Charlie Willis
This is me
Friday, June 24, 2011
Week 4 Free post
Week 4 response to Nancy
Nancy's original posting:
As I stated earlier, this book is an incredible guide that offers explanations, conversations and suggestions on how to live a melodic life. Like a musician, these concepts take practice. Exercising all that has been gifted to us in this book, doesn’t guarantee a better life, but a more peaceful, cohesive and harmonious life. I appreciate the entire positive view, especially when, due to my graduation, will embark on a new cycle in my life.
My response:
Nancy, Nancy, Nancy...leave it to you to come up with "Melodic life" as a title for this posting. What a wonderful title and idea. When you said that this book is a guide, you were spot on. I mean, think about this...if the world could read this and put it into practice, imagine what it would be like. (oh wow, I sound like John Lennon) You are right about being the board and being able to see the big picture. And your thoughts on vision have really hit home like Megan says when she speaks of our team. What a great group, and I am truly blessed to be a part of it.
Wk4 Reading: Melodic life.
Engaging others is key to teaching. Educators need to find the happy medium where students will not only listen, but also become connected. This weeks reading mentioned that we tend to hold the spark that eventually communicates to the rest of the class. There are many traits that are contagious and unfortunately we hold back on what could potentially be an outstanding day. Something as simple as having a great attitude causes the rest of the group to change their behavior. Another great example of influence is a simple smile. Zander calls this type of “persuasion”, enrolling. It is the art of having people join you in what ever venture you set out.
Being the board is all about seeing the big picture. It is important that I view the whole scenario in order to avoid picking on the smaller pieces. This practice is not only practical, but also healthy (both physically and mentally). It, like many concepts in this book, takes a conscious effort on my part on a daily basis.
Vision is important when setting not only goals, but also aspiring dreams. Even wish lists require some type of visionary outlook in order for them to become a reality. The “we” story is something that is necessary on this interconnected world that we live in. No longer are we isolated in little lands, but rather unified. Thanks to technology and the access that many people have to the Internet, the planet has definitely become a “small world”. The motivation and engagement team has definitely witnessed the concept of “we”. Throughout the EMDT course, we have been together; supporting each other, communicating our goals, assisting in times of need and soon enough celebrating our great accomplishment.
I especially loved the story about the student named Victoria. She was “role playing” with Zander and he graciously went across the street to get Victoria something. There is so much beauty in the fact that Zander went along with her and also the fact that she too recognized him. That is the true concept of “we”, no longer being selfish but rather thinking about how every member is inclusive in order to achieve happiness. It is the art of being selfless and sacrificial.
My response:
Nancy, Nancy, Nancy...leave it to you to come up with "Melodic life" as a title for this posting. What a wonderful title and idea. When you said that this book is a guide, you were spot on. I mean, think about this...if the world could read this and put it into practice, imagine what it would be like. (oh wow, I sound like John Lennon) You are right about being the board and being able to see the big picture. And your thoughts on vision have really hit home like Megan says when she speaks of our team. What a great group, and I am truly blessed to be a part of it.
Week 4 response to Ali
Ali's original post:
I could relate to the practice of enrollment. It’s true that passion can be felt and passed on and embraced by others around you. I think it’s important to take every opportunity that comes your way especially never knowing how it will come to you. I love how the author spoke of the lesson his father taught him, that sometimes things are better done in person. I think this is important even today, with all the technology we have I think people are just so used to sending an email or a text message to communicate but with that you lose the human, emotional contact of just having a simple 10 minute conversation face to face. It’s these face-to-face conversations that affect people more than “oh I got an email from so and so.” Most of the time it’s these emails that are disregarded.
My response:
Ali, you have hit the nail on the head when you speak of how email and texts are where you lose the human aspect of things. I whole heartedly agree with you that the 10 minute conversation is s important. Face to face should be re focused in this era otherwise it will be gone. Great post, and I will call you soon.
I could relate to the practice of enrollment. It’s true that passion can be felt and passed on and embraced by others around you. I think it’s important to take every opportunity that comes your way especially never knowing how it will come to you. I love how the author spoke of the lesson his father taught him, that sometimes things are better done in person. I think this is important even today, with all the technology we have I think people are just so used to sending an email or a text message to communicate but with that you lose the human, emotional contact of just having a simple 10 minute conversation face to face. It’s these face-to-face conversations that affect people more than “oh I got an email from so and so.” Most of the time it’s these emails that are disregarded.
My response:
Ali, you have hit the nail on the head when you speak of how email and texts are where you lose the human aspect of things. I whole heartedly agree with you that the 10 minute conversation is s important. Face to face should be re focused in this era otherwise it will be gone. Great post, and I will call you soon.
Week 4 reading Chapters 9 - 12
Week 4 is upon us and I am looking at the reading for this week and thinking to myself...I have seen a movie that sounds like this. The movie was called Pay it Forward, and dealt with a young boy who devised a plan to help people make the world a better place. The movie went along with the theory that if one person does something nice for 3 people, and then those three people do something nice for 3 people...it all adds up in the long run and makes the world a better place.
Chapter 9, Lighting a Spark, and deals with how perception of a situation and the attitude that you use when dealing with that situation can make all the difference.Lighting a spark falls along the same lines as pay it forward. Doing something for someone, like Anthony in the chapter, without expecting anything in return might just lead to an even greater thing. My response to how am I paying it forward...Well, I give my students and family everything and try not to expect things back. Of course there are some things that I believe will come out of my actions. I would hope that the play I am working on, or the music that I am rehearsing, or maybe the yard I am taking care of for my family will result in a good performance or a family that appreciates what I am trying to do for them.
Chapter 10 was entitled: Being the Board, and in this chapter the authors deal with trying to change our perception. We are to think of ourselves as that playing board for the game of life. When we think of ourselves as the board rather than one of the pieces of the game, we can see what we want to see happen. I really like the fact that the authors mention again rule #6 (not taking oneself too seriously). How appropriate that being the board and rule #6 go hand in hand. The story of the violinist that came in too early really hit home with me, for I have done that once or twice (ok, probably a lot more than I want to admit).
