Wk 4 - Leadership Post

When I think about inspiring leaders, I don't have to look any further than this amazing cohort! 

The value of this program has been what I have learned through our interactions in cyberspace. 

There are characteristics that each of you possess that demonstrate leadership 

and are qualities I hope to emulate. 

I feel that it is so important to find wonderful women who are role models for leadership 

and this cohort is filled with such individuals.  

Vee has taken the opportunity to challenge the epidemic of Cyber Bullying and has shown focused dedication in developing a project that will change the lives of the young people in her community. Jessica I. is a shining example of organization, timeliness and attention to detail and these skills have aided in her creation of an innovative reading and writing program for her students. Melinda is always willing to jump right in and incorporate a new tool with the students in her classroom in a creative and unique way allowing her students to find their own voice. Karen was nervous about using technology at first, but is no longer afraid to text what she is feeling and has clearly shared some of her views with us :-) Carrie joined us only a few months ago, but she has quickly become Captain Barbosa who is always ready to keep us updated or reminded of important information. Debbie has taken risks and implemented incredible lessons that engage her challenging and diverse audience. Tracy has developed her AR project so as to empower lifelong learners. Katina created a project that has a direct and immediate impact on her students' as they search for future employment. Cherylee demonstrated her resourcefulness when she didn't allow the lack of a classroom to deter her from designing an after school digital storytelling program that had a waitlist! Jessica B. has shown that collaboration is vital to an engaging learning experience and has encouraged her students to work together. Tamarah has provided clear and reflective feedback to some of my posts. 

I am thankful for the lessons I have learned from each cohort member.  

I have only highlighted a few. 

I am really looking forward to meeting each of you 

and celebrating our many successes as we journeyed through EMDT.

Wk 4 - Comment Entry #2

Here is my comment to Tobin's final post on the Art of Possibility.

Wk 4 - Comment Entry #1

Here is my comment to Pete's reflection on the reading for this week. 

Wk 4 - Reading Entry

It has been almost exactly a year since I began investigating the EMDT program at Full Sail. I had been thinking about a master’s degree for quite a long time, but I hadn’t found the right program. It had been quite a challenge to think about going to grad school, working, and raising a family at the same time, but when I learned about EMDT something just clicked. The chance to really dive into the technology that I want to incorporate into my classes was intriguing and to get the degree finished in a year made it sound possible.

Go Lovely Ladies!

I knew I had made the right decision during our first month. I found myself in a group of dedicated, creative, supportive, intelligent women doing something I never thought I would do…creating a project completely over the Internet. Plus, we were in Second Life!!! It was a thrilling experience and I am still so proud of our work on that first project together. 

Month 2 brought many more experiences and a new group. From the Princess Bride to the Wizard of Oz, The Matrix, Sound of Music, Star Wars…these gentlemen I have worked with have become more than just partners in projects even though we have only met through a phone line or computer screen. We have spent countless hours in our “Treehouse” or a Google Hangout creating, editing, venting, celebrating, joking, and laughing. We have challenged one another to do our best work.

 About 5 months ago I joked with my team about creating a documentary about our AR journeys with the idea that we all come from different places, but have been brought together and have completed some amazing work because of EMDT. Reading the last chapter of Art of Possibility reminded me of this brainstorm. We live in different parts of the country, work at different types of schools, teach different types of students and yet, we have, for some reason, been brought together.  We have been through so many challenges together academically, professionally, and personally. I am a faith-filled person who believes that God has a plan for each of us. The plan may be obscured, but in time, opportunities and reasons will be revealed. I wouldn’t change the difficulties, frustrations or late nights because it is through the successes and failures that we grow into who we are.  It is how we interact with others during times of challenge and times of success that develop our character. 

So sorry for the mushy blog post. I guess the book just got me thinking about how grateful I am for each member of this cohort who has journeyed with me through EMDT. I appreciate your support, encouragement, and feedback. I thank you for your patience and for clarifying assignments. I have been inspired by each of you as you have shared your passion for learning and teaching over the last 11 months. You have encouraged me to accomplish things I never imagined...writing a literature review, creating music on a computer, making a movie in 48 hours, and designing a project whose impact continues to make ripples in my school community. I truly look forward to meeting you in the real world in a short 7 weeks.

Our journey is almost over and I am sure there are still some challenges ahead, but I know that WE can do this…TOGETHER!

Wk 3 - Leadership Post

Action Research Project Description:

Teachers face many challenges including the lack of time and training, which are paramount to successful incorporation of technology into lessons.  My AR project sought to engage the faculty at my school through Introduction of simple to use, high impact Web 2.0 tools. Cycle 1 showed that consistent training increased self-efficacy, which in turn encouraged the faculty to devote more time and energy into incorporation of new tools. One hundred percent of teachers involved in Cycle 2 rated face-to-face training as very or vitally important. Data from both cycles supported that opportunities to allow colleagues to gather while they are creating so that collaboration and technical support can be given increased motivation and implementation of new tools.

Format and Where I Will Present:

Pete Episcopo and I have been discussing our AR projects in depth since discovering that we were interested in deploying almost identical projects with our colleagues. Finally after 8 months of collaborating, we have an incredible opportunity to design and present our data together. The inclusion of both projects as one presentation will bolster our message and demonstrate the transferability of our work to other schools. We will be applying to present at the MacWorld/iWorld Conference in San Francisco, January 31-February 2, 2013 (http://www.macworldiworld.com/speakers/) and the Sloan Consortium Webinars (open dates) (http://sloanconsortium.org/webinar_listing).

We decided to apply to two conferences to give us a chance to present both in person and through a webinar format.  Both of these venues reach individuals who are interested in both technology and education. I am looking forward to getting the experience of presenting through a webinar format since I have attended a few and have been immersed in online education through EMDT. I am so glad that if I am to present at a conference like MacWorld, I will have a colleague and great supporter on stage with me!

Week 1 - To Publish or Present?
Week 2 - Where to Present?
Leadership Document - Storytable of Presentation

Wk 3 - Comment Entry #2

My comments on Jessica's Leadership Blog Post

Wk 3 - Comment Entry #1

My comments to Dan on his Leadership post.