01.31.10

01.31.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Edge - when two things meet, and in turn, create energy! The frothy remains of wind generated waves hitting the shoreline document the edge between water and sand. Energy is also captured as movement in the egret's feet and talons as they connect and disconnect with the shoreline.

Just as a photograph needs 'edge' to create energy and our bodies need food for daily energy, learning also needs a source of energy for development and maintenance. Some sources come to mind - motivation, interaction, reflection, content variety - what would you add? 5th Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL

01.30.10

01.30.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Weather vaned cupolas offer decorative distraction to roof lines in our area. Though most weather vanes have a function of communicating wind direction, that can usually be determined once we step outside the structure to feel the wind ourselves!

Similar instruments used to assess various elements in our world are often redundant to our own self-assessments and strategies for measurement. Yet we have become conditioned to rely on the 'technology' and the tool's results, rather than take a look at our own thinking on the matter. How can we move the pendulum back in the other direction to hone and appreciate our own thinking? 7th St & 9th Ave S, Naples, FL

01.29.10

01.29.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

This poor tree doesn't have much of a chance between the strangler fig enveloping its trunk with multi-branched roots and at least one air visible air plant. Though these parasitic plants do not necessarily spell doom for the host tree, it is common.

Looking at this tangled web brought to mind some human relationships. Though 'no man is an island', some are more likely to grow independently, while other are dependent upon, sometimes destructively so, others. Human nature dictates relationships, but it how those relationships evolve that can make or break our world. Hopefully, we can nurture and make conscious decisions that impact our connections in a positive way! 2nd Ave N & 7th St, Naples, FL

01.28.10

01.28.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Poking the ground looking for edible morsels, these ibis seem to have the same challenges year after year, day after day...survival!

The last two years of poor economical situations have brought this basic survival need to the forefront for many families, as well. As Maslow's hierarchy of needs points out, we must address those needs of basic survival before we can hope to help students learn, affiliate, and self-actualize. Though strict adherence to this theory is not recommended, it does reflect a general understanding of the need to consider much more than the 'ready brain' of a student in the classroom. Naples, FL

01.27.10

01.27.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

My concrete sequential learning style was always pretty congruent with the traditional schooling environment of the later 20th century. But, how things have changed! Fortunately, my tendencies for adaptability and fluidity have allowed me to acknowledge and experiment with the abstract random nature of our 21st century world. I'm not very skilled at it and I'm not always comfortable in it, but I happily push myself to stretch those boundaries.

I recognize that many concrete sequential have difficulty appreciating the abstract random nature...and I wonder how many of them are in our current school systems as educators - those who are having a difficult time understanding the nature and needs of our current students?

I love that the paper clip provides structure, function and consistency for the concrete sequential brain, but also allows a bit of bend and spontaneity for those with an abstract random slant, as well. Perhaps we can all strive to be a bit more like the paper clip! :) Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL

01.26.10

01.26.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

The distance between our campus buildings' top floors and the flight path to our small municipal airport is minimal (though apparently meeting FAA regulations!) ..but the vantage points offer a unique view, especially during season with the increased air traffic.

Air travel is but one of the ways to bridge large spans of geographical distance. Today's networking opportunities provide a wealth of valuable connectors, forming communities that are amazingly genuine and substantial. The infrastructure is there - it still requires the need for relationships and bonds to be created. My own Personal Learning Network (PLN) has led me to a variety of adventures through Twitter, Plurk, Facebook, Nings, Discovery Education Network, blogs, wikis, Flickr, and more (just applied to be a virtual participant in February 2010's Flat Classroom Conference in Mumbai, India) - with considerable learning, reflection, and friendship along the way. It has been an unbelievable journey thus far...and I look forward to additional flights, both virtual and real, in the future! Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL

01.25.10

01.25.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

While keeping an eye out for right angles (today's @dailyshoot assignment), it became apparent that there were a large number of examples in 'man-made' structures. On the other hand, there were fewer (or perhaps less obvious) instances in nature and humankind.

Though there is an expectation of support from the angled structures, this cobweb's network may exemplify the 'real world' much more accurately! It certainly reflects the 'hyperlinked' nature of today's youth in their learning and in the interconnectivity of the Internet and all of its tendrils. The web is also much more appealing to the eye, but where would it be without the support and structure of the foundational right angles - guess we need the synergistic relationship of both! Naples, FL

01.24.10

01.24.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Sometimes life just seems to race ahead of me...ever feel that way? As much as I try to catch up, I feel like I'm getting farther behind! Though the feeling is anxiety-producing, it is also a time to reflect and re-prioritize. As attention to my values are clarified, even crystallized, the 'race' is clearly within my own expectations...and less so, for others' standards. Though I personally have altruistic intentions, it is critical to balance my own needs, as well. 4th Ave N & Gulfshore Blvd., Naples, FL

01.23.10

01.23.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

When reflecting on collections (today's @dailyshoot assignment), I realized that
- 1) I'm not a long-term collector in that I might start collecting things and then move on to something else after awhile (for not particular reason) and
- 2) my collections are primarily 'memories' and 'digital images' - though I did submit my accumulation of beach shells for today's assignment.

