Reflections on Day 1 of 3rd Space - OurCoLab2024-03-29T12:15:57Zhttp://ourcolab.ning.com/forum/topics/reflections-on-day-1-of-3rd-space-1?commentId=6510462%3AComment%3A654&xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI am noticing diverse leaders…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-10:6510462:Comment:5672012-07-10T12:45:57.199ZRalph Cordovahttp://ourcolab.ning.com/profile/1es8p0ndiolui
<p>I am noticing diverse leaders and educators, come together to explore the relationship between learning, leadership and how creativity plays a vital role to innovate and create new solutions to problems. What is remarkable is how quickly, it seems, folks slipped right into their new "digs," began the process of getting to know each other all the while exploring semi-new processes like ResponsiveDesign and the IIMP experience. Although certainly not new to the world of teacher-research and…</p>
<p>I am noticing diverse leaders and educators, come together to explore the relationship between learning, leadership and how creativity plays a vital role to innovate and create new solutions to problems. What is remarkable is how quickly, it seems, folks slipped right into their new "digs," began the process of getting to know each other all the while exploring semi-new processes like ResponsiveDesign and the IIMP experience. Although certainly not new to the world of teacher-research and action research, the Inquiry Into My Practice as an approach to study one's teaching seems helpful in several ways. First, it places the lead-teacher in the role of learner alongside her "Thinking Partner." Second, the Thinking Partner assists in observing and later, providing feedback to the Thinking Partner in form of refamiliaring the lead-teacher with what she had originally sought to explore in her IIMP, what she had envisioned, and, what when enacted, she had wanted the participants to walk away with. The third part, I think is powerful, is that the IIMP debrief occurs publicly in front of the actual participants.</p>
<p>Thus, there are several interacting planes, or spheres, of interactive learning processes at play.</p>
<p>I'm so loving our new friends!!!</p> Lora I Love that ... Say YES.…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:7802012-07-09T21:53:46.895Z3t4623itlgwlohttp://ourcolab.ning.com/xn/detail/u_3t4623itlgwlo
<p>Lora I Love that ... Say YES. So here it is YES. We can do this.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Sam</p>
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>Lora Brewer Ackerman said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://ourcolab.ning.com/forum/topics/reflections-on-day-1-of-3rd-space-1#6510462Comment556"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">Our frustrations are real and common. But we need to chip away at cultures that thwart this type of innovative thinking. One thing that came to mind as we sat in the room with "the chairs" was the idea…</div>
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<p>Lora I Love that ... Say YES. So here it is YES. We can do this.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Sam</p>
<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Lora Brewer Ackerman said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://ourcolab.ning.com/forum/topics/reflections-on-day-1-of-3rd-space-1#6510462Comment556"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">Our frustrations are real and common. But we need to chip away at cultures that thwart this type of innovative thinking. One thing that came to mind as we sat in the room with "the chairs" was the idea of saying YES and encouraging (demanding) others to say YES. It reminds me of Tina Feye's memoir where she talks about adhering to the rules of improvization. They SO apply to everything we have been talking about today. I'm telling you, you have to read them. (Cut and paste this if not a hot link.)<br/> <br/> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/09/tina-fey-rules-for-improv_n_1194826.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/09/tina-fey-rules-for-improv_...</a><br/> <br/> I'm wondering lots of things but they are more particular to my own projects. This workshop is working to make me consider things I gloss over sometimes. Thanks for a great first day. I am eager for our days to come!<br/> <br/> Lora</div>
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</blockquote> Day 1 Reflection:
To provid…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:5642012-07-09T21:50:51.388Z3t4623itlgwlohttp://ourcolab.ning.com/xn/detail/u_3t4623itlgwlo
<p><b>Day 1 Reflection:</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>To provide a framework for Responsive Design thinking we engaged in multiple processes. </p>
