This will undoubtedly be a long post. I have many reflections and comments.
I ended Bill's strand realizing how much I LOVE 'theory' and how much Bill truly taught. There's no disrespect meant when I say that I've honestly learned more from Bill's strand - thus far - than the other two. Of course, there are miles ahead of me and I suspect that the REAL learning of AR will be the bulk of learned material. Bill's strand directly led me to my point of focus for my AR project. I had no idea what a Community of Practice was until this semester. Now, I find myself picking out CoP's all over the place -- all over our community and in the city, the state, the nation, the world. Interesting!
I have to admit that I completely enjoyed each and every assignment Bill gave to us -- including the WoW game! I won't continue playing the game, mostly due to lack of time, but it's opened my mind to a different way of thinking and learning for many people. I've even considered using Second Life as a learning tool in some way. That's still brewing on the back-burner.
I had trouble understanding what was expected for a couple of assignments but I've deeply enjoyed the comradery between the various groups with whom I've been involved/assigned.
I've done an un-explainable amount of reading, note taking, etc. and have written a Lit Review, outlined my AR Plan - and all will be submitted. I've found over 60 usable articles/books/etc. that are pertinent to my topic.
There were some minor issues about various conversations, time tables, 'absolute' formats, and silly things that really don't need to be hashed over here. I did feel a bit of tension and disorientation while searching, finding, hunting, locating (etc.) links and various 'helps' and 'aids' within Sakai and the other sites we utilize. But, it seems there is always some student within the group(s) that has found it and I need only post a message asking where to locate, and 'voila!' there it is! I have to admit that I'm used to a bit more structure within university programs, but I understand the delimma of coordinating large amounts of information and technology, especially when so much new technology becomes available almost DAILY! <sigh>
Quite a few hours in my week are spent hunting for the newest and best tech tools (and ICT) that might be usable/appropriate within the Scholarly CoP's where I've chosen to conduct my research.
I've bonded well with both Programs at my University and I've been accepted as 'an expert' of sorts by the profs and students. That's encouraging and also helpful for performing the research. I've chosen to call the position I'm attempting to create: Hands-on-Support (HoS). The HoS will be a CoP within itself that works WITH the various departments (faculty, students, IS Dept., library staff, etc.). These CoP's work well in their own right, but they tend to 'tangent' off one another with no real glue holding together the departments -- an HoS CoP could be the answer. A main concern I have...as I've been observing...is how LITTLE time the faculty and the IS Dept. have for just looking up and researching various tech tools and ICT that could make the classrooms better places of learning. The teachers are nearly begging for the tech tools (in most departments) but they have no time (or expertise?) to find the right tools (at the right price, for the current students) and no time to learn/teach the tools, no time to assure the tech tools they are using are the best and most current for their classes/programs. This is where an HoS would be valuable. This HoS CoP would be the group handling these time-consuming tasks. I want to point out that the HoS CoP would actually include various faculty members, current students, folks from the IS Dept., librarians (and such) because everyone has contact with tech tools and hears about new things here and there. It would be a sharing point, with the "steward" of the HoS (me, for now) being the main person to be conducting weekly research about new tech tools and keeping up-to-date about the tools' use in the classrooms.
If an HoS CoP is eliminated or lost....the tech tools eventually become obsolete, and then un-used.
I'm working with the ESL/CELE Program and the Missions Program. I've decided to have the two programs start to work together in various ways. The Missions students (aka 'multi-cultural workers') will eventually be in contact with folks from various countries around the world and might benefit from the contact with the ESL International Students. Also, this interaction is a safer place for the students to interact than with folks they don't know outside of the institution (chat rooms that are safe and secure, and geared toward ESL students are hard to find...if there are any).
The ESL/CELE Students might benefit from interacting with the Missions Students as they continue on their endeavor to learn the English language. Northwest Univ. is a Bible College, so the Int'l Students can also benefit from learning various theological terms that the ESL student will need to know for mainstream classes when they move from the CELE program into regular classes.
This is a small blurb example of the benefits of these two programs working together via an HoS CoP - there are plenty more.
