How has the course been effective in broadening your perspective and skill set for managing technology for change?
My perspective has been broadened a lot. We read a few books that really add value to what we "think" we know as individuals -- Next (by Michael Lewis) & Everything Bad is Good for You (by Steve Johnson). In Next, the author describes a series of technological "ah-ha" moments that make the very makers question what happened to technology. We are ever-so dependent on the technology yet we take it for granted. In many ways we haven't pushed it to its fullest potential to transform lives. In Everything Bad is Good for You, the author presses a different perspective of all things that we once found to be inherently evil could actually be a "gift" of learning, communication, discovery, and ..... EDUCATION! As scary as it sounds to incorporate video games into school minutes, the author gives the perspective of the "other side" in that not all things we once perceived as bad should be taken at face value.
Our class discussions have helped me see ways that I have the power of leadership and the ability to change others by example, encouragement, and my steadfast approach to modeling. When others see success, they follow. If we must become a global nation, we certainly must see past the generic judgements, bell schedules, silly formatting (APA... yes!), and seemingly religious tactics those who began running our education system have come up with.
Finally... as this was one of our assignments... if I were president, I would change education drastically (although, I really couldn't because it's a state-run legislation)... so maybe if I were the Queen of the universe I would most certainly:
Change schools to become more progressive - meaning they study actual-life trades as they gather a love for learning with purpose, more internships in high school, starting students out on an early pace-system in middle school, do away with short classes and silly bell schedule, eliminate state-mandated testing, NCLB, and anything that inhibits our kids from actually learning like school was "designed" (although poorly) to do.
Change is in the making. One OMET group at a time. Thanks Melissa, Gary, Paul, Bill, and Margaret for your incredible wisdom in this process of tranformative thinking. I have learned a lot this year and as Margaret has said before though... we have not done our jobs until we take our learning and multiply it. That is the true test of learning.
Peace sign.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
EDC 668 - Week 10 Blog - posting #101!
What types of influence do I have in my current local and global communities? How can I expand that influence?
This question reminds me of a leadership assignment I just completed where I was asked to describe the future of my leadership (on all levels). While it was similar, I did not expand my leadership to the global communities, of which I will try and do here.
Current Local Community: In my local community, I have a great deal of influence as I am a classroom teacher with many connections to students and adults (their parents). I also work in a school district of 22,000 students and many employees. I am a voter in a community of approximately 63,000 people and have connections to many people because of the city-suburbian culture in which I live. Online, I have even more community which I consider to be local as well (just a click away) but moreso global because what I read/reflect can be read worldwide and impact essentially anyone who stumbles upon what I have written.
Global Community: Within the global community, I am an avid Internet user who contributes to the Internet through blogs, wikis, discussion postings, and by creating 2 websites of which are open to the public. I have contributed to multiple types of blogs (some closed, some open) and to websites like wikipedia of which are open-source and available to all who contribute and attain knowledge.
How can I expand that influence? I can expand my influence by learning from others but also contributing my learning/reflections on the Internet. I can also expand my influence by informing and educating the students I teach, their parents, my fellow colleagues and administrators about technology and sharing their knowledge.
This question reminds me of a leadership assignment I just completed where I was asked to describe the future of my leadership (on all levels). While it was similar, I did not expand my leadership to the global communities, of which I will try and do here.
Current Local Community: In my local community, I have a great deal of influence as I am a classroom teacher with many connections to students and adults (their parents). I also work in a school district of 22,000 students and many employees. I am a voter in a community of approximately 63,000 people and have connections to many people because of the city-suburbian culture in which I live. Online, I have even more community which I consider to be local as well (just a click away) but moreso global because what I read/reflect can be read worldwide and impact essentially anyone who stumbles upon what I have written.
Global Community: Within the global community, I am an avid Internet user who contributes to the Internet through blogs, wikis, discussion postings, and by creating 2 websites of which are open to the public. I have contributed to multiple types of blogs (some closed, some open) and to websites like wikipedia of which are open-source and available to all who contribute and attain knowledge.
How can I expand that influence? I can expand my influence by learning from others but also contributing my learning/reflections on the Internet. I can also expand my influence by informing and educating the students I teach, their parents, my fellow colleagues and administrators about technology and sharing their knowledge.
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