<p>Through our Quick Write we focused on our motivations and expectations for attending the 3<sup>rd</sup> Space institute. It was great to see that many TC’s and educators were equally excited to learn more about collaborative and innovative design processes. I was also excited to learn how other teachers and sites will use covert and overt strategies to…</p>
<p><b>Day 1 Reflection:</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>To provide a framework for Responsive Design thinking we engaged in multiple processes. </p>
<p>Through our Quick Write we focused on our motivations and expectations for attending the 3<sup>rd</sup> Space institute. It was great to see that many TC’s and educators were equally excited to learn more about collaborative and innovative design processes. I was also excited to learn how other teachers and sites will use covert and overt strategies to engage students both at school and outside of school settings.</p>
<p>Through unpacking the Responsive Design process we were able to learn by sharing, reflecting, writing and visually representing our understanding of the process. This really helped establish community for our newly formed group. (Oh, the name game was a great icebreaker too! I loved showing off my yoga move;) </p>
<p>I appreciate that we were allowed to experience the Responsive Design process through an inquiry into my practice approach. The pre-brief provided us some context for what we were going to experience.</p>
<p>The experience of sharing our artifacts was one the main highlights for the day. It was amazing exploring how folks curated aspects of who we are and what we bring to our teaching and learning process.</p>
<p>I noticed that there was a lot on intentionality in what objects people shared. I noticed when I gathered my own artifacts; most of them were literary objects. Interestingly, I was able to cull objects that represented how rejection and failure are a major part of my own professional growth process. Someone left a post-it message about my “ Rejection Letters”. My reflection on the rejection note made me ponder, what gave me stamina to accept rejection as part of my growth process? In additions to rejections letters for my poetry, non-fiction, and grant applications, I included my 11<sup>th</sup> grade report card.</p>
<p>My 11<sup>th</sup> grade report card had a BIG FAT “F” in English. And Now I’m a reading, writing and thinking. i.e. English teacher. I find it interesting that rejection and failure have been a steady part of my diet. I rejected corporate job opportunities that most of my MBA counterparts jump for. Instead I joined a Peace Corps. Someone also left a post-it note asking why did a join the Peace Corps. In addition to rejecting corporate America offerings, I joined the Peace Corps because I fashioned myself as a maverick who wanted to explore, enact and envision a new world.</p>
<p>After finishing my tour as a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana, I started Logical Solutions a fledging information service and training company. My business kind of experienced a dot.com implosion and I went bankrupt. It was a great ride! I would not trade it for the world.</p>
<p>After hearing about other folk’s artifacts and their responses I felt like we synthesized our own unique experiences with our artifacts and made them universal. Hearing narratives about a teddy bear, quilts and keys provide metaphors for us to process and uncover who we are as well as better understand the iterative process of understanding design thinking.</p>
<p>The “Debriefing” on the artifact sharing was invaluable. Through sharing artifacts we explored what the responsive design process feels like. We also noticed how this process facilitated building community and served as form of qualitative and formative assessment.</p>
<p>The closure activity provided a bridge to explore how educators can learn from design thinking and brand innovative processes to solve problems. The education sector could learn a lot by embracing failure often to succeed sooner, creating more functional and flatter organizations, and embracing organized chaos.</p>
<p>So far there has been lots to process. But I look forward to messy process of learning and doing more.</p> First, I want to thank all th…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:6602012-07-09T21:42:48.827Z2h34ahwngetdfhttp://ourcolab.ning.com/xn/detail/u_2h34ahwngetdf
<p>First, I want to thank all the organizers for a fabulous launch--this is a beautifully designed learning experience! Then, I want to appreciate the entire group: such inquisitiveness is contagious. Everyone has contributed, and I've enjoyed the shared humor and the warm open-heartedness. Also, it's inspiring to see so many other elders in the group (usually I'm the only <em>alta kocher</em> among a bunch of whippersnappers...).</p>
<p>The group's concern for changing the practice of schools…</p>
