Wk4-1 DB Quickies: my dream teaching/presentation environment

Topic #1: Briefly share what your dream teaching or presentation environment would be like, be specific about what such a place would include (beyond just the tech toys).

I think based on where I am today, my dream teaching or presentation environment would be like, what I thought my last Job would be.

The students in the curriculum would be based in a curriculum that is immersed enough in technology that the student has at least half of his/her day within on it. I would be able to lend my technology skills within the classroom and as supplementary resources to the teachers with regards to their technology training.

As a creative staffer and a teacher with certification in art, I would like to take some time in my workload to teach art studies, but my contribution would be a hybrid of the technology and the creative studies that I have picked up over the last 20 years.

I would also like to be an integral part of the art and humanities department to ensure that there is a advocate for their continued presence in the curriculum and that they all can accent one another in a form of collaborative relationship as so that the students get more from their “multiple intelligences”

Wk4-2 DB Quickies: my dream teaching/presentation environment

Topic #2: What stands in between you and your dream job?
I could throw out many different excuses as to why, but I honestly don’t know. Perhaps I am thinking too small; maybe my net isn’t cast wide enough as I look,  part of it could be that failed attempts have me very Gun-shy about confidently standing in front of the gatekeeper to my dream job and saying “I’m you man, can I start tomorrow?”. In my heart I hope that the time spent getting to my dream job would be preparation time and not just an indication that I am nor prepared.

Why do you deserve to work in a dream job environment?

I deserve to be in the dream Job environment because I have proven time and time again, whether it is a small project solely under my care, or a large project that I am on a team to accomplish, that I not only am committed to the best work and results, but I genuinely love the work enough to continue to put forth the same effort each time.

What do you bring to the table? Be specific. 

I have true committed to the work, the job and a love for it. I utilize my skills as a part of my service to my ministry at church. I have incorporate some form of creative contribution to every position I have worked in the last 10 years; I have committed to constant improvement and knowledge of my craft by either seeking out employment opportunities to use it of in my the case of my Higher education…. continuing to commit to more knowledge of my craft in a changing field. It is time to move forward!

Wk3-2 DB Quickies: Difficulties starting new programs/breaking the norm

Topic #2: Why do you think educators are so resistant to change, especially when it comes to technology? How do other institutions, such as business, deal with technological change?

Personally, from my experiences, I think that many educators resist the change for numerous reasons, many of which are associated by fear:

Fear that learning the new way of doing your job would challenge your competency, or would force you to relearn your job altogether; an overall anxiety with technology and change altogether or just unwilling to expand on skills or step out of your comfort zone.

My CBR observations have shown me in many instances that the desire is sometimes there but the time to learn and implement is not, which is also a significant factor.

I would theorize based on this, that many other institutions would accept change with a “minimalist” approach; They would change or implement what goes on in their operations just enough to achieve the intended result and no more.  The other side of the coin would be to just stay in the old way of operation and gravitate only toward clients, business partners and relationships, which allow them to continue business as usual. It is apparent that this is the demise of an organization over time, but failure to accept, embrace or even acknowledge the need to change usually is.

Wk3-1 DB Quickies: Difficulties starting new programs/breaking the norm

Topic #1: Briefly share any experiences you’ve had when you’ve had a part in introducing a new program or a new way to do things at your job site. Please share any triumphs or frustrations you’ve had trying to improve the system or when you’ve pioneered or piloted some outside the norm.

When I was still working for the school I spent a lot of time attempting to “Brand” the school program I worked within, since it was an alternative high school program contracted by the school board. It was a way for me to use my Graphic Design skills and allowed me to assist them in their promotions in the local area and showcase the program to new students and their parents.

Initially I started with a School logo (Mascot), which was “commissioned” by the then Director of the program. The initial problem was that their wasn’t much use of it program wide (15 school sites) Since It was sanctioned by the leadership but wasn’t being effectively utilized, I could still use it to brand my site.  I then made all printed correspondence from my site utilized the school logo. Over time the majority of the program was using the logo because they saw how I was using it to create an identity for my school site and students.

There was a similar situation that occurred with other marketing materials I created for my site, but saturation of much of the creative design I created was assisted by the fact that I, like many of my staff, were periodically moved around to different school sites. I would then start again with branding that particular site under the school logo, but approaching it uniquely for that site.

There was some level of effectiveness for the branding, albeit a limited one, as the leadership was permissive, but not fully engaged in the initiative.  Even with the local website, which was designed under the Director of special services, which was to be a promotional tool to showcase our staff, students and activities, went only so far because the leadership would allow the effort, but not actively support of become engaged in it.