Wk 3 Response

Alicia,
I loved Chapter 6 too. It is so often that we are reminded what a fast pace we live and how grumpy people can be. I sometimes stop to wonder if they even realize that things are not as bad as they may seem at that moment. If only they would step back and not take it all too seriously...Not to say everything in life is this way. But like the old saying "don't sweat the small stuff!"

Wk 3 Response

Heather,
I too LOVE rule 6 too. I think that there are somethings that you just have to take a step back from and give it a good laugh. Other wise I think that we'd drive ourselves mad.
You must be a very strong person, it takes a lot to pull yourself up and overcome some obstacles. I think I have always believed that you have to take what life gives and go with it, and not use it as crutch. Good for you, for sharing your story with your students. You never know whose life you touched!

Wk 3 The Art of Possibility

Microsoft Clip Art

While reading the Art of Possibility I kept thinking the book was talking directly to me…corny I know! I have been having a difficult time reaching my new class this school year, they are unmotivated to learn and unwilling to take responsibility for their actions. I have attempted just about everything I have up my sleeve. I have had to take a step back and re-analyze my job. As I was reading the statement “how much greatness are we will to grant?” (p. 73). It is my job to inspire and bring out the best qualities these kids have, as the book said I am going to have to speak to their passions. I am going to have make connection with them. These chapters made me feel like I can still go in a make a difference. I have been feeling a little defeated and needed something to give me inspirations. I think this was it. I am looking forward to making a change!

Wk 2 Think Out Loud

When given the choice between presenting or publishing, I am torn. I love talking to people and sharing my ideas and learning form other people. However; I am not sure that my CBR project would be a great presentation, I feel like it made a huge impact in my classroom and with my kids, but maybe writing it out would be a better way to get the points across. In thinking about my CBR , I think that I did a good job of preparing my students to take test using computerized software, this is new and challenging for them. Having said that, I think that the best place to  publish my finding would be in a Technology in the Classroom type Journal such as The Journal of Interactive Learning Research (JILR) http://www.aace.org/pubs/jilr/default.htm in which I can relate to computer based assessments. To present my finding it would be appropriate at a conference like the Florida Educational Technology Conference, in which I would see many classroom teachers, or a conference like Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. I am still unsure of which way I will go, but looking into which would get my information across the best way!

WK 2 Wimba

I am glad that wimba was a review of the chapter readings. I feel that I got a little more clarity, not nearly as clear as it could be. I still have concerns about material that we use in our classroom that we don’t ever realize are infringing on copy right laws. Playing a movie to supplement the curriculum is one of those that is a big stressor.  We can only change what we are aware that we are doing wrong. Having this information will make me that much more aware and able to correct what I do as well as inform other to what the copyright laws are.

I also found it interesting that the reason Prince changed his name was to get out of a contracts. How crazy! Here people have always thought that it was part of him just being eccentric. Who knew it was to get out of a contract? Can you do that… I guess celebrities do what they want anyways.

Wk 2 Response

Alicia,
I like the way that you compared the A project to our EMDT classes. I did think of it that way, but in some ways it is. I think that we have worked hard to maintain what we have been given, but what we put in shows what we've earned. I think it would have been much different if we would have set up our own goals. Setting up our own goals would have given us greater understanding of what and why were doing something. Rather than seeing the big picture pay off in the end.

Wk 2 Response

What an eye opening experience. How empowering it most of felt to feel like you had control, or that the ball was back in your court. I also had some similar thought while reading that chapter. I hope that when I need to use it I am able to step back and analyze how to make things look brighter.