I have many tech tools and ICT researched and learned already...I've started to introduce a few to the two programs, I will observe how well the tools work and 'quietly' change out the tech tool if it appears to be useless or hindering in any way. There's no sense in using technology just for the sake of technology in a classroom.
I am beginning to develop my AR website - I've chosen the various components and I have the website design in mind. I'm using EverNote to store various sites, blurbs, docs, etc. that I'd like to make a part of my AR website.
Design Group seems to be going well. We all have our strengths and I believe we're 'ahead of schedule' if I understand correctly. I like my group and I'm happy with the topic we chose -- even though we did switch topics in mid-stream, I think it was a good and wise change.
I've signed up for the FETC in FL and chosen a few booths I'd like to visit (via the website Margaret created) - I have my barcode for entrance into the exhibit hall. All is set to go on that adventure.
I think that's all I'll type for now. I know I will think of more later and I will add it. Eventually, I will be copying and pasting only my AR blog material from this particular Blogger...to put into my website and have a separate Blogger for just AR. It will be nice.
Peace.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability | Video on TED.com
After a rather "downer" week (weeks?)...a fellow student shared this and it's made a big difference in my heart.
Very worth watching - I promise.
j
Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability | Video on TED.com
Very worth watching - I promise.
j
Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability | Video on TED.com
Saturday, November 27, 2010
nope
I hate my computer and don't want to open it anymore.
I dread opening my eyes when I wake up because I know I'll see a computer.
I would give a lot right now, to just have no technology for a couple weeks.
I purposely let my cell phone die and don't charge it. I leave it in my truck on purpose. It's less technology in front of me.
I'm tired of this, cognitively speaking. My memory, perception, judgment, reasoning is too blended with the emotional and volitional parts of my brain and that is no good for "objective" observation and learning. Not at this point, anyway.
I need a break ... I want to hand my computer and brain over to someone at MALT and they can have all my information. I don't want to transpose any of it.
But I'm not a quitter - struggle - so, I guess I'll post this and move on with the tasks at hand.
Please don't judge. I posted.
I dread opening my eyes when I wake up because I know I'll see a computer.
I would give a lot right now, to just have no technology for a couple weeks.
I purposely let my cell phone die and don't charge it. I leave it in my truck on purpose. It's less technology in front of me.
I'm tired of this, cognitively speaking. My memory, perception, judgment, reasoning is too blended with the emotional and volitional parts of my brain and that is no good for "objective" observation and learning. Not at this point, anyway.
I need a break ... I want to hand my computer and brain over to someone at MALT and they can have all my information. I don't want to transpose any of it.
But I'm not a quitter - struggle - so, I guess I'll post this and move on with the tasks at hand.
Please don't judge. I posted.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
where to start...
Alright, alright...it's been about 3 weeks since my last update - I'm prioritizing and blogging is not at the top. HOWEVER, I've kept excellent notes & can create this blog (and probably a few subsequent blogs) using just my dated notes on our various strands, projects, etc.
My CoP and Theorist projects have been popped-into the selected locations. I had an ABSOLUTE blast doing the CoP project. This project really pulled out the ideas about community learning for me. I'm still holding tight to my thought/belief that there *is* such thing as individual learning, and that rote learning is not only important but also imperative to education. However, I've started leaning WAY toward the idea of communities of practice, mainly because I see that THIS is the way the world is leaning. We must meet the student where the student stands. This generation and those to follow are multi-multi taskers (my own term, thank you ... I think I'll call it M-MT, and I've now blogged the term with a time stamp, so if anyone steals it....I'll know <wicked grin>). They are also students who do nearly everything in community, whether they realize it or not. Globalization.
I was/am deeply attached to my theorist - I enjoyed learning more about Dr. Montessori. I knew about the Montessori method prior to the project, but never to the depth I do now. And I didn't realize just how close to my OWN way of thinking her methods and theories are. A strong, informed and intelligent individual who's been allowed to develop personal strengths, has potential to be a strong link within a community and society on the whole.
My Lit Review is a bad subject. I don't want to go there right now. It's being revised (for the sixth time) - my OWN revisions, only because I know the quality of work expected (and the standards I hold) and nothing I've written comes close to that quality yet.
