I am a member of the inaugural class of the Leadership Southwest County. Organized by CSU San Marcos in partnership with Southwest County stakeholders, the group brings together individuals from education, business, government, non-profits, etc to form a leadership network in the Southwest Riverside county region. We meet monthly to learn about the Southwest County and to explore leadership as a concept and in action.
Yesterday was our second meeting that focused on government. I learned a lot. I developed a new respect for individuals involved in government across the county. I began to see how leadership skills across multiple organizations and settings, begin and end with the ability to communicate, develop relationships, work collaboratively and to always work for a greater purpose than an individual identity or ego. We met and listened to leaders of school districts, water districts, city managers, county officials. We learned from appointed and elected officials. We explored unique resources of the region such as the large and diverse, sovereign nations, California Indian community.
It was a long day. I appreciate the time everyone invested and gave to the group. I would have liked to discuss what I was hearing and learning about with my colleagues a little more - I'm sure that will happen in the future.
The Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries said something that really stuck. He noted that in his experience, government classes or civics classes usually focus on the federal and state government. Very little time is devoted to local government. He believes that local government has the greatest and most immediate impact on our daily lives. I think he has a valid point. Living in a growing city like Murrieta, I've experienced elements of good and poor local government decisions and actions. We know who to call when the street light goes out in front of our house at least three times a year - perhaps there's a wiring problem somewhere folks...... And yet, I've paid little attention to local elections. Not anymore. I'm going to make sure I'm better informed and talking with people. Should be interesting.....
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Thoughts on "Learning in New Media Environments" - Dr. Michael Wesch
I really love TED. I love that I can listen and think. I love that so many people are willing to share and put themselves out there with their passions, questions and want to connect. To date, I have not seen a bad TED talk. I hope I can one day be as thoughtful and provocative and these speakers.
Dr.Wesch's experiences and ideas are very thought-provoking. I know that sounds pedantic and trite, but really, I'm thinking. I don't teach big lecture classes. I don't teach undergraduate classes. My teaching is more focused, grounded in a larger mission and with a clear and deliberate "applied" focus. However, I'm pondering what APPLIED means. How do I ask student to co-learn with me and how do we apply what we've learned together? What is "relevant" to students? How do I ascertain relevancy?
As I mentioned in our first class session, the epistemology of knowledge has shifted. Who are experts? What counts as verified, real, quantifiable knowledge developed through accepted research methodologies? I don't know. What purpose does this packaging of knowledge serve? Whose purposes does this packaging serve?
Another thought that flitted through my mind is related to the narrative Dr. Wesch shared regarding the culture shift that occurred when a census was introduced. Wow. I have to reread Freire with this narrative in mind. Is literacy always a means to power? Who is defining power? For what purpose and with what outcome? And who is calling the shots in the context?
Finally, Dr. Wesch has made me question how we complete assignments this quarter......hmmmm......how might the JDP class share their future scenarios and take advantage of a broader learning community???
I really love TED. I love that I can listen and think. I love that so many people are willing to share and put themselves out there with their passions, questions and want to connect. To date, I have not seen a bad TED talk. I hope I can one day be as thoughtful and provocative and these speakers.
Dr.Wesch's experiences and ideas are very thought-provoking. I know that sounds pedantic and trite, but really, I'm thinking. I don't teach big lecture classes. I don't teach undergraduate classes. My teaching is more focused, grounded in a larger mission and with a clear and deliberate "applied" focus. However, I'm pondering what APPLIED means. How do I ask student to co-learn with me and how do we apply what we've learned together? What is "relevant" to students? How do I ascertain relevancy?
As I mentioned in our first class session, the epistemology of knowledge has shifted. Who are experts? What counts as verified, real, quantifiable knowledge developed through accepted research methodologies? I don't know. What purpose does this packaging of knowledge serve? Whose purposes does this packaging serve?
Another thought that flitted through my mind is related to the narrative Dr. Wesch shared regarding the culture shift that occurred when a census was introduced. Wow. I have to reread Freire with this narrative in mind. Is literacy always a means to power? Who is defining power? For what purpose and with what outcome? And who is calling the shots in the context?
Finally, Dr. Wesch has made me question how we complete assignments this quarter......hmmmm......how might the JDP class share their future scenarios and take advantage of a broader learning community???
Visitor or resident?
I'm definitely a visitor in all aspects of my personal and professional life. I do like this characterization rather than native/immigrant - this always smacked of some kind of judgment to me and reminded me of Obgu's typology of immigration and assimilation experiences. A native/immigrant dichotomy never seemed dynamic to me in much the same way that Ogbu's typology seemed static and inadequate.
The visitor/resident typology seems dynamic, in-depth and fluid. I can elect to be visitor or resident depending on the context. This gives me some sense of control regarding my identity and image in an online environment. I realize this may be a naive and false sense of comfort - however, I can be in charge of what I elect to put out there voluntarily and I will trust in other professionals to assess me within the context of how I define my work.
The technology skills don't scare me really - I'm willing to try tools and to mess up. For example, it took me about five minutes just to find my blog!! I am confident I will develop my own organizational system for keeping this stuff straight and organized.
I'm definitely a visitor in all aspects of my personal and professional life. I do like this characterization rather than native/immigrant - this always smacked of some kind of judgment to me and reminded me of Obgu's typology of immigration and assimilation experiences. A native/immigrant dichotomy never seemed dynamic to me in much the same way that Ogbu's typology seemed static and inadequate.
The visitor/resident typology seems dynamic, in-depth and fluid. I can elect to be visitor or resident depending on the context. This gives me some sense of control regarding my identity and image in an online environment. I realize this may be a naive and false sense of comfort - however, I can be in charge of what I elect to put out there voluntarily and I will trust in other professionals to assess me within the context of how I define my work.
The technology skills don't scare me really - I'm willing to try tools and to mess up. For example, it took me about five minutes just to find my blog!! I am confident I will develop my own organizational system for keeping this stuff straight and organized.
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