Learning 2.0: Establishing Positive Leaning Environments

Chapter 6 in The Innovators Mindset does use "traditional school"
(Couros, 2015, pg. 101)

While I would suggest this graphic read "Traditional School" and "Effective Learning," it is right on par with the shift we are making in both teaching and learning at Milan Middle School. Teaching and learning are on an instructional practices continuum that ranges from teacher-centered to student-centered. I would say that "school" has variations on that continuum and is not just one or the other. With the shifts in Common Core, 21st Century Skills, and Project/Inquiry-Based Learning, the first column in this  graphic doesn't give all of these shifts and the work educators are putting into their practice enough credit. 

We need to shift our practices to engage our youth. Some of the best ways to do that are through student-centered approaches that allow students to drive their learning, demonstrate their understanding, and help them prove mastery of content in meaningful ways to the the student. This type of instruction is active for the students; it has a feedback loop; and it involves collaborating with peers and the teacher (as facilitator). 

Student-Centered Instructional Practice: “beliefs, actions, processes, philosophies, ways of doing things, and ways of making sense of the purpose of education based on the belief that the outcome defining successful teaching is what the student learned. Subsets within the learner-centered instructional paradigm include such practices as collaborative learning and active learning” (King, 2000, p. 8).  

The "Learning" column in the first graphic is describing that student-centered instructional approach. Through my dissertation, many of Hubba and Freed's (2000) descriptors were supported as having an impact on changing teacher practice to be more student-centered. These included student feedback, treating students as sophisticated knowers, making learning intrapersonal and active, using the teacher as a coach or facilitator of learning, helping student understand what quality work is, making sure students understand application of that work, incorporating teaching and assessing, and using both general and subject-based skills. 

Created by Jaclyn Stevens

At MMS, teachers use "I can" statements, but many also make the objective the essential question. Even students create questions to answer. Students are not limited by exemplars; they can advocate ways to demonstrate their mastery of content. Using student interest is key to connecting learning. Many teachers use learning management systems, such as Schoology or Google Classroom and some are now even blending the learning, so learning can happen anywhere, any time, and at any pace. The learning is collaborative. The teachers take risks and demonstrate to students that they are learners too. We are using the SAMR model to help us and our students dig deeper into their understanding.  These are just a few shifts that we are making at MMS to establish a positive learning environment. A major building goal this year is to transform our practices. I am fortunate enough to have a great, risk-taking, innovative staff who truly wants what's best for our kids. #PowerUpMMS

Positive Outcomes with Innovator's Mindset Characteristics: The Process of Learn, Model, Practice, and Apply

Embodying George Couros's 8 Characteristics of the Innovator's Mindset can make us better leaders, teachers, and students. We cannot just learn empathy, problem finding (and solving), risk taking, networking, observing, creating, being resilient, and reflecting. We need to be able to apply these skills. We need our students to do the same. 

 When it comes to these 8 characteristics, the most positive and beneficial way to both incorporate and empower others to use them is through teaching, modeling, practicing with feedback, and applying to the world beyond the context in which it is learned.

EMPATHY: For others to understand empathy, it not only needs to be defined, but they need to see it. This can be done through videos and modeling. The more authentic and meaningful, the more engaged they will become.  Once understanding and sharing the feelings of another is learned and demonstrated, it needs to be practiced is a safe environment and in a context that is understood. Only then can it be applied beyond that. By truly embracing empathy, new viewpoints will allow for better outcomes.

PROBLEM FINDERS (and SOLVERS): The same steps can be taken: learn, demonstrate, practice, and apply. If we don't have people finding issues or obstacles to being more efficient and productive, it's harder to develop solutions to become better.

RISK TAKERS: While learn, demonstrate, practice, and apply are key, having a safe and supportive environment with a growth mindset will allow more motivation and freedom to take risks and learn from failure. 

NETWORK: We have to allow our teachers and students to collaborate, reflect, and deprivatize their practices with others (in and outside of their buildings). I do this through my state and national associations, but for the last three years, I have also learned so much from my Twitter contacts. One of the best networking tools was the Twitter Challenge by my colleague @MrDomagalski. It was so beneficial, I did it with my teachers. 

OBSERVANT: This is another characteristic that needs to be learned, demonstrated, practiced, and applied. Instead of recreating the wheel, we need to be innovative by making it better, more personalized, and meaningful. We do this through research, observation, and analysis. Why do you think more people go to YouTube to learn something? They are seeing and observing what they want to learn. 

CREATORS: To learn to be creative, we need to go beyond modeling. Sometimes this puts limits on others. Just because we do it a certain way, it's not the only way. I always want my teachers and students to come up with an even better, more creative way. When I don't put limitations, I always get better outcomes than I had even imagined. 

RESILIENT: Learning, modeling, practicing, and applying are key to becoming resilient. Fostering a growth mindset where failure is a part of the learning is an authentic practice of life. 

