Wk 4 Publishing Leadership Project

My plan for presenting my action research project involves two different sources because my bachelors degree is in music education and my masters degree is in technology.  My action research project studied the use of Facebook and an interactive choral forum as an extension of the choir classroom.  My first choice for presenting my ARP is the Educational Technology Research & Development Journal because the research is focused mainly on the use of technology.

While I plan on submitting my research to be published within the next month to the Educational Technology Research & Development Journal, my overall goal is to expand on my research and present my findings at an ACDA conference. I plan on using Schoology with my students for next year rather then using Facebook and the choir forum that I established for my action research this past year. Once I gather my research on Schoology I will present the benefits of using social networking sites as an extension of the choral classroom as a presentation at an ACDA conference.

The following are links to my think out loud blogs:

Publishing/Leadership Think Out Loud Blog #1

Publishing/Leadership Think Out Loud Blog #2

My ARP is posted on Google Docs for everyone to view and leave comments.  You can access my research by clicking on the following picture or link below:

Reed_Jason_PubLeadProject.doc

Wk 4 Response to Thanh Kirby

http://mrg.bz/Wb4kqx By: kevin_p

Thanh Kirby writes:

I really like the ending of the book, especially how it ties all the practices together in the sense that the theme that runs through these chapters I believe are about establishing and being part of a community.  One of the major themes we have learned discussed and practiced in this program is the idea that we are better together than as one.  It only makes sense that we read about this type of theme in a book such as this.  Chapter 9 is a continuation of the thoughts and lessons of 7 and 8.  Chapter 9 however speaks about extending those ideas to the point that everybody has the potential to be creative.  To see growth in our own potential we need to think that every interaction with others is an opportunity to help others find their possibilities.  I found the story about the at-risk school in London very heartwarming and a perfect example of this concept.  Just providing the opportunity to create music for those students opened a new experience and potential musicians.  This idea is not new and it brings to mind Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Drive Life.  By making connections with each other, helping others to find their own potential, we expand our own potential.  Another analogy I see in this idea is the Internet phenomena.  We’ve seen rapid growth in many areas of society in recent years because the Internet has allowed individuals to share ideas and concepts easily and more rapidly than ever before.  Connections with other individuals have opened up exponentially because of the Internet, which can explain the reasons for the rapid growth.

My response to Thahn,

Way to see the bigger picture of the book.  We are stronger when we work together rather then when we work alone.  You made a great statement when you said, “by making connections with each other, helping others to find their own potential, we expand our own potential.”  I strive to have my students make connections with each other and over time you really see them become their own person and expand their potential.

I love the connections that you have made with this book.  It is obvious that this book has made an impact on your thinking as it has mine.  Hopefully you continue to use these principles to better your teaching and your life.  This book has many great ideas and concepts that opens your mind to view situations and problems differently.  Good luck with your last month of the EMDT program!

Wk 4 Response to Leland Kriegh

Leland Kriegh said,

I loved this book. In fact, I purchased the audio version so that I could hear the authors tell the story. The final chapters continued the theme of the book. The most important theme of this book was to get rid of your ego. By doing so, we are able to overcome our selfishness and calculating selves. When we open ourselves to the world, we are able to see how wonderful it can be.

Every chapter, every story from this book could have been read from the pulpit at my Episcopalian church. They could have also been spoken by a Buddhist monk. The authors are Jewish.  The ideas the authors outlined core ideas that almost all world religions strive to promote.  It is the human experience versus reptilian tendencies.  What is great about this book is that we often feel off balance and upset.  We don't always have ideas on how to change things.  This book gives a fine illustration.

I love the idea of defining yourself as the board.  This opens one up to seeing how we all interact.  I know we can play the roles of victim, prosecutor, fixer, etc.  By defining ourselves as the board, we open ourselves up to seeing a much bigger picture and how we interact.  As curious beings, we love possibility.  Unfortunately, our ego and/or our role as a player blinds us from seeing possibility when we inevitably encounter another human being.

 

My response to Leland,

I loved the book as well.  You are the second person that I have heard from that purchased the audio book and I think that I am going to purchase it as well.  Michael Wood liked that the stories had the musical examples playing in the background, which helped to amplify the messages being delivered.

I really liked the way that you connected the messages to religion.  It is interesting that the ideas in this book are universal to many different religions and the overall messages that they convey.  I really enjoyed chapter 10’s message about viewing ourselves as “the board” as well.  We need to open up ourselves to seeing the big picture and stop blaming others so much.  Unfortunately we live in a society that promotes suing and pointing the blame at others.  Imagine what the world would be like if we all became our own “board” and took more responsibility for what happens in our lives. 

Image Source:

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Wk 4 Reading Response

 Andrea Bocelli and Jason Reed after performing

at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.

