TISD BL Foundations by Megan Huneck

megan70 — 2018-06-06 22:26:33 UTC

Share your favorite resources you found or any questions/ideas you while at the independent station.
[Name: School: Favorite resource or something you learned]
*add a picture or link if you wish!

dana22 — 2018-06-12 15:28:17 UTC

[Dana: Honeyside Elementary] My favorite resource was .......

luann_hughes — 2018-06-12 15:57:05 UTC

Luann - the idea of " intrapreneurs" is has some real merit for supporting teachers. I think we have pockets of places where teachers are encouraged to create new systems and challenge current thinking, but I would like to see that formalized in a district-wide connected program.

2018-06-12 15:58:50 UTC

Karen - so many of the schools said, "We were asking the wrong questions."

2018-06-12 16:00:33 UTC

Candice--Western Hills Elementary--All of the videos that I watched really stressed how the learning, pedagogy and school/classroom culture changed. It wasn't necessarily the technology that was provided, it was HOW instruction was being provided. When asked, the students at Syracuse didn't love the computers the most, they loved the one-on-one time with their teacher and the learning they received. <3

2018-06-12 16:01:05 UTC

Fran - I like the Culture of Innovation resource. Each staff member comes in at a different place. This resource gives some suggestions for how to support each staff member where they are.

chrystal_thomas — 2018-06-12 16:01:44 UTC

Chrystal Thomas <3 Scott <3 I'm really anxious to get into the "HOW". The videos left me wanting to know what this looks like on a day to day basis. What processes are used? How do you manage those processes? What are our next steps? What strategies can I use to prevent this from being an overwhelming experience....or at least to minimize the overwhelming feeling?

2018-06-12 16:01:53 UTC

Jacki- THS- The power of the simple questions like "why?" and "what if?" This article was linked into Ten Tips for Creating a Culture of Innovation.

2018-06-12 16:02:22 UTC

https://www.edelements.com/blog/ten-tips-for-creating-a-culture-of-innovation

2018-06-12 16:03:06 UTC

(Laura Lopez; KP) Ten Tips article 5. Don't drop everything. Sometimes with new initiatives, teacher feel they must totally change everything they are doing in the classroom. When in reality, minor tweaks or adjustments that is needed.

2018-06-12 16:03:12 UTC

Kelly Madden KP

2018-06-12 16:04:04 UTC

Lots information to take in. But good information.

rose_johnson1 — 2018-06-12 16:19:24 UTC

(Rose Johnson: Scott ES)Something that really stuck out to me today was from the resource 'Five Mindsets to Change about Schooling.' The article mentioned how in order to promote innovation in schools we need to move past this idea of teaching based on grade level and age designation; basically stating that we need to start meeting students exactly where they are at. Learning also needs to move away from being compliance based and becoming more of an authentic engagement for each student. There needs to be freedom for teachers to gather together and ask, "What if....?" and to fail miserably.

KatieWebb — 2018-06-12 16:19:54 UTC

Katie Webb(SES)- I liked what one of the students said about personalized learning. She said it is giving students the tools to make their own ladder and set their own path, and then as the teacher stepping back and saying I am here to guided you as high as you want to go. I am excited to continue to help my kids take ownership of their learning through blended learning. I am a bit overwhelmed, but very excited to continue on this journey!

2018-06-12 16:22:43 UTC

Samantha Bender: Kennedy Powell - What stuck out to me is that we are not going to have it all figured out. This will be process that we will need tweaking. It is process so breathe and learn from your peers. Use others as resources to help you in this new adventure.

2018-06-12 16:23:49 UTC

Beverly Mesecke (RAES)

megan_mcneill — 2018-06-12 16:24:02 UTC

(Megan McNeill, Scott Elementary School) I really liked the part of this article that talked about how it is okay to get messy! When trying new things it is not always perfect and pretty. We have to get out of our comfort zones and be willing to make mistakes.

2018-06-12 16:24:28 UTC

Tracy Meyer

2018-06-12 16:24:40 UTC

CANCEL upload link search_web camera more_horiz

2018-06-12 16:25:40 UTC

Alyssa Conner: Western Hills ES: The Khan Academy definition of the blended learning models. Its an easy way to see how blended learning is implemented in daily classroom routines. How could we use the flipped learning model with little parent involvement?

2018-06-12 16:26:05 UTC

Kathy Davis (KP) - I took away that Blended Learning is personalized, mastery based, high expectations, and student ownership.