My AR - I've had to move quick on this - probably quicker than others who have the luxury of over-seeing and controlling their own classes (organization, position, etc.) throughout the entire school year. I don't. I've had to prioritize and it meant putting some of the class assignments behind, in order to stay on top of my AR.
If nothing else, at this point, the AR project has forced me to think quick, work quick, be EXTREMELY flexible, sleep far less than I already don't (not a typo), and to be frank, I've had to learn to ignore some demands knowing that those who are not close to my work, can't understand the predicament in which I stand. I've had to have a lot of faith in myself and in God -- faith that everything will turn out "okay" in the end, as long as I keep pushing forward and moving fast.
For my AR - I've chosen to concentrate on setting up a Framework for Building Scholarly/Professional CoP's Using ICT Tools. This also involves maintaining that framework once it's in place. I'm working within the ESL program and Missions program at Northwest Univ. I knew NOTHING about either program when I started but they were willing to work with me...unlike the departments where I typically work (History, Theology). I had to QUICKLY learn about ESL - I did an *immense* amount of journal reading about ESL in the past 20ish years and the different methods, theories, etc. I sat with two of the Missions profs and bothered them for a few hours about what is involved in learning "multi-cultural working" (what they prefer to call 'Mission Workers' b/c some of the workers won't be necessarily preaching, they will be building, giving med assistance, etc.).
I'm not a PART of each program and feel welcomed and at home in the classes. I've become a teaching assistant to many of the profs (this was a must, in order to work in the programs -- it added to my work load, but I need "an in" and that was it...so I'm an UNPAID T.A. - hmmm....).
There are about 20 students in the Missions program (some have other majors, and are doing Missions minors....Nursing, InterCultural Studies, etc.) and there are only TWO ESL/CELE students - there will be a total FIVE in the Jan. term. I suspect this will affect my data, with such a low number of students to observe, but it's a new program (the CELE part) and part of my goal is to actually have some sort of tool at work within the CELE website, reaching out (marketing?) to potential new students.
I have many notes from my time in the classes and have already started to present various tech tool to the profs - I had no choice but to start introducing them - the profs must have 'game plans' for the coming semester and we needed to try out a few tools before presenting them to the 'powers above.'
I purchased my own copy of VoiceThread (the personal use version) as this seems to be the way all profs involved would like to move. If it doesn't work, I'm only out $90 and I learned a new tool. I'll chalk it up to the few lunches and suppers I've missed while doing work and I'll eat less next month.
No big deal. (it's a joke)
I'll be posting a lot of my notes in the upcoming blogs - and these will eventually become my AR notes on my AR website. I'd like to at least get them online & organized and this blog area will be the place.
I'm not looking forward to my "first AR draft" since I've already had to put wheels in motion -- I'm sure it will piss off a couple of people that I've moved forward. As noted, I don't have the luxury of sitting back, researching, taking notes and coming up with a game plan in this semester.....something HAD TO BE presented or I was NOT going to be allowed to continue. The profs want to know how to plan their spring term and they could not/cannot plan without knowing what tools they may or may not be using. At least I managed to keep some space open for a tech tool in each area, in general. If that tool does not seem to be working, I can find something else that might. Again, it falls back on the impossible Lit Review. How to find scholarly writing on tech tools that are brand new? It's been nearly impossible. I've done plenty of reading and research on building professional/scholarly CoP's but I can't know how ICT tools fit in the equation if no one has written about it....it's a new field...
To be continued....
My CoP and Theorist projects have been popped-into the selected locations. I had an ABSOLUTE blast doing the CoP project. This project really pulled out the ideas about community learning for me. I'm still holding tight to my thought/belief that there *is* such thing as individual learning, and that rote learning is not only important but also imperative to education. However, I've started leaning WAY toward the idea of communities of practice, mainly because I see that THIS is the way the world is leaning. We must meet the student where the student stands. This generation and those to follow are multi-multi taskers (my own term, thank you ... I think I'll call it M-MT, and I've now blogged the term with a time stamp, so if anyone steals it....I'll know <wicked grin>). They are also students who do nearly everything in community, whether they realize it or not. Globalization.
