MAC Week 4 - Response to Cherylee Gruber's Blog Post

Link: http://reflectionsofthegruber.blogspot.com/2012/06/mac-week-4-reading-blog-ch-9-12-horse.html?showComment=1340642457950#c2971941049293622153

MAC – Week 4 – Reading Blog – CH 9-12 – The Horse

I am continuing to read Zander’s book, The Art of Possibility.  As I read, I take notes on parts that stand out to me or analogies that I wish to reiterate.  Here are my gems from chapters 9-12.

Chapter 9 - Lighting the Spark

In Chapter Nine, Lighting the Spark and Enrollment are the key points.  Zander’s theory is that the universe is alive with sparks. Passion rather than fear is the abundant force. Once you realize the spark exists it is like playing catch in a field of light.  Offer others the spark you carry. I appreciate the analogies especially being a teacher.  I have observed several other teachers in action, and it is always very obvious who is carrying a spark, who is smoldering, and whose fire has long ago died. 

I have always tried to convey my passion for English Literature.  I show excitement about what we are about to read.  My one area that always concerned me was Animal Farm.  I don’t like it, yet it was district required.  My outlook however, was trying to make it exciting for the students.  I never walked in and said, “We have to read this book.”  Instead I have tried several projects to “spark” the book for my students and myself.  Once I held a “meet-and-great” where all students pulled the “Hi my name is” tag out of a bag with a historical figure or party member on the tag.  They had time to research their roles and then attended the party.  It was quite funny to see how they would interact with one another based on research.  

The point is lighting the spark.  I also think it is important to allow others to ignite yours.  Sometimes in a hectic and chaotic life, we tend to shutout “sparkers” because of the flames that they might ignite.  Ignition means work. 

Three more key pieces of advice from chapter nine that I plan to incorporate in my life are as follows:

• Analogy of the service station – Changing a scene of all misery to one of possibility.
• Sometimes the best things are done in person.
• Practice giving an “A”, not as a type of judgment, but as a gift.

Chapter 10. Being the Board

If you are at wit’s end – This is the graduate study of the Art of Possibility. I am the framework of what happens in my life – Do not give away your power.  This also reminded me of my Conscious Discipline training. When working with students, it was advised that you accept your feelings and deal within yourself.  For example, if you tell a student, “You are making me angry.”  You are giving that student all of the power over yourself.  You are powerless to control the outcome. Once viewed this way, you world does change.  However, you might not want to openly share this theory with your 4-year-old.  It again changes your world, when your 4-year-old reiterates that she “can’t make me angry, unless I give her all my powers.”

Analogy of the chess set – A chess piece must only move by the rules.  The board creates the rules.  I thought about negative things that have appeared on my chessboard.  I thought about my past and feeling like I too could only rely on myself.  I needed control over every aspect of my life.  However, as the Zanders claim, this leads to a blame game.  If you are able to blame you feel in control.  I watch the news of the night and it never fails that something somewhere horrible happens.  After reporting on the incident, the next question is always, who is blame? 

After reading, Being the Board, I turned it into an icebreaker.  I asked several random people, the waitress, the store clerk, and another man pumping gas at a service station, “If you could be any piece on a chess board, which would you be?”  I am a very shy person, and the experience was very random.  I started with the waitress and randomly asked.  She asked me to repeat.  When I did, she selected the “horse”.  I asked why assuming she didn’t know the game and would respond with a “horse” reason.  However, she responded that the “horse was very tricky and could do quite a few special moves.  The responses varied.  The lesson I learned was normally these random people are silent or simply chat about the weather.  They all light up after thinking a few moments and responding.  Now I know this is off the point of the chess set.  It was simply a random exercise.  However, I think I will do it more often with different questions.  I had conversations with them all and I would never have. 

I imagine that I could have asked any of them for two quarters, and they would have been happy to oblige.

Chapter 11. Creating Frameworks for Possibility - TBA

Chapter 12. Telling the WE Story - TBA

My Response:

TamarahJune 25, 2012 9:40 AM

Cherylee,

Your words and and visuals are outstanding in describing the final chapters of this book. I love your analogy for lighting the spark and being the board. The Being the Board icebreaker was very cool! I like how you chose random people and asked them the question. It did remind me of the young girl asking the random guys for the two quarters at the gas station. Another interesting thing about your icebreaker, was the random people you chose stood the chance of not knowing how to play chess.

What a great way of describing your outlook for the last chapters of the book, "Art of Possibility".

