TACTics Journal

A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners

May 5, 2000

CONTENTS

            NETWORKING

             (1)        A Little Transition Tree in Action, Kathy Suerken, Joanne (Singapore)

          POOGI POOL

             (2)          Using the PrT to Help Students Develop Relevant Content,

                        Danilo Sirias, Christopher Newport University

          CONNECTIONS

             (3)          4th Annual TOC for Education International Conference

          QUOTE

             (4)          Henry Ford

          EDITORS’ NOTE

                        (5)          Kay Buckner-Seal and Cheryl Edwards

NETWORKING

(1)      A Little Transition Tree in Action

Kathy Suerken and Joanne (Singapore)

 

Recently one of my TACT students from Singapore sent me a wonderful message that I wanted to share with all of you.  However, I had an obstacle: People sometimes don't like personal correspondence to be published!  What did I need?  My action was to write her and request her permission.  Here is the result of my action and why:

 

Dear Kathy,

You can go ahead using my testimonials in the journal and if you do need the clouds and other information together with the testimonials, do let me know. I'll be most willing to provide them as I would like other educators to see and be convinced that TOC really works!

Joanne

 

And now here is Joanne's first message:

 

Hi,

I'm Joanne, discipline mistress of a school.  Before attending this course, the only way I dealt with kids was just scolding and then explaining.  However, after attending the TOC course, I've been trying to make use of TOC (especially the cloud) to deal with kids (especially recalcitrant).  To be honest, initially, I was quite skeptical about its effectiveness.  To my surprise, through drawing up the clouds and monitoring the recalcitrant, it works.  I'm not saying that these kids changed completely but they are making the effort because they take ownership of their solutions and at the same time were able to see from my point of view.  As a result, I do not just succeed in changing these kids but I gained their respect and gained popularity as a result.  I'm not after popularity.  As a discipline mistress, kids are more wary of me but now it is so different!  I'm glad my principal nominated me to attend the TOC course, which facilitated and helped me in my job.

Joanne (Singapore)

 

Thank you, Joanne, for your courage and for your willingness to share.  In

this way you teach us all.

POOGI POOL

(2)      Using the PrT to Help Students Develop Relevant Content

Danilo Sirias, Christopher Newport University

 

Wouldn't it be interesting if students themselves can decide on the relevant content for a given topic?  That is exactly what can be done with the PrT.  Let me give you an example.  I was teaching a class for my business students and was trying to figure out how I could get them to come up with the skills that a good manager should have.  So I wrote the Ambitious Target: "To be a good manager."  Then I proceeded to ask them what are some of the obstacles that you, as students, see to achieve this objective.  Some of the obstacles included:

We do not know how to deal with difficult people

We do not know how to delegate.

We cannot manage a team.

We cannot analyze the impact of our decision.

We cannot communicate effectively, etc.

 

As you can see the intermediate objective to overcome the obstacles are the topics of the Management Skills Workshop.  Having students develop the content creates a sense of ownership and pride.

 

I assume the same procedure can be applied for other topics in the curriculum.  Would you try it and let us know?

CONNECTIONS

(3)      4th Annual TOC for Education International Conference

Sheraton Ambassador Hotel

Monterrey, Mexico

August 9-12, 2000

 

Lodging: (*Room rates are based on single OR  double occupancy.)

Classic room—            $86(+tax)          For more than two people to a room, there is a $15.00 charge for each extra person.

 

Registration Deadline: (for Conference Rates) July 25.

Make reservations directly with the hotel and identify yourself as a member of TOC for Education.

 

            To make reservations from:

              Mexico — (direct to the hotel)          1.800.832.8400 

                    USA & Canada— (central reservation)          1.800.325.3535

          Nations outside of North America—(switchboard)          1.528.380.7000

 

Airport in Monterrey, Mexico:

          Gen. Mariano Escobedo International Airport (Code is MTY). 

Transportation from Airport to hotel: Cab $15.

Departure Tax: $10.00

 

Although Passports/Visas are not required of U.S. citizens for tourist/transit who stay up to 90 days  a Tourist card is required.  Tourist cards are valid 3 months and for single entry up to 180 days.  There is no charge for a tourist card but it requires proof of U.S. citizenship, photo identification, and proof of sufficient funds.  Tourist cards may be obtained in advance from the Consulate Tourism Office, and at most airlines serving Mexico upon arrival.  If you have any questions, contact your travel agent.

 

U.S. citizens will need documentary evidence of their U.S. citizenship and identity.  Proof of U.S. citizenship includes an expired U.S. passport, a certified (original) birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States.  To prove identity, a valid driver's license or government identification card are acceptable provided they identify you by physical description or photograph.  However, for travel overseas and to facilitate reentry into the U.S., a valid U.S. passport is the best documentation.

 

Returning to the United States: Caution!  Make certain that you can return to the United States with the proof of citizenship that you take with you. U.S. law requires that you document both your U.S. citizenship and identity when you reenter the United States.

QUOTE

(4)      “If there is any one secret to success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from his angle as well as from your own.” —Henry Ford

EDITORS’ NOTE

(5) To our entire TOCFE Family, please continue to share so that we all may maintain our POOGI.

 

Send HYPERLINK to:

bucknek@resa.net

redwards@sault.com  NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS!

 

Send mail to:

          Cheryl A. Edwards

          2253 S. Hill Island Road

           Cedarville, MI 49719 USA