Meeting with the SL group proved to be a time of ironing out questions and learning more about how SL works. In brief, here is an SL issue and question I was able to find resolution for.
I created several objects and gave the people in our team the rights to modify them. One of the objects I created showed that I created it but that another member of the group owned it. We discovered that in order to attach objects together one must have ownership of the objects one wants to attach.
In order to reestablish ownership the object must be taken (right click the object and select take) back by the current owner and then dragged from the current owners list of objects in his/her inventory onto the avatar of the one being given ownership rights.
On a different note, on help island I ran into and event called “griefing.” “Griefing” consisted of tons of objects that looked like flowers in this case flying all over accompanied by loud music. This event made it nearly impossible to move as the flowers covered the navigable environment. According to a mentor, people who want to cause SL issues or grief create “griefing”.
Last night in our Second Life class we met to put the finishing touches on our teachers project. Some of us worked on items to be placed in our backpack, and others worked on the power point presentation. One of our challenges is the permissions issue regarding land in Second Life. Matt and DJ are doing their best to work around these issues.
As I reflect on this project I have mixed feelings. For the first time I see Second Life in a different light. My job has been to see the value and use of Second Life for younger people. I can truly say that Second Life is not for anyone under the age of 21. For some, the primary use of Second Life is sex. I have found some education videos but not many. I believe that is our job, to make a difference and change this perception
Static groups may appear to have the ability to drive creativity and competition. Yet, I believe we can accomplish a greater creativity and competitive spirit and far better with a dynamic cordial group that respects and encourages diversity. I believe you can learn more by teaching, encouraging and assisting others.
Cooperation in defending each other's right to be creative, empowered and free. Not cooperation that fosters "group think." Cooperation within the guidelines of the code of conduct in Gary's syllabus is an excellent yard stick for how one might conduct themselves. Moreover, our Christian values maybe a good point of reference for how we might go about interacting with each other. Even the proverbial “golden rule,” might be a good jumping off point.
Unless one is saving a life winning at all costs is loosing.
As we worked on LA 8 my observations caused me to recall Paperts Schoolers and Yearners concepts. I began to notice who exemplified Schoolers in our group and who Yearners. According to Papert, “ Yearners, they resonate with a respectful attitude toward children and a democratic social philosophy.” I was forced to wonder where, when and with who do some the professed Yearners exhibit what Papert describe Yearners to be. Was the “respectful attitude toward children and a democratic social philosophy,” exhibited only to children? How can a Yearner stop being a Yearner, or is a Yearner only a Yearner in select company?
I am pleased to say that the larger majority of Cadre 11 members are “die hard” Yearners. People gave their time selflessly; they motivated, encourage, respected, and even came to the rescue of other’s. Illustrating leadership and professional skill in both their interpersonal interaction and posted work. The list is long and everyone knows the part they played. I will personally never forget the Yearner’s as they have made and indelible impression on life.
“Another related implication is that learning is never simply a process of transfer or assimilation: Learning, transformation, and change are always implicated in one another, and the status quo needs as much explanation as change. (Lave and Wenger, 1991)
Action Research, Self-Efficacy and My Son Karen Smith [Cadre 11] - 11/19/2008
Recently I purchased additional books for my action research project. One particular book I picked up from Barnes & Noble was “Self efficacy: Raising the Bar for all Students” by Eisenberger, Conti-D’Antonio & Bertrando . I found this book to be quite interesting because it gave detailed instructions and exercises related to efficacy and self-efficacy. Once I opened the book I could not put it down. It touched so many areas of my life, promoting efficacy with my husband, children, family, and friends. Earlier this school year I was told by my son’s third grade teacher he was not a good reader, and he did not read loud enough. He did not believe in himself and had no motivation whatsoever. I hired a tutor, and tried doing things in the home to help him with his reading. On November 1, 2008, I moved him to a positive environment, another school. I could not believe the change! My son loves school, and believes in himself again. Self-efficacy is real and apart of my life. Now when he reads, he has” a voice”
Reality Economics & Technology Equity – Preparing Students for Real World Money Management (Real World Economics) Malika Viltz [Cadre 11] - 11/19/2008
There are many issues and challenges within Education and Education Technology, it’s important for Educators (all of us), parents, teachers, and administrators, etc. to focus on the core audience, which are students / learners. Students of today will be the global make-up of our future. For the Action Research Portion of my Masters in Education Technology, I will focus on Reality Economics & Technology Equity – Preparing Students for Real World Money Management (Real World Economics).
