I was at first very unmotivated about the publishing/leadership project this month until I found out what it actually was. I guess to work in this month's reading, I had failed to realize that by signing up for a Educational Media program, I was already making myself the board. I just needed to remind myself of that simple fact.
I thought the publishing project was just another summary or write-up of our Action Research Projects. Then, I realized that it was really the project that separated the men from the boys, the girls from the women, and the teachers from the do-ers. Upon signing up for the EMDT program, I kind of figured it was something that embraced my own animation projects I've been working on for some time. So, regardless of the program or things I was forced to do in the program, an assignment like the publishing project allows me to get a grade for something I was going to have to do anyway, if I am ever to successfully collaborate with others who are already well dug into the educational system, textbook publishers.
To top all of this off, my girlfriend suggested that I need to merge my brand of media with textbook publishers 'right NOW!!!', as she put it. She works up at the district's Ed Center, and always has the goods on contractors the district will be using, what they're up to, the kind of equipment they are going to buy, etc. So, her suggestion was simply a reminder for me, but a stern one nonetheless, that if I need to move beyond the 'those who cannot do, teach' framework. I'm going to have to take what i CAN DO first...and help others teach with it!!
Monday, June 28, 2010
WK4- Response #2- Becky Day
Beck wrote:
In Chapter 11 of "The Art of Possibility," Rosamund and Benjamin Zander discuss vision. I understand one's vision as the reason or purpose for doing something.
Many times during this program, I lost my vision and questioned why I had even enrolled. I inadvertently began questioning my worth as a teacher. What is the purpose of this class? What is the purpose of this degree? Why am I doing this? Why am I spending all this money on this degree when no system will even give me a chance to teach in their schools? What am I going to do with this degree, anyway, when I'm finished, other than make more money every year?
Making more money was not the reason why I enrolled. I enrolled because I want to become a better teacher and learn new things to teach to my students; because I want to help my students be more successful.
Every time I begin to question myself, I remember my focus, my vision of myself as a better teacher.
I wrote:
Becky,
It looks like you really blogged about a subject that most of your classmates can relate to. And, of course, I had asked myself those very same questions. Your concept of vision is 'the course'. I have, to, been telling myself to 'stay the course'. The future is unknown and pulling out a master's degree at Full Sail is like you and I sailing on Columbus' ship to the new world. We have NO IDEA what is really beyond. We don't know if we'll live or die, or if we're going to fall off the end of the globe or WHAT!!...But, Columbus stuck it out on his journey and we all know the many, huge surprises that came out of that. So...stay the course!!
In Chapter 11 of "The Art of Possibility," Rosamund and Benjamin Zander discuss vision. I understand one's vision as the reason or purpose for doing something.
Many times during this program, I lost my vision and questioned why I had even enrolled. I inadvertently began questioning my worth as a teacher. What is the purpose of this class? What is the purpose of this degree? Why am I doing this? Why am I spending all this money on this degree when no system will even give me a chance to teach in their schools? What am I going to do with this degree, anyway, when I'm finished, other than make more money every year?
Making more money was not the reason why I enrolled. I enrolled because I want to become a better teacher and learn new things to teach to my students; because I want to help my students be more successful.
Every time I begin to question myself, I remember my focus, my vision of myself as a better teacher.
I wrote:
Becky,
It looks like you really blogged about a subject that most of your classmates can relate to. And, of course, I had asked myself those very same questions. Your concept of vision is 'the course'. I have, to, been telling myself to 'stay the course'. The future is unknown and pulling out a master's degree at Full Sail is like you and I sailing on Columbus' ship to the new world. We have NO IDEA what is really beyond. We don't know if we'll live or die, or if we're going to fall off the end of the globe or WHAT!!...But, Columbus stuck it out on his journey and we all know the many, huge surprises that came out of that. So...stay the course!!
WK4- Response #1- Aimee Holcombe
Aimee wrote:
For as long as I live, I will never forget a student I had my second year of teaching, Stanley. He was a tall and stout 8th grader from a very rough gang background that had little to no home support, and he seemingly cared nothing about school as he would sleep as often as possible. Some other teachers hated having him in class and would even celebrate the days where he was in ISS/ OSS. But-- he never acted out with me! In fact, he would participate in discussions and sometimes even complete his classwork. We had a deal that when he would get angry and felt like he was about to get into a fight or say something back, he was to get up, leave the room, and walk slowly to the furthest water fountain, then come right back! He liked this plan and always followed it without problems. One day, about half way through the year, we had a writing assignment on ‘What is a life lesson you have learned?’ After his usual staring off into space, he actually picked up the pen and began feverishly writing. I decided to let students share their work aloud, and to my and the rest of the class’ surprise- Stanley was the first to volunteer! As he shared passionately to his classmates about his lesson in choosing the right friends and removing yourself from bad situations, both mine and his eyes were filled with tears. Prior to school that year, he had seen his best friend shot to death by their so called friends in the gang, he then got on the phone and found his mother a job in our county where they moved away. He taught his classmates more in that 10 minutes of sharing his story, than I could in a year! Afterwards during class change, he thanked me for giving him the opportunity to share. He said that other teachers don’t even act like he is there except to yell at him, and that he felt like I would let him speak his heart.
I believe as teachers, we should be believers and empowers first and foremost! Many of our students have never had anyone empower them before, why would we seek to continue the trend.
