Think Out Loud 2

Wow, I can't believe that month 11 is coming to an end on my 44th birthday.  A year and a half ago at this time I hadn't even seriously considered a master's program, but due to continuing contracts at my school, even though I have 16 years of teaching experience and 6 extra years of service to the district I am lower on the totem pole than teachers with 3 years of experience and their masters.  I wanted to get a masters that will really mean something in my teaching and help me to reach more learners in a meaningful way.  One area I was definitely the weakest in was technology, so when I received an email from Full Sail I decided to pursue it.  I was contacted within an hour and I decided this was the program for me.  I have met many wonderful people whom have helped me through this program and whom I am sure I will continue to keep contact with.  The professors have been very helpful and have taught me so much.  My ARP is something I will continue to pursue even after month 12 is completed.  It has been very successful in helping me reach the goal I was trying to attain.

Think Out Loud 1

The top two choices of where I would like to submit my article are The Journal of Science Teacher Education and Science Scope by National Science Teachers Association.  I have selected these two venues because they are geared directly to the grade and subjects with which my AR deals.  

The Journal of Science Teacher Education is offered online so that makes it very convenient for people to access and it is cost free.  This journal publishes research and theories dealing with the preparation of science teachers.  It also is geared to educating science teachers.  Evidence of the effectiveness of specific teaching strategies is offered.  This journal is the official journal of the Association for Science Teacher Education.  It is geared to upper and middle grades.  

Science Scope is probably the journal I am more interested in based on the fact that it appears to deal more with the areas my research covers.  This journal is the National Science Teachers Association's peer-reviewed journal.  It is geared towards middle grade science teachers.  Each issue has lesson ideas and editorials.  

Calland_Susan_PubLeadProject.docx

My ARP deals with using the Study Island computer program in order to raise 8th grade students' Ohio Achievement Assessment scores on the science portion.  The two cycles involved qualitative and quantitative data all proving that the computer program was a success in reaching my intended goal.
Click below to link to components of my project.
Google Presentation
Think Out Loud 1
Think Out Loud 2

MAC Blog Post 3 week 4 - Response to Ann Cannizzaro

Ann Cannizzaro wrote:

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. 

My response:

I agree that it definitely is better to take baby steps and build to the goal; however, I am not very good at that.  In reading your response to the chapters, I do think that it would be better in the long run if I took baby steps, too.  Also, I think you are right that holding ourselves back for whatever reason can keep us from reaching our greatest potential.  Getting outside our comfort zone, which is what we ask the kids to do everyday, can benefit not only us, but our students also. I am one that doesn’t mind making a fool of myself in front of my students, but I am much less comfortable in front of my peers.  I too have learned a lot from this book. 

MAC Blog Post 2 week 4 - Response to Marty Denson

Marty Denson wrote:

The practice of enrollment, in many regards, sounds similar to what I have been doing for the past several months but didn’t actually realize that I was doing it. Perhaps many of us have been demonstrating this practice unknowingly. I have always believed that when you discover what truly interests individuals, you not only add that ‘spark’ within them, but within yourself as well.

Many of my students seem to enjoy music immensely, however, I have noticed that when it was time to incorporate music technology as a learning tool, they seemed to think that everything was going to be extremely technical. They initially viewed it as all technology jargon and intense engineering protocol, leaving no room for fun and enjoyment. It wasn’t until I spoke with them and probed to find out what their musical tastes were and suggested to them that they could learn, experiment, and discover with the musical styles of their choice. Many were surprised that I did not suggest that it had to be classical music, which they had been accustomed to hearing in all of their other courses. What I was most interested in accomplishing was allowing each of them to reach their full potential in performance techniques and how to use music technology to help achieve that goal. This approach, rather simple in my opinion, lit a fire in all of them. They became eager to get started and began to invoke a sense of creativity even I didn’t expect.

Once it was understood that they could use any style of music to engage in the learning process, they started working even harder and longer to perfect their original works, which was beneficial to the overall goals. I was completely overwhelmed with the shift in attitude by simply appealing to their interests. It was if those ‘steps to the practice’ of enrollment were evident in what was a natural process at that particular time. When you are passionate about what you do, I believe you can find ways to give individuals that spark that allows them to become much more engaged in whatever they are participating in.

My Response to Marty:

I totally agree with you Marty in that if you are able to discover the interests of an individual it can spark both the individual and you.  It definitely sounds as though you bring the best out in your students and you do it very naturally.  Allowing them to use the technology, which was the objective, on any type of music made them not only more comfortable, but also more interested since it centered around something they could relate to.  Engagement is the key to getting students to learn as much as possible.  You really have them engaged so they are learning much more. 

 Image courtesy of copyright free Microsoft images.

MAC Blog Post 1 week 4 - The Art of Possibility chapters 9-12

Don’t hold back & participate wholly!

The chapter that definitely meant the most to me was chapter 9.  I have noticed many times that the students in my 7^th & 8^th grade classes who are totally uninterested in school and completely uninspired, will give me full effort when I am my nuttiest!  They may look at me and roll their eyes, but every time I am passionate about what I do and really into it, they are definitely paying more attention than when I am just giving notes or lecturing.  It is so awesome to see that student that really doesn’t give a hoot about being in my class, study for a quiz or look at me and say, “Hey I get it!”  The crazier I am, the more I can generate a spark from them.  To get my students to remember waxing and waning moon phases, I do my Karate Kid, Mr. Miagi, stance with my karate move.  I may look like a goof, but they remember the moon phases!  I was at an awards assembly at the high school and a former student caught my eye when the speaker talked about “wax on, wax off”.  Across the gym she mouthed to me, “was on, wane off” with a big smile on her face.  She was in my class three years ago.  Those are the time that I know that if I don’t hold back, they understand and remember so much more.   They are also more willing to take a risk since I do.  

MAC Blog Post 4 week 3 - Presentation

My presentation is coming along pretty well I think.  I am anxious to get some suggestions from my critical friends in my group.  They definitely are helpful with their suggestions.  I am trying to figure out what data and information is the most important to focus on in order to make the biggest impression.  Also, I have now started using Creative Commons due to suggestions by other classmates.  It sure is easy to find copyright-free images of anything needed.  Also, with my many screen shots of Study Island that portion of my power point is going well.  I have enjoyed being able to do the post 4 entries about my presentation each time as it has really helped me to think it through and figure out what direction I am going to go. The image to the right is a screen shot of one student's data from Study Island.  There is a lot of usable data just in this one image.

5 days later:  Things with my project are now changing a bit since I just saw an email that said our presentation has to be to a larger audience at a conference.  I personally will also be doing it for our other two district middle school teachers and my administrators since that is what would make the largest impact for my teaching at this time, but I will also be aiming it towards a conference audience.

2 days later:  Another change to the project is I may be doing an article instead of a PPT due to the fact that I am not able to find many conferences at this time in my area.  Maybe I'll end up doing both so I can still present to my district since that would definitely make the largest impact for me.