This will be a Comparative Study of the Practical Financial Knowledge of Students from High and Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds and how technology can enable their real world economics learning.
Our idea for teaching students has really blossom. Our "real" clue board is looking awesome and came up my quicker than I thought it would. So far though, it takes a pretty savvy educator to be able to use this. It will be interesting to see how we simplify it, if we do at all. Would be cool to tie our project in with the other groups'. Actually, I might pitch that, after I look over the instructions to make sure we were supposed to do that anyway.
Forgot to post my initial blog entry from early November.
The SL project sounds pretty interesting. My only wish is that I could do both sides of the project. I want to think about how to teach students SL and show faculty how to use SL in education. I opted to go with the student side of things because I don't have much experience thinking about how students learn. I know thats weird, but now that I think about it, most of my work has been geared toward teaching faculty new services/software. It should be nice getting a little perspective.
We met for our teachers project meeting in SL for the 3rd time.We were all in attendance.We had great feedback as a group and were able to get “some” things accomplished.We decided to use the backpack that DJ has made and we are going to place our instructions on note cards.Each persons has their task as listed in the wiki.
As I reflect on this project I am very concerned that we are trying too hard.I feel we might be missing the true purpose of this project.Make Second Life agreat experience for teachers.I am finding this project will be very beneficial to the teachers this will be presented to because the more I learn about Second Life, the more complicated it can become. I feel, Second Life is a world where you must master each task in sequences .
I truly thank God for such an incredible team. The plan has been outlined and I will team up with another expert to build an object, populate/determine text on notecards/object or team up w/someone. I am in the process of thinking of how it ties with Skinner's operant conditioning. A positive reinforcer such as a pleasing sound (like when we played Mario Brothers as children and heard the sound of a coin when something is accomplished) If we have a pleasing sound when a goal is accomplished it will probably make the students more likely to continue on the learning adventure.
This past week I spent some time working with Kathleen asynchronously on the characters that we are going to use for our game for SL. We have fleshed out five characters pretty well. So far we are basing the ideas for the characters on people at OMET and learning theorists (we mean no offense in our descriptions but just taking some liberties with our work). And working asynchronously has been interesting. It is almost like an adventure to go into the wiki everyday and see what has been added, changed, or expanded upon. I think we need to still continue developing enough characters that fit with all of the learning that we feel needs to happen in SL, (maybe define what essential learning are in SL?).
Anyhow, here is where we are thus far with the characters:
Mr. Bill was your average All- American skateboarding professor at a prestigious university while also pursuing a doctoral degree from another. He was your average Joe, liked a good cup of coffee (but not while skateboarding) and was revered and admired by all of his students and colleagues. He had an intense desire to be the next great Tony Hawk, but in Second Life. One bright sunny day in Malibu, on his way to meet his colleague Professor Moodle, Mr. Bill was snatched from behind and thrust into a White Ford Bronco. (Build a white car)
Professor Moodle, a colleague of Mr. Bill's, was envious of his capacity to engage his students in innovative adventures in Second Life. Professor Moodle and Mr. Bill have a long standing relationship of meeting every week at the local skatepark to work on the latest skating moves. Professor Moodle is the one who reported Mr. Bill missing when he didn't show up for their weekly kick-flip session. Professor Moodle found Mr. Bill's skateboard at Papert Park with a secret note attached. Interestingly enough, the note was a website address that was based in Moodle. (Write hyperlinked note)
Miss Olive Mettalia (OMET...smile), a student in Mr. Bill's class, was not happy with Mr. Bill. He had recently sent his students on an outrageous scavenger hunt through Second Life which left Miss O. Mettalia in a "dazed and confused" state because she couldn't manage to get herself out of one sticky situation after another. Whether it was surfing in SL (she fell repeatedly off her surfboard), dancing the samba (she couldn't contain herself and committed an action worthy of expulsion from SL) or flying around looking for a new pair of pants (she was lost time and again unable to keep up with the others in her group), Miss O. Metallia was perturbed. In fact, she has been reported to have asked for someone to "help" her with her issues with Mr. Bill. (Needs to learn to dance)