<p>First, I want to thank all the organizers for a fabulous launch--this is a beautifully designed learning experience! Then, I want to appreciate the entire group: such inquisitiveness is contagious. Everyone has contributed, and I've enjoyed the shared humor and the warm open-heartedness. Also, it's inspiring to see so many other elders in the group (usually I'm the only <em>alta kocher</em> among a bunch of whippersnappers...).</p>
<p>The group's concern for changing the practice of schools and the outcomes for students is a hopeful sign that a transformation is possible. I'm especially intrigued by the prospect of learning more about how to teach coaching, which has long seemed a great puzzle to me. The "responsive design" framework seems like it will be very helpful.</p>
<p>One reflection: when Ralph started pointing out that</p>
<p>"implicit in stating that we are building something new is the necessity to be destroying something old"</p>
<p>I thought what he was going to say was how much of the old is contained in anything new. The basis of constructivism is present in 19th century education theory and was essential in Dewey's work in the 1940's. There was a period in the 1950's when it seemed that project-based learning was simply "common sense obvious" and would soon become the norm in public schools! What happened is still not clear, but I think the chaos of the 60's and the counter-reaction of the 70's form part of the answer. Chomsky has claimed that the dramatic increase in the cost of higher education in the 70's and the concomitant explosion of student debt was a deliberately engineered reaction to the student turmoil of the 1960's, designed as a mechanism to control protest.</p>
<p></p> Unsurprisingly, things did no…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:6572012-07-09T20:35:34.628Z024sueo992tzxhttp://ourcolab.ning.com/xn/detail/u_024sueo992tzx
<p>Unsurprisingly, things did not go as I expected. I should know by now not to come with preconceived notions but maybe it's just an impulse I can't resist. I was worried because I didn't feel prepared; the artifact box assignment, which I discovered late last night, was a shock. I felt, about midnight, like I had no artifacts (this was in the middle of cleaning up my e-mail accounts after a week of computer silence so I felt rushed, pressed upset with myself for not reading emails sooner,…</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, things did not go as I expected. I should know by now not to come with preconceived notions but maybe it's just an impulse I can't resist. I was worried because I didn't feel prepared; the artifact box assignment, which I discovered late last night, was a shock. I felt, about midnight, like I had no artifacts (this was in the middle of cleaning up my e-mail accounts after a week of computer silence so I felt rushed, pressed upset with myself for not reading emails sooner, imagined myself as that "unruly student who hasn't done the reading, hasn't spent a moment thinking about the assignment since she left class, and willfully decides that she just won't participate that day). Hatefully unproductive, but I was ready to go with it. First we did a quickwrite. Can't say I was surprised by that, but once the routine started I began to relax. I talked with Dawn about how NWP events are always enlightening and enjoyable and that this one would be no difference. Loved the ice-breakers, got some great ideas to take back to Summer Institute (Am I going to do another year of SI?) from the IIMP, had a nice lunch conversation with Sam Reed from Philly, learned about personal values and commitment to pair share and public pre-and debriefing during the artifact exercise, nodded off during the David Kelley video, which is when I SHOULD have confirmed my belief in failure.</p>
<p>My big question, or problem, or challenge from the day has to do with all the discussion about processes and products. When I direct plays (usually we have at least one MAJOR fiasco per production) what I value is the rehearsal. If students read, write, speak, listen, build vocabulary, memorize lines and on and on and on, I remember the rehearsals (the plays too, but that's mostly surprise and discovery). I enjoy those surprises. I enjoyed my day at Colab.</p> This entire exoerience is beg…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:8392012-07-09T20:34:46.308Z12u38fwvu6prlhttp://ourcolab.ning.com/xn/detail/u_12u38fwvu6prl
This entire exoerience is beginning to unfold for me. I truly appreciate the time that was devoted to getting to know the cohort members and the opportunity to colooaboate with fellow educators and Writing Project members. The Quick Write was a great way for me to explore my initial feelings and impressions about 'Why I Am Here? and 'What I expect to get from this week long experience. The Name Game provided me with an additional opportunity to learn more names and to actually try and remember…
