Global soul and imagination advocate

voice update

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:49:00 +0000

I am not keen on continuing this blog.

First of all, personal plans are shifting at a very fast pace. I just got back from La Jolla with my daughter, scouting the living conditions and schools. I leave for the Philippines in a few weeks for work and vacation. Who knows? Maybe two years in Asia will get my projects soaring. Exploring Switzerland as another living and work space, the offer is good.

Global soul can also be defined as an exploratory soul, immersed in activities that tap into passion and advocacy. Glad to have twitter and facebook. I think I would rather vblog...if possible, from my iphone.

Good day to all. My twitter will continue..blogging..don't think so.

Finding blogging too slow

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:56:00 +0000

I find myself quite impatient blogging my thinking and actions. Somehow, the daily activities, conversations and embedded practices with others serve as challenge markers with the new space and time in 2009.

Twitterverse, Facebook and skype on my iphone seem to keep pace with my lifestyle. I am satisfied temporarily, as I am sure many of you, who belong to our type of reality manage. Even with our accessibility to others, I still interact with good friends who live in a space and time that must be physically concrete. My emotions are mixed. Impatience because I cannot text them and get a quick response back, yet, admire them for slowing me down.

Ahh, and those children/youth, in towns that have to walk miles to join a mini-community to share in laughter, while watching a fan-based program...or those that save on their snack to walk miles to an Internet cafe, just to connect to the world. Bureaucracy tends to speak for them. However, the personal voice is powerful. The desire to be socially connected transcends physical space...quite admirable, don't you think?

I Merging old and new literacies: Music, pop culture, and advocacy for teens.

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:25:00 +0000

A little over a year ago, I immersed in understanding educational development and its relationship to poverty. The cultural differences in how a country, region, town, province defines accessibility to knowledge, poverty and technology. They varied tremendously. In a remote rural setting in a developing country, "low tech" could be defined as no electricity, using kerosene lamps for its energy. In rural America, "low tech" could mean, internet connectivity.

The internet is viewed in the U.S. as a road to educational and communication delivery. Most educational pedagogical projects designed and taught by progressive teachers focus on web 2.0 and the virtual community. However, most progressive teachers in rural and remote areas in developing countries hope for books and printed matter. Most often, if lucky, books and printed resources received are copyrighted in the 1960's. Sad to say, information is old. Educational Television, if their school is lucky, will have content delivered through cable, helping formal schooling communities to receive basic education, most especially if teacher -student ratio is 1: 100 to even 1: 350.

A common factor between these two distinct learning cultures is their perspective to how technology is used or even how learning is viewed. They both focus on the technology aspects and its use, rather than "seeing" the issue as an instructional issue for literacy.

Teacher Education programs in the U.S. focus on the technology and how it is used for learning. Sadly, most programs still focus on student teachers looking for resources on the web or how to make travel brochures to integrate "technology" in their social studies lesson. If they are lucky, their professors will meet them in Second life. A favorite meeting space for avatars to sit or float while listening passively to someone speak..again, nothing different from 19th century formal schooling, difference is in the setting, not in the learning. So, focus is still on information.

Fast forward, I enjoy observing the youth in every culture, somehow, they define the motivation and interests..if only we, educators would listen. One common element that defines their identity is music. Teens in developing countries, as well as those in the U.S. seem to know the latest music, the latest pop stars and create a fan base around one famous actor or musician. Teens would walk miles to sit in front of a television set or internet cafe, just to identify with their emotions and music. Teens in the U.S. would download their videos and music from itunes into their itouch, ipods or the new ipod shuffle. How can we take teen culture and turn it to a teachable moment?

For example, The incident between Rihanna and Chris Brown, spurred such interest in the teen community. it even became a catalyst for the Oprah show to focus on "abuse" and as of yesterday, an advocacy for the show. Surprisingly, most schools stayed silent. Why are educators so blinded with their own perspectives of how "teens" should learn? Why can't they shift towards how the culture operates now?

Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes is a community screening and dialogue on race, gender, and hip-hop. One of many communities of educators and artists that actually recognize the importance of reaching the youth through a participatory culture.