Dean S. P. Stager was past dean of students at the college where Mr. Bill worked. Unexpectedly one day, Dean Stager found himself unemployed because of a rant he posted on his personal blog which was unassociated with the school's blog. The blog post was a vicious analysis of the famed author D. L. Rose's best seller Think Differently With Both Sides of Your Brain. Because Mr. Rose was a great benefactor of the university, the powers that be were not so pleased (as well as Mr. Rose), about Dean Stager's thoughts. The Dean is unsure of who reported him to the president of the university, but he has his suspicions because one professor, in particular, loves teaching Rose's work.( Gives someone an object)
Virt Ripper, a overly competitive skateboarder (often seen skating at Papert Park) was jealous of Mr. Bill's skateboarding techniques and... (Build a launch ramp)
Going forward, I think we need to spend some time fleshing out these characters, developing videos of each character which would entail creating their avatars first and writing the script. Hopefully through our meetings this week, we can clarify the direction we are headed so we are concentrating in the appropriate and most meaningful directions each participant working with their gifts but learning along the way.
Tonight the "teachers" met to continue work on our SL Project due in a couple of weeks.
I will admit that I was very nervous going into tonight's SL meeting and during the meeting which I actually blogged my frustration about, but now that I have finished typing up the notes from the meeting in our wikispace and I can actually SEE a presentation plan coming together (great idea from my cadre-mates Sonja & DJ), I feel SOOOO much better about this project! I finally feel that this SL project will be a ROARING success and something we can all be proud of because we collaborated together and helped each other.
There were so many things I just "didn't get" but the patience and time from the group was great and now we have a clear plan/vision as to what we will present for this project.
Oh yes, and we met in Second Life and was able to watch folks build and 'play'. I think it is sooo cool watching someone else edit objects because it looks like they have a magic wand and doing some fancy magic trick. Very cool.
AR Reflection - Lit review and action reseach plan Jaime Serrano [Cadre 11] - 11/17/2008
As I continue to work on improving my first draft I am beginning to see it take form. This is great because for the longest time I did not understand where I was going with the lit review or my Action Research. Not that I completely feel that I am on track, but I am entrusting that Margaret has done this before numerous times and will keep us on track. I feel really fortunate to be in a good learning circle and having a really supportive set of professors. I did not take the Virtcamp comments serious that we would all need support from one another, now I do and I am appreciative of the wonderful group that is Cadre XI. :)
I have started the action research plan but I am still struggling with the decision to either focus on trust or to begin the first cycle with the level of comfort with wiki’s/blog? I ultimately think that I will have to make a decision and live with it, with the thought that I can always make changes in cycle two.I am going to continue to work on the next revision of my lit review and continue to work on my action research plan. I am positive that things are going in good direction and I feel positive that cycle one regardless of what I choose will give me valuable information about the research and our organization.
Second Life Final Project – The Building Process Continues (3) Kathleen Lepori [Cadre 11] - 11/17/2008
Today was an excellent day in SL. I didn’t like how my bedroom looked and thought I’d go up and see if there was anything that I could do to improve it’s appearance since the rest of the rooms look so good. When I got to the Clue Board, Donna, was there with a few others building a kitchen. It is fabulous! I asked Donna where she got the stuff and she said from a freebie site. So off I went in search for stuff for my bedroom. I remembered the Freebie Warehouse and went there to see what I could find. I lucked out; no unsavory characters were there this time. I was alone and went through all the boxes grabbing everything that was free. My inventory is miles long now. I teleported myself back up to the floating platform and began to reconstruct the room. I was excited to be trying out the new items; deleting many as I found better things. I even hung drapes! I love how the bedroom looks now and am proud that I was able to contribute on this level.
