Wk 4 Reading - Is it worth the blame?

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and for a non-reader, that is really saying something. I even plan on rereading this book while vacationing in Daytona after graduation. I loved the story that was told about handing out the blame, and how Zander realized that it could only divide the group. The purpose of making beautiful music, is being able to work cooperatively with each other to create memories. Each performance happens that one time. It is only within that moment that the opportunity for that performance of a particular piece of music can exist. I have found that the field of education is very guilty of using reward and punishment as a means of accountability. If you don’t show for a concert, or turn in a piece of homework, then your grade suffers. Is that really creating motivation?

The analogy of the bus not liking my suggestions or following my advice, can reapply to classroom situation so easily. Let’s think of them, rather than me. Why should I allow myself to lay down or create unnecessary boundaries. Shouldn’t we come together as one? What can I do to help in the cohesiveness of our group? Can I do something differently? Is it me that is holding back the progression of things? Shouldn’t’ I be working on my relationship with my students and my encounters rather than setting unnecessary boundaries.? These are tremendous questions that have popped into my head over the past month. I think I am ready to reread to better absorb, and open myself and my teaching up more to the world in which I exist, rather than the world in which I think I should exist.

Wk 4- Response #2

1. • Deborah Cowden says:

     May 23, 2010 at 12:30 pm

     What has stood before me for my dream job is a misconception of my perspective of living and acting under authority. This concept was taught to me about 20 years ago, and I now see that it is a barrier. The perspective that we are all leaders and teachers and contributors is much more the WE story, proposed by the Zanders. I look forward to the coming months as I practice developing the WE story for my dream job.

     Reply

     • Steve Mohler says:

       May 23, 2010 at 5:51 pm

       I’m with you Deborah. It is difficult to break out of the old ways. Zander speaks so eloquently and offers so much insight into accepting our existence around us. I thought that many of his comments and ideas are so worthwhile pursuing. Especially as someone who has been in the same routine and guidelines for many years. I would like to think that through more self exploration and soul searching I may be able to be more open and aware of making mine, and others, worlds more accepting.

       
       

Wk 4 - Response

2. Coast, Kimberly says:

   May 23, 2010 at 12:29 pm

   Steve! What can I say but WOW! THAT SOUNDS AWESOME! I can tell you have really put some thought into what you would want in your environment! I hope you make it happen.

   My ideal environment to teach students would be a classroom made from an old planetarium. I watched the movie Meet the Robinsons with my children in the theater when it first came out and that home really impressed me. I think having my own school in a planetarium would rock! All the ancillary rooms would function as workshop rooms (classrooms) and the main planetarium observatory would be the main classroom. Each seat would be set up with connections for the students to plug in their laptops and school would be held as a great instantaneous collaboration. Students would have the collective meeting at the beginning and end of the day in the observatory and during the middle part they would go to the ancillary workshop rooms specialized in each of the academic disciplines. The morning collective group time would be for presentation of the problems of the day and the end of the school day would be for presentations of results.
   Each of the classrooms would be set up with wifi, camera presentation presenters, ceiling mounted LCD projectors, long tables with stools in the central work area for collaboration, desks along the walls for quiet individual working time, audio system ceiling embedded, and smartboards for each classroom. I also think that a holographic table like in Ironman would rock! When are they going to make THAT reality!?! Several of the rooms would be converted into weight training, spin, and dance classes. Two large auditoriums would be necessary for music instruction, as well as adjacent practice rooms. The outer grounds would also have wifi and students could work in more of a natural environment with beautiful Japanese gardens, Italian pergolas and sitting areas, and wide walkways where students could walk and stay healthy while completing school work. There would also have to be a large outdoor amphitheater for music performances. I don’t want school to be confined to the four walls of a classroom alone. I think that this school would have to be private and I want to be the principal in charge of curriculum and instruction.

   Reply
3. Steve Mohler says:

   May 23, 2010 at 5:44 pm

   Kimberly,
   I could function in your vision just as well. Maybe we could find a way to incorporate them together.Your vision appears to more campus oriented, and I think I could “struggle” to function within the confines. I think that the combining of these two visions could be nothing short of fabulous and effective for all learning.

