Week Three - Administration Simulation

Wow... that was a painful simulation.   We were so stumped as to how other people moved so much. Then, at the debriefing everyone talked about using team building.   Why didn't we think of that?  Well... part of it was that we had forgotten to check the second page of game options.   But thinking about our approach... we did kinda rush what we wanted to do.  Part of that may be because of our ages (remember that chart of the different ages of teachers) and we were impatient and then thought about what we wanted to achieve and overlooked the process a bit.

When I really thought about it... all of the team building for the simulation was really cool and the things I remember most about teaching at the high school.   We actually had a 1/2 collaboration where we got put in groups of teachers we ordinarily don't meet and sit and eat and answer some questions (kinda like questions from The Book of Questions or If.... (Questions for the Game of Life) and learn more about each other.   Then we went on to other stations like the DDR station and the t-shirt station.  It was a really cool way to build camaraderie.   I think activities like this are essential if you're going to be working with someone for 8 hours a day for 9 months.... year after year.

It was really cool and a fond memory of mine.  It's a lesson that can be learned at any work place.  What made it really cool is that time was given to us to do this.  It wasn't some activity that was organized after school... it was done during our regular work hours.  It shows us that administration supports us and values our interpersonal relationships.



I just went back and noticed I didn't specifically state how I would use this in my leadership personally... so here it is.  I would make sure to build solid, trusting good relationships with as many people as possible.  If you have trust, or trust someone change is more likely to happen.  I know I will bend over backwards for someone I trust.  And conversely, I have a difficult time working with (or for) someone I don't trust.    For me personally, I will continue to use my interpersonal skills and make sure to build connections with all that I work with.

Leadership? Whatcha got? Whatcha want?

I really enjoyed Wednesday's class. I find it interesting to listen to us talk as teachers.  Right now with all that's going on with government and all of the armchair politicians are having a hay-day.  However, with our discussions about leadership...we were mostly on the same page. I think this discussion showed us how much teacher leadership is really needed.   Forget the nitty gritty details.... we were all on the same page.  That was really cool.  I think it would be interesting to poll our co-workers and see what they think makes a good leader.  This would be a great discussion to have.  I think if we came to a concensus as teachers, we could maybe get rid of some of our administrators, save money in our districts and have better run schools.   Putting the power of leadership back into the people who actually DO the job.  

Viva la Revolution!!

(Over the top....perhaps.  An accurate assessment.... you bet!!!)

Creative Commons & Internet Safety

These are interesting topics.  I think Creative Commons is an awesome idea.  As things go more and more digital, I think it's getting harder and harder to totally protect things. This is why we are seeing more product placement in the media.  I also think many people have learned that it is getting harder to control their ideas/content/media.  And in most cases, as long as it's not being used by someone else to make money, they don't really care.  BUT, with out CC you wouldn't know for sure.  This helps eliminate the worries of the possibility of being sued.
     On a side note, the band, They Might Be Giants has been giving away music since the 80s via their Dial-A-Song.  I've seen interviews with the members about signing autographs on homemade CDs of their music.   I think a side effect of this is a loyal fan base.   In the bigger picture, by sharing things promote creativity which I think furthers the education and intelligence of the collective consciousness.

I also have some previous experience with this because I have a friend who is a member of Beatnik Turtle and all of their stuff is CC licensed.


As for Internet safety, this is really an interesting topic.  While I think it is essential that teachers teach this at school..... it is critical that parents get actively involved in their child's computer use.  Parents need to know what is appropriate and not appropriate.

If you are careful, I think the internet is a fairly safe medium.  My concern would be more with security and websites that contain your personal information.  With the recent hacking of PS3 and other security breaches, we need to be more concerned with that.
I think using online one credit card for all sites would be good.  Not saving credit cards online would also help prevent identity theft.

I have only read some of the resources online about this thus far, but it seems to me that many of the tips to keep yourself safe are the same as when someone calls you on the phone and tries to get personal information from you.

I'm looking forward to talking to my group members about this tonight.  We all come from different perspectives and it will be some really good discussion.