I was/am deeply attached to my theorist - I enjoyed learning more about Dr. Montessori. I knew about the Montessori method prior to the project, but never to the depth I do now. And I didn't realize just how close to my OWN way of thinking her methods and theories are. A strong, informed and intelligent individual who's been allowed to develop personal strengths, has potential to be a strong link within a community and society on the whole.
My Lit Review is a bad subject. I don't want to go there right now. It's being revised (for the sixth time) - my OWN revisions, only because I know the quality of work expected (and the standards I hold) and nothing I've written comes close to that quality yet.
My AR - I've had to move quick on this - probably quicker than others who have the luxury of over-seeing and controlling their own classes (organization, position, etc.) throughout the entire school year. I don't. I've had to prioritize and it meant putting some of the class assignments behind, in order to stay on top of my AR.
If nothing else, at this point, the AR project has forced me to think quick, work quick, be EXTREMELY flexible, sleep far less than I already don't (not a typo), and to be frank, I've had to learn to ignore some demands knowing that those who are not close to my work, can't understand the predicament in which I stand. I've had to have a lot of faith in myself and in God -- faith that everything will turn out "okay" in the end, as long as I keep pushing forward and moving fast.
For my AR - I've chosen to concentrate on setting up a Framework for Building Scholarly/Professional CoP's Using ICT Tools. This also involves maintaining that framework once it's in place. I'm working within the ESL program and Missions program at Northwest Univ. I knew NOTHING about either program when I started but they were willing to work with me...unlike the departments where I typically work (History, Theology). I had to QUICKLY learn about ESL - I did an *immense* amount of journal reading about ESL in the past 20ish years and the different methods, theories, etc. I sat with two of the Missions profs and bothered them for a few hours about what is involved in learning "multi-cultural working" (what they prefer to call 'Mission Workers' b/c some of the workers won't be necessarily preaching, they will be building, giving med assistance, etc.).
I'm not a PART of each program and feel welcomed and at home in the classes. I've become a teaching assistant to many of the profs (this was a must, in order to work in the programs -- it added to my work load, but I need "an in" and that was it...so I'm an UNPAID T.A. - hmmm....).
There are about 20 students in the Missions program (some have other majors, and are doing Missions minors....Nursing, InterCultural Studies, etc.) and there are only TWO ESL/CELE students - there will be a total FIVE in the Jan. term. I suspect this will affect my data, with such a low number of students to observe, but it's a new program (the CELE part) and part of my goal is to actually have some sort of tool at work within the CELE website, reaching out (marketing?) to potential new students.
I have many notes from my time in the classes and have already started to present various tech tool to the profs - I had no choice but to start introducing them - the profs must have 'game plans' for the coming semester and we needed to try out a few tools before presenting them to the 'powers above.'
I purchased my own copy of VoiceThread (the personal use version) as this seems to be the way all profs involved would like to move. If it doesn't work, I'm only out $90 and I learned a new tool. I'll chalk it up to the few lunches and suppers I've missed while doing work and I'll eat less next month.
No big deal. (it's a joke)
I'll be posting a lot of my notes in the upcoming blogs - and these will eventually become my AR notes on my AR website. I'd like to at least get them online & organized and this blog area will be the place.
I'm not looking forward to my "first AR draft" since I've already had to put wheels in motion -- I'm sure it will piss off a couple of people that I've moved forward. As noted, I don't have the luxury of sitting back, researching, taking notes and coming up with a game plan in this semester.....something HAD TO BE presented or I was NOT going to be allowed to continue. The profs want to know how to plan their spring term and they could not/cannot plan without knowing what tools they may or may not be using. At least I managed to keep some space open for a tech tool in each area, in general. If that tool does not seem to be working, I can find something else that might. Again, it falls back on the impossible Lit Review. How to find scholarly writing on tech tools that are brand new? It's been nearly impossible. I've done plenty of reading and research on building professional/scholarly CoP's but I can't know how ICT tools fit in the equation if no one has written about it....it's a new field...
To be continued....
Saturday, October 23, 2010
a blog for the sake of a blog
I have to blog now.
On my mind (regarding the class(es)) - theories, CoP's, research, group communication/collaboration, feedback, organization and prioritization ... and more.