Mac Week 4 Response to Bishop's blog post

http://bishopsblock.blogspot.com/2012/06/mac-wk4-reading-blog-post.html

Bishop's original Post

MAC Wk4 Reading Blog Post

In this week's reading of The Art of Possibility, the chapters that spoke to me were Lighting a Spark, Being the Board and the WE Story. The concept of enrollment given in Lighting a Spark provided me with an entirely different attitude about engagement.  By deciding not to take a "no" or negative response personally and continuing forth with the unbridled enthusiasm deserved for an endeavor embarked upon we can light the spark under any person and achieve what many deem impossible.

The chapter on Being the Board inspired my on a personal level. I sometimes get down when I look at circumstances I am facing, and tend to appropriate the causes of my unhappiness to them. By taking the opportunity to be the board, not only can I change my outlook on situations once deemed unchangeable, but I can influence the attitudes of others in those situations and hopefully be a light of hope for them.

Finally, the WE Story is something that I already live by. I learned from my family upbringing that we are always stronger together and the source of that strength is being mindful of the needs of others around you. By being sensitive to the needs of others and genuinely caring for the fulfillment of their wishes, whether attainable or not, bonds of trust are formed that provide a solid foundation upon which anything can be built or attained.

MAC Week 4 Reading

Chapters 9 -12 "Art of Possibility"

The closing of this book was Empowering and Inspirational! This book has been an eye opener to me on so many levels.

The principles: Lighting a spark, Being the board, Frameworks for Possibility, and Telling the We story. All of the Chapters listed above were well written and they definitely served its purpose in my life.

Lighting a Spark

What this concept taught me, was to not be afraid of no.  No can be a stumbling block only if you allow it to be.  When you change the energy of no and ask the question or ask for what you want, you might be surprised with the new outcome.  Do not doubt or count yourself out, just because of the word no.  Light the spark and see if it ignites!


Being the Board


When you allow yourself to "be the board", you are creating your own destiny.  You are not feeling pity for circumstances.  You are the driver, the pilot of your own life, but what happens positive or negative can be justified by owning up to success and failures.  The objective is not to blame others of mishaps and praise only yourself for success.  Take ownership of both the praises and the failures.


Frameworks and Possibility



How you frame or outline your life, business, career, relationships is determined by how clear your goals and vision is spelled out.  Your vision and mission statement should be a visual expression and statement of how your business will be run.  The drivers and participants should be able to fill in the gaps to make everything possible.

Dr. Martin Luther King III had a dream and vision to bring everyone together of all races, kindreds, and beliefs.  He created his dream, vision, and had people and tools in place to make it happen.  It was a visual account for what was going to happen in the future.



WE


The We concept was very powerful! It was simple and not complex, but it made perfect sense.  In a business partnership, relationship, customer service transaction, etc you can apply the We" principle.
If you take the "I' out of a problem and add "We".  If their is a problem in a relationship and one of the individuals in the relationship wants to break up or file for divorce.  Instead of saying , "I'm out and I have to do this for me".  Try to adopt, "We are going to have to work out our problems. What are WE going to do."  This concept really changes the energy and frequency and allows both parties to see the bigger picture!

WK 4 Mac - Leadership Post

Role Model Leader

I chose my dad as an outstanding Role Mole Leader! He exemplifies leadership qualities, he's a role model, a great dad, and he is an awesome leader.  No, I'm not being biased because he is my dad, but this is a man that I've watched and looked up to for almost 30 years.  

My dad has worked for the United States Postal Service for 27 years and he has held leadership titles such as: Basketball Coach, Softball Coach, Church Elder, and Dad.  Wayne Costen Sr, is also a granddad of 6 children.  

What are Qualities of a Great Leader?

1. Outstanding Service

2.  Committed and Loyal

3.  Sacrificial 

4.  Humble

5.  Discipline and Loyal

WAYNE COSTEN

My Dad exemplifies all of them!!

MAC Week 3 Wimba

I was unable to attend Wimba Wednesday, but I definitely must be there on this final session.  I have sent my presentation to my peers review. I"m a little behind on my post, because I was still getting my Website approved! It's done and approved and now I can focus on my leadership project.  I will go ahead and provide my powerpoint and video presentation for my Leadership project.  My leadership document is on my leadership post.

Hi Tamarah...

I liked your presentation, but some of the text slides went by too fast and I couldn't read them. There was no sound so some of the slides didn't make any sense, but I would guess if you were talking it would.