2018-06-12 16:26:38 UTC

Marci - KPES - From "What is Blended Learning" We need to distinguish what is blended learning and what is a digitally rich environment layered over a traditional classroom model (an efficiency gain) and what is a good quality blended learning classroom

(although I would suggest that some of us have to start somewhere, and this might be the "toe-dipping" some of us need.) A good reflection question to ask could be "Is the fundamental role of the student and teacher changing?"

2018-06-12 16:26:46 UTC

Beverly Mesecke (RAES) - The Implementation framework looks like what we are doing. Getting volunteers, ready to experiment.

2018-06-12 16:46:34 UTC

Kayla- KPES- Blended learning doesn't mean to drop and change everything that you are already doing in your classroom, it means to build and be willing to get a little "messy."- We are teaching our students to put themselves out there and yet we, as teachers, are having to do the same. Growth together.

2018-06-12 16:48:29 UTC

Christina Blair (WHES) I love that this is a gradual change and not huge revamp of everything teachers have been doing for years. I love the change and am so excited to grow along with my students, take risks and have fun learning in a positive new way!

Mrs_Fuentes — 2018-06-12 16:52:12 UTC

Ursula Fuentes (RAES) I am really enjoying seeing how I can use this successfully! Learning how to do the station rotation is super...I already use this but not in quite the same way so it is nice to see all the examples and videos!

2018-06-12 16:52:42 UTC

Ashleigh Colvard -KPES- I like how it's a personalized student based learning process where students can track their own data throughout the year to gain that ownership.

2018-06-12 16:52:58 UTC

Stacy Fulton (KP) -learning is mastery-based, personalized, active not passive, provides instant feedback for students as well as parents, "democratization of education" questions I still have are what are the best programs? How to define mastery of learning?

2018-06-12 16:53:02 UTC

Ashley Hine (Raye-Allen)-- individualized learning. I started this about 4 months before end of school and I love how it freed me up to personalize the learning for the students. Pacing for specific students. Encouraging my higher learners to go and keep learning. Along we the videos to go back for struggling students.

2018-06-12 16:53:03 UTC

Aleesha-MDECA; As a Pre-K teacher, we want to put a lot of focus on building social skills and creating that foundation of learning for students in a jam packed day. I liked in the article attached that the focus for students to be successful life long learners happens at the foundation level and thru blended learning we should be able to do so much more during the day. "When students are engaged in individualized material, teachers have the time to form those personal relationships and offer the feedback that deepens and extends play."

2018-06-12 16:53:28 UTC

Casey Holler (KP) love the fact that Blended Learning is just extending what I am already doing in my stations. It's going deeper and giving the students more accountability.

2018-06-12 16:53:42 UTC

E. Martinez (Garcia ES) The websites that I accessed were informative and helped with content of student background knowledge. This would benefit me, as a teacher, to help place students in learning groups.

2018-06-12 16:55:27 UTC

Denise (MDECA)So far I am embracing the big picture of Blended Learning and how I can give students the control over their learning. After today, I want to feel confident to implement in the classroom.

Beth G (JES)

2018-06-14 15:53:38 UTC

The amount of time needed to frontload and get everything ready will be time intensive. However, the payoff will be huge. This can easily be used in our Back to School Professional Development. Learning can be personalized based on the expertise of each teacher, and the topics that must be presented, can be provided in an interactive model and not just sit and get.

Thomas Nichols (MS ITS)

2018-06-14 15:56:59 UTC

The article Ten Tips For Creating a Culture of Innovation was welcome in its stress on failing being a tool to growing and learning.

Rogers (EDSE)

2018-06-14 15:59:14 UTC

I enjoyed the infographic on 5 Ingredients to create a culture of innovation. It acknowledges that there's not a one size fits all solution to stagnation in innovation and gives guidance on where to start based on what leaders are experiencing and observing. I also enjoyed watching the Hartford Public Schools video; the quote about "reshaping the students' stories" really resonated with me.

Pruitt

2018-06-14 16:00:10 UTC

I liked the 10 things for creating a culture of innovation. Teachers are afraid of failing and/or getting reprimanded if their scores decline. I love how it encourages teachers to get messy and accept possible failures and use those experiences s learning experiences and try something different or expand on things that worked.

MLB

2018-06-14 16:00:14 UTC

All of the videos I watched had a common theme. Districts were able to implement blended learning to meet the diverse needs of their students.

