Wk 3 Reading Chapter 3: Obama Receives an A

In the Art of Possibility, Ben Zander quoted "The practice of giving the A invents and recognizes a universal desire in people to contribute to others, no matter how many barriers there are to its expression" (p. 39).

Recently President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The committee said that it honored Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. President Obama said he viewed the decision less as a recognition of his own accomplishments and more as a "call to action."

One of the statements in the book that resonated with me was "When you give an A, you find yourself speaking to people not from a place of measuring how they stack up against your standards, but from a place of respect that gives them room to realize themselves. This A is not an expectation to live up to, but a possibility to live into"(p.26).

Zanders, R & Zander, B. (2000) The art of possibility. New York: Penguin Books.

Image retrieved from Google Images.

WK3 Reading Chapter 1 & 2:

As educators how can we awaken the possibility in others? In the Art of Possibility, Rosamund and Ben Zander provide several questions for us to ask ourselves:

Chapter 1: How can we think outside the box we live in? What assumptions are we making that we're not aware that we are making? What might we invent that would give us other choices?

Chapter 2: We live in a world of measurements. The Zanders recommend that when we look at how different things appear we can see them as possibilities. How are your thoughts and actions a reflection of the measurement world?




Video Retrieved October 18, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrGAJ7hVh10

Wk 3: Comment to Classmate

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009

Assessment Guidelines

While reading the text, "The Art of Possibility", I decided to search for some assessment guidelines that schools are offering. One such article that I found is from Buffalo State University. I thought that these guideline would be an interesting reflection based upon our recent reading assignment.

Buffalo State Assessment Guidelines

Wk2 Reading: Ways Media Has Changed Education

The internet and new media have made an impact on education. For years teachers have been able to post their syllabi and class notes on the internet and provide students with an opportunity to use discussion boards to interact. However, there is so much more that teachers can do to engage their students.

Full Sail University offers an Educational Media and Technology program where teachers learn how to use the internet and new media to engage their students and to move them to digital workspaces. Teachers in the program learn how to integrate technology into the curriculum. For example, teachers create blogs on which comments are required as part of the weekly assignments. Teachers in this program are considered to be active learners rather than passive learners; they have access to world-class teachers; there are no geographical limitations; teachers share ideas with people from all over the world; online tools are readily accessible including books and free software; research is readily available; and best of all teachers can receive their education from the comfort of their own home.

I've stated just a few of the ways that media has changed education. Please share your thoughts on how you think media has changed education.

Image Retrieved October 11, 2009 from http://blogs.worldbank.org/files/governance/image/blog%20board.jpg

Wk2 Reading: We're Not Just Consumers

The internet and new media have changed our culture and education.  This YouTube explains some of the social skills and cultural competencies needed for us to engage in a participatory culture.

As educators, what are we doing to make a difference in our classrooms?

Wk 2 Reading: Politics and the New Media

The 2008 Presidential Campaign rewrote the rules on how to reach voters, organize supporters, raise money, mange the news media, and track public opinion.  Their platforms included blogs, YouTube videos, text messages, and internet ads.  The candidates realized that they needed to engage people in a dialogue.  However, in order for the dialogue to be effective, they had to target the right audience and communicate the right message at the right time.  These goals have not changed over time even though the tools they used to communicate had changed. 

 Being a skilled storyteller is still a key factor in the success of a politician.  The challenge politicians have now is to decide which communication tool to use to reach their constituents.  Does this sound familiar to those of you who are teachers?

 

Image Retrieved October 11, 2009 from http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/rma/lowres/rman5230l.jpg

Wk 2 Reading: The First Knight

One of my favorite movies is First Knight. First Knight is a romantic adventure film based on Arthurian legend.  It stars Richard Gere as Lancelot, Julia Ormond as Guinevere, Sean Connery as King Arthur.  After watching this film, I began reading the legends of King Arthur and watching every Sean Connery and Richard Gere movie that was produced.  

Image Retrieved October 10, 2009 from http://www.movieprop.com/tvandmovie/reviews/firstknight.jpg