Week 4: Publishing Project

I looked for journals where my project would compliment the goals and missions of the journals.  My project focuses on literacy and technology in the classroom, and how technology assists in creating motivation and engagement for all students.  The journals that I have chosen either directly deal with literacy and technology or instructional uses of technology in the classroom.  My paper and project seem to fit well with the subject matters these journals explore.  The journals are:

The journals that I have chosen at this point seem to fit
The Journal of Literacy and Technology (JLT).  http://www.literacyandtechnology.org/cfp.htm
 This online journal is a peer-reviewed international academic journal.  I chose this journal because it looks at the relationship between literacy and technology in particular in education, but it also looks in the workplace, public, and individual spheres.  It provides a platform for discussion of new possibilities and alternatives to literacy and technology.

The Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE)
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/journals/jrte.aspx
publishes articles that explore educational technology in teaching and learning, and  pertain to the instructional uses of technology.  I feel that "state of the art and future horizons of learning and teaching with technology in educational environments" sums up my vision of where education is going, and I hope my paper will help others move in that direction.




http://kathygrace-velazquez.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-2-think-out-loud-ppp.html

http://kathygrace-velazquez.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-3-think-out-loud-ppp.html

https://files.me.com/kathygv/1ozspd

Week 4: Comment 2

My Comment:

I think you said it beautifully in that so many of our students do show us their weaknesses, or that is what they believe in themselves, and it is up to us to "light that spark" (and I love the image you chose!)and show them the possibilities. And how you summed it up that the "WE" as a "whole entity" needs to contribute to the world, to construct not separate...I hope we help our students understand and see this. Our world certainly needs this even more so today.

Original Post:

 

This is the last part of my blogs regarding this interesting book... 9. Lighting a Spark: "Enrollment is the art and practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share." As teachers, we may encounter  students who shut themselves to new learning, who let their weaknesses take over their strengths, so we need to let them know that we are giving ourselves to them and to their learning with a world of possibilities, and soon they' ll be ready to catch that spark. 10. Being the Board: " I am the board on which the whole game is played,  I am  the framework for everything that happens in my life". This is a hard one. I do not agree with it a 100%, but this is what I take away from it: as citizens of the world of measurement, we all tend to put the blame on someone else  instead of embracing the situation, and reflecting on how we can make things different next time. If we see it this way, we will soon be immersed in a world of possibilities, and when a similar situation arises, we will know how to face it and how to make a difference. 11. Creating Frameworks for Possibility: "Restructuring meanings, creating visions, and establishing environments where possibility is spoken." When trying to find a solution to a problem, it is a good idea to reconstruct the situation in  different ways, to picture it, and to create a new scenario/setting that will activate new possibilities or results. 12. Telling the WE Story: In the world of measurement where everything is divided, we see an "us" and "them", but in the world of possibilities we focus on the "WE" as a whole entity seeking to contribute to that world, to seeking to share passion, to think outside the box, to embrace the environment, to construct instead of separate, and make things fall apart...

Week 4: Reading - Possibility ... This is the Art

The possibilities abound...to carry a burning cinder in a metal box with you to assure you have a spark whenever you need one...oh the possibilities!  And to think we have this spark with us at all times now and most of the times we don't even realize it.  Such a waste.  As an educator, this book has truly resonated with me.  I feel and hope that this is how I look at my students (and at the world), that I am there offering an "invitation for enrollment, ready to participate, willing to be moved and inspired, offer that which lights [me] up, and...eager to catch the spark." And direct our lives in a positive direction that is best for WE.  Positivitity leads to the possibilities.

Week 4: Comment 1

Original Post: "Certain things in life are better done in person." In this day and age of endless technology things are seldom done in person or even over the phone. Something as simple as visiting an individual and sharing their idea & time & space can change the outcome of a situation. In order to do this a few simple steps are to be followed:
1. Imagine that people are an invitation for enrollment.
2. Stand ready to participate, willing to be moved & inspired.
3. Offer that which lights you up.
4. Have no doubt that others are eager to catch the spark.

