Reflection 29: Changes

The teacher I was 13 years ago wouldn't recognize the teacher that I am today. In so many ways. The combination of experience, age, training through International Baccalaureate, and understanding of student learning has moved me from a teacher-center expert imparting knowledge to a guided explorer focusing on critical thinking and application. Focusing on outcomes provides students the opportunity to make personal connections, learn to question and apply critical knowledge and understanding. Most importantly, the teacher I am now focuses on the positive. More than greeting the students when they enter the library or kind words, the change involves how I evaluate student assignments. Digital tools allow me to identify what the student has done correctly as well as answers or aspects that are incorrect. To me this connects to the growth mindset, showing students that the brain, or intellect, continues to gain knowledge with use.

Reflection 28: Curriculum and Technology

Technology is a tool. And tools should never drive curriculum. Did the pencil drive curriculum? The overhead projector? Tools allow educators to deliver instruction of the curriculum in engaging ways that connect learners with opportunities for creation and demonstration of understanding. For instance, this week my new IB Diploma students are beginning the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course. As an introduction, they are given a letter from me that provides an overview of the course, what will be studied over the next two years and the assessment requirements. From this letter students need to create a visual presentation of their interpretation of TOK. This is a fun way for students to begin thinking about the course and also a formative assessment for me to understand each student as a learner. Interpretation of written information and how each student expresses himself are two pieces of information I learn from this activity. Students aren't directed how to create their visual representation. Some choose poster board. Some create Prezi's or Google presentations. Technology is a tool.

Reflection 27: Weekends and Holidays

Like many educators, weekends and holidays include more hours engaged in work than most people outside of education would believe! The reality is that most are used to either engage in long-term lesson planning or catch up on evaluation of assignments. What I want to do with my weekends and holidays? Read and get outside. In all weather! Striving for balance in my life, I have made the last two a priority. The rejuvenation the activities I love give me actually make me more productive when I return to my work responsibilities.

Reflection 26: Ideal Student Collaboration

Student collaboration, ideally, should be an organic occurrence that comes from a learning environment that encourages active thinking and application. However, some time (perhaps even considerable time) may need to be spent creating the culture in the classroom for collaboration. This can be done by encouraging partner sharing as formative assessments, creating opportunities for group work where the process is recognized instead of the product and providing feedback that identifies the positive aspects of collaboration you are witnessing more than what students need to do differently. In the best scenario, student collaboration would be:

• More student driven than teacher assigned
• Represent thinking and creating
• Allow students to share their expertise
• Stretch students to assume new roles

Reflection 24: Blended Learning

Blended learning is the learning trend that captures my attention the most. My belief is that it is not just a trend, but the way instruction will be delivered for the foreseeable future. Blended classrooms harness the best of face-to-face instruction with online components that allow students to have a choice in the pace, place and time instruction and learning occur. My belief is that this delivery method allows for the educator to personalize for students while supporting them in the learning process.

Reflection 23: Meaningful Connection

One way that I involve the community is by having our School Board President, Mr. Andy Goulet, speak to my library science and TOK students. This week, as students learn about Banned Books Week and the issue of First Amendment freedoms as applied to school libraries, Mr. Goulet spent a day discussing the role of the school board and policy when books are challenged. An avid reader, Mr. Goulet then shared passages from books he has donated to the library collection, connecting with students his love of history and books.

Reflection 22: My PLN

My PLN begins with the amazing #MichED Community. What I have learned from the community and the chat team have influenced me as an educator and instructional leader. Beyond Twitter, we have made it a priority to support one another in instructional practice, conference facilitation and educational thought and practice. I receive the most "push" from this community.

MichED "UnPlugged" July, 2014

Beyond #MichEd, Twitter in general has connected me with educational leaders and instructors around the world. I know of no other way to connect and have a professional book club with a teacher in Hong Kong, discuss educational theory with people in Australia and New Zealand, or confer with experts I admire like Kevin Honeycutt and Ginger Lehman.