Overall you did a great job with organizing your information and getting it all packed into under 3 minutes. Our projects are similar, you are looking at literacy and technology and I looked at specifically non-fiction reading.

The only changes would be to check your sound and slow down the slides with lots of writing.

-Stacey




Presentation Link

http://www.viddler.com/v/77e0080b

MAC Week 3 Leadership Post

1. Week 1 Leadership Post
logger.g?blogID=356735241516279845#editor/target=post;postID=8421939732126405829


2. Week 2 Leadership Post

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=356735241516279845#editor/target=post;postID=9140578172849911452

3. Leadership Document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1peZLkQ80VdD5OoKmcGfdeWrRNTO1An7MBiK0vVp5t3s/edit

Mac Week 3 Response to Rebecca Girard

http://engageandmotivate.blogspot.com/2012/06/wk-4-reading-entry.html?showComment=1340210006338#c4367127130597344607

My Response to Rebecca Girard's original post:

Wk 4 - Reading Entry

It has been almost exactly a year since I began investigating the EMDT program at Full Sail. I had been thinking about a master’s degree for quite a long time, but I hadn’t found the right program. It had been quite a challenge to think about going to grad school, working, and raising a family at the same time, but when I learned about EMDT something just clicked. The chance to really dive into the technology that I want to incorporate into my classes was intriguing and to get the degree finished in a year made it sound possible.

Go Lovely Ladies!

I knew I had made the right decision during our first month. I found myself in a group of dedicated, creative, supportive, intelligent women doing something I never thought I would do…creating a project completely over the Internet. Plus, we were in Second Life!!! It was a thrilling experience and I am still so proud of our work on that first project together. 

Month 2 brought many more experiences and a new group. From the Princess Bride to the Wizard of Oz, The Matrix, Sound of Music, Star Wars…these gentlemen I have worked with have become more than just partners in projects even though we have only met through a phone line or computer screen. We have spent countless hours in our “Treehouse” or a Google Hangout creating, editing, venting, celebrating, joking, and laughing. We have challenged one another to do our best work.

 About 5 months ago I joked with my team about creating a documentary about our AR journeys with the idea that we all come from different places, but have been brought together and have completed some amazing work because of EMDT. Reading the last chapter of Art of Possibility reminded me of this brainstorm. We live in different parts of the country, work at different types of schools, teach different types of students and yet, we have, for some reason, been brought together.  We have been through so many challenges together academically, professionally, and personally. I am a faith-filled person who believes that God has a plan for each of us. The plan may be obscured, but in time, opportunities and reasons will be revealed. I wouldn’t change the difficulties, frustrations or late nights because it is through the successes and failures that we grow into who we are.  It is how we interact with others during times of challenge and times of success that develop our character. 

So sorry for the mushy blog post. I guess the book just got me thinking about how grateful I am for each member of this cohort who has journeyed with me through EMDT. I appreciate your support, encouragement, and feedback. I thank you for your patience and for clarifying assignments. I have been inspired by each of you as you have shared your passion for learning and teaching over the last 11 months. You have encouraged me to accomplish things I never imagined...writing a literature review, creating music on a computer, making a movie in 48 hours, and designing a project whose impact continues to make ripples in my school community. I truly look forward to meeting you in the real world in a short 7 weeks.

Our journey is almost over and I am sure there are still some challenges ahead, but I know that WE can do this…TOGETHER!

TamarahJune 20, 2012 9:33 AM

Rebecca,

I've already commented on your leadership reflection post! It was so inspirational! This post is so adorable, inspiring, motivational, and mushy!! I enjoyed going through this journey with you and each of my cohorts! I have been quiet, but vocal when needed to be! I have gained so much from you all and I enjoy all of the various styles of leadership, fun, and communication! This book has also inspired me to reflect and appreciate what I've learned and done throughout this process! We have accomplished so much, the best is yet to come!! I'm excited about meeting you and the rest of our classmates!!

