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

Week 3 Reaction Post - Holly Leibham

Holly Leibham's post:

So my search has begun for journals or magazines where I feel would be good places to see about getting my article published. I am looking at NEA Today, Education Week, Teacher Magazine and Teaching Pk-8. I think these four places are a great jumping off point for me. Now that my summary is complete I need to focus on my website and writing my article. It is a little hard to get a handle on because I have never done this before. So I feel kinda blind going into this. I am happy that we are talking about them in wimba but still a little nerve racking and scary for me. I am hoping to get some great headings and then kinda piece my article together through the use of my website since that seems like it might be the easiest and work... we'll see! Off to work. Leaving you with a funny comic.

And her comic:

My reaction:

Holly, I'm in the same boat as you! I've narrowed down my search, but I've had a slight setback. I planned to publish by presenting at a local conference. Now after researching the website, I found the conference is not for the upcoming school year, but the one after that! So I wouldn't be able to present until 2011, and I'm not sure how well that will go over with Full Sail! So I may be starting fresh again, since I cannot afford to present at the conference next year, since it is away. Good luck in your search, I know making my decision wasn't easy, and when I made it, I was excited! So hopefully something similar will work out for me, and I hope you have no similar set backs! :)

Week 3 Reaction Post - Publishing 2 -MAEA?

I just found out something quite exciting. One place I could possibly present my action research is at the Michigan Art Education Association annual conference. The conference will be coming soon to Mt. Pleasant. I work for Mt Pleasant schools and live just 20 minutes outside of the city now. The great thing about that is, I didn’t know of any appropriate arts conferences I could present at besides this one. The cost of presenting out of my area would be too much. Last year the district paid for my conference attendance from money set aside for mentors and mentees. My mentee experience ended last year, so that $250 wasn’t available this year, and certainly won’t be next year. With the cost of all the fees associated with the conference, the $250 wouldn’t have been enough to pay for the fees and the additional hotel stay for last year’s conference, but luckily, the conference was held in Grand Rapids and my parents lived nearby. So I was able to afford the conference because the district was paying for the fees, and having someone to stay with made the conference affordable.

Having the conference within traveling distance should allow me to be able to afford to attend the conference. The only unfortunate thing is that even if you present at the conference (instead of attend as a participant), you still have to pay the same amount for the conference. I think if you present, you should either not have to pay at all, or get a reduced fee. But that’s just my personal gripe.

The only other hiccup I foresee is that I would miss two school days for the conference, and I might have to pay for my subs out of pocket. As districts are crunching the numbers and reducing and cutting, I know one reduction they keep making in our district is to cut our coverage by subs. If you’ll be out for any reason other than illness or bereavement, getting subs paid for by the district becomes an issue of late.

Other than some financial concerns, having the conference in my city of employment is very exciting, and will make my decision and process for publication so much easier.

Week 3 Reaction Post - Reaction to Reading

A few things this week moved me in this week’s reading. The first was the idea of downward spiral talk. I’ve had several dreams and ideas over the years, and unfortunately have learned not to share these with many of my friends and family. There are some I can share these thoughts and ideas with, but I’ve become a bit jaded when it comes to sharing with those who are dream stompers.

When it comes to dreams, passion is usually what ignites them. I identified with two stories in the last chapter for this week, the first was about Roz at the service station. When motivated by a dream, we can ask for something we normally couldn’t ask for. The other story was about a failing school and a dream to introduce music to the students there.

Every educator should be able to identify with a story about using our passion to reach students. Often I think that there is a fear that if one is too passionate we will alienate some students. While this may be true, we should be more concerned about alienating a greater number by lacking passion. It’s so easy to think it’s the kids who are unmotivated instead of that we may not be the teachers we wish to be. So educators need to reflect and think whether or not we are doing everything in our power to motivate all our students. While I truly believe it is unrealistic to think we will be able to hook every single kid every single time, I do think we should at least try. If we do our best bang up job, we can at least say we gave it our all.

Now if only I had that mindset and energy to follow through every day I teach! But I can work on it…..(to be continued!)

Week 3 Reaction Post - Publishing 1

JjfjgjlllllllqqqqqsssMyMy fsWWosl

Here’s a short video reflection on some publishing options for my action research project.