MAC Week 3: Classmate Respons #2

Here is my response to Kimberly Duran's Leadership blog post...

MAC Week 3 Leadership Post

I think my first choice of presentation venue that I would like to try and submit my work to would be ISTE. This is my number one choice because ISTE is focused on the use of technology in education. With the direction that education is going, and my school that I teach at is going, I would really love to be a part of a conference like this one. The experience alone and the information I'm sure I would get to see and hear would be absolutely priceless. The next place I would love to present my work would be AVID Summer Institute. I know this is not on the list, but my CBR project involved AVID students as my target audience. AVID strategies were involved, and we took so much to a new level with the use of technology, I would really love to share these things with other AVID teachers so that they could use all the amazing tools I learned about through this program, and share the information with them on a national level. People from all over the United States come to AVID Summer Institute, and one of the most loved aspects is idea sharing with other educators. I think the experience would be amazing.

Stephanie WaldnerMar 18, 2012 05:11 PM

Kimberly,
I think either choice would be an excellent one. I had never heard of AVID until coming to FULL Sail and listening to you talk about it. I think one of the best unseen outcomes of this program is the share-ability of everything we've learned. Especially when its something really exciting (like the Art of Possibility) I can't wait to tell everyone I work with about it. I'm looking forward to hearing your presentation this week. Good luck!

MAC Week 3: Reading Post

Imaged created by digitalart

Rule Number 6: Letting go and realizing that everything doesn't need to be so serious.  For me, this is the hardest thing to think about.  I immediately think of my many to do lists with school, family, kids' schedules...Then I think what if I didn't take everything so seriously?  Would everything fall apart?  I'm always told how I'm the one who has it together, and the one that everyone relies on.  So if I didn't take things as seriously would I still be that person?  My calculating self feels like the one in control most of the time and to answer the question; What would have to change for me to be completely fulfilled?  That is one that I think will need to be discovered on a quiet day when I can be by myself.
The other chapter that strikes home is The Way Things Are. One of my favorite phrases is Its All Good.  My husband has even told me that when he hears that phrase, he gets a sense of calm even at his most stressful situations.  Growing up, I always had anxiety issues.  My elementary guidance counselor was a great resource for me.  He taught me to look at what was in the "right now" not "what if."  That is still one of my most un-liked phrases---and is barred from my classroom!

MAC Week 3: Classmate Response #1

Below is Hunter Mennings post on his Leadership Quest

http://bloggedonphonics.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-week-3-class-leadership-quest.html?showComment=1331861247821#c3976843907701465485

My Week 3 Class Leadership Quest

'All Dressed Up And Some Convention Soon To Go!'

Hi. Thank you for checking in to see the steps in my Leadership Quest to speak at a national conference. My first choice is to speak at FETC, because it is the largest education convention in America and I have already been a speaker there. As an unknown speaker on the scene, the room was nearly full and these were serious educators. These people traveled a long way and were on a mission to find something new, something usable in their world. Good thing I took a survey and gleaned some incredible knowledge from my audience. Let me know if you are interested in the outcomes. The other conference I would like to submit my application for is ISTE, because is deals with the use of technology in education. My life is technology. I breathe capacitance and my veins are filled with electrons so it is my destiny to share technology so they can all be set free to see the glee of technology.

Below is my response:

Hunter Menning,
I can so see you standing in front of a crowd to speak. I could also see your audience hanging onto every word as I have over the past 11 months. I went to FETC a couple of years ago and really enjoyed myself. Always wishing to go back!! Good luck in your leadership quest!

MAC Week 3: Publishing Ideas

While writing my own literature review I looked through many different journals and the following two sites were constantly on my list.

My first choice is Edutopia.  I was very impressed with the articles that I found.  They were very uplifting and powerful articles to me.  I remember wanting to make my classroom like those I read about.

My second choice is ISTE.  I like how this publication is about the use of technology in the classroom.  I think that an article about my CBR project would fit in with this publication.

MAC Week 2: Classmate Response #2

Below is my response to Jonnie Williams's blog post:

Week 2: To Present or to Write?

Calling All Educators!!

