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.”