Wk 3 Comments to David Hotler's Reading Response

David Hotler wrote:

First of all, what a great book! The light hearted and joyful expression of the Zanders makes reading this book a joy. I wish all books were just like this one. Now as I read I become more and more aware that this is not a book you read and put down but a manual you reference and then go and make a change. So every chapter I think of how I can use this practice in my own life. Here is what I have come up with for this weeks reading.

First and foremost Rule Number six should be rule number one for all teachers. I try to be sure not to take myself or my course too seriously. In the grand scheme of the world learning photography and photoshop is not that important. However, for some students my class is a doorway to a passion they never knew they had and leads to wonderful things. Taking things too seriously can make things no fun and who wants to spend the rest of there lives having no fun at what they do?

Next, I want to make the students the leaders. I admit from day one that I am still a student of photography and photoshop and will always remain that way. I am simply a student who has been doing it longer and with great intensity than the students just taking my course. I tell them that if they know something they should shout it out. If I am wrong they should shout it out. I want the students to realize that we are all in this together and they are just as powerful in the classroom as I am. This coming year I hope to take this one step further and have the students make their very own tutorial in photoshop. That means they need to create something and then walk the class through how they made in a way that everyone can understand. This makes them the leader and the expert and enables them to be that leader outside of their seat in my classroom.

Our work is never done. I tell me students all the time that the work they do in my class is never finished, it is always a work in progress. This leaves some students in distress so I do let them know that somethings just come to a nice stopping point but are never finished. As they work on Photoshop projects I want them not to think the assignment is to make theirs look like mine but to realize that the journey is the destination and creativity is not about conformity but about making something unique. As long as the student can show me they understand the given tool or technique we are learning I have no problem with them turning in something that looks different than my teacher example.

The last great thing that I have realized from this weeks reading and from my time at Full Sail is that passion is the most powerful motivator of students. If you allow students to work on something they are passionate about you will have to force them to stop (if you so choose). All of the projects that I assign are built in a way that allows students to incorporate a part of their personal life that they are passionate about. This might be a pet, a birthday invitation, or a photo retouch job for their grandma. No matter what when I allow student to work on something they care about they always work harder and to a greater degree of complexity. As this is true with my students it is also true with me. When I start to plan projects I pick something that interests me as well. Now this means creating something new each year and in turn more work but I find that I am more passionate when teaching if I am teaching something I really care about.

My response to David's reading reflection:

I couldn’t agree with you more that this book is more of a manual for life rather then a book that you read and put down.  Every chapter I find a connection to my life experiences.  It is like the book was designed with me mind!  With that being said, I agree that the Rule Number 6 should be number 1.  Being able to lighten up will help the students explore their creativity and intrinsically motivate their drive and passion.

Making your students leaders helps them gain ownership of content.  The ultimate test of knowledge is teaching others.  Through that leadership and guidance of content we come to understand our true potential and knowledge.  It sounds like you are a fun teacher and I am sure that the students love your class.  Keep up the great work!

Wk 3 Reading Response

This photo was taken at Disneyland

as the Harney Middle School

Bella Voce performed

Reading response from chapters 5 through 8 of The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.

I first have to say that every time I pick up and read this book, it relates to things that are happening in my life.  Chapter 5 discusses how to lead from any chair, and more specifically it refers to experiences being a conductor.  It talks about the power that an orchestral conductor has in the music world and how conductors can often be dominating.  I can attest that these traits can still be seen today because of the many conductors that I know or have worked with.

I direct 6 different choirs at the middle school level and never really gave much thought as to how my students view me.  I often do what I need to do to get the results that are needed.  After reflecting on my teaching and classroom management I realized that what makes my teaching so effective is that I build a family environment.  Everyone feels safe in the classroom and I often encourage student ideas, which gives them a sense of ownership. 

I really enjoyed reading about the effectiveness of the “white sheets” where students can write down their criticisms and observations during rehearsals.  I am going to start trying to use this in my rehearsals to see what my students are thinking and find out how I can better serve their needs.  It will also be a great way to have more personal feedback about my teaching and conducting.

The other chapters (6-8) had many great ideas as well to offer. Chapter 6 talks about the Rule Number 6, which basically means to lighten up.  I find that I already do this in my classroom by adding humor to my lessons.  I often use humor to effectively get my points across rather then coming off demanding and authoritative.  I have found better success in the over all sound of my choirs by lightening up and this principle is one that everyone should follow.