I wrote:
Aimee,
I really liked your story about Stanley. In my first two years working where I work now, I had a number of student transfers from other teachers who did NOT get along with these students. Of course, I took the challenge with open arms, because a good teacher can get through to any kid...to SOME degree. The other teachers would say that he needed a male influence, which is totally understandable, but really every time I would get these students, I wouldn't have a problem with them...at all. I give every student, no matter what I already know about them, a square one type of respect that fosters a natural sense of respect in them towards you, the teacher. SO, i completely agree with your last few sentences. I NEVER have a problem helping out my coworkers, but deep down inside, I always felt they failed, and they let tehr emotions and personal misery in their own job, life...or whatever get the better of them. I'm glad I'm not there yet in my career and it's my personal goal to NEVER be there.
For as long as I live, I will never forget a student I had my second year of teaching, Stanley. He was a tall and stout 8th grader from a very rough gang background that had little to no home support, and he seemingly cared nothing about school as he would sleep as often as possible. Some other teachers hated having him in class and would even celebrate the days where he was in ISS/ OSS. But-- he never acted out with me! In fact, he would participate in discussions and sometimes even complete his classwork. We had a deal that when he would get angry and felt like he was about to get into a fight or say something back, he was to get up, leave the room, and walk slowly to the furthest water fountain, then come right back! He liked this plan and always followed it without problems. One day, about half way through the year, we had a writing assignment on ‘What is a life lesson you have learned?’ After his usual staring off into space, he actually picked up the pen and began feverishly writing. I decided to let students share their work aloud, and to my and the rest of the class’ surprise- Stanley was the first to volunteer! As he shared passionately to his classmates about his lesson in choosing the right friends and removing yourself from bad situations, both mine and his eyes were filled with tears. Prior to school that year, he had seen his best friend shot to death by their so called friends in the gang, he then got on the phone and found his mother a job in our county where they moved away. He taught his classmates more in that 10 minutes of sharing his story, than I could in a year! Afterwards during class change, he thanked me for giving him the opportunity to share. He said that other teachers don’t even act like he is there except to yell at him, and that he felt like I would let him speak his heart.
I believe as teachers, we should be believers and empowers first and foremost! Many of our students have never had anyone empower them before, why would we seek to continue the trend.
I wrote:
Aimee,
I really liked your story about Stanley. In my first two years working where I work now, I had a number of student transfers from other teachers who did NOT get along with these students. Of course, I took the challenge with open arms, because a good teacher can get through to any kid...to SOME degree. The other teachers would say that he needed a male influence, which is totally understandable, but really every time I would get these students, I wouldn't have a problem with them...at all. I give every student, no matter what I already know about them, a square one type of respect that fosters a natural sense of respect in them towards you, the teacher. SO, i completely agree with your last few sentences. I NEVER have a problem helping out my coworkers, but deep down inside, I always felt they failed, and they let tehr emotions and personal misery in their own job, life...or whatever get the better of them. I'm glad I'm not there yet in my career and it's my personal goal to NEVER be there.
WK4 Reading- Billy Madison and the 'Me' Bird
I liked the way the story of the second grader with chemo-therapy was used to illustrate the author's point in 'Creating Frameworks for Possibility'. It made me remember the way Adam Sandler illustrated basically the same point in 'Billy Madison' when they all take a field trip and when they all had to return to the bus, Billy's (Adam Sandler's) little 4th grader friend was hiding in the corner. When he confronted Ernie, he told him that he couldn't get on the bus because he had 'peed his pants'. So, then, Billy Madison, who was as cool to the 4th graders as any other fully grown adult/comedian could be, decided to put water on his pants, too, thereby making Ernie 'cool'. It was at that point that the curator of this field trip says this:
The final chapter for this book was very fitting. Most of the chapters were about breaking schemas and creating new positive scenarios from them. The schemas in this case being the mindset behind fear, competition, and struggle. These factors all can work very counter-productively against human progress, understanding, tolerance, and development. My Dad used to have a name for when someone in our household of 6 kids would do something selfish like, not wrap up the loaf of bread after using it, or polishing off the last of the milk without telling anybody...or worse, leaving a thimble-full of milk just so they wouldn't have to be the last one to use it and have to report its absence. He would say 'looks like the ME-bird has been here....meeeeeeeee!!!...meeeeeeeeee!!!' as he would flap his arms slowly. Of course, we would all just laugh and block out the message behind it, that is until we got older. Now, a family is much like a microcosm for mankind in general. When we consider other people and their needs, we can truly advance ourselves as far as being an effective, sensitive, and considerate human race.
The final chapter for this book was very fitting. Most of the chapters were about breaking schemas and creating new positive scenarios from them. The schemas in this case being the mindset behind fear, competition, and struggle. These factors all can work very counter-productively against human progress, understanding, tolerance, and development. My Dad used to have a name for when someone in our household of 6 kids would do something selfish like, not wrap up the loaf of bread after using it, or polishing off the last of the milk without telling anybody...or worse, leaving a thimble-full of milk just so they wouldn't have to be the last one to use it and have to report its absence. He would say 'looks like the ME-bird has been here....meeeeeeeee!!!...meeeeeeeeee!!!' as he would flap his arms slowly. Of course, we would all just laugh and block out the message behind it, that is until we got older. Now, a family is much like a microcosm for mankind in general. When we consider other people and their needs, we can truly advance ourselves as far as being an effective, sensitive, and considerate human race.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
WK3 Response #2- Danielle Brayer
Danielle wrote:
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?
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?
Chapter 9. Lighting a Spark. It’s not about us. It’s about them. What are you doing to pay-forward from your universe of possibility?