REFLECT: Reflective practices are one of the best core practices to learning. This practice also needs learned, demonstrated, practiced, and applied within and out of context. Meaningful learning grows from being reflective. This is even stronger when it is done within a network with similar interests and goals. 

The common process for all of these characteristics is that they need to be learned, modeled, practiced, and applied to truly be developed.  Having safe environment where risk taking and failure are not only accepted but expected will stimulate more motivation and growth for positive outcomes.  

Embracing Change with Positivity

"Change is an opportunity to do something amazing" (#InnovatorsMindset @gcouros). 

I used to teach the book Who Moved My Cheese? to my seniors. The book spoke to me since I was a newer teacher and had visions of doing things differently. While some of the staff were excited and the principal supported my vision, others hemmed and hawed like the mouse characters in the book. 

Now as an instructional leader, I want to embrace and support change, especially change that is going to foster the skills our students need for their futures. I try to #LeadPositive by also modeling this type of change for my staff. I read Innovators Mindset over the summer and was both hooked and inspired. 

My opening building PD used modules from ASCD's Teaching Innovation and Creativity series. I even had staff use Schoology to have their discussions that day and will continue this practice throughout our journey this year. What sparked the most passion was the relevant and fun team building activity that we opened our day with: Chopped for Educators.

#PowerUpMMS Team Building "Chopped for Educators"

Our building has a former home economics room that we know use for our life skills class, but it served as the perfect place to have our opening team building activity.

Challenge  Rubric

The teams had a mystery box challenge (see link above) and the winning team won a great goodie bag of school supplies for each team member. The staff loved the hats and aprons, and only had 30 minutes to complete their task. The assistant superintendent, secretary, and custodian judged the dishes created.

After the competition, we talked about all of the 21st Century (#Milan21, our Modern Teacher branding) skills this competition needed: Creativity & Innovation, Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, Communication & Collaboration, Flexibility & Adaptability, Initiative & Self Direction, Social & Cross Cultural Skills, Productivity & Accountability, and Leadership & Responsibility. In addition, we discussed how just this one exercise not only hits all of these skills, but all content areas could think of standards their students could learn and demonstrate with minor tweaks. 

I took a risk using up some of my building PD this way, but it paid off. I was positive and enthusiastic about the day and activities. The teachers had fun; team building happened; it was relevant; and it modeled what I have been preaching:

• Risk Taking is key for staff and students.
• Some of the best ideas are out of the box.
• Learning can happen in many ways.
• Failing is necessary for growth.
• Learning should be interactive and fun.
• Transforming practices are key to being more student-centered. 

I am totally behind the change that needs to take place for our students. We have to support and guide our teachers on all levels of readiness. The #IMMOOC network is going to help and support me to better do just that! How about you?

MEMSPA Conference 2015 Takeaways

Conference leadership, networking, learning, and fun! 

The 90th MEMSPA (2015) Annual Conference was a huge success: learning enhanced and relationships and networking expanded. 

The conference was opened with my welcome and reminder to be grateful and #LeadPositive. In addition, suggestions were made to help participants to maximize their conference experience: Grow Your Network; Get Smarter. Repeat.; Curate and Create Content; Share the Smarts: Knowledge Transfer With Your Team; and Optimize the Value (Lee Odden: online marketing blog).
Our first general session keynote, Dr. John Draper, spoke about America's schools and reminded us that "Teachers are the solution to the problem," and "Miracles happen every day in public schools." Draper was inspiring and passionate about our work in public education.

The afternoon general session with State Superintendent Whiston demonstrated his openness, support, and collaboration with Michigan Schools and stakeholders. Whiston reminds us that our voice needs to be heard. Our executive director Paul Liabenow, was supported through a surprise flash mob to "We are Family." Principals from around the state learned the routine to honor him and all of his advocacy for us, our schools, and our students. My day ended with visiting with new principals to the association at dinner and greeting conference attendees.

Thursday was the best day: full of great speakers, breakout sessions, time to network, recognize leaders, do official association business, and end with some social time to unwind. Keynote speaker, George Couros, reminds us to be innovative and help children find their passion. We learned that it is more than making better students; it's making better people. Other great sessions that I attended included "Connected Pedagogy" and Twitter for Professional Learning. I lead the delegate assembly, met with vendors, spoke to retirees and past presidents of the association, and socialized with the membership. My favorite part of the night was recognizing our regional principals of the year and our Michigan Outstanding Practicing Principal at the Leadership Banquet. I am always inspired by these fantastic leaders. Congratulations Michigan's 2015 Outstanding Practicing Principal, Nicole Airgood.

Friday, we ended our day with Dr. Nancy Coleflesh who proves to us that we can make a difference even in the most difficult of times. I value this time with my colleagues. I hope, if you attended, you did too. Keep networking, use your connections and resources, and don't forget to continue your learning on #MEMSPAchat, Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. It's been a great year!

Remember: #LeadPositive, have gratitude, share the wonderful happenings, be innovative, let students loose, learn and grow, share with your colleagues, and repeat. Have a great holiday season and a fantastic New Year!

Serving you,
Shanna