In thinking about memories, I have (and brought out again to re-live for this photo) a collection of papers (newspaper articles, survey forms, maps, stories), slides, and artifacts representing dolphins for an Earthwatch expedition that I participated in twenty years ago. The Wild Dolphin Society project with Randy Wells was three weeks long and based in Anna Maria Island, FL with the goal to continue a long-term dolphin study. There were over 100 identified dolphins with identified behaviors of every kind. It was an incredible experience enhanced with a necropsy viewing, assisting with the release of two dolphins, Echo and Misha, back into Tampa Bay, and collecting data with a Woods Hole researcher on signature whistles. One of these days, I'll do another one and what a difference technology will make in collecting (and sharing) my memories! Naples, FL

01.22.10

01.22.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Looking for a hibiscus bloom to photograph for today's @dailyshoot assignment - wanted to link to the Hawaiian slack-key guitar music of John Keawe. Unfortunately, the plants were all touched by the cold, so this was the alternative (and in the meantime, I went with Old Friends)! Kahuna has taken a variety of meanings since its origin - but it is generally associated with Hawaii.

Spending time on the Big Island last year was a valuable experience...not only for the usual R&R, but learning about the culture, the history, the environment, and the music (though I ended up not getting that ukulele!). Immersed in a different 'world' always provides the chance to learn at a meaningful level - much different than a traditional textbook! 3rd Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL

01.21.10

01.21.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Some days are filled with twists and turns - a roller coaster, of sorts. It is tough to gain any sense of accomplishment when at the mercy of external sources --- even those which should be more 'controllable'! Fortunately, the ride can be more pleasant when appreciating the process along the way...and, in this case, liberal use of the Tangle! Naples, FL

01.20.10

01.20.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Surveyed the neighborhood for frost damage from the previous two weeks' very cold (relatively speaking) temperatures and found many trees, shrubs and flowers that suffered. This bougainvillea lost its leaves, but the flower bracts are generally okay, though there is some dark curling and spotty issues. And note: there was heavy damage to the tomatoes and vegetables in the agricultural areas, so expect higher prices in the coming months if your grocery source is Florida.

Though this weather was predicted and plans were made to prevent as much damage as possible, the devastation was widespread and unusual. One can always heed warnings and make appropriate plans, but ultimately we have to be prepared for the 'worse case' scenario...or even, the 'unexpected disasters.' How do we prepare our young people for such situations?

This consequential frost damage in FL is minor compared to the suffering in Haiti (even before the earthquake). There is a significant Haitian community in our town, and, also on our campus. A local organization, Hope for Haiti, has a solid foundation in providing support to the islanders. If you want to make a difference with a donation (and not deal with the larger national/international organizations), I can vouch for their them - they've been making a difference for 10+ years. Naples, FL

01.19.10

01.18.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

I suppose our public school educational system offers 'free delivery' to students, though I'm not confident that the 'product' is always of high quality nor is it always offered in a customer-friendly way. Overall, content delivery remains traditional and teacher/material-centric, rather than allowing for interaction, individual differences, and learner-centered options.

In a conversation with a colleague today, I questioned why we were doing things 'the way we always have' since there appeared to be options that might better serve our customers in alternate ways. The defensive stance was expected and deflated with a focus on our learners. Though a progressive and proactive decision was not to be, at least there was conversation and a possibility for follow up! 3rd St & 12th Ave S, Naples, FL

01.18.10

01.18.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Running to....and not running from is always a good start! Reflecting on today's Martin Luther King remembrance and all of the brave men and women who struggled to impact the civil rights movement, I can't help but think of the 'one step forward and two steps backward' syndrome that often accompanies change.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Following in the footsteps of such a charismatic and effective leader is, perhaps, beyond challenging. Yet, each and every one of us has the opportunity to put one foot in front of the other and move forward in the direction of those humanitarian goals every single day. In doing so, we can also leave our own footprints in the sand and be a model for others who have difficulty with the 'walk'... 3rd Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL

01.17.10

01.17.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

A preference for driving the more 'interesting' back country roads over the interstate highways with heavy traffic often means two-lane roads and sometimes getting stuck behind a slow moving vehicle! Since my photography today would be limited to my 'drive-by' opportunities, waiting to pass actually becomes an opportunity for a more focused shot!

