Wk4_Publishing_Leadership_ThinkingAloud#3

After further investigation and research in submitting to the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, I have decided that that is not the best journal for my paper. I found an article from the journal that details important information of how to successfully publish in the journal. Based on that article, I felt it best to submit to another journal. As a result, I have chosen the Electronic Journal for the Integration of Technology in Education.

Wk4_Blog#4

Wk4Publishing_Leadership_ThinkAloud#1

Those of you who have discovered a little about me may know that my passion is Technology in the Classroom and it would stand to reason that I would logically choose to present my AR findings at a technology conference somewhere. However, many of the conferences have Fall or Winter submission deadlines that is not working out for me. The course directors and Roxanne DeLeon have done a superb job in walking us through this process that make taking the next step of collecting all the information currently on my website and flowing it into a publishable paper a very sensible option. Interactive Whiteboards have a tendency to steal away the show with all of their bell and whistle capabilities and I would like my research and findings to speak for themselves. I know how technically savvy a SMARTBoard can be; and, believe me, they can and do speak for themselves. So, I will be stepping out of my “project oriented” safe zone and try the not-so-comfortable Journal/Publication route this time.

I just want to add that the Week 4 Project Presentation WIMBA was totally awesome. I chose Tuesday and presented with only three incredible presenters. It was an incredible time of sharing that I will not forget. I plan to listen to the Wednesday night session as well. I am very fortunate for taking this journey with each of you. Thank you for enriching my life.

Wk4_Comment#2_SabrinaGiroux

Comment to Sabrina Giroux

The Art of Possibility is a book I hope to pick up and read again some day. It's so easy to be engaged with these wonderful ideas - most of which I have already bought into. The problem lies in those times when life gets a little too busy and a little too crazy. It can be easy to fall back into old patterns and habits at those times or when the pessimists around me think I live in a fantasy world. 

So, I am incorporating some new goals into my life. 

 Rule Number Six becomes rule #1 for me.

Everyone gets an A. I will not judge others.  If there is need for a change, 

I will change myself so that I can make a difference and be a contribution to others.

I will accept the way things are and pursue all of the 

possibilities that are available for me there.

I will not try to pressure or cajole others to see my way. 

Instead I will enroll them in the possibility that they will be enriched and rewarded.

 My vision will be limitless. I will take time to reflect and dream.

I will envision a future filled with possibility. 

Then, I will set out to share the spark and light fires.

One of my favorite stories in this book is when Zander brought letters from Walnut Hill school to read to the employees he was speaking to at NASA. The letters were powerful and really touched the employees and re-ignited a spark that reminded them why they chose their professions. It is amazing that a class discussion lead to incredible visions of space that were shared with NASA and are now circling the earth. My wish for all of my EMDT classmates is that you all will have many such moments that re-ignite your passion and sustain your vision as you go out and move mountains.

Photo courtesy of www.photos8.com

@Sabrina
I was also inspired by The Art of Possibilities. I hope to get the hard copy and read it this summer. Adopting the bullet points and rules you pointed out should bring you many rewards in life. I always struggle with the old saying that “it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks”. However, even though I would not have reacted the same way as June one of the most empowering stories for me was “Have the Best Sex Ever”. I happened to be experiencing something that same day that I could practice looking at my
Calculating self to change my reaction to situations in my life that I can’t control. I definitely experienced some sculpting in myself while reading the book that day. Like you, I also loved the “Giving everyone an A” chapter. It probably was my favorite chapter. Good luck.

Wk4_Comment#1_PaulDeVoto

Comment to Paul DeVoto

Wk 4 - The Art of Possibility

I loved the story of Anthony, the student who was asked to come onto the stage and lead the orchestra. I enjoyed even more that this opportunity was made possible because Benjamin Zander paid attention to the crowd. This boy’s life was likely changed forever by this experience, and it was just one of many empowering moments he and the orchestra were able to gift to the under-privileged kids. This idea of enrollment, which is “the art and practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share” resonates strongly with me because I feel that that is an art I have had to work on daily as a teacher.

