Week 4-Reading Entry Post 9-12

The idea of Enrollment sparks several viewpoints for me.  I often tell my daughter “Sometimes the answer is no,” when she is insistent about one thing or another. Children seem to naturally demonstrate Enrollment, from the time that they are able to talk. UCLA did a study a few years ago, which indicated that the average one-year old child hears the word “No” 400 times a day by their parents.  What may naturally begin as Enrollment, is drowned by the time we all hit adolescence. The rejected feeling of so many No’s can create the “dampened downward spiral “ feelings that are mentioned in the text. Unfortunately, we have to re-learn the idea of partnership and trust that exists in children.

Picture courtesy of torontoschoolofstrings.com

Developing a mind state of being present in the way things are, is a powerful lesson. I’ve often heard the phrase “Things are what they are.” Accepting that-things are what they are involves a different level of understanding and application. The author describes this “present” state of being, as a frame of mind that accepts what shows up willingly, and moves forward from that point. Thinking and reacting to life’s circumstances will surely help us avoid the “downward spiral” syndrome.

This week’s reading helped me to remember to focus on the larger beauty of life, and not the small stuff, that will interrupt an otherwise normal day.  My attention needs to be ever focused on what is happening now, and what I chose to happen next. Since I never know what will show up, I must remember that my attitude needs to remain one of gratitude, regardless of the circumstance. This mind-set, will ensure that I am “On Board.”

I am certain that we live in a world of illusions. It is written in the NIV Bible that “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”(1 Corinthians 13:12). Many of us navigate the world, not realizing that we have created the framework for our experiences. I found that Chapter 12’s emphasis on the “We” was very profound. This lesson helps to remind us that our individual strengths, contributions, opinions etc., are useless without other people.  When we develop the ability to see ourselves as part of the whole, as opposed to separate from the whole, we are able to live a more realistic life.

Week 4-Response to Cherylee Gruber-Leadership Post

Wow, the contribution of these two individuals cannot be measured. Windows changed our world. Microsoft was the beginning of the technology revolution, and is the go-to software for word processing. Steve Jobs changed the way we run our lives with technology. I think the two men had profound respect for one another, even though they were often pitted as rivals. When Microsoft software was made available for Macintosh computers in the early 2000's, another milestone was conquered. These two men are the pioneers of the technology age, and cannot help but be admired.
I am excited to hear that it is your desire to pay it forward after EMDT. Whatever is done out of kindness, helps to change the world. Your contribution does not need to be measured with anyone else's. The lives that you impact during your lifetime, may last generations. That is leadership!

MAC - Week 4 - Leadership Project: Leadership Role Model Reflection

MAC - Week 4 Leadership Project: Leadership Role Model Reflection

When the word “leadership” comes to mind, immediately I am taken back to my days of the electronics and home entertainment industry.  Leadership was primarily a synonym for manipulation.   We became professionals in the craft of sales.  I lead this life for ten years, before switching my life into a far less lucrative path, education.

In academia, leadership tends to take on a sour connotation.  After all, leadership is administration.  Who hasn’t head one horror story or another of “THEM” trying to “get you” or “make your life miserable”?  But really, who would want to make a profession out of making others miserable.  Not I. 

My ideal definition of leadership is one where one leads by example.  I think leaders are hard working, inventive, and above all giving to the community at large.  If giving provides the example to ignite others to give, we would truly transform the world.  My ideal leadership models come from two very different men, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.  If only they had combined forces…  Steve Jobs was the incredibly inventive and creative leader.  A leader that is able to connect with the masses with a personal ease and the well-crafted “Everyman” persona.  His company and products fit seamlessly into our lifestyles.  Jobs was a true renaissance man that will continue to inspire others to follow his methods. 

On the other side of the personality coin, we have Bill Gates.  Mr. Gates is a more calculating and logical leader.  His methods of integration and global domination have successfully catapulted him in the leadership ranks.  He uses his name and success to run the largest private foundation in the world. As a leadership team, with his wife, the base their foundation on four key values:  Optimism, Collaboration, Rigor, and Innovation.  Every endeavor the foundation pursues fits into these core values. The provide assistance globally and in the United States they assist the field of education and fund the goal of providing access to technology for all students. 

Bill and Melinda Gates Community Project


It is this type of leader that is grounded in values of optimism, collaboration, rigor and innovation, which I aim to structure my goals after.  In my life after EMDT, I would like to follow their example and assist those without access to technology.  Although I may not have the same financial backing, I have expertise, time, and the desire to allow access to information to all.