   
   

Wk 4 - Publishing Project Thoughts

I think I have decided upon publishing as my project submission. In reviewing my notes and web site recently I began to put thoughts together. What I came up with was a rather nice piece of writing (I think) that could be helpful to fellow music educators. As educators we are always looking for new and inviting ways to teach. When information is posted in one of our journals, the quick reading articles tend to help with decision making. Often we are so enveloped in our work that time demands are limiting for research and the submission of informative articles of things that work or don’t work help to shed light on factors that affect our decisions. I plan to submit to The Music Educators Journal, MENC, and the Music Technology Journal for consideration of my project.

Wk 4 - DB 2 Dream Job? - Maybe later

What stands between me and my dream job? Economic issues, location, and commitments are barriers.. I live in a small rural town and have been here for a number of years. I prefer the big city life much more but circumstances keep me here. I feel that I am a very creative person and have lots of visionary insight that can be used in many areas of the arts. But, due to my location those gifts are not used to their fullest and when they are used they are taken for granted by small minded, small town mentality. Twenty years ago I probably would have felt more inclined to say that I deserve a dream job. But as I near my retirement from education I suffice to finish out my time here. Perhaps after retirement, in my next life I can find a better outlet for my gifts.

Wk 4- DB 1 Dream Teaching Environment

My dream teaching environment would be an octagonal space with good lighting, air flow, and feel inviting with colors of yellow to spark creativity, red for energy, and blue seating for tranquility. I would like a tiered area that would allow easy visibility for all participants. A ceiling mounted projection screen would be visible from both sides in a 360% manner throughout the room. Computers and piano keyboards would surround the outer perimeters of the room, allowing open area in the center of the room for brainstorming and rehearsal preparations. Open access to sites that could be used with supervision would be the ultimate finish to my environment. A teacher monitoring station which could view students work and interact with them as well as control all of the lighting, video and audio components of the room.

Wk 3 - Classroom Podcast Idea Sites

http://mustech.net/2010/05/03/the-monday-morning-music-mix-education-12

MusTech.Net provides you with the most interesting news to follow and wake-up to on Monday Mornings. So, sit back, grab your favorite coffee and “TAKE FIVE”…

http://mustech.net/2010/03/25/musicednews-com-launched-today-fresh

MusicEdNews seeks to be a beacon and island for the latest Music Education-related News in the vast sea of the Internet. While still in a state of newness and FLUX, MusicEdNews is already aggregating the “best of the best” of the RSS feeds related to Music Education.

http://www.podcastingnews.com/details/feeds.feedburner.com/EdtechMusician/view.htm

EdTech Musician
	A place for Music Teachers, Brass Band Enthusiasts and Educational Technology Professionals.

http://www.podcastingnews.com/details/www.nolanschmit.com/site/the_composers_notebook/rss.xml/view.htm

The Composers Notebook
	In each episode we will explore a different aspect of composing music from inspiration to performance. Enjoy “Composers and Coffee” our special segment of interviews with composers.

Wk 3 Response - Lighting the Spark

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Wk 3-Reading Comment-Patricia Duresky-EDM 613-MAC

This week our chapter reading in the "The Art of Possibilities" covers Chap.7, The Way Things Are; Chap.8, Giving Way To Passion: and Chap.9, Lighting A Spark.
In the discussion of "Abstractions", in Ch. 7 's "The way things are"- I found it significant and worth remembering, that we unwittingly treat certain concepts as a physical reality. This blocks us from seeing the way things really are and reduces our power to accomplish what we say we want. The clip from "Babe" was an example of being present with resistance. It's not giving up ( the cow), nor is it throwing yourself against a wall trying to get out ( the duck). It is simply allowing yourself your feelings about the situation and being fully present. We need to be objective about our tendencies to try to escape, excuse ourselves through denial and throw blame around.To be able to suspend a quick judgement until we can really see the facts of the situation. To see the way things are allows us to experience the situation without being over emotional.
In Chap. 8- Giving Way to Passion, is a title in which I immediately felt an affinity-being an artist, I can't imagine doing what I do , teaching what I teach ( the visual arts) without the drive of passion. As a Mother-there was nothing more important than for my three children to find something they love to do and make it their career, which all three did. One is a professional photographer, one's a chef and the other became a mechanic. I believe with all my heart-what I do is not just my occupation , it is my ministry- what I was created to do. There can be nothing more satisfying than waking each morning knowing you are doing in life -what you were created to do. I have found my destiny and as a teacher -hope to help my students find theirs.
Lastly -Chap.9 "lighting a Spark". Can you imagine someone who lives passionately, loving what they do not creating ripples or producing a creative spark? Passion ignites the soul and when mind , will and emotion work in perfect harmony, that passion is evident to all that surround you. Like Zander and his wife- the romance you have with your life, becomes attractive and draws people to what you love to do. When that spark or fire is carried with you and ignites everything around you- passion becomes a contagious element-spreading like wildfire. It's glorious to live within that fire.

