Expression

Fini

2009-11-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

This blog has come to an end. Enjoy past posts.

Exhaustion

2007-09-17T17:53:00.001-07:00

I don't have much time to draw, write, or read. I am very exhausted, particularly today, by the job. I do not have enough time to prepare for the day and can be occasionally found running around trying to get this thing done or that during any of my short breaks. I use my lunch to get work done. I have to force myself to sit down and get off my feet, but that never lasts more than five minutes. I am working hard to not over use my voice, but I find it very challenging with so many loud noises and distractions on campus--including roads, BART, trains, another school, and people. The challenge is fun because of all the students I can have an affect on, but will be much more worthwhile if I allow myself time to see and enjoy the affect I am having.

Motorcycles

2007-09-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

Sport bike riders have this click. No matter who the person is--their background, their gender, race, economic status, job, education, etc.--a rider is welcome. Anyone who enjoys to ride, who enjoys fast bikes, who can tell, listen, ask about stories of the rode.

We ought to have more activities out there as welcoming as this. It's great to be a part of a group that does not deny kindness, access, true companionship to anyone. Granted, hopefully, they can come in less expensive hobbies. Still an open topic, idea, hobby, or passion are great ways to bring people together.

Developing True Friendships

2007-09-06T23:06:00.000-07:00

I find it hard to get to the core of who people are, to discuss important things, and to not scare off others/be scared off when getting to know people. There are events in life, such as an evening out or a day of volleyball and BBQ, that can introduce new people, but it is our jobs to make those things more than just an event. This is often where I fail in developing true friendships. I may gain acquaintances, but often not the depth of a true friendship.

Farm Bill

2007-08-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

I believe that the state of the US's food is rather poor. Too much money is place in un-nutritional, processed foods. Although I do not know the economics or politics behind it. This video from The Farm Bill Food Battle has definitely encourages me to find out more.

Health Awareness

2007-08-09T15:23:00.001-07:00

I recently joined a gym. After going to my training consultation and talking with other friends/gym members, I've become more aware of my diet (i.e. what I eat) and exercise. I consider myself a fairly healthy person, but it's good to be aware. One way of doing this is tracking what one does. This morning, I tracked my breakfast by drawing each part of it. As you can see, I've even put some color into my journal pages lately.

Special days

2007-08-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

There are certain days in our lives that although completely ordinary, certain events--either discussions, decisions, or unchanging happenings--make the days extraordinary. These days may be better remembered with a journal writing, a drawing, by telling stories to others, or a photograph. It is through these and other forms of expression that we remember.

Views

2007-07-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

Art is often depicted in symbols. Stick figures, flowers, sun, stars, etc. These figures can skew our vision of those things around us. The reality is that images are light and shadows, straight lines and curved lines, and much more that we do not see after being introduced to the representative symbols of life.

2007-07-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Visiting Family

2007-07-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

I'm visiting family and spending as much time with the little ones as possible. Kylie, two and a half, is a very social and creative kids. She's discovering many things. A couple of months ago during a visit we drew together.

Music in Our Lives

2007-06-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

I am one of those you may find wearing headphones on the ride to work. Some days I prefer the natural sounds, but I often enjoy the music's affect on mood.

At home, I do the same thing. But more often than not I turn on Pandora to listen to my personalize radio stations. I like internet radio because it provides an alternative to the collection of music I have on my iTunes. I would rarely discover new music if it weren't for this form of listening. I don't have a car, a home radio, a TV, and I'm certainly not a music store junky. Occasionally, I get suggestions from friends, but even then I go to internet sites to tests the music. I appreciate this form of expression and would hate to see it disappear from hiked up licensing fees. Today is a Day of Silence for internet radio sites. Any of my music listening will be done from my current collection of music. But I hope that this won't be my future. SaveNetRadio.org is challenging the new rates and attempting to keep internet radio in business.

Seeing People

2007-06-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Truly seeing people for who they are, how they want to be perceived, or who they want to be is a time-consuming/challenging task. When I seeing someone out in public, I often with just a glance pick them out as someone I have seen before--categorize them (is categorizing an innate human habit??) into one of the groups I have come to know and more likely one of the groups of people I've come to prefer. Example: If I like people who are athletic, I'm more likely to decide this random woman on the street in tennis shoes is an athlete. I suppose this is to make my surroundings feel more familiar or comfortable. If I decide that I like/can relate to athletic people, then wouldn't it be nice to live in a society full of them?

These first notions of people are not always true, however. We must see much more of a person to perceive them as they are. And we must get to know people through conversations and several different interactions over time to understand them. I have begun reading a book with a friend: Reading People by Jo-Ellan Dimitrius about getting to know people by their image, body language, conversation and much more. Dimitrius is a long-term Jury Consulter and has had to perfect this "art" over many years. She reinforces often the importance of seeing the whole person and an image of a person based on small things. Still I find it challenging to read about signs of say 'frustration' through body language or how clothing can represent a person. I understand that there is some validity in these things, but it goes against everything I stand for in not judging a person. I will keep reading, however, before I judge the book.

Below is an example of how I saw a man on BART in two different ways just based of how much I could see him and his actions.

I know judgment is a necessary tool to humans, and I use it often. I just hope that I and others can constantly improve our judgment to be used for safety and understanding.

Deschooling

2007-06-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

I've been spending some time reading the essays in Deschooling Our Lives. I love the different discussions of learning through experience and developing a love for learning and self reliance. Looking for more information from some of the resources, I found an example of a school Windsor House in British Columbia, Canada. I really enjoyed how the video expressed the lives of the Windsor House school community.

Wise is in the Wrinkles

2007-06-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

I often draw while on BART. When I keep in practice, my figure drawing improves. Not to say that these are the best drawings, but I do learn each time I draw. This day was the discovery of wrinkles. Drawing someone to look older proved to be a challenge some days. But the wrinkles, that is what creates age in figure drawing. Hence "Wise is in the Wrinkles". It is a thing of beauty.

Memories of emotions

2007-06-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

These are good weekends. Relaxing outside with your feet up. Contemplating life... What are memories? A thought of a feeling such as love is never the same as that exact feeling. It's something we create in our head--"expressed" in a way we keep it. It's either with words or pictures or an intangible understanding, but not the physical deep feeling of something such as love. How is this related to expressing oneself in poetry or prose or art or photography or videography or whatever other means? Do these forms of expressing help one understand a feeling better? Do these things form memories that are somehow more "real"?

Creativity & Motivation

2007-06-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to some time to spend journaling, drawing, reading, and other hobbies. These things are all great motivation to being creative and happy. Just started listening this two part podcast Be Happy, Dammit! It's great to hear examples of people who make a point to practice these forms to creativity and happiness.

And here begins a more frequent posting...

