Reflections

So, why this presentation? I am deeply passionate about educational change and wondered why all were not jumping on board.
Please bear with me about this history.

I am fortunate to be part of the [|Classrooms for the Future initiative in PA]. Part of the grant requires teachers to take 3 30-hour courses on 21st century learning. My first glimpse into change was the resistance over the class. In the first year of the grant, only 13 teachers were involved as well as a full-time coach who previously was a classroom teacher. We were first asked if we wanted to participate as we were forward thinkers but had the opportunity to decline (all requirements were laid out up front.) Most think that people just need to know there is another vision of education out there and they should be changing with the times. You can lead a horse to water...

I loved the first class taken in 2006-2007. I was already looking to leave teaching even after 20 years. It spoke to what I wanted to be as a teacher. It also let me know that there was a whole world out there that I had not seen. Articles and excerpts from [|David Warlick] and [|Vicki Davis] motivated me. I was thirsty for knowledge and began searching on my own for more. I also spent time "standing on a soapbox" extolling my beliefs and values to all within earshot. I know, I learn the hard way. Just laying out information does not create change.

That first year was all about the tools. They were exciting. It was a new medium. Students liked it but the pitfalls began to show themselves. Activities just changed from paper to digital (I am an environmentalist so this was still good.) But, it was not quite right. We just created more expensive posters and lab reports. It still did not feel like what we should be doing. Near the end of the school year, I started a wiki.

I spent that Spring and Summer researching, commenting, and eventually [|blogging]. I learned so much from the class:
 * It was online
 * Full of research and resources
 * Focused on reflection in a learning log
 * Discussions in our study group
 * The downfall: discussion groups were in our curriculum area in our school. A variety of voices are needed for this and should be state-wide instead of confined to our small district. Would that have made a difference to have more outside voices?

(I really did not begin blogging in earnest until November/December 2007.) I seemed to be the only one who really became enthused and enlightened by the class we took, 21st century learning, and educational reform. I wondered why - I really thought that maybe they were not learners themselves, and became very disappointed in what I was seeing. I was fueled even more by the excitement of many of my students and their questioning of the difference in use by teachers. Since I had not determined the actual barriers, what I saw was my perception and not what they may have been thinking.

The second class in 2007-2008 focused on Authentic Instruction in Science. This was actually up my alley as much of my Master's courses focused on this topic. (Unfortunately, in 1992, it was difficult to implement due to lack of resources.) Between the class and reading blogs/blogging, I made the shift to an AI/PBL approach in my classes. My wiki became the vehicle. Many activities still felt contrived but it was a move in the right direction. I reflected, I changed, I still did the "soap box thing" and the push back seemed to be ever increasing. Many teachers were making small changes but they were not as radical as mine. (In their defense, many are concerned about state tests. I am not, but I understand if they are.) At the same time, a new group of teachers were incorporated into the grant and began their first class. So now we had tiers of learners and experts. My coach was so supportive and had great ideas. She offered advice, made sure that parent permissions for wikis and nings were okay, as well as answering questions from supervisors. We have since incorporated the permissions into our district's Acceptable Use Policy, which covers just about all we can think of for future needs.

I really began to think about what I was doing and saying and by mid year, I started to re-think how I related to others. I am naturally opinionated and not afraid to speak my mind, but it became apparent that some people did not like the change because of purely simple reasons. At the same time, they would bemoan that students did not want to learn (I have found that this fits many adults too). They were so happy that students did well on activities but would fail tests. This seemed like a **problem** to them. I also understood that I could not change all, but could instead focus on those I can most change.

At the same time, the relationship with my teen daughter was strained. My husband offered Crucial Confrontations (he is a supervisor at a large power plant.) Reading it filled in the holes of what I had been reflecting on the past year. I started to realize that people come to change at their own pace, it is highly personal, and it can be aided by helping them or removing barriers in some way. Not all strategies work with all people and beginning on a personal level is the way to start.

I changed my tactic from "soap box" to casual conversations waiting for opportune times to "offer a vision" for them. When they were able to see that 21st century learning can solve a problem and maintain what it is they were afraid of losing, they would step in that direction. I was there. I was an informal and personal coach at their class level. I helped. I spent a lot of time. Sometimes that is frustrating, but I have gained tremendously from this. Remember I am not an expert. I am on a journey. I am learning continuously even from those with less experience than me. As a result, I am now co-collaborating on two of the classes that I teach (collaboration is not just an activity for students.) We are planning together and creating projects that may not have been achievable on my own. They started out with their own abilities which did not match mine initially. But I have found that as they gain confidence, they are more likely to try something on their own. They are more capable than they had imagined.

As part of my personal growth, I also joined a [|book study on "Influencer" with Scott McLeod]. It helped to fill a few more holes. Though on a teachers level, I felt there was very little I personally could change about the structure and management of schools. It did reinforce many concepts learned in the other book and greater perspective into the big things we need to change. It reinforced my ability to make small personal changes and influence those around me.

Though I think I am the only person still who is blogging, I have demonstrated that I do not have all the answers but that I am following many people who are much smarter than me. Being open to new learning experiences is a must as well as seeking out answers and asking questions. I hope that others feel they can make small changes that can increase ripples of energy in their school and cause bigger changes. As for big changes, beliefs of those at higher levels need to be shattered in order to achieve wide sweeping changes (what needs to happen is not discussed here though is a definite barrier in itself.) Still, change is intensely personal. Finding leverage points is key.

2008-2009 is the third year of the grant. All core teachers are now incorporated into Classrooms for the Future and we have another tier of learners in the school. We are approx. 100 laptops away from a one-to-one school. I am hopeful that our school board makes that leap. I am also hopeful that other teachers in my district will coach, mentor, and help one another. Our paid coach may not be there next year. I can still see push backs, questioning (which is not a bad thing), and others making leaps and jumps as well. I am still intensely passionate about change and working to influence those around me (those I have helped are generating their own ripples too.) Social pressure comes from other teachers who follow the path as well as former students who have found 21st century learning to be valuable to them.

I am now taking the 3rd class which is on Inquiry. There are 2 more classes we could take. I am going to ask for them even though they are not required. Rather than be on a soap box, I am showing how it is never too late to learn, the risk is worth taking, we need to support and coach one another, and this is what school can be like.

It will be easy for others to scoff at the ideas in the presentation, feel that it is not enough of a push or change, and it is sorely inadequate. I agree. Change is needed at many levels and this primarily addresses teachers. But if you want change to actually happen and be sustained, it needs to be moved to an intensely personal level with individuals. Change is change no matter how minute. One person can create a vision or lay groundwork to many. Supporting others through the difficult part is necessary for it to happen. You don't need to be an expert for that to happen. At least one teacher thinks so.**
 * Final thoughts:


 * "Be the change you want to see in the world."** [|Mahatma Gandhi]