As 21st century educators, it is our responsibility to tie-in civic engagement into what and how we teach our Youth. Henry Jenkins posits that there is a new culture emerging from the use of participatory media. He continues, "These contexts places new emphasis on the need for schools and afterschool programs to devote attention to fostering what we are calling the new media literacies – a set of cultural competencies and social skills which young people need as they confront the new media landscape."

So, how can music and pop culture merge its way to bridging old and new literacies as an instructional method towards teen/youth participation towards their learning? What? You ask me about technology? Geez, technology is such a seamless convergence into one's culture, you have to start thinking way beyond that now.

Education priorities : Pres. Obama and Sec. of Ed. Duncan

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 07:28:00 +0000

Arne Duncan, the new Secretary of Education, appeared on Charlie Rose. You also get a glimpse of President Obama's priority towards public education. He challenges States to develop a Pre-school program and comits to rewarding States for their success. This is such a Herculean job, considering that one must consider the transition from Pre-school to kindergarten. Does that mean that there will be a national movement in reforming the elementary curriculum.. is there funding for that? What's the timeline like? If so, I applaud the mission.

I guess, we will see the reform of national and state standards, content, curriculum and policies from Pre-school to Higher Education in this tough economy. Now, we have to just wait and see if the talk will follow through with action.

UNESCO: workshop on ethical issues: Science and Technology

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Dear Colleagues,

In hopes of being in hiatus, life still goes on and I must live in it. With this said, on behalf of Dr. Darryl Macer, Regional adviser in Social and Human Science for Asia and the Pacific (RUSHSAP), an invitation to you and your colleagues to participate in a UNESCO training workshop on teaching ethical issues associated with science and technology that will be held at the Science Center for Education, 924 Sukhumvit Rd, from 9:00 to 3:00 pm on Monday, 23 March, 2009. This may also be of interest to those persons travelling to the APEID conference that follows on 24 March.

The workshop will be held at the site of a 300 square meter bilingual (English and Thai) display on Bioethics and Biotechnology that is jointly prepared by UNESCO, Science Center for Education (SCE), and the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency (BIOTEC). There is a wide range of topics that are related to those included in the curriculum in both social and natural sciences.

The workshop program will include an introduction to bioethics and ethical issues of science and technology, and a series of examples of moral games and methods to teach these issues at different age range in educational institutions (a recently published UNESCO book on Moral Games to Teach Bioethics will also be given to participants, and the workshop will be facilitated by the author). The workshop will also provide the opportunity to discuss the linkages to the needs of schools.

Lunch will be provided to participants, and a resource pack. Please request a preregistration to rushsap@unescobkk.org. There is no registration fee. At a previous workshop held in August 2008, the participants evaluated the workshop highly, so it is being offered again.

ON HIATUS FOR DISSERTATION

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:20:00 +0000

Hi All,

I decided to pause with this blog, while I focus on my dissertation. Most waking moments, my thought process is in Educational sustainability....building literacy through Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in developing countries. I am also looking at using the Cultural Historical Activity Theory as an analysis model.

In peace.

Transculture: educational development: attitude

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:52:00 +0000

My mind is raising, wanting to share the project I am engaged in for the past year. However, it is clearly as important to understand some of the key factors included when looking at an activity.

In looking at a community, I wonder about their rules? Do they differ from ours? In the United States, we speak so much about tolerating differences. In education, the word "Differential" is becoming a buzz word in categorizing differences in students and designing pedagogy towards these differences. This bothers me tremendously. Are we falling prey to categorical segregation? It seems to me that it becomes a subtle solution in departmentalizing how we want to label people. Would this be a typical human weakness of developing hierarchical contexts to alleviate individual misery? I wonder. I would think that we would recognize differences and similarities and understand it as it is.

So, how would you interpret this picture? Answer: Typical waiting shed for moms in an elementary rural school.

What about this picture? Answer: Typical waiting shed for "yaya's" (Governesses) in an elementary urban school.

I guess, the sub-culture is social. Most families in the rural setting have family members involved in the child's education and lifestyle, as in some schools in an urban setting, one resorts to an individual hired outside the family to be involved in the child's education and lifestyle.

These are key factors in understanding the learning system in a culture that is new to an outsider. One must understand the family setting to read the way the local people think.