In Chapter 11, Creating Frameworks for Possibility, the authors speak of how we can change or make different frameworks. They list 3 steps in doing this...1. Make a new distinction in the realm of possibility, 2. Enter that territory, and 3. Keep distinguishing what is on and off track. There was one particular paragraph that stood out to me in this chapter. In that paragraph the author had just finished telling the story of the little girl that had been treated for leukemia. The authors explained that in the realm of possibility there is no division between ideas and actions. The authors go on to say that leaders that become their visions are often though of as brave by the rest of us. How true that is...I think about the people that I know and admire for making a difference in so many lives and how they may have been though of as a brave person or a person that took a great chance. People like Lincoln, King, Beethoven, or even Elvis.
Finally, I come to chapter 12, The We Story. In this chapter, the author focuses on how two (or more) people can work on a togetherness or an "us." The story of the authors father telling te children about the Jews and the Arabs, and the way that the student exclaimed "What a wonderful opportunity." This is how we need to be a "We." As I contemplate the last chapter in this book, I think about some of the great "we" moments that I have had as a music teacher. I think of the choir that I taught in 1996 that won grand champion choir at Music festivals USA in Orlando, and the same choir in 1997 that won Music Festivals USA best show choir in the SE United States. I connected with those students in a special way. They sang my music and became a part of something great. I think of the musical I directed just last year. The school I was teaching at had never done a musical, and when I took that position I said we were going to. It was what was best for "us." Yes, there were trials and there were times when I thought it would not work. I am even sure that some of the students thought the same thing. But on opening night, as I sat in the pit at my piano, watching those students pull off AIDA was a remarkable feeling that I hope they will never forget. I know that I won't. I have shared my knowledge with many that are maybe not as talented as I, and I have shared with many that are much more talented than I....But that is the "we" story....the sharing and the creating of "us."
Chapter 9, Lighting a Spark, and deals with how perception of a situation and the attitude that you use when dealing with that situation can make all the difference.Lighting a spark falls along the same lines as pay it forward. Doing something for someone, like Anthony in the chapter, without expecting anything in return might just lead to an even greater thing. My response to how am I paying it forward...Well, I give my students and family everything and try not to expect things back. Of course there are some things that I believe will come out of my actions. I would hope that the play I am working on, or the music that I am rehearsing, or maybe the yard I am taking care of for my family will result in a good performance or a family that appreciates what I am trying to do for them.
Chapter 10 was entitled: Being the Board, and in this chapter the authors deal with trying to change our perception. We are to think of ourselves as that playing board for the game of life. When we think of ourselves as the board rather than one of the pieces of the game, we can see what we want to see happen. I really like the fact that the authors mention again rule #6 (not taking oneself too seriously). How appropriate that being the board and rule #6 go hand in hand. The story of the violinist that came in too early really hit home with me, for I have done that once or twice (ok, probably a lot more than I want to admit).
In Chapter 11, Creating Frameworks for Possibility, the authors speak of how we can change or make different frameworks. They list 3 steps in doing this...1. Make a new distinction in the realm of possibility, 2. Enter that territory, and 3. Keep distinguishing what is on and off track. There was one particular paragraph that stood out to me in this chapter. In that paragraph the author had just finished telling the story of the little girl that had been treated for leukemia. The authors explained that in the realm of possibility there is no division between ideas and actions. The authors go on to say that leaders that become their visions are often though of as brave by the rest of us. How true that is...I think about the people that I know and admire for making a difference in so many lives and how they may have been though of as a brave person or a person that took a great chance. People like Lincoln, King, Beethoven, or even Elvis.
Finally, I come to chapter 12, The We Story. In this chapter, the author focuses on how two (or more) people can work on a togetherness or an "us." The story of the authors father telling te children about the Jews and the Arabs, and the way that the student exclaimed "What a wonderful opportunity." This is how we need to be a "We." As I contemplate the last chapter in this book, I think about some of the great "we" moments that I have had as a music teacher. I think of the choir that I taught in 1996 that won grand champion choir at Music festivals USA in Orlando, and the same choir in 1997 that won Music Festivals USA best show choir in the SE United States. I connected with those students in a special way. They sang my music and became a part of something great. I think of the musical I directed just last year. The school I was teaching at had never done a musical, and when I took that position I said we were going to. It was what was best for "us." Yes, there were trials and there were times when I thought it would not work. I am even sure that some of the students thought the same thing. But on opening night, as I sat in the pit at my piano, watching those students pull off AIDA was a remarkable feeling that I hope they will never forget. I know that I won't. I have shared my knowledge with many that are maybe not as talented as I, and I have shared with many that are much more talented than I....But that is the "we" story....the sharing and the creating of "us."
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Week 4 publishing_Leadership Project
My CBR choices for where to try and get my article published consists of the submission to Education Technology Research and Development or the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education.Each of these sites would be a great place to have my article published...Here's hoping.
The paper that I have written is located here and I hope that it might be picked up.
Think Aloud #1
Think Aloud #2
Think Aloud #2
My second choice for publication would be the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education. The Journal of Technology and Teacher Education would be my second choice for submission because it deals with teacher inservice and is a forum for discussion. My CBR process could be used as a basis for a teacher inservice in giving teachers new insights into how to use various technologies and Web 2.0 tools in their classrooms.
Think Aloud #1
For week 4 of our MAC class at Full Sail, we are to consider presenting or publishing our work and where we would like to do that at. I am going to go the publishing route and I am thinking that I would like to consider publishing in either the Education Technology Research and Development. The Education Technology Research and Development
site is a place that deals with research at all levels and looks like my CBR would fit right in with their format. They accept papers that deal with technological research for education, which is exactly what my whole project centered around.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Week 3 free posting
I cannot believe that three weeks have gone by in this class. Time is really flying, and I do not know if it is because I am getting older or if I am just more and more excited as I close in on the goal. Reading The Art of Possibility I have came to the realization that I care about what is happening in my life, but I don't. By that I mean I have come to accept things the way they are and I am looking for what I can do with it now.
There are things that I want to do, things I want to try, but I know that I am holding myself back. Things like auditioning for a Broadway Musical in New York or telling my school board to "take this job and shove it." I might do that one day, but for right now I am ok with what is happening. Being a musician is cool, being a teacher is cool, but being a human being that strives to live that life of passion that the authors talk about...that is way cool. I want to be way cool.