Davies- TSA

2018-06-14 16:00:38 UTC

I like the idea getting really messy and being willing to fail in the process.

Powell (THS)

2018-06-14 16:00:45 UTC

The 10 Tips... article was very informative in how to support the BL development process. I love the idea of a "maker mindset."

Yarborough (Edwards)

2018-06-14 16:16:20 UTC

I read about Ten Tips for Creating a Culture of Innovation - I want to change students' compliance-based engagement to engagement based on relevance and creativity.

Verett (THS)

2018-06-14 16:17:44 UTC

I enjoyed the activities on Creating a Culture of Innovation. There was a lot of emphasis on failure and the need to be comfortable knowing that not every risk will have a positive outcome. I think students are often afraid to fail, which holds them back. I want to create the culture of risk-taking and innovation in my classroom, so I need to get them ok with that idea.

Talton (THS)

2018-06-14 16:18:00 UTC

I found the "Designing Your Own Home of Learning" article most compelling, particularly the bit which describes how a team would formally "empathize" with their students as the first step in their planning. The categories of students as well as the expectations specific to those categories were a bit superficial, but it is impossible to argue with the practice of beginning any interaction with another person with empathy.

Goldman (THS)

2018-06-14 16:19:54 UTC

I enjoyed the videos about student centered learning and that a great variety of schools were shown. I liked that students can complete a learning prefernce card that allows them to identify their learning style so the teacher knows at the beginning of the year what is best for each student. At this point BL seems very cumbersome to me and a bit unnatural. I'm sure that actually using it will make me more comfortable with the process and build confidence. I am excited and looking forward to using this in my classroom!

Diaz (THS)

2018-06-14 16:19:57 UTC

I liked the Idea of personalized learning where students learn at their own pace and are challenged to raise their level of understanding

Hunter (Edwards)

2018-06-14 16:24:00 UTC

I watched "What blended learning looks like in a classroom"; I think that stations would be a good idea for our students, as they're used to digesting information in shorter chunks and it gives them an opportunity to alternate between independent work and checking in with the teacher.

Tate

2018-06-14 16:24:20 UTC

I watched a video from Fulton County Schools in Georgia. It was more of a overview of the implementation of BL, but it generated some ideas of how I can use the technology we already have in place at FWEA to push students towards taking command of their education.

Perurena (THS)

2018-06-14 16:24:28 UTC

I found the article "Five Mindsets to Change About Schooling" to be very interesting. I'm glad we're moving to blended learning as a district, because I think that in many ways, changing these mindsets is not something that just one teacher can accomplish on their own. This requires not only buy-in, but also participation, from administrators and the community as well.

Ybarra (TSA)

2018-06-14 16:24:37 UTC

I liked What Does Blended Learning Look Like in the Classroom. The idea that it will look different in every class and there is no right or wrong... Also don't be afraid to get messy, you may fail, but keep changing and trying new things!!

Basinger (TSA)

2018-06-14 16:24:52 UTC

Blended learning is a multi-faceted tool, proven effective in different classroom settings. I enjoyed seeing the many ways it can be used and hearing from students themselves how they benefit.

Betik (THS)

laura_betik — 2018-06-14 16:28:43 UTC

I enjoyed the section on creating a culture of innovation. I see admin doing this at the district level and I want to use many of these practices to create a similar culture in my classroom.

Peters Jefferson

bill_peters — 2018-06-14 16:29:32 UTC

I watched a video on TED Talk about blended learning. I learned that there is no really right or wrong process it is all about what works in your classroom. Blended Learning gives a 1 to 1 ratio, your student has a teacher 24/7, 365.

ELLIS (THS)

2018-06-14 16:42:29 UTC

The idea of trying new things and being bale to do so without being judged and instead being allowed to formulate what works for you and how to make it the best for your classroom.

Colon (TSA)

2018-06-14 16:44:32 UTC

The one thing that I truly grasped onto was the fact that BL allows for self management. Student's needs are met without disrupting the learning of another.

Mendoza (TSA)

2018-06-14 16:44:36 UTC

I enjoyed the videos and the collaboration of the guiding principles. I am excited to incorporate the rotation stations and differentiated instruction into my classroom.

Sears (TES)

2018-06-14 16:45:21 UTC

I like how blended learning fosters student independence, choice, and ownership. Flexible pacing seems to create a relaxed classroom environment. I plan to use menus, templates, and task cards on a more regular basis. I like how BL is similar to what I already do, but I'm just going deeper.