Pause: New Book addressing internet safety for teens

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:38:00 +0000

New ISTE Book Addresses Internet Safety Concerns for Teenagers

Washington, D.C. - Most students have been warned about the dangers of the Internet and probably feel that they're savvy enough to avoid the potential pitfalls. But, experts say, the risks of being online are not always so obvious. "Safe Practices for Life Online," a new book published by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE(r)), addresses the issue of Internet safety for students. Authors Doug Fodeman and Marje Monroe offer practical advice to help middle and high school students avoid online predators, phishers, scam artists, aggressive marketers and other bad influences.

Together, Fodeman and Monroe have over 50 years of experience working with students. For the last 10 years, they have focused their attention on understanding the issues and dilemmas facing students in the online world. The book addresses important subject areas to review with students, such as what kinds of personal information user names might reveal and the most effective way to create a secure password.

"Safe Practices for Life Online" is geared toward middle and high school teachers, teacher educators, technology coordinators, library media specialists and parents, but it's also a valuable tool for anyone who wants to learn more about Internet safety.

"Safe Practices for Life Online" is available online for $20.95 for ISTE members and $29.95 for non-members. For more information and to read an excerpt of the book visit http://www.iste.org/lifeon.

About the Authors
Doug Fodeman is the director of technology at Brookwood School in eastern Massachusetts. He taught high school science for more than 18 years, served as director of technology, and served as a technology consultant focusing on the integration of computer technology into architectural design. Fodeman has shared his expertise on cell phone scams targeting children and issues affecting children online with TV audiences, appearing as a guest on ABC World News Tonight and the CBS Evening News.

Marje Monroe is a clinical social worker with over 20 years experience in counseling, teaching and administrative positions. She has taught psychology and English, and developed curricula on sex education, substance abuse, ethics and decision-making. Monroe has extensive experience assisting schools with a wide variety of topics including building age-appropriate programs, dealing with issues involving sexual harassment, and helping families and schools deal with bullying and violence.

About ISTE
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy and leadership for innovation. ISTE is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE represents more than 100,000 professionals worldwide. We support our members with information, networking opportunities and guidance as they face the challenge of transforming education.

Visit www.iste.org to learn more about ISTE and its new initiatives -- including the next generation of NETS for Students, Teachers and Administrators.

ISTE is a registered trademark of the International Society for Technology in Education.

Transculture: Educational development part 1

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:14:00 +0000

I seem to have a difficult time blogging when I am in the field. A true practitioner at heart, the inner child would rather immerse in the environment and get all senses to come alive while observing the moment...Faces to capture and stories to remember.
If even for a moment, I am free to sit and quiet my mind, on impulse, I'd rather go in search of people, and begin dialogue.

I bow my head in submission. There are others out there that can be conscientious bloggers, I am not.

SO, in the next few blogs, I would like to look at identity and culture of a developing country, and how education and technology are used to fight poverty. How people consider knowledge gold and how they struggle through community building, family extensions, and values in becoming cohesive in the midst of corruption and chaos. Its historical Diasporas enslave their thinking and the passion of its grassroots become the pulse towards reform.

I, too will question and ramble at times in my thoughts to make meaning and sense in my own thinking, assuming that experiential activities will be influenced by my own historical, social and cultural constructs.

If at times, I do not make sense. That is my process. I know where I am going in my thought, even if you do not. At the end, my actions and my research will be the connective tissue, my relationships and stories, its thrust.

So, let's start with 'MacDonald'. They call this American conglomerate, "McDo" (short phonetic sound for the letter 'o') as in the 'o' in DOG. Typical of a large western company, using colonial mentality as a marketing ploy. I am impressed. They serve fried chicken and rice, and spaghetti in their menu. Get this, the spaghetti is very sweet, the people like their spaghetti sweet. Thus, the assimilation into its culture.

Unfortunately, their big brothers namely, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, Erickson, to name a few..have much to learn. Their western employees still prance around like they wear shining armours, they offer "lessons" and "workshops" in the name of education. Mostly to promote only their software. They leave the learning environment after they've said their piece in hopes that their own resumes will shine with "international" experience when they go back to the mainland. I think that they need some specialized cultural training. I just want to know why you hand out "lesson plans" to teachers in the poor areas as if it were candy? Besides, are these lesson plans sensitive to their cultural or ethical beliefs? Does it promote civic engagement and educational sustainability? Does it engage the community? Why promote 19th century thinking skills? It just does not make sense?