This entire exoerience is beginning to unfold for me. I truly appreciate the time that was devoted to getting to know the cohort members and the opportunity to colooaboate with fellow educators and Writing Project members. The Quick Write was a great way for me to explore my initial feelings and impressions about 'Why I Am Here? and 'What I expect to get from this week long experience. The Name Game provided me with an additional opportunity to learn more names and to actually try and remember names on purpose. To my surprise at the end of the session, I an able to remeber at least half of the cohort at the present. The Unpacking ResponsiveDesign was a fantastic collaboration process that allowed small groups to come together abd share innovative ideas and thoughts. My favorite, the artifact box iimp was not only creative, but it allowed the group to reflect and discover commonalities among the members. In conclusion, the David Kelly video opened my eyes to the great possibilites of creative and innovative leadership and how it can be possible for my school/district to reach this challenge. What has emerged for me is th…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:7772012-07-09T20:31:17.732Z01q9aei6bn3x1http://ourcolab.ning.com/xn/detail/u_01q9aei6bn3x1
<p>What has emerged for me is the need for education, the body of movers & shakers, policy makers & educators needing to come into the understanding that it needs to rethink what thinking & learning is & adjust its approach. Testing culture is based in capitalism, turning children into dollars & cents while making less & less sense to & for them. Data has become a dirty word to me & I question the need to qualify AND quantify learning when it really IS…</p>
<p>What has emerged for me is the need for education, the body of movers & shakers, policy makers & educators needing to come into the understanding that it needs to rethink what thinking & learning is & adjust its approach. Testing culture is based in capitalism, turning children into dollars & cents while making less & less sense to & for them. Data has become a dirty word to me & I question the need to qualify AND quantify learning when it really IS individual. We will NOT all walk in the same & therefore cannot & will not exit the same. I am pleased with the notions of fearlessness & encouraging the embrace of failure. I am pleased with the opportunity to listen to other educators process the same information & experiences through their unique voices, helping to shape & reshape my own perspectives. I am pleased with the unstoppable flow of ideas that almost make me need to excuse myself from the group to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. I'm excited about "problem seeking" vs "problem solving." I can't wait to see what else emerges.</p> What's emerging for me is the…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:6542012-07-09T20:30:39.531ZNicole Schonhttp://ourcolab.ning.com/profile/NicoleSchon
<p>What's emerging for me is the importance for us, as teacher leaders, to be compassionate toward ourselves and our colleagues as we endeavor in the messy learning of how to lead, build leaders, and evolve leadership to meet needs of specific challenges. I feel like taking the next step at our writing project with this work will entail more collaboration and more opportunities to spread this type of design/leadership thinking with more fellows. One step specifically that I want to take is to…</p>
<p>What's emerging for me is the importance for us, as teacher leaders, to be compassionate toward ourselves and our colleagues as we endeavor in the messy learning of how to lead, build leaders, and evolve leadership to meet needs of specific challenges. I feel like taking the next step at our writing project with this work will entail more collaboration and more opportunities to spread this type of design/leadership thinking with more fellows. One step specifically that I want to take is to establish collaboration with Fred from UC Santa Cruz and Jessica from Piasa to help energize the NWP technology movement. I want to think more on how to apply the foundational ideas and constructs of 3rd space to this arena. </p>
<p>Also bubbling to the surface for me is the importance of bringing together diverse skill sets to strengthen the end goal. For example, in the tech committee, we will only really grow if we incorporate teachers who are NOT tech savvy so that we can design something that will work for them.</p>
<p>Another intriguing idea is the a need to shake up and disintegrate hierarchy- or flip it so it's horizontal- in order to maximize results. If you're not below someone, then you don't feel the need to hold back as much. And if you're given permission to not hold back, wildly brilliant ideas can fill up their lungs with air and float to the surface. </p>
