest supporter.

"You are really good at the Edmodo stuff, include some videos and pictures to make it more interesting. And use your AR work, you worked on it all year, might as well use it." Bruchetta Jones (fellow teacher and Full Sail grad)

their comments have made me change my presentation to focus more on the badge system in edmodo and how i used it as a gaming mechanic in my classroom.

week 3: leadership post

my project will be about connecting, motivating and increasing engagement with the use of edmodo. my ar project was on the badge system in edmodo but i am expanding my presentation to include other useful tools on edmodo. i will be submitting my presentation to the florida educational technology conference in orlando as part of their innovation and digital campus focus area.

link to week one leadership post

link to week two leadership post

presentation in (power point) google docs: here somethings did not come out right

presentation for download (original keynote): here

week 3 comment 2-design [creative truth]

Original Post here 


"The Art of Possibility" book is so fascinating and speaks some great truths. It enlightens your mind and brings about possibilities. In the seventh chapter The Way Things Are, it speaks about taking a situation and spinning it in a way that is not like how many have mentioned before. It speaks on how some things can not be changed or controlled but one can take their situation and find a solution that is suitable. This chapter allowed me to look at some of my situations and state the issue and then I actually finally found a solution. It was as the foggy storm just cleared up and vanish. Vanish like it never existed. Wow. I enjoy "aha" moments. Sometimes things are placed in front of you to provide you with the light you were needing for your darkness.  "Accept the wrong, come to terms with it and then ask what next." Love it.

photo by: Greg Williams

As if that was all that brought a bit of clarity. This next section speaks about clearing your "shoulds".  I can't tell you how many times that I have done what it stated there. I know that I have thought or said, this should be like this and this should be like that. You become stuck and I have caught myself doing just that. It takes time to change your thought process but what great advantages.

The two steps to giving way to passion. I know many have the problem of enjoying what they are truly desiring. Barriers placed by oneself, society, family, loved ones, friends, and the so called norm of society, cause many to withdraw from what brings the most joy to their lives. I most say that my passion for being a graphic designer was never diminished. I have never felt like a barrier was placed. So the steps provided in this book are a perfect way to spark up those flames that have been slightly lit for so long.

"Where is the electric socket for possibility, the access to the energy of transformation?....... lean our bodies to the music; dare to let go of the edges of ourselves.... participate" (Zander & Zander, ch8, pg121)

Man, did this hit it on the nose. "lean our bodies to the music; dare to let go of the edges of ourselves.... participate"  I had to say it again. Listen to that beat and dance like no one is watching. Let go and enjoy what's in front of you, enjoy the possibilities of life. Holding on to the shoulda, coulda, woulda brings nothing but an endless wall of barriers. Let go, Release! "lean our bodies to the music; dare to let go of the edges of ourselves.... participate" Participate.....


Rosa,
I love aha moments too, and am glad this book was able to reveal some more to you. I really love the quote "Accept the wrong, come to terms with it and then ask what next." I find myself trying to do this in my life, but it is a constant struggle between the woe is me self and the let's just do it self. Great post!

week 3 comment 1-TeachSTEM

Original post at TeachSTEM

Week 3 reading post: Art of Possibility chapters 5 to 9

Image from Clipart Mojo

I was very happy to find that Benjamin Zander revisits his notion of the “silent conductor” in the earlier part of this reading. (I say revisits because we were first exposed to this idea during his TED Talk on music and passion.) During the TED Talk, I was struck by his comment that a powerful conductor is one who can inspire greatness in his musicians; that the conductor’s success is not so much measure by what he does, but by what others do under his leadership. This idea extends easily to the profession of teaching. The most successful teacher is the one who inspires the greatest work from his students. And, I see the connection between conducting and teaching even more prominently, in fact, in my action research project that focuses on the flipped classroom. The overarching goal of flipping is to make the classroom more student-centered than teacher-centered. Zander describes how implementing small changes like allowing the orchestra members to contribute their insights to his musical interpretations made them feel empowered and valued. In the same way, I hope that flipping my classroom will enable me to work with and hear from more of my students, so that they see the material as more approachable and relatable than they might otherwise feel in a lecture-based class.

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

Kim,
Your parallel between conductor and teacher is right on. I have always believed that teaching should be student centered, my job as a teacher is to bring out the student's greatness, not my own. I often find it hard to explain this to others when talking about getting a student to become motivated to do their work or participate, a lot of teachers have told me to just make them do it or if they dont do it threaten them with a zero or tell them that it is your class and they have to do what you say. I dont really believe all of this, it is the students class and I dont think anyone benefits when they do work just to please the teacher. I am going to aspire to be the conductor allowing for input from my students on how to be better at my craft while inspiring them to be great themselves!

week 3 reading: moving on to rule number 6

this book was well worth the wait, the book is like opening a door where you are suddenly blinded by bright light, at first it is so bright you cant see anything you just close your eyes and take in the new feeling, as you stand there longer you start to acclimate to this new environment and try to figure out how you can share this amazing feeling with others.

this is where i am with this book, i was amazed by the first few chapters. now my head is spinning on how and where to use these new found ideas. i have already told my mom, my sister and two teachers about this book. i have restructured my final so that the students will be able to express themselves in a way that is more comfortable for them instead of how i wanted it.

i had assigned a project as their final exam because most of my students do not do well on traditional tests and i thought a project would be a better way for them to express their creativity. i had one student who seemed really bummed about the project and really was not doing anything. when i asked him what was wrong he said he would rather just take a test, i immediately said no and got kind of mad that he had even asked, i mean i spent a lot of time designing a project that i thought the students would enjoy and excel at, so i told him to try the project and left it at that. lucky for him i read over the art of possibility and reflected on my decision and thought maybe i should not take my decision so seriously, maybe i should ask him what he thought of the whole thing. we had a discussion and we decided that i would make him a test and that would stand in for his final project. after the conversation i noticed he was smiling, he said mrs. wilson i probably look really happy on the outside right now, but on the inside i am ten times happier, i am jumping around and screaming, you have made me so happy. thank you for listening to me.