2007-06-05T18:50:00.001-07:00

From the days of floating school-to-school, I often got bored with no paper-work or planning outside and could be found reading or drawing. This was a reflection of myself at the computer-backwards hat and headphones on. Later the next day, I went to the Poetry Slam in Berkeley. I love that place and it's expression. SO MANY ways to express oneself!

art everywhere

2007-05-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

During a stressful couple of weeks (I just switched job location and am currently living on a living room floor while looking for a new place), a nice relaxing dinner for two was just what I needed. But don't forget the art. I was spoiled; while I was being cooked for, I drew and wrote about the evening. When I walked away from the table, I looked back to see this beautiful set up and had to capture the moment--even if just on a camera phone. Art in art.

drawing

2007-05-01T22:31:00.001-07:00

I enjoy drawing those things around me. It is art, but not art in the sense that most people think of it. It is my own personal art. It is observation and understanding. Drawing is a way to better appreciate the world--just read Danny Gregory (Creative License or Everyday Matters). Here is an example of my work from years ago--lips I drew in high school for a class. There is the art that I spend time on and the art that I draw quickly (on-the-go)--both are fun and interesting in there own way. I am proud of each differently. These lips say something to me that can't fully be put into words. <---that is also art

Coming back...

2007-04-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

In a month or two... I'm coming back with a new format. More creative expression on the everyday, of course focus on interests, including education. Now if only I could get my digital camera working... In the meantime, check out these art blogs:

Mattias Inks
Craftmonkeys

Simplicity

2006-11-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine recommended Choosing Simplicity: Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World, which I have been reading on the bus and in between activities. Admittedly, I have skimmed/skipped several parts not of interest to me. But for the most part I have read and enjoyed the many stories of those living simple lifestyles. It has made me realize that I choose to live a more simple life than typical. I choose to live without a TV, limit my spendings, live in a place which is not at all fancy, and choose a job for love rather than money. I wonder what it is that has made me live this way when I see other family members in a much more hectic lifestyle. I believe I will spend some time checking out some of the listed resources at the back of the book. I really appreciate the list at the end of the text:

A Prescription for a Simple Life

1. Write in a journal daily, or almost daily.
2. Take three to four months off every few years and go live in some very different place, preferably a foreign country.
3. Limit your work (outside of the home) to 30 hours a week, 20 if you are a parent.
4. Don't let any material thing come into your home unless you absolutely love it and want to keep it for the rest of your life or until it is beyond repair.
5. Spend at least an hour a week in a natural setting, away from crowds of people, traffic, and buildings. Three to four hours of nature time each week is even better.
6. Live in a home with only those rooms that you or someone in your family use every day.
7. Select a home or place of work no more than 30 minutes away from each other.
8. Do whatever you need to do to connect with a sense of spirit in your life, whether it be prayer, religious services, meditation, spiritually-related reading, or walking in nature.
9. Seek the support of others who want to simplify their lives. Join or start a simplicity circle if you enjoy group interaction.
10. Practice saying no. Say no to those things that don't bring you inner peace and fulfillment, whether it be more things, more career responsibility, or more social activities.

TAGS: simplicity choosingsimplicity expressivelanguagedisorder book

Freedom Writers

2006-11-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

At NECC 2005, I went to Erin Gruwell's keynote speech. Her story was great and some of us were left in awe. I remember her telling us that there was to be a movie out of her story and Hillary Swank would be the star. On January 12, Freedom Writers will be out in theatres. It is the story of her class writing about their world. Their stories were published in The Freedom Writers Diaries. And today, Erin Gruwell and freedom writer have programs to spread the what she started in her classroom.

TAGS: freedomwriters, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

Educating Linux

2006-11-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

Here is Linux:

He has been taught by sitting and being spoken to. He does not seek out information, but let's it come to him. He is a computer, not a boy.

Here is Linux:

He is living life, because learning is FUN. We hope he will be given the same information and will absorb it through active learning, hands-on, mistakes, and adults & peers to help him out.

procrastinator voter

2006-11-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

I have labeled my type of voting. I am someone who continues going on day-to-day knowing I need to vote--civic duty, right? Well, I feel it's necessary anyhow, and I don't like the idea of sitting back and watching other people make all my decisions for me. But... I'm not very politically active. I have a hard time keeping up with all the BS that comes with it! I can't handle all the debating because I feel things just get old. Having said that, I could possibly handle it if I did a better job of informing myself day-to-day and discussing issues with those I already know, rather than strangers on the street.

Anyhow, I put off all consideration of how I'm going to vote until... oh!, it's November 7th! And I struggle to find the issues, the candidates and make decisions. I feel I do a fairly good job, given my procrastination, but I still choose to not make all decisions based on my lack of knowledge. I was recently told that I should blog about the pre-vote atmosphere. Obviously that time as past, but given that I am lucky enough to be a part of voting for such an influential government, I feel it is also my duty to do the best I can to represent what I do get to see and hear. With that, here is my email of random experiences to Cherrie in New Zealand:

Today, I voted along with...well not as many people as would make sense in a democratic government.

To be honest, I don't see much more than you do or could. Most of my information comes from the internet. Sure there are fliers everywhere about local elections, and I hear about this event or that relating to the city governor, etc., but I'm not much of one to attend these events. I have no TV so I do not see the crazy advertisements I've heard about, and I'm busy in my own little world.

I have seen that graphical representation of the system before. It's pretty neat. There are different numbers of representatives from each state, and this is why you can see a very obscure version of the USA in blocks. It's cool to see which states are more definite one way or other and which are not. I sometimes think I should vote absentee in my own state just because my vote would help the weak vote there more. But even though, it wouldn't change the vote as it doesn't much change it here in my new location. I do, however, feel it is necessary to vote no matter how the atmosphere is or the likelihood of my vote changing the result. Civic duty. Many, however, don't think much about it.

From my understanding New York City is pretty crazy today. Everyone is talking about the elections, or so my friend tells me. She has been told to vote so many times, it's apparently getting annoying. (She voted just before I went off to.)

Oh, the other thing that I get is a lot of people asking me to sign petitions before the election comes (actually almost year round). These petitions are to get things on the ballot. Very often I just walk right by them because the petitions are things I'm not comfortable standing out for, but occasionally I'll let someone give me their spiel and sign when I see something I'm interested in.

One of my friends texted me to day: "have you voted today :)". Although many people nagging me is bothersome, this friend I appreciate the reminder/push from. She has always been a bit of an idol for me in her efforts to be involved and create change. So I guess it's those who you know best that have more of an affect on you, right?

Anyhow, that was really long, but I thought I'd try to get as much as I could of my personal experiences in there. It must be pretty exciting to watch from afar... the elections to me seem more important if I look at them from an outsider than the typical American living the life... how sad. We'll have to see if there are any major changes in American government/politics coming soon.

TAGS: voting, expressivelanguagedisorder, civic duty

Other Duties as Assigned

2006-10-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

I'd like to be more a part of the blogosphere--both posting blog entries and commenting, but I don't feel I have the time to write thoughtful, useful posts or comments. I'm jealous of others who have well organized and dissected posts and comments--even the simple ones appear to have well thought-out, valuable opinions.

With a busy, stressful job, I'm likely to spend an evening trying to forget about work. I'm usually unsuccessful and wake up in the middle of the night thinking about things that I need to do. Maybe I can build up this and begin blogging about life in non-profit.

I joke about "other duties as assigned." It's in almost any non-profit job description, and I see it first-hand. The other day, I helped move used furniture into the office. I've also recently acted as a driver's instructor--helping people practice parallel parking and more. The funny thing about these other duties, however, is they can be the highlight of my day. When stressed over paperwork and recruitment, I love the chance for physical labor, easy tasks creating spreadsheets, or helping others in their new positions.