Much is to be observed before entering a new learning environment. A suggestion for western folks: humble yourselves before stepping into foreign land. Prepare to see a tree or a flower from their lens and not yours. Leave your biases on the plane. In the true sense of the word, come into a country wanting to learn, before thinking that they have something to learn. After all, you are only a guest. Since Education is a way of thinking...we begin with our own attitudes. in peace.

WE GOT IT! $1Billion EETT! Thankyou! U.S. Rep and Senate!

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:32:00 +0000

Info taken from ISTE:

Education and Business Groups Applaud Funding for Technology-Rich Classrooms in Economic Recovery Legislation

$1 Billion is Critical Down-Payment toward President Obama’s Vision that All Students have a 21st Century Learning Environment

Washington, DC – January 28, 2009 – Prominent education and business associations today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate for targeting one billion dollars in the economic recovery legislation directly to modernizing classroom instruction through the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program. The four groups said the funding is an important step toward providing the benefits of a 21st century learning environment to all students.

The four associations are the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), International Society for Technology Education (ISTE), Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) and State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA).

“Emphasizing 21st century technology-rich classrooms in the Economic Recovery Package will work to both stimulate the economy and to accelerate the transformation of teaching and learning for many of our students and teachers,” said Mary Ann Wolf, Executive Director of SETDA. “This is a critical step to deliver on President Obama’s promise of a 21st century education for all students. We must make investments today to ensure their success tomorrow.”

“We’re encouraged to see education technology included in both versions of the legislation,” said Don Knezek, CEO of ISTE. “Setting aside $1 billion to modernize teaching and learning helps preserve and generate jobs now and improves opportunities for the future. But we must do more to reach our neediest students.”

“We applaud House and Senate leaders for working with the Administration to include classroom technology enhancements as a key feature of the recovery legislation,” said Ken Wasch, President of SIIA. “The $1 billion funding level is an encouraging step toward ensuring all our digital-native students are prepared for the 21st century economy and maintaining our nation’s global competitiveness.”

“This funding is a good first step to help to bring our classrooms into the 21st century and drive economic growth, but Congress needs to invest more to make a real difference,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “We applaud President Obama’s vision, and we need the resources to make it a reality.”

According to CoSN, ISTE, SETDA and SIIA, which combined represent more than 100,000 educators and hundreds of high-tech employers, a spending infusion on education technology will both provide U.S. students with the 21st century skills they need to succeed in the future and generate jobs in the education, education services and technology sectors. The groups estimate that a total investment of $9.9 billion is necessary to ensure that all Title I schools have effective, technology-rich classrooms.

gotta see this on facebook

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:44:00 +0000

Just want you to see how facebook looked as soon as I reached another country, way cool:

Maligayang pagdating sa Tagalog na Facebook

Ngayon ay makakasali na sa Facebook ang mga nagsasalita ng Tagalog sa buong mundo. Kumonekta sa lahat ng iyong mga kaibigan, maging ano pa man ang wikang gagamitin.

Maaari mo na ngayong palitan ang mga setting ng iyong wika:

Gamitin ang Panghanap ng Kaibigan upang makita kung may mga karagdagang kaibigan mo ang nakasali at anyayahan ang lahat ng iyong mga kaibigang nagsasalita ng Tagalog na mag-sign up.

watchful eye on the federal stimulus package

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:28:00 +0000

Because of its potential impact to public education, we need to track the federal stimulus package. The bill currently in the House of Representatives would provide states with up to $145 billion in additional funding for education over the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years.

The Congressional Research Service has recently made available a summary of the House legislation that provides a state-by-state breakdown of where the funding would be going.

Pres. Obama: social movement and symbolism

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:38:00 +0000

The coverage of President Obama's inauguration reminds me of a social movement in progress.
The sea of American citizens braising the cold weather and filling the National mall, chanting in unison, "OBAMA" is daunting. Citizens chanting due to a freedom of choice. A true solid proof of democracy.

