My Comment on Michael's Blog "WK4 Reading: Shades of Grade

Michael

 I really enjoyed reading your blog post this week. I also thought the concept of taking “no” less personally was quite meaningful. It’s amazing just how powerful this word can be.  

What I think what stood out the most to me was the statement you made “It’s always good, in my opinion, to look beyond the obvious and see the things that connect us all, listening beyond what is said and hearing what is meant, and, digging even deeper, considering what lead up to this meaning.” This is truly a powerful statement. We definitely need and want to feel that human connection and we do this by seeking out people to do just that. I couldn’t agree more that this type of connection is now more difficult to do.

Michael's Original Blog Post

WK4 Reading: Shades of Grade

I have never heard enrollment described in the way that the Zanders do in The Art of Possibility.  When people enroll in something, I imagine they seldom believe themselves to be generating any kind of spark, and certainly not concerned with sharing it if they do.  The concept of taking “no” less personally really resonated with me, as I know from personal experience that that simple two-letter world can completely destroy all semblance of possibility for the party on the receiving end of it. 

Being the board is a radical thought, one that requires a complete paradigm shift in an individual's thinking.  The emphasis on relationship building is certainly one that I think is extremely important but also becomes increasingly difficult as our society continues to "advance" and move away from the interpersonal relationships that define us as human and not machine.  Advancements in technology always seem to be geared towards doing something faster, when, as the Zanders state, there are some things that just take more time, like building deep, meaningful relationships.  It’s always good, in my opinion, to look beyond the obvious and see the things that connect us all, listening beyond what is said and hearing what is meant, and, digging even deeper, considering what lead up to this meaning.

I believe the greatest challenge of employing the thoughts, mindsets and strategies contained in The Art of Possibilityderives from the persistence in society of a black and white perception and outlook for everything.  The problem with this thinking, in most cases, is that it is too absolute; there is no middle ground.  It’s easier and more convenient to discern between what’s white and what’s black, but the reality is, or perhaps, the strongest possibility, is that every situation is best perceived as some shade of gray.

Wk 4 Comment on Del's Blog "Wk 4 Reading Entry"

Del, I too was moved by the chapter 9. I really enjoyed the story about your student connecting his knowledge in math and bringing it over to your construction class. I am sure that was awesome to see this student so excited in his “ah ha” moment, and assist other students with leaning the same.

As in your comment and blog post I too felt a strong connection to the statement Zander made “ Certain things in life are better done in person” This is very true and can really make a difference in a job like with your experience. I do believe that you being in person did get you that bid, because for whatever reason they saw something in you, it could be the way you presented, your explanation or if you have an honest appearance. I think most of us have seen someone and thought based on body and facial expressions the person would do a good job because he or she looks sincere, it could be as simple as I think this person would do a good job because I can just tell. 

Great post!

Wk4 Re
Del's Original Blog Post D

De

Chapter 9 lighting a spark is the chapter that spoke to me. Zander states that enrollment is the art and practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share. Teachers should be all about trying to generate a spark of possibility in their students. While reading chapter 9 it reminded me of a few years ago when I was giving a quiz on measuring at the beginning of the year. I always want to check and see where my students stand on measuring. I was explaining how to read a tape measure to one of my students. He kept asking questions and I continued to explain how to reduce the even fractions and all of a sudden He said HEY! This is math! This is so easy. It was great to see how the light just came on for him. He immediately started showing his friends how to read the tape measure. That was a great moment in my life. Also in chapter 9 Ben talks about his father saying certain things in life are better done in person. I am a firm believer in that statement. When I was self-employed I always wanted to present a quote for a job in person. I remember bidding on a job one time and I presented the quote and explained what I would do and furnish. I was told that I was a little higher on my bid but he liked my proposal and how I explained the process of completing the job. I was awarded the bid. I believe that if I had not been able to present the proposal in person I would not have been awarded the bid. 

WK 4 Publishing Leadership Project

My plan for publishing my CBR project involves journal publications specifically about Technology Education. The first journal publication that I would like to publish my findings with is AACE – Journal of Technology and Teacher Education (JTATE). The JTATE publishes content directly relating to pre-service and in-service teacher education along with graduate programs, staff development and educational computing.

My second choice is ISTE's Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education (JDLTE). The JDLTE aims at providing computer and technology education to pre service  and in service teachers. This journal is published quarterly.

Castaneda_Amanda_Publishing

• Week 1 Leadership Project: Role Model
• WK 2 Leadership Project: Project or Presentation?
• Wk 3 Leadership Post - Where Do I Want to Share My...

WK 4 Wimba Sharing Session Alternative

As part of the Wimba blog post for this week we were asked, if unable to attend the Wimba sharing session, to ask two people to look over our presentation or document for help. I choose to ask two of my classmates Ana Gonzalez and Dana Scobie. We communicated through email and they reviewed my document using Google docs. After reading through my document here is what they had to say.

Here is what Ana suggested I do:

Hello Amanda,

Your leadership journal presentation looks good. You did a great job writing it. I do not know if you got approved to publish at Edutopia. One suggestion is to check with Edutopia or where ever you are planning to publish to see what are the requirements for publishing your leadership project. This will assist you to make sure you have the required information. Professor Bustillos had suggested to the other classmates publishing to possibly add graphics to their journal. You might also want to add data and references from your CBR project. You always do an awesome job. 