Chapter 7 talks about the practice of the way things are.  This chapter discusses how we should accept reality the way it is and work with reality to created more positive experiences.  There are some things that we cannot change and it is our goal to be happy and positive.  There are always positive ways to look at every situation and it is important for us to focus on the positivity to ensure our own happiness and the happiness of others around us.

Chapter 8 discusses the practice of giving way to passion.  This was another chapter that really spoke to me.  Most people view me as a passionate individual who is driven for success.  I often use my passion for helping others and success to inspire and motivate myself.  Sometimes I do set up barriers on myself and releasing these barriers is something that I need to first work on.  I found that this chapter was more about channeling ones energy to help convert passion into action.  This practice is not an easy thing to accomplish however once we can tap into our inner passion and drive we can accomplish anything.

Wk 2 Free Response

The Power of Performance

I have been performing my whole life.  Whether it was acting, singing, or doing magic I have been blessed with the ability to entertain others.  I often forget how much joy I can bring to others by simply showing a few magic tricks or singing a quick song.

I received the news that a friend of mine had passed away in a car accident just a few weeks ago.  Her boyfriend was driving and she was in the passenger seat when they hydroplaned and hit a tree.  They were both pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.  She was only 20 years old and she was the youngest of her 2 other sisters.

My wife and I are both good friends with her family and being a father, I could not imagine what her parents were going through.  It has been a hard couple of weeks for everyone.  My wife and I decided to visit her family last night to see how everyone was doing. I brought a deck of cards and some coins hoping to bring some joy and excitement.  Courtney’s sisters and mother were hanging out with some other friends as we arrived.  Her father was in bed and wanted to be by himself until he heard that I had arrived and was performing magic. He specifically got out of bed to hang out with everyone so that he could watch some tricks. It was great to see him smile and enjoy himself as I bent forks and put coins in bottles.  His wife later thanked me for entertaining because that was the first time that she had seen him smile since his daughter had passed away.

We all have different strengths and talents and it is important that we continue to share these gifts with others.  Sometimes we can forget about our influences on others and the joy and happiness we can create.  I am so grateful that god has blessed me with my talents and experiences like these help me to understand why I worked so hard to perfect my craft.  

Wk 2 Comment 2 - Sue Parler

11:41 AM | Posted by Sue Parler

It didn’t take long for me to get hooked on the required reading, “The Art of Possibility” for my Month 11 class, Media Asset Creation. When I got to page 4 and read…

Standard social and business practices are built on certain assumptions - shared understandings that have evolved from older beliefs and conditions. And while circumstances have changed since the start of these practices, their continued use tends to reconfirm the old beliefs. For this reason our daily practices feel right and true to us regardless if they have evolved to keep up with the pace of change.

…I mentally exclaimed “Bingo!”, logged on to Amazon and bought eight additional copies – one for each administrator and academic dean at my high school. Then I bought the audiobook for me.

That one passage sums up what I have been saying for the past six years. My line has always been, “Geometry concepts may not have changed since the days of Euclid, but the students sitting in front of you have. Therefore, the content delivery must change to keep up with those students.” Sure, you’ve always done it that way – and yes, it may still work, but perhaps – just perhaps – there is another way that may really excite your students and, at the same time, get you re-stoked as well. Win-win.

The next bookmark came on page 46 (which is not to say that from 5-45 there were no aha! moments, just no bookmarks)…

How often do we stand convinced of the truth of our early memories, forgetting that they are assessments made by a child?

…Broccoli.

Yes, broccoli. I don’t know if I ever really had tried broccoli. But somewhere, I made the judgment that I didn’t like it. I consciously, yet graciously, declined all offers of the little green florets for all of my adult life…until two years ago. I went on some boxed diet plan and broccoli (although not listed among the ingredients, or surely I would have avoided that purchase) was sprinkled throughout the meal. Unavoidable. I scraped and pushed as much as I could, but some of that green stuff leapt upon the fork anyway – I had to eat it. Clearly, there’s no climax to the story here – I found it quite tasty and now actually rejoice to find broccoli as the vegetable of the day anytime I dine out.

So what have I learned? Clearly, I've learned to re-examine my judgments. To ask, "Why do I think that?". And to ask - was the reasoning ever valid? If so, is it still valid? And to make a choice - a conscious choice - from there.