I have been developing the Clue characters with Anne. Although we haven’t communicated about it, the characters are coming together as we are each gradually contributing to their development.
My volunteer assignment in the Student Group has been to help students learn how to customize their avatar. I wrote instructions and posted them to the growing wiki. During this process, I have also been refining my avatar’s look and am finally happy with Pepper Robonaught’s appearance. I also found a favorite spot to hang out. You can usually find Pepper sitting on a couch watching flames dance in the fireplace downstairs from the coffee house. I am getting more comfortable with SL and all the learning experiences it has to offer.
I think second life could be one of the most frustrating programs I have ever tried to use. The silver lining for me is that the end product is the least important part of the project. What is most important is clearly the process.
I really see two parts to this project – the first is working in a group. Sometimes things can be quite frustrating because it is so hard to come to a consensus on anything, but I like to laugh it off. What would be ideal would be to elect a team captain so that there would be one chief and they could assign tasks to the Indians. When everyone wants their two cents heard, or conversely, when no one wants to make a decision, it is very hard to move forward. However, this leads me to the second part of this project – the learning comes in the preparation. In this type of project, all of the learning comes from the conversations of how to approach the project and the best plan of action. I learn from hearing everyone’s opinion and discussing the merits and shortcomings of each. I truly think this is the point of the project. The actual implementation is simply the icing on the cake. This is also what this program has tried to emphasize to its students – it’s all about the process. This is why I am able to laugh things off. I know that whatever we produce as a group will be just fine, because we will have completed the project no matter what. When too much emphasis is unduly placed on the end result, tensions rise and frustration becomes ever-present. Therefore, I am happy to go with the process and enjoy the learning.
This is a frustrating project.Why?We were asked to develop a learning experience in Second Life that will teach people how to use Second Life.The Cadre divided into two groups, Teachers & Students and I am working in the Teacher group.We are to develop a pack-able package that can be given to a Teacher who wants to use it.
The confusing part of this project is to figure out WHAT to package?Are we packaging notecards?So far, two weeks into the project that is all we have to package, a bunch of notecards.To me, it seems plain and boring, but to the others in the group, they are explaining to me how it will benefit other Teachers.
This is just a short blog about the frustration of trying to make this a successful project.We met for about 90mins tonight, our second LONG SL meeting, and we are still trying to figure out how it will work.
More to come on the Teaching teachers to teach in SL....
Today I poked my head inside SL and I was surprised to see how far the building has progressed. I am still a little confused as what we need to do next and what I can contribute with others on. Fortunately today I was able to find Dan, Donna, and Edgar and we helped out moving the kitchen around. After a few failed attempts we figured out that Dan had to give us rights to move the prims before we could actually move them. After it was all said and done I felt good about being able to contribute at least a little bit. We are scheduled to meet on Wednesday where I hope to get my questions answered and get on track. As for now we all keep on learning from the most unusual settings.
The Learning Theorist I have chosen is Howard Earl Gardner; originally Gardner’s area of focus “Multiple Intelligences and Education” really caught my attention. After further research, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Gardner’s views and thought process. The quote below is one that I’m going to incorporate in my Action Research and website, it’s so well thought out and the messages are nicely executed.
I want my children to understand the world, but not just because the world is fascinating and the human mind is curious. I want them to understand it so that they will be positioned to make it a better place. Knowledge is not the same as morality, but we need to understand if we are to avoid past mistakes and move in productive directions. An important part of that understanding is knowing who we are and what we can do... Ultimately, we must synthesize our understandings for ourselves. The performance of understanding that try matters are the ones we carry out as human beings in an imperfect world which we can affect for good or for ill. (Howard Gardner 1999: 180-181)
Howard Gardner, PhD, had an interest in Psychology and the social sciences when he entered in to Harvard College graduating summa cum laude in 1965. In 1966 he entered into Harvard’s doctorial program and completed his PhD in 1971, his dissertation was on stiles sensitivity in Children. While in his doctorial program Gardner became of part of Project Zero which allowed him an environment to learn and explore more about human cognition. Gardner has written several books including the Shattered Mind and Frames of Mind.
