Wk3 (Gibson’s Rule #6) Ch. 5-8

I have found myself switching from nugget to nugget of wisdom as I continue to read this book, but the one that stands out for me that I had to reflect back on was Rule#6. The interesting thing about this is that I heard a very similar quote used by a mentor of mine 1996 when I was working with Americorps National Service at a shelter for runaways.

The agency’s director, Mr. Gibson, used to always say to me: “Life is Hard, but not all that serious”. I did not know them that it would become such a quotable by me, or that it would even have so much shelf life after the first time he stated it.

The similarities between this and Zander’s Rule #6 were so obvious to me that when I read this, actually found myself laughing out loud. The irony is that he (Mr. Gibson) showed by example kindness, professionalism congeniality, and diligent, dedicated hard work on a level that I hadn’t seen before and only have seen a handful of times since in a supervisor; unusually enough, he had a demeanor that mirrored this quote every time I saw him. (Perhaps that is why I remember it so well) I remember thinking briefly "how could you have so much going on, put so much into it and utter such a phrase"?

As I think back on the times we have talked about it and what I know about his time in the agency I can reasonably surmise that this mantra was cultivated over a long period of time (all the "salt and pepper effects" in his hair is a solid indicator as well) It became a well known joke through the agency that if Mr. Gibson got mad, that you REALLY messed up, because I personally can’t seem to remember it happening (though I have heard that it has)

I remember him laughing and seemingly taking a lighthearted approach to most things, even when came in to "fix it all". It all seem to run a certain way when he was around, and usually when any "hell broke loose" you could bet that he wasn't there, or if he was, the Hell wouldn't last long. What I internalized was that in the grand scheme of things many aspects of life are 90% about how you handle the other 10. In his way of taking the big stuff and being hands off with basic operations, we felt empowered, but it was obvious he still ran the show. Even though his ultimatums may have been just that, they were never phrased as such...which I think in some small way he granted us greatness by letting go of our hands and by not leading from the podium.... but from an extremely comfy leather chair with wheels on the other side of the agency. (Yes, we all sit in it when he's gone!)

Life is truly hard, but not that serious.... so I need to try a little each day to not take myself as such...
Thanks for the life lesson Mr. Gibson. I don't think I will ever forget it!

WK3: Think out loud Blog Post 1

I am looking at the Publishing Leadership Project, and as I reflect on the fallacy I have labored under for 2 weeks that this was an optional project, I think to myself where the H311 Did I get this information from!! It reminds me of the value of good information, the disaster of operating under faulty information, and the blessing God has given me to have this degree the level of seriousness for this program thus far. It is truly been a ride and a few years ago, it would have eaten me alive!

But I digress…

After chatting with "Instructor B". over the parameters of the project, I am able to shake my procedural bout of “pre-project” butterflies about this thing and get into it with the same zeal I have been doing everything non-Lit Review the last year.

As I reflect on my path in the CBR, I thought very much about the twists and turns I have taken in my CBR and I would very much like to spend a little more time going into a potential course of action for a Phase Three based on the challenges that I have observed based in my research. It would be a perfect way to add some form of personal commentary in a type of research that does not allow for any. I thought about speaking to some of that here but did a 180, as it would negate the need for me to do the Project and I would still have to do it anyway.

...Irony at it’s finest.
JCIII 

Wk3 Re:Lauren Schneck's Bravo Bucket

Posted by Lauren Schneck at 6:55 AM
I must say the notion that "the eyes never lie" really is true. There is a lot I can learn from my co-workers, my bosses, and the teachers I am helping, by really looking at their eyes when I speak to them. Looking in their eyes can tell me wether or not they are really into what I am saying and wether or not I am connecting with them. I can remember being half way through a seminar on technology and making eye contact with some teachers and instantly realizing I never had their attention. I need to remember that concept as I go on with my work.

Rule number 6 is something I feel I am grasping. I really don't take myself too seriously, and I don't think I am in danger of doing so any time soon. I do know though that people in my department do take themselves way too seriously, and I can see that it hinders a lot of things in their work life and becomes a stumbling block to success. I know that personally I have a hard time respecting leaders that are unnecessarily serious about themselves. I know it's not right to disrespect leaders and I would never do anything outright against them, but internally I loose a little bit of admiration when I see a leader being very serious about themselves all the time.

The concept of leading from your chair so to speak is something that I don't give enough credit. I know that there is truth to the concept that if you do the best with the position and resources you are given you will be successful. Sometimes it is hard to believe that when you don't feel that things could possibly get better. I know that I have to remind myself of that concept often even though I feel that what I have right now doesn't add up to very much.

John said on  June 15, 2011 11:13 AM
Since I have not finished my read on 5-8, I have been hesitant to comment on most other peer’s post except where it speaks to something that caught my eye that may not give away the “fun” of the reading (It really is good stuff)

Regarding must say the notion that "the eyes never lie”… I have noticed the fact over a long period of time that I have never as a habit looked most people in the eye when I speak to them (at least not by habit, anyway). If I am interested enough to talk to them at all, typically I am focused in on the words and their meaning, but I learned the importance of this in practice much later in life than many young men and still find myself (ironically enough) trying to explain the concept to a teen with special needs to looking others in their eyes when speaking to them.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a great practice to follow; but Sometimes, (emphasis on “sometimes”) you can have their attention and not see their eyeballs
JCIII

Wk3_RE: Alli W_(Free Choice-Interactive Tech History: OLPC: Following in the Heritage of Logo & the MIT Media Lab)

Posted by Ali Weinreb at 6:24 PM

I love this idea of inexpensive laptops to reach all students. But I’m a little disturbed that we are focusing here on other countries and “underprivileged students.” I know so many teachers here in America, where our own children and students do not have access to computers. Let’s focus on our children and students first, before we can save the world. Don’t our kids deserve it too?

June 15, 2011 10:44 AM John Said:
I know that on occasion my "Liberal Label" slips out of my pocket and on the ground when I think that way, but I feel like many time the fact that resources are so available her in the states has people under the misconception that those resources are evenly distributed, or that those who don't have access just chose to forgo access out of free will.

I would be more agreeable to initiatives such as this if the people who spearheaded them were allocating the same resources for a designated area of the populace here. It is still very true statement that you need to take care of home first.

JCIII

Wk3 Discussion Deeper: Video Use in Education

You will post one (or more) list of four or more video podcasts/streaming video/live video that you believe can help you or your students.

Graphic Design/ Photography Podcast - No. 1 by visuallyinteresting

Watch the full episode. See more Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century.<

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcg0dw_graphic-design-photography-podcast_creation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es848GfNYCI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1f-_FXgJZM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1japIhKU9I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1japIhKU9I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt9F7tKcZcU

http://video.pbs.org/video/1797357384/

http://www.itsartmag.com/

http://www.incredibleart.org/

WebAxe (Podcast Alley)

http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=10427

TypeRadio

http://www.typeradio.org/loudblog/index.php?page=0

Layers magazine
http://layersmagazine.com/category/illustrator

http://layersmagazine.com/category/indesign

http://layersmagazine.com/category/photoshop

http://css-tricks.com/video-screencasts/

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.