wk 4 Response

Response to Bianca Woods wk 4 Reading: Reframing:

Thanks for the story Bianca. This reminds me of the Steven Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech at Stanford that Joe gave us. You took a risk to satisfy your heart and that is what life is about. If you stay in the same unhappy job, you will always be unhappy. I would be willing to bet that your time spent at the school will continue to pay dividends later in life. As Jobs mentioned with the calligraphy class, you can never be sure how a situation and a decision will affect you later in life. I am sure that life will show that teaching at that school was a great decision for you in the long run. I’m glad you have come to terms with it!

Original Post:

Week 4 - Post 4: Reading - Reframing

Posted by Bianca at 9:05 PM

What I liked best about this reading was the idea of reframing an event. In Zander's story about the misbehaving teenaged orchestra members, their behavior could have easily been framed as "these teenagers misbehaved and made the orchestra look bad." In that case the trip would be defined as one where some of the participants ruined things for everyone and those teenagers would be defined as people who misbehave on group outings. Both these outcomes take away from the overall benefits of the trip and may have shaded how those particular teenagers were viewed in the orchestra from that point onward.

Instead Zander reframed the event in a more positive way: there were individuals who were elated at their performance and just happened to get carried away because they were still so excited from earlier that night. He gave the individuals a second chance and he kept the event from weighing down the group. Had he verbally reprimanded the teenagers who misbehaved they likely wouldn't have misbehaved again, but the group morale would have severely dropped. Instead he gave everyone the chance to not only brush off the event, but also to focus on what good they could do during the rest of their trip.

When terrible or disappointing things happen to or around us it's important to try to reframe the event in the most productive way. That's not to say you should always put a Pollyanna-type spin on everything and sweep negative thoughts or feelings under the carpet, it's more to say that you try and view things in a way that allows you to move forward positively after the fact.

For example, back in 2008 I left a job where I was paid well and respected by my bosses but wasn't doing something I loved (I was working as an executive assistant) and moved to a job where I was going to be paid terribly but was doing something I was passionate about: teaching (that's my old classroom there on the right). I was quite excited about the opportunity, but it turned out to be a massive bust. As I've complained in class before, the school I worked for was a private institution that cared only about making a profit and truly didn't have the students' or the teachers' best interests in mind. I became so run down and put out by the situation that I quit my job after only 11 months even though I didn't have another job lined up.

I could have looked at that experience as a massive mistake. I left a good job at a company that really cared about doing their job well and moved to a horrific company that didn't care at all about doing a good job. I could have seen this as a terrible error and let that mistake haunt me... except I don't. I learned so much in that job about teaching adults, what I didn't want in a future job, and how I still really wanted to follow my passion for teaching; just not there. I think it was an important experience for me, even though it was also a pretty painful one as well. I was able to frame the experience in a way where I actually don't regret making that decision, even if it turned out to be a bad place for me to work in the end.

wk 4 Reading: Ch 11: Frameworks for Possibility

I think this video fits really well with this chapter as it discusses characteristics of a leader, and as the presence of the people in the video show, Ben Zander is a great leader.

I like what Zander says about being a leader of positive forces as opposed to trying to stave off disaster. What can we do? Not, what can we avoid? This is important for educators. We need to strive to advance our students, not to fail into the void of running through the motions and presenting stock information in standard ways that happens far too often.

I really liked the King Christian story; it reminds of the common saying that Professor Joe says a lot: a teacher should be willing to complete every assignment they give. This is important for teachers to remember. If a teacher is going to be bored with an assignment, odds are, most of the students won’t get into it either.

Being a musician, I really appreciated the discussion on tonal music versus atonal music. I feel Zander is on to something here in that atonal music was destined to fail from the start due to losing the listener and that most pop music (there are a few exceptions – typically the ones that continue for more than a few weeks or months) is destined to be boring after 4 or 5 times of listening to the same song due to its relative simplistic – compared to the other types of music.

Reference:

Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2002). The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Penguin (Non-Classics). (Original work published 1942)

wk 4 video - Steven Jobs

What a speaker! I certainly envy his speaking abilities…I’m terrible at it! I like what he says about the course that he audited and how that course affected his career later in life. This really brings home the point that you never what is going to happen. Something you might find to be trivial or inconsequential could end up being trivial or life changing. Take risks, Jobs advises, step off the common trail and try new things. Trust that those risks will pay off in the end and that is how to get ahead in the world. This really strikes me as it’s the American dream – the American success story and coincidentally the American failure. Some take risks and fail, some take risks and succeed. But as Jobs knows, it is exceptionally tough to get to his level of success without risk.