Vander followed these steps and changed the lives of students that society had "thrown away" & labeled as failures. Just taking interest in someone else's fate has a ripple effect. They appreciate it. But it has to be done genuinely and you have to trust that they will respond & partner will you in it. Also at times we have to learn not to point the finger at others but to accept what our role may have been in the situation. Become the board rather than just a player on it. After lighting the spark & seeing our role we must set peraminters for possibility to happen. This can be done through:
1. Make a new distinction in the realm of possibility: one that is a powerful substitute for the current framework of meaning that is generating the downward spiral.
2. Enter the territory. Embody the new distinction in such a way that it becomes the framework for life around you.
3. Keep distinguishing what is "on the track" and what is "off the track" of your framework for possibility.
Lastly, we must see both sides of history and tell the story of "WE". Instead of focusing on one side or the other being right or wrong, see the possibilities on both sides.
1. Tell the WE story- the story of the unseen threads that connect us all, the story of possibility.
2. Listen and look for the emerging entity.
3.Ask: "What do WE want to happen here?"
   "What is best for US?" - all of each of us, and all of all of us.
   "What is OUR next step?"

If only more people in history and now had read this book, our society would be ran so much different. People would not give up as easily but they would also see past the present situation of a person and see what that person or object could become. 

My Post:  I agree that people do appreciate taking interest in other's fate and it does create a ripple effect.  I think this is what we do as teachers.  I hope that each year we reach at least one child (and hopefully more), and that creates that "ripple" that changes something for that more positive change for them and for the future.   

Week 3: Comment

Alonzo

Original Post: This week’s reading continues with chapters 5-8 of “The Art of Possibility” by Zander, R. and Zander, B. Chapter five is entitled “Leading from Any Chair”, it pretty much gave me the idea that position of any level do not matter and that anyone can be a leader that can inspire. Chapter six is entitled “Rule Number 6”, gave me the reminder of how I should not take myself too serious. I’ve been working on this side of myself for quite some time before actually reading this book. Next is chapter seven, it is entitled “ The Way Things Are”. Chapter seven also gave me a reminder of something I often forget. Well not just myself, but many of us must be reminded that we simply need to learn to accpect things as they are. Its hard but the chapter can help you relax more. Lastly, chapter eight, it gave me the idea of how we can be contributors without feeling the sting of judgement or feeling like were doing it because we did something wrong.

My Comment: 

I agree with you that you can lead and inspire from "any chair."  I am glad that you are not taking yourself so seriously.  I did not think I took myself so seriously, but as I read this chapter, in retrospect I think I may and I want to be much more conscious of this too.  This book really does help us to look at ourselves and others too. 

Week 3: Comment

Original Post:

The publish assignment is very difficult for me.  I’m still not 100% sure what I’m doing so I’m trying to piece together all the things I need.  The list also doesn’t have journals that really fit the theme of my overall project so I’m taking the approach that even though they are not a great fit I should not alter my methods or change what I’ve done to be more teacher friendly.  My project again was more about community and learning not about K-12 or higher education.  Lots left to do and I will be out again this week. 

My Comment:
I am having the same thoughts about this assignment too.  I haven't found the journal that I want to contact yet.  I have some ideas, but they are not on the list and need to do some further research.  My project is in education, but I had to change my project, and I guess I am still stuck where I was.  The reading is really helping me to focus...sort of!

Week 3: Think Out-Loud PPP

I have been thinking long and hard as to which way to go - a presentation or write a paper?  I think at this point I will submit a paper.  If in the future I find a relevant conference, then I may apply and present my project because I do feel the validity of it may assist other educators in utilizing technology in the classroom.

I looked for journals where my project would compliment the goals and missions of the journals.  My project focuses on literacy and technology in the classroom, and how technology assists in creating motivation and engagement for all students.   The two journals I am looking at to submit my paper to are:

The Journal of Literacy and Technology (JLT).  http://www.literacyandtechnology.org/cfp.htm
 This online journal is a peer-reviewed international academic journal.  I chose this journal because it looks at the relationship between literacy and technology in particular in education, but it also looks in the workplace, public, and individual spheres.  It provides a platform for discussion of new possibilities and alternatives to literacy and technology.

The Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE)
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/journals/jrte.aspx
publishes articles that explore educational technology in teaching and learning, and  pertain to the instructional uses of technology.  I feel that "state of the art and future horizons of learning and teaching with technology in educational environments" sums up my vision of where education is going, and I hope my paper will help others move in that direction.