Week 4 Reaction Post - Random Post

OK, just had to share this. This isn't a post for a grade, just something I wanted to blog about because it was such a random, cute moment.

I was sitting in my classroom, working on my laptop at my desk in the afternoon. I had opened the windows for the first time this year that morning. I was enjoying listening to the sounds of the kids outside playing and greeting their parents. I wasn't really listening to what was going on out there, just hearing it like music playing in the background.

Then a high pitched, gleeful voice rang out over all of the other voices. "Mommy, look what I made in ART class!" The little voice sounded so happy and proud, I had to smile and chuckle a bit. Little did that student know I was upstairs with my window open, and that I would hear that gleeful little voice ring out so clearly above the rest. I'm pretty sure I even know exactly which of my 200+ students it was.

That was a nice moment. That little girl came skipping into my class today. While her excitement filled exclamation may have been mostly due to her positive personality, I can't help but to be touched and also excited to hear she's excited about what she made in art. Gotta love it!

Week 4 Reaction Post - The Whole Shebang

So my program here at Full Sail is wrapping up. I want to write "finally," but a part of me is going "has it been a year already?" So writing "finally" doesn't seem right. I am partially hugely relieved, and a tiny bit nervous about the last few parts and pieces of the whole shebang.

I am relieved for many reasons; to be done with my Master's and with the largest portion of my schooling. I view whatever classes I take from here on out as fun and easy classes to add to my art teacher base of knowledge. I look forward to these (while still highly challenging) "fun" classes. I also look forward quite a bit to having more free time. Time to get back to more regimented workout sessions. (I don't know about anyone else, but I put on a few pounds during this program, due to finding no available time to work out!) I am excited to spend time with my husband again. I look forward to work on projects on our new house that I haven't had time to do. I also look forward to camping trips this summer, and more time to spend with family.

It's a sacrifice going to school. It takes a lot of time and dedication (and we won't even talk money)! It is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one.

I want this post to be a shout out to the program and to Full Sail and all the excellent staff (and students) I've worked with on this program. You've made the process bearable, and taught me a lot about technology and much more over the course of this program. I'm happy to have been a part of a program with such wonderful goals and aspirations for its students. I'm also happy to have been part of a program that is so practical and truly allows its students to engage in real life, applicable studies.

I can't wait to apply what I've learned at Full Sail to my teaching next year, when I have time to implement it and reflect on all I've learned over the summer. The gift of a Mac I can use at school, as well as all the fabulous programming will certainly not hurt me in my classroom. I can't wait to use free time this summer to go to Lynda.com and search for tutorials I didn't have time to view before. This will be an exciting summer and school year to follow!

Week 4 Reaction Post - Publishing 3

So I have found some journals I could publish to. I still haven't found anywhere to present my information. I did find an email from Joe Bustillos especially interesting, however. I kept thinking I had to create a presentation or write an article detailing most of my action research.

Then I found I only had to do the publishing part of the assignment on one portion or detailed part of my action research, and that made everything seem so much easier. A burden was lifted off my shoulders. Now I'm a lot more excited to get published, and wish I could find a place to present, not just get published in article form!

The great thing is, now I can do an article, and later present at a conference when one becomes available. I am so excited to do this, and my personal goal is to be published before the start of next school year. So my next step is to continue to prepare my write-up of my work, and to continue to narrow the market of where I will publish.

Week 4 Reaction Post - Trisha C

-”The action in this graceful game is ongoing integration. One by one, you bring everything tou have been resisting into the fold. You, as the board, make room for all the moves, for the capture of the knight and the sacrifice of your bishop, for your good driving and the accident, for your miserable childhood and the circumstances of your parents’ lives, for your need and another’s refusal. Why? Because that is what is there. It is the way things are.” (p.146)

Religious beliefs aside, we as human beings have been given/granted the freedom of choice and/or “Free Will.” We could all fall victim of circumstance, but it is what we chose to do with those circumstances that define who we are. By “becoming the board”, we become in essence the beacon of our own possibilities.