There are things that I want to do, things I want to try, but I know that I am holding myself back. Things like auditioning for a Broadway Musical in New York or telling my school board to "take this job and shove it." I might do that one day, but for right now I am ok with what is happening. Being a musician is cool, being a teacher is cool, but being a human being that strives to live that life of passion that the authors talk about...that is way cool. I want to be way cool.
Week 3 response to Alx
Alx's original posting:
The Zanders are AWESOME!
This book is amazing! I love the simplicities of weaving and working around and through human nature. One take away is the idea of “conducting from any chair”. Next year, I am reworking my curriculum to include an active presence of my senior Practicum students. This year I set the bait. I already know who my Practicum kids are and took all of them aside and explained that over the summer, I wanted each of them to think about an area of Graphic Design and Illustration and the Print Imaging / Printing Center that they would like to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME). When we come to that area in the Advanced class, the SME will conduct that class as a Silent Conductor. This will accomplish two things: 1. Give them a sense of ownership in the Print Imaging / Print Center. 2. Give them a deeper understanding of what it is like to conduct a training session.
I am also going to introduce Rule #6 as a diffuser not just for my students but they will be able to invoke Rule #6 on me as well. Part of my personal goal(s) is self -understanding. I try very hard to NOT take myself to seriously when interacting with my students. Sometimes, things escalate. By giving my students the capability of telling me “Ms. E. Rule #6”, it will do a couple of things. It will give my students some needed control over a portion of their lives and keep their learning environment, at least in my classroom, a safe zone. And it gives them the ability to remind me that I am not omni-important.
I love the idea of Cosmic Laughter! We have a choice in life. We can either accept the way things currently look OR we can look beyond it and find the good in the situation. Being a teacher in a Title 1 school, I do this each and everyday. I look past the “gangbanger” attitude and find the real person behind it. Once I’m there, awesome things happen.
My response:
Alx,
I love the way that you have already planned out how to implement what the authors are teaching us. I love that fact that you are going to use Rule #6 on your students, but also allow them to use it on you. It takes great risk to try that, and I am planning on using that as well. I know if I were a teen again, I would want to take your class just because you sound like a really cool teacher. :)
The Zanders are AWESOME!
This book is amazing! I love the simplicities of weaving and working around and through human nature. One take away is the idea of “conducting from any chair”. Next year, I am reworking my curriculum to include an active presence of my senior Practicum students. This year I set the bait. I already know who my Practicum kids are and took all of them aside and explained that over the summer, I wanted each of them to think about an area of Graphic Design and Illustration and the Print Imaging / Printing Center that they would like to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME). When we come to that area in the Advanced class, the SME will conduct that class as a Silent Conductor. This will accomplish two things: 1. Give them a sense of ownership in the Print Imaging / Print Center. 2. Give them a deeper understanding of what it is like to conduct a training session.
I am also going to introduce Rule #6 as a diffuser not just for my students but they will be able to invoke Rule #6 on me as well. Part of my personal goal(s) is self -understanding. I try very hard to NOT take myself to seriously when interacting with my students. Sometimes, things escalate. By giving my students the capability of telling me “Ms. E. Rule #6”, it will do a couple of things. It will give my students some needed control over a portion of their lives and keep their learning environment, at least in my classroom, a safe zone. And it gives them the ability to remind me that I am not omni-important.
I love the idea of Cosmic Laughter! We have a choice in life. We can either accept the way things currently look OR we can look beyond it and find the good in the situation. Being a teacher in a Title 1 school, I do this each and everyday. I look past the “gangbanger” attitude and find the real person behind it. Once I’m there, awesome things happen.
My response:
Alx,
I love the way that you have already planned out how to implement what the authors are teaching us. I love that fact that you are going to use Rule #6 on your students, but also allow them to use it on you. It takes great risk to try that, and I am planning on using that as well. I know if I were a teen again, I would want to take your class just because you sound like a really cool teacher. :)
Week 3 response to Ali Weinreb
Ali's original post:
I love Rule number 6! I try to add humor to my everyday life because sometimes life does get too serious and routine. People do have to lighten up sometimes so if I can crack a joke or a “one liner” at work with co-workers or outside of work with friends, I do. I think it’s important to break the tension or stress of everyday life.
I think educators should do this as often as possible as well. It will keep students engaged and motivated while in their classroom. It will make the teacher stand out to other teachers who are boring or just lecture etc. If you can make a class laugh or relate to you, the odds of them listening to you and keeping their attention become greater.
Accepting things for what they are is a huge thing to do in one’s life. I say this all the time accept it and move on. People waste so much time and energy thinking about what they can’t control or “what ifs.” If people spent all that energy on accepting it and moving on I think people would be a happier.
I believe without passion you have nothing. I love how the author defines the two steps of giving way to passion.
1. The first step is to notice where you are holding back, and let go. Release those barriers of self that keep you separate and in control, and let the vital energy of passion surge through you, connecting you to all beyond.
I can’t agree more. I think fear is the number one factor that holds people back from really being their true self. Once that fear is gone you can focus on what makes you happy the passion everyone seeks.
2. The second step is to participate wholly. Allow yourself to be a channel to shape the stream of passion into a new expression for the world.
Once you let everything go and do what it is you love the world will benefit from it no matter what is it might be.
My Response:
Ali,
I am so impressed by your post and how you have applied the concepts the authors were talking about...probably without even knowing that you did. I have always thought that humor is a great asset and I really feel that humor can help teach a subject. I know that when you start teaching, you are going to be great because you "get it."
I love Rule number 6! I try to add humor to my everyday life because sometimes life does get too serious and routine. People do have to lighten up sometimes so if I can crack a joke or a “one liner” at work with co-workers or outside of work with friends, I do. I think it’s important to break the tension or stress of everyday life.
I think educators should do this as often as possible as well. It will keep students engaged and motivated while in their classroom. It will make the teacher stand out to other teachers who are boring or just lecture etc. If you can make a class laugh or relate to you, the odds of them listening to you and keeping their attention become greater.
Accepting things for what they are is a huge thing to do in one’s life. I say this all the time accept it and move on. People waste so much time and energy thinking about what they can’t control or “what ifs.” If people spent all that energy on accepting it and moving on I think people would be a happier.
