Initially, I would have to say that my initial opinions of Second Life were not the best. Much frustration came out especially when it came to scripting objects. When I first used Second Life I found it to be dizzying and experienced some delays (even throughout the project). After battling all of the technical issues, I found using the program to be a valuable experience. It not only forced me to further my knowledge about Howard Gardner, I then had to apply his learning theory withing Second Life. In any other class, you would normally be asked to write a paper arguing the theories of him and the impacts on society today and the connection amongst other theorists...yada yada yada. Using Second Life to understand Gardner's theory was actually more challenging, especially when I had to think of a way to tie in and teach one thing eight different ways. I feel that this illustrations was much more effective than someone reading it on paper.
Using technology also gave me the opportunity to work with others and learn about their theorist while learning about mine. While the building of the rooms seemed more like a solitary activity, we all worked with each other to give insight and ideas and help out others. You would not have the same result if you wrote a paper. Within this process of assisting others, we were able to partake and learn about other theorists. Working this way, we were able to understand the significance of other learning theorists and the correlation amongst them.
AS far as technology goes, there were times that I hated it, but honestly, I felt as if I got more out of the project by working with others and applying my knowledge. This was very much an inquiry-based and open ended assignment. I don't think I would have learned as much about other theorists if it was not interactive. I actually enjoyed this project more than writing a paper! If I had to say one thing, I'D DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Comedian
I am bummed that I did not get to watch Comedian with my cadremates, but I was spending some much needed time with the family. Instead, I got to watch it with my sister, a huge Seinfeld fan---It was really fun to be able to involve her in my Masters and discuss the documentary.
Here are my thoughts:
As I watched the film, I was not sure what to think or how it tied to learning. I actually found myself trying to draw meaning out of everything that was said. Comedian is a documentary based on Jerry Seinfeld after his career in the television industry. It tracks his venture of his trials and tribulations he faced while creating new material for his new standup acts. Here are my thoughts( and how it parallels education and learning):
Thought ONE:
One thing Jerry and other comedians were forced to take was risks. Risk-taking parallels both teaching and learning. As a teacher, you have to step out of the boundaries of the norm and take risks. OMET is showing us how to do this. As a teacher, our job is to promote life-long learning and facilitate learning rather than deliver it. Much of what I have learned in this program has proven to me that this is an effective method of instruction, however is not widely accepted. This is where risk-taking is involved. It is our job to take risks to help promote change in education. Initially we might fail, however it is important to not give up. This goes hand in hand with risk-taking.
Thought TWO:
Jerry was dedicated and had aspirations to keep learning and aspired to better himself as a comedian. He even seeks the advice of experienced well-known comedians such as Bill Cosby, David Letterman and Jay Leno. This is a parallel to teachers and students. Teachers and students need to understand that it is important to not give up and continuously seek to learn new things. Ironically, this ties directly with the book we are reading in Margaret’s class, Surpassing Ourselves. This book states that if you are going to be termed an “expert” in a field, you are always looking and creating new knowledge. Jerry felt that if he stopped performing, he would stop being a comedian and an “expert” in the field.
On the contrary to Jerry, Orny Adams, a “newly developed comedian” is seen as being unlikable. Orny seeks advice from experts in the field, such as Seinfeld and his agent, but he does not take the criticism well. If he wants to become expert, then he needs to shut his mouth and just listen.
In the end, I see a direct correlation to Jerry’s comeback as a stand-up comedian to learning. With time and dedication, things become smoother and easier. I think I’ll have to watch this a few more times to draw further meaning, but these are my initial thoughts.
Here are my thoughts:
As I watched the film, I was not sure what to think or how it tied to learning. I actually found myself trying to draw meaning out of everything that was said. Comedian is a documentary based on Jerry Seinfeld after his career in the television industry. It tracks his venture of his trials and tribulations he faced while creating new material for his new standup acts. Here are my thoughts( and how it parallels education and learning):
Thought ONE:
One thing Jerry and other comedians were forced to take was risks. Risk-taking parallels both teaching and learning. As a teacher, you have to step out of the boundaries of the norm and take risks. OMET is showing us how to do this. As a teacher, our job is to promote life-long learning and facilitate learning rather than deliver it. Much of what I have learned in this program has proven to me that this is an effective method of instruction, however is not widely accepted. This is where risk-taking is involved. It is our job to take risks to help promote change in education. Initially we might fail, however it is important to not give up. This goes hand in hand with risk-taking.