Love what you do, more great advice from Jobs. This is critical for life. We only get one shot at it; we need to make it the best we can. I look at my life and feel happy that I am doing what I want to be doing and getting married to the love of my life in 4 months.

“If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today.” Wow. This really puts things in perspective. Its nice to get these reality checks every once in awhile to see if your life is really on a track that you want it to be on.

What great videos we got in this course. I am excited to show them to my students start some intriguing discussions.

wk 4 Media Project

See below for the website or check out the link!

After a busy week, my media project is finally well on its way. I am still planning on adding a couple of graphics on the introductory and concluding pages and anything else anyone might suggest ☺. So please suggest things! http://web.me.com/nick_oaster/Media_Project/Introduction.html

I am happy with how it has turned out thus far and really gives a sense of the scope of the Education Media Design and Technology (Full Sail University) degree program, as I could have done very little of this before starting the program. But now, being 1 month and a media project away from completing the degree, I am blown away by how much I’ve learned and what I can do now that I couldn’t do before. I am excited to start implementing these ideas in my classroom. I have started adding some of them, but by-and-large I have been too overwhelmed with work, the master’s program, and extra curricular activities to create the media assets the way that I want to.

wk 4 Media Project well on its way

wk 3 Reading: Ch 7 The Way Things Are

Finally, there is an answer: “The glass is half full.”

Seeing things the way they are allows us to act on truths and not on perceptions. So often, indeed, nearly all of the time, all of our experiences are tainted, positively or negatively, with our feelings towards those experiences. I’ve never really thought about what we get out of an experience if we do not view it through emotions. Zander says that pessimists are not as realistic as optimists. Pessimists see negative occasions where there are none – the negativity is an invention of humans not a true occurrence. But it makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? Emotion is a human construct. Good and evil are human constructs, but are essential to humanity. Be present in the moment – whether it is a rewarding experience, irrelevant experience, or a painful experience. Even the painful experiences. What an important suggestion to living a full life. Without the painful experiences, the rewarding ones don’t mean as much.

Zander brings up the point that what gets attention is what multiplies. This is no truer than in education and is very helpful with discipline issues. Beyond that though, I’ve found that this influences motivation as well. If a teacher praises failure and growing from that failure, students won’t fear failure, but if a teacher is only concerned with results, the students will only be concerned with results and will shy away from anything which they cannot produce immediately accurate results.

Reference:

Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2002). The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Penguin (Non-Classics). (Original work published 1942)

wk 3 Videos - Interview with Ron Smith

This video really hit me. It made me think about where education is going and where it should be going. Unfortunately, the education systems in my area seem to be heading in the opposite direction than the education system Ron Smith described. As I think about the possible future of education, I can’t help fall into the Downward Spiral Zander talks about. I had a discussion with my principal this past week on this topic and his feelings are that in 10 years, the school day will be longer, the school year will go all year round, and extra curricular activities will take a big hit and virtually fall by the way side. This last part especially is very dejecting to me. In talking to some of the middle school teachers – teachers of the class of 2014 (which needs to be 100% proficient or advanced in reading and math…haha – what a joke!), all things not being tested are falling to the wayside. This past week, one teacher pulled a dozen students from a musical dress rehearsal (2 days before the opening night) for remediation. That is half of a class. I might suggest that half of a class is not a remedial type situation, but another class. If the musical students needed help, odds are, non-musical students need help as well. So basically, the whole class would need remediation. Something doesn’t quite add up.

Some of the teachers have also mentioned pulling students from social studies, science, and other mainstream classes for reading and math help. Forget library science, forget art, music, and the agricultural sciences, forget proper typing technique and Internet safety, we need students to be able to find the length of the missing side of the triangle. Don’t get me wrong, math and reading are important. Vital even, but at what cost?

Enter Ron Smith. Students aren’t allowed to make a power point for a presentation – they must use…flash, animation? What an idea. Sometimes it seems that a power point is often a student’s crowning achievement. But they can do so much more. But when reading and math are only things being taught, none of the other stuff is learned. Which is more important to a worker in the workforce, finding the length of the missing side of the triangle or designing a city block? I vote city block. Project based assignments not only teach an enormous array of standards and usable skills, they are so much more interesting to students and more valuable to learners in their future life.

wk 3 Response

Response to Cindi Jobe

Great post, Cindi! I am getting married this summer and so the idea of being a parent and having a family is creeping ever closer. And the natural question that comes to me is, what type of parent will I be? How can I be the best parent I can possibly be? I think Zander and this post hit the mark. Encourage them, love them, help them, and allow them room to grow and everything else will fall in place.