Following this airboat for a couple of miles reminded me of the diversity of land and ecosystems in Florida. Airboats are popular in the Everglades as well as around Lake Okeechobee (this photo's location). Their props are huge and protected by the wire caging...and they are extremely loud (often aircraft engines are used). Nevertheless, they are a fun ride and/or an effective marine transportation mode for fishing. Between Lakeport and Buckhead Ridge, FL

01.16.10

01.16.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

A lizard moved into an abandoned bird house - seemingly a wee bit wary that his avian 'friend' may return. What once was considered unusable has been revived into a new use.

Many times, we attempt to recycle consumer goods and resources in order to stretch their value - though not often enough. And, what one considers useless may often hold high value for another. We still seem to have a lot of waste as we strive to own or 'consume' the biggest, the best, the newest. What if we could spend even one day examining all of our daily goods and resources for potential re-use? Even if our trash didn't become someone else's treasure, it would've had a second life. Melbourne, FL

01.15.10

01.15.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Connections amongst us happen all the time in various ways and the digital versions are becoming the norm - even then, the variety is quite colorful (email, text messaging, twitter, Facebook, etc). As much as I connect digitally, I embrace the opportunity to connect face-to-face...so, there will always be a need to have places and times where people can converge face-to-face. FETC, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL

01.14.10

01.14.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

The lines, the sunlight, the shadows and the glass (and faint reflections) in this view created a simple, yet complex image - one that I felt compelled to photograph. Although I can identify all of the eye-pleasing elements, I find it difficult to verbalize its intriguing synergistic impact.

That has been happening to me more often - sensing, feeling, intuiting ... but not finding descriptive words - perhaps influenced by all the visual exercise from 365? Not sure ... but I do know that the impact of multimedia has gone beyond the original notion of 'enhancing text' for me. Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL

01.13.10

01.13.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

The eyes have it!

Discovery Education sponsored a pre- FETC event at Sea World with a focus on going beyond the textbook. There was a great interactive learning session with Dr. Lodge McCammon (NC State's Friday Institute) on user-generated video and music to enhance the teaching/learning process.

Exploring the park and rehabilitation areas 'behind the scenes' generated questions, hypotheses, and content well beyond the textbook. Not everyone has the same opportunity for learning, but it can be replicated through the sights and sounds of the web. Oh, and by the way, we really were 'working' hard! Sea World, Orlando, FL

01.12.10

01.12.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Music is everywhere with the mobility of iPods and other MP3 players. Though these 'old fashioned' CDs still exist, the move towards digital is quickly moving to a new era.

I love the way music is now incorporated into the very essence of many student projects at school....though we need to increase the use of Creative Commons licensed music, rather than copyrighted music. That is sometimes a tough sell, as the unauthorized use of copyrighted material is modeled flagrantly on the internet, i.e., YouTube and peer-to-peer sharing sites, unfortunately... There is so much value in not only using CC licensed material in our own creations, but also licensing our own work using Creative Commons. Naples, FL

01.11.10

01.11.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Looking up for today's photo shoot - looking for my favorite color, blue...this pine tree branch captured my attention. Though I looked past the power lines at first, I thought they would make an interesting composition - nature intersects with modern civilization!

This marked the third night in a row Mother Nature handed up freezing temperatures (and many more have been below normal). The drain on the power company actually canceled school today in Charlotte County (north of here about 70 miles), caused power outages county-wide, and threatened purposeful brown-outs. At least the sun came out today and provided a crisp, blue sky! US 41 E & Rattlesnake Hammock Rd., Naples, FL

01.10.10

01.10.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Looks like there will be more sun today and although still cold for Florida standards, the lack of cloudy skies and rain will 'warm' me. Every day is a new beginning and today I really need it. Procrastinating on a project with an ever closing deadline, my priorities must shift after I finish this photo submission....fortunately, the project is also enjoyable (well mostly) - just not 365-oriented! City Dock, Naples, FL

01.09.10

01.09.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Rumpled, wet, and casually littering the parking lot, these pages from a newspaper escaped the purpose for which they were printed! Despite recycling efforts, one sometimes wonders about the meaning of this once valued source of information. So much of the newspaper has been colored with advertising, that it is difficult to find content to read. Online versions, other internet resources, television, and even social networking sites seem to provide the news more efficiently and with just as much accuracy as the newspaper industry - but some newspapers still survive...hanging just by a thread...can't imagine that it can last long though. 5th Ave S & West Lake Dr, Naples, FL

01.08.10

01.08.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

The high school book club had our monthly book discussion today - Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (of Boing Boing). The focus on surveillance issues, technology use, and terrorism made for lively discussion amongst the teens - also quite relevant and timely with the recent air travel security breaches.