I believe without passion you have nothing. I love how the author defines the two steps of giving way to passion.
1. The first step is to notice where you are holding back, and let go. Release those barriers of self that keep you separate and in control, and let the vital energy of passion surge through you, connecting you to all beyond.
I can’t agree more. I think fear is the number one factor that holds people back from really being their true self. Once that fear is gone you can focus on what makes you happy the passion everyone seeks.
2. The second step is to participate wholly. Allow yourself to be a channel to shape the stream of passion into a new expression for the world.
Once you let everything go and do what it is you love the world will benefit from it no matter what is it might be.
My Response:
Ali,
I am so impressed by your post and how you have applied the concepts the authors were talking about...probably without even knowing that you did. I have always thought that humor is a great asset and I really feel that humor can help teach a subject. I know that when you start teaching, you are going to be great because you "get it."
Week 3 reading Chapters 4-8
Chapter 6 is entitled Rule Number 6 and the whole jest of this chapter is to not take one's self so seriously. That does not necessarily mean to tell others that they are not important, but rather use humor and laughter to be a great remedy for people that take themselves too seriously. I love the line that says “No matter how confident or well-positioned this adult self appears, underneath the surface, it is weak and sees itself as marginal, at risk of losing everything.” How true is that for adults today. In the blink of an eye, things can change and we could end up with nothing. The picture that I have placed on this post represents the spiraling way that most people live their lives, but what if we all started living according to rule number 6...
Chapter 7's title is The Way Things Are,and it talks about hoe being present without resistance is what the way things are implies. If one accepts things the way they are , then they can ask "where do we go from here?" Accepting the way things are can lead to something different...something better...Hopefully not something worse. The question was asked, where am I in this, and I have had a ton of stuff go on in my life lately, but I know that it is hopefully leading to something bigger and better. I have put certain things behind me, accepted that they happened that way for a reason, and I am asking my self "What can I do now with the circumstances the way they are?" Time will tell.
Chapter 8 is entitled Giving Way to Passion,and talks about using the passion that is in all of us to it's full potential. What am I passionate about so that I can go BTFI stage? (that is the Beyond the F**k it Stage). I asked myself tat question and it immediately hit me that I am passionate about the way I have worked in this graduate program. I am proud of the things I have learned and that I am still learning. I am passionate about keeping the GPA that I have and hope to maintain it until graduation. My passion in my playing the violin has emerged again this last month. I had to learn a new pieces for an audition into the symphony that I play in. I feel like I reconnected with my instrument of 34 years and I don't ever want to lose that passion again.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Extra posting for week 2
Well, my website is up and hopefully fixed, my literature review is ready, I have done my posts for earlier this week, and now I am finishing up week 2. The biggest surprise to me was the book in this class. I find it captivating and easy to read and relate to. That is the sign of a good author(s) I guess and I believe the authors to have done a great job. Speaking of jobs, I went to the Full Sail campus yesterday and met some of the instructors from months past, as well as spent some time in career development thinking about and working on my resume and CV. The FS instructors were so open and inviting to the environment that they work in, I found it a place that I really want to be able to be a part of. I met Megan and we had some food at a local restaurant and had some good conversation. This week has flown by and I am looking forward to the next. Not too much longer and graduation will be upon us....Here's to a great time left.
Week 2 comments to Ali
Ali's original post:
This book had my attention from the first line when discussing the two marketing scouts sent to Africa to see what business opportunities were their for their company. There were two different opinions, the first one basically said that they don’t wear shoes there is nothing here for us. While the other one saw it as a fantastic business opportunity. This has my attention right away because it was so true. This could’ve gone either way. If they don’t wear shoes they might not be interested in the product. Or maybe they don’t wear shoes because they have no means to get to them. When talking about business it’s very important to have this view and sometimes take that risk. I completely understand this because I myself have recently started my own company and took a risk.
Possibilities are endless and this is discussed in chapter 2. The fact that you will sometimes win as well as lose is important to reach the goals you want to reach. It’s being aware of this that will make one successful and achieve all the goals they want to achieve. Staying positive is the key to success and not letting things around you get in your way or discourage you through the process.
I love the line where the author states, “Michelangelo is often quoted as having said that inside every block of stone or marble dwells a beautiful statue; one need only remove the excess material to reveal the art of work within.” This statement is so true and we are all individually great at something we just have to figure it out and everything falls into place. Having this shift in thinking will affect you in the universe. Everyone is good at something and once someone realizes what it is they are meant to do, so to speak, and stops comparing themselves to other people they can then be who they are meant to be. In school we are graded constantly and this can affect peoples potential. Students can get down knowing they received a C when they know they studied or put in a lot of time to do what they needed to do. It’s these thoughts that people have that they are always trying to get the grade or pass the test or class. We are brainwashed as a society to compare ourselves or reach these expectations that sometimes cannot be reached. Once you accept and see it isn’t about that, you actually create your own positive place in the world without limits.
My response:
Ali, I too found it easy to read this book right from the get go. I have to admit the line about Michelangelo is one of my favorite things I have heard about him. I do feel like that there is a beautiful piece of art inside each one of us. I also believe what the author said in hi Ted talk that nobody is tone deaf. The authors and you are spot on when you said that until we stop trying to reach the expectations that society (and governments) have set up for people to reach, we will still have students that get down when they study their butts off and only get a C on a test (or in some cases worse). When it is realized that those limits are not really about "you" then you do find your place in the world. I could not have said that better than the way you put it.
This book had my attention from the first line when discussing the two marketing scouts sent to Africa to see what business opportunities were their for their company. There were two different opinions, the first one basically said that they don’t wear shoes there is nothing here for us. While the other one saw it as a fantastic business opportunity. This has my attention right away because it was so true. This could’ve gone either way. If they don’t wear shoes they might not be interested in the product. Or maybe they don’t wear shoes because they have no means to get to them. When talking about business it’s very important to have this view and sometimes take that risk. I completely understand this because I myself have recently started my own company and took a risk.
