A Conversation Among Friends: Deborah Meier and Alfie Kohn from Coalition of Essential Schools on Vimeo.

Wow - just discovered we were nominated for the 2011 EduBlog Awards Best Use of a Social Network. Stunned. Didn't expect that! Hoping people recognize that the power of Cognitive Dissonance is inside the game and not on the pages of this blog. Our social network is the MMORPG. Coming up on our 4th anniversary this month - I could not be more thrilled that the guild continues to live on and touch so many. It's an amazing group of self directed learners that I have had the honor to be a part of. And it is all of the cogdis members that make us what we are. Thank you. Now - pass it on, vote often!

http://edublogawards.com/2011-3/best-educational-use-of-a-social-network/?nominee=9v7rxf 

Stepping up to the plate comes to mind each time I do something to better the institution that I work for. It is part of the responsibility I have to contribute what I have to offer and, since I choose to be a part of the team, further the values of the institution. I am guessing this can be applied to almost any affinity group we belong to whether that be social, recreational, personal or professional. 

CogDis has been this incredible part of my life over more than three years now. I have met some incredible people and have done some amazing things both in and out of Azeroth because of it. It has been a very passionate and emotional learning experience and I would not trade it for anything. 

Running CogDis can not be done alone. I have over time watched many people venn in and out of leadership responsibilities both formal and informal in the guild. I have asked many times for your help and support. With the onset of Cataclysm and the evolution of the guild it is important now more than ever that each person find their way to strengthen CogDis through offering what they can of their time and expertise. 

My personal and professional life may be keeping me from dedicating as much time as I had in the past to being in game, but that does not mean that I don't think about and carry CogDis with me every moment. We together created something wonderful to be proud of: a learning community. I thank everyone for being a part of it, and especially thank those who stick with us and give their time and their heart to the family of CogDis as it grows and evolves to meet the needs of everyone. 

I started a google doc. I realize there were others that were started and I appreciated that. This one allows my mind to wrap around the thoughts I needed to put down from the various emails. Please access it and add to it so we can go further on our journey:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XZpQvR5KRa2CV-DcPl7Kp-jEWuz5oGcZm72EQyQ7ibU/edit?hl=en&authkey=CMCd8v4E