Since the author used Creative Commons licensing, the book is available as a free download ...and interestingly, an innovative reader uploaded it to a collaborative website to collectively annotate. Lots of food for thought, conversation, and learning! Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL

01.07.10

01.07.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

The beach was a bit lonely this afternoon as the temperatures hovered in the mid-50s (about 25 degrees lower than normal) with a biting wind. The boats are ashore, not venturing out on the chilly waters, while some of the birds brave the pilings.

On the surface, the scene is peaceful and serene, but underneath, there is quite a bit of activity. Grains of sand get moved by the wind to create sculptured drifts and the waves synchronously hit the shore, creeping closer and then drawing back. Sometimes our students mimic that behavior with all of the charged neuron connections underneath the apathy or 'blank slate'! 2nd Ave S & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL

01.06.10

01.06.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

“In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”
~ Albert Schweitzer

The combination of candlelight and filtered afternoon sunlight on this warm teak wood appealed to my eye...especially as our usually balmy Florida temperatures dipped uncharacteristically near the freezing mark! Schweitzer's quote, though, really warms my heart. All of us who 'serve' people know the ups and downs - both receiving the intrinsic rewards as well as working with the difficulties in pleasing some folks. We all have provided that 'flame' to another - sometimes we know the impact and sometimes not. And, all of us have been 'rekindled' by another.

Today I had an incredible conversation with a high school junior who was just discovering the joy of bringing that rekindling flame to another person - someone who was really in need of an emotional lift. Believe me, the warmth radiated! Naples, FL

01.05.10

01.05.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Looking for reflections on a late afternoon photo shoot - found them and a hungry mallard, too! The concentric circles, though, are what caught my eye!

Mathematical concepts are often evident in nature and in our daily environment. I often think about how much learning is done (and could be done) out of the classroom...and I know there are specific field trips or activities that focus on that connection. But are we helping our students learn to see that on their own? Do they seek out those learning connections on a daily basis? I would guess there are a lot of missed opportunities for meta-learning, but I think images can help to springboard that type of cognition. Garden of Hope & Courage, Naples, FL

01.04.10

01.04.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Being old enough to appreciate the original Slinky (pretty cool to learn that the inventor's wife purposely kept the price tag down to allow those who were not as financially able to purchase the toy), I keep a couple of the 'modern' versions around the media center for fun and tactile engagement. Of course, the kinesthetic learners seek out the various toys with glee, but even the 'book worms' enjoy the diversion to the traditional library environment.

While there is research about the impact of video games on learning, I doubt one would be able to make the case for the Slinky. Still...the scientific principles used to create the toy alone would lead to a neat teaching opportunity. Furthermore, brain-based learning research would support the manipulatives and 'brain exercise'. Either way, Slinkys and other games and toys will remain in my high school library! Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL

NOTE: Photographically, I had difficulty deciding on which of two images I liked best - I ended up selecting this one, but here's the other one - what do you think?

01.03.10

01.03.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Even the artificial pearls ofter a luster of beauty and a tradition of elegance.

Of course, the natural pearl is most amazing and unique, formed within a living mollusk - and all due to an internal irritant! So, if you've got an aggravation or annoyance in your world (and who doesn't?), keep the pearl (and its formation) in mind - it has a certain wisdom about it! Naples, FL

01.02.10

01.02.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

Pansies (or violas, if you prefer) are a favorite winter annual here...as it is much too hot and humid for them to survive in our Fl summers. The name comes from Middle French pensée, meaning thought and from Latin pensare, meaning to ponder. They were a favorite of my late Grandma Jeanie, whose pensive traits were often reflected in this sunny flower, and I'm always reminded of her when I see them.

Funny how sometimes images, stories or songs take you back to a long-forgotten memory...I know many of us try to create such 'memories' for our students and children. The connection of an emotion (hopefully, positive!) is often used effectively in learning environments, but I'm not so sure how many recognize the power of those potential connectors! Airport Rd & Davis Blvd, Naples, FL

01.01.10

01.01.10, originally uploaded by colemama.

The sun rises on a new day undeterred by the clouds...rather it dresses them in bright colors and provides a palette for the first dawn of the new year.

Opening up opportunities to make things happen (not just accomplish the 'to do' list), each new day offers a beginning of change - a chance to visualize, act, and reflect....and start the cycle again and again with a fresh view and purposeful inclination. Happy New Year! 3rd Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL