This course has forced me to think very deeply about the environment necessary for my Innovation Project. I am working with a lot of people outside of my classroom and department. My students are working with another teacher and their class. I really have to be mindful of the environment necessary for this project to be successful and sustaining. It won’t happen by accident.
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Note: this is a follow up to my earlier Growth Mindset Post I began to develop a growth mindset with my learners last year. I was having continual struggles in class over grades. I would be focusing on the quality of the work and they were focused on the grade that received. After several discussions with the class, I change the way that I grade. I had been wanting to get to a more standards-based grading system but wasn’t sure how. In the discussions with my learners I saw potential opportunity.
Instead of putting in an assignment as a grade, we have something standards-based instead. There are several facets to this and it is a work in progress.
I have to pause and reflect as I think about why administrators, other teachers, and so many other people don’t fully except these changes. They have their own pressures and perspectives. Given their circumstances, their perspective, and their experiences, I can’t say that I would think or act any differently than they have. It’s not an “us versus them” situation, it’s a matter of perspective. The same is true for my students. It won’t be easy. It won’t happen overnight. But it will be worthwhile.
In my class, I try hard to give students the opportunity to find the things they’re passionate about. It’s difficult. They are seniors and they like to take a semester (or more) off if given the chance. I found that when they’re passionate about the challenge they’re working on, they will work all year including into the summer. Even after graduation. My constant challenge is to bring that passion out of all each of my learners. I find that I work harder now to keep the environment rigorous and challenging but also appropriate to each learner.
References Vest, C. (2007, January 9). Educating engineers for 2020 and beyond. Retrieved from NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering: http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/7126/7639.aspx |
About 5313This is my fourth course in the Lamar University Digital Leading and Learning program. From here, I will be working on creating an environment conducive to the successful completion and longevity of my project. ArchivesCategories |