Often I have a lesson plan that is awesome. Surprisingly to me, the students don’t seem to respond to the lesson idea in the same way I had anticipated. In these cases, it’s my job to enroll the students so that they

it that way. I try to help them understand that every perceived negative experience or problem lies an opportunity. Regular examples helps to reinforce this concept, but many people I find seem to enjoy being the victim see the potential value in the lesson. Once they buy in to the idea they become an active partner in the work and the learning increases tremendously. In this case, as Mr. Zander says “lighting sparks from person to person, scattering light in all directions.”

The concept of being the board and accepting responsibility for everything that happens to you

is also an empowering practice. I often try to teach my students that they are only victims in life if they see.

 Photo courtesy of www.photos8.com

@Paul Devoto

I was also moved by Benjamin Zander’s choice to change Anthony’s life by empowering others, so this really touched my heart. I feel uninspired sometimes when I have planned an incredible lesson plan and the students don’t want to participate. In high school, it is mostly laziness. However, if I stick with it a student goes above and beyond the standards set and produces an awesome project. It is within my personality to praise them and announce to the rest of the class that they have been successful. My students will stop their own work to go and view their fellow student’s progress. They are very encouraging to each other and also ask each other for help. I also collect their amazing work to show the administrators and they take the time to compliment the students in passing. So keep up the awesome work and watch out for those occasional moments that are the reason we are teachers.

Wk4_Reading_Assignment_Blog#1

Photo courtesy of www.photos8.com

Okay, I have agreed with most of the sections of this book up until now. I have to put my foot down on the Being the Board chapter. To a certain extent, yes, we need to take responsibility for the known risks we have put ourselves victim of. Take for example you decide to build a house on a flood plain as in the example in the book, you should not be devastated and blame others for the declaring yourself an unwilling victim of a known risk. However, we cannot always foresee the future, and sometimes, bad things happen to good people. I will not twist the situation so that I will somehow blame myself for every situation. It just might be someone else’s fault.

When you are in a position of leadership and you assume responsibility for failure at some level; I get that. I am the Yearbook Advisor for the district and try to allow the students as much freedom of responsibility and creativity as possible. However, when push comes to shove, the District will not blame or fire students; it will be the teacher that will feel the conviction. I am upfront and honest with my students while they choose every opportunity to put off their chores to make sure the Yearbook is completed in a timely manner. I call myself the Queen of the classroom and it has sent the appropriate message.  Time will tell.

Wk4_Publishing_Leadership_Project

Once I decided to write a paper, I was thrown into deciding which journal to submit the paper to. I narrowed my choices down to Journal of Technology and Teachers Education and eSchool News. I have decided that my Action Research Paper would best fit in the Journal of Technology and Teachers Education. I personally love to read eSchool News; however, I do not remember seeing a lot of scholarly papers published in it although they do accept them.  I feel that the subject matter and format will best fit the Journal of Technology and Teachers Education.

After further research and investigation, I have decided to submit for publication to the Electronic Journal for the Integration of Technology in Education. This has been a last minute change that I feel is very significant for my publishing success.


http://tracybockler.blogspot.com/2011/03/wk4publishingleadershipthinkaloud1.html
http://tracybockler.blogspot.com/2011/03/wk3publishingleadershipthinkingaloud2.html
http://tracybockler.blogspot.com/2011/03/wk4publishingleadershipthinkingaloud3.html

Bockler_Tracy_PubLeadProject

Wk4_Publishing_Leadership_ThinkingAloud#2

Once I decided to publish a paper, I was then thwarted into the task of deciding which one that would be. I viewed all of the websites in Dr. Bedard’s list and added a few of my own selections as well. I narrowed it down to three possibilities. Computing In Education, Journal of Technology and Teacher Education and eSchool News seem to be publications that Interactive Whiteboard Training would fit well in. It seemed important to me that APA formatting be one of the guidelines for submission since the project has been written in that format from the beginning. It also seemed important to verify the requested length and several of the journals requested papers with 1000 words or less and we are being asked to write 2000 words. After viewing the actual publications, I don’t think a scholarly paper will fit in with the format of eSchool News although it certainly draws my attention. I have decided on Journal of Technology and Teacher Education to publish my paper on Interactive Whiteboard Training. Good luck to each of you in your search as well.