I commented:
Sometimes realizing the way things are CAN BE a lowering of expectations, if you want to look at it that way. However, sometimes you have no choice to accept things for the way they are and be happy with it. We can't be constantly reminding ourselves how we 'settled'. For example, I am not going to waste one second wondering why I am not married to Jaime Pressly. If you don't know who that is, she's way hotter, talented, and accomplished than I am. She's a movie star, etc. It will NEVER happen on this or any other parallel universe, and...I am OK with that. Did that make any sense?
Anyway, some people, I think need to accept the way things are, too. I think they'd be alot happier. I quote a line from 'Fight Club', a story about a bunch of repressed men looking to flex their own primal existences, "We were raised by television to believe that someday we'll all be millionaires and movie stars and rock stars -- but we won't. And we're learning that fact. And we're very, *very* pissed-off."
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?
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?
Chapter 9. Lighting a Spark. It’s not about us. It’s about them. What are you doing to pay-forward from your universe of possibility?
I commented:
Sometimes realizing the way things are CAN BE a lowering of expectations, if you want to look at it that way. However, sometimes you have no choice to accept things for the way they are and be happy with it. We can't be constantly reminding ourselves how we 'settled'. For example, I am not going to waste one second wondering why I am not married to Jaime Pressly. If you don't know who that is, she's way hotter, talented, and accomplished than I am. She's a movie star, etc. It will NEVER happen on this or any other parallel universe, and...I am OK with that. Did that make any sense?
Anyway, some people, I think need to accept the way things are, too. I think they'd be alot happier. I quote a line from 'Fight Club', a story about a bunch of repressed men looking to flex their own primal existences, "We were raised by television to believe that someday we'll all be millionaires and movie stars and rock stars -- but we won't. And we're learning that fact. And we're very, *very* pissed-off."
WK3 Response #1- Michael Melvin
Michael wrote:
My favorite personal saying is “I may not be the light, but I will the spark.”
It’s about relationships and motivating others passion. In our society we call, chat, text and social network, all of them lack the personal relations of face to face. Each can be cold and misinterpreted. When we reach out to others we should leave an impression. When we motivate them through their passions, dreams or aspirations we liberate them to be better and do great things. Parents and teachers spark interest and passion of students to be whatever they want in life. Or they can diminish that light that a child holds.
My goal in life and teaching is if I can’t be the light then at least be the spark that inspire others to be the light. Which lights the way or inspires others to be better, do better and live. I become a guide, mentor, motivator and the challenger for those around me, my family, friends, co-workers and students. That’s important to me, I believe in leaving legacies and the only way we can do that is by developing relationships.
I remember in college how some of my professors would invite use to their home or the local coffee shop just to talk. That showed me that they were people just like me, that’s the type of teacher and one day professor I hope to be.
“I may not be the light, but I will the spark.”
I commented:
It's not what you tell them, it's how you make them feel...
I can't remember where I heard that, but it totally makes sense. I remember the first time I met my favorite teacher in high school, Rolf Eklund. I was a sophomore and wouldn't be fortunate to have his class for another year, and for the most part, I was used to being looked down upon. So, when another teacher told me to go get a projector from him in the AV room, there he was, looking all old, stern, and scary, but within the first 30 seconds, I noticed his gentle and FUNNY energy. Instantly, I was a fan of this guy, and I was lucky to have his class the following next two years.
My favorite personal saying is “I may not be the light, but I will the spark.”
It’s about relationships and motivating others passion. In our society we call, chat, text and social network, all of them lack the personal relations of face to face. Each can be cold and misinterpreted. When we reach out to others we should leave an impression. When we motivate them through their passions, dreams or aspirations we liberate them to be better and do great things. Parents and teachers spark interest and passion of students to be whatever they want in life. Or they can diminish that light that a child holds.
My goal in life and teaching is if I can’t be the light then at least be the spark that inspire others to be the light. Which lights the way or inspires others to be better, do better and live. I become a guide, mentor, motivator and the challenger for those around me, my family, friends, co-workers and students. That’s important to me, I believe in leaving legacies and the only way we can do that is by developing relationships.
I remember in college how some of my professors would invite use to their home or the local coffee shop just to talk. That showed me that they were people just like me, that’s the type of teacher and one day professor I hope to be.
“I may not be the light, but I will the spark.”
I commented:
It's not what you tell them, it's how you make them feel...
I can't remember where I heard that, but it totally makes sense. I remember the first time I met my favorite teacher in high school, Rolf Eklund. I was a sophomore and wouldn't be fortunate to have his class for another year, and for the most part, I was used to being looked down upon. So, when another teacher told me to go get a projector from him in the AV room, there he was, looking all old, stern, and scary, but within the first 30 seconds, I noticed his gentle and FUNNY energy. Instantly, I was a fan of this guy, and I was lucky to have his class the following next two years.
WK3 Project- Lit Review
I have to admit that the Literature Review is a source of stress for me. However, since I haven't really written anything that formal since high school, I think I've been doing pretty good. When I turned in my literature review the last time, I was proud of it. When I got it returned, I realized that maybe I should stop pulling all-nighters.
There was alot of things I missed. There was alot of things I simply did not know. However, I did get help from Roxanne DeLeon, and it made me realize that nothing really replaces TALKING TO your teacher. It clears so much up in one quick chat.
There was alot of things I missed. There was alot of things I simply did not know. However, I did get help from Roxanne DeLeon, and it made me realize that nothing really replaces TALKING TO your teacher. It clears so much up in one quick chat.