TAGS: nonprofit, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

the "challenging" youth are the best ones

2006-09-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I spent most of my time talking to students. Today, I spent hours trying to figure out paper work. And my mood changes. When with students, I come out of the day pumped, excited and enjoying every moment of life. When doing paperwork, I feel alone, drained, lost, and negative.

I feed off people--becoming energized. After one year with this student population, I feel so much more comfortable. I have fun with them. I am able to create a conversation out of nothing and soon, I'm learning all about their lives. It's great. I am able to watch students grow, be a role model and friend, and learn from them.

It's fun watching the new Leaders try to establish themselves. They are getting to know their students and themselves. Soon, the good ones will learn how to have fun with their students while still maintaining order. Others will try to have fun, but never have order. And others still will never let themselves have fun because their too busy trying to maintain order. I just hope they will all be able to see all the great talents in their students because these students amaze me day after day. I so glad the students have a positive place to learn and a group to be a part of.

TAGS: mentoring, expressivelanguagedisorder, education, leadership

student tracking website

2006-08-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

I ran across schoolloop today and took the online tour. I'm impressed! It's nice to see all the features they've put into this online application. Teacher's can manage grades, assign homework, are alerted of students who are doing poorly in several classes, can email parents and teachers of concern or congrats to students. Principals can pull up information about student grades, look at any assignments that were posted online. Parents can login and check students' status in each class, even look at assignments that were posted online, or easily email teachers. There are a lot of cool features. I fear, however, it'll never get it's full use. It's an excellent application for larger schools where teachers do not have easy access to discuss students with other teachers, but I find it hard to believe that these large schools will get even a majority of teachers truely involve in posting grades on schoolloop, etc.

TAGS: student tracking, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

plane ride

2006-08-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

My new favorite place to read my feeds is on the plane. I accomplished so much with no where to go and not much else to do. Now if only I could finish all the reflection blog entries before it's too late. I was testing the Windows aggregator SharpReader offline. I just wish it had a place to highlight parts and make notes on the entries for future commenting, etc.

TAGS: expressivelanguagedisorder, aggregator

pick a career, any career

2006-08-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

I found an excellent site this afternoon California Career Zone. It offers career testing with results of potential careers. You can explore careers on your own through industries. Each career is explained including education, potential classes, wage and job listings in California. My favorite part is the old movie clips explaining some careers. There is also a "Reality Check" feature allowing people an opportunity to estimate there lifestyle expenses and look for careers to fit it. It's not perfect--missing some careers, etc.--but I'm sure going to use it with my students to have them explore potential careers, especially those who have no idea what to consider yet.

TAGS: careers, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

type of learner

2006-08-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

I preparing curriculum for my high school senior after-school program. I will be leading 10-14 students at a time. I hope to spend most days with students in sets of 1-3 each working on different things at a time. One thing I would like to do early on is a multiple intelligences test. I would like each student to have a good idea of how they learn. This way when it comes to times of helping them discover good ways of learning new things or studying, I can refer back to how they learn. One thing I always found great for my studying was creating and using notecards. I was such a visual/kinesthetic learner, I found the act of both making and using these cards really helped me retain information for school tests. I would love to help students to creatively learn and study for each of their own styles.

TAGS: learning style, expressivelanguagedisorder, education

tracking down the source

2006-08-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

This morning with very little time to rush off to work, I came across a great post in my bloglines feed. Wondering where these came from, I began clicking links. First I checked out Weidon and Kennedy's website. I found they are an ad agency with a fun flash site, but I don't have time to run flash and move on the the next lead Miguel Guhlin has left me. Blog about Libraries thanked Jennifer Davis for linking two things together. Finally, in Yes, And I find it came from an article in Men's Health that was posted on Innovation Network. Going to each of the sites, I check the search engines for "Five Rules of Creativity". This doesn't work, but with a few other searches such as "Weiden" and "creativity", I come across the original article. By tracking down this source, I've practice a great research tool we should be helping students to follow, and in the mean time, I've come across several other resources which I may find useful in the future.

TAGS: online research, expressivelanguagedisorder

who hates school reform? part 1

2006-08-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

Who are those people who don't want change in our education system? The people who think that the traditional way of educating is the best way. Are there people out there who still think a teacher lecturing in front a classroom of students with pencils and notebooks in hand is the best way of learning? Where do we find these people?

I've been trying hard to find how to define these people. I would like to learn as much about them: how they think, what they love, and why notes and tests are a good way to learn in their heads. Because there must be people out there keeping our schools from radically changing to better the education system.

the power of consumers

2006-08-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you Cherrie for sending me over to the show with zefrank. I've only watched a couple, but loved one of the favorites: ugly myspace. zefrank's representation of the power of today's consumers is so great. As a journalism graduate, i enjoy the metacognition of the average citizen's power to understand, create and control their media. Although media is now EVERYWHERE and very hard to get away from as I once discussed on my old blog (but can't find--it was about persuaders), we also have access to more information and control to understand this advertising. We just must be educating our youth to use and understand these forms of media as told by Will Richardson when talking about teaching myspace in a recent podcast of a presentation.

getting to your desired career

2006-08-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about being young, single and brought up with many opportunities is my freedom. I've managed to reach this point in my life with all debt nearly eliminated, no inconvenient commitments to family, friends or otherwise, and the ability to figure out how to do nearly anything I wish to. "You can do whatever you put more mind to" has become a challenge to me.

I imagine a career where I am able to travel, help and learn from educators and students, and improve our education systems all around the world in order to improve our society of the future. But now, I sit with all this freedom and desire and no understanding of how to get there. I could choose to first become a classroom teacher or I could stay out of schools entirely and work through a community of educational alternatives, such as after school programs. If I choose to stay away from teaching, which programs? How do I gain respect in the educational world? Do I stay in non-profit or do I check out the corporate world? If I choose the teaching route, how do I go about it? Do I go back to school--undergrad, graduate? Do I choose a teaching certificate program? Which one-Teach for America, a teaching fellows? Where? Public, private, charter? Once I'm a teacher, how to I make sure I don't get stuck in the teaching career? Do I become an administrator? Do I stay in one location or travel around? How about teaching internationally? Do I step back and join life outside of schools again?

With all these choices, I don't know what to do. I don't know which avenue will be best for me or if I even wish to go through these fields to get to my desired job. I suppose we must accept that to get very far it will take many different jobs, a lot of schooling, time and money. I just never thought that the freedom to do anything would be such a challenge to figure out how to get to that anything.

Physical changes affect the emotional mind

2006-07-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

I was FINALLY catching up on some feed reading when I found an old entry of Miguel Guhlin's (who had 81 entries in the past few weeks) about cool blog habits. His first addition to Cool Cat Teacher's 10 was "Consider everything you do as fuel for your blog". I've struggle with this recently because I find I can't seem to make links between my current life and my blogging topics. But this inspired me to share a little about my weekend. With struggles as my AmeriCorps year ends and life in San Jose changes for me, I've myself challenged to make emotional changes in my life. On top of the help of a friend with excellent listening skills, I've found a way to make this easier for myself. I rearranged my living space. It was a slow process through out the weekend, but from moving around furniture and getting rid of unnecessary items, I feel renewed. I am re-energized to be strong and start anew.