Wk4Publishing_Leadership_ThinkAloud#1

Those of you who have discovered a little about me may know that my passion is Technology in the Classroom and it would stand to reason that I would logically choose to present my AR findings at a technology conference somewhere. However, many of the conferences have Fall or Winter submission deadlines that is not working out for me. The course directors and Roxanne DeLeon have done a superb job in walking us through this process that make taking the next step of collecting all the information currently on my website and flowing it into a publishable paper a very sensible option. Interactive Whiteboards have a tendency to steal away the show with all of their bell and whistle capabilities and I would like my research and findings to speak for themselves. I know how technically savvy a SMARTBoard can be; and, believe me, they can and do speak for themselves. So, I will be stepping out of my “project oriented” safe zone and try the not-so-comfortable Journal/Publication route this time.

Wk3_Comment2_TamikaDavis

Abstract Lamp Photo is courtesy of www.photos8.com

 

 

http://ttwit.blogspot.com/

Tamika's blog is a video podcast and can be seen by clicking on the link above.

@Tamika

Lightening up and going to a more authentic approach to teaching is a great idea, however, my administrators would need to read the Art of Possibility too. They place guidelines such as class plan deadlines, teaching from bell to bell and a certain number of assignments and tests due each grading period so that they have something to refer to if asked by a parent. We are held to a higher standard by state regulations, as you mentioned, district policies and parent concerns which sometimes dampen our ability to authenticate our teaching style. What a marvelous concept it is to just let us teach from the heart.

 

Wk3_Comment1_MikePadilla

Colorful Graffiti Art photo courtesy of www.photos8.com

 

The Art of Possibility continues to inspire me. The book has so many positive messages in all of its chapters and I’m glad that it was chosen as the book that we focus on this month.
In the 5th chapter, Any Chair, the book focuses on how we should not just command and tell people what to do, however, we must sometimes trust people to shine on their own and to do their part. As a teacher, I am in charge of 95 students throughout the year, and while I’m so used to just telling my students what to do for their projects, I am reminded that I need to give them freedom to do their work to the best of their abilities, without me dictating each step. Especially in a creative class like mine, the students need to be given room to shine on their own.

I also like how the chapter said that everyone makes mistakes, including those in charge, and when we mess up, it’s better to apologize instead of blaming others or making excuses.

Chapter 6 focuses on the “Rule Number 6”, which basically tells us that we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously. This one change in attitude can completely change the climate in which we work with others. Overall, this chapter focused on lightening up, getting over ourselves, and using humor to bring people together – all things that I completely agree with!

I really liked the message of the 7th chapter, The Way. It started off great with a quote from Babe, “The only way to find happiness is to accept that the way things are is the way things are” and then went on to counter that point throughout the chapter. Just as the book stated, when we aren’t happy with how a situation is, we tend to focus all of our energy on how things SHOULD be, rather than how things really are, and then in turn, “we lose our power to act effectdively.” I like the way the message implies that while one thing may seem bad to us, it may have other hidden, good meanings (rain being bad for a FL vacation, but being good for the amazing FL oranges!)

The 8th chapter, Giving Way To Passion focuses on letting go of what holds us back, breaking through barriers, and letting our passion surge through. We shouldn’t let anything hold us back from our passion.
This reminds me of another quote from The Alchemist, “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." - Paul Coelho, The Alchemist

@Mike,

The “From the Chair” chapter affected me as well. As you well know, High School students don’t want to constantly hear directives yelled out to them. They want to know that they are being heard as well and that they opinion matters. You will achieve more from your students if you stop to listen to what they have to say in addition to what you want them to learn.