Possibilities are endless and this is discussed in chapter 2. The fact that you will sometimes win as well as lose is important to reach the goals you want to reach. It’s being aware of this that will make one successful and achieve all the goals they want to achieve. Staying positive is the key to success and not letting things around you get in your way or discourage you through the process.
I love the line where the author states, “Michelangelo is often quoted as having said that inside every block of stone or marble dwells a beautiful statue; one need only remove the excess material to reveal the art of work within.” This statement is so true and we are all individually great at something we just have to figure it out and everything falls into place. Having this shift in thinking will affect you in the universe. Everyone is good at something and once someone realizes what it is they are meant to do, so to speak, and stops comparing themselves to other people they can then be who they are meant to be. In school we are graded constantly and this can affect peoples potential. Students can get down knowing they received a C when they know they studied or put in a lot of time to do what they needed to do. It’s these thoughts that people have that they are always trying to get the grade or pass the test or class. We are brainwashed as a society to compare ourselves or reach these expectations that sometimes cannot be reached. Once you accept and see it isn’t about that, you actually create your own positive place in the world without limits.
My response:
Ali, I too found it easy to read this book right from the get go. I have to admit the line about Michelangelo is one of my favorite things I have heard about him. I do feel like that there is a beautiful piece of art inside each one of us. I also believe what the author said in hi Ted talk that nobody is tone deaf. The authors and you are spot on when you said that until we stop trying to reach the expectations that society (and governments) have set up for people to reach, we will still have students that get down when they study their butts off and only get a C on a test (or in some cases worse). When it is realized that those limits are not really about "you" then you do find your place in the world. I could not have said that better than the way you put it.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Week 2 comments on Megan's blog post
Megan's post:
Week 2_Reading_Everyone deserves an A
I really enjoyed the chapter titled It’s All Invented. Really it is all invented and I have been trying to explain this to others for years, but it is a difficult thing to get people to understand and accept because we have always played by the rules. Thinking outside of the box we live in can be done daily. We must constantly ask ourselves what assumptions we are making. This will help us see that we are creating rules to think and live within even if we do not realize it. We make assumptions all the time. Here I will give you an example. I have a friend who does not have a car and lives next door to me. She often asks me for a ride. I usually assume that if I say no, then I must give a reason. If I have no reason she might no longer consider me a friend. I then make my decision on whether to give her a ride on these assumptions. Just the other day I decided to look at the situation without those assumptions and I just told her no I would not give her a ride and offered no explanation. She said ok and got off the phone to find another ride. She did not ask for a reason and she certainly did not stop being my friend. I was playing by the rules I had invented. What I had invented to change the situation was the rules that maybe she just needed a ride and that I was just another person with a choice in the matter and that the choice was not going to be the end-all of our friendship. Now putting this into writing I feel really silly by living under such assumptions.
We definitely live in a world full of measurements. I could easily relate to this chapter. I had a professor in college who told us “It isn’t about the grade. It is about what you learn and how you apply yourself. So these two things and you will have an A.” All semester I wanted to know my grade and he just kept reminding me that it was more about the learning experience. In the end I learned a lot and I got an A in the class, but because I am so used to living in such a measureable society it was a really painful semester because I didn’t know how I was measuring up as we went along.
Giving yourself an A. Well to be honest I have done that all my life and it is a great way to live. I love it. Yet I had not thought about giving others an A as well. I really liked what the author had to say here. I think that by giving others an A my relationships will have a positive growth and light on them.
Posted by Hippiemii at 4:24 PM
My Reply to Megan:
Megan,
What a great post. You really have captured the essence of what the authors were talking about. I am impressed by your application of rules in the example that you gave about your neighbor/friend. I admire the way that you thought about that and how you applied what you read. I hope that I can apply this the same way that you have when it comes to things happening in my life.
Week 2_Reading_Everyone deserves an A
I really enjoyed the chapter titled It’s All Invented. Really it is all invented and I have been trying to explain this to others for years, but it is a difficult thing to get people to understand and accept because we have always played by the rules. Thinking outside of the box we live in can be done daily. We must constantly ask ourselves what assumptions we are making. This will help us see that we are creating rules to think and live within even if we do not realize it. We make assumptions all the time. Here I will give you an example. I have a friend who does not have a car and lives next door to me. She often asks me for a ride. I usually assume that if I say no, then I must give a reason. If I have no reason she might no longer consider me a friend. I then make my decision on whether to give her a ride on these assumptions. Just the other day I decided to look at the situation without those assumptions and I just told her no I would not give her a ride and offered no explanation. She said ok and got off the phone to find another ride. She did not ask for a reason and she certainly did not stop being my friend. I was playing by the rules I had invented. What I had invented to change the situation was the rules that maybe she just needed a ride and that I was just another person with a choice in the matter and that the choice was not going to be the end-all of our friendship. Now putting this into writing I feel really silly by living under such assumptions.
We definitely live in a world full of measurements. I could easily relate to this chapter. I had a professor in college who told us “It isn’t about the grade. It is about what you learn and how you apply yourself. So these two things and you will have an A.” All semester I wanted to know my grade and he just kept reminding me that it was more about the learning experience. In the end I learned a lot and I got an A in the class, but because I am so used to living in such a measureable society it was a really painful semester because I didn’t know how I was measuring up as we went along.
Giving yourself an A. Well to be honest I have done that all my life and it is a great way to live. I love it. Yet I had not thought about giving others an A as well. I really liked what the author had to say here. I think that by giving others an A my relationships will have a positive growth and light on them.
Posted by Hippiemii at 4:24 PM
My Reply to Megan:
Megan,
What a great post. You really have captured the essence of what the authors were talking about. I am impressed by your application of rules in the example that you gave about your neighbor/friend. I admire the way that you thought about that and how you applied what you read. I hope that I can apply this the same way that you have when it comes to things happening in my life.
Week 2 post on reading
I have to admit that when out instructor said that this book was not so much a "study" book and more of a book to try and see the over-arching concepts, I was a little skeptical and thought that this might not be what I was expecting out of this class. I am glad I was wrong. What a pleasant surprise it was to start reading and become engrossed in the words that the authors had written. Maybe it is because the authors are in the music field and I could relate to many of the stories that were presented, but I would rather say that it was the subject matter. I believe that one thing that helped was watching the Ted talk that the author gave on "Music and Passion" helped me visualize what the author was talking about. I have included that talk here in this post.