Original Post:

Week 3 - Other Connections to Zander's Work as it relates to Competition

Anna Jobe - ski racer

I am posting the following as a great guideline for those of us that are coaches, teachers and parents so that we remember to keep our perspective. I am spending the next few days watching the Junior Olympics and am reminded every moment of this competition of Benjamin Zander's words. He speaks about our "universe being alive with sparks" and that we have "an infinite capacity to light a spark of possibility". He also says that "passion, not fear is the igniting force". As I watch these young 8th and 9th graders, full of sparks, possibility and passion for their sport, I feel so very lucky to just observe. The advice marked in red below is the best I have found to help us keep our perspective and to help the children we teach, coach or parent to strive for their best, not to be afraid of failure, and to embrace the challenge.

© 2006 USA Swimming and The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. All Rights Reserved.

Do's and Don'ts for Sport Parents

(this is just a portion from this article that fits in well with "The Art of Possibility" that we have been studying by Benjamin Zander)

Do for your Children:

• Provide guidance for your children, but do not force or pressure them.

• Assist them in setting realistic goals for participation.

• Emphasize fun, skill development and other benefits of sports participation, e.g., cooperation,

competition, self-discipline, commitment.

• Show interest in their participation: help them get to practice, attend competitions, ask questions.

• Provide a healthy perspective to help children understand success and failure.

• Emphasize and reward effort rather than results.

• Intervene if your child's behavior is unacceptable during practice or competitions.

• Understand that your child may need a break from sports occasionally.

• Give your child some space when need. Part of sports participation involves them figuring things out

for themselves.

• Keep a sense of humor. If you are having fun and laughing, so will your child

• Provide regular encouragement.

• Be a healthy role model for your child by being positive and relaxed at competitions and by having

balance in your life.

• GIVE THEM UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: SHOW THEM YOU LOVE THEM WHETHER THEY

• WIN OR LOSE!!!

About the Author:

Michael A. Taylor an Instructor for the Stanford

University based Positive Coaching Alliance, a long-time member of the United States Elite Coaches Association

and a former gym owner.

Taylor, M. (2010) Do's and don'ts for sports parents. United States Ski and Snowboard Association
Retrieved March 19, 2010 from http://www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/formembers/parents/about.html

wk 3 Thesis and Media Project

Well this week certainly had its ups and downs. On the ups, I had my thesis written by Sunday with only final proof reading needed and the proof reading is about done at this point. But the downs might have outweighed the ups. The completion of the thesis was promptly followed by a pretty nasty cold and cough that has significantly affected the development of the media project. Hopefully, I will be able to get to work on it this weekend and will have all next week to work on it…this isn’t following the schedule I had designed, but illness wasn’t part of that schedule either.

I present my media project Monday, which isn’t ideal, but I should be able to create an outline of what its going to be so that I can really get to work on it throughout the week. My plan for the media project is to show myself playing the trumpet, singing, and maybe playing the flute (if I can remember how!) different songs using various recording devices. As of now, I think singing will be the thrust of the application. I will then listen to the recording, critique my performance, make suggestions to improve my performance, and implement those suggestions so that my performance (hopefully!) improves. Some of the recording devices include the computer with the headset using GarageBand, the computer without the headset using GrarageBand, the computer without the headset and with a webcam using iMovie or Screenflow, the computer using audacity, a video camcorder, and a cellphone.

wk 2 Reading

Ch 6: Rule Number 6.

This is the perfect time to read this chapter! On the verge of finishing the degree, cramming in the thesis, creating a media project, and inventing a final presentation that I’m not quite clear on, which is ok, because I have much to do before then. Zander’s advice? Lighten up. What a relieve. What an idea. I teach high school choir, the queen of drama, topped only by 4^th and 5^th grade choir drama, which I also teach. I am playing out scenarios in my head…how would my students react to this philosophy? Could the drama actually stop? Ah, the possibilities…

It’s sad that the calculating self has so much power and influence in the development of a child’s personality. A personality shouldn’t be developed from a survival mechanism, but through a well-nurtured childhood. What an interesting solution though – to ask oneself what you would need to change in order to be completely fulfilled? This is empowering in that it puts the ball in our court, not other people. We have the control, no one else. What can I change to improve MY life?