Gardner’s Frames of Mind theories introduces to new kinds of intelligence which included
Gardner questions the basic definitions of intelligence and learning and how ones intelligence can not be measured by test (such as IQ test).
Theorist whose work is related to Gardner
Carl Rogers
Both Rogers and Gardner believe that learning could occur in different ways, Rogers felt teachers teaching in a positive manner would have a more positive outcome on a students learning and Gardner realized that students do learn in different ways.
Jean Lave
Believe that intelligence is “situated” and that by watching / observing others; people can learn and behave in an appropriate matter, depending on the situation. Which is a type of behavioral learning.
Jerome Bruner
“Jerome S. Bruner also became involved in the design and implementation of the influential MACOS project (which sought to produce a comprehensive curriculum drawing upon the behavioral sciences). The curriculum famously aimed to address three questions:
What is uniquely human about human beings?
How did they get that way?
How could they be made more so? (Bruner 1976: 74)
The project involved a number of young researchers, including Howard Gardner”
Theorist whose work contradicts Gardner
Jean Piaget
Piaget’s theories stress the sequence of events in cognitive development. “Proposed different levels for cognitive or intellectual development, from concrete reasoning to abstract reasoning.”
Gordon Pask (C. Smart)
I am not sure if this constitutes a contradiction but Gordon Pask mentions nothing in regards to Multiple Intelligences. Pask was interested in exploring the foundation of knowledge acquisition itself where as Garner was concerned how people best increase their ability to acquire knowledge.
B.F. Skinner ((Donna and Andrea)
Skinner focused his research on behavior and why animals and individuals choose their behavior. He held a strong belief that people feel free when they are doing things that they are reinforced for doing in a positive way (reinforcing or rewarding situations).
Over the past week much of my time, indeed the Cadre's time, has been devoted to building an advocacy website for G1G1 (http://laptops4kids.net). This project has been both challenging and rewarding.
In the cracks of this assignment I have managed to go into Second Life several times. Since my last post regarding this topic we have met officially once where Greg, the SL maestro, helped us learn how to build things in SL. The task turned out to be much simpler than I would have anticipated. After the meeting I stayed on for about two hours working on a building and practicing my new skills.
Greg has really taken a leadership position in this project and my thanks to him for helping the group develop this project. Lave spoke of apprenticeships and both the SL project and the website in Gary's class has helped me connect to these ideas. The community of practice that has begun to develop, as we seek out eachothers' talents and lean on eachothers' exerptise, has demonstrated the possiblities of distance education to me. Gordon Pask thought learning occurs through converstation. He also believed that the medium of communication was secondary to the framework setup to facilitate the conversation. I believe what we as a group are being exposed to is the essence of Pask's conversation theory. We all live in different places, have varying degrees of of expertise on any one topic and come from different backgrounds. Yet we have come together in search of a common purpose. I don't mean the degree. I mean that we are knowledge seekers who want to cultivate our ideas about learning and technology. The foundation in learning theory that we have been introduced to is much more meaningful in the OMET context than it was in my Credential Program. I say this because in OMET we are not only learning but are taking action with our knowledge. Along the way there have been bumps, bruises, and collective yawning from the late nights and early mornings but what we are gaining I believe does not only serve us well intellectually but ripples throughout our networks both professionally and socially.
In the coming week the focus on the website will wane and more focused will be placed on the SL project. I am looking foward to using the collaborative skills gained thus far on all projects (especially the website) and apply them to this final project in Learning Theory.
As life happens, I have realized that there is one thing that I can truly control and that is how I perform in this program. I have not had the opportunity to truly delve deeply into my action research because of the trials and tribulations I have endured these last couple of months yet I have done a great deal of growing and learning about myself and that is invaluable to me. I have acquired this newfound ability to pinpoint my deficiencies and strengths. I would love to begin this new episode in my life with an outlook on life that is completely different than when I began this program. Absorb the process, reflect, reach out, when overwhelmed: smile and be thankful for family and friends.
