Just Keep Moving the Paddles to Keep the Ball in Play
I know what I want my students to learn -and then
I get to the class and "Life Happens"
... my class everyday!
As I started to read "A Self- Directed Guide to Designing Courses for Significant Learning", by L. Dee Fink, PhD it started coming together for me. I have to be more organized in my classroom.
My classroom is a bit different than the ordinary I have students every other day for 30 minutes, it is a "special". The classroom teachers prep time, I don't give grades but I do get a suggestions for the classroom teachers on what I "need" to do that day.
In short - I can have plans but they get changed for me.
As I read though, it made me come to the realization that I do have plans and I do have goals and I need to organize them so that I can get right back to the script even when I get off course. If I don't have a plan to reach my goals for each section I want to teach how will I know if I made it.
Planning a Course
After looking at the situational factors that affect the learning environment - I know that I have the best job in the building. I see my littles every other day, I get to teach them about things that are new and exciting to them and I don't have to give grades. My classes are like playing most ever day.
Play =
Imagination
and Rules
My innovation plan is to help facilitate project based learning in the junior high school level. My BHAG is the fore-runner to this goal because I am introducing available resources to enhance the students creative creations. In the book A New Culture of Learning, Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown talk and explain the the importance of the cultural change in learning because of the continual change in the world. If I can help my students learn that is ok to "hang out, mess around and geek out" with new learning tools- the content teachers will be able to add their lessons and the students will be able show their learning with choice, ownership, voice and authentic learning experiences.
Three column table mapping worksheets: Worksheet 1 Side 1, Side 2, Worksheet 2
Fink, L. Dee, PhD. A Self-Directed Guide to Designing Courses for Significant Learning. N.p.: n.p., n.d. PDF.
Thomas, D., & Brown, J. S. (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change. Lexington, Kentucky.: CreateSpace.
This book finally connected my need to teach technology but not for technology sake. The connections of new learning culture to on-line games and technology gave validity for my desire to help students connect their school learning with the enjoyment of everywhere else.
Image. Pong. http://bavatuesdays.com/files/2012/02/1pong.gif.