Rojas, THS

2018-06-14 16:46:00 UTC

I liked the video that clearly defined the difference between BL and a "technology rich classroom." I'm most excited to see how BL allows our students to take ownership of their learning and see the true potential in using their knowledge to make a change within our community and beyond. The idea of personalizing learning to maintain student engagement is so important for students to continue being life long learners.

Anderson (JES

2018-06-14 16:47:22 UTC

I like the independence that is fostered in this model. It allows the teacher the be around more for struggling students and questions. It also allows the teacher to be able to see more things.

A.Ybarra (Wheatley)

2018-06-14 16:48:36 UTC

Blended learning is personalized learning using tech to assist students in taking ownership the learning process.

10 Tips to be more successful

2018-06-14 16:48:44 UTC

JEFF STICE - THS I really enjoyed the 10 tips for creating a culture of innovation. A few of these are very obvious, but honestly the first tip hit me the hardest. "Know who you are", your vision, and your values.

Jarma Wheatley

2018-06-14 16:48:52 UTC

Blended Learning is integrating technology with classroom learning. It is not just technology. The videos helped me realize I can do this!

K. Carter (Travis)

2018-06-14 16:49:22 UTC

I liked the videos that showed how students take responsibility for tracking their learning.

Hoelscher (THS)

2018-06-14 16:49:53 UTC

I really enjoyed watching the videos in that it makes me feel more comfortable in incorporating a blended classroom. The benefits of this type instruction are amazing and I really feel that each one of my students will benefit from this model. They will be able to control their pace, path, and time of their learning.

Rummy

2018-06-14 16:50:00 UTC

I really enjoyed the creating a course of innovation. It really starts with establishing a trusting environment. Trust is the beginning. I also like the independence of the student.

H. Venus: Blended Learning is student-centered, and allows students to take charge of their learning. Blended learning enables teachers to tailor the learning environment to students' individual needs.

2018-06-14 16:50:57 UTC

linda_farrington — 2018-06-14 16:57:43 UTC

This is a great way to accelerate our learning. This fosters the teacher's ownership of what they are teaching, inspires innovation and is very reflective, which helps us to articulate our beliefs and values about good pedagogy.

Craig Wilson

2018-06-14 16:58:26 UTC

An idea out of the model we used this morning with the Simulation: Our back to school campus PD days have had a model of rotation, but now I see how teachers and resident experts can lead the stations. It may require more frontloading, but it also may be more powerful.

Student Agency

karen_jackson — 2018-06-14 16:58:41 UTC

I am reminded how important student reflection is to this way of learning. If students are allowed to think about what they know and have learned, they can make better choices on the pace, path, etc.

Get messy

2018-06-14 18:58:39 UTC

Get messy

christie_housto — 2018-06-14 19:00:08 UTC

Give each teacher a bar of soap. If admin comes in when trying something new (innovative), hand them the soap. Soap = OK to get messy - no judging/evaluating for trying something new!

Tricia Mitchell

2018-07-23 15:52:16 UTC

I like how students are able to take ownership of their learning while using the blended learning model. I wonder how this model works with the "unmotivated" student.

Take risks

2018-07-23 15:52:59 UTC

Encourage your team to ask questions and know who you are are important to create a culture of of innovation.

Kathy Cook

2018-07-23 15:56:37 UTC

The student voice in time, pace, path and place should inspire our learners. Both the teacher and the student will be taking risks as we move to this model but the teacher time gained for small just in time groups will be powerful.

Don'tbe afraid to fail

2018-07-23 15:56:58 UTC

You cant grow if you aren't willing to get messy - failure teaches us.

Teacher Empathy

2018-07-23 15:57:31 UTC

In pre

Teacher Empathy

2018-07-23 15:57:31 UTC

In previous BL training, we have made empathy maps about students to better drive our instructional design. As leaders, however, we should also make empathy maps about teachers participating in the cohorts. Just as the teachers in the blog post illustrated a compliant student v. an engaged student, we should illustrate compliant v. committed teachers. We could support them more deeply if we had a thorough, empathetic understanding of their position in this journey.

Be willing to get messy. Be willing to get REALLY messy and even fail.

2018-07-23 15:57:34 UTC

...Don't give up!!!!

2018-07-23 15:58:05 UTC

Changes the game for accommodations and reteach for Special pops.