This all feeds into our individual AR projects but it also develops us as people, as useful people with things to share.
There is no one theory that trumps them all. All should be taken into consideration when presented with a certain task or goal.
CoP's are instrumental in nearly all aspects of life.
Research is time consuming but well-worth every single second. Research needs to be seen from the individual "piece of literature" and then also in regards to the rest of the research. It's important to take notes and write important thoughts and concepts as soon as they come to mind or they will be forgotten when the time comes to formulate an essay. And I can't stress enough the importance of organization in this area -- keeping sources' citations, making sure any 'good' quote found and noted has the source citation attached to it (even if abbreviated, it can be properly cited later).
Our groups lose/gain focus, lose/gain ground according to how much time and effort is put into constructive communication and collaboration.
Feedback from instructors is desired for various reasons - some need re-assurance that they are on the right track...some need clarity...some need re-direction...etc.
Personal organization and prioritization is important but somehow sits in the backseat during this time. That makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I'm learning to deal with it.
Overall, I see progress in the process. I see part of the road map (though I'd rather see it all...but I'm sure there is reason why we aren't shown the whole "way" and much of it has to do with the organic nature of AR .... and the extreme ever-changing technology...become complacent or stagnant is a death sentence in this world).
Just a quick update about where I am mentally.
Emotionally, my mind is a bit of a mess - I know one of the mantra is "family first" but I don't see that as an option conducive with success in this program. It's more of a choice...family OR school. But I look at the brighter side: it's only for a year...and now less than eight months by my count.
jlt
On my mind (regarding the class(es)) - theories, CoP's, research, group communication/collaboration, feedback, organization and prioritization ... and more.
This all feeds into our individual AR projects but it also develops us as people, as useful people with things to share.
There is no one theory that trumps them all. All should be taken into consideration when presented with a certain task or goal.
CoP's are instrumental in nearly all aspects of life.
Research is time consuming but well-worth every single second. Research needs to be seen from the individual "piece of literature" and then also in regards to the rest of the research. It's important to take notes and write important thoughts and concepts as soon as they come to mind or they will be forgotten when the time comes to formulate an essay. And I can't stress enough the importance of organization in this area -- keeping sources' citations, making sure any 'good' quote found and noted has the source citation attached to it (even if abbreviated, it can be properly cited later).
Our groups lose/gain focus, lose/gain ground according to how much time and effort is put into constructive communication and collaboration.
Feedback from instructors is desired for various reasons - some need re-assurance that they are on the right track...some need clarity...some need re-direction...etc.
Personal organization and prioritization is important but somehow sits in the backseat during this time. That makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I'm learning to deal with it.
Overall, I see progress in the process. I see part of the road map (though I'd rather see it all...but I'm sure there is reason why we aren't shown the whole "way" and much of it has to do with the organic nature of AR .... and the extreme ever-changing technology...become complacent or stagnant is a death sentence in this world).
Just a quick update about where I am mentally.
Emotionally, my mind is a bit of a mess - I know one of the mantra is "family first" but I don't see that as an option conducive with success in this program. It's more of a choice...family OR school. But I look at the brighter side: it's only for a year...and now less than eight months by my count.
jlt
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
CoP project - Indoor Rock Climbing and Bouldering
For BEST viewing....use headphones/earpods, turn volume about half way and view FULL-screen.
Thanks for checking it out.j
(YouTube link below...just in case...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRLLn_V-jIk
Monday, October 4, 2010
no sweat
WoW is on hold. I'll just say that upfront, making this part of my WoW blog for the week too. I'm still learning from WoW - I'm learning that prioritizing in new ways is a must. I've always been one to have a bunch of "pots cooking" at one time...and at this time, my "WoW pot" is at a simmer. And it's good that it's simmering as this is definite proof that I will *never* be addicted to MMORPGs. Whew! (LOL! I wasn't worried ;-)
Projects. Working on the CoP for the Cog strand. This is more fun than I thought. I saw the project and saw FUN from the start...I really did! But, I get to check out an adventurous sport I've always been curious to try and then use ART to describe the implicit learning within the community sport. Personally, this has to be the best project yet, for me. My only problem is narrowing down my info and ideas -- I want to make TEN different artifacts! Anyway...