Wk3 Publishing/Leadership Project Part 1 of 3: Thoughts

I am not really sure which way to go with the project proposal. I am not sure I have enough good material to present and I am apprehensive about the writing of a paper for publication. I think that perhaps I will explore the possibility of submissions to journals such as Music Educators Journal, TIME, and The Journal of Music Research. Although I feel my action research project was not a real success in the manner I had hoped for, it may prove helpful to someone struggling with similar circumstances or thoughts of exploration.

Wk 3 Response - Fair Use

1. • Coast, Kimberly says:

     May 18, 2010 at 9:07 pm

     I loved the Disney video! That was just fun! I think that the videos helped a lot to understand fair use and copyright laws. However, I still think that copyright law is a thing of lawyers and clearly financial. I have a friend that works in the US Patent office and I was discussing copyright law with him this week. It is a confusing thing to mess around with patented or copyrighted materials. I have songs and poems that I have written and I would hate for someone else to take them and get paid for work I’d done. On the other hand, when I am creating something for my students I find that I would love to use a clip of something that really illustrates my point. I think that properly understanding fair use would simplify the quandary that we as teachers find ourselves in from time to time.

     Reply

     • Steve Mohler says:

       May 19, 2010 at 10:26 pm

       @Kimberly
       I agree with your statement. The use of fair rights law has been a controversial issue for many of us for some time. I think that the financial aspect of most of the copyright material laws has become a harsh reality of our world. Too much of the world is money hungry and I think at times we just look for more ways to help ourselves financially. I too loved the disney movie and it helped to put things about fair use into such an easy to understand format. It was great.

       
       

Wk3 Reading - Here and Now

I particularly like the phrase about being present to the way things are is not the same as accepting things as they are. For me I have a difficult time accepting things in the here and now. Being accepting of working with what you have right now as opposed to wishing things were the way they use to be is a pitfall I find myself in. Particularly at this time of my career when educationally speaking programs of student involvement are rather low. I thought having created a program of high standards and quality performance should be enough for the general population. But society today deals a different deck of cards and I must learn to deal with what I have in my presence. I must deal with what is in front of me and focus on the here and now.

I need to allow my students to learn from their mistakes. To build upon a foundation. Being with the way things are forces us to distinguish between feelings, fact, and assumptions. I believe this is a problem are for me in my personal life and I really want to strive to be more in the moment, rather than living in the past. I don't feel it is wrong to dream and look to the future with plans for growth, but I do believe that I personally must be more aware of my immediate circumstances and work more in the here and now.

I want to direct my thoughts and attention to what things are good and not dwell on the negative. I want to be more effective with my circumstances. I want to be able to direct my focus more towards what they are and not what they should be. I want to focus my attention more on the good of here and now, not the problems that can grow.

I believe that I had, and still have, a passion for what I do, but, I want that passion to reignite. Allow myself to explode with enthusiasm and zest for what I love in order to portray it to my students.

Wk3 DB Quickie 2 - Scared of Technology

I think educators are resistant to technology because of errors that occur too frequently. The fear that I have found among fellow teachers, and my spouse, is the frustration of something going wrong with the technology and not knowing how to fix the problem. Other institutions and business seem more prepared for technological encounters. There is generally a team of troubleshooters for problems that may arise technologically. Teachers tend to feel very alone in most situations where they are handed some technology without training and told to use it.