WK3 Reading- Unconquered
We ARE surrounded by energy!!...I mean, I'm assuming we are. I plan on shooting this blog from my computer to my router wirelessly, so that tells me that there are THINGS out there that are undetectable by my human eye but are very significant and by all means THINGS. This blog transforms itself into radio waves and back again into text that causes some kind of response with another individual effecting him or her. I do, in fact, try to be cognizant of the energies around us that we just can't see. As it pertains to Chapter 7, I'll say that something as simple as recognizing all the other forces around you can make one realize that YOU are not the only force on this planet and you have to find some kind of harmony with the universe around you in order to realize your full potential.
Chapter 8 embraces energy again, but between humans. My Dad was a huge proponent of remembering someone's name...and using it. He knew that most people are egocentric and in order to #1. command their respect was to at least remember who you're talking to and #2. keep them interested, because you're making THEM part of what you're talking about. Also, unless you've been under a rock your whole life, you have to notice the energy you feel when you feel a mutual attraction to someone, that look in their eye or the tone of their voice, or something you just can't put your finger on.
Chapter 9...read this poem
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
This poem is entitled 'Invictus'. This poem was a source of inspiration for Nelson Mandela while he was a political prisoner. He later hand-wrote a copy and gave it to Francois Pienaar, the captain of the South African rugby team, as inspiration to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which they did, uniting a nation.
The poem was written by William Ernest Henley who wrote it from his hospital bed. His indomitable spirit led him to triumph over the amputation of his leg.
'Invictus' was retreived from http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2009/12/invictus-the-poem.html
Chapter 8 embraces energy again, but between humans. My Dad was a huge proponent of remembering someone's name...and using it. He knew that most people are egocentric and in order to #1. command their respect was to at least remember who you're talking to and #2. keep them interested, because you're making THEM part of what you're talking about. Also, unless you've been under a rock your whole life, you have to notice the energy you feel when you feel a mutual attraction to someone, that look in their eye or the tone of their voice, or something you just can't put your finger on.
Chapter 9...read this poem
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
This poem is entitled 'Invictus'. This poem was a source of inspiration for Nelson Mandela while he was a political prisoner. He later hand-wrote a copy and gave it to Francois Pienaar, the captain of the South African rugby team, as inspiration to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which they did, uniting a nation.
The poem was written by William Ernest Henley who wrote it from his hospital bed. His indomitable spirit led him to triumph over the amputation of his leg.
'Invictus' was retreived from http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2009/12/invictus-the-poem.html
WK1 Project- ARP Website and MobileMe
I am starting to not like my MobileMe site.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME- Alright, first of all, as of last week, when I uploaded my new ARP Flash movie, MobileMe is telling me that I have only 25 days left on my account. Now, I know that I took a month or so off from the program, but 25 more days wouldn't even be enough if I WAS on track. It's really stressing me out, because everything is on there, and if I don't do something about this (see: pay for another year MYSELF) then I will be putting myself directly in Ole' Murphy's way (Murphy's Law, that is). This SUCKS, because...
IT DOESN'T WORK RIGHT- That's right. I'll have to pay for another year for something that doesn't even work correctly. Case in point, and this is a good one. My ARP is a flash movie I created and embedded, of course, inside an .HTML page. The process is quite simple, actually. All you have to do if you want to bypass the whole iWeb thing is create another folder, upload your flash movie and your .html page into it and then pull it up on the web. HOWEVER...for SOME REASON, whenever I publish another flash site like I've done a MILLION TIMES in the past few months, it gives me an error when trying to pull up the URL. It asks me if I want to download the .html page???....WHAT!!???...WHY!!???. It's not space. I have plenty of that. So, to work around the problem, I had to overwrite a page that is already working now. There was no other way around it.
But, it works for now...and I'm very happy about that.
http://web.me.com/bmc0004/MCMAHONIMACTION_RESEARCH/ARP.html
RUNNING OUT OF TIME- Alright, first of all, as of last week, when I uploaded my new ARP Flash movie, MobileMe is telling me that I have only 25 days left on my account. Now, I know that I took a month or so off from the program, but 25 more days wouldn't even be enough if I WAS on track. It's really stressing me out, because everything is on there, and if I don't do something about this (see: pay for another year MYSELF) then I will be putting myself directly in Ole' Murphy's way (Murphy's Law, that is). This SUCKS, because...
IT DOESN'T WORK RIGHT- That's right. I'll have to pay for another year for something that doesn't even work correctly. Case in point, and this is a good one. My ARP is a flash movie I created and embedded, of course, inside an .HTML page. The process is quite simple, actually. All you have to do if you want to bypass the whole iWeb thing is create another folder, upload your flash movie and your .html page into it and then pull it up on the web. HOWEVER...for SOME REASON, whenever I publish another flash site like I've done a MILLION TIMES in the past few months, it gives me an error when trying to pull up the URL. It asks me if I want to download the .html page???....WHAT!!???...WHY!!???. It's not space. I have plenty of that. So, to work around the problem, I had to overwrite a page that is already working now. There was no other way around it.
But, it works for now...and I'm very happy about that.
http://web.me.com/bmc0004/MCMAHONIMACTION_RESEARCH/ARP.html
WK1 Response #2- Charles Mills
Chuck wrote:
I don’t read much at all. Though I enjoy reading, my life is so busy I find it difficult to find the time. Over the years I have read very few books with the exception of the bible. Many of my friends can’t understand this because their perception of the bible is that it is a book of rules, of do’s and don’ts, of penalties and judgment (hell, fire and brimstone), and weeping and gnashing of teeth (as one professor recently alluded to in a Wimba session). These things are not what stand out to me. I see hope, redemption, forgiveness, compassion, love, and the fact that though I could never “measure up”, I am an “A”.
