CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 2

Stacie's MAC Blog -

ALWAYS CONTRIBUTE

There is deep pain derived from judging ourselves against one another.That’s why I love the chapter on being a contribution. The game of contributing is a profound idea to a culture that measures everyone to one another. For those who don’t feel they add up, which probably defines most of us, they can always contribute. Success and failure no longer play a role, but our own standard of contributing to the world around us is now the driving force behind our actions and motivations. While I would like to say I am going to turn a corner and no longer compare myself to others, I realize the reality is that this concept will take time to master, possibly the rest of my life. However, as an educator, I realize that I can begin speaking to students early on about being a contribution instead comparing themselves to one another. This could possibly save them from the stress of impressing others or succumbing to the pressures of our culture’s standards of success.

As far as my career, I have specific ideas that follow the practice of contributing.

ms.stacey said...

Sometimes we tend to forget that we all offer a gift whether we see it or not. Making sure that what you do offers a chance and can make a difference is why I think it makes most of us become educators. We give others opportunities and many times without judgement.

Stacie I think that those students you meet in your classroom are gaining so much from you just being there!

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 2

Quinn Brown writes:

Using My Contributions to Learn from Any Chair while Remembering Rule Number 6

Success and failure is hard concept that not even I have mastered. I am far from it. As a student in school I knew the feeling of success and I stressed myself out to remain successful. I should have seen my success and my accomplishments as a chance to think outside of the box or take a risk. However, I saw it as a trap. I think that students are not able to escape the rules that have been set for the game of failure and success. In school students often see success and failure in a black and white perspective. They never see it in shades of grey, which they should. They don’t see the room they have to improve. They box themselves up in a failure or successful category. Zander & Zander (2000) mention contribution in Chapter 1. In the classroom students should contribute what they can to the overall learning experience. Contribution will turn into growth and growth will eventually turn into success.

ms. stacey

I believe the biggest issue that most people have is we are, are own worst critics. We tend to be harder on ourselves that others so when we are not where we think we should be or doing what we think we should be doing we get stuck and thinking outside the box becomes a struggle. But it is clear that without those struggles, failures and trys we don't grow and keep striving for success. I do think through those experiences you build a better you and you a success because you made the effort. As an educator I believe it is important the we give our students the chance to fail without penalty so they will continue to learn and try, we should provide them with the grey area in some instances. The beauty is that we give them opportunities to improve as individuals!

bring it... week 4 publishing/leadership project

Because I would love to present to other educators about building curriculum with media and technology I am interested in presenting at one of the following conferences:

OCTELA - Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts

Georgia Educational Technology Conference

and maybe even Alabama Educational Conference

publishing or presenting...week 4

Publishing or presenting, hmmm...

After having gone to so many different conferences and watched others speak my choice would be to present. I think that with these two choices I would have to say I am okay with presenting my information. I have no issues speaking in front of large or small groups especially if it is something I am passionate about. Also, if it means bringing more educators on board with merging current curriculum and technology I am willing! I think that because I have been through the experience as an educator and a student I can give both sides of the coin. I am firm believer that other teachers have a wealth of knowledge to share and we don't have to go to all these different conferences to gain the knowledge, we should be looking in halls and classrooms.

I think that each time that I have been asked to present information to others it has gotten a little easier. So I will be trying to find different places, both in the neighborhood schools, libraries and conferences to spread the word that we need to add to our focus of moving students to the 21st century! Our classrooms are the places to begin merging media and technology with curriculum!

the JOURNEY of making the difference...

"Choosing the being the board approach opens the possibility of a graceful journey, one that quickly reinstates us on the path we chose before the fateful collision intervened." After reading this I realized that most of us in the program realized that we needed to take some type of "journey" in education to make possibilities happen in our schools or even bigger the educational system. That fact that we are willing to take courses and provide this information to others proves that our "JOURNEY" is to make a difference - being the board.

We are not blaming others or ourselves for the issues in the classrooms, the homes our students come from or even the lack of materials (especially the lack of technology), but we are taking a positive action to being the board! The "JOURNEY" you take may not be a straight line, but twists and curves which allow for various experiences to open your mind and see that there is a world bigger than just your small vantage point. This practice of being the board is about making a difference and a continuing journey to offer and give others possibilities...

The Art of Possibility is a great book to experience especially for those entering or exiting a phase in your life. Zander and Zander offer a great way to think about your life and life experiences. Thanks for giving this to me!!!

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 4

CEDRIC SAYS...

“Certain things in life are better done in person.” When you want to get a feel for the other person or you want to use your personal powers of persuasion, there is nothing like being face to face with your target audience. Why do people pay so much to see motivational speakers in person? It is because they want to feel the energy of the speaker and that can only done in person. Sure, movies and videos can convey emotions such as happiness or sadness but they cannot take the place of an in person appearance. When you think about almost any type of negations it is done face to face. From government officials of one country to another negotiate climate change or union negotiators negotiating with management over contract issues. Face to face meetings are powerful.

ms. stacey says...

After reading your comment I must agree with "certain things in life are better done in person", it is part of being educated. After this experience and especially these last few classes I must say that I needed to be in person to ask questions and get a feel of what was required of me. I am read the words by our professor and I become very confused and uncertain on how to complete certain task. Perhaps if I were able to negotiate and discuss with the professors face to face I may not have been so easy to get frustrated and give up. By emailing and having to wit for a response I got stuck and had no where to turn so I reached my saturation point and couldn't give anymore. So yes I agree some things are better left to personal meetings... I think of others not so personal, a break up, firing from a job and message to let someone know that you are proud of them are great reasons to be face to face!

ClASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 4

MAC Wk 4 - To Publish or Not to Publish?

That is the question. Well, that's not really the question. The question is: To Publish or to Present?

Well, I really don't like giving presentations. I get really bad stage fright.

Even sitting here typing this post is kind of making me nervous.

Yet, despite all this, I would rather present my work than publish it.

I would really like the personal connection that I won't be able to get if

I simply publish my work. If I were to present it, I might make a connection

with an educator that wouldn't necessarily have time to read certain publications.

I can tell stories, I can make it more personal, I can make it real. When you

publish this type of academic work, you don't necessarily get that opportunity.

ms.stacey said...

I think the best presenter are those who have been through the experience.

Then tend to have the best at giving a wealth of knowledge and you are

probably outstanding. The fact that you have something to give

others is a start to being an effective presenter. We have all been to

conferences and realized that this person is only basing their information off

research and not necessarily from personal experience and we as educators

find ourselves tuning them out! I think you are probably a great presenter and

if you present more you will be fabulous... But publishing you work is great

too, so just go for it either way, make sure you get the information out there!

By the way I love the title!