Module 11 Final Vision Project: Learner Considerations: Who is This for Anyway????

 

Who is it all for?  That is the question!  The answer is myself, my students, their parents and our school community.   

I believe that being a 21st-century educator and inspiring 21st-century learners will positively affect students and better prepare them "to think critically and creatively, to work collaboratively, and to continually transform themselves during their school years and throughout their lifetimes"(Halbert & Kaser, 2017, p.10).

The "New" BC Curriculum focuses on project based and 21st-century learning.  These concepts have not been readily adopted by all teachers, more importantly, haven't been fully adopted by me.  “British Columbia’s redesigned curriculum brings together two features that most educators agree are essential for 21st-century learning: a concept-based approach to learning and a focus on the development of competencies, to foster deeper, more transferable learning” (https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/overview#21-century) 

The "concept based approach"  hasn't been readily adopted by all teachers, more importantly, hasn't been fully adopted by me.  To many teachers, (including me) change can be difficult.  I will honestly admit that I was reluctant to change and hesitant about the "New" BC Curriculum.  I am now ready to take the plunge.  Over the years since the new curriculum was (briefly) introduced to us, I have adopted new ways of teaching and delivering my lessons. 

I adopted "project based learning" and found it to be very successful.  Students were able to take the lead.  They enjoyed the freedom since they were able to work on something that they were specifically interested in. They had options to communicate their learning in a variety of ways.  

The "new" curriculum doesn't work for everyone though.  Neither does 21st-century learning.  As I delve into integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts (and humanities) and Math) into my teaching I realize that not all students are engaged and many don't have the skills to undertake the concepts of critical thinking, collaboration and subject exploration.  

I am wondering if it is because the assignments are open and not prescriptive.  Some students just seem to do better with worksheets,  clear expectations and specific step by step instructions.  

Although I am out of my comfort zone, I believe that I am making a good transition in being able to make goals based on my interests and take risks with my learning.  Creating a blog was really out of my comfort zone, but I have to admit, a lot more fun (and creative) than writing papers!  

I am hoping that my project idea will benefit my students.  I am the intermediate teacher and have been for years.  I take the role of getting my students ready for high school very seriously.  I aspire to prepare them for the higher grades and provide them with a well rounded education as outlined in Goal 2 of our district's Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement (EA).  All partners will work towards increasing the level of academic success for each Aboriginal student (SD 85, Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement,  2018, p. 9).

My project of becoming a 21st-century educator and using digital technology in my classroom will  positively affect parents by opening the doors of communication through a portfolio program called Freshgrade.  

Our school district's Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement goals specifically encourage us to keep the lines of communication open between home and school.  Goal 4 of the agreement states:  All partners will work together to foster success for Aboriginal students through relationship building and partnerships with parents, families and communities (SD 85's Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement 3, 2018, p. 8).

With the current Covid 19 pandemic we have not effectively been able to accomplish effective communication.  I am hoping with the use of Freshgrade we can better inform parents about what we are learning and provide samples of student work for them to see and comment on.  This is crucial for communicating between home and school since we are unable to meet in person.  Freshgrade will "empower students and parents to stay connected with the best remote learning tools available" https://freshgrade.com/.

I am also hoping that once my colleagues see the effectiveness of using Freshgrade that they will also adopt using the program.  I am planning to eventually use the program for my ELL (English Language Learning) students and for our school library program in order to reach more parents and families. 

For the purpose of this project I will be focusing on using it with my class as I learn how to effectively utilize the program.  

I will also be creating a class blog which will benefit all of my target audience as everyone will be able to see the progress of our learning. from a visual perspective.   I tried creating a blog using Edublog but found it to be too difficult and not very user friendly.  I prefer Google Blogger https://abesteacherharris.blogspot.com/  (which is under construction) as I am familiar with the program and it is much less complicated than edublog!

I am anticipating that my project will benefit my colleagues and our school community.   As I learn about programs and resources I would like to share what I have learned with the educators and other students in the school.  

I have come across a fabulous and free resource for integrating STEAM into my classroom through the University of Victoria (UVIC) called "Let's Talk Science."  This program is free, run by volunteers and very flexible and accommodating.  They provide all of the materials (even to our rural and remote area) and conduct the lesson via zoom.  The whole class participates and the class is taught by science and engineering students at UVIC!  

I also found another resource that is free to teachers called Jason Learning.  This interactive program provides free workshops for integrating STEAM into your classroom.  The resources are well laid out and extensive.  They offer "real-world STEM education for the classrooms of tomorrow" (https://jason.org/). 

How much easier can integrating STEAM get???? 

I will communicate my learning via blog reports and reflections re:  integrating STEAM into the classroom and becoming a 21st-century teacher.  As I work through our course I am practising as I learn.  I will share my experiences of using the online and print resources.  

 

I have been using the resource Destination Imagination, Classroom Edition, Supporting 21st-Century Learning (2013).  I have been actively learning how to integrate STEAM lessons into my practice.  I will tell you, it has been a true learning experience.  I understand why we get "stuck" in our practice and repeat what my husband calls "stock lessons."

Over the years I have been keen to try new things and improve my teaching.  There were many "trends" which we either adopted or not.  The benefits of learning while doing is VERY EDUCATIONAL!  My students are learning with me and there are both positive and challenging experiences.  

I have had to adapt, scaffold and support as I realize where student' strengths and needs are.  There is such a variety of learning styles that I have had to be very creative, understanding, and table to think on my feet.  

The open concept learning does not meet all students' needs.  I need to remember the First People's  Principles of Learning (http://www.fnesc.ca/first-peoples-principles-of-learning/) and that we learn at different rates and learns differently.  As students worked on their projects I could see the areas where we are lacking the skills required to be 21st-century learners.

A portion of the class were very comfortable with the required task where others required prompts and assistance with generating ideas.  

I will aspire to work through the kinks, share my learning with my colleagues and encourage them to join me in my quest to be a 21st-century educator.  I believe as educators we change with the times naturally but also need a push to try something new.  What can be more exciting than becoming a 21st-century educator and having the honour of preparing our students for life?! 

I am in!!!!! 

References

Aboriginal enhancement agreement 3:  School district no. 85-Vancouver Island North (2018).  Retrieved from ww.sd85.bc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Enhancement-Agreement-3-2018-to-2023.pdf

First peoples principles of learning [Web page]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fnesc.ca/first-peoples-principles-of-learning/

Freshgrade [Web page]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://freshgrade.com/ 

Kaser, L. & Halbert, J. (2017).  The spiral playbook:  Leading with an inquiring mindset in school systems and schools. C21: Canada.

Let’s talk science [Web page] (n.d.).  Retrieved from https://outreach.letstalkscience.ca/uvic/local-programs/classroom-community-visits.html#workshops

Real-world STEM education for the classrooms of tomorrow [Web page]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://jason.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0caCBhCIARIsAGAfuMxisRKzXo7Jx3QGiD4G1FH42ZnGgjKdQFMXoTLlcMdo5NlXNtk8qNYaAiEnEALw_wcB

Stem for indigenous learners [Web page]. (n.d.).  Retrieved from https://fsc-ccf.ca/research/stem-for-indigenous-learners/