This has gotten me thinking about the many adult students at the San Jose Conservation Corps Academy who have been through bad times and come to our school to start fresh working toward their high school diploma. I watch students become empowered when put in new surroundings and given responsibilities. With the ability to change their physical surroundings through the new building, help with recruitment and Student Council, some students take on an enthusiasm you'd never expect.

It re-enforces the idea that the TakingITGlobal Student Voices group discussed a year ago for NECC 2005: "We would like to contribute to the design of these learning spaces. Giving us a chance to impact the spaces in which we learn gives us an added sense of responsibility, passion, and connection." I can see student continually creating and recreating the space they work in. It fits along with one of the reasons why students love MySpace so much--it's customizable.

Aggregators

2006-06-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

I'm currently between aggregators-Bloglines and Netvibes. I favor Netvibes because I can place so many things available to me one page and tab through them. I had a first happen to me today. I have read ALL of my feeds. Nothing has come back in since the last time I read. ~~I don't know what to do with myself.~~ Now I can explore more and focus on where I want to go with my own blogging.

Sadly, I don't believe this will happen again anytime soon. I was lucky to have two days off of work in which I spent a great deal of time at home working off of my computer. Tomorrow begins 6.5 weeks of hard work leading high school students in outdoor projects for 20 hours a week in the mornings and recruiting 45+ adult high school students in the afternoons. This will be a race to the end of the Youth Corps AmeriCorps year.

Recycling

2006-06-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

Recycling is an easy (and necessary) way to help the environment. I do not understand that the US is not more interested in making recycling a must. With garbage going into our landfills and materials likely to run out, it makes sense to recycle and buy recycled products. So why is it that, we can still through recyclables into the garbage and consuming many non-recyclable products is reasonable. The US could follow other country's lead, such as Sweden's example.

google search your potential employee

2006-06-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

I was reading my RSS feeds and came across a blog entry about an article addressing the availability of personal information online affecting the job application process. The idea is that when applying for a job, the business may search for information online about the person--via google, facebook, myspace, etc. So I googled myself and found only ten of several places I can be found. They mostly relate to my jobs:
Newspaper question
TLC News article
TLC News article
Kansan upperclassmen living on campus article
Student Voices group
Student Voices presentation report
JSchool Alumni news
E-Waste Press Release
E-Waste event summary
Youth Corps Newsletter

As far as Facebook, I hope no one bothers to judge my ability on my profile (which isn't all the incriminating). What I wonder though is what if someone with your name publishes something incriminating online, and it is assumed to be your's. You shouldn't be judged based on other people's doings...

The importance of tagging

2006-06-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

A recent search of mine while finding and testing the many excellent new options/features online is tagging while using blogger. I can't seem to figure it out (granted I haven't spent much time on it), but am adamant to tag my posts. Tagging has become a great tool when users are bringing information they desire to themselves. Just check out Technorati and you'll see the possibilities are endless. Not to mention tagging found on flickr, 43things, and much more.

One way I planned on using tagging is to participate in NECC 2006--National Educational Computing Conference 2006. This conference was 40,000+ people last year and the possibilities were endless. Already it's the buzz among edubloggers. I'll tell you one thing--I sure be reading all their conference posts and participating as much as possible even though unable to be in sunny San Diego. Thankful for technology.

Education from socially aware lawyer's perspective

2006-06-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Last night I listened to a friend laid out a very broad version of his thesis for Rhodes Scholar application. The intriguing thing is how he got to his theory. Having studied political science in school and planning to go to law school for years, he had a very different perspective on the problem. He has spent nearly 11 months in an AmeriCorps program, working with at-risk high school youth. This has changed his passions a bit, and he now plans on going to school to study education, following traveling, before started his own charter school with a fellow AmeriCorps member.

He planned on laying out an alternative to the way countries focus on education, based on how they have run their government in the past. As example, the United States is focused on technology and democracy. The US would like to see all countries running a democracy and will never get into battles with other democracies, but will justify inhabitation of a country by helping them develop a democracy. Also the US will do what possible to increase and help our technology--i.e. oil for our major cars, home, etc.--and do whatever possible to get that. This focus, however, may very well be because of the US education. When this education is changed to focus on alternative means of fuel and acceptance of others, our international relations will change. For example: teach an American only English, of course they will come across problems relating to other cultures and not understand what it takes to respect others.

This was laid out to be very broadly, and I'd like to see it filled it. But it fits very well along with my view of global education. I see education as a way to change the world because what we teach our young becomes how the world is run. Global education to me includes helping youth to learn to be compassionate, understand diversity and love learning and working respectfully with all different people across the world. There are many organizations working on this now, such as iEARN and TakingITGlobal, but this view has not been express by the mainstream.

It was interesting, even liberating, to see someone work through to this conclusing from a completely different view point. Here was a socially aware citizen logically proving that global education must be a focus because of current politics and international relations. When I concieve of the of this view point, I work from the changing of education to help the world through changing values and changing values helping our government and international policies. There may be hope in the world for politicians.

Oh, the possibilities...

2006-06-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

I have found many websites, extensions and more to play with online. It is nearly overwhelming to keep up with all the great possibilities. I am growing to enjoy Netvibes. I am using Performancing. I use FoxyTunes and Weather, and I'm trying out Google Notebook.

Too many blogs?

2006-05-27T00:41:00.000-07:00

I think I have too many blogs. I'm not sure which ones to update with which pieces of information. I don't know if I want to focus on making one better and how to go about it. Should I pay attention to one blog and avoid the others? What should I consider on topic? How do I continue to blog when I don't believe I have any readers? A committment to make...

high school exit exam debate

2006-05-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

This article and the comments that follow it frustrate me! There are so many good points both ways, but so many people who are missing things in reality. People can get by without the knowledge base that comes with passing the California Exit Exam. At least they can in some areas, namely San Jose and other places they don't need to speak English or jobs that desire high school graduates, but don't need the full knowledge base. Students learn in different ways. They may be likely to learn better on the job or at an alternative school, but they've never been informed of this. Intelligent people don't always know how to pass tests. Work with this kids; it's amazing! How can you deny them so much and just give up.

My solution is alternative schools for different learning styles. A better school reform comes in creating these and giving/showing students their options, rather than being fully worried about accountability and these large, badly run public schools. We need new answers! I'm not saying they don't work for some, and I'm not saying accountability and test-taking doesn't have it's place, but there can be options. We can give different types of schooling and different types of diplomas and help these students out in their lives earlier on.

Songmaster Book Review

2006-01-19T21:35:00.000-08:00

A story of one man, one boy... that is all. It is beautiful to read of his influence, love, emotion, experience. The power of the song is great. The allusion in the future is intriguing, but it is lost in the story of one boy.

I enjoy reading Orson Scott Card, especially those novels from when he was younger. I relate more to the exploration and searching Card does in his stories. Through is books, such as Ender's Game, I have been able to discover the world and my impressions of it.

Songmaster is about the life of Ansset, a beautiful young boy with a voice of power. He can relate and change moods. It is great to read of his struggles as a child. He must learn to be human and understand what he can do with his voice. The novel reads like a movie. Although I am unable to imagine seeing the greatness representing in this novel on screen, I watched the story play out infront of me as a read frivolously.

