Week 3 Reading

I have to admit that for the majority of my life I have been the duck. I had the "The way things are stinks" attitude. The older I get though the more relaxed I have become. I am definitely not at the cow status, but I do not get upset by "rainy days" anymore. I have learned that getting upset over things we can not change does no good. There is almost always a way to make something good out of a bad situation; however, there are still times where you just have to shrug your shoulders and move on.

So many people get caught up in the routine of life, and don't strive to walk out on a limb once in a while. I am not advocating being irresponsible, but sometimes there are healthy risks worth taking. It does frustrate me when people won't even try. How will you know if you don't like something if you won't even try it. Most good things that have happened to me in life are because I was willing to try. I am raising my children to be willing to try new things, but to be informed and ask questions when necessary. I hope they grow into well-rounded young people as a result of the many experiences and opportunities I have exposed them to.

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Wk4 Publishing/Leadership project part 1 of 2: Exergaming in Physical Education

At first, I thought of this portion of the AR project as a thorn in my side. I am somewhat new to teaching and am still trying to figure out the best way to teach my curriculum in my classroom. The idea that I would have something to share at a regional level seemed over my head. I also was concerned that I would be targeting a very small number of people, since exergaming is still an emerging trend.

I think that I have decided to go with a presentation. I'm sure there are many physical education teachers out there that are struggling with implementing technology into their programs, and with getting their students to participate. I want to present my project and what I set out to do, and also how I was not successful, but came up with some alternative ideas for future use. There are very few schools, at this point that have exergaming facilities. This is due to cost and lack of space, but there are ways to create a program with only a limited budget and space.

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Week 2 - Reading

Rule #6.....

I find that each new faze in my life begins with becoming too caught up in the current one. Eventually something happens that is the last straw, and it is that straw that pushes me to take opportunities I've left on the back burner too long. You know what I'm talking about....all those good ideas that we know we should take, but continue trying to fight through things, taking it all way too seriously. This week's reading is a good reminder, especially as we draw this program to a close. Each of us has gained new skills that could advance us in our careers and make us more marketable. I have decided to continue after graduation taking additional classes to learn about web site development. I want to develop online curriculum. This is something I would never have dreamt of before this program. Now I believe it is within reach. This program has taught me that I am capable of so much more. It has taught me that even though my life hasn't gone according to the childhood dream, it is never too late to work toward a new dream.

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Week 2 - Comment 2 - Natalie Hill

I should have been informed about this phrase when I began this program. The phrase is “ Rule #6, don’t take yourself so seriously”, I have been guilty of this since I started this program. I have been so uptight about each subject because I didn’t know what to expect. My blood pressure have gone up tremendously.

Normally, I am the person who is telling people around me to smile everything is going to be ok but, lately that my caculating self has taken over. My mom asked me the other day why I get upset about things so quickly and I said stress. She replied, that’s not you and I said “I know”. Once again I let myself get wrapped up in the measurement world, scared of failure.

I’ve always been told admitting the problem is the first step to solving the problem. Now that I have admitted to being stressed I am going to follow “Rule #6” to the fulliest and finish this program to the end. Enjoy life and don’t let life take control of me.

Natalie,

My friend asked me the same thing the other day, and it made me realize that my "over-achiever" ways during this program have really taken a toll on my behavior. I will be happy to have them with me at graduation. It is so hard not to get caught up.http://www.flickr.com/photos/xfp/3728296417/

Week 2 - Wimba

This week's Wimba session was very informative on what was expected from us for each of the remaining assignments. I think I might have myself in a bit of a bind with the Literature Resources page on my AR site, because I don't have a saved copy of the original long list of sources. I feel good about being able to complete everything else though, and think I may get a head start on some of it.

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Week 2 - Comment 1

Shawn Fredrick’s Post:

Week 2 Commentary on Chapters 4-6

What I gathered from this weeks reading was that individuals are their own worst roadblocks to being successful and happy. Too often we are focused on what is required in our lives and loose track of the joy of life. The calculating-self figures out what it feels must be done in order to survive in the world and is accompanied by ego and pride, “top of the world!” What I am reminded of in the reading is that when we let the calculating-self rule our lives, we spend all of our time worrying about our survival. It is the central-self that looks beyond the need for survival in life to appreciate the journey along the way. I enjoyed the stories where the ego of the individual is put aside to let the talents and passions of others shine through. This is an excellent story for what it means to be a teacher. It is not about us showing the world how smart we are as instructors but rather the ability we have to allow our students shine.

As I get older I being to practice “Rule number 6” more often. For a number of years I was in a culture where the tasks at work took on the tone of seriousness that drained me to the point at which I dreaded going into work. I was let go from my previous employment and felt the weight of the wold lighten up. The issues that I felt were so dire at the time were gone and I had a new perspective on life. I choose a second career where I felt that I was able to contribute to a greater good and life was not so damn serious!

A short story about my grandfather and father who are now retired and travel together quite frequently. On their trips they regularly eat at out of the way dinners and make it a point to anonymously pick up the tab for someone at least one time every trip. They have found the pure joy in giving the gift without the need for gratitude. It’s funny how much acts of charity throw people for a loop, they make their contribution to add enjoyment to the lives around them. It would seem if the charity were a more common occurrence the world wold be a better place.

My comment to Shawn:

Shawn,

I agree that work can sometimes consume us the point of dreading waking up to it every morning. I was relieved after this week's reading. Life is too short to get caught up in it all. I'm happy you have found your niche in your career, and that things seem to be going well for you.

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Week 2 - AR Website

I am returning from a very brief LOA this month, and I am happy to say that I did use the two months of break to get some work done on my AR Project. The last time I listened to the Wimba session over what was expected during this course, I was thrust into immediate panic! This time around, I still have some work to do on my website, but I feel confident that I will be able to have everything excepted; hopefully without two many resubmits.