The Art of Possibility chapters 9 – 12

Now that I have finished the book, I can say without a doubt that it is one of the best books that I have read.  This book opens your mind to consider new ideas and ways to look at different situations that you will encounter in your life.  It has a musical emphasis however all of the principles discussed can be related to many different real life situations.  I recommend this book to anyone who whishes to know and understand themselves better and find guidance and meaning in there own lives.  It has helped me to open up my mind and break down the different limitations that I put on myself.  It has helped me understand the different possibilities that I have, and it has helped guide me towards a better self-understanding.

            Out of the last 4 chapters of the book, chapter 10 was most influential for me. It talks about viewing yourself as “the board.” The book uses a great example of a car accident involving a parked car and an intoxicated unlicensed driver crashing into the parked car.  It would be clear that the intoxicated driver would be 100 percent at fault for this accident however being the board means that you must first declare that “I am the framework for everything that happens in my life” (p. 142). By declaring this statement you will come to understand what “being the board” means and it will help you understand that you are in control of every situation, rather then having the situation be in control of you.

            I find that I often make excuses about different situations that I get into.  I sometimes point the blame at other people and their actions, but never really gave much thought about “being my own board.” As I look back at my life and the many different struggles and situations that I have been in, I can see that if I would have viewed myself as “the board,” I would have had more confidence and taken more responsibility for how the events unfolded.  I am very grateful that I was given the chance to read this book and I hope that my blogs inspire you to read it as well.  You will learn a lot about yourself and life in general if you decide to read it.  This is one book that I recommend that everyone reads, and start living life to it’s fullest.

Week 3 Free Choice - Think Out Loud 2

I have officially decided where I am going to submit my action research project for publishing.  I decided not to submit to any music journals because the research was more about using technology rather then music.  That narrowed my choices down to the four technology journals listed below:

• Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education
• Journal of Research on Technology in Education
• Learning & Leading with Technology
• Journal of Technology and Teacher Education
• TechTrends – Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning

While all of these journals would work for my research, I had to narrow it down to one.  After reviewing through all the different types of magazines I decide to apply for TechTrends – Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning. 

The journal focuses on educational technology concerning the management of media and programs.  More information can be found by clicking on the following link. http://www.aect.org/intranet/Publications/index.asp. The guidelines for author submissions can be found here.  Click on the "instructions for authors" tab at the right of the screen to find all the guidelines.


I am excited about submitting my action research project and I am hoping that my research will be published.  The journal is bi-monthly and manuscripts undergo a blind review.  My current rough draft meets the guidelines for submission, however I am sure my manuscript will still undergo many revisions before it is ready to submit.

Think Out Loud... Publishing Options

It's finally that time where I have to start thinking about the next step for my Action Research Project... Publishing! There are many great journals that I am considering for publication. My undergraduate degree is in music education which led me to first start considering the following publications:

• MENC - Music Educators Journal
• ACDA - Choral Journal
• International Journal of Music Education

However because my research uses social network sites (SNS) as an extension of the choral classroom, and my masters degree is in media design and technology, I also need to consider journals about technology.  Some of the technology journals that I am considering are:

• Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education
• Journal of Research on Technology in Education
• Learning & Leading with Technology
• Journal of Technology and Teacher Education
• TechTrends – Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning

Image: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/141411

Wk 3 Comments to Michael Wood's Reading Response

Michael Woods reading reflection:

Teachers as conductors.  My top 5 ideas.

1.    Being a director also inherits my limitations.

2.    ..so pass the baton to students whenever possible.

3.    Serious notes are heard louder when I add humor.

4.    Play the whole song (unit), not just the notes (lessons).

5.    Student work is a reflection of their passion for it.

As a reaction to my readings from 'The Art of Possibility" I made a SlideRocket show with some of the ideas I will use in my own teaching.  It may not look like much, but putting all my thoughts into a few concise ideas certainly took a lot of digestion of the material!  I hope you enjoy it.  By the way, SlideRocket was introduced to me by a student. It's definitely worth your time to check it out.

As a side note, I thought I would mention to my readers that purchasing the audio book was very fulfilling. The book is read by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander themselves.  It also has the classical works Benjamin is speaking within the context of the chapters, so you can really hear, musically, the principles he is speaking of. I think listening to these orchestral pieces is vital in your understanding of the text.  I got mine with a $7.49 monthly membership from Audible.com.  I downloaded to both my Droid and iPhone.  I highly recommend it!

My response to Michael’s post:

I love following your blog because you are always creatively expressing your thoughts and views through different types of media.  With that being said, I found your 5 ideas to be direct and to the point.  Your interpretation of the conductor and music through all of the different chapters ideas shows your ability to connect all the information into a bigger broader spectrum.  I love how you connected musical concepts like songs and notes into units and lessons.  I teach music so it relates to everything that I deal with on a daily basis but it is nice to see how the message converts into other school subjects.

I like the SlideRocket!  I have never heard of that site before, so I will have to check it out.  I am also interested in buying the audio book now so that I can hear the music and listen to how it is related to the messages that he is talking about.  I am sure that the message is heightened through the use of the music.  Nice work on a creative spin on the reading!  I am looking forward to seeing what you create next!