To re-discover Card as a youthful writer, read Songmaster. Just don't let your expectations and values keep you from enjoying another's experience.

Performancing test

2005-12-31T13:27:00.000-08:00

I'm testing the Firefox Performancing extension. The testing should allow me to blog at a couple of sites from a Firefox add-on.

desire to read

2005-12-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

I was perusing at the book store and found a section of essays and anthologies. I had a desire to read many of them, unlike I ever had before. I often read novels and a collection of nonfiction books, but I have never gotten into essays or short stories or poems over prose. But now, with books such as George Orwell's A Collection of Essays, I see some great brief thoughts coming form writings using metacognition to examine their lives and the world around them. This reminds me very much of some of my favorite bloggers... writing brief entries about those things that affect them or are often re-examined in their minds. Except, with blogging it becomes more quickly interactive and entries relate back to the old entries and topics. It is more the process of creating thoughts and learning than the end result in books.

In addition to this, I continue to remember how much I enjoy books. I have a large library of books which I am unable to bring along with me to San Jose. Instead, I must limit myself to a select few. These few I do not find the time to read anyhow as I keep busy and have a large public library to select from as well. If I gathered all my books together and counted them, I believe almost one fifth of them would be books that I have not read or at least finished. I am overwhelmed by the desire to read and enjoy books, but I do not take the full action of when living life actively in the present wins out. With time, I hope to read more and review books through one of my blogs.

after-school tutorial

2005-12-21T22:00:00.000-08:00

Getting these students to stay on task during tutorial is quite a task. I enjoy this time to learn more about their lives both in and out of school and I often want to move off task for more interesting conversations.
Their teachers also usually leave immediately after school making it very hard to use them as a resource to help the students improve their work.

smack in the middle of the US

2005-12-21T21:24:00.000-08:00

I often tell people I'm from Kansas, right in the middle of the United States. Some agree, some don't say anything, and some question it. So here's the research: the geographic center of the first 48 states of the US (what I'm usually thinking with this statement) is 4 miles outside of Lebanon, KS. That is a six hour drive from my hometown. Of interest is the geographic center of the 50 states in Butte County, South Dakota and the geographic center of North America is close to Rugby, North Dakota.

the evolution of Kansas

2005-11-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

Well... Kansas School Board of Education has continued to increase it's bad image by teaching evolution as a flawed theory. As the laughing stalk of the nation, it's no wonder Kansas is such a terrible place to be from. All we have is the Wizard of Oz, farms, "where's that again?" and more problems with evolution. We could do things such as refuse to support Kansas, but wouldn't that be like moving to Canada when Bush won the election.... It doesn't solve anything to leave it alone. What about those who have to live in Kansas? Who grow up in Kansas? Kansas has some good things...

It makes me wonder though... how do people get on school boards? People vote for them, I believe. But who ever worries about who they vote for to be on the school board? Shouldn't this be more of a focus? These people choose what our children learn in public schools. That's huge! Or maybe it is a big deal and I've just never noticed how much people put into elections of school board members. Makes me wish I was still voting in Kansas for the next elections with school board members on the ballot--we need to make this state EVOLVE into the current century!

blogging

2005-11-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

The once or twice a week that I spend catching up online, I realize how much I'm missing out on. Now I know I'm lucky to have internet at all and even more lucky to get a good connection at my local library. But I've been spoiled at my university with a constant link to the internet. I have a computer online at all times; when I woke up in the morning, I could get on, chat briefly with people, check my email, the news and the weather. When I came back from classes, I could spend more time talking online, reading email and search the internet for information and people's opinions. I've often found myself lost in people's blogs--going from on blog to the next, learning opinions and reading articles of intersting topics.

Today I found a long discussion about the idea of blogging versus journaling (via a friend's suggestion). Several interesting people continue a discussion through their blogs on this topic and others that I find intersting. Given the time and resources, I would love to join in on these discussions. There is a great deal to keep up with and information I would like to follow, but I haven't the time nor the constant access to the internet that I once had. Instead I find keep up by reading old posts, several at once, in hopes that when my internet lifestyle likely returns, I'll still be enough in the loop to join in our such discussions and blogging. Atleast I have feeds (via Bloglines) for easy access to the last posts on my favorite blogs.

What is your definition of blogging?

food web

2005-10-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

This is two crews of high school students creating a food web with animals in an ecosystem.

San Francisco

2005-10-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

That's me with Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Youth Corps Leaders

2005-10-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

This is the gang of Youth Corps Leaders at my new job.

new job

2005-08-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've updated my online spaces. That's because I've been busy worrying about and preparing for my new job. Last night I bought a ticket for Sept 3rd to San Jose, CA. On Tuesday, September 6th, I start an 11-month adventure tutoring and doing community service with high school students. I will make very little money, hopefully share a house with 4 others in my same position, live with only the things I can fit in a few bags, and try desperately to be able to afford plane tickets for holidays and my sister's wedding and health insurance. I'm scared and excited; I don't know what to expect; I want an adventure, to meet amazing people and to find an opportunity to reach my dream job--traveling, speaking, helping and meeting amazing people all revolving around the education of young people around the world.

An invitation for practical dreamers

2005-08-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Idealist.org is revamping their site. Previously a place where nonprofit organizations can list job openings and volunteer opportunities and individuals and search for organizations to become involved with, the site is about to launch a 100 day plan to become much more. Idealist.org will become a part of a network of advocates in communities all across the world. So starting today, August 12th, Idealist.org will begin with a 100 day countdown to create this network in which people can meet and network within their communities at specific times. Each of these people within the network can then connect during their travels to those in other communities linked to Idealist.org. Soon doors open up and the opportunities for people broaden.

First Day of School

2005-08-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

I was reading The First Days of School and have brainstormed a potential first day of school. I read a book over Spring Break which I purchased in Boston. I would better reference this book, but I do not currently remember the title. Anyway, in this book, the teacher had created a way for his students to learn the value of money. He had several jobs in the classroom and had each of his students fill out applications for the jobs. When the student did their job, they received money weekly which match the value of their job. These student then had to use their money to rent their seats in the classroom. This way they had some sort of choice in seat. There were also several other purchases which could be made, and students used this system to work businesses such as real estate, loans and credit cards. I really enjoyed this mini-society which was create for the students and all the learning which was going on that the students had control over.

Back to the first day of school, I suggest that the students and parents receive information over the summer about their classroom, teacher and school. The students will be asked to come the first day of school presentable as if trying to get a job. Then the first day of school becomes an open house for the classroom. It is shown as a sort of business. The students are given brochures about the year describing classroom and school goals, including a vision, mission statement, colors and pictures, current 'employees' teachers, the 'board' principal, etc and investors 'parents', and finally a list of jobs that the classroom 'company' will be hiring for. There will be a station for job descriptions, a bright welcome atmosphere and a refreshments table. The room would not have a blackboard, bunch of desk atmostphere, but rather one of a small business. Parents would be there representing the classroom and the principal/vice principal would come in to speak. After a bit of mingling in the classroom, a presentation would be lead by the teacher, introducing the year and classroom to the students. This presentation would be followed by students placed in groupls to discussed some available questions about the school year and available jobs. Students would then have the opportunity to ask the teacher and others questions.