My AR project -- moving forward...slowly. But I think that's the point. Margaret has been especially helpful in helping me decide how to gauge "progress" as I OBSERVE my issue in the classrooms. I figure there must be a method to calculate 'where' the starting point is -- and then the progress as I implement my ideas into the classrooms/programs as the semesters roll on.
Paul has been helpful in direction and deeper thought -- and Bill's Cog strand blends in nicely with it all, of course.
My Learning Circle is priceless. We have so many laughs when we're together and ideas just start pouring out as we chat with one another. We do have a few laughs at Paul's expense and he's a good sport ;-) I pray a lot for my mates in my L.C. - this is our BIG project for the program and I pray that each of us will feel as if we're accomplishing...as if we're actually making a difference within our jobs/passions as the time goes by. I don't want this AR, these changes we're making, to simply end once we pull our MA in June. That would suck. I'm passionately involved in my own AR and hope that everyone else will be able to continue with their passion for their AR as their jobs continue past the MALT program.
The Design Team Project: we are a good group. I've said it before and I'll continue to say it. I'm so thankful for the team with which I was grouped. We had a rocky start, lost a team member, changed course in mid-stream, had to narrow down our focus, etc. But, all-in-all, I've enjoyed working on the Needs Analysis and now the Tools Presentation. I'm finishing up my own tools presentation and I am totally digging it! I love how my project is looking and I'm proud of it.
The forums - plugging away at them. The reading is tough to "divvy up" -- it seems to be the group consensus that it's hard to answer forum questions if the individual hasn't done at least SOME of the reading alone. I thought it through and wondered how much time each person might be taking to read just one of the books, create a decent summary and have the items in the summary that are usable for their mates to adequately add to the forum discussions. This really comes down to some trust issues, as well. Does each person TRUST that the one who read the book created a fair/decent/sufficient outline or summary of the book (s)he volunteered to read for the group?
I don't know -- I've been burned in the past doing this in groups. I tend to read faster than most and have chosen to read on my own ... but have NO problem sharing what I read with any of my mates. I'd read all the books and summarize if it would make even ONE student's life easier right now.
I am having a hard time keeping up with my forum posts - I do have a 'bitch' - I didn't realize there was a whole string of forum questions I missed and I suppose it could be my own fault for not checking each link in Sakai, but seriously, I think the forum questions are spread a little too far around. Just a suggestion for next time around? Maybe if the 2 groups of members (Paul's/Margaret's group) had only ONE place to look for forum questions, this might help alleviate some of the stress. After all, aren't the 2 groups running somewhat simultaneously anyway?
We seem to be answering each others forum posts from both groups anyway -- so it seems reasonable. Oh well, just a thought.
Another thought from this week: how many groups do we really need to join? I'm not sold on all the different wikis and sites (ex: Diigo, Yammer, Wikispaces, cohuman, Google Groups, etc.). We have our own 'private' student places too -- our own cadre website, the cadre FB site, etc. Just seems like overkill.
Not to mention, it's added to the sites we all follow anyway (I know I already follow dozens of sites for my 2 jobs...there's a time when technology can actually get in the way - everything in moderation.
Just an opinion here. And I want to give credit where it's due -- God bless the students who thought enough of all of us to set up these sites and share (AND the profs!!).
The Lit Reviews have been neglected - I have read quite a few but still have yet to report on them - I need to put extra effort into this area this week.
I noticed a lot more collaboration between our cadre in the past week or two. A LOT!
The FETC trip has been a collaboration project - and I really hate the fact that it may appear as if I don't want to be WITH my mates in Orlando -- but truly, I WILL be will them all. Only when I sleep, will I be in my FREE room. It simply came down to a matter of money and I hope everyone understands. I'm looking forward to the trip (though I wish my husband could come -- his date for return from the midEast is not until mid-April...a bit sad) - I look forward to the face-to-face interaction again. Technology is AWESOME but nothing beats human contact.
peace and happiness from the Emerald City.