Let me know if you need anything else,

Ana Gonzalez

Here is what Dana suggested I do:

Hi Amanda,

Here are some thoughts: Check your capitalization in the title.  Make sure it's consistent.

Middle of introduction: Students would solve the challenge by generating a target audience solution to the “Big Idea” purposed.  proposed?Lit Review title, maybe spell out Literature? Near the end of the methodology section, Phase one far exceeded my expectations.....maybe take out "my".  I would suggest taking out any personal pronouns, keeping it in more "scholarly language". Overall, I think your paper looks great!  Just a few minor changes, as far as I'm concerned.

Dana

I have made the suggested changes and will be posting the completed document soon. Thank you Ana and Dana for your help! 

WK 4 Reading - The Art of Possibility

For this week’s reading there were a few statements the authors made that stood out to me. One being that “Certain things in life are better done in person.” This is such a true statement and reminded me of a young lady at Starbucks, had once told me that she hated working the drive thru, people are so rude and forget that there is a real person actually taking their order. I happened to be her first customer that did not do this. I was kind of surprised she had reveled something so personal to me. But she had been fed up with how people could find it ok to act like this because they were speaking into a small box, why is it that many people tend to think this type of attitude is acceptable in a non face-to-face meeting. I am sure many of her “rude” customers would never acted in such a way if they had gotten down instead. Its funny that people tend to put on a different persona when it comes to communicating in a non face-to-face meeting? I think the same is true for asking a favor or for some service you would like to person to do. Even when it comes to borrowing money this would apply largely because seeing someone in person than through email or the phone it is more personable and you are more likely to get the response you wanted in doing so.

Another quote I found to be quite powerful is “ I am the framework for everything that happens in my life” This quote reminds us that we can own the risks we take by standing in front of them and not casting blame elsewhere. We are responsible for what happens to us from the path we choose to take. We are built from our successes, failures, partnerships, and ideologies.

In the very last chapter “Coda” the book talks a little bit about why someone may have come across this book and hoped after reading it, you are able to view things in life a little differently with a new perspective. I think this quote sums it up what The Art of Possibility intended to do. 

“From a person who meets the challenges life serves up, to one who designs the stage on which her life plays out; from a single not to a long line, from partial to full expression, from the I to the WE.”

My Comment on Ana Gonzalez's Blog Post

Ana,

I think it is great you are planning to share your CBR through a presentation at the Technology Applications Conference. This would be a perfect outlet for you to showcase the work you have done at Full Sail. You also mentioned a Tots and Technology Conference that you were also interested in presenting at. This is really cool. I would love to attend one of these! I am sure the conference you had attended over the summer shared so many neat ideas to use in your own classroom. Best of luck Ana and I hope you are able to present your project at this conference.

 Ana's Original Post

Wk 3 Leadership Post

Where Do I Want Share My Project:As I have stated before I would like to present my CBR
 project through a presentation at either TCEA or Technology Applications Conference.

Texas Computer Education Association also known as TCEA is an organization in Texas. 

It is dedicated to the use of technology in education. It is an important association that its number 

one priority is integrating technology into the PreK through 12 grade classrooms. It provides much 

information through conferences, workshops, magazines, newsletters, and social media. TCEA also 

provides a Tots and Technology conference in Galveston which is closer to home. I would like to 

present here because it is a conference for elementary teachers. I have attended this conference 

before and I really enjoyed learning new tools for my classroom. This conference is held during 

the summer for two days.

Region 4 K-12 Technology Applications Conference provides innovative ideas and information in

 this 21^stCentury. It also provides lessons, activities, and tips and tricks for educators to use in the 

classroom. Educators share their technology integration experiences through this conference. It is 

a great technology professional development. This conference is also close to home. I have only 

attended this conference once. It would be great to share my CBR project at this conference because 

I can also share the EMDT program from Full Sail University.

My Comment on Jenn Hollern's Blog Post

Jen,

Rule Number 6, is a great rule to identify with, especially when it comes to creativity. So many times we struggle to find the perfect design, concept, or saying that we end up sitting there in the same position we were an hour ago still with a blank paper, platform, or canvas. I think remembering to take a step back and try to forget about creating something perfect allows us the ability to just free flow. More often than not some of our (or mine) best work comes out of this creative free flow. 

Jenn's Original Post

Week 3: Art of Possibility

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Jenn Hollern

I absolutely love Rule Number 6. If I had to identify one rule to live by in the creative field, it would be precisely that: never take yourself so seriously. Most of the time, I realize that I’m fighting a creative block – or whatever – because I am putting so much pressure on creating something brilliant instead of just…creating something…anything. 
This chapter almost contrasts the previous chapter, though, about leading from any chair. I love this principle – empowerment – and found myself thinking of the quote that was used almost simultaneously in the release of “Akeelah and the Bee” and “Coach Carter” that I think was first written by Marianne Williamson. It said that “our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” I think when we’re talking about leading from any chair, we should be talking about how to make the seats in front of us the most powerful people they can be. 
But, of course, this style of leadership also seems to require that we take ourselves more seriously than Rule Number 6 would allow, and if I had to pick, my natural instinct would be to lead and empower, but it seems much more enticing to follow the advice of the woman who played the game “Have the best sex ever”