Week 4 Comment 2 to Francine Jackson

My plans are to submit my PLP to the Music Educators Journal(MEJ) of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). MEJ is a peer-reviewed journal that encourages music education professionals to submit manuscripts about all phases of music education in schools and communities, practical instructional techniques, teaching philosophy, and current issues in music teaching and learning. The main goal of MEJ, like that of MENC, is to advance music education.  MEJ is not a research journal, but submissions should be grounded in the professional literature.

I chose this publication because the population that would most likely be interested in my paper have subscriptions to MEJ.  I read some of the articles from this publication regularly so I figured this publication would reach the audience that would benefit most from my paper. Furthermore I chose this publication because many of my colleagues and myself are having difficulty with learners who are placed in our classes who don't want to be in a performing arts class. I feel that my paper might possibly provide pertinent information that musicians could look into to facilitate student motivation and engagement in the performing arts.

@ Francine

Like with Melissa, I commend you on taking on something that is in such need in our educational environment. Music is a beautiful thing and it is not given the importance it should. I hope that your project will shed some light on how important music is not only to the schools but also to society in general.

Week 4 Comment 1 to Melissa Cooper

The article based on my CBR project has a strong emphasis on Art and technology throughout community service project. Therefore, I am sticking with three journals that I plan to submit too because I wanted to appeal to the Arts (on a small and large scale) as well as technology journals. The following are the Journals I plan on submitting to, a link to the copy of my research article, as well as my two “think-aloud” post if your interested.

Edutopia is a database from the George Lucas foundation that highlights educational and technological programs, topics, information and other research that is unique and breaking ground. I have been a fan for a long time and have actually been inspired by some of their blogs to focus on bringing arts and technology into community service.

NAEA - The National Art Educators of America are a well-known community that advocate for Arts Education, share research, stories, and network with individuals and organizations that do the same. They have a recognize association for their efforts and services and something I look forward to being a part of.

The National Guild for Community Arts Education supports and advances any educational and learning opportunities in the community. They foster art education as well as community focus with their service and advocacy. They host a quarterly journal that highlights related topics in the community and education.

@Melissa

I commend you on taking an active role in promoting the arts. I understand the hardships the arts are going through in the educational system and what this has to mean to you. I have two friends that graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Arts Education and are out of a job due to cut backs. I hope that through your project people will be able to realize how truly important the arts are.

Week 3 Comment 2 to Barbara Rasero

Wimba's have become frustrating for me because for some reason, even though my signal seems to be strong, the connection flutters and I hear every other word. This past week, I stayed on anyway, because I felt that half was better than nothing. I watch the archive as a back up, but there is nothing like the live session for getting in touch with the vibe of the course, professor and my peers.

This week was particularly important because we spoke about the abstract and final presentation for our AR project. I get intimidated when I have to write formally, and the more I know the better I feel. The abstract will be easy I think. But, I am scratching my head about the final presentation and the publishing! OMG, is it that time already? As I remarked in a prior post, I heard myself saying, "Oh no! I don't want to be published!"

I was kind of taken by surprise at the fear about this since I've knew about it from the beginning of the program, and have been working all along with publishing in mind - why all of a sudden do I feel like backing out? No reason, other than it's real now, and I am worried that I have not done enough, or well enough, yadda, yadda. So, this downward spiral thinking goes.

But, I see the genius in having us read Zanders now. I am sure we area ll going through similar thoughts and feelings and Zanders is so up beat, positive and so generous.

Thank you Full Sail for working this way to calm us down and feel confident into the course requirements. In fact, I have found the program tone exceptional in that regard. I value creativity and I have found another layer of my voice in this program because creativity is cherished here. Brava for EMDT, FullSail, and for all my peers! Brava!!!

@ Barbara

I guess we are all getting a little anxious at this point with what needs to be done. It seems like it was only yesterday that we started on this amazing journey and here we are at the doorstep of finalizing everything. It is crunch time and I guess that with everything that is going on we needed a book that would be a pick me up and Zanders is just that. Whoever thought of placing this book at this specific time really understood what we would be going through and decided to help in the most subtle way.

Week 3 Comment 1 to Cheryl McGovern

Ok everyone! Here is week 3's free post.  This is a great picture, as it really depicts me this week! I am moving every single book in 2 different libraries, and am feeling buried in books! The students start back to school on Monday so I have my work cut out for me.  I have 2 brand new assistants to train, and the mountain of books facing me.  Wish me luck! Oh, and don't forget the leadership project which is really throwing me for a loop right now! I am going to have to review the guidelines for the 4th time and keep trying to figure out exactly what I am going to do.  I would love to do a presentation, but I don't see myself at a conference.  I would not mind doing faculty or even administration, but the whole far away conference and lots of strangers is very intimidating to me, as anyone who knows me knows that I don't do crowds and parties or anything like that well.  Maybe I should do publication, but I like the creativity of a presentation better.  Well, much to think about. If anyone out there has a suggestion, let me know. Thanks for listening! Have a great day and if you don't hear from me, send out the search party to dig me out from under all of the books! (ha! ha!)

