TACTics
Journal
A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners
June 4, 2004
In this week’s issue:
Networking
(1) The New TACTics, Cheryl A. Edwards
Reader’s Feedback
(2) Lisa Scheinkopf
Reader’s Response
(3) Sears R. Taylor
Connections
(4) TOCFE Virtual Conference
Editors’ Notes
(5) Kay Buckner-Seal, Cheryl A. Edwards
NETWORKING
(1) The New TACTics
By Cheryl A. Edwards
As of this issue, you can expect TACTics to be
published on a monthly basis. Look for it on the first Friday of each month.
The format of TACTics will remain the same. It will
continue to be a news journal for and by TOCFE practitioners. So, in order to
keep the journal relevant to all readers what do we need? You’ve got it—we need
articles submitted by every practitioner! Everyone has a story to tell, so mark
your calendar for our new deadline, which will be the Monday before the first
of Friday of the month.
Are you wondering what you could send in? Here are some of the categories that
our readers have indicated they enjoy the most:
-Elementary/Secondary Tactics
A place to share lessons, curriculum, strategies, and student artifacts related
to using or teaching the TOC Thinking Process tools.
-POOGI Pool
Ideas to keep us on a process of on-going improvement—ideas for the journal,
teaching, training, etc.
-Flying Pigs
Sure, when pigs fly, right? Incredible but very true TOCFE
stories. Our very own “Brag Book.”
-Professional Brief Case/Networking
A section to share presentations or other practical
information to enhance dissemination of the TOC knowledge donated to education
by Dr. E. Goldratt. Includes topics for discussion,
requests for assistance, etc.
-Quotes/Words of Wizdom
Great lines from the famous or not so famous to help us clarify, lend
credibility, think, or just giggle.
-Connections
A section devoted to keeping us current with TOCFE
news, training, and conferences.
One of the best ways to learn is to teach. I don’t know who said this
but we all know it is true: The depth of our learning is increased by
teaching others.
IF the depth of our learning is increased by teaching others
AND we take the time to share our experiences and lessons learned with
others;
AND sharing is a way of teaching;
THEN we will have helped others learn and at the same time increased our
own learning.
WIN/WIN!
READER’S FEEDBACK
(2) Lisa Scheinkopf, USA
First, I want to thank you for including me on the TACTics
list—I enjoy reading every issue and keeping up to date on the TOCFE
happenings. I always learn something from the contributing educators.
I do have a question on the "Applying TOCFE...." article and
presentation in this article. I saw the graphic more as a "mind map"
than I did as a graphic with "logical" (sufficiency or necessity
based) connections. I am sure I am missing something. If you have a few
minutes, would you please help me to better understand what I was looking at?
Thanks so much.
READER’S RESPONSE
(3) Sears R. Taylor, USA
Dear Lisa,
The information in tactics was taken from a Power Point presentation that I did
for junior college math teachers. The theme of the conference was bringing real
life context to the teaching of math.
Mike round originally used the Tom Sawyer concept in Florida. I made some
additions. The goal is to introduce teachers and students to a rubric for
"jump starting" creative thinking. When I present the Tom Sawyer
example I talk in real life terms that people already know, not TOC specific
vocabulary.
TOC graphics are mind maps from my perspective. I have seen students use this
brief introduction to go on to significantly improve their problem solving
ability. I am tying to create students who can do science and math problems, not
Jonahs.
When people get an appreciation that TOC can actually benefit them in their
day-to-day life, they will be ready to learn more. To use an example, I can use
a paintbrush to touch up damaged spots on my walls. An artist can use the same
brush to create a masterpiece. My goal is to get the student to take the brush
out of the box and to use it to meet his/her needs—some will be house painters,
others will be Rembrandt.
I greatly value your input.
Thank you,
Sears R. Taylor
CONNECTIONS
(4) TOCFE Virtual Conference
TOCFE Virtual Conference
Sept 18-21, 2004
Host: Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan, USA
Call for Presentations deadline: June 15,2004
See TACTics: May 21, 2004 for detailed information.
EDITORS’ NOTES
(5) Kay Buckner-Seal, Cheryl A. Edwards
Remember, TACTics will now be published on a monthly
basis and the deadline for articles will be the Monday before the first Friday
of the month. We look forward to hearing from you. So, send your responses,
applications of the thinking processes, lessons, announcements, and etc. by
mail to: Cheryl A. Edwards, 2253 S. Hill Island Rd., Cedarville, Michigan
49719, USA. Or send hyperlink to cedwards@cedarville.net or kayseal@comcast.net.
Please note that the pdf version of TACTics is attached. You must have Acrobat Reader to open
the file. It is freely available for download from:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html. If you have the Reader
installed but still can't open the file, drag it from this e-mail to your
desktop, launch the Reader, and open from the FILE menu.
You may also view TACTics in its intended formatting,
by visiting our web site at www.tocforeducation.com. Click on “What’s New.”