Thought TWO:
Jerry was dedicated and had aspirations to keep learning and aspired to better himself as a comedian. He even seeks the advice of experienced well-known comedians such as Bill Cosby, David Letterman and Jay Leno. This is a parallel to teachers and students. Teachers and students need to understand that it is important to not give up and continuously seek to learn new things. Ironically, this ties directly with the book we are reading in Margaret’s class, Surpassing Ourselves. This book states that if you are going to be termed an “expert” in a field, you are always looking and creating new knowledge. Jerry felt that if he stopped performing, he would stop being a comedian and an “expert” in the field.
On the contrary to Jerry, Orny Adams, a “newly developed comedian” is seen as being unlikable. Orny seeks advice from experts in the field, such as Seinfeld and his agent, but he does not take the criticism well. If he wants to become expert, then he needs to shut his mouth and just listen.
In the end, I see a direct correlation to Jerry’s comeback as a stand-up comedian to learning. With time and dedication, things become smoother and easier. I think I’ll have to watch this a few more times to draw further meaning, but these are my initial thoughts.
A Time to Be Thankful
As Thanksgiving rolls around, I reflect a lot on my job, family, and life itself. This Thanksgiving was bittersweet. It happened to fall on the anniversary of my father's untimely death. As I reflect back on life, I remember all of the fun times I shared with him.
Thanksgiving was always spent with the family. My mom and my sister would bake and decorate for Christmas inside the house, and my dad and I would decorate the outside with lights. I wanted to continue on the tradition even though my dad is not here. My sister helped me decorate the outside of my mom's house and it looks beautiful.
I'm very glad that we put up the lights this year! Last year we did not just because it is a task in and of itself, but I then had to think about the importance. What is more important, time or tradition. To me, it is tradition. I feel that I have put a lot of things on the back burner this year because of OMET. It is important to not put family on the back-burner. They are your rock and without them other things could not get done.
In the end, I am proud of my decision, to not let tradition go to the wayside. It is a memory of my father and the times we shared together!
Thanksgiving was always spent with the family. My mom and my sister would bake and decorate for Christmas inside the house, and my dad and I would decorate the outside with lights. I wanted to continue on the tradition even though my dad is not here. My sister helped me decorate the outside of my mom's house and it looks beautiful.
I'm very glad that we put up the lights this year! Last year we did not just because it is a task in and of itself, but I then had to think about the importance. What is more important, time or tradition. To me, it is tradition. I feel that I have put a lot of things on the back burner this year because of OMET. It is important to not put family on the back-burner. They are your rock and without them other things could not get done.
In the end, I am proud of my decision, to not let tradition go to the wayside. It is a memory of my father and the times we shared together!
Grading
We have been discussing a lot about grading within OMET. Should we rank kids and give grades etc. etc. In a conversation I had with my friend the other day, I found it quite interesting that the MBA program at Wharton does not give grades. The school will report to the potential employers whether the students have passed or failed. What does this tell you about students? Will they still put in as much effort?
SL-----and we've reached the finish line
I'd have to say that our learning theory project for Second Life has come to a close. There was much tension and stress leading to the finale last Monday night. Long hours and many trials and tribulations of things falling apart, last minute idea changes and working on a room by myself all played a part into those feelings. If you spoke to me a few weeks ago, I would have honestly told you that I did not know how any of this would come together.
All of the teamwork and dedication amongst our cadre was what really helped us get through it all. Even though we all had different theorists, each of us worked together to offer ideas from interaction to room design. I can honestly say that my room would not have been as successful if it was not for Brent's help with the interaction idea.
Choosing Gardner was a challenging feat. To show his eight intelligences interactively with one concept was quite difficult. Initially I wanted to teach everyone these intelligences through playing pool. However, when my pool table began to lose balls left and right (even with walls), I knew my idea would not work. Brent saved the day and found the Towers of Hanoi game in SL. I was able to show 5 of the intelligences through this one concept, Interpersonal, Mathematical, Kinesthetic, Verbal, and Visual. It was very challenging to tie all of the intelligences into one concept---much of what I read even stated this as well--but I feel I did a good job. I was even able to have streaming web video into my room.
Many of the visitors were impressed with my room, and this made me feel good. Something I worked so long and hard on...I would not doubt if I spent over 50 hours on this, was well worth it. I can honestly say though, I would have not been able to have done this by myself. I think working a team played a key part in my learning and the learning of others.
All of the teamwork and dedication amongst our cadre was what really helped us get through it all. Even though we all had different theorists, each of us worked together to offer ideas from interaction to room design. I can honestly say that my room would not have been as successful if it was not for Brent's help with the interaction idea.