This is the morning of necessary change. President Obama's poster, its colors showing blue and red, his daughters attire, one blue and one red..symbolizes Bi-partisanship. Col. Powell reminds us that bi-partisan is important for diversed viewpoints, however, focusing on negotiation and unity towards a common goal. Pres. Obama's article to his daughters and even having his mother-in -law in the white house clearly sends a message of family and responsibility.

He continues to remind us of our problems, discord, yet reaffirms that by a collective responsibility, and our historical stories, we begin the remaking of America. He is inviting the engagement and active participation of each and every American citizen. The foundation of the country is to "extend opportunity to every heart". He is asking us to be humble in our ways, humility in our attitudes.

His says, "The world has changed, and we must change with it." He emphasizes on our SPIRIT, our determination, compassion, hope and values, grounding us as an American people. A call for DOING. These are true characteristics of building relationships in a community, one that develops into a social movement.

Almost Pres. Obama: Community of Practice and e-culture

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Any of you notice how our "almost" Pres. Obama and his groupies in Washington D.C. are using Wenger's Community of Practice Framework and e-culture to get our country involved?

So, Pres. Obama is in facebook. Did you sign up to be in his inaguration? How about the website change.org? This site accepts requests for ideas and projects to be implemented during his term or my.barackobama.com? Knowing that he's all for technological innovation, and that several successful experiments with e-democracy were done inside Second Life, Leonel Morgado (professor/Researcher) is proposing that we vote to create an international metaverse - the Internet equivalent of virtual worlds!

When you get an account at change.org., you can even log in with your Facebook or MySpace
account by clicking on the icon. If you're willing to promote an idea, you can, of course, do more - add widgets, push it to your social network, and so on. With a surprisingly open-minded approach, voting is not limited to US residents, but it's totally open to international voters too.

The change is for America, but its impact will be global. I guess change is implemented in several facets of community landscapes.

Why should President-Elect Obama listen to our ideas? Well, we know that he has appointed two Second Life Innovators to his "Innovation Agenda" group. And his virtual presence in SL (Second Life) was serious, well-planned, and part of his campaign. He's no stranger to using virtual worlds as a political - but also democratic - platform. He has taken action in reaching out to non-traditional community systems and creating access to a greater audience, even global to gather innovative and refreshing ideas for him. Wow. Finally, a sign of our times.

My blog last November mentions Etienne Wenger's Community of Practice and his theory on identity. One’s identity is defined by how we take the lead in our lives, both-with ourselves, -as well as with others.

Pres. Obama's identity was that of a community organizer. He has clearly infused his expertise in community building towards assigning the diversity in experts in his cabinets, symbolizing a true and real life community.

Further, identity in practice is a certain way of being part of a whole piece through the process of mutual engagement with others. Some engagements lead to trajectories that take people out of their community and thus those interactions are called “outbound trajectories.”

Wenger posits that when one leaves a set community, one develops new relationships, ultimately finding a different position with respect to a community. Through the experience, one sees the world and oneself in new ways. Ahh, see what Pres. Obama is creating??

Pres. Obama is getting "America" to evolve in its own identity, rather than the big industrial machine "she" keeps cranking out to be in the global arena..too big and heavy, actually, quite rusty. This change is get " her" healthy. Okay, Foreign Policy folks, get your attitude gears ready, you guys have to start getting into the e-culture.

Happy Christmas, Gratitude and Civic Engagement

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:35:00 +0000

I look at the past year thinking of the dark nights, challenging situations and nightmarish events that happened all over the world and possible living spaces in rooftops not publicized.

And yet, I am fortunate to travel to the most impoverished areas to witness the smiling eyes authentic to the innocence of children. Their voices whisper gratitude for what may seem survival to us, but, abundance to them. Somehow, I know that they have the secret to life itself. They remind me of those ill children who fight for their life and their parents, who day after day, embrace each moment in celebration. You see them at the Children's hospital, a tear for every pain, but, a smile for every breath.

In contrast, during the holidays, I also see in the U.S. children screaming in the aisle's wanting to grab some candy off the counter. At times, a teenager telling their parents to "go away" and leave them alone, as they sway to the music of their itouch.

What happened to our children? Are parents really to blame for this over abundance of materialism? Is our culture disconnected to authentic compassion? Is compassion, gift giving for a performance-based audience? Why do we allow this horrible attitude of commercialism to perpetuate itself during the holidays? Why is "gift giving" mostly done by people who don't even want to see the faces of the people who are "receiving" these gifts?