Another point well made by the Zanders was that of “survival thinking”. I get caught up in this all the time. Someone asks a simple question and my first thought is “What’s the real question?” Someone pays I compliment, and I think “What does he really want?”. I’m sure I was not born paranoid, but I have evolved into being so. And yes – a valuable, but limited resource – energy – is dramatically taxed in an effort to remain so paranoid. It would behoove me, and make others around me happier, if I re-directed that energy in a more positive fashion. I’ll try. But just as it states on page 4 – those daily practices feel right and true. I’ve become accustomed to the paranoia and don’t even recognize it as such.

The competency ladder (and numerous other labels for the theory) is attributed to many possible authors. I prescribe to the theory. Prior to reading, I could easily describe myself as unconsciously incompetent – paranoid, and not really knowing it. I need to put what I’m thinking and feeling and making appropriate changes on my learning spectrum. In doing so I’ll climb to the second rung of the ladder: being consciously incompetent – paranoid and knowing it. The next step will require that I make a conscious effort to relax – consciously competent. Sooner or later, the hope is to reach the top rung of the ladder: unconsciously competent – relaxed, open and not having to think about being so. It’s a long journey. And I shall slip back often. But, eventually, I’ll get there.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ykjc9/2579890315 Creative Commons License

My Comments to Sue Parler:

Sue,

You made a really great point about the broccoli. It is funny that you mentioned your broccoli story because I also did not like broccoli when I was growing up however now I love it. The transition for me was when I decided to be more open about the taste rather then my prejudgements about the vegetable. I have witnessed these same transitions with my own step daughter as well. There are many things that she doesn't eat and most times it is all about the way it is made.  For example she loves french fries but will not eat potatoes, however she failed to realize that french fries are made from potatoes.  When you ask her why she doesn't like potatoes she just replies "I don't know. I just don't like them."  This statement shows that she is telling herself that she doesn't like potatoes, therefore she has no other option then to not like potatoes. Once she lowers her defense and reservations about potatoes, she will probably find that she likes them.  This same process happened with Cheese about 2 years ago and now she likes cheese.

It is really interesting to look at how we comprehend and set limits on ourselves. Our assessments and thoughts change with the different experiences that we have, and it is important for us to ask ourselves the question of "why am I thinking this way?" You have made some great points in your reading response and I love your creative response to the assigned reading.  Nice work Sue!

Wk 2 Comment 1 - Josh Tolar

Josh Tolar's Post:

I keep thinking about the current situation about my job and how it happened so fast.  While I was hastily updating my resume to look for a new job to cure my unhappiness with my current one, an opportunity came out from no where and basically slapped me in the face.  I’m now in a new position with the same company, but I don’t know for how long.  I have this hidden fear that one day this position will be over and I will have to go back where I used to work and fall into an unhappy lifestyle again where my expertise is nothing but a title on a sheet of paper.  It is here that I have enclosed myself into a box and never stopped to think about the opportunity I have right now and how it might actually affect my future; An opportunity to seize the moment.

By reading the first 4 chapters of “Art of Possibility”, I realized the potentials I have as well as the weaknesses I have had and still have.  When thinking about giving an A to someone, it somehow calms my nerves from expecting too much and allows me to focus on how to contribute to someone else’s life or a project.  This IS a realization, but NOT THE END of realizations.  While giving an A to someone might make it easier for two people to work together in a more harmonious fashion, there is still the realization of giving yourself an A.  For so many years I have been controlled by a never-ending urge to please everyone.  It has caused me to go above and beyond to the extent that my body shuts down and causes many problems like stress or an occasional illness.  This is from my past of always having to live up to an A or suffer the consequences or living up to the expectations of a parent and it never stopped.  It never stopped because I never allowed it to stop.  I have always given in to the persistent calculations and measurements in my head.  I have always been afraid that if I don’t do the best possible work then I would fail or cause someone to feel disappointed.  I have always been in the realm of self-doubt despite of what others say.  This is just like what Ben Zander was describing about his students and how giving an A would open up the possibilities of being creative and not focusing on the measurements in their head.  If I give myself an A first, then I feel I can start handing out A’s to other people and I can then start a successful domino effect of contribution.

Life is constantly changing and the past year at Full Sail has not only given me strength and trust in myself, but has shown me that when you work with others and recognize their contributions as well as your own, amazing things start to happen.  I have always been told, “If you put your mind to it, anything can happen”.  This is so true in so many ways, but you have to first realize that if you give in to self-doubt and the measurements that we are so conditioned with, you start to focus on the negative instead of the positive.  You become enclosed in a box.  I think that by realizing our contributions and the contributions of other people, we can start to open the lid of the box and slowly come out.

