Wk 2 - Think Out-Loud PPP: publication

photo taken by Alicia Welch

In thinking about how I can continue my CBR project, I first have to admit that I am extremely uncomfortably getting up in front of a large crowd, or even a small crowd for that matter. For this reason, I know that I would like to continue my project through a journal publication.
I will be looking into early childhood publications or even publications that would combine early learning with technology. My CBR project focused on kindergarten students and their abilities to complete writing on the computer. My current class of students is not ready to undertake something like this. They lack the basic fine motor skills needed before I am able to allow them to begin writing online.
I have never done anything like this before, so I am a little hesitant as to how it will play out. I do have faith that FSO has done this before and I am sure that I will have plenty of help and assistance along the way. I, of course, have so far...

Wk 2 - response to Dena

photo taken by Alicia Welch

Dena- I agree. Having the actual letters written to the teacher was a nice touch. It allowed the reader to see how actually giving students the A played out in the real world. So many times books offer suggestions, yet this one provided the examples of how the concept actually played out.

Dena's original post...

Wow!  I really enjoyed the reading.  I made so many connections, it was great.        It's All Invented The first paragraph told me a lot.  It's amazing how we can do or look at the same thing but perceive it differently.  That's what makes individuals unique.  I believe there is possibilities in every situation.  It is like students in our class.  We create possibilities for them regardless of their academic ability, race or gender.  How we perceive things makes the difference.  It also reminds me of how Bermudians complain about traveling from one end of the island to the other.  The island is only 21 square miles long.  It takes an hour at the most to drive from one end of the island to other end.  On the other hand we would travel overseas and drive for hours without complaining.  It is was how you perceive the situation.           Stepping into the Universe- Possibilities The way we look at possibilities depend on our situation.  In some instances it a can cause people to be selfish because they want to get as much as they can.  On the other hand they may not even see the possibilities awaiting them.        Giving This section of the reading really perked my interest.  Verbal or written feedback is more rewarding and meaningful compared to a grade.  I agree with Michaelangelo's statement, "inside every step of stone or marble dwells a beautiful statue; one needs only to remove the excess material to reveal the work of art within."  Everyone has strengths but we just need to find them.  I enjoyed the letters written to Mr. Zander.  They were great!  It is ok  to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.  Grades are invented.  I found that interesting.  I never looked at it that way but I agree with that statement.  That is the same as attaining degrees.  If you can't do your job effectively, your degree is useless.  It just means that you are paper smart and this has been a big issue here.  People can talk the talk and they get away with things.  Reading this chapter had me reflect on many situations in life.  In Bermuda the focus is on young black males.  It seems to be a connection with this chapter.  It was mentioned that people did not feel valued therefore negative things happened. This could be the same situation with some of the black males.  They may not feel valued therefore negative things happen.  This does not only apply to this situation but that is what I connected with immediately.   Contribution Society has programmed us therefore it may seem as if you don't know who you really are because you have to live up to others expectations.  They infringe on you and have you questioning yourself.  Even if you have contributed you are still asking, was that ok etc.  I have done that throughout this course if I am uncertain of the expectation.  I think that is a normal reaction because you want to be successful.  To see yourself as a contibutor is much more rewarding and it seems to alleviate some stress. I think I need to pay more attention to trying to make myself and my students think of ourselves as contributors.

Wk 2 - response to Heather

Heather -
I agree with what you said about student grades. I think that is why I prefer kindergarten. Our grades, essentially, consist of a yes or no - S or N. However, in meeting with the parents I am able to explain all of the skills required for promotion. I can show what their child is capable of doing in the classroom and how many of the state required skills they have mastered. There are some grey areas, however, for the most part it is usually rather simple. They can either identify the letters or they can not. They can either count objects in a set or they can not. I enjoy being able to sit with my parents and show them work their child has done, not just a number on a page.

Heather's original post...

In the first chapter I can totally relate to people seeing two sides of situations.  My fiancée is a complete pessimist (he says realist) and I am a hopeless optimist.  He will see the negative in every situation…everyone is out to get everyone else.  I, however, have this complete naïve trust of people and think people are genuinely good people who occasionally have poor judgment.  I think this is one of the reasons we compliment each other so well. 

I was intrigued by the idea that we produce reasons for our actions that are plausible in our own minds.  When working with children (or even adults for that matter), I frequently ask “why did you do that?” and the answers don’t always make sense to me.  I have been told on more than one occasion that I am a person that “has an answer for everything”.  My dad tells me it makes me argumentative, but in my mind, I am just trying to express why it seems like a good idea to me.  Now I can tell him that it is my own interpretation of what is going on around me.

The universe of measurement is not where I dwell.  I have never been competitive, nor do I define success by “getting ahead” or “overcoming the odds”.  I do know several people who live in this universe and what always strikes me is that they are NEVER happy.  No matter how much they achieve or how much they have, they always want more…always have to be better than the guy next door/down the street/etc.

I was so inspired by the story of the teacher who gave everyone an A and then asked them to write about it.  The one thing I hate most about my job is giving grades.  In my mind I would rather meet with the parents and tell then the strengths and areas of improvement with their child.  Unfortunately we are in a place in our society right now where we need to rank students and therefore rank teachers in order to gauge success.  In essence we are saying that performance on an isolated task equates mastery.  Even as it’s written you can sense the idiocracy in it…yet it persists.

This book really has me critically thinking about my life both personally and professionally (as the title suggests).  I really want to be a contribution in my family and with my students and co-workers.  I think that sometimes it is easy to get lost in the negativity and the competitiveness that is out there.  It is only by taking this critical look at myself and my every day practices that I will be able to make that conscious effort to be a contributor, give that A, and see the good in the world.

I am totally recommending this book to everyone!

Wk 2 - Wimba review

photo taken by Alicia Welch

In watching the archive of this week's Wimba, I definitely feel that I have a better understanding of Copyright and Fair Use. I appreciated the further explanations given as well as the additional discussions that helped to clarify some issues.
My biggest surprise during Wimba, was the issue of the artist, Prince. I had no idea that was the reason he had changed his name. I also never realized that could or would become an issue for an artist. I'm sure he had his reasons, however, it does seem rather unethical to simply change your name to get out of a signed contract. What obligations can I get out of if I were to change my name?
The copyright discussion also allowed me to rethink some of my classroom lessons. I am beginning a Florida book with my students next week. Something simple so that my kindergarteners can understand various parts of our state. Each letter will be represented with an illustration. In the past I have used "D is for Disney." The students would then trace a, pretty bad looking, version of Mickey Mouse for their book. So...is this allowed?

Wk 2 - The Art of Possibility (Chapters 1-4)

In reading The Art of Possibility, I was drawn to the idea that grades were simply being taken off the table. The teachers agreed to simply given all of the students an A. Yet in receiving this A, these students were required to explain why they would be deserving this grade.

photo taken by Alicia Welch

I can see how this would create a learner that would strive harder to succeed. The students have created the goals themselves. The students have determined what they need to do. The students then need to work to reach their own goals. In some cases, I believe that these students will work harder throughout the semester than those not setting their own goals.

I almost feel as though our classes in EMDT have been somewhat like this. In a way, we have been given an A. It is very clear for us at the beginning of each month what is expected of us. If we desire to keep our A, we must complete the assignments that we have been given. It is very clear which assignment is worth what, and what work needs to be completed to maintain that grade. The biggest difference is going to be that we have not created these goals ourselves. And I understand that for some, that may be the biggest factor.