I cringe when schools ask their students to buy "stuff" to give to the "less fortunate" without considering WHO they are actually giving to...this misinforms our children that as long as we give, everything will be better. This is such a passive and colonial mentality being passed from generation to generation. WHAT IF: We participate with our children or students in civic engagement? "Giving" is a collaborative effort with "others" who may be "different" from ourselves. I believe that authentic compassion comes from an exchange between those that give and receive.

We have so much to learn from those who are in abundance of gratitude about being present in life's moments. Amidst all the media hype on what we don't have, let's look at what we have and engage in authentic compassion with "others", those different from ourselves, not just in poverty but in belief. Happy Christmas!

The Clinton Global Initiative

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0000

The Clinton Global Initiative takes place in HongKong on Tuesday, December 2. The president of the Knowledge Channel Foundation was invited to speak on Bridging the digital divide in a developing country.

This meeting will be similar in format to the Annual Meeting in New York. In Hong Kong, President Clinton will engage a distinguished group of leaders for two days of panel discussions and interactive working sessions, each of which will examine specific challenges and opportunities for action. The meeting will focus on three primary areas of discussion: education, energy & climate change, and public health.

In education, while Asia has the largest student population from primary level and beyond, it is still the region of the world facing the greatest disparities in access to education. A large number of young people simply do not have the learning opportunities that they deserve.

Earlier today, the President of Knowledge Channel and I created three questions that will cover her topics. The first one is on her personal mission for education and the country. What prompted her to make it a cause and advocacy? Why the sense of urgency? The second question is on the challenges she foresees in bridging the digital and learning divides in her country. The last one is on the organizations relationship with the Department of Education.

Upon reflecting on these questions, I somehow think of many countries struggling to face these challenges in their own country. In theory, they understand the disparity in the learning and teaching process. So, technology is implemented within the educational system hoping that it would impact and close the gap. However, In practice, the development of learning practices resort back to the habits of the mind. The old ways that the educators themselves learned how to learn. Old habits are difficult to break.

I think it crucial that educational leaders who are influential and involved in the design of instruction and policies, be aware of their own learning process and continue to reflect at every given point of their practice. Thus, old habits of mind are always revisited and reified.

Virtue ethics and the community

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:27:00 +0000

I've been thinking of International development and virtue ethics and how human endeavor is rooted in interdependent Christian virtues of compassion and hospitality.

There is real value in applying virtue ethics to one’s practice. How one looks at dispositions and ways of living, habits, and capacities that would encompass the individual formation of self. I explore social ethics in terms of the inclusion of specific virtues. Instead of trying to understand goals of social missions as a statement of social dogma, I believe that one should practice one’s role in a reflective, participatory public practice of specific Christian virtues and its approach to social thought.

So, today, I will think of Compassion and Hospitality as Interdependent virtues. To begin, I would like to explore two virtues critical to the formation of the common good: compassion and hospitality. There are similarities between these virtues. Compassion and hospitality lead humans to the awareness of suffering and relevance to their personal lives. To act upon these virtues is directing service toward the common good. Our virtues dictate the quality of our private lifestyle and connect to the quality of our public life.

Compassion and hospitality are similar in that they both include feeling and acting. Although, they differ in application of practice, compassion is rooted in feeling and hospitality in action. These virtues should interweave to promote the common good.

To be continued: Compassion as a virtue.

Come join me in Thailand!

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:32:00 +0000

Thailand: UNESCO-APEID International Conference

I know, it's been more than a month since my last post. (Beginning to sound like a confession..)
Actually, life is good to me. I have been very busy leading a national online project in Asia, due to launch in two weeks. My defense for my comprehensive exam is in a few weeks and my trip to Thailand, the day after.

Nevertheless, the energy is up and all the possibilities of meeting new friends and sharing great work will be in abundance.

Please come and join us and celebrate the teachers from all over the world.

A year ago, I was fortunate to sit in the same room with colleagues and listen to another colleague, Etienne Wenger speak about identity. I interpret it as our professional transformational identity. We tend to think that when we know what we know, we are satisfied. But, are we..really?

