Sunday, February 27, 2011

EDM 613 MAC Week 4 Presentation and Leadership Posts

Here is the link to my Think Out Loud Posts

Although only 2 were required, I added a third to see my thought process:

http://blundstrum.blogspot.com/2011/02/edm613-mac-week-4-think-out-loud-post-2.html

http://blundstrum.blogspot.com/2011/02/edm-613-mac-week-4-publishing.html


http://blundstrum.blogspot.com/2011/02/edm613-mac-week-3-project-post.html




I vacillated a lot and tried to decide on the best organization as well as the best method of getting my ideas and methodology out to the most people.

EDM613 MAC Week 4 Think Out Loud Post 2 of 2




http://www.sde.com/index.asp



I am excited to have decided on a presentation!!! I feel that my Keynote is very engaging and motivating for other teachers of special needs students. Although the idea of presenting is very nerve wracking, I feel like I could reach more teachers that way than trying to rely on teachers reading an article without visuals. It would be a great honor to be chosen. The application is very long and very detailed but I know it will be worth it in the end.

Staff Development for Educators is a top notch organization. It is professional and also continental. I would not be just remanded to the state of Missouri if this is accepted.

EDM 613 MAC Week 4 Free Post ( Presentation reflections)

As I have been working on my leadership presentation, I learned quite a few things!!!

1) I forgot to resize my pictures BEFORE I put them in my project- it makes sense now- I couldn't understand WHY it was so big!!! Plus the video clips in it as well.

2) 300 words for 1 slide is a lot of words and talking. I practiced this in front of my husband and he was a little anxious for the next slide to move along. I have been toying with the idea of maybe down the road having 2-3 pictures open on one slide as I am presenting instead of showing all at once. This is something I need to play with and perfect before my big day!!!

3) As part of my presentation, I am planning on a few engaging activities to illustrate my topic as well as give my audience the chance to see the effectiveness of technology. It would be great to have a link to an interactive web site for teachers to see and hear the same things as what I am saying. ( PLUS- I hate when power points are read to me- it would be much more effective to have a variety of media)

This overall has been a difficult project for me. At times I struggled with getting my words just right or having the right pictures. I want the world to know how wonderful technology has been for my working with kids with autism.

EDM 613 MAC Week 4 Link to Presentation

Here is a link to my presentation:

https://files.me.com/blundstrum/949f6c.key.zip



About my Project and Presentation

There is a direct link between technology and the increase of expressive language skills for students with autism. Technological devices such as IPod Touch, DVD players, as well as computers and programs have shown strong indicators for increasing expressive language skills. Various types of technology as viable instructional methods for students with autism can and will help students use words in daily living. Research has shown that individuals may respond more to technology as a beginning means for communication until the verbal skills are established. This presentation also investigated the importance of technology as a means of language acquisition for students. It is vital for students with Autism to be able to express their wants and needs with words or pictures. Students and teachers as well as parents and caregivers will all enjoy the benefits of expressive language.


I have narrowed my search and concluded that SDE= Staff Development for Educators was the best choice. It offers a chance to publish if you are a presenter through their own books. I also like that at this conference there are vendors that could endorse or even have products that would support my presentation.

EDM 613 MAC Week 4 Reading "Art Of Possibility" Chapters 9-12

As I was reading the last of the book, I was intrigued by chapter 9's message. Better to do things in person. The author conveyed that this was not out of social reasons but much much more. By enrolling individuals into joining the venture through passion igniting passion, it appeared that No's become Yes more often. It was interesting to read how manipulation, cajoling, bribery, threats, or promises were not the basis of enrolling others into the action desired. Wouldn't it be so wonderful if more people could read this book and do what is right, not what is easy ( politicians perhaps?).

Chapter 10 quickly reminded me of a poem that I have always remembered from high school- Invictus ( movie of same name)


INVICTUS
by William Ernest Henley

OUt of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Chapter 10, for me, is about being Active, the maker of my own course. Don't be the victim.

The framework for possibility is mentioned in chapter 11. My favorite part is about the teacher who also shaves their head to show support for the child. What a beautiful selfless act. This teacher became a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. The vision of possibility as well as action started with the act of doing, not watching.

At the end of the book, Chapter 12 was about the WE factor. So many times, people in our lives want to use the blame sentence - YOU did this, He made me, THey were....As an educator, I hear frequently- but teacher- he made me talk. Parents say to me- but teacher, you don't give me kid enough attention.
I loved how We becomes a part of the conversation. Own the problem. Let's fix it together. What do WE both want out of this - the satisfaction of everyone'e needs becomes a priority instead of a one sided emotional crisis.

Most of all- The Art of Possibility puts everything on the table. There is not subliminal messages or closely guarded secrets priviaged to only a few. This book opens living and life up to everyone.

Friday, February 25, 2011

EDM 613 MAC Week 4 WIMBA Presentations

I was so thrilled with the presentations of my classmates!!! Everyone had unique and very important projects. Papers were easy to read as well as the PP/Keynotes were so well put together. Although the Wimba sessions were a little longer than usual, it was worthwhile.

I also loved hearing my classmates' voices and seeing them on screen. I am so excited to meet them during graduation!

It was a little frustrating that my own project was so big- I didn't realize the pictures and video were so big in the slides. But that is fixable and I can get them corrected for the next upload. I am so excited to share with the world how my project made a difference in kids' lives. I look forward to submitting to present at a conference or training session for an educational organization.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

EDM 613 MAC Week 4 Response to Peers @ Brooke

Brooke said...
My favorite passage from this weeks reading was in the first chapter. The story of the boy talking about his father going to meet with a man in person rather than talking to him over the phone. I think it was profound to me because I very much agree with the quote, “Certain things in life are better done in person”. I still personally believe there is something powerful that happens when you have that personal interaction with someone. So much can be said through nonverbal communication. Enthusiasm and showing true interest in what you are discussing, sharing makes a big difference when getting your students engaged and intrigued about a topic. When they can hear and see your excitement often they what to know more of what it’s all about. My students tease me now about how excited I get over paper samples...

In the chapter “Being the Board” I agree with the perspective of not playing the blame game because it tends to just put everyone on the defensive. However, I found my calculated self not fully agreeing with my central self when it comes to more drastic circumstances and situations and being the board. Perhaps yes being a victim of circumstance in a car accident you can accept the situation and move forward from it but I still found myself thinking what are the repercussions for this irresponsible person? Not to benefit me but to make sure they don’t make this same choice again... I’m thinking everyone should just read this book with an open mind...

To be cont.... I still have one more chapter to read...



Elizabeth Lundstrum said

Brooke, I agree, looking someone in the eye, having gestures, and the physical presence that is so important. Although I love media like Facebook, skype, and texting- there is something special about sharing a funny story with my best friend in person, seeing the look of surprise in her eyes or grabbing her by the arm when I am trying to make a point.

Move on I say. It is important to nip that NIP the blaming in the bud. Whatever happened happened, it is in the past- it will not change.

Love the puppy pictures!!! My dogs have been very supportive of my time at Full Sail....