Wk3 DB Quickie 1 - New Ideas

I guess the experience that most comes to mind is the introduction of my music program when I began teaching. My predecessor had done some music building, compared to the person before that who just used song sheets and sat and sang songs each class with the kids. I began my program in the elementary teaching kids the values of reading music in order to perform music. The numbers in my ensembles increased tremendously and the administration soon moved me into a school wide position. I introduced singing using movement and reading to my students and soon they were ready to tackle classical literature because they had learned to love singing. I was able to advance our ensembles into more classical literature for district and state adjudicated events, creating a stronger choral program throughout the school district.

Wk 2 Reading Rule #6

Wk2 Reading Rule#6

In reading through this week’s assignment I think I was hit with a harsh reality. I think I am guilty of being one of those who are just too “in the box”. My new goal is going to be to try and use Rule #6 more often. I want to allow myself and my students to laugh and experience the joy of music. I want to share my love for the subject and I want them to know how much I love what I teach.

Wk 2 Podcasts for Music Education

Topic #2 Podcasts in Education

In addition to my favorite podcasts of Joel Osteen, Joyce Mayer, and TED I have found the following sites to informative and useful for music education.

http://mustech.podomatic.com/

http://mustech.net/

http://gearpipe.org/

A great site for music advocacy and keeping music in the classroom.

http://www.musicedmagic.com/

Podcasts are shared on this site for music educators.

Wk 2 Tracey Moore Response

1. • Tracey Moore says:

     May 12, 2010 at 11:40 am

     Podcasts that I find useful to me on a personal level are:
     Joel Osteen Ministries http://www.joelosteen.com/Broadcast/Podcast/Pages/Podcast.aspx
     Joyce Meyer http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/joyce-meyer-tv-audio-podcast/id152564324
     TED http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tedtalks-video/id160892972
     Teckzilla – tips, tips and reviews on the lastest in technology. http://revision3.com/tekzilla

     For students:

     Virginia Trekkers – created by 4 teachers. Video podcasts from each of the five regions of Virginia, plus lots of activities and games to review your Science and Social Studies SOLs.

     http://www.virginiatrekkers.com/VirginiaTrekkers/VirginiaTrekkers.html

     Reply

     • Emily Dale says:

       May 12, 2010 at 9:21 pm

       Tracy,

       Luv the podcasts from the Virginia Trekkers. I am an hour away from Virginia and I want to go to the Laray Caverns this summer. The video of the Caverns has convinced me to go and look at the beautiful formations that was created by nature.

       Also, I also share your love for Joel and Joyce. I will be watching these Podcast to get a little inspiration.

       Reply
     • Steve Mohler says:

       May 13, 2010 at 9:34 pm

       I love the Joel Osteen and Joyce Mayer podcasts. I usually watch one of them each morning before getting ready for school. I get a lot of inspiration from each of these people.

       Love the Ted material too.

       No wonder we get along so well.

       Steve

       
       

Wk 2 Kelly McKinley Response

1. • Kelly McKinley says:

     May 9, 2010 at 10:40 pm

     This site is EPN–The Education Podcast Network.
     http://epnweb.org/

     They are trying to compile a list of educational podcasts that can be used by teachers.

     Reply

     • Lina Valery says:

       May 10, 2010 at 4:47 pm

       @Kelly.

       Nice find! I’ve bookmarked this site and will be using it as a planning resource in the future. Thanks for sharing.

       Reply
     • Alicia Kalb says:

       May 12, 2010 at 12:39 pm

       Awesome site, Thanks Kelly.

       Reply
     • Steve Mohler says:

       May 13, 2010 at 9:29 pm

       Some nice things on this site. Thanks Kelly.
       Steve

       
       

Wk 2 Topic #2 DB Emotional Impact and Purchasing

Topic #2A DB

I cannot honestly think of a song that truly ever impacted my life. There have been songs that bring back certain memorable moments in my life, but never a true heavy duty impact. Probably my most vivid memory of an emotional impact of a song (don’t laugh) was when I was a young boy and my aunt who was a self taught pianist taught my cousin and I to sing, “You are my Sunshine” in harmony when we were young. We sang it for my great-grandparents 65^th wedding anniversary at a little country church which my great-grandfather had helped to build. I just remember everyone in the congregation that day being overcome with huge waves of emotion.