<p>And yet a different take: the concept that one role of a teacher (or a leader) is to help individuals make sense of what they already know. This makes me reflect on my practice of teaching teachers, particularly as it pertains to technology. If I am truly to help teachers move forward with this, we first need to reflect on what it is we know, and what it is we wonder, fear, hope, or fervently desire. By starting with what's familiar, we can lead people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of venturing into the unfamiliar.</p>
<p></p> I'm noticing some common them…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:6512012-07-09T20:29:38.339ZJen Kohanhttp://ourcolab.ning.com/profile/JenKohan
<p>I'm noticing some common themes around reflection, trial and error, and process. When I first saw the responsive design model (swirling arrows, three "e's") I immediately saw a connection to the writing process, and recursive instruction. So far, every activity has reinforced these ideas.</p>
<p>However, I'm a little surprised that I've heard so many references to "standards" and "assessment" in such a negative way today . . . I'm not sure how to respond right now, but it's something I'm…</p>
<p>I'm noticing some common themes around reflection, trial and error, and process. When I first saw the responsive design model (swirling arrows, three "e's") I immediately saw a connection to the writing process, and recursive instruction. So far, every activity has reinforced these ideas.</p>
<p>However, I'm a little surprised that I've heard so many references to "standards" and "assessment" in such a negative way today . . . I'm not sure how to respond right now, but it's something I'm chewing over. I realize that many, many people "in education" eye standards and testing with skepticism and even outright animosity -- but I am still surprised that we as educators don't think more dynamically about them, allowing ourselves to cross our arms and grit our teeth rather than embrace specific learning targets to assess student growth. Assessment is so incredibly valuable as a process, and I am so GLAD to have standards as a guide. All I know is that I think I came to that realization THROUGH collaboration and inquiry with a group of former colleagues (all of whom were <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> in agreement about the value of standards and data-driven assessment). Ultimately, I love that Ralph raised the idea of our own AGENCY in the educational <em>machine</em>. We can definitely change the system -- with hard work and lots of collaboration.</p>
<p>This morning someone said something really wise . . . that commiseration is NOT collaboration. Then Ralph said that collaboration is about co-labor. I love that. </p>
<p>Today has been wonderful -- I'm definitely feeling connected to this mew community. Moving forward, I'd really like to start thinking about programming and partnerships, too.</p>
<p></p> As we are beginning our week…tag:ourcolab.ning.com,2012-07-09:6510462:Comment:7742012-07-09T20:27:42.696Z0b0e5gz9up7ebhttp://ourcolab.ning.com/xn/detail/u_0b0e5gz9up7eb
<p>As we are beginning our week together, I am reminded of the energy National Writing Project events have given me in the past. Just as it has been at other NWP experiences, the time to write, discuss, ask questions, and reflect with other caring teachers is a gift for me. I'm already thinking about what activities from today I can bring back to the Minnesota Writing Project.</p>
<p>I'm noticing the connections between our individual experiences that we are sharing and I'm looking forward to…</p>
<p>As we are beginning our week together, I am reminded of the energy National Writing Project events have given me in the past. Just as it has been at other NWP experiences, the time to write, discuss, ask questions, and reflect with other caring teachers is a gift for me. I'm already thinking about what activities from today I can bring back to the Minnesota Writing Project.</p>
<p>I'm noticing the connections between our individual experiences that we are sharing and I'm looking forward to learning more about the different writing projects that are represented here. I'm hearing the common struggles and questions that we have about finding time and space for our students to have authentic inquiry experiences. I'm wondering how Jen (fellow MWP TC) and I will be able to bring these discussions back to teachers in Minnesota. I'm eager to learn more about the ResponsiveDesign and think about how it can impact teachers and their school communities. </p>
<p>I'm very excited to continue to discuss the benefits of collaboration and explore new ways to connect teachers with other teachers and resources. I feel lucky to be in a school where I've had positive experiences team teaching with an ELL teacher and collaborating with my PLC to build authentic learning experiences that connect to the standards. I'm wondering if there will be ways that we can take the collaboration another step. How can we engage with each other within a building and with the extended community?</p>