Mac Week 3 Response to Bishop's Blog

Bishop's Block

Sunday, June 17, 2012

MAC Wk 3 Art of Possibility Post

I continue to be impressed and inspired by The Art of Possibility. Chapter five, which deals with  leading from any chair, helped me realize that all of my students and members are leaders in their own right, even if they don't know it. It is my responsibility to lead when needed, but more importantly to provide opportunity within my classroom construct for others to lead. It's easier to accomplish this at my church as discussions are easily taken over to the point that it's a struggle to rein everyone back in, but I enjoy those discussions
Rule #6 is a philosophy I've been living for a long time. It keeps me from stressing too much over trivial things and helps balance my marriage. It has also helped me get through my first couple years of teaching and adapt to different difficult situations. By keeping my calculating self in check and thinking from a central self position, I have been able to operate objectively in the face of adversity and reach students where others were not successful.
Operating in the way things are from a downward spiral perspective is something that I feel educators consistently fall prey to, including myself. The conditions we are forced to work in can perpetuate this line of thinking with no "light at the end of the tunnel" seemingly in sight. We have to learn to have more conversations of possibility and be the optimist in the midst of a pessimistic and cynical society. Eventually we will sway others to our way of thinking and if we don't, at least we can find comfort in knowing we are providing the "light".
Finally, I often give way to passion when I sing or compete, but have usually only reserved it for those settings. I am going to take the governor off my passion and let it flow like the stream in the reading. Maybe the passion I've been reserving for music and sports will touch others in mathematics and I know its increased use will serve my ministry well.

MAC Week 3 Reading

Chapters 5-8

"Leading from any chair"

I really enjoyed this set of chapters, as well as the ones I did before.  Each chapter is so intricately written.  I learn a lot of nuggets throughout! They always confirm various things that are going on in my life!

The 5th chapter mainly attested to me that you have to be comfortable with being a leader in any phase of life.  Even if you are not the conductor or head musician, or maybe even not the administrator of a school, but be equipped and assured that you can lead and take ownership from wherever you are.

My mom always says the quote, "Be Faithful in another man's vision, and God will bless you to lead your own vision!" I strive to live this way as much as I can.

Chapter 6

"Rule Number 6"

Don't take your self too seriously!! That was extremely simple of a concept! I liked the way the author described this concept.  He mentioned how professionals take themselves too seriously.  He also brought up the scenarios of taking your relationships too seriously.  Better communication, better sex, better days in general are all due to being light and not too serious.  A wife shared, she was having issues with her husband, and that she couldn't imagine having better sex with her husband, until she adopted the concept, number 6 rule, not taking yourselves too seriously.

I am usually a humorous in majority of my day to day situations.  I do have to remind myself to not take myself too serious when it comes to business, work, and sometimes relationships.  I truly understand why the author conveyed this message in this chapter.                    


Chapter 7


" The Way Things Are"

This Chapter was very profound! It reminds me of how the, "Secret" was written. Things are already in place and circumstances will happen, but how you perceive it, makes the difference.

The author mentioned a couple going on a vacation in Florida.  When you go to Florida, you expect sun, perfect weather, sun-bathing, beaches, good food, rest, etc.  Well this couple had an entire vacation full of rain.  What kind of vacation is that?  That is our first natural response, but if you change a few words in your thought process or if you change your mindset about your vacation, you will make the best of your vacation.


Chapter 8

"Giving Way to Passion"





This chapter is all about releasing your passion and letting go of barriers that hold you down.  I love the way the author identified with barriers and strongholds.  This reminds me of the whole lesson in the bible that details the concept of Faith. Having Faith without the evidence of seeing what God has in store for you!

I'm passionate about many things, music, art, entertainment, production, church, God, love, relationships, business, comedy,  education, family.   I could honestly say that daily, I try to contribute to all of my passions.  I would love to totally be passionate and not let anything hold me back for my dreams!

Week 2 - Wimba

This week's Wimba Session was interesting and engaging! I enjoyed watching the archive for this week; I  definitely wish I didn't miss the actual class, but I was traveling!

Copyright:

Every time I'm introduced to Copyright and Copyright Law, I learn something new.  Their is so much to learn.  The discussion was very interactive, I could relate to Daniel's question about the industry suffering from the increase of mp3 uploads.  " Does the Music Industry suffer from the increase of mp3's and downloads?" I believe they have to be, because the average person does not depend or wait on record companies to release albums.  Their are so many ways to get around purchasing albums the traditional way.

Week 2 Mac -Leadership Post

I plan on publishing a publication. The Journals that I'm interested in are:


 1. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia (JEMH) Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia (JEMH)

 2. Journal of Education Technology and Educational Society http://www.ifets.info/

 3. Journal of Interactive Learning Reaearch http://www.aace.org/pubs/jilr/default.htmmm I will be narrowing down my source for my publication.