And, I want the students to learn from their mistakes and, most importantly, my mistakes along the journey. It puts us on a different plane when they realize that I make mistakes too and we are on this journey together. However, someone has to be the leader and as long as they remember that role is mine when they walk into my classroom, we are good.

 

Wk_3_Blog#1_ReadingAssignment

"Covering One Eye" Photo courtesy of www.photos8.com

“Have the Best Sex Ever”

This story has hit too close to my life for comfort. I could be June, although, I would never go back to my narcissistic ex-husband to play that game. However, after almost four years of divorce, I do feel it is time to ask myself “What of my calculating self would have to change for me to be completely fulfilled?" All of the memories of the anger and resentment of the past sneak up on me whenever I am forced to be in the near vicinity of my kid’s father for their sakes. He still finds ways to disappoint and hurt my oldest by the things he says and does; and, at times, the things he doesn’t say and do. I wonder if I will ever be able to be in the same room with him without the flooding of the horrific emotional memories overwhelming me every time. Reading this story helped me to see how I could possibly turn it around and take ownership of the reaction I allowed his presence to have over me. I could never change him no matter how hard I tried, and my kids and I are much better off now for walking away. If I am able to recognize my calculating self in this situation, I might be able to free myself from the emotional embattlement I subject myself to. It will make me a happier and more fulfilled parent of my three great kids.

Wk3_Blog#4_WIMBA_Session

"Weird Artwork" Photo courtesy of www.photos8.com

WK3_BLOG#4_WIMBA

The Week 3 WIMBA was awesome this week and I am very disappointed that my WIMBA wasn’t connecting correctly so that I could have participated. I appreciate the opportunity to view archived sessions; however, I much prefer participating in the active sessions.

I watched the Van Halen video “Right Now” this past weekend and had my sixteen-year-old son watch it also. He is a big music buff and I had to explain the video to him. I thoroughly enjoyed that! The impact of the video was incredible and its significance crosses many generations. I would like to show it to my Video Production students and discuss types of projects that they could produce that would have similar affects.

One of the setbacks of watching the archive is not being able to respond to the poll questions. Had I been present, I would have responded as follows.

Poll Question 1:

Art of Possibility:  How is the Art of Possibility different from Power of Positive Thinking or Oprah’s “The Secret”?  Are they the same or different?

I have not read “Power of Positive Thinking” or Oprah’s “The Secret”; however, I believe that open mindedness and thinking of the possibilities that are attainable through hard work is the ultimate purpose of the “Art of Possibility”.

Poll Question 2:

Art of Possibility:  Which chapters meant the most to you and why?

The Chapter that meant the most to me would have to be a tie between “Giving an A” and “9 Dots & Thinking Outside the Box”. Giving an A changing the way you deal with people and what you get out those same people in return. The 9 Dots & Thinking Outside demonstration shows how to create more possibilities in every situation you encounter.

Poll Question 3:

Art of Possibility:  What things are you going to take from the reading and use in your teaching and your life?

Currently, Giving an A really hit home with me and how I teach and relate with my students and want to relate with my future students. The 9 dots and thinking outside the box and increasing the possibilities are also important.

I am still reading the book and enjoying the lessons I am learning from it.

Wk_2_Comment_2_ElijahDuncan

 

Photo courtesy of www.photos8.com

@Elijah Duncan Week 2 Reading

The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander, opens with the notion that all is invented, so why not invent your own possibilities. This notion invites the reader into perpetual state of creation and is relevant to relationships, organizations, and art. I appreciate that the focus here is not on making that perception a reality, but instead asks as to use the invented perspective to examine what new choices and possibilities have arisen.

As a teacher, Ben Zander proposed that at the start of his classes he gives every student an "A." The result was more passionate students, ones that, on their own, were able to achieve more than Zander could have hoped. His premise is that if your teacher, manager, significant other, gives you an "A" at the start, you may be surprised at the extraordinary things that you will accomplish. As an educator I see true value in this practice. However, I wish he would have advised us on what happens when a student writes a beautiful letter, and then fails to show up for class the next 9 weeks. This of course illustrates my own inner cynic.