In chapter one of the book the authors challenged us to "Think outside of the box." At the end of the chapter there were a couple of questions that the authors presented as a kind of way to think about what was just read. At the end of chapter one the following questions were presented:How can we think outside the box we live in? What assumptions are we making that we’re not aware that we are making? What might we invent that would give us other choices? As I thought about these questions, I felt that I often had been looking at the "small picture" in my life rather than the "big picture." For example...I had some issues with my employer this year, and all I could do was focus on "how am I going to make it from this week until the next?", and sometimes even "how am I going to make it until tomorrow?" After reading the first chapter, I now am thinking "Ok, so there are some difficulties with my employer, so that just means that there is something better for me out there." I was assuming that I would be living with this over my head all the time and would have to constantly be worried. Life, unfortunately is not like office max with an easy button, but I have now got a button inside of me that says "something better is coming."
In chapter 2 of the book, the authors talked about stepping into a universe of possibilities. One questions that was posed at the end of this chapter was How are your thoughts and actions a reflection of the measurement world? Being in education, teachers are constantly reminded of measurements. Be it state tests like the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or a county test, or a benchmark that somebody has set for students to reach. Teachers are almost constantly thinking of the next test that we have to give. I would like to challenge myself to start with a class of A students.
In chapter 3 of the book, the authors talked about giving everyone an A. This was a really neat chapter because it made me think about my teaching style. What would it be like if I taught my classes with the same methodology that the authors used? I would like to try this this coming school year, but it will have to be explained to my classes that they all have an A and that each one of them is an A student, but there will still have to be some sort of measurement to satisfy the "powers that be." One story that hit home in this chapter was that of the second violin-itis. This was especially eye opening to me since I play second violin with the Venice Symphony, and I cannot tell you the number of times that I have actually thought that I am just a second violin, so what does it matter if I practice or not. After reading this chapter, I have a whole new appreciation of being a second violin.
Chapter 4 picked up where chapter 3 left off in asking us "How will I be a contribution today?" I like the way that the author asked his students to think about how they contributed in the past week, then he asks them how they willcontribute in the coming week. Being in the performing arts, it is sometimes hard for students to see the end prize, so this could be a stepping stone in getting students to think how they are going to contribute and not just coast along.
In chapter one of the book the authors challenged us to "Think outside of the box." At the end of the chapter there were a couple of questions that the authors presented as a kind of way to think about what was just read. At the end of chapter one the following questions were presented:How can we think outside the box we live in? What assumptions are we making that we’re not aware that we are making? What might we invent that would give us other choices? As I thought about these questions, I felt that I often had been looking at the "small picture" in my life rather than the "big picture." For example...I had some issues with my employer this year, and all I could do was focus on "how am I going to make it from this week until the next?", and sometimes even "how am I going to make it until tomorrow?" After reading the first chapter, I now am thinking "Ok, so there are some difficulties with my employer, so that just means that there is something better for me out there." I was assuming that I would be living with this over my head all the time and would have to constantly be worried. Life, unfortunately is not like office max with an easy button, but I have now got a button inside of me that says "something better is coming."
In chapter 2 of the book, the authors talked about stepping into a universe of possibilities. One questions that was posed at the end of this chapter was How are your thoughts and actions a reflection of the measurement world? Being in education, teachers are constantly reminded of measurements. Be it state tests like the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or a county test, or a benchmark that somebody has set for students to reach. Teachers are almost constantly thinking of the next test that we have to give. I would like to challenge myself to start with a class of A students.
In chapter 3 of the book, the authors talked about giving everyone an A. This was a really neat chapter because it made me think about my teaching style. What would it be like if I taught my classes with the same methodology that the authors used? I would like to try this this coming school year, but it will have to be explained to my classes that they all have an A and that each one of them is an A student, but there will still have to be some sort of measurement to satisfy the "powers that be." One story that hit home in this chapter was that of the second violin-itis. This was especially eye opening to me since I play second violin with the Venice Symphony, and I cannot tell you the number of times that I have actually thought that I am just a second violin, so what does it matter if I practice or not. After reading this chapter, I have a whole new appreciation of being a second violin.
Chapter 4 picked up where chapter 3 left off in asking us "How will I be a contribution today?" I like the way that the author asked his students to think about how they contributed in the past week, then he asks them how they willcontribute in the coming week. Being in the performing arts, it is sometimes hard for students to see the end prize, so this could be a stepping stone in getting students to think how they are going to contribute and not just coast along.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Extra post for week one
So, we are now through week one of our Media Asset Creation class at Full Sail University. This is month 11 of a 12 month program, and the journey has been a great one. This week in our WIMBA session we had a course overview and got a picture of what we would be doing this month. I personally think that the most challenging thing that I am going to have to do is rework my website to fit the requirements. I have started on it and I believe that I will make it right with the help of Roxanne DeLeon. As graduation approaches, I am getting more and more excited to see the team that has been with me through this journey...Charlie's Angels. The angels are Alx Eller, Megan Sample, Nancy Madrigal, and Ali Weinreb. Thanks to them I have been able to keep my head on straight.
Friday, June 3, 2011
My Comments for Megan Sample's post
Megan Sample’s Original Post
I had not really taken the time to consider everything that was mentioned in the discussion videos. I think I fall into the generation of our “kids” as the guy in the TED video put it. I grew up remixing and creating my own stuff. I had heard of copyright and just assumed that as long as I was not making any money off of someone else’s work then it was alright. (this is NOT what the current copyright laws state BUT in only really rare cases do companies or ppl sue ppl for using their work without money) This to me seemed like the common sense approach which is clearly not how the law works. I feel that the purpose behind a copyright is so that someone else is not profiting off of your work (that is profiting money or fame).
There is a problem with our current copyright laws. The laws as they are stated now are not enforcing the reason for their creation. They are instead punishing people for trying to be creative and share their creativity with the world. These laws need to be reformed FAST! People in my generation have little to no fear of copyright laws. Part of that reason is because the laws are punishing people for things that we feel should not be punished. For example, remixing someone’s work to get a message across in a different manner. With all the technology at our fingers and all the creative ideas running through our heads, there is no way that a law is going to stop all of us from banning together and sharing our creativity. With that being said a new copyright law system needs to be put into place. We (the younger generation) have no problem giving credit to the ppl whose work we use. We don’t even want to make money off of our work or their work. We just don’t want our hands tied with all these new technologies that we were raised with.
