Wow! Where did Summer go?!?

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It's been a quick, yet fulfilling summer.  The weather has been alright most of the time, and spectacular part of the time too!  The garden is filling in and we are eating fresh vegetables most evenings now.  I have certainly missed the many connections to my study group @ Full Sail University.  We are passing notes here and there by way of email.  With my studies completed, I do feel a sense of accomplishment and freedom.  I have yet to receive an official closing document!  I was unable to attend the physical graduation.


One bit of good news...I have been accepted to present some of my Full Sail work at the Christa McCauliffe Technology Conference in November, 2011.  The venue is in Manchester, New Hampshire.  I am a bit apprehensive about it, but also very excited and eager to share my thoughts and findings.  One classmate will likely be there, and I hope we'll be able to meet in person.


As for beginning a new school year, I am going up to a new grade level.  I'll be teaching third grade after 18 years with grade one students.  I am so eager for this change, and to continue my technology research with slightly older and more able students.  I plan to put myself and my class through the paces again, much as I did last year, in trying so many new ways to enrich and enhance our learning experience in the classroom through the use of multimedia, and other technology applications.


My family has been a bit slow in realizing that my time is less tied and that I am more available for them and their needs.  Not to worry, I've been catching up on my leisure reading, some sewing, and visiting with friends and family.  Alas, Summer must move into Fall....and I AM READY!

South Branch Pond, Baxter State Park, Maine

Week4_Leadership and Publishing Presentation Post

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Here, I have prepared a presentation to share my Action Research project with others.  I hope to effect positive change in my own teaching practice, as well as to encourage colleagues to integrate technology into their's, if they have not done so already.  Many of our students are using technology outside of school for several hours each week.  We can harness the enthusiasm that technology brings to students and show them the value of using digital technology for learning and skill development.  A 21st century education requires 21st century tools for learning and access to information.  By embracing the tools, we can make a positive impact on student achievement NOW!

Here are my two Think Out Loud Posts where I consider how to share my Action research project:

Post #2:  http://ann-cannizzaro.blogspot.com/2011/05/week4think-out-loud-blog-post-2.html

Post #1:  http://ann-cannizzaro.blogspot.com/2011/05/week3open-topic-blog-post-leadership.html

Here is a link to my Presentation:

https://files.me.com/ann_cannizzaro/1usxyl

Week4_Think Out Loud Blog Post #2 / Leadership and Publishing

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I am researching conferences and publications in which I may participate at a state level.  Two possibilities include the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) and Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI).

One possibility....

http://www.actem.org/Pages/ACTEM_About/vision


About ACTEM : "ACTEM empowers its members to leverage new and existing technology innovations to meet educational goals by facilitating communications among educators, technology leaders, vendors, policy makers, and educational visionaries."

Another possibility...

http://www.maine.gov/mlti/index.shtml

About MLTI:  "The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) seeks to provide professional development and 21st Century tools to middle and and high schools to support the attainment of the Maine state standards, the Maine Learning Results."
Of the two associations, ACTEM provides guidance and opportunities for all grade levels, while MLTI is focused mainly on middle and high school level ideas and materials.  My presentation about integrating technology into an elementary classroom may find a better fit with ACTEM.
I also was introduced by a classmate to the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference in Manchester, N.H.  This is an annual event. 

2011 Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference

CMTC 2011 is again located in Manchester at the
Radisson Hotel & Expo Center of New Hampshire
(across from the Verizon Center)

November 29 - December 1, 2011

This year, the conference encourages presenters to submit proposals:
You are invited to submit a proposal(s) for a presentation at the 2011 Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference. This year's conference offers participants a wide variety of presentation options. Please review the selection of opportunities listed below. Individuals representing all academic disciplines, all instructional levels, and all aspects of instructional technology are encouraged to submit proposals. 
http://www.nhcmtc.org/Presenters/Instructions/
This conference just may be the ticket for presenting for my first time.  I can submit a proposal by May 30th and possibly present this fall!  We'll let you know what happens.

Wk4_Blog: My Response to Hunter Looney

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A post from Hunter Looney....

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

Week 4 Blog Post 1: Reading Giving Way to Passion

From:

My Response:
I would like to sum up what I believe the author is saying. Stay unencumbered. Get out from behind the roadblocks that we set up for ourselves and the roadblocks that others set up. After you get rid of the roadblocks then you can then dive fully into your passion. Whatever that may be.

