MAC Wk #3: PPP

Next week we present so we have been researching and looking for avenues to get our hard work seen by other educators around the country. I am so happy that member of my CBR group have decided to work together on this presentation. We all come from various backgrounds and all teach much different curricula but we all had the challenge to use technology to change behavior. The behavior is motivation of the student.

The first conference that was found was in Denver for the AACE. This conference would be interesting to present at because we could discuss how the roles of the instructor and learner have changed regarding teaching strategies and learning environments, both traditionally and virtually. The second conference is located in Kentucky and is for KYSTE. The conference here focuses on collaboration. All of the individuals in my CBR group have a large amount of their project based on collaboration and we also can speak on the importance of collaboration form our experiences at Full Sail.

Lastly, I would like to attempt to wrote an article for the ACTE magazine, Techniques. This magazine deals with Career & Technical Education, which is what I teach for video and audio production. I am not sure as of yet if I want to do a short article or a longer academic piece discussing my CBR project and the different suing of technology in the classroom and increasing motivation.

MAC Wk #3: "Art of Possibility" WIMBA

I was unable to attend WIMBA on November 9th due to other commitments. I reviewed the archive thought about what I thought about the textbook we have been using in this class. I really have liked it. I think it may have to do with the fact that the author is a musician and that he uses a lot of references to music that I totally understand. Some of the other texts we have used in the EMDT program have been full of great information but not reader "friendly" for a lack of a better phrase.
My favorite part of the book, although I am not through reading the whole text at this point, was about having the students write a letter from the future about why they earned an "A." I love that idea! I was thinking about using that as my second quarter started but, then realized that my students might not take it as seriously as they would if it was the first day of school.
My second favorite part of the book was not taking yourself too seriously. At times, I think I try to plan too much and expect things to go as planned. In education, we all know that Murphy does show up and the whole class including ourselves may not be up for the task that day for a number of reasons. I have been known to be too stressed or get to impatient at home and this chapter again showed me that we need to breath, take it seriously, but not yourself or the outcomes of the day that seriously.

MAC Wk #3: Reaction to Reading

I have found that "The Art of Possibility" has been an interesting read and also a fast one.
This week I enjoyed hearing about the 'White Sheets" the author would give to the orchestra as a way for them to critique him and also communicate their needs. I found this part of the book to directly relate to the ADDIE model we have studied through the EMDT program. I have always put value into the evaluation and and have began to use this method in my class as well. During the year when the students are given progress reports or final quarterly grades, I allow them to also grade me and give me ideas on how I can improve what we covered.

Here is the form I have given my students after the first 5 weeks of school:

MAC Wk #2: Comment on Rosetta Cash's Blog

I responded to Rosetta with the following comment:


"Rosetta, Using the example of It's A Wonderful Life was great! I teach students with different learning styles and backgrounds just like the rest of us, and I can see how by doing small things like saying hello to them or praising them on something and showing interest came really turn their day around."


Rosetta's blog can be found here

MAC wk #2: Comment on Wayne Nelson's Blog

I posted this comment on Wayne's blog post regarding our Copyright Wimba session.


Here is the link to his blog
"Wayne, I can totally understand the frustration you felt. Copyright law came about because it was reacting to how people were using intellectual property wrongly. The laws are ever-changing and also continuously reacting to technology advancements. I do believe however that if you use a portion of the movie, like a 5 minute scene, you would be able to use the media under fair use."

MAC wk. #2: PPP Post

Last week I decided that I would do a presentation instead of a publication. I feel as though I have more of a chance to showcase my research if I present then if I wrote a paper for publication. The idea of presenting my research and finding in person seems more exciting to me and I also feel as though I can better connect with the audience as i talk with them about the research.

I have also decided to try to do a group presentation with the members of my CBR group. These individuals have been very supportive and come from various educational setting and backgrounds. I feel that if teachers of different curriculums come together and discuss and showcase how the common goal of motivation was increased with the use of technology, those in attendance would have less of a disconnect or point in which they could think do themselves "well that's great but I teach (blank)."

All for one and one for all!

MAC wk. #2: Reading Reaction

As I read the book, "The Art of Possibility," the second chapter of giving an "A" really spoke to me and also let me know that I actually am on the right track. The chapter begins with the story of Michelangelo talking about how a sculpture is hidden in a piece of rock, and you need to chip away the excess parts to reveal the art. The author compares this in education where the student needs to drop the "excess" to gain mastery and self-expression.
I have an assignment at the beginning ofd the year where my students study themselves and really think about who they want to be and what their Artistic Identity is. I have found that giving this assignment to the students helps them to let go of barriers and also gets to feel more comfortable to their self-expression in my class. They really respond positively to the assignment and I think it helps to set the tone for the year and also get them excited about who they are as an artist. I wanted to share my assignment and also give you all permission to use it if you would like.

Here is the presentation to get them thinking:

Artistic Identity on Prezi

Here is the handout to help the students begin thinking and also define the assignment:

Enjoy!