Wk 4-Leadership Role Model

Image courtesy of eurweb.com

When asked to consider a leadership role model that I admire, Berry Gordy is my number one choice. I have loved and enjoyed Mr. Gordy's contribution to popular music, all of my life.  His book "To Be Loved," has been a staple in my life, as I have read it over 100 times.  I feel that Mr. Gordy is an excellent role model, because of his ability to develop and lead a group a gifted songwriters, producers, and artists in a way that changed popular music forever. Motown is the leading model today, for current music production companies.  The products created at Motown have never stopped playing on commercial radio. Motown music is also used in commercials, movies, and a host of other venues.  Moreover, many of the producers and artists who worked with Mr. Gordy, have become some of the key figures in the music industry, and leadership role models also. The most fascinating thing about Berry Gordy to me was his tenacity to create Motown in the first place. Mr. Gordy had marginal success as a songwriter for Jackie Wilson, however when he received his royalty checks, they were less than impressive. A young Smokey Robinson suggested that if this was all he was going to be paid, he may as well start his own record label. Mr. Gordy took that to heart and did just that. Motown Records was founded in Detroit, Michigan January 12, 1959. This great feat was done at the height of the Civil Rights movement. Motown was sold in March 1984, but Mr. Gordy has remained the face of a musical movement.  He is my role model.

After EMDT, I hope to use my new skills for further develop young people. Early in my life I was convinced that my contribution would be made in the music industry, This was the case for many years of my life.  However, I have now been in trusted with developing young minds, through education. I hope to continue to contribute to society in a positive way.

Week 3-Response to Tracy Anderson

Tracy, I really enjoyed your presentation about your Action Research Project for lifelong learners. I think that this is an essential project for members of the community who are foreign to the technological changes that are occurring daily. I personally know several people who could benefit from your work. We have spoken several times about your decision whether to present or publish, and I am convinced that you have made the correct choice in presenting this important work.  I look forward to staying in contact with you, as your project continues to develop.

Wk 3_Leadership Project Hub

Posted on June 11, 2012 

My Capstone Project: Technology Integration for Lifelong Learners is Action Research geared toward solving the dysfunctional technological habits of lifelong learners.   Emerging digital technology research has primarily focused on digitally fluent student populations.  Very limited research has been devoted to the lifelong learner with dysfunctional technology habits.  Recent studies have emerged which considers fostering digital literacy among lifelong learners.  The Technology Integration for Lifelong Learners (TILL) Capstone Project has been developed to address this digital literacy gap.  A Pre-Technology survey was used to determine technology usage and to develop individualized technology plans.  A Post-Technology survey was carried out to determine what technology integration strategies were effective to the lifelong learner.  Results revealed that dysfunctional technology habits are more pervasive than previously considered.  This indicates that no assumptions can be made about digital dysfunction and instructional strategies are practical for lifelong learners.

Link to Leadership Post Wk 1:

http://twintechblog.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/wk-1_leadership-post/

Link to Leadership Posts Wk2: http://twintechblog.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/wk-2_comment-2/

Leadership Keynote Presentation in Google Docs: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X2sceOI9C2lcdAFxjjM3aIv-YV3weFc9fea6bioHqEU/edit#slide=id.gdfa0b7e_2_84

Week 3 Leadership Blog Post:

Photo of Valencia Winston

My Action Research Project focused on Stopping Cyber bullying. Cyber bullying has become a major problem in school systems around the globe. Educators shoulder much of the blame for occurences of cyber bullying, although the majority of this type of bullying occurs on devices provided to students by their parents.  Moreover, many incidences of cyber bullying occur after the regular school day ends. The problem is that these incidences are then handled personally when students arrive to school. My researched focused on the situations or circumstances that trigger cyber bullying attacks, and what could be done to stop these problems. I chose twenty-six volunteers, ages 14-18, in which to conduct my research. Participants were asked to take pre and post surveys of the subject of cyber bullying, and participate in pre and post interviews. Student’s overwhelming stated that jealousy was the main catalyst for cyber bullying, and most felt that school systems could do nothing about the problem. Public Service Announcements, Facebook and Twitter banners, and membership on the web-based anti-bullying site anonyomoustips.com, were all used to help spread awareness and to stop cyber bullying. I have decided to share my research in the Educational Leadership Journal. There is an issue on Technology slated for February 2013.  I am excited about the possibility of being published.