Life on the other hand can cause me to lose faith when I lose sight of the right perspective. I refer to not only spiritual faith, but faith in others…like faith in my students! When I consider my teaching career, with all its ups and downs, I can clearly see how I have allowed myself to be boxed in and consequently, have drawn boxes for my students to operate within. It reminds me of an auto commercial that came out several years ago of a young driver being instructed to “stay between the lines”. When the “lines” ran into a roadblock (traffic), the driver turned and went off road…and did just fine! I rationalize drawing boxes for the purpose of “safety”, careful to protect my students and me. Most of it is because of a few minor mistakes made when some “liberties” were taken with video projects. Reflecting on the reading and considering my classes, I see that I have become judgmental and am limiting possibilities for my students. Time to step outside some of the lines I have drawn and open my eyes to a world of possibilities for my students.
I commented:
Chuck,
I'm all about trying to get perspective on life and its problems when things get trying. There is really something to be said for the 'forest before the trees' saying.
At my job (or any job for that matter) I find that it is the mark of any good professional to step outside the lines and realize things for what they really are. It's perspective and the ability to gain perspective that keeps us productive, cooperative, and SANE!!
I witness coworkers every day wrapped up in their own tiny little world and sometimes I just have to look at them and just say...'a www...look at them thinking that the world revolves around them...' kind of like how I look at a video of a bulldog riding a skateboard.
I don’t read much at all. Though I enjoy reading, my life is so busy I find it difficult to find the time. Over the years I have read very few books with the exception of the bible. Many of my friends can’t understand this because their perception of the bible is that it is a book of rules, of do’s and don’ts, of penalties and judgment (hell, fire and brimstone), and weeping and gnashing of teeth (as one professor recently alluded to in a Wimba session). These things are not what stand out to me. I see hope, redemption, forgiveness, compassion, love, and the fact that though I could never “measure up”, I am an “A”.
Life on the other hand can cause me to lose faith when I lose sight of the right perspective. I refer to not only spiritual faith, but faith in others…like faith in my students! When I consider my teaching career, with all its ups and downs, I can clearly see how I have allowed myself to be boxed in and consequently, have drawn boxes for my students to operate within. It reminds me of an auto commercial that came out several years ago of a young driver being instructed to “stay between the lines”. When the “lines” ran into a roadblock (traffic), the driver turned and went off road…and did just fine! I rationalize drawing boxes for the purpose of “safety”, careful to protect my students and me. Most of it is because of a few minor mistakes made when some “liberties” were taken with video projects. Reflecting on the reading and considering my classes, I see that I have become judgmental and am limiting possibilities for my students. Time to step outside some of the lines I have drawn and open my eyes to a world of possibilities for my students.
I commented:
Chuck,
I'm all about trying to get perspective on life and its problems when things get trying. There is really something to be said for the 'forest before the trees' saying.
At my job (or any job for that matter) I find that it is the mark of any good professional to step outside the lines and realize things for what they really are. It's perspective and the ability to gain perspective that keeps us productive, cooperative, and SANE!!
I witness coworkers every day wrapped up in their own tiny little world and sometimes I just have to look at them and just say...'a www...look at them thinking that the world revolves around them...' kind of like how I look at a video of a bulldog riding a skateboard.
WK1 Response #1- Susan Nwokedi
Susan wrote:
Being a thespian that I am, I always look for ways to breed life into ordinary books by having my students act out the story at the end of the unit. After reading the ever-popular book “The Grouchy Ladybug” by Eric Carle, I had my students act it out. They each chose an animal or insect and acted the part of that creature. The students had so much fun I decided to share the experience with the rest of the kindergarten team. And so the school plays “The Grouchy Ladybug” was born. First I had to talk to my team leader, then the music teacher, and then the principal. Once I had all of them on board, I tackled my teammates. Everyone thought “oh what a cute idea”. So I did the research, wrote the script and held a casting call for the parts. It was awesome until it time came for everyone, remember the people that thought “wow how cute” to start doing their part. I had some good committed helpers but there were those who became grouchier than the grouchy ladybug. I ended up doing a lot of the work on my own. I remember the complaints about and antennas, getting the children dress on time for the early morning presentation. Visits to the principal’s office by one some of them to put an end to the production simply because in their view it became too much for them handle. With every complaint came a quick solution from me. In the end, the play was fantastic and everyone had so much fun that they are already talking about doing another plays next school year.
I commented:
Thanks for your comment on my last blog. I liked this story. My Dad used to always say to us, 'eaten bread is soon forgotten', and your story reminded me of that. It's difficult to put on a production which is what pretty much pushed me to animating. All through high school and college, I would definitely always use video as a project if I could. It was so much more fun and I could really use some creativity. In those days, I always had plenty of willing participants, but in the older, working world, it's so much more difficult. The saying 'if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself' certainly rings true. And, in this case, it sounds like you had to take the bull by the horns, and it came out right. Good job!!...and the whole time, I bet you didn't turn into a grouchy ladybug...or any kind of angry insect for that matter.
