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.
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