After lunch/recess, the classroom would now be arranged in separated seating and students would sit down to apply for jobs, writing information and essays telling the teacher why he or she is best for the job and what the students want out of the year and classroom 'company'. The day would finish will active, chosen learning of reading and exploring given activities, such as projects, art, etc.

The rest of the week would follor with clasroom activities allowing the teacher the opportunity to start the curriculum and get to know the students, but between all the work, students would be interviewed for their jobs. There would also be plenty of group work within this week so that students are given the chance to get to know each other.

The next week, students are given their positions and explain the classroom money system further, i.e. what they will be able to use their money for. There would also be time spent discussing the students' and teacher's ideal classroom. Then this classroom would be created. The students now have a great deal of investment in the classroom, both physical from creating it and doing their jobs within it, and non-physical from discussing what they want out of their year and how they want to learn.

Questioning educators

2005-08-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

I was reviewing some notes from the School of the Future World Summit and found three things of interest. First, I finally took some time to look at the School of the Future website. It is exciting to see an organized explanation of the school, as well as the design for the school in Philadelphia. Anyone think I could get a job there in 2006?

Second, I had written a question to ask whomever for help finding a job of interest. I found while I was traveling with international students, working with a great company with and excellent cause (takingitglobal), presenting a student perspective of education and meeting amazing educators, I wanted a job doing the exact thing. I wrote: 'What can I do for the educators, for education, my passion and enjoyment of meeting people, traveling and encouraging educators?' I'm tempting to learn how to get a grant to attend NECC 2006 and other similar conferences.

Third, one gentleman at the conference while asking the student presentors questions ask us to raise a question to the audience of educators. I wish I could share this question with the many blogging educators and see the responses: What should I avoid in order to continue my optimism and avoid the pessimism (which some call realism) and keep acting/creating change in education?

Jobs

2005-07-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Every day I get an email list of jobs. They are jobs in education that range from tutoring to administration, secretarial work to executive directors of after-school programs. Every day, I look down the list for things that I would be interested, but more importantly jobs that I might be qualified for. Although each day's list includes 15 to 20 positions, there is usually one or none that apply to me.

Over and over again in the past few years while I have been looking for work I struggle to find positions which I was experienced enough for. Although a math major (who loves to calculate figures and count money), any teller must have previous teller work, or at least retail experience. After-school tutors must have previous experience tutoring or working with children when my only experience with children was the many years of babysitting which was all off the record. Maybe through my years in college and summers when I needed a job, I used this as an excuse, but I could not figure out how to get into the jobs I desired without first volunteering. In my mind, I couldn't volunteer because I didn't have the time or the transportation--I needed the money to even travel to the locations.

So what is it that our society is doing in order to get teenagers on the right track, the experience track for their future job search? I was never encouraged to get a job neither were many of my friends. Instead our teenage years were supposed to be fun and free. I thought of getting a job, but was never pushed to do it, not even by myself, and later I felt I suffered. But isn't it logical to help each teenager to get a small part-time position in an area of interest? The San Jose Conservation Corps provides work to at-risk students which contributes to the betterment of their community. As a soccer player, I would have enjoyed and appreciated experience as a soccer referee. A friend aspired to be a computer programmer worked in a software company's office. There are many opportunities available to get teenagers on the right tracks. Why aren't every teenager encouraged to and shown how to be employed at a local organization?

Blood Drive at the Zoo

2005-07-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I went to a blood drive at the Kansas City Zoo. The high was close to 100 degrees and with the heat, there were not many attendees. Still I saw this as an excellent educational opportunity and was excited to find a family there giving blood. The two parents were participating in a public service that was educating their children to value such a contribution to our societies health. In addition to the blood drive, the family was able to share some group time, learning and discussing the many animals at the zoo. As a bonus to my enjoyable time and view of a great opportunity, for the first time when giving blood, my vein was easy to find and only pricked once--yay for experienced professionals.

Idealist.org

2005-07-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Check out Idealist.org for a place to find volunteer opportunities, events and organizations interested in your own cause. Then check out the Kids & Teens site for more resources and the Teachers site for ways to use Idealist.org in the classroom. And look for even more opportunities later in mid-August.

Carnival of Education

2005-07-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

I'm included in the 24th Carnival of Education over at The Education Wonks. Currently the link to my site is wrong, but hopefully that gets fixed! Anyhow, go check it out; there's always great submissions.

Thanking teachers

2005-07-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

So recently, while using my student voice, I've had to tell many stories which include the excellent teachers I've had through the years. Teachers have such a huge influence on life; this is why teaching should be considered an important, if not the most important job. Anyway, I hear all sorts of stories about great teachers and them teachers helping out their students as they get older. Then their old students come back in town or write a letter or call and thank the teacher for all the things they did and opportunities they gave their students. What I want to know is how these students are able to stay in contact with their old teachers?!

I have several teachers who I'd like to be able to thank for all the opportunities they gave me. I have teachers who were amazing at making me feel special and learning what it takes to be a great person in this world. Sometimes, I'd like the opportunity to tell them thank you and not just pass on stories about them. I think it should almost be a requirement for people to go back and thank their old teachers. And I suppose I could get in contact with some of them, maybe by calling the schools and asking for contact information. But I don't. What would happen if we gave more people an outlet to thank their teachers? Or maybe there is a way, and it just needs to be mass marketed.

Teaching Good Citizenship

2005-07-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

The One Campaign recently emailed out a request to get American citizens to call their local Senators and ask for support in the Santorum-Durbin Amendment for global AIDS funding. I believe this is an excellent cause following the goals of the UN's Millennium Development Goals. I have been considering calling myself. I am reluctant, however, as I always am when it comes to contacting a US Senator or Representative about what laws I would like to see or not see in the USA. I have a hard time contacting someone with only my own agenda in mind.

I was contemplating this reluctance and also my desire to help create change in the government, when I realized a lack in my, and probably many other students', citizenship education. Although I know some students are taught how to write a letter to a big company or the government, I never experienced this. A friend of mine did, but it was about some cause she never cared about.

The successful workings of the US government is dependent on active citizens--citizens who are not afraid to voice their opinions to representatives. But when children are educated, they are only talk of how we voted for people to represent our opinions in the government. The focus in our world (particularly a student's world) is on the voting process. This is very important, as each representative must show that they will represent the voters well. But when do the citizen tell their representatives what they want? Voting for representatives only happens periodically, but voting and decisions in the government happened much more frequently. Shouldn't the opinions of citizens then be discussed more often between the every day individual and their representatives?

Students should be taught from a young age to voice their opinions and talk to their representatives. These students should be given the opportunity to be a part of working toward something they desire and should learn that activism is important and takes a lot of work. But not only do we need groups fighting for our causes, but we need individuals.