Reference:

Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2002). The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Penguin (Non-Classics). (Original work published 1942)

wk 2 Video

Being a conductor of several performing musical groups, I totally understand this videos' message. As a conductor, it’s all about the students. I no longer get to have the fun of performing the music in front of a crowd during a concert (which is what drew me to the field), but the experience I have is equally great. I get to show them the door to a musical experience, arm them with the necessary tools, and then just watch it happen. It’s an amazing experience.

This reminds me of the Thomas Carruthers quote: “A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.” I strive to empower my students to take control of any and every aspect of their learning – to allow for the possibility Zander mentions.

On a critical note, it seems like the video was edited, and somewhat crudely. I was wondering if anyone knows where I could find a full version of the speech. Thanks!!

wk 2 Response to Bob Walker

Awesome story, Bob. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed it – it was very powerful! And it sounds like fun J. I can definitely relate to the feeling. It feels like we are flying in midair and we hope to come down safely on the other side of the tree, but, in my case, know that its possible to come down, not so safely, on top of the tree. I guess the thing that is stressing me most is the thesis due on Sunday and for some crazy reason, our group signed up for the following day to present our media projects! Haha! Such is life! Nothing like an added challenge J.

I can see the end goal in sight and a path to get there, but I just wish I had more time! I guess I’ll have to make due. Here’s to getting it done in any case! I’m glad you feel confident that everything will be ok. I know it will! Good luck and I look forward to your final product. Push forward to the end!

Original Post:Week 2 Blog Post - Hitting a Brick Wall

When I was growing up, there was this one spot behind a nearby high school where we used to ride our bikes. It was only a few blocks from my house, yet it was a right of passing when you became old enough to make the venture there. We would ride to the school with our baseball gear and get lost in the game, sometimes this game was football. Mostly we would ride for the enjoyment of riding. There were a few spots that were designed for those of us looking for adventure. One place was a steep hill down to a loading dock. Rushing at full speed on two wheels and hitting the sharp curve at full speed was something we were often warned not to do. The times we did not quite take the curve right, we felt it and were given a stern “I told you so”.

One of the other spots at the school was at the back of the building. It was sort of a small oasis in a concrete desert. Down a narrow ally there was a small square of grass with a great climbing tree. The unique part of this spot was that it was raised about two feet up from the ground. Luckily for us bike riders, someone built a ramp and set it on the brick wall leading to this small plot. We would race our bikes down the ally as fast as we could and hit the ramp to get as much air as we could and land just past the tree. Once there, we would park our bikes, climb the tree and hang out there to rest. This route was as natural as breathing to us.

One afternoon my friends and I made our daily journey to the school. We raced down the hill a few times and enjoyed the rush of the speed and taking that curve. We decided to go rest at the tree after a while, but something unexpected happened this day. I led the pack of us (I was winning the race) down the narrow ally. We were all expecting our usual trip of full speed, hit the ramp, and land on the other side of the tree. Counting on the usual, I didn’t notice that the ramp wasn’t there. I hit full speed into the brick wall. I did get some great air that day as I flew over the handle bars of my bike, and I did land on the other side of the tree. One of my friends followed my lead, the others realized what had happened and hit their breaks so hard that they ended up sliding down the alley with their bikes. My friend and I got up after a moment and shook off the shock. Our egos bruised a bit and our bikes pretty dinged up. Our friends however, suffered more physical injuries.

I’m reminded of this event today as I contemplate and write my proposal for my media project. I feel as though I have been speeding down this ally of coursework at full speed for the past nine months. The last day of the month I hit the ramp and rested until it was time to do it again. Today, I hit that brick wall again. This proposal is due, the thesis paper is due, and the project itself is due. Yes, I hit the brick wall and am flying through the air. I know many of my classmates feel the same way. I know in the end it will be ok. I’m not skidding toward the wall, I hit it full speed and am going to land on the other side of the tree with a bit of shock but a feeling of accomplishment.

