Learning Manifesto

Learning Manifesto

This weeks focus was on my Learning Manifesto.  I discussed my passion, emerging issues related to digital learning, the pros and cons of current education, and my core beliefs about digital learning.

MY PASSION

• Providing a quality education for all  students
• Bringing out the personal best in all students
• Technology-Preparing all students for 21st Century opportunities

EMERGING ISSUES RELATED TO DIGITAL LEARNING

• Technology training/Professional Development
• Available funding
• Access to technology outside of school

PROS AND CONS OF CURRENT EDUCATION

          PROS

• Opportunity for Free Appropriate Public Education
• Better job opportunities
• Accountability

       
  CONS

• Highly Qualified Teachers
• Status Symbol

CORE BELIEFS

• Digital learning provides authentic, engaging and meaningful opportunities for students.
• Educational leaders must embrace technology; change their "mental model.

Click on the the following URL to learn more about my Learning Manifesto:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9Q2u1sGKEC4VWZLRXJ6LWRuVEU/view

Growth Mindset

Growth Mindset

During this week, I had the opportunity to develop a Growth Mindset Plan.  The plan I developed focused on cultivating a growth mindset culture in schools.  I chose to implement the plan in phases:

Phase I: Leadership Training
Phase II: Faculty and Staff Training
Phase III: Training for Families
Phase IV: Training for Stakeholders

Each phase focuses on a plan for developing the growth mindset campus wide.  In Phase I, the campus leader will be exposed to training and resources to implement on the campus at all levels.
Phase II teacher training will be provided.  Teachers also have access to materials and resources on line and off line, including professional learning opportunities.  Training for families, Phase III, provide parents with on-line instructional units and off-line classroom activities to use at home with their students.  Resources are also available in English and Spanish.  Finally, Phase IV will provide training for all growth mindset stakeholders utilizing the materials within the Mindset Works.

The intent is to implement the program on my campus and help move away from a fixed mindset in individuals.  With the phases in place, I believe this will help everyone to easily adapt and adjust from fixed to growth mindsets over time.

To see more information on my Growth Mindset Plan visit the following URL:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9Q2u1sGKEC4RnpNVUNzTWZkWkk/view

Learning Communities

This week I joined three professional learning networks:

EdChat - Twitter chat held every Tuesday at 12-1 and 7-8 pm ET.  Educators all over the world discuss educational related topics.

Classroom 2.0 - Webinars held every Saturday to discuss Web 2.0 tools and media in education.

edWeb.net-   Online social network that allows you to form your own professional learning communities and game-based learning forum with game developers to participate in dialogue on best practices.

 Although I have not participated in any on-line learning communities, I am looking forward to consuming and contributing to the three I joined.  In the beginning, I think I will initially be a consumer until I develop a sense of comfort in what I am doing.  Afterwards, I can definitely see my slowly moving into contributor mode as I develop my comfort with the online dialogue.

This type of networking tool can be critical to advancement of knowledge in education.  For instance, it provides the opportunity to learn from and share best practices with educators from all over the world.  Additionally, you have the opportunity to brainstorm and connect with others, while networking and establishing a sense of community.

teachthought.com- Website that is for growing teachers.  Website provides strategies and informational tips on how to grow teachers, as well as podcasts and professional development strategies.  I also have been following @TeachThought on Twitter the last few weeks and I have been acquired great tools and useful information for my teachers.