“Think Outside The Box (Evidence & Metaphor)” by Flickr user trixnbooze used under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license.
Website Address: http://www.flickr.com/photos/martyportier/4656059096/


Josh,
I can relate to everything that you have stated in your reading response.  After reading “The Art of Possibility,” I too came to many realizations about my potentials and weaknesses.   You made a great point that if you start to “give into self-doubt and the measurements that you are conditioned with, you will start to focus on the negative instead of the positive.”   I have noticed this to be true in my own life as well.  Sometimes I can be my own worst enemy because I am a perfectionist and I often have a lot of self-doubt.  I often hold myself back from my true potential and enclose myself in a box.  It can be hard to focus on the positive and free ourselves from the constraints and measurements, but it is necessary in order to reach our true potential.  I wish you the best as you take this self-analysis journey to better understand yourself.  I hope you are enjoying the book as much as I am.  Good Luck!

WK 2 Reading Response

This weeks reading of "The Art of Possibility," by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander truly opened my eyes on the boundaries that I set on myself. I set limitations and boundaries with many things that I do which leads me to fall victim to the world of measurement.

I recently started thinking about changing careers from teaching to acting or management. I am currently very blessed with a wonderful job and great students, however being an educator can be a financial struggle, especially when nevada teachers are looking at taking a 8% decrease in pay. It also does not help that the Clark County School District might not pay the salary raise for educational advancements. Raising and supporting a family of 3 can be difficult on a teachers salary. Lately I have questioned my true potential and whether or not I am limiting myself by being an educator.

I first moved out to Las Vegas, Nevada from Concord, New Hampshire because of my passion for performing.  Las Vegas has a lot to offer for performers and it was always my life long goal to be a performer.  I decided to take a job as a music educator as well to help me financially while I perform.  I found a great passion for teaching and I have accomplished many great goals that I set for myself, however my original goals of being a performer never left.  I have worked as a magician and found some great success in the business but I never fully committed myself to it.  There were always excuses that I made as to why I could not just follow my dream and make it happen.

The first couple chapters of the book explains that everything is invented and we should open ourselves to the universe of possibility.  These two chapters seem to speak to me as I have been questioning different job opportunities and limits and boundaries I place on myself.  I loved the famous nine dot puzzle example and how everyone initially assumes that they are confined to the dots on the page and do not consider the space around the dots to complete the puzzle correctly.  By opening up our minds and not limiting ourselves to the world of measurements can we reach our true potential.

I really enjoyed the third chapter of this weeks reading as well which talked about giving an A.  Grades can often be a measurement of how we compare to one another rather then an assessment of our true potential.  It was very interesting to read about the effects of starting students out with an A, and having them set individual goals by writing what they will do to earn that A.  The same principles of giving yourself an A applies to more then just grades at school, it also applies to life.  I plan on incorporating this principle into my life as well as my classroom, and I am interested to see how it changes my perspective on who I am and where I am headed.

MAC Wimba Session

I was not able to attend the Wimba session for Media Asset Creation class this past week due to a performance.  This time of the year gets mighty busy for music teachers with performances and end of the year business.  I will admit that I was unsure of what I needed to do for the week until I watched the Wimba archive.

I am not much of a blogger but this class requires a lot of blogging and discussions, so I will just have to get used to it.  The Wimba session clearly defined all the assignments for the month and how you should plan your weeks.  Everything was organized well on a powerpoint presentation and all of my questions were answered once I watched it.

I am very glad that we learned about copyright laws this week.  I find that I am always trying to educate others about these laws because the general public has not taken the time to educate themselves about the laws.  I have had many concerts that are recorded by other individuals, which get posted on YouTube.  I will admit that I love seeing our performances and other performing groups on YouTube, but I know that it is against copyright laws.

I was glad that we touched on action research information in our first Wimba session.  I have a better understanding about what I need to get done on my action research for this month and I am already working towards getting these things done.  I am still uncertain as to whether or not I am going to write a paper or do a presentation for our final project but I am sure I will come to a conclusion soon.  Overall the Wimba session gave me a clear understanding of the course and I am glad that I will be able to make the next one for week 2.  I will see everyone there!  Thanks!