Drawn by: Alinn

these are the moments i live for as a teacher. it is one i will hold on to and cherish, not just for the happiness of the students but for the lesson i learned.

week 2 reading redo: worth the wait

wow. after reading the first few chapters of "the art of possibility" by zander and zander i know this a book i will reread several times. i have always thought of myself as a outside the box thinker, but as outside of one box as i thought i was, i now realize that i was just in a larger box. this book helped me realize that. and now that i realized it, i can begin to break down the bigger box and break free into the world possibility.

by: duncan c 

the book has made me rethink how i conduct my classes at school and look at what is possible if i just change the way i think. in my mind i have already started reworking a large project i am having the students do as their final exam for my class, some students had complained that they wanted to do it a different way and i had told them no, now i am rethinking why i said no and if i should change my mind on their objections to certain things. there are students in my class that have resigned to sitting in their chair all day and doing nothing, i have been trying to help them all year and earlier this week i decided i am done with them, i have too much to deal with to worry about a student that does not even want to try. after reading the book i am rethinking that, maybe they have something to share but i have not given them the opportunity to share the way they want to.

week 2- comment 2 island girl at heart

Wk 2: Where do I want to share my project

After reviewing many of Dr. Beddard's suggested conferences, I decided that one of the conferences where I would like to share my project is the Virginia Society for Technology in Education.

I chose this conference because I am currently networking with the Alexandria Arts forum to share with other professionals in the creative and performing arts arena in Virginia to share and gain knowledge to promote the arts personally and statewide. This has proven to be very beneficial for me personally and professionally and I feel that getting involved with VSTE will be equally beneficial in the area of technology, especially since I live in Virginia. 

Virginia Society for Technology in Education 

week 2: leadership post

i am pretty set on presenting and i have narrowed it down to the florida educational technology conference in orlando and the georgia educational technology conference. both seem to be relaxed events where people share their ideas on technology tips and tricks to help in the classroom, which is what i want to share with my presentation.

week 2- comment 1 bryan andretti music

Week 2 reading eBook Error

I have been directing my school musical and I had my final performance last night. We did excerpts from "The WIZ" it went very well. Last night after the production I came home to do my post I was going to read and watch sports center on mute. Well I went to look for my book and it was on my Adobe book shelf. Weird ,because  I thought I downloaded it when I got the email. Well I went back to the email to download it and I got the error above. I contacted their tec support and I am waiting for them to resend the link for a download. Apparently they had problems with a lot of their last eBook shipment.  I have heard that this book is a good read so I am looking forward to catching up on my weekly reading.

week 2 reading: why you should not procrastinate

i admit that i am a procrastinator, always have been and probably always will be. i think i do better under pressure (or thats what i tell myself so i can continue to procrastinate without feeling bad). but this time it has bitten me in the butt. i actually thought i had already downloaded the ebook for this class last month, but did not bother to look for it until today (the day the reading is due), today was going to be my homework day, i took the day off of school and was ready to work, except when i went to read the book, it wast there, not a problem i will go download it, it will only be a minute. i log on and click the download button and instead of a book i receive this

oh thats not a book! after trying again for several hours i called the customer support. the lady was very nice she said they were having problems with adobe editions and would send me a new link for the book. great! i thought. and then she said it........it should be there within 1-2 business days. ahhhhh! that just does not fit in with my procrastination schedule. there was nothing else she could do, and nothing more for me to do except wait, and rethink all those great reasons for procrastinating...

week 1-comment 2 my journey...

Leadership Wk 1: Presentation

original post at my journey...

I am going to be presenting my information at a conference to allow my fellow educators to hear about the research I am doing in my class and give the audience the chance to ask me questions based upon my best practices. I am very comfortable being in front of a crowd as I am already the chosen presenter for my school at the California League of School (CLS) conference during the fall semester. My presentation will focus on the motivation and engagement of students using various tools and techniques outlined in my AR project. I believe that teachers teaching other teachers is the only way to promote new and innovative ways to bring the modern classroom into the digital age.

week 1-comment 1 bryan andretti

original post at bryan-andretti-musicpublish or present

I have always been a performer all of my life. I remember when I was a young child my family had me dancing, singing and  speaking in front of our church. So for me there is no question I choose to present my AR project.

week 1 to publish or present

although i have a strong fear of public speaking, i am leaning towards presentation of my work. i really want to spread the idea of gaming in the classroom to my fellow teachers and because i am passionate about my topic i think it will be easier to speak about it. or thats what i keep telling myself.

my first choice of conferences to present at would be the florida educational technology conference, although i know this is a huge conference it is one that is very close to home and addresses my peers in florida. i would love to be part of the change in the educational system in florida and i see this conference as a way to do that.

fetc is accepting applications through may 31st so i need to come up with something amazing. fast.

week 1 copyright

copyright. patent law. trademark. ugh. the first part of the videos was informative and depressing. being able to copyright things for such a long time seems like a drag for society. we seem to be able to move faster and evolve quicker but are not because of old thoughts and laws holding our society back. the second part of the videos gave a little hope with fair use, but with all the restrictions i would rather just skip it all together. this all was making my head spin until the last part of the videos creative commons.

by: http://creativecommons.org/

wow. what a great idea. i have seen creative common licenses before and have even had to publish something with a creative commons license, but i never knew what it truly was. being able to license your work immediately and the way you want is genius. i am thankful for having watched these videos and learned more on copyright but it still makes my head hurt, thankfully my new aspirin will be cc!