Being a thespian that I am, I always look for ways to breed life into ordinary books by having my students act out the story at the end of the unit. After reading the ever-popular book “The Grouchy Ladybug” by Eric Carle, I had my students act it out. They each chose an animal or insect and acted the part of that creature. The students had so much fun I decided to share the experience with the rest of the kindergarten team. And so the school plays “The Grouchy Ladybug” was born. First I had to talk to my team leader, then the music teacher, and then the principal. Once I had all of them on board, I tackled my teammates. Everyone thought “oh what a cute idea”. So I did the research, wrote the script and held a casting call for the parts. It was awesome until it time came for everyone, remember the people that thought “wow how cute” to start doing their part. I had some good committed helpers but there were those who became grouchier than the grouchy ladybug. I ended up doing a lot of the work on my own. I remember the complaints about and antennas, getting the children dress on time for the early morning presentation. Visits to the principal’s office by one some of them to put an end to the production simply because in their view it became too much for them handle. With every complaint came a quick solution from me. In the end, the play was fantastic and everyone had so much fun that they are already talking about doing another plays next school year.
I commented:
Thanks for your comment on my last blog. I liked this story. My Dad used to always say to us, 'eaten bread is soon forgotten', and your story reminded me of that. It's difficult to put on a production which is what pretty much pushed me to animating. All through high school and college, I would definitely always use video as a project if I could. It was so much more fun and I could really use some creativity. In those days, I always had plenty of willing participants, but in the older, working world, it's so much more difficult. The saying 'if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself' certainly rings true. And, in this case, it sounds like you had to take the bull by the horns, and it came out right. Good job!!...and the whole time, I bet you didn't turn into a grouchy ladybug...or any kind of angry insect for that matter.
Monday, June 14, 2010
WK2 Wild Card Blog-Flash & Actionscript 3.0
THIS BLOG ACTUALLY IS A CONTINUATION OF WK2 READING...
I just made it out of day one of Actionscript 3.0 training. Let me give you the back story. Back in 1997, I was completing my first year of teaching, and right out of college I knew that I wanted to incorporate my own cartoons into classroom curriculum. at the time I had no idea what I was doing outside a pencil and paper. My last computer experience came from coding Pascal back in 1991. Graphical User Interfaces did not exist.
Long story short, after many fruitless searches, the sun shone upon me when I discovered the magical, artistic canvas that was Macromedia Flash. Words cannot describe how this BRILLIANT program empowered me. From 1997 to the present I have constantly been creating Flash content. My passion for learning and mastering it (and trying to make people chuckle with my work) was insatiable. I suppose the culmination of it all can be seen at www.mcmahonimation.com . Now, here's the problem.
I was overwhelmed today with new, up and coming technologies. I can't help but feel like I am never going to have a chance to develop something that's FINISHED and marketable before something new is invented. Actionscript 3.0 is NOTHING like Actionscript 2.0. To make matters worse, with the advent of new tech like tablet PC's and smart phones, Flash may be messed with so much that my magical canvas turns into a convoluted mess that revolves around programmers instead of animators. I do not want to be disenfranchised.
But, I guess like the Zander mentions about the destination and the journey thing. Maybe I just need to take Chapter 6's advice and try to see the bigger picture and realize that I am making a contribution right NOW. Maybe I just don't know it.
I just made it out of day one of Actionscript 3.0 training. Let me give you the back story. Back in 1997, I was completing my first year of teaching, and right out of college I knew that I wanted to incorporate my own cartoons into classroom curriculum. at the time I had no idea what I was doing outside a pencil and paper. My last computer experience came from coding Pascal back in 1991. Graphical User Interfaces did not exist.
Long story short, after many fruitless searches, the sun shone upon me when I discovered the magical, artistic canvas that was Macromedia Flash. Words cannot describe how this BRILLIANT program empowered me. From 1997 to the present I have constantly been creating Flash content. My passion for learning and mastering it (and trying to make people chuckle with my work) was insatiable. I suppose the culmination of it all can be seen at www.mcmahonimation.com . Now, here's the problem.
I was overwhelmed today with new, up and coming technologies. I can't help but feel like I am never going to have a chance to develop something that's FINISHED and marketable before something new is invented. Actionscript 3.0 is NOTHING like Actionscript 2.0. To make matters worse, with the advent of new tech like tablet PC's and smart phones, Flash may be messed with so much that my magical canvas turns into a convoluted mess that revolves around programmers instead of animators. I do not want to be disenfranchised.
But, I guess like the Zander mentions about the destination and the journey thing. Maybe I just need to take Chapter 6's advice and try to see the bigger picture and realize that I am making a contribution right NOW. Maybe I just don't know it.
WK2 Response #2-Timothy Bemiller
Tim wrote:
The Chapter 5 reading was very cool in the way it communicated proper leadership. The main theme to me was that leaders are in place to nurture and guide those under their leadership. This concept of leadership does not need to be in your face and dictator oriented. The concept to me is that leaders can lead and inspire from a rather subdued role, hence the name of the chapter. I like the idea that a leader’s main role is to make the people better through well timed insight and wisdom that is not intended to put people down, rather to lift them up.
I am not an intense person. I do however love to lead the group if I feel I am qualified to do so. I lead in the way the book identifies and that makes me feel good about my style of helping those around me. I thrive off of making people better and not just controlling them.
I commented:
Good post, Tim...I really have to agree. Personally, either through experience or general wisdom, I tend to listen to most anyone along the chain of command, because one never knows when someone even on the lowest of the totem pole has a better idea. It's those who shut everyone else out who really suffer and as a result make others suffer as well. I think I have some sort of deal with kharma that as soon as I start thinking that I am the end all be all and noone else knows what they're talking about, then I'm about to crash and burn if I don't chill out and listen to reason.
