Learning Adventure 8 reflection

Assignment:
Hi,

A cadre member suggested that it would be good to organize a web-based(and perhaps other media too) advocacy campaign on behalf of the upcoming Give One, Get One promotion from the One Laptop Per Child Foundation.

The web site OLPC is http://www.laptop.org

Give One, Get One begins again for a limited time on November 17th.

Let's collectively build an advocacy site that does whatever is necessary to convince folks about the value of OLPC and encourage them to invest in Give One, Get One. By advocacy, I mean FOR the program. That requires the message to be consistent and positive.

I of course can guide the process and answer questions, but it would be worthwhile to learn all you can about OLPC, its value and what makes it unique before designing the site. This should be finalized within two weeks.

Reflection:
The past few learning adventures for me have been an interesting ride. I had more trouble with the technological side of things than I had wanted so the quilting, mapping and Snac-man all were more challenging with that than the learning I had wanted from the adventures. But then, we started the adventure that seemed to me to have purpose, and a greater purpose than just completing something. The purpose could be truly life changing for kids around the world and this is something I have great passion for. I am a teacher who believes that education can be the change agent to steer countries that are poverty stricken or impoverished into a new direction. OLPC is a project near and dear to my heart. When I heard Nicholas Negroponte speak about three years ago, I was ready to pick up my family and move to help these kids. The OLPC organization’s motto so powerfully speaks to my faith, my belief in education, and my passion about technology. So to combine this LA with things that are near and dear to me, really made this an adventure I could be excited about. Plus, when I started talking to my students about what I was doing, and the site we were creating, they too wanted to help.

As the learning adventure began, I had challenging time writing. This may come as a surprise to many, but I struggle as a writer and yet I am an English teacher. I have never been a confident writer, and over the years of teaching writing, have found my own writing to grow with time. But, with each writing assignment and reflection, it takes me quite some time to process what I want to say and then to actually put it down on paper takes more time. I just knew in my heart what I wanted to write for OLPC’s G1G1 website, but I couldn’t seem to get the inspiration to do it. Then one day, it just hit me when I was sitting in church. I was listening to my pastor talk about HOPE, and it all came together in my head that that is the message I want to send out. The G1G1 project is all about giving hope to kids. After writing my thoughts out for the benefits section and OLPC section, I volunteered for the editing job as well. I edit all the time so I figured it would be something that I could give to the cadre.

Andwhat I really learned from this whole adventure is giving. We each gave of our times, our gifts (Colby with his website prowess, others with their technical skills, some with editing, some with support and reflection), but we all were giving over the course of a couple of weeks. I am so grateful to have seen each of our gifts shine in different ways and then combine in an unbelievable collaboration. It was a piece of work to watch it all come together and besides the incredible writing and editing hours (whew!) I am glad and so thankful I get to work with all of you. You all make the world a better place and you all provide the much needed hope to this world. After all, as I said in my write-up we are people of hope and we need to continue to provide hope for all of those out there who cannot advocate for themselves. Technology can break down the barriers that generation after generation has built up. Technology provides limitless opportunities for kids to learn differently and in ways that benefits them not necessarily benefits School.

So, thanks Gary for the hard work, the chance to collaborate on a globally meaningful project that speaks to my heart, my passions, and my desire to CHANGE THE WORLD.

Here are the links to the website we created and the wiki where we did our planning:
http://laptops4kids.net/pages.php?catID=6
http://cadre11.wikispaces.com/OLPC