The FAIR USE policy is in place and tries to enforce the common sense behind the copyright laws, yet many people are afraid to use other’s material under the FAIR USE policy because of 2 things: the policy is very vague and the public is not informed on the policy and how to use it properly.
Creative Commons is a great start for this change. Creative Commons allows an artist or producer to copyright their work but also allow others to use it in certain ways. I hope that more people will start to use Creative Commons so that we can continue to work off of one another to build better and different products/ creations.
My response to Megan
@Megan:
Hey Megan, you do make a lot of sense in your post, and I guess i am kind of the older generation...LOL I have to take a small issue with what you said about taking someone else's music and mixing it to get a message across (or to make a new sound {I am adding this}) should be free. I have stated in other postings that if someone took some music that I wrote and wanted to use it in a remix, I would be flattered, but shouldn't I also be compensated for coming up with the original music? I mean even if they are only using a few seconds of my song, I was the one that came up with that idea. You developed a game for your math class, and knowing what I know about you, you would not have a problem sharing that game, BUT...you should be compensated if someone took that and used it. It was your idea. Can you see the correlation between that and copyright?
All that being said, I do agree that the copyright laws are a little archaic, and they need to be updated to match today's technology. The one thing that concerns me though is that what we implement here in the United States...How will it be enforced elsewhere?
I had not really taken the time to consider everything that was mentioned in the discussion videos. I think I fall into the generation of our “kids” as the guy in the TED video put it. I grew up remixing and creating my own stuff. I had heard of copyright and just assumed that as long as I was not making any money off of someone else’s work then it was alright. (this is NOT what the current copyright laws state BUT in only really rare cases do companies or ppl sue ppl for using their work without money) This to me seemed like the common sense approach which is clearly not how the law works. I feel that the purpose behind a copyright is so that someone else is not profiting off of your work (that is profiting money or fame).
There is a problem with our current copyright laws. The laws as they are stated now are not enforcing the reason for their creation. They are instead punishing people for trying to be creative and share their creativity with the world. These laws need to be reformed FAST! People in my generation have little to no fear of copyright laws. Part of that reason is because the laws are punishing people for things that we feel should not be punished. For example, remixing someone’s work to get a message across in a different manner. With all the technology at our fingers and all the creative ideas running through our heads, there is no way that a law is going to stop all of us from banning together and sharing our creativity. With that being said a new copyright law system needs to be put into place. We (the younger generation) have no problem giving credit to the ppl whose work we use. We don’t even want to make money off of our work or their work. We just don’t want our hands tied with all these new technologies that we were raised with.
The FAIR USE policy is in place and tries to enforce the common sense behind the copyright laws, yet many people are afraid to use other’s material under the FAIR USE policy because of 2 things: the policy is very vague and the public is not informed on the policy and how to use it properly.
Creative Commons is a great start for this change. Creative Commons allows an artist or producer to copyright their work but also allow others to use it in certain ways. I hope that more people will start to use Creative Commons so that we can continue to work off of one another to build better and different products/ creations.
My response to Megan
@Megan:
Hey Megan, you do make a lot of sense in your post, and I guess i am kind of the older generation...LOL I have to take a small issue with what you said about taking someone else's music and mixing it to get a message across (or to make a new sound {I am adding this}) should be free. I have stated in other postings that if someone took some music that I wrote and wanted to use it in a remix, I would be flattered, but shouldn't I also be compensated for coming up with the original music? I mean even if they are only using a few seconds of my song, I was the one that came up with that idea. You developed a game for your math class, and knowing what I know about you, you would not have a problem sharing that game, BUT...you should be compensated if someone took that and used it. It was your idea. Can you see the correlation between that and copyright?
All that being said, I do agree that the copyright laws are a little archaic, and they need to be updated to match today's technology. The one thing that concerns me though is that what we implement here in the United States...How will it be enforced elsewhere?
My Reply to Ali Weinreb's post
Ali's original post:
Copyright has always been in my vocabulary for a long time ever since I started college. Going to a design/art school it was enforced to always make original work and have original ideas so you wouldn't run into copyright problems. It's such a broad topic and can be very confusing with what can actually be copyrighted and what can't be. After reading the article US government finally admits most piracy estimates are bogus, the first thing that came to my mind was fake purses. It's a problem here in NY that they sell fake bags, wallets etc on the street. So many people do it, law enforcement can't even keep up with it. On a financial side, people who purchase these bags probably can't afford the real ones, so I don't think it is actually effecting the designers. But on a copyright side, I would be very upset if I had a brand and a company and people were able to recreate it and sell it on the street. I don't really know if that will ever be resolved as it is a huge problem.
All of the videos were very informative, I like that Nathan got straight to the point in his descriptions and definitions and was able to brake it down in very simple terms for the everyday person to understand.
Good Copy Bad Copy wasn't what I was expected at all. I thought it was going to be a boring documentary about how wrong it is to use other people's work. Instead I was pleasantly surprised with the cultural movement the internet had with the making of music. I hear all he time how people are losing jobs in the music industry and the internet is ruining music. I disagree actually, and agree with the man who stated that the business has to embrace it and change. The power of the internet cannot be controlled nor should it, which was pointed out with the 'pirate bay' people. That would be violated our rights as people. I also found it very interesting that they were correct with they don't have the same laws we have here in America, so who are we to say it's wrong and interfere. I loved what Brazil was doing wit the music how awesome it was to come end the documentary with it coming back to the producer in America. These people don't want money they want to just create, they should be able to do just that.
@Ali:
Hey Ali, I read through your posting and I agree that copyright has been in my vocabulary since I started college as well. Your comments on the handbags in New York are really insightful. I agree that most of the people that buy those handbags on the street corners could not afford to buy the genuine article, but I do think that the designers of those bags should be able to protect their designs. I do agree in what you said "I don't really know if that will ever be resolved as it is a huge problem."