-”I have come to realize that people will do what they want to do ---which means that sometimes they will come to rehearsals and sometimes they won’t---and i must respect their decisions.” (p.153)

Ben has spoken much truth in his letter to Cora. I have to admit that although I have come to the same realization many times, I am still not at 100% of acceptance and continue to have this inner battle through the years that I have taught. I have let the fact that maybe not every student shares the excitement I have for a new unit or the literature get in the way of enjoying teaching the lesson. Each time I would let the hurt I felt chip away at how passionate I am about the subject matter. I am getting better and I revert to the words of my department head, “Your are the teacher, any tears shed should be theirs for the poor decisions THEY have made.” I am working on “Becoming the Board!”

WK Four-Being the Board

Sunday, May 23, 2010

1 Comment

Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 07:48 PM

Therese Lunsford

Trisha,

First I want to thank you for the comments on my last post. You speak encouraging words!

Second, I wanted to comment on this week's reading. I just wanted to congratulate you on being a reflective thinker. When I read the chapters, I often think of specific stories, students, or situations that the stories in the book would apply to in my life. I identify with your department head's comment, that student's poor decisions are their responsibility. While it's easy to say, it isn't easy to follow through, when some students seem to care less about themselves than we do. I'm currently struggling with high absenteeism this trimester at the high school, and kids who won't graduate unless they pass my class, since it's a requirement at the state level. I have to remind myself that it is their decision, and they can graduate this summer, (later) not now doesn't mean not ever. And it is their decision, not mine. Again, easy to say, not easy to understand. I also am working at "Becoming the Board...." luck to both of us! :)

Week 4 Reaction Post - Mel Rainey

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Mel Rainey 2010523 wk3 presentation possibilities.

Well over the past week, with ending school year stuff, I was able to get ideas of presenting at the Ohio Art Educators Association conference, Elyria City Schools Art Department professional development day and Elyria High Schools technology professional development seminar. I am limited to funds and time this year for presenting but that is my best option right now. I am looking at presenting with a key note presentation that includes my action research and the lesson possibilities in using technology as a tool. We shall see.

Week 4 Reaction Post - Reading Reaction Video

Here's a video response to this week's reading. Enjoy!

Week 3 Reaction Post - Lina Valery

Lina Valery's post:

In this interview Ron Smith shared a very interesting point with Dr. Ludgate and this is actually one of my “selling points” when it comes to homeschool parents incorporating more technology tools in their lessons. It is no secret that it takes a great deal of preparation for teachers to create media, digital stories, and e-learning tools to incorporate into their lessons. Yet, this prep work allows more one on one and independent learning when it comes to the actual lesson implementation.

This year I have begun implementing this theory with my own learners and while the road has been a bit bumpy, I must say this is due more to the fact that I am trying to incorporate what I am learning at Full Sail as I go. Although I know I’ll be able to do this more realistically once I have graduated, it’s important to keep in mind that with technology there is no finish line. There is always something new to learn and apply.

Still, this year has taught me a great deal about planning and organization. There are so many simple things I can incorporate into my daily life that could make me more efficient in the long run. Labeling pictures and videos with more detailed descriptions, keeping clean computer file folders, subscribing to the right RSS feeds, instead of all the ones I find interesting, time blocking, and one of my favorites using an online time tracker so that online research doesn’t turn into online surfing.

My reaction to Lina's post:

1 Comment

Therese Lunsford

Lina,

Wow, I can't believe how many things I identify with in your blog!

First, I felt the same way about the video for class. We can use media we create again and again, and that is one great argument for your case.

I have also been wanting to incorporate what I learn as I go, as you have, so you much be managing your time well, because I have found that impossible! I cannot wait until graduation to apply my new skills. I may be teaching a whole new curriculum next year, so I haven't put a lot of effort in to creating media I won't be able to keep. Hopefully next year I'll be able to do so, so long as I keep up with technology, as you point out one needs to do!

Good luck in all your efforts, especially organizing and staying focuses. That is a hard task, but from what I've seen of your work, it seems you are doing a truly GREAT job! (You and just a few others are the ones I look to for setting the standard!)

Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 05:11 PM