Photo from: http://www.bigfoto.com

wk 2 Project (Thesis)

I have spent most of this week working on the thesis and buying my first house (yikes and yay!). I feel the thesis is coming along nicely and should be able to have it solid by next week sometime. I really wish I could have a couple more months, but such is the nature of school - always pressed for time. The general scope of my thesis is that students lack an ability to self-assess themselves properly. Specifically to my field of music, students lack an objective tool for self-assessment. I see this problem in my students all the time: they perform a song, I ask "How did you do?" They say "I THINK it was good" OR "I GUESS ok" OR "I don't know" OR "good" when it was actually below their normal work or what they could have done OR "bad" when it was actually a good display of musical ability. Furthermore, I saw students just not being aware of what they did, how they performed, or how they presented themselves to the world. There are numerous theories as to why this happens that I discuss in my thesis, but much less is known about actually fixing the problem.

In my thesis I argue that high quality recordings and videos can be an objective self-assessment tool for students. I came up with this solution throughout the program. Spending hours making numerous podcasts and videocasts for various EMDT classes allowed me to see and hear myself. After getting past the anxiety of hearing myself, I was able to notice behaviors, both physically and aurally, that I was not aware of. I started using these tools (the computer/cell phones) in private lessons that I teach - trumpet and voice, and I noticed that all of the students noticed similar behaviors that they too were not aware of. From there, the basis for my solution was set, and I have been using those tools in private and small group settings ever since. Students can listen to themselves, critique themselves, and ultimately, fix themselves.

wk 1 Content Proposal

My proposal is coming along fairly well after a busy week. My thesis is about the lack of self-assessment skills in music students. In it, I argue that students lack an objective evaluation tool. I suggest that the use of high quality audio and video recording equipment can be this objective tool for student self-evaluation. In my media project, I will show myself using some of these tools in a way that will allow me to assess myself, post-performance. I will show how this tool can be used in multiple formats and with multiple instruments. I will show myself using these tools while playing the trumpet, singing, and using SmartMusic, a program designed to assess students as they play musical instruments and sing. I will compile all of these experiences and videos into one, well-edited video.

wk 1 Response to Donna Tracy

Way awesome tools, Donna! It is amazing how much we as a class, and I personally, have learned through this program. Beyond content and applicable theory, the number of software and programs that can be used to enhance education that this program has pointed us to are staggering in both number and quality. And that is just the ones I have come across, which isn’t even scratching the surface. I have a few programs of my own that I really like using. My favorite that I would be lost without is obviously iLife – nearly every class requires its use. GarageBand, iMovie and iPhoto are simply vital. Being a novice to web design, I especially enjoy using iWeb. It allows me to design websites that look pretty good, but do not require that I am a master web designer.

I also love Netvibes. The ability to bring information to me blew me away at first, but now I make use of it when I can. I also love and use Screenflow a lot in designing lesson media. Another program similar to Screenflow I found is Jing. The advantage to Jing is that it offers a free version as well as more powerful, for-pay version. The messaging tools have been incredible, as well. The conference calling, texting, and video options offered by iChat and Skype are incredibly useful as well as screen sharing. The programs we learned about in Month 10 also seem like there is some great options in using them in the future. It is limited, but I like Udutu and being able to deploy it through Facebook in a safe method. Let the programs keep coming, as we know they will!

Original Post: WK 1 Blog Entry 3 - Mac Software Bundles

I know many of our class members never used a Mac before embarking on their Full Sail adventure. With the intensity of the course most probably haven't even had the opportunity to explore all the features and programs that come with the system or those that were shipped as part of our technology package.

However, even Mac veteran users might be missing out on exploring some of the fascinatingly useful (and some useless) programs that are available. I've been using Macs consistently since 1993 and have seen commercial products incorporated into system upgrades and wished that few others could be too.

Many of the programs I have tried over the years have seen the light of my screen only briefly before being discarded as useless (to me), clumsy, annoying, or downright dangerous to the health of my system! But a few have become firm favorites that I wouldn't do without. The first is MenuCalendarClock by objectpark software. It was probably THE first program I installed after receiving my PowerBook Pro.

Available in two flavors - free - and - not free - this unobtrusive little program's most useful feature is the date icon it adds to the menu bar. To tell the truth, I'm still puzzled over why such a feature still isn't a part of the OS X system. A paid registration adds some nice touches - including complete integration with iCal calendars that puts your upcoming schedule one click away to view and to hide. Anyone recognize this upcoming schedule??

The second program I'd most recommend is a wonderfully robust application whose features seem unending - every time I start a new project I seem to find another aspect to explore. CalledNoteBook by Circus Ponies, and billed as "organization for a creative mind," this powerful program could be considered my most used tool as a researcher. Though it can be used for far, far more than that.