     To present or to write an article is the question. I have pondered this question for many hours. This week has actually been a good week to discover my answer. Last Friday night the school I where I teach provided a free Science Fun night for the students and families. There was 275 students that showed up with their families. The presenter was from the company "Mad Science". After the big science presentation, students and families split up and went to the different science station. I volunteered to conduct one of the science stations. I was given a paper that gave me a high school rendition of the experiments and a 10 minute training. I quickly put together a lesson plan and decided to let loose and have fun. That is exactly what I did. At 9:30 pm, I finished up the last rotation of students. I received many compliments on my presentation from students, parents, and administration. I took that information and thought about when I conducted professional development. I realized that I love presenting. Therefore, I will present my CBR project.

Here is my response---

Stephanie WaldnerMar 11, 2012 05:24 PM

Jonnie,
Wow, great for you! I am very jealous that you are comfortable enough to stand in front of people and present. And what a way to find out how much you enjoyed the presentation aspect. A science fun night...my favorite subject! I would love to be a part of the audience that is there to hear you present your project. I've always enjoyed listening to your ideas in class.

Good luck!!!

MAC Week 2: Classmate Response #1

Below is my response to Doreen's post on her Leadership Project:

MAC_Week 2: Leadership Role Model

Discussion with students on
boardroom critique

My first response is “Do I have to?” I’ve enjoyed the process and have learned so much during my time here at Full Sail; I would encourage anyone who wants to explore new ideas in education and to have the ability to be as creative as they wish to come here for their degree. Okay, let's think . . . I need to figure out what I will do, when I look at myself I see an introvert when it comes to presenting my ideas, especially outside of the graphic design world. I do well sharing one-on-one or maybe a small group but a conference, don’t think so. Not comfortable with the idea that I am an expert in the field as this point in time and that’s how I see presenters at conferences.  It’s enough that I have surprised myself the last four years when I jumped out of my comfort zone to teach. I believe the reason I can teach is because I am teaching aspects of the field I am passionate about – Graphic Design. I am very confident that the presentation itself would rock as I’ve created many for bosses and clients, but getting up and presenting myself . . .  (thinking) . . .(thinking some more ). . . not happening. Now let me look at submitting an article. 

Writing is not my forte either; I’ve always said I’m a designer not a writer. However, I’ve done a pretty good job of it for my CBR project and feel I can finish it off easily for a journal. So think this is my first choice.  Yes, I’ve decided I’ll write an article for a Journal and then maybe later, as a plan B, I will create and do a presentation when I get brave enough to step out of my comfort zone.

Stephanie WaldnerMar 11, 2012 09:08 AM

Doreen,
I feel your pain in this area! I to do not do well in a presentation setting. I never even thought that this truly isn't in an area where I am very comfortable. As much time as we have spent on our CBR projects, I still feel like I need to know more. And good for you for wanting to brave out of your comfort zone in the future.

MAC Week 2: To Publish or Present?

When I first read this assignment and heard it talked about in the first Wimba session: I do believe I had heart palpations.  What!?! I have to either write another paper or I have to stand up in front of people and present!  Neither option sounded like one I really wanted to partake in.
However, after my heart stopped with the extra beats and I took a couple of breaths...I thought about the possibilities.

What if I publish?
The thought of writing a 2000 word APA paper is very daunting.  The perfectionist that I am, pouring myself over the paper making sure that each word is correct.  On the upside, write a paper is an individual task.  I would work on my paper at home and talk about it with my classmates.

What if I present?
I believe the idea of standing up in front of my peers and talking actually terrifies me.  I have never been any good at that.  I've talked at a faculty meeting and you could hear my voice shaking.  Once, I had to talk at a school board me and I could see myself shaking on a recording.  So that right there is a very large CON to presenting.  On the other hand, this program has taken me out of my comfort zone and forced me to look at and do things that I've never done before.  Presenting would be one more push to make me step outside of myself and work harder.

What is my decision?
As much as I would like to push myself to try something different with presenting, I believe that I am going to choose to publish.  I need to work on speaking in front of smaller groups of my peers before I move onto a conference type atmosphere.