The Chapter 5 reading was very cool in the way it communicated proper leadership. The main theme to me was that leaders are in place to nurture and guide those under their leadership. This concept of leadership does not need to be in your face and dictator oriented. The concept to me is that leaders can lead and inspire from a rather subdued role, hence the name of the chapter. I like the idea that a leader’s main role is to make the people better through well timed insight and wisdom that is not intended to put people down, rather to lift them up.
I am not an intense person. I do however love to lead the group if I feel I am qualified to do so. I lead in the way the book identifies and that makes me feel good about my style of helping those around me. I thrive off of making people better and not just controlling them.
I commented:
Good post, Tim...I really have to agree. Personally, either through experience or general wisdom, I tend to listen to most anyone along the chain of command, because one never knows when someone even on the lowest of the totem pole has a better idea. It's those who shut everyone else out who really suffer and as a result make others suffer as well. I think I have some sort of deal with kharma that as soon as I start thinking that I am the end all be all and noone else knows what they're talking about, then I'm about to crash and burn if I don't chill out and listen to reason.
WK2 Response #1-Lorri Reinhardt
Lorri wrote:
In my family we used to sit around the dinner table and talk about the ups and downs of the day also. There seem to be pros and cons to this method as one brother always got in trouble and didn’t have much success to talk about. As I remember there was a lot of fighting but there was a lot of laughter and family cohesiveness. The era seems to be gone when families sit down to dinner and talk about their days. For a while my little family played a game I saw in a movie, it seemed to take the pressure off of success or failure as I remembered it from my childhood. We would go around the table and ask what was your high point or low point and comfort each other rejoice with each other according.
As for games and contributions, well America is a competitive country no matter which way you look at it. As the two old sayings go: it’s important for you to just stay in the game; and it’s not just whether or not you win or lose, but how you played the game. From my middle age standpoint and wisdom gained it’s easy to claim that’s a contribution to the game of life is the most important thing, but I’m not sure I would have been able to see that as a seventeen or eighteen year old.
I commented:
Lorri,
the beginning of your post (like the story in the book) reminded me of a time when I was a kid and my brother and sister were both getting a verbal disciplining from my mom over the phone about their end of 6 weeks grades being horrible. Finally, when it was my turn, I had told her with enthusiasm how i aced all my tests. After I got off the phone, I had both my brother and sister to deal with. That didn't end until my Mom got home, and then there was more chaos.
I also really appreciate when you mention that it's important for you to stay in the game. Most other like phrases don't ring as true as this one. For someone who has never been too athletic and certainly knows physical defeat, I also to this day engage myself in tough sports for the sole reason of simply humbling myself and learning something new. If all I was in it for was winning and hero status, then I'd be setting myself up for failure. I do it because it makes me a better person, because if you stay in the game and show a little bit of heart, there really is no loser, because you win a lot in the long run. You certainly win more that someone who never even tries to play.
In my family we used to sit around the dinner table and talk about the ups and downs of the day also. There seem to be pros and cons to this method as one brother always got in trouble and didn’t have much success to talk about. As I remember there was a lot of fighting but there was a lot of laughter and family cohesiveness. The era seems to be gone when families sit down to dinner and talk about their days. For a while my little family played a game I saw in a movie, it seemed to take the pressure off of success or failure as I remembered it from my childhood. We would go around the table and ask what was your high point or low point and comfort each other rejoice with each other according.
As for games and contributions, well America is a competitive country no matter which way you look at it. As the two old sayings go: it’s important for you to just stay in the game; and it’s not just whether or not you win or lose, but how you played the game. From my middle age standpoint and wisdom gained it’s easy to claim that’s a contribution to the game of life is the most important thing, but I’m not sure I would have been able to see that as a seventeen or eighteen year old.
I commented:
Lorri,
the beginning of your post (like the story in the book) reminded me of a time when I was a kid and my brother and sister were both getting a verbal disciplining from my mom over the phone about their end of 6 weeks grades being horrible. Finally, when it was my turn, I had told her with enthusiasm how i aced all my tests. After I got off the phone, I had both my brother and sister to deal with. That didn't end until my Mom got home, and then there was more chaos.
I also really appreciate when you mention that it's important for you to stay in the game. Most other like phrases don't ring as true as this one. For someone who has never been too athletic and certainly knows physical defeat, I also to this day engage myself in tough sports for the sole reason of simply humbling myself and learning something new. If all I was in it for was winning and hero status, then I'd be setting myself up for failure. I do it because it makes me a better person, because if you stay in the game and show a little bit of heart, there really is no loser, because you win a lot in the long run. You certainly win more that someone who never even tries to play.
WK2 Reading - Contributing, Listening, and Remaining Calm
While skimming chapters 4-6, I decided to write about the material as it may relate to current events. For chapter 4, I'd like to bring up this guy:
Kevin Costner is an actor. He also loves the environment. Even though, as a successful actor, he could have written off disasters like the Exxon Valdez oil spill that happened years ago. But, instead, he decided to use his time and effort to try and prevent a disaster like that happening again. So, even though he was assured by oil companies that spills like that would never happen again, he still used his own resources and ingenuity to create and test machines that would suck up water and separate it from its pollutants. He is a really good real world example of making a contribution, and making a contribution like this speaks volumes if it's done selflessly and with a purpose and against the grain.