Wk4_Blog: My Response to Anne Alsup

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Week 4 BP#1 Final Reading, The Art of Possibility

Image

As teachers we are expected to be a lot of things to a lot of people. We're expected to do great things, with limited resources. Expected to smile everyday and inspire the masses, even when the masses take us for granted and sometimes worse. It can be a tough job and sometimes we allow the institution to beat us down, but it is in those times that we must rediscover the track back to the world of possibilities. When so much of what we do as teachers is beyond our control, it is important to adopt the concept of "being the board."

Assigning blame is rarely productive in situations where nothing can be changed and there is no consequence due. It is much more productive to find a "we" attitude that works within the board to find solutions that allow everyone an opportunity for success. Vision and passion require more than being adequate. Living life to the fullest demands an investment into the lives of others, born out of an investment in the self.

Practicing enrollment means taking responsibility for not only what you do, but also what is done to you. In many respects it asserts that you will not be a victim of circumstances. Valuable time can be wasted waiting for someone to come to the rescue when the power to change your circumstances lies within the framework you invent for yourself.   

Wk4_Reading_The Art of Possibility

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This week’s reading from The Art of Possibility, by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander puts the reader on an inward journey.  The reader is gently pushed to consider the truth, of how events, actions, and relationships out in “the world”, are perceived and connected to one’s self.  We are meant to reconsider our own perspective and look further inward at how our thoughts color our own attitudes and actions.

Taking on the “being the board” stance will definitely take some practice and getting used to.  It means taking a greater responsibility over a wider area of influence.  Rather than looking out for #1, and towing the line, it emphasizes the need to go one step further to exact some change, an action or event, some greater participation.  It means making a commitment which one can often shrink away from doing.  Time and energy are factors that can limit one’s ability or inclination to participate in change.

The words of Barbara Waugh, of Hewlett Packard Laboratories, “start slow…and work small”, speak volumes to me.  My approach to change is just that…..think on a grand scale, and take baby steps toward the goal.  Sweeping change is too overwhelming and frightening for people.  I’d much rather build successive steps that maintain the foundation, while rising bit by bit, upwards to the possibilities that change can bring.

As I read these final chapters, I remembered the quote by Marianne Williamson before it appeared in the text.  It was reassuring to see that my mind is already in the realm of possibility.  The line that speaks most strongly to me is this: “Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…”.  Somehow, I feel that I have held myself back, for fear of not being good enough to realize my potential.  This book has pushed me to work my way through those feelings of insecurity and continue, steadfast, on the journey. 

Wk3_Blog: My Response to Meghan Bassett

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Meghan Bassett's Blog Post

Wk3 Reading: Art of Possibility Chapters 5-8

In the first chapter Leading From Any Chair, I couldn’t help think about my mother. She works in a school as the secretary to the principal. The principal received an email last week that a report needed to be ran. He never told my mother or the person that was supposed to run the report, but my mom found out from another school. When she brought it up that he may have missed an email, he said he never received it. A few hours later, after going back to him again, he forwarded the email and said he had just gotten it (which we all know, emails are time stamped). Instead of admitting his own mistake, he, like the conductors, tried to let it slide and hoped no one noticed.
The mere act of kindness and acknowledging that other people help you do a job is severely under-used. If you give ANY kind of praise to people who are helping you, or even say thank you to them, it brings up esteem and also encourages people to continue to work hard for you. I guess we could all work on this in different ways. I personally could work on always encouraging my students in ways that they are doing well. I can be sarcastic, which doesn’t work well with all of my students.
The next Chapter, the Rule number 6, took a more person attack on a way I’ve been feeling for a week now. I was very betrayed by someone I thought I could trust. A friend of mine told another friend of mine something very personal, and very atomic. I knew that the word had spread, and I wasn’t sure of where it had started. I found out and instead of confronting the issue, I recoiled and hid from everyone. Here, I need to follow Rule number 6, and stop taking myself so seriously. People talk, and say things that aren’t theirs to say, and sometimes there are things that get said that we don’t want said. It’s a part of human nature, and if I really didn’t want anyone to know, I wouldn’t have said it in the first place. I’m still hurt, but I’m letting it go in my own time.
The Way Things Are…I’ve always tried to see the cloud with a silver lining, and look on the bright side of things. A much easier said than done thing to accomplish. I’m one of those people, once I start feeling negative, everything that’s negative seems to find me. I’m sure that has everything to do with the way I am looking at things, rather than the world being out to get me. If we can laugh and play with the bad things that happen to us, a much more light hearted attitude would be had by everyone around us!
I would love to give way to passion more. Sometimes we are so stuck in living life day to day we forget to give in to the natural flow of life an energy. I try to recognize the energy around me, but I’ll be honest…the only real times I feel a surge of energy run through me are when I’m by the ocean watching the waves, or listening to music and painting. Then I can truly let passion run through me and I feel at one with everything around me.