I believe that who we are lies in the way we live day to day, not only in what we think about ourselves, or say about ourselves. Etienne spoke on identity in practice: one’s identity is defined by how we take the lead in our lives, both-with ourselves, -as well as with others.

Further, identity in practice is a certain way of being part of a whole piece through the process of mutual engagement with others. Some engagements lead to trajectories that take people out of their community and thus those interactions are called “outbound trajectories.”

He posits that when one leaves a set community, one develops new relationships, ultimately finding a different position with respect to a community. Through the experience, one sees the world and oneself in new ways. With this said, I fly to Thailand and embrace experiences and once again, find new ways of perceiving self. Hope to see you there.

Dear New Teachers: Don't cover up your weakness!

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:09:00 +0000

Last week, I went to my daughters open house. I sat in the back listening to the "Subjectooo" Teacher speak about her class. She was pretty, young and perky. She smiled and played the political game for parents quite well.

Listening beyond the bells and whistles, the underpinning theme, the curriculum, the instructional methods were presented in such a perfect powerpoint. Too perfect, for veterans..we can predict the storm coming in.

Student in large groups don't lie. You can sit quietly in carpool or unobtrusively pretend to pick up trash during lunch or even just walk the playground looking for an imaginary friend. You will hear the students assess and reassess their teachers.

The topic for the day was, "I heard from so and so that the "Subjectooo" test was really hard." Several days later, you'd hear, "I flunked that "Subjectooo test." What I found interesting was not the kid sharing the sad results of the test but how so many students in that grade level with that same perky teacher said the same thing.

Dear Parents, don't be too sure that your child is THE only one struggling in that "Subjectooo" class. Later that evening, I get a flood of calls from parents upset that their child is the only one being told by the "Subjectooo" teacher that their child is not interested in the class, may have poor study skills and that she did all she could for your child, but your child is not responsive. It's the student's fault. I smell "cover up".

When more than 20 percent of the children flunk the test, YOU ARE NOT TEACHING! It's your problem as a teacher, not the students.

Become passive? Who knows, if the classroom continues to belong in the medieval ages, the teacher is considered omnipotent and can give your child an "F". So, does a parent resort to rallying against the teacher? Go to the teacher and share your concerns. They deserve that. If it does not work, go up a level. Some parents react, "There are many people out there in life who are meaner, learn from it." My thoughts, I agree to some extent, but, it is only fair to show your children the skills before you throw them to the lions, eh?

Dear New Teachers; It's all about trust NOT power.

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:48:00 +0000

Okay..so, my last blog was many moons ago. Not writing on this blog should be equated to more activities..since the last blog about the Philippines, I've been to Singapore, Hongkong, MIT, San Diego, Education Development Center, Malibu, Thailand ..and yes, I should pack my own pillow in all trips. (No time to keep linking).

I am also a full time mom and a full time doctoral student..hmmm, did I mention that I am still sane and productive and constructive? In fact, I am so proud to have made it to my childs open house. Of course, not to mention listening to all the teacher's spiel about themselves and their curriculum. What I found interesting is time and time again, teachers fail to share with parents how they teach. I can go online and look at the scripted curriculum..from the school website or the California Frameworks or the California Content Standards. I don't want to know what you plan on teaching my kid, I want to know how you plan on teaching and assessing my kid. Give me your rationale, your pedagogy and your ethical stand on however way you plan on exercising discipline.

I had to go and speak to a new teacher..just to clarify his style of assessing his students one of them being my child. This new teacher seems to have a reputation of being over zealous with his ethical stand. Hey, a new teacher marking his territory? Don't they ever get it by now? It's not about marking dominance but trust and developing a learning relationship. Did he not read Bruner in his credentialing program? Then again, I find myself telling my child to give this newbie a chance and that like in the olden days, survive because he has control over your grades for the rest of the year. Ugh, the year is 2008 and I am still giving excuses for such a backward set-up in education.

yes, I don't like blogging. It takes time away from my quality time with my child, an easy excuse to become a procrastinator and avoid my own studies, connect with change agents and learn from the raw energy and momentum the world has to offer. I don't want to be a reporter. I don't want to keep talking..I want to keep doing..in the practice..embedded in the action...always in the continuum.

cell phones, accessibility and profit

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:55:00 +0000

Howard Rheingold in Smart Mobs mentioned that the Philippines is the text capital of the world. A people that began a political revolution by texting each other until millions met in Edsa to unite in voice against their Presidents corrupt activities.