The Zanders have an art for illustrating their message with incredible simplicity. I certainly appreciate the approach as I begin to apply the practices to my own life, but it also left me very frustrated at points throughout the reading.

Elijah,

It gives me a sense of hope to view the focus as creating our own possibilities and examining what new choices and possibilities are available. The illustration of giving his students an A at the beginning of class struck me as well. Many of the students at our school don’t receive positive reinforcement and validation in their lives. The positive impact sometimes is what I have bestowed upon them. When a child is empowered with the belief that someone cares it enables them to conquer the rough experiences they have to endure each day.

Tracy Bockler

Wk_2_Comment_1

@Mark Dohn “I Can’t Drink The Punch”

It started today: Test Prep.

   On Monday, I received this monstrous, convoluted table of where I need to be and who’s class I need to cover while teachers work with groups of students. So today, at the appropriate time, I arrived at the gymnasium with 200 eighth graders. They were ushered in and sat down on the hardwood floor.

   For the next thirty minutes they were verbally assaulted by the chair of our Science Department about astronomy. They were told how he helped to write the test, and that they would do better if they listened to his endless list of astronomy facts. We don’t teach to the test...we just cram for it!

   A year ago I would have been positive. A team player telling the students how this was a necessary evil in education today. Twelve months later and one month from finishing my degree here at Full Sail, and I cannot stomach it any more.

I cannot live with it. I cannot condone it. Standardized testing is simply wrong. Judging kids according to their performance with a Number 2 pencil is a disservice, and it needs to end.

Mark D., I can’t agree more. I was working with a student this week that struggles with Math and when he gets in front of a standardized test, he completely freezes up. And, unfortunately there are a lot of teachers that have learned to teach to the test. It is rare prize to find a teacher with passion for learning still burning within.

I feel blessed that I found a graduate school that encourages the project based assessment style of teaching. It has allowed me to keeping that passion for learning technology burning inside me. I hope that I can ignite that flame to others teachers one at a time. I do not know what I will do with myself, when I don’t have Full Sail EMDT in my life! I know I am going to miss it!

Tracy Bockler

Photo courtesy of photos8.com

Wk_2Blog#4FreeChoice_PollEverywhere

Photo of cell phones are courtesy of www.photos8.com.

Don't fight your technology native students, join them with Poll Everywhere.

Wk_2 Reading_It's All About Perspective

Photo is courtesy of www.photos8.com

It is all about perception. We receive information vital to our survival within the environment we are placed in. There are very few situations that we would benefit from the superhero abilities such as night vision or super sensitive hearing. We are equipped with the abilities that we need for most situations. And, to be truly successful, we need to think outside the box and ask ourselves two questions. “What assumption am I making, that I’m not aware I’m making, that gives me what I see? And “What might I now invent, that I haven’t yet invented, that would give me other choices?” Only then would you truly have the information to solve the problem where four lines could do the work of five.

The idea of giving the students, employees or audience you are addressing an A changes your perspective in addressing them and your purpose for addressing them which will in turn have an effect on their perspective of being addressed. It essentially put a positive spin on the event that overwrites any negativity such as fear, nerves or apprehension of any kind. My principal has a quote at the end of every email that says something to the effect of  "A student will not care, until they know that you care." I think showing the students that we care is very similar to giving them A for future efforts, or validating their existence. We have many students at the school that would only receive an A in their lives from us while they are at school and their behavior reflects that. If we started off class everyday by giving them a A, how would that affect their performance that day? It might be worth the experiment.

Zander, B. & Stone Zander, R. 2000. The art of possibility. Boston, Massachusetts.

Wk1_Free Post_Discussion_Topic#1

Topic #1

Our Future Farmers of America group had a banquet last year and the students made a PhotoStory of their year in photos. These particular girls are rather independent and didn’t ask for help. The music did not save correctly. So I ran to my room and retrieved the CD that we played over the sound system as the PhotoStory played. A classy, quick move to save the show.