Student Voices presentation

2005-07-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 29 at the NECC in Philadelphia, we [student presenters from around the world] spent a great deal of time working on our presentation on the student perspective of education, technology in education and the future of education. We each made sure we knew what we were going to say during the panel of questions. Mike and Jennifer worked on the TakingITGlobal portion of the presentation which would briefly cover what TakingITGlobal is doing for students, and Luke had the long task of preparing the slides for the background of the presentation. There is a final report of Student Voices on the website, and I hope I am correct in saying there will also be the slide show at some point that shows other international student perspectives from the discussion boards. Following is my notes on what I had to say during the panel:

First we introduced ourselves by answering the questions: When did you first use a computer? When did you first use the internet? What has been your contact with technology in the past month? My answers:

I was lucky to have a father working as a computer systems analyst growing up. When I was about four years old, he brought home a terminal and put it in our basement. It was exciting to see and even more exciting to be able to type on, despite the fact that at the time my typing did nothing to it. Throughout my childhood my dad brought home more computers. I watched him as he worked on them, as he fixed any problems, and quickly learned how to operate the computer using a DOS prompt. My favorite activities were first word processing and games, but eventually also programming in QBASIC. At school, on the other hand, computers were most often used to play educational games, such as Word and Math Munchers or a learning-to-type program.
I remember at the age of 13, hearing my best friend Sylvia talk about the Internet. Her brother had introduced it to her, and she had become a part of a teen chat room, in which teenagers talked about all sorts of adolescent issues. Eventually, Sylvia become an online counselor in this very same chat community. At 14, after what seemed like begging forever, I received email, but it wasn't until the age of 15 after more begging that I first access the internet in my home. I felt it opened up a whole new world of resources to me.
Recently, technology surrounds me. The first thing I do in the morning is turn on my computer. I check my email account, actually all four email accounts, and blogs, both personal and edublogs. I am always on instant messengers; not that I am always talking, but I find it nice to have immediate access to discussions or at least messages to friends close by, family, friends far away, or people I've met across the world. I have my iPod with me often. My cell phone is always in my pocket, and I am often text messaging friends about random happenings or what we're going to do for dinner. At university, my life was surrounded by technology. My first contact with teachers is often through email. We use BlackBoard at the University of Kansas so many of our assignments and quizzes are posted online. We have several computer labs that I have found very useful day to day and when working on projects that require internet, word processors, photo/art editors, Powerpoint and much more.

The first panel question was: How has technology impacted your life? My answer:

My life would not be the same without technology; it just wouldn't be my life anymore. I depend on technology for learning, communication and entertainment. I use technology, particularly the internet as several resources to see others' experiences and perspectives. I do not live in the most diverse environment, and I have discovered that with technology, I can find someone with knowledge and experiences in any topic to learn from. I do not have to see only one point of view of the world, which can often be the case in a classroom.

The second question was: How do you like to learn?

I like learning to be an integral part of my life. I learn in everything I do both in and out of the classroom. I enjoy learning from others, others' views, values and experiences. But in the classroom, I like learning to be discussion based so that I can learn from peers, teachers and other educators. I enjoy teaching others so that I have the opportunity to feel like I am both helping and I have become an expert in a topic, and I like learning to be project-based. One experience of my project base learning was in sixth grade. I took math in the morning outside of class so that during class I often had nothing to do while my peers were learning math. My teacher encouraged me to work on our my projects about math. I choose to study Pythagoras. I wrote a short report about him, but also discovered he had studied frequencies. Learning from his studies, I found/created a formula to calculate the frequencies of each piano key and created a chart that was place on a wall outside of the classroom for everyone to see. This was one of my favorite project-base learning experiences, not only because it was a project instead of worksheets, but because I was able to take on, choose and discover the project myself.

The third question was: How does your ideal classroom look and feel?

The whole world. I want to learn from inside, outside, all around the country and all around the world. I enjoy active learning. I want to learn from experiences and other people's experiences. Professionals who are working in the areas in which use the skills we are learning in the classroom. I enjoy learning from my peers; I have learned a great deal from the other panelist, who are from around the world. But within an indoor classroom, I like the idea of student investment in the classroom. The teacher and students should be able to discuss and decide together where the furniture in the room goes, what the day's schedule is, what activities they prefer, and contribute to the decorations on the walls.

The final question: What are your dreams and concerns for the future of education?

Very simply, I would like to see all children around the world educated equally. More specifically, all children should be taught compassion, a love for learning, critical thinking and celebration of the world's diversity.

I think the panel went quite well. The first session at the National Consitution Center was very enthusiastic with a great deal of applause, but the second was much quieter. Still we had several very interesting questions following each presentation, both individually and while we were still on stage. Several teachers loved what we had to say because it was exactly what they were trying to do in their schools. They expressed an increase in motivation from our enthusiasm and passion. Many wanted to go back to their schools and try harder to bring technology and better educational tatics to their school, even though their fellow teachers did not understand the need. I was very excited and enthusiastic after hearing their response.

In back is Luke (TIG Education Manager), Mike (TIG co-founder and Technology Director) and Dilmurod(Uzbekistan student). Front Shraddha(Nepal student), me and Cherrie(New Zealand student). This is us actually after the third presentation which was in Seattle. Jennifer was at the first one, but unfortunely there are no pictures including her.

Podcasting education at NECC

2005-07-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

The second day of NECC, we made sure to register and got our lanyards/name tags. We added ribbons, including Newcomer and International. They were out of Presenter ribbons, but I did get an international one because the group claimed I was interational to them. We went to the panel of educators who had been on the internet for ten plus years. I posted links from this discussion which was very exciting to hear and learn bits and pieces about, but I did not receive enough information to state any viewpoints.

It was at this panel that we were invited out to a nine course Chinese meal for dinner with a very large group. We were a bit late from spending time preparing for our presentation, which was hard to start on having just met each other and not remembering/knowing exactly what we wanted to say. Still we made it to this dinner, which was way too much food for any of us to finish, but a great many things for us to experience new and several interesting people to meet. There was one teacher who had been in the field so long he had amazing stories about all over the world to tell, his wife had been a Peace Corps volunteer years ago which I was excited to hear about, Lisa Jobson from an exciting organization iEARN was there, and Patsy Wang-Iverson of Research for Better Schools was the main organizer. After Mike, Jennifer and Luke left for their Microsoft grant reception, Dima, Cherrie, Shraddha and I headed over to the Marriott to catch the end of the Student Film Festival. We found, however, that all the films had been shown and all that was left was discussion. Patsy, however, was there and invited us into a very long line to see a presentation on Podcasting.

This presentation I had wanted to go to, but didn't want to force any of the other students to join me on something boring to them, but lucky for me, this session was huge and very popular. There was food and drinks, the room was pack, and they had to do the session a second time after we got to see it. It was excellent to get to see a group of avid podcasters and researchers explain the basics of podcasting and introduce iTunes 4.9 which makes Podcasting more easily available to everyone.

Tonight I have spent some time listening to some education podcasts from both NECC and others, such as Bud the Teacher and Teach42, and would highly suggest others to go check it out with iTunes 4.9, or even more avidly through a search online (such as on Podcast Alley) for there still are many Podcasts out there that have not made it to iTunes. I'm addicted; you should become addicted too!

After the podcasting presentation, here we (Dima, me and Shraddha) sit waiting for the TIG employees to return from their receiving of a Microsoft grant to support TIGed work to get programs into the classroom.