Week 1 blog: To publish or to present:

http://valencia-winston.blogspot.com/2012/05/leadership-post-to-publish-or-to.html

Week 2 blog: Where do I want to share my project?

http://valencia-winston.blogspot.com/2012/06/wk-2-leadership-blog-where-to-publish.html

Leadership Doc:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11TXaPEPVEkJyriB_0SLL5Oo_8MPXi41vvCaRwyCQiDU/edit

Response to Cherylee Gruber Week 3 Reading

Here we are on the same page again Cherylee. I got some sense of encouragement from this week's reading. I love the idea of "Letting Go." The entire statement is "Letting Go and Letting God," and this is what I attributed to Zander's awakening. He realized that as he stop demanding full control, the musical pieces could breathe. We all need to remember this as we navigate the world. My motto for the month is "Rule #6." When I have found myself taking things too seriously, I remember Rule #6 and BTFI. I have realized since reading this, that I may have been taking myself much too seriously. Cherylee...I working at becoming FREE! Now if I can only remember to participate.

Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair 

I really enjoyed the piece on how Zander had changed his perception on his own leadership.  His original motive was to convey his interpretation and possible be more successful at conducting.  Instead, he began to focus on having each band member perform to their own potential.  It is an excellent analogy of how a teacher can refocus on the students, instead of their own careers. 

The leader may be any one of us.

Chapter 6. Rule Number 6

Lighten Up – And others will lighten up around you.  Humor is the best way to get over ourselves.

Lessons I learned in this chapter were “Rule Number 6” and how to have the best sex ever.  Wow, the curriculum scope &sequence of Full Sail is very far reaching.  In reality, the key to The Best Sex Ever – Is learning to live life in the realm of possibility. – You can imagine there are three steps to reach all goals. – You can change the steps as often as you want to meet your goals.  Play the - “Have the best ____ ever.” – Game.  “Have IT” – Be fulfilled.

Chapter 7. The Way Things Are

ATTENTION makes things grow.  You shine attention on something you get more of it.  If you pay attention to problems, they grow.  I have heard very similar advice before.  It may have been from my Concious Discipline.  As a teacher, I have used it and it really works.  In the beginning I would focus on Katrina’s slow reading speed, poor math skills or obnoxious behavior. Remember, I was trying to help these problems, but in reality they grew.  Instead I began to focus on what I wanted more of.  I would focus on Katrina’s instances of good behavior, her skill at previous levels of math and reading.  Just focusing on the positive attributes helps not only Katrina, but the whole class by example.  When used, it seems almost as a miracle.  However, it is very easy to slip into the old stand-by, “that is the third time this week you have not completed your homework.”  It is more of a lifestyle shift than a simple rule change.

Chapter 8. Giving Way to Passion

Three key pieces of advice from chapter eight that I plan to incorporate in my life.  All three seem to unlock potentials in exponential ways. 

One buttock playing = One buttock teaching

BTFI – Beyond The “F” It – Just thinking about it, makes me feel “FREE”.

Participate!

Wk 2-Reading Entry Post Chps 5-8

This week's reading dealt with how the reader views himself/herself under certain conditions . The story of Ben Zander's friend and fellow musician, Eugene Lehner illustrated the beauty of humbleness. I believe that the author was delivering the famous "Always do your best" message that parents constantly tell their children.  Lehner's example of contentment led him to be satisfied, although he was never given the opportunity to lead, never stood out,  and was never called upon.  Zander describes Lehner as a "Silent Conductor."

Valencia Winston absorbing "Rule number 6."

"Rule number 6," is subtle reminder to not "sweat" the small stuff. Enough said.

The Zander's spoke of giving up the "calculating self," which is self righteous and centered in ego, for the "centered self," which is based on the truth and openness. This perspectives asks the reader to be present and accepting of the "now." This is to be done regardless of the appearance of current situations, or to the feelings about what is happening. Viewing circumstances from the perspective of the "central self," allows one to simply wait patiently on the outcome, while the "calculating self" looks for the nearest exit. This is the difference between "downward spiral" thinking and communicating, and a centered mindset that is looking for the next direction, in which to travel.

"Giving Way to Passion," was the final chapter of this week's reading. This chapter focused on two main steps: Noticing what is holding the reader back, and participating completely in life's passions. It reminds the reader that like nature or a beautiful piece of music cannot be viewed in singular terms, we too must remember that individual lives are but small piece of the whole. When this practice is forgotten, life becomes a blur, with no real defining points. The Zander's encouraged readers to ride the waves of life's circumstances and conditions, in order to go beyond where boundaries have been set.