So the second picture is how people with a fixed income of $5.00 a month and up, are able to have cell phones and sustain themselves with the mobile expenses. A sim card is purchased with an assigned telephone number. Pre-paid cards are purchased in increments of 100 pesos (USD 2.50) to 500 pesos(USD10). When you get your prepaid card, you text a number from your cell phone and enter your cell phone number. That will give you the "load" you need to get your minutes needed. However, texting from cell phone to cell phone cause less than calling a landline, that is when the cost increases. Also, phone numbers have codes at the beginning of the phone number depending on the its cell phone or landline use.

What I found interesting was the fact that those people whose salaries could only afford a minimum load could purchase 30 pesos at a time..but, here is the catch, you cannot buy a card. You have to pay someone over a counter in one of the little stores (sari-sari). Better yet, I am even told that the house help in the suburbs start their own business within their community in selling "load" by using their cell phones as the medium of transfer.

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:30:00 +0000

Often times, the Philippines is portrayed in the news with a very poor child staring at the camera, eyes in tears and begging..unfortunately, those who work with children know, that children do not look like that in their natural state unless prodded by international organizations looking for a way to symbolize poverty and asking for public financial support.

Also, images of the Philippines in the international scene often show Filipino overseas workers struggling to make ends meet. Squatters living in open sewers and a mountain of trash as a living space for a community. However, here are two images of a typical dinner setting that I felt should be recognized too as part of the culture. A simple evening activity infusing Filipino and Japanese art.

Getting back into blogging

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:59:00 +0000

I just got back from the Philippines, Singapore and Hongkong. Two months away from the United States was quite healthy and invigorating. I was able to embed myself into the people, the daily events, and the microcosm of living relationships.

It was quite obvious that there was a difference in the relationship of culture and daily use of blogging. I was so into the face to face activities, that I was too busy or tired to even comtemplate sitting down in front of my laptop.

By the way, as I try to recapture in my blog some key points in my thinking between the past and where I am now..I hope that you will not be confused to the blogs time frame. I, for one, have no intentions of clarifying myself.

My first struggle with technology was internet access. Most homes that I stayed at were wireless, unfortunately, many were not quite friendly to my mac. One home had a firewall and two layers of passwords which I tried to use on my PC side (I have leopard) and kept freezing.
Friends had wireless mobile cards for their laptops. They would work in the car while the driver drove them to work. So, how does this fit in to a traveler such as myself? I bought a smart bro card for 100 USD and several prepaid smart bro cards 100 peso each (approx. USD $2.50) It only worked once the whole time I was there, and for fifteen minutes only. Alas, all prepaid smart bro cards are sitting inside a plastic envelope as a reminder that certain artifacts just won't do...sigh..

Still on vacation!

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000

yeah....still on vacation in Asia. I do, however, realize why the difference BETWEEN the East and West in web 2.0- is solely a cultural phenomena!

Like I said, off to several face to face interactions building concretized memories.

I will definitely post thoughts and situational experiences as soon as I get back to the United States.

Multi-tasking can be quite insane!

anag@ethoslearn.com (Ana Balboa-Guenthner) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:13:00 +0000

I have been too busy to post anything. I sometimes wonder how people balance the real world and the virtual. How I wish I could just wear a pin-shaped camera somewhere unobtrusive in my head, push a button in my fingertips to edit and viola, post on a blog.

One of my favorite International Conferences is the one hosted by California State University Northridge. I remember having so much fun as a grad student heading the volunteers. It's not just about people with disabilities and accessibility. One begins to see into the future and how living spaces can affect and transform ALL our lives. The International Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference could revisit its title and open it to sustainability and living. Last conference had Stevie Wonder and Ray Kurzweil. Watch this video on Ray and Singularity in Stanford. Next one is March 16, 2009 at the Los Angeles Marriott Airport. I know, just mark it, before you move on to the next thing in your calendar.

Check some of the scenes out: Technology and music for blind musicians part 1 and part 2,