2018-07-23 15:58:08 UTC

BL meets the learning needs of all students

Making Thinking Relevant

jacob_schwab — 2018-07-23 15:59:16 UTC

I really like the idea that students are able to find any answer, but it is the job of the teacher to make that answer relevant to the world they will be entering. We are becoming the facilitators of learning, providing students with a deeper understanding of what to do with the information they are finding instead of telling them what they should be thinking.

Providing authentic learning opportunities.

2018-07-23 15:59:39 UTC

Student ownership and tracking progress.

2018-07-23 16:04:09 UTC

Crystal Moody

crystal_moody — 2018-07-23 16:12:49 UTC

Independent learning allows students to be at their own levels and meet the needs of personalized learning.

Joannie Caraballo-Lopez

2018-07-23 16:15:13 UTC

Personalized learning is beneficial to all students and helps maximize teaching time. With small groups or stations, students are able to take ownership of their learning and have accountability of their learning time. I am definitely looking forward to working in small groups and love the idea of an alarm as a timer to remind students of their time in each station. I want to motivate my students to be excited to learn and share with other students what they have learned.

Isa Lopez Rivera

2018-07-23 16:16:13 UTC

Holistic Teaching

2018-07-23 16:17:52 UTC

Personalized learning forces you to consider every aspect of a student's situation, background, and personality.

C. Stratmann - THS

2018-07-23 16:19:49 UTC

I liked point #6 on this list. As an introvert myself, it is very important to me to have a way to express my ideas without the pressure of large
group interactions. I think many of my students feel the same way.

Take risks and be willing to "get messy" :

matthew_stratmann — 2018-07-23 16:19:55 UTC

Teachers in Warren Township were given bars of soap to give to visiting admins when they were trying something new. If we wish to create a culture of innovation (for students and teachers), it needs to be acceptable to fail or flop from time to time. This is especially true when the risks (failure, reteaching) are heavily outweighed by the potential rewards (true differentiation and engagement).

J. Crathers

2018-07-23 16:20:09 UTC

Students are allowed the freedom to learn at their pace. To take ownership and keep up or track their progress.

It is important to define a culture of innovation.

terry_denson — 2018-07-23 16:20:42 UTC

Melissa Manus

2018-07-23 16:21:11 UTC

Bonham MS
Today, I have learned that blended learning gives the teacher and students control over their time, place, path, and pace in the classroom.

Gregory Luke

2018-07-23 16:21:29 UTC

Take risks and be willing to "get messy"
I feel like this has been apart of my process in incorporating blended learning.

Brian Durham THS

2018-07-23 16:21:36 UTC

One mindset that needs changing in students is that fun and rigor are mutually exclusive. How do I plan consistent lessons that are both? And how can I convince students that both are possible

Getting Messy

2018-07-23 16:21:51 UTC

Blended format is so easy to customize based on what your school mission is. I like the flexibility of changing my class to fit what I am teaching.

Julie Garza THS

2018-07-23 16:23:48 UTC

I want to help them change their story, be motivated & interested in learning & success.

We have to be willing to be learners as well while teaching our students.

annamarie_schmi — 2018-07-23 16:24:20 UTC

Brooke Guerra

2018-07-23 16:26:13 UTC

I am learning that our students will thrive with the freedom of choice with their learning as well as more group work and collaboration.

Victoria Zajicek LMS

victoria_pajest — 2018-07-23 16:36:19 UTC

I liked the Ten Tips article. I think it is important to ask the 'why' and the 'what if..' questions, because it fosters creative thinking and purpose.

Beverly Al-Tabatabaie

2018-07-23 16:42:14 UTC

Hector P. Garcia
Blended learning creates a more effective way to engage more students during every lesson. Teachers and students are happier.

2018-07-23 16:43:23 UTC

How many bars of soap do you need?

De Kennard - student teacher @ Thornton

2018-07-23 16:45:51 UTC

My college education was based on Competency Learning (Flex . I feel that I learned much more than I would have in a traditional environment. I am excited to learn more about BL!

I loved how excited the students were for their own learning!

2018-07-23 16:48:50 UTC

Anitra Ball BMS

2018-07-23 16:50:08 UTC

I love the idea of my students being responsible for the time, place, path and pace they take when learning content. Teaching this way, I will be more successful with conferencing. (tool - Conferencing forms)

J. Flora

2018-07-23 18:54:36 UTC

I liken how Blended Learning creates opportunities for students to have more one on one time with the teacher.