@Cheryl

I can empathize with your situation. I just began working and am completely swamped with long-term lesson plans and daily plans. Oh yeah and everything that still needs to be done in these last two months that we have left. Just remember that I can only get better from here on out. With each day that passes we will find that the road will become clearer and clearer until we are completely out of the mess. Good luck organizing your library.

Week 2 Comment 1 Sheri Brinkerhoff

All of the structure and ideals we use to bind ourselves into our lives are invented.  Only looking beyond the proverbial box can help us see beyond our immediate world.  I have often thought about how we create our own world based on our experiences. “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander is one of the most amazing book I have ever read. Unleashing the possibilities within should be the goal of every person.  It really is all invented.  Someone created the ideas we use to guide our lives.  What could we accomplish if we did not know fear?  Assumptions are the biggest hindrance for me in opening up to the realm of possibility.  It is so easy to make a judgment about someone or a situation.   

During the last week, I have focused on trying to stop making assumptions about situations.  I find that when I do this I have an easier time giving someone an ”A.” I have found that I have more patience with people because I try not to make assumptions or judgments about behaviors and actions.  It helps to think about how you are contributing on a daily basis.  I loved that the idea of being a contribution releases one from the cycle of success versus failure.  The chapter where the author describes his class after giving everyone an “A” is very intriguing.  I have toyed with the notion of presenting this idea to my students.  Though I do not think my administration would be receptive to the idea, I like the affect on the students.  It releases them from the cycle of success versus failure and brings them to a place where they can focus on their personal journey.   

An excellent education teaches students how to live beyond the course material.  This class is an excellent example of the concept.  Though the course is titled “Media Asset Creation,” I feel as though I have learned more about how I want to live my life.  Lessons taken from this week’s reading have affected my personal thinking in ways that will extend beyond the course itself.

@Sheri

First of all I want to say that that picture you took is beautiful. Assumptions truly can hinder a person and it can even make them prejudice. When I was doing my practice in education I was warned by a couple of “professionals” to be careful because the school that I was going to was right between two residential housings for underprivileged people. They would have comments like, “you know how those people are with their addictions” or “keep your wallet close at all times” and “you can never be too careful around those people”. Once I got there I found that those kids were the most loving and kindhearted kids I had ever met. They would spend there lunch hour with me and tell me all sorts of stories. Sometimes we are too quick to judge and never really give the others an opportunity.

Week 1 Comment 2 to Cindy Price

As an educator, I found this information very informative and important. It is so often that we copy papers, ideas and other items with the innocence and the understanding that it is ok. These videos showed us the importance of copyright and how important copyright is. Copyright is not there to make it harder for us to complete our work or to create anything. It is there to protect the creator from "thieves"! Educators are guilty of copying others works and these videos should be seen by all educators. the myths about copyright really shed some light for myself. I am guilty of thinking those same things and not realizing that copyright has been violated!!! What surprises me is that there are some pieces of work that people would actually steal. Example some of these songs that are out today that are really inappropriate for listeners of any age!!! I liked the definition and easy remembrance for dummies that they gave us in the first video- basically if you create it, protect it! One thing that I did not know was plays and skits are not copyrighted unless they are copyrighted using visualization. This is good to know. it is important to know how to create your projects and ideas and how to avoid violating copyright laws!!!

@ Cindy

Knowledge can be a powerful thing, once you acquire it and know how to use it. It is true that many times we unconsciously do things thinking that it is all right, but this does not mean that it is right to do it. The problem is when we know what is right but keep on doing things wrong just because it is easier. Copyright can be difficult to understand and master but now that we know what we need to do and how to credit the people properly, we should not only respect what others have done but protect ourselves as well, like you said.

Week 1 Comment 1 to Helen Xiong

Wow...Week 1...is already done...

My brain is going crazy! I cannot stop talking to people about copyright laws because I was soooo unaware of it...You would think that it being so scary that we would know more about it...

It is really crazy to think about how many people are disobeying this law of copyright and are just simply unaware of it...I talked to Mr. Bustillos more about it and he said that we would be talking more about it this next week but I feel that my brain is sooo overloaded with this that it makes me scared of what our future holds and how these people posting videos on YouTube every 2 seconds needs to be aware of this. 

Commenting on Cheryl's post really made me realize things that are right in front of you....resources and people that you have made connections with that can make us into more educated people. I really push my own students to use their resources...google, wikispaces, the web, and the people around them....and I need to realize that too...How did I not know about these ideas or thoughts when I see my librarian at my school on a daily basis?! It really makes me question myself with how opened my eyes really are....

This week just flew by and I had also already started our reading and I must say...I hate reading but the book is really good...(sorry to be a spoiler if you haven't started yet). I am really looking forward to what this class has to offer and what is to happen in the weeks and days to come. 

@ Helen

I have to agree with you. Many times we are unaware of all these rules and regulations that we have to follow. I guess ignorance truly is bliss for most of us.  Once we become aware we find ourselves questioning everything we did prior to having acquired the knowledge. This has happened to me and now I constantly check to see if I have given the people the credit they deserve in every work I do. It can be tedious but it needs to be done. Oh and by the way thanks for spoiling the whole book thing.