Choosing Gardner was a challenging feat. To show his eight intelligences interactively with one concept was quite difficult. Initially I wanted to teach everyone these intelligences through playing pool. However, when my pool table began to lose balls left and right (even with walls), I knew my idea would not work. Brent saved the day and found the Towers of Hanoi game in SL. I was able to show 5 of the intelligences through this one concept, Interpersonal, Mathematical, Kinesthetic, Verbal, and Visual. It was very challenging to tie all of the intelligences into one concept---much of what I read even stated this as well--but I feel I did a good job. I was even able to have streaming web video into my room.
Many of the visitors were impressed with my room, and this made me feel good. Something I worked so long and hard on...I would not doubt if I spent over 50 hours on this, was well worth it. I can honestly say though, I would have not been able to have done this by myself. I think working a team played a key part in my learning and the learning of others.
Monday, November 12, 2007
SecondLife
Well...I'd have to say that my opinions of SecondLife have changed. I'm still trying to figure out how it can be incorporate within a school curriculum, but I can honestly say that I am quite impressed with my learning curve.
Honestly, in the beginning, I was very frustrated. It took me 5 tries to make a building and align all of the sides. Even after I did so, I ended up not using anything I build. There was always a side that was sticking out. I did decide to use a pre-made building. From there, I decorated.
Decorating a room for Howard Gardner was actually peaceful. I can actually say that it is a lot cheaper to build a Second Life building than a real house. :) I can see how that can be addicting. Spending a lot of time on SL was actually the real way to learn. Even though the beginning part of building was very frustrating, once I got the hang of it, I actually enjoyed it . Not only did I learn how to use SL, I learned more about Photoshop. I used Photoshop to convert my pictures into jpgs. I felt so proud of myself for doing this.
On Friday I took a half day. I was super overwhelmed with everything in trying to finish Gardner's room. I worked from 11:30 until about 7pm. I cannot believe how much I accomplished by myself! I figured out how to make note cards. On each of the note cards I am distributing information about each of the intelligences. I gave a brief description of each intelligence as well as jobs that are applicable to each intelligence.
In the end, I found that with practice and experience, things come easier. You just have to be patient.
Honestly, in the beginning, I was very frustrated. It took me 5 tries to make a building and align all of the sides. Even after I did so, I ended up not using anything I build. There was always a side that was sticking out. I did decide to use a pre-made building. From there, I decorated.
Decorating a room for Howard Gardner was actually peaceful. I can actually say that it is a lot cheaper to build a Second Life building than a real house. :) I can see how that can be addicting. Spending a lot of time on SL was actually the real way to learn. Even though the beginning part of building was very frustrating, once I got the hang of it, I actually enjoyed it . Not only did I learn how to use SL, I learned more about Photoshop. I used Photoshop to convert my pictures into jpgs. I felt so proud of myself for doing this.
On Friday I took a half day. I was super overwhelmed with everything in trying to finish Gardner's room. I worked from 11:30 until about 7pm. I cannot believe how much I accomplished by myself! I figured out how to make note cards. On each of the note cards I am distributing information about each of the intelligences. I gave a brief description of each intelligence as well as jobs that are applicable to each intelligence.
In the end, I found that with practice and experience, things come easier. You just have to be patient.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Fires
Last week I was part of the California firestorm. This firestorm gave me the opportunity to reflect a lot about what I am doing with my career and school. For me, I felt as if my life was a whirlwind. This event gave me a perspective on life and caused me to figure out my priorities.
When we were evacuated, I had to immediately think of what to bring. Well honestly, the first thing on my list was my laptop. Honestly, that is my life right now. If anything ever happened to it,I would have a hard time coming back. The second thing I broungt/lugged around was all of my books for OMET. I know books can be purchased again, but all of the hard work and time that I spent into reading and writing those books, all of my valuable thoughts would be lost.
In the end, everything was okay, but I can say that the fire experience was a trying experience. I was stressed out at work for the few days after we had come back. We were on inclement weather and the kids were not allowed to go outside for the rest of the week for recess and lunch. I am just happy to say that I am happy that it is over!
When we were evacuated, I had to immediately think of what to bring. Well honestly, the first thing on my list was my laptop. Honestly, that is my life right now. If anything ever happened to it,I would have a hard time coming back. The second thing I broungt/lugged around was all of my books for OMET. I know books can be purchased again, but all of the hard work and time that I spent into reading and writing those books, all of my valuable thoughts would be lost.
In the end, everything was okay, but I can say that the fire experience was a trying experience. I was stressed out at work for the few days after we had come back. We were on inclement weather and the kids were not allowed to go outside for the rest of the week for recess and lunch. I am just happy to say that I am happy that it is over!
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