Topic #2B DB

I honestly do not remember when CD’s were introduced. I didn’t have money to buy CD’s and since I didn’t really collect records or CD’s it was not a major concern to me. As far as buying the same songs, it is not an issue for me. If I buy songs, they are generally pertinent to what I am teaching or performing and I don’t already have them in my possession.

Wk 2 Topic #1 DB Ownership

Topic #1 DB

This will sound strange coming from a music professional. I have never really collected music, and still don’t to this date. Buying records was out of the question when I was younger as there wasn’t money for such pleasures. I would sometimes play music from the old jukebox at the restaurant where I cleaned in high school. I never owned a CD until I purchased one that my college choir made with me as a soloist. I have bought a few CD’s since being married, but our CD collection is not large. Mainly show soundtracks that I may be researching, or of student’s works. I have purchased a few items on itunes. Most of what is on my iphone are demonstration CDs that I listen to in picking new literature for my students each year. I prefer to have silence when driving or listening to a local tv station, which since the onset of HD no longer exists, so pretty much silence or maybe some classics of the 70’s.Music is a major influence in my life, but I am more into the preparation and performance of music selections.

Giving an A

I have read articles on the theory of giving an A. I was taught in a system where you had to earn you’re A. In order for everyone to have equal opportunity to excel and achieve a starting grade of C was given. A student could either advance their grade forward to the A or fall away to the F. I think the idea of having that A and keeping that A is much more motivating for the learner. I plan to explore this are more and hopefully try to incorporate into my teaching next year.

TED Blog: Classical music with shining eyes: Benjamin Zander on TED.com

TED Blog: Classical music with shining eyes: Benjamin Zander on TED.com

Wk1 A World of Possibility

Zander’s view of looking at the world around us in a such a way is inspiring. I think perhaps this year especially has played an impact on my viewing of things a little differently. As a choral director and teacher, I have expectations for each year’s new group of singers. The wonderful part of my job is that I see my kids for more than just the year or so that so many educators experience.

Teaching in a k-12 environment I see my kids weekly, some daily, for years and I become knowledgeable about the child and the child’s strengths and weaknesses. This year has been a difficult year for my high school choir. I knew going into the school year of the possibilities of limitation that may exist. (The walls of boundaries)

I would like to see myself to look beyond those walls, beyond those boundaries. Can I open myself up to looking beyond into the possibilities? I have always thought of myself as being able to look beyond as I plan for each year, but I think that especially this year I confined myself and my thinking to the limitations of the students. I didn’t allow them to explore beyond the walls either. I hope that I can explore along with my students more beyond the walls and expand our walls into the world of possibility.

Wk1 -Course Tutorials

I have heard of these applications, but never really experienced. Mostly out of apprehension. I really like what these apps have to offer. The embedding options and free use make both of these apps very appealing.

I also have audacity but have never used it to the applications fullest potential. This tutorial was very informative for me. Going into google and downloading the LAME MP3 encoder. There are a lot more options, and I have struggled with removing voices in the past. This will be a tremendous help in my class preparation and presentations.

Wk 1 Tech Tip - Walking Through EBlogger

When I first heard the term blogging, I found it intimidating. However, having worked throughout the Full Sail program I have found it to be a very useful tool. The tutorial shows the simplicity of creating a simple blog in easy to understand steps. I am quite sure that my students would be able to venture into the world of blogging with little difficulty.

Wk 1 Comment Post #2

Cianfrocco, Trisha says:

May 3, 2010 at 6:31 pm

Having the blessed opportunity to have the “lunchbox” package here at FullSail, I have been able to introduce new and exciting presentations for my classes. I have learned how to create web videos whether uploaded to youtube or sites such as viddler that my students could explore that may have missed a day, need extra help on an assignment, or just to refresh their understanding. This has opened doors that I really was not aware could be open. Our school was lucky, the order for new equipment went in before the budget went south. Starting with the class of 2008, we were equipped with an LCD projector, doc cams, and surround sound!!! I am so excited that once my degree is done I could spend much more time of incorporating the tools and strategies I have learned and infusing them into my 21st century classroom!

Reply

• Steve Mohler says:

  May 3, 2010 at 10:02 pm

  This is an area that I hope to increase. Preparing back up videos that students can view via viddler for missed class sessions is going to be a major priority for me in the next school year. I really like the idea of having material available for students to work on at their convenience.

  Reply