Papert was convinced that education would undergo the kind of megachange that came in the wake of technological and scientific developments in areas such as medicine. MEGA CHANGE is here. As we learn through virtual worlds such as Second Life and collaborate with members from all over the country it is easy to say that the mega change is here. Mega change is also apparent in the fact that human mental processes seem to be evolving due to “the fact that the students have acquired a new kind of sophistication -- not only about computers but also about ways to learn and methods of research“? (Papert, 1996a). As the world becomes available to the world, it will be interesting to note the mega-mega change that education will undergo in the coming years.
This is a good idea. Thank you for reminding me earlier today to add what I have done to the wiki ( thank you for all of your encouragement and constructive criticism). Andrea and I stayed at the Pepperdine University till it closed (we got kicked out), we will be at Starbuck near UCI till midnight. Between Andrea and I, we will have spent at least 9 hours today working on the lap top for kids site. I learned so much in this learning adventure....I/we were not always able to whip things together as are used. At least for me I was creating with tools I never knew existed and did not know how to use. (Hard Fun!)
Colby was both patient and encouraging, he mentioned things that were well out of my scope..but he believed I could find and figure them out....hence I did. Colby, what an outstanding teacher/learning facilitator you have been.
Andrea is now creating an email / letter template for our our promotional materials link. Visitors to the site will be able to email/snail mail or memo this to potential participants in G1G1!
Gary said our focus is not to sell laptops. However, those who participate in G1G1 as direct result of visiting our website will be the limus for level of effectiveness of our website. More importantly we will have participated in the vision.
We met with the teachers group for the second time, in Second Life.I believe we have definitely made some progress.We are using both Skype and Second Lifeto communicate with each other.I believe if we keep in mind this project is like the Lego’s, it is not about the product but the process.
Reflecting on this project in this Second Life, I believe my thinking has completely changed,.When I am in Second Life, I am able to do ANYTHING, there are no boundaries.My family has found this somewhat annoying, because, I speak of my experiences as if they are happening in real life.I believe Second Life produces a collaborative learning environmentfor everyone involved.
I found completing the draft for my literature review to be very helpful with my action research project.I realize the steps I need to complete and I also have published literature to back up my project.Since my project deals with self-efficacy, I have created a self-efficacy blueprint for each student as they come into the program. This blueprint will be used to help each student as they are in the Technology Certification Program.
Reflecting on my Action Research Project I must stay focused, my concern is to build self-efficacy and to make the student aware they are receiving the tools needed to succeed.I am trying to stay away from building self-confidence for each student.
Although it seems that my life has been turned upside down by a family tragedy, I am staying strong so that I can come out of this storm with something accomplished. My family is going through a time of immense suffering and I have to continue to tell myself that life does not stop regardless of the situation. Moping around and feeling sad does not get anything accomplished, I will only delve into a deeper sadness if I stay on that path. I flew into California this Monday to be with my family and help with the situation and I was able to communicate and meet up with Sonia. We are looking at the OLPC website and contributing our time to editing the site....
I finished my literature review rough draft, roughly. The process was quite a journey for me. I thought I had done quite a bit of research and pulled some great articles from the web, but as I read I found that many of them were not exactly what I thought that they were, and that I needed to do more research and even research on different topics related to what want to do.
Specifically, as I began to write, I quickly realized that, while I had some great sources for my specific topic, there were many other ideas that I needed to research in order to feel confident I knew what I was talking about and that I was not making mistakes. I think it’s very easy to make generalizations and state things we consider to be common knowledge, but in fact are more cultural knowledge and not backed by data or research.
Some of the topics I want to continue researching are:
1. Effects of School culture on student achievement
2. Teaching as an art form
3. Teacher creativity effects on student achievement
4. Teacher autonomy
5. Artists in practice (how do artist work collaboratively and stay current)
Writing the review brought many ideas for actions. I am very interested in how to promote new ideas and creativity within my staff. Some ideas are to start a blogging group. Teachers who commit to blogging an a regular basis and reading each other’s blogs. Also, getting my administrators to blog. I think this would have powerful repercussions within out building because of the power of sharing thoughts and ideas.
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