I am not so sure I agree with you on the controlling the internet thing. I will admit that there are a lot of sites out there that make music, movies, software, and almost anything that you want. The Good Copy/Bad Copy movie talked mostly about music and movies, but what about the software that is pirated? Would you feel the same way about that? Should someone that reformats a computer be able to download a copy of Windows or the OSx operating systems without paying for it? Think about if you designed a graphic design program and marketed it then found out someone had put it on torrentz.com and now it is available for free? I know as a musician, I would be upset....(that does not mean that I would not be flattered that someone thought enough about what I made to put it out there, but I would still be upset).
Copyright has always been in my vocabulary for a long time ever since I started college. Going to a design/art school it was enforced to always make original work and have original ideas so you wouldn't run into copyright problems. It's such a broad topic and can be very confusing with what can actually be copyrighted and what can't be. After reading the article US government finally admits most piracy estimates are bogus, the first thing that came to my mind was fake purses. It's a problem here in NY that they sell fake bags, wallets etc on the street. So many people do it, law enforcement can't even keep up with it. On a financial side, people who purchase these bags probably can't afford the real ones, so I don't think it is actually effecting the designers. But on a copyright side, I would be very upset if I had a brand and a company and people were able to recreate it and sell it on the street. I don't really know if that will ever be resolved as it is a huge problem.
All of the videos were very informative, I like that Nathan got straight to the point in his descriptions and definitions and was able to brake it down in very simple terms for the everyday person to understand.
Good Copy Bad Copy wasn't what I was expected at all. I thought it was going to be a boring documentary about how wrong it is to use other people's work. Instead I was pleasantly surprised with the cultural movement the internet had with the making of music. I hear all he time how people are losing jobs in the music industry and the internet is ruining music. I disagree actually, and agree with the man who stated that the business has to embrace it and change. The power of the internet cannot be controlled nor should it, which was pointed out with the 'pirate bay' people. That would be violated our rights as people. I also found it very interesting that they were correct with they don't have the same laws we have here in America, so who are we to say it's wrong and interfere. I loved what Brazil was doing wit the music how awesome it was to come end the documentary with it coming back to the producer in America. These people don't want money they want to just create, they should be able to do just that.
@Ali:
Hey Ali, I read through your posting and I agree that copyright has been in my vocabulary since I started college as well. Your comments on the handbags in New York are really insightful. I agree that most of the people that buy those handbags on the street corners could not afford to buy the genuine article, but I do think that the designers of those bags should be able to protect their designs. I do agree in what you said "I don't really know if that will ever be resolved as it is a huge problem."
I am not so sure I agree with you on the controlling the internet thing. I will admit that there are a lot of sites out there that make music, movies, software, and almost anything that you want. The Good Copy/Bad Copy movie talked mostly about music and movies, but what about the software that is pirated? Would you feel the same way about that? Should someone that reformats a computer be able to download a copy of Windows or the OSx operating systems without paying for it? Think about if you designed a graphic design program and marketed it then found out someone had put it on torrentz.com and now it is available for free? I know as a musician, I would be upset....(that does not mean that I would not be flattered that someone thought enough about what I made to put it out there, but I would still be upset).
Week 1 reading: Copyright Issues 1-3
After watching these video's and thinking more about copyright, I am surprised at a couple of things. The biggest surprise to me was the fact that there were no copyright laws in place in many other countries around the world. Being a musician and a composer, I appreciate copyright and I believe in the principal of it. In the Good Copy / Bad copy video, one of the people being interviewed made a good point. He said that the artists are not making a of money off their copyrighted works, the recording engineers and people associated with the songs are not making a lot of money, the people making the money are the labels. I tend to agree with that. I know quite a number of composers and they make pennies out of every dollar that the labels sell their music for. Now, don't get me wrong, the labels need to make some profit also, but in a small sense, they are doing just like the big oil companies and making a huge profit with very little expense to their company.
As a composer, I am slightly torn on this issue. In one respect, I would be very flattered if someone took a sample from something I wrote and used it in a mix of theirs. In another respect, I would want to be contacted about it and maybe even offered some sort of monetary value for something that I wrote. I have written music that I have actually sold the rights to and I no longer can collect any royalty for, but the point there is that I had the opportunity to not sell it and take a gamble on making a royalty off of it myself, or selling it and then letting someone else worry about if it helps their product. I remember when we were in Dr. Repp's class and we were listening to Weird Al. I did a little research and found out that he actually gets permission to do a parody from the original composer/artist before he puts it on an album...and he does not pay to use it. As a matter of fact, the band members in Nirvana actually said that the considered it an honor to be parodied by Weird Al because he actually thought the song he was going to parody was worthy of it. So, my question becomes...The people that do the remixing now, why can't they contact the original artist/composers and ask for permission to do a sample of their song? Vanilla Ice learned it the hard way ("Ice, Ice Baby" had a sample of Queen's "Under Pressure"), and so did Ray Parker junior ("Ghostbusters" had a sample of Huey Lewis' "I Want a New Drug"). I put the links in, so you can decide for yourself.
As a composer, I am slightly torn on this issue. In one respect, I would be very flattered if someone took a sample from something I wrote and used it in a mix of theirs. In another respect, I would want to be contacted about it and maybe even offered some sort of monetary value for something that I wrote. I have written music that I have actually sold the rights to and I no longer can collect any royalty for, but the point there is that I had the opportunity to not sell it and take a gamble on making a royalty off of it myself, or selling it and then letting someone else worry about if it helps their product. I remember when we were in Dr. Repp's class and we were listening to Weird Al. I did a little research and found out that he actually gets permission to do a parody from the original composer/artist before he puts it on an album...and he does not pay to use it. As a matter of fact, the band members in Nirvana actually said that the considered it an honor to be parodied by Weird Al because he actually thought the song he was going to parody was worthy of it. So, my question becomes...The people that do the remixing now, why can't they contact the original artist/composers and ask for permission to do a sample of their song? Vanilla Ice learned it the hard way ("Ice, Ice Baby" had a sample of Queen's "Under Pressure"), and so did Ray Parker junior ("Ghostbusters" had a sample of Huey Lewis' "I Want a New Drug"). I put the links in, so you can decide for yourself.
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