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!!