I have many favorite features with this program; two in particular. The first is the ability to create "clipping" pages in a notebook. Once this is done, highlight a portion of a document, web page, etc, and your right-click contextual menu in almost any program – including web browsers – will give you the option to send the information direction to your clipping page of choice. Along the way you can even annotate as you go, include hyperlinked web addresses and more. It's a fantastic way to keep track of the bibliographic reference information for all those website resources!

My other favorite is the program's automatic indexing feature. This indexes every word entered into the notebook and hyperlinks it for easy reference.

The possibilities and features of this product seem endless and I've seen people use it in so many different ways I recommend you check out it's 30-day free trial. Just be prepared - once the trial ends the only way to access the information in a notebook is to use a licensed copy of NoteBook. Of course - you can publish the entire thing as a website with a couple of clicks.

Neither of these products will break the bank. A full MenuCalendarClock license is less than $20, and CalledNoteBook will set you back a mere $50 – or $30 for an academic license.

I originally discovered these programs as part of software bundles that effectively reduced their costs to pennies. Bundles are usually offered for short periods of time and offer a varying number of programs with varying degrees of usefulness. The bundle prices make it affordable to try out full programs and find potential gems that you just can't work without. The applications included are usually an eclectic mix and often include a well-known product as a bonus when so many bundles are sold.

Bundle sites to check out:

MacHeist nanoBundle 2

7 applications for $19.95 - available thru March 9, 2010.

The Mac Sale

10 applications for $49.95 - available thru March 15, 2010.

TheMacBundles

No bundle currently available.

MacFriendly

No bundle currently available.

Mac Bundle Box

No bundle currently available.

Mac Update Promo

No bundle currently available.

Caution:

Do a bit of research before purchasing a bundle. Sometimes there are free apps available that are very similar to those in the bundles. Sometimes you won't retain upgrade advantages and other license options with bundled software that you would in the full-priced versions. With my own experiences, however, purchasing software in bundles has helped me discover some very useful programs that I would no-longer choose to do without - along with a lot of software that I haven't had the chance (or sometimes, desire) to try out. Even so, by purchasing bundles I still paid far less for the programs I habitually use than buying them individually.

Some additional programs I have purchased through bundles and found truly useful include DragThing, Parallels (for when you really, really have to have Windows), Moneywell, NetBarrier, Posterino,

Happy Mac explorations!

wk 1 Reading: Its All Invented (MAC)

The Art of Possibility is an interesting book. The first chapter is about the psychology of human beings, which I find fascinating. Zander first describes the sensation process as the senses getting information from the environment and seeding that information to the brain, which is followed by the brain making sense of it, and finally the brain allowing for an experience to be had by the human. I find it fascinating that all of our experiences are tainted by our past experiences and prejudices. Our sensations are dependent on what we perceive, and we recognize only what we have a cognitive scheme to process.

I find it especially fascinating, but it makes sense that these perceptions reflect Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If a person is not receiving sufficient basic needs, they will have a limited capacity in having an experience or making a perception that is above the basic needs level.

I love the idea that Zander brings up in that all problems are solvable if we create a new framework in which to analyze that experience. This is the key to successful education, getting students to create solutions to problems in completely new and inventive ways. If students can do this, then they will be prepared for the future.

Reference:

Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2002). The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Penguin (Non-Classics). (Original work published 1942)

Image: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

wk 1 Extra Reading (MAC)

As a music educator, this video was right up my alley. From a music standpoint, I was blown away by his ability to reach the audience through classical music. As a classical musician, I counted myself among the 3% he mentioned trying to push classical music acceptance to 4%. It was an eye opening experience to see him try for 100%. I would be curious as to if anyone else was able to watch the video and what you were reflections were. Specifically, were you moved by the song? Were you able to follow his technical talk of Bs and Cs going to E?

As an educator, I know that 100% of anything is not possible. Indeed, if I handed out a test in class and told everyone “just write ‘I want an A’ on the paper and you’ll get an A,” there would probably be students that wouldn’t do it because they weren’t paying attention, or they were trying to be rebellious. Perfection is, in most cases, simply unattainable. However, that doesn’t mean we should try any less hard.

As a music educator, I know, or thought I knew, that I will only be able to reach a small percentage of students in upper level ensembles. Imagine if I didn’t have that restriction. Even now, the idea can seem ridiculous, but is it where my profession and I should go? Oh, the possibilities…

Resources:

Video from: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/286