Ann Cannizzaro  said...

Meghan, You always speak with so much honesty and truth. You have shared in your post some difficult situations that we can all recognize. It is likely that we have all encountered similar problems in our work lives. I find that the most difficult situations at school arise from mis-communications, lack of communication, and lack of vision and leadership. The problem with not having good leadership from administration, is that many others will try to step into position and make decisions that aren't theirs to make. This causes feelings of frustration, mistrust, and even fear amongst the staff. Everyone wonders why "so and so" is calling the shots, and not the principal. Lack of communication is a problem with the adults at school and the students. Parents also come into play in many situations. Routine notices and monthly newsletters can go a long way in alleviating many communications issues. Finally, mis-communications often happen through the rumor mill. We can all help to end rumors and model clear communications in the way we handle difficult situations at school. Thanks for your post.

May 18, 2011 8:08 PM 

Image from Google Images

Wk3_Blog: My Response to Peter Binskin

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wk3 Reading - The Art of Possibility (chapters 5-8)

The sign that now resides above my desk.

The more I read the book the Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Ben Zander (2000) the more I love it. It’s been a comforting read as well as quite entertaining. Thank goodness for a book that makes me want to read it to see what the next chapter is going to reveal.

For me the major highlight from these four chapters (5-8) was the Rule number 6 focus in chapter 6. Even though I have a tendency to joke around to alleviate tense situations it’s usually a cover-up for the stress I’m bringing into the situation. I tend to think very much using my calculating self even though I think I am using my central self. It would be nice, some time, to actually have the presence of mind that Roz Zander portrays in this book to break things down and find a different, more positive collaborative way to get through a problem. I have now created a little sign of my own for every time I feel myself taking things too seriously.

Another thing I took away from these chapters was the idea of leading from any chair. It really came across as an empowerment piece and I was wondering how often as a teacher I squish students like the overbearing conductor just to get through the day. On Sundays I play guitar at church and afterwards I mentor a few teenagers in their playing. It’s funny how I can be the sort of person Ben Zander talks about, not being judgmental or desirous of credit as the boys get better in their playing, but supportive of them personally as they see themselves through their playing. Maybe I relax more with music than with core subjects.

Week3_Wimba Blog Post

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Okay.  I'm here to admit the fact that I totally spaced out the Wimba session tonight!  It was about 11:15pm when it struck.  "Oh No!  Tonight was Wimba!"  "What's Wimba?", came a call from the other room.
It was rather pleasant listening to the archive.  The best piece of the discussion centered around the Art of Possibility.  I was very interested to hear classmates' reactions to the reading.  Hunter Looney, in his wonderfully low voice, spoke about "perspective".  Leah spoke of avoiding the staff lounge.  Everyone seemed to easily find some very personal connections and experiences that resonated through the stories told by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander.  The way the book was written, as a series of stories, made it accessible and meaningful. Some of the stories were like parables, in their expression of truth.
It does stand as a reminder for all of us to look ahead to the future and write our own letters...."I got an A...".  Reach for the possibility that you, we, and I will be the change we are striving for in education.  Let's do it together. 
A final note, I wanted to hear more about the Van Halen video.  My first read was not that it was about "choice".  I'm not sure....drop me a comment and fill me in!  Thanks!  You can link to the video below:
                     Van Halen - Right Now (Official Music Video) WIDESCREEN HD

Week3_Think Out Loud Blog Post #1 / Leadership and Publishing

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If you are going to have a garden, not only do you need to be ready to work, you've got to be able to delegate work to others.  You combine your own leadership with providing leadership opportunities to others.  One person does not a garden grow.  Many persons become involved.  Our garden has one leader who likes to decide everything.  There is a second in command leader who controls the weed population.  There are supporting role leaders who water and harvest.  Everyone gets in on the glory job of harvesting.  Don't you just love eating cherry tomatoes and long green beans fresh-picked from the garden?