This brings us to the next chapter. Keeping with this same theme, I'd like to talk about proper management and leadership. Like the book says, leaders cooperate and they listen to others. Just because you're not in the head spot doesn't mean you don't have input or your input isn't vital. In terms of project management, there are going to be the people with one singular goal in their head, to get the job done. This sounds good in theory, but what about the ifs? Negativity and criticism is part of the planning process. Contingencies have to be thought through at every possible turn no matter what the time line for project completion is. A good leader listens to everyone involved with the production process ESPECIALLY the risk assessors. It could prevent something like this:
Finally, you have to look at the big picture. Not realizing the true scope and importance of your projects can either make you perpetually dissatisfied with your progress or success. This is basically fear of failure almost. An overgrown drive for success has in effect become or becomes driven by a huge fear of failure. Take out the fear and the threat of losing and you either have more fun doing what you're doing, or slow down long enough to make sure you're doing it right. I know it is very hard to tie this chapter to the same theme, so I'll just say this. Instead of freaking out, keep a cool head long enough to find the solution.
Kevin Costner is an actor. He also loves the environment. Even though, as a successful actor, he could have written off disasters like the Exxon Valdez oil spill that happened years ago. But, instead, he decided to use his time and effort to try and prevent a disaster like that happening again. So, even though he was assured by oil companies that spills like that would never happen again, he still used his own resources and ingenuity to create and test machines that would suck up water and separate it from its pollutants. He is a really good real world example of making a contribution, and making a contribution like this speaks volumes if it's done selflessly and with a purpose and against the grain.
This brings us to the next chapter. Keeping with this same theme, I'd like to talk about proper management and leadership. Like the book says, leaders cooperate and they listen to others. Just because you're not in the head spot doesn't mean you don't have input or your input isn't vital. In terms of project management, there are going to be the people with one singular goal in their head, to get the job done. This sounds good in theory, but what about the ifs? Negativity and criticism is part of the planning process. Contingencies have to be thought through at every possible turn no matter what the time line for project completion is. A good leader listens to everyone involved with the production process ESPECIALLY the risk assessors. It could prevent something like this:
Finally, you have to look at the big picture. Not realizing the true scope and importance of your projects can either make you perpetually dissatisfied with your progress or success. This is basically fear of failure almost. An overgrown drive for success has in effect become or becomes driven by a huge fear of failure. Take out the fear and the threat of losing and you either have more fun doing what you're doing, or slow down long enough to make sure you're doing it right. I know it is very hard to tie this chapter to the same theme, so I'll just say this. Instead of freaking out, keep a cool head long enough to find the solution.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
WK1 Reading - Bike Seats and Boxes
These first three chapters immediately make me think of a concept I was taught long ago, and that's the concept of 'schema'. A schema is generally perceived notions about things. The human mind is bombarded with millions of bits of information per second. The only way the CONSCIOUS (and sober) mind can handle all of this information is to attach info to preconceived notions about the world. For example, if I were a Native American Indian on the beach of San Salvador around 1492. I would not be able to fit three huge ships sailing onto the coast with white people with loud, bangy sticks, shiny armor, and huge dog-like animals that they ride into my schema. This is because I've never seen anything like it...at all. If I was a contemporary, I would know exactly how to process this information, because I know what a ship, a horse, a rifle, and armor is. In this context, a schema would be 'the box'.
So, it makes sense that when the first bikes were constructed, the builders wanted to come up with a seat design. The first thing that came to their minds first was the design for a saddle, what they were already using to ride horses. The bike designers never bothered to ask themselves, 'hey...do we HAVE TO emulate this saddle?..and for decades, right up until today, we have to endure riding seats that look like this:
This applies to most everything. In order to think outside the box, we must first reinvent our schema towards what we're trying to do. Now, look at this picture:
This is an arm bar. Jiu Jitsu submissions moves like this work!!...trust me. There is an entire world of ass-kicking out there. People have studied this world, perfected it, reinvented it, re-styled it, but at the core, we really can't think outside this box, because this box is the human pentagram (a head, two arms, two legs). This entire art is based and completely limited to the human body. If we were to sprout an extra appendage. This Jiu Jitsu box would shatter and would have to reinvented. This art is strictly for the human form and would be ENTIRELY different if we were created differently.
I would say, in my limited mathematical knowledge, that math is the only universal language and the only universal box, as it were. Everything else we know about the universe is theoretical and we build a box, or schema around what we know and find out, but this box can be reinvented, re-designed, re-styled once we find out more information about the universe...just like a jiu jitsu class would be completely different if we all sprouted a prehensile tail tomorrow.
So, it makes sense that when the first bikes were constructed, the builders wanted to come up with a seat design. The first thing that came to their minds first was the design for a saddle, what they were already using to ride horses. The bike designers never bothered to ask themselves, 'hey...do we HAVE TO emulate this saddle?..and for decades, right up until today, we have to endure riding seats that look like this:
This applies to most everything. In order to think outside the box, we must first reinvent our schema towards what we're trying to do. Now, look at this picture:
This is an arm bar. Jiu Jitsu submissions moves like this work!!...trust me. There is an entire world of ass-kicking out there. People have studied this world, perfected it, reinvented it, re-styled it, but at the core, we really can't think outside this box, because this box is the human pentagram (a head, two arms, two legs). This entire art is based and completely limited to the human body. If we were to sprout an extra appendage. This Jiu Jitsu box would shatter and would have to reinvented. This art is strictly for the human form and would be ENTIRELY different if we were created differently.
I would say, in my limited mathematical knowledge, that math is the only universal language and the only universal box, as it were. Everything else we know about the universe is theoretical and we build a box, or schema around what we know and find out, but this box can be reinvented, re-designed, re-styled once we find out more information about the universe...just like a jiu jitsu class would be completely different if we all sprouted a prehensile tail tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
NEW CLASS!!
this is only a test...had this actually been a real emergency, i would not be sitting here typing a blog!!...
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