Wk1_Comment 2 to Mike Padilla’s Blog

From the Discussion Board
Topic #1: Briefly share an experience about using media (visual and/or auditory) in class or during a presentation, focus your comment on any work-arounds or solutions you used when the tech wasn’t quite working or when the tech wasn’t adequate to do what you had originally planned.

Each year, my class is in charge of producing a four hour live televised fund-raising event. This even (the Cablethon) is the biggest fundraiser for Project Graduation and it’s a huge endeavor for my students to be able to host, setup, perform, use professional equipment, direct, and everything in between. One year, just as we started the show… we found out that we were being aired on the wrong channel! Several parents called in to say they don’t see us, and it turns out, we were on channel 77 instead of channel 78 for the first 15 minutes of the show. As frustrated as I was, I tried hard to maintain composure so that my students wouldn’t go crazy. We continued the show as planned while I called the cable company to figure the situation out. I also had students text all their family and friends about the new channel we were on. Sure enough, the Cable company fixed the issue and then we had to have all the students call/text their family and friends to change the channel back to the original channel! Despite this intense dilemma, it was an incredible show and one of our biggest fundraisers ever!

...I'm almost done planning and preparing for the 2011 Cablethon. Here's hoping that it goes smoothly and successfully!

@Mike Padilla

That is an awesome opportunity for your students, Mike. Remaining calm in a tense situation is the perfect role modeling for your students.

I teach Video Production also; however, we have had problems downloading our video clips to the computers this year. So, I have revamped the class to viewing and critiquing videos to learn the basics of Video Production and to brainstorm how the filming was completed. We hope to be filming again soon!

Wk1_Comment 1 to Mark Dohn’s Blog Post

It’s  been creeping around in my head for months. Ever since it was mentioned in a Wimba and was met with a collective gasp from everyone on the call...Ok, so I couldn’t actually HEAR the gasp, but I know that everyone did and maybe, just maybe, someone typed a “GASP!”

It was a horror that was almost incomprehensible: A month 11 student had lost their Action Research website. It crashed. Gone. LOST. Chills down my spine, red lights and alarms clanging in my head. Sweat even broke out on my forehead. “I’m saving and backing my stuff up tonight!” I thought to myself. Fully 5 months later have I done one little bit of saving?

Nope.

I know it’s there. I know the risks, and yet I continue to procrastinate. The feeling of dread is growing. “It’s going to happen to you because you’ve been lazy, and overconfident” my mind keeps warning me. Yet still I ignore it.

I find it interesting the times when I’m proactive and when I’m passive. What deserves my full attention, and what only gets 75%. I’ve spent hours of mulling this over (yes, when I could have been backing up the website!). So now I’m announcing that I am backing up my Action Research website!

Tomorrow.

It’s late and I’m tired. 

Trace Bockler

@Mark Dohn
You never cease to amaze me, Mark! You are a very comical person and I enjoy reading your blogs and discussion posts. I, too, was on that WIMBA call with you and remember the same feeling of dread. However, I got an external hard drive and have been backing up my work ever since. I truly believe it is paranoia that drives me! I can share some of my extra paranoia if you need some motivation.

Trace Bockler

Thursday, March 3, 2011 - 09:31 PM

Wk1_Blog#1_Copyright_Issues

Tribute to Bob Marley compliments

of www.vectorportal.com

Mixing music, is it lawful? You are creating something using existing produced media. Maybe that is why they call it “mixing” because you are not entirely creating something new. The basis of understanding here is that you need to get permission.

The original artist should be protected. Some of the media created through mixing is unbelievable; however, it is unlawful none-the-less. Requiring permission is not unrealistic. Everyone is respected and protected this way. I am bothered by the myth that states if you don’t charge for it, it’s not a violation. Not everything is about money; but what is important here is the “right” to the media.