Projects. Working on the CoP for the Cog strand. This is more fun than I thought. I saw the project and saw FUN from the start...I really did! But, I get to check out an adventurous sport I've always been curious to try and then use ART to describe the implicit learning within the community sport. Personally, this has to be the best project yet, for me. My only problem is narrowing down my info and ideas -- I want to make TEN different artifacts! Anyway...
My AR project -- moving forward...slowly. But I think that's the point. Margaret has been especially helpful in helping me decide how to gauge "progress" as I OBSERVE my issue in the classrooms. I figure there must be a method to calculate 'where' the starting point is -- and then the progress as I implement my ideas into the classrooms/programs as the semesters roll on.
Paul has been helpful in direction and deeper thought -- and Bill's Cog strand blends in nicely with it all, of course.
My Learning Circle is priceless. We have so many laughs when we're together and ideas just start pouring out as we chat with one another. We do have a few laughs at Paul's expense and he's a good sport ;-) I pray a lot for my mates in my L.C. - this is our BIG project for the program and I pray that each of us will feel as if we're accomplishing...as if we're actually making a difference within our jobs/passions as the time goes by. I don't want this AR, these changes we're making, to simply end once we pull our MA in June. That would suck. I'm passionately involved in my own AR and hope that everyone else will be able to continue with their passion for their AR as their jobs continue past the MALT program.
The Design Team Project: we are a good group. I've said it before and I'll continue to say it. I'm so thankful for the team with which I was grouped. We had a rocky start, lost a team member, changed course in mid-stream, had to narrow down our focus, etc. But, all-in-all, I've enjoyed working on the Needs Analysis and now the Tools Presentation. I'm finishing up my own tools presentation and I am totally digging it! I love how my project is looking and I'm proud of it.
The forums - plugging away at them. The reading is tough to "divvy up" -- it seems to be the group consensus that it's hard to answer forum questions if the individual hasn't done at least SOME of the reading alone. I thought it through and wondered how much time each person might be taking to read just one of the books, create a decent summary and have the items in the summary that are usable for their mates to adequately add to the forum discussions. This really comes down to some trust issues, as well. Does each person TRUST that the one who read the book created a fair/decent/sufficient outline or summary of the book (s)he volunteered to read for the group?
I don't know -- I've been burned in the past doing this in groups. I tend to read faster than most and have chosen to read on my own ... but have NO problem sharing what I read with any of my mates. I'd read all the books and summarize if it would make even ONE student's life easier right now.
I am having a hard time keeping up with my forum posts - I do have a 'bitch' - I didn't realize there was a whole string of forum questions I missed and I suppose it could be my own fault for not checking each link in Sakai, but seriously, I think the forum questions are spread a little too far around. Just a suggestion for next time around? Maybe if the 2 groups of members (Paul's/Margaret's group) had only ONE place to look for forum questions, this might help alleviate some of the stress. After all, aren't the 2 groups running somewhat simultaneously anyway?
We seem to be answering each others forum posts from both groups anyway -- so it seems reasonable. Oh well, just a thought.
Another thought from this week: how many groups do we really need to join? I'm not sold on all the different wikis and sites (ex: Diigo, Yammer, Wikispaces, cohuman, Google Groups, etc.). We have our own 'private' student places too -- our own cadre website, the cadre FB site, etc. Just seems like overkill.
Not to mention, it's added to the sites we all follow anyway (I know I already follow dozens of sites for my 2 jobs...there's a time when technology can actually get in the way - everything in moderation.
Just an opinion here. And I want to give credit where it's due -- God bless the students who thought enough of all of us to set up these sites and share (AND the profs!!).
The Lit Reviews have been neglected - I have read quite a few but still have yet to report on them - I need to put extra effort into this area this week.
I noticed a lot more collaboration between our cadre in the past week or two. A LOT!
The FETC trip has been a collaboration project - and I really hate the fact that it may appear as if I don't want to be WITH my mates in Orlando -- but truly, I WILL be will them all. Only when I sleep, will I be in my FREE room. It simply came down to a matter of money and I hope everyone understands. I'm looking forward to the trip (though I wish my husband could come -- his date for return from the midEast is not until mid-April...a bit sad) - I look forward to the face-to-face interaction again. Technology is AWESOME but nothing beats human contact.
peace and happiness from the Emerald City.
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