So, this leads to comments about growing and sharing knowledge gained through research.  The idea behind the publishing/leadership project is a bit daunting to me.  I really see it as a challenge to myself.  Can I overcome my insecurities about standing before an audience to present my work?  Me, Myself, and I?


I really want to speak about and discuss my ideas about education and my research project but I find myself just plain nervous when I think of presenting to the school board, or to my colleagues.  Well, not so much my colleagues.  A smaller room, a small crowd, people I know....okay.  The school board?  A public meeting?  These things I'm not so sure about.  Where is my self-confidence anyway?  My plan is to practice.  I am inviting parents in for a look at student work and a few technology demonstrations.  This will be an evening presentation....fairly informal....in my classroom.  Also, near the end of the school year, I have asked to present some of my ARP work to my colleagues.  This will be during a final day of required professional development and work time to wrap up the school year.  If these practice sessions go well, I may then believe that I really do have something to say that is worthwhile and relevant to our job as educators today.  What are my personal roadblocks?  FEAR....Insecurity....Status Quo.....  ( How do you overcome the perceived anxieties of being "up-front", when you have spent many long years (un)comfortably seated at the back? )  It's the action piece. Get up and get moving!  Lead on!

Week3_Reading_The Art of Possibility

Jayden answers a question.

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Reading again from the Art of Possibility by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander, chapters 5-8, we are encouraged to “lead from any chair”.  Each of us wears a variety of leadership hats within the time of a day, week, month, year, even a lifetime.  As parents, we lead our children; we are role models for how to behave within and outside of the family structure.  As teachers, we model for our students how to embrace the learning process and to achieve it’s intended goals.  As community members we work to integrate with and invite others to come together for the greater good.  Active participation is the key.  Participation is only a first step.  Being active is vital to effective leadership.

Mr. Zander describes how he began to give “the floor” over to his musicians, to better listen to and understand what they might add to the process of playing and performing music.  He presented them with permission to access the leadership position.  I find myself in this situation in the classroom too.  I try to recognize the best moments to maneuver students into position such that when they “take the floor”, their classmates are waiting to hear what they have to say, and respond with the expectation of leadership from the student.  This is a means of promoting positive self-esteem and confidence for students.

Successful attempts at leadership in the classroom, whether reading a sentence correctly, or explaining a definition, helps students realize their potential for leadership.  With ample opportunities to shine, they may increase participation in activities in other classrooms, or out in their community.  As teachers, we help to determine “who is present” when we have the expectation and allow the opportunity that all students can and will “take the floor” from time to time.

Two students lead a class discussion.

Week2_Open Topic Blog Post

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Orienting the Screen

I have just finished looking at classroom data tables from last year's class and this year's class.  There is a huge difference in how the students performed.  I looked specifically at reading, spelling, and math average scores for the last quarter of the year.  Last year's class of 19 students had only seven students who passed all three subject areas with a score of 75 or better.  That means that 12 students scored below a 75 in at least one area, if not two or three.  This year's group seems to be much more on target.  In a class of 16 students, only three had average scores below 75 in one or more subject areas.  There are 13 students who surpassed the 75 benchmark in all three subject areas under consideration.  That doubles last year's record.


I'd like to think that my involvement with Full Sail University this year has made a difference for my students.  The integration of technology has invigorated my teaching and perhaps has increased engagement levels for my students.  I have put a lot of time and effort into planning for the use of multimedia in my classroom presentations and the response of the students is very positive.  The short, intensive interactions with technology result in greater learning of concepts.  Students are able to view a demonstration from beginning to end.  Few distractions come up during viewing.  There is a greater willingness to practice skills after viewing a lesson module.  And, students will choose to increase their skill development when it can be done in a game format.  This was demonstrated as students worked to complete assignments with time left over to play Mind Point Quiz Show, a game based review and practice module packaged with our current math program, EnVisions Math.

Here are a few snaps of my students interacting with technology and showing some of their products.