A family among strangers

2005-07-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

During the Student Voices travels, we ate out a lot. The first big night out was at Swanky Bubbles from Jenn's birthday. The meal was served family style. We ordered a bunch of food to share and the dishes were brought out as soon as they were prepared in the kitchen. It was excellent see people try new foods and sharing dishes, as if at home among family.

When going to other restaurants, we often found dishes to large for individuals. This is something I find in American restaurants everywhere. I suppose Americans just eat too large of portions, but I am one of those who is never able to finish a dish either. We found it easiest to continue this family style dining. At each restaurant, we'd order enough dishes for all of us and share, making sure to have vegetarian dishes and different styles of food for each person's taste. I believe we all had a few new things and learned a lot about each other from this.

It was not just the dining, however, but much more of our trip which created a temporary family while spending 12 days together. We shared rooms, checked in on each other, spent the evenings relaxing together, teased each other and fought over seats in the van. By the end of the trip, I felt very comfortable around each person; such that if we were to spend more time together, we would even learn each other's secrets.

Educator using the Internet websites

2005-07-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

During a session about the last ten years of the internet and education (powerpoints), I collected a list of links. Andy Carvin lead the session: www.andycarvin.com and created EdWeb www.edwebproject.org in 1994 and many of the panelists work with The Digital Divide Network www.digitaldivide.net; Global Schoolnet Foundation www.globalschoolnet.org; Generation YES www.genyes.com; Generation Y www.geny.org; Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study www.timss.org; International Education and Resource Network www.iearn.org, also US I-Earn at www.us.iearn.org; David Warlick was one panelist www.davidwarlick.com, I like his blog; Landmarks for Schools at www.landmark-project.com; a reminder about the ThinkQuest competition at www.thinkquest.org; the Globe Program at www.globe.gov; and finally at place to check out and use copyrights at creativecommons.org

Liberty Bell

2005-07-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

Most of our time in Philly was spent at the convention center or in the hotel working on our presentation, but we did get to check out the Liberty Bell. Not too exciting, but something to say we've done just the same. Here's Shraddha (Nepal), Cherrie (New Zealand), Jennifer (TIG Executive Director, Canada) and Dima (Uzbekistan)

Student Voices in Education Trip

2005-07-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

There is so much to say about my two week trip to NECC and School of the Future World Summit with the Student Voices participants from TakingITGlobal. It is hard to know where to start.

I left expecting to learn a lot, meet knew people and hopefully make connection in beginning a career in education. I also had many fears that something would go wrong, that the mixing social norms of cross-cultures would lead to unhappy people, and in the back of my mind that this great opportunity was all fake.

My fears were met when I got to the airport only to find my ticket to fly out to Philadelphia had been voided. I called the travel agency, but it was the weekend and all they could do was book the flight again for over $2,000. I called all the numbers I had received from TakingITGlobal, but they were flying or sleeping. I tried very hard not to lose hope and distract myself while waiting for a return phone call. Mike from TIG contacted me and re-booked my flight. It was excellent to hear him so nice and respond quickly to get me on a flight only later that day.

Arriving in Philadelphia, I did not know whether I was to find my own way to the hotel (as I would have if I arrived earlier or I was being picked up). I walked toward the baggage claim, but couldn't help but notice a familiar looking face with a sign along the wall. With some reluctance, I went to meet Luke for the first time, who had been mine main contact in planning this trip. We turned to look for my baggage and waited, and waited, and waited. All the while we both seemed tired and unable to hold a conversation.

Finally we gave up and took a shuttle to the hotel. I checked in, but even this took too much effort when the people behind the desk could not find my name. Turned out it was there the whole time, and I bugged Luke for help for nothing. Luke headed back to the airport to pick up Shraddha and my bag. I met Dilmurod and we walked down to Market Street to look for something to eat.

The whole walk, I struggled to understand Dilmurod because he spoke quietly, with a thick accent and I couldn't hear well. We explored together, but could not find any place to eat, until we gave up and got food from a convenience store WaWa's. There was no place to eat, and we walked back with the food. I was carrying my bag with a heavy laptop in it and kept having to switch shoulders. Dilmurod had offered to carry the bag several times, but not experiencing that often, I did not realize it until at some point he managed to take it from me. It made me a bit uncomfortable because I have been raised in a society where I don't want help from someone unless I truly need it. It also made me feel a bit like I was supposed to be a weak woman. But it also made me feel good to let Dilmurod help, knowing he may have felt much better following the correct role carrying my bag for me.

Upon returning to the hotel, we both went our separate ways and ate--the food wasn't any good. After a few phone calls and exploring the room, Luke and Shraddha returned with my bag (but not her's; it was lost). But we all realized the room had one bed and went to ask for another one. Shraddha and I enjoyed a bit of conversation, but finally there was sleep after a fairly awkward day of travel.

Educators as Students

2005-07-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

I participated in a Leadership Symposium at the National Educational Computing Conference. Aside from four people in the room, who were students or recently students, all the participants were educators--teachers, administrators, etc. During this session from 8:00am to 12:00pm, I felt like I was back in middle school. Teachers/educators are very much like students.

There was continuous discussion among the group--friends trying to catch up, meeting new people--during the presentations and instructions. When told to follow instructions, my table of six people had a terrible time staying on task and instead would discuss other topics and speak with those people who came by to our table to chat. The participants would often get up from their tables, during activities to go get more coffee, snacks and going to other tables to visit. The presenters had problems keeping the PowerPoint and technology working, even though they were supposed to be prepared experts. At the beginning of the symposium, I heard many negative comments about the activity before the teachers had even experiences it. (For the record, by the time we finish many people were impressed.) The presenters even had to raise their voices multiple times and threaten the audience to get the group to quiet down.

Wow, the struggles that teachers have are continuous... It was crazy to see and made me want to let the educators know how much they were like their students. Despite these things, I really enjoyed the activities and visiting with the teachers, etc.

Leaders

2005-03-02T00:12:00.000-08:00

Level5, who rights a blog on leaders, posts his ambitions for a school. I was impressed. I've always been too afraid to attempt to create my 'utopian' school--for fear of missing something or contradicting myself or being just plain wrong. I would work for his school!
But this lead me to a question... How do you get the best leaders to be teachers? In the Kansas City Star, during the World Cup a few years back, an article ran about what the US National Men's Soccer Team would look like if our best athletes played. At first, I was hurt by the idea of putting football players and basketball players into "the best game ever," my favorite, soccer. Later I realized there was some truth to it. In talking to my friend Kevin, I came to see how soccer is not glorified in the US. So athletes, such as Michael Jordon, Carmelo Anthony, and Mark Maguire, who may have once started out playing soccer, soon concentrated on the sport that their dads love, that they thought would bring them the most fame and fortune, where they could be like their heroes. Even some of our best soccer players--Freddy Adu--first were exposed to the passion, love of soccer in another nation before coming to the US.
So how do we get our best athletes into soccer, where the play can be low and the reputation is possibly lower? Why would our wisest, best leaders want to go into the field of education... when they can become doctors, lawyers, politicians, CEOs of big corporations?

new blog

2005-02-28T23:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the wonderful world of blog-addiction, plus no money. This is my sixth current blog... in an ongoing attempt to find what is easiest and allows me the most freedom possible.