Mac Week 2 Response to Rebecca Girard

engageandmotivate.blogspot.com/2012/06/wk-2-reading-entry.html?
showComment=1339193493102#c5684012439577602563

 Rebecca's Original Post: Giving the A Start from a place of believing that all are working to do their best. This certainly makes a difference when working with students!  It also reminds me of month 2 with Beth when she gave us our first "No Risk" assignments. I worked so hard on those assignments despite the fact that as long as I completed the work, I would receive an A. I have to say they are still products of which I am truly proud and I completed them at the beginning of the program when I was completely new to tools like iMovie and GarageBand.

 I work so hard with my AP students to get them to see that the grade does not define them as a person. I would love to not have to give grades, but the fact remains that I have to use some sort of widely accepted scale to rate my students. I do tell them that whether they spend 5 minutes or 5 hours on an answer and it is wrong...it is wrong. (You are correct if you imagine that they do not like this information.) I take comfort in knowing that I really want the doctors that take care of my daughters to have been top in their class and to have scored high on every medical school exam. (I don't actually know if this is true, but I am pretty certain that our pediatrician was top in her class since she is a rockstar!) It would not be the same if she received an A just because. I unfortunately found myself putting less stock in the authors' arguments because one of them was teaching music. I wholeheartedly apologize to my musician friends! Yet, imagine if you could really embrace this at your school. Imagine that student who saunters into class unprepared, never turns work in on time and then days before the final exam asks for extra credit to raise their grade. Or imagine giving an A to that colleague who walks in just in time in the morning, complains about everything and yet will provide no solutions, and is mysteriously sick for important require meetings. For some reason I am more able to cut my kids slack than adults. I guess I expect some degree of immaturity from teenagers, but won't take it from the adults. This "giving the A" sure sounds like a challenge.

 My Comments: TamarahJune 8, 2012 3:11 PM Rebecca, I totally understand your point when you mentioned imagine if the slacker students would be given an A and never take advantage of learning in a beneficial way? Or the negative and late colleague. Those individuals described do not need to be given anything, but a reality check, lol! I also like how you expounded on the positive aspects of the A concept. It is a great idea and strategynfornthe pople who are motivated to accomplish things, not based on a score or grade. Your visual ,"A" was very nice and creative.

Week 2 -Mac Response to Jessica B.

Original Post: Week 2: Blog Post #1 - Readings on "The Art of Possibility" (Chapters 1-4) Week 2: Blog

Post #1 - Readings on "The Art of Possibility" (Chapters 1-4) http://jmbistram.blogspot.com/2012/06/

week-2-reading-response-to-jessica-isla.html

  Jessica's original post:

 First off, I want to say that I absolutely loved the TED video of Benjamin Zander.  He is an amazing speaker.  He definitely has a way of connecting to the audience and it shows within his writing, as well.  So far, it's been an easy read...

 Chapter 1: It's All Invented  I really liked how this chapter makes you think outside of the box.  Perception is definitely important when trying figure out the world around you and it's clear that everyone's "mind maps" are different because of their different life experiences.  It was actually inspirational when thinking about setting your mind free when extending mental boundaries by "enlarging the box," or framework, around situations... creating new opportunities.

 Chapter 2: Stepping Into the Universe of Possibility I love the name of this chapter.  There are so many things that hinder us from progress because we are held to certain expectations and limitations on a daily basis, but with this new outlook of "a universe of possibility," there are virtually no boundaries that could confine you.  Instead of setting a goal and doing all that you can to reach that goal, you generally layout a context and see what happens form there.

 Chapter 3: Giving an A I really liked the idea of "giving an A" as it being not an expectation to live up to, but a possibility to live in to.  The saying not only relieves certain pressures, but also inspires greatness.  There are no boundaries or restrictions.  There is no one looking down at you... comparing themselves to you.  There is only respect that allows others to grow and realize what is actually within themselves. 

Chapter 4: Being a Contribution The story of the starfish reminds me of my first few years of teaching.  I felt like there was always so much to do and there was never huge progress and growth made within the district, but as time went by it was more clear for me... I'm not teaching because I want the recognition.  I am teaching to help all that I can feel successful and make any sort of progress they can.  I am teaching to make a difference with that one starfish that might be thrown back because it makes a different to them, even if there are many others out there struggling to survive in education. I am a contribution.  I make a difference and will continue to make a difference in each day that life brings me.


My comment: TamarahJune 8, 2012 2:33 PM I enjoyed your overview of the reading and the video. I agree with you regarding the give an A concept. It really does allow individuals to express themselves freely and to create more of unlimited possibilities. I liked visuals you provided on the blog as well.