Refreshing Transparency

It is refreshing in today's climate of economic uncertainty and clandestine operations, even in churches, to have a pastor confront the crisis in a clear and open manner. This past week-end was a breath of fresh air as the senior pastor addressed the issues facing the congregation and subsequently the church. The church has had to lay off staff members because of the economy, which in and of itself is not surprising. What is surprising is that rumors of using the crisis to get rid of one employee in order to bring in another were dispelled with the sincerity of a man that is openly confronting the rumor. His concern for those that have lost their jobs was pronounced in his message from the pulpit and in his focusing of the resources of the church. One has to believe that this church will continue to move forward despite the circumstances.

The joys of working on a dissertation - are there any? Yes, as much as the editing and revising, not to mention the deletion of hours of work that now doesn't seem to fit, there is joy to be found. One more revision and hopefully you are one step closer to completion! Is that possible? I believe so or why would I be doing this? Is there any wonder that the Ed. D. is considered a terminal degree? Not if you have worked on one!

Here's a perspective we all need to have in education as well as in life:

Began this blog in response to a Fielding Graduate University Southern California Cluster Meeting hosted by Dr. Gayol. Using WebEx to interact with the participants was an interesting experience as we all shared new technology learning trials.

• We discussed blogging and its use as an educational tool. We also discussed the risks for personal invasion of privacy that is a part of today's digital world.
• Concept maps was our topic and trying to share our learning tasks via the WebEx proved to be a fun-filled event!
• The significance of technology on the distribution of knowledge is comparable to the significance of the printing of the Bible had on religious reform.
• Media can be inclusive or exclusive in a socially significant manner.
• How has the digital age affected cognition?
• How has the digital age impacted education?
• Who is included? Excluded?
• How does an educator deal with today's technology?

Our final project was to develop a lesson plan that incorporated the two main tools that were presented with a social justice concern. Using concept mapping and blogging in today's educational system is a great way to engage students while raising the voice of concern for social inequalities.

Those are my thoughts - what are yours?
Loren