EDLD 5320.D02 Synthesis Digital LearnLea

Capstone

Welcome to EDLD 5320, Synthesis of Digital Learning and Leadership/Capstone - The purpose of the synthesis course is to provide students with the opportunity to synthesize the knowledge, skills and values gained from the program and field experiences to lead organizational change.

---Dr. Christine Haynes

COVA Reflection & Application

COVA Reflection & Application Assignment

Guadalupe Mata-Claflin

Lamar University

EDLD 5320.D02: Synthesis Digital Learn/Leader

Dr. Christina Haynes

October 18, 2020

Innovation Project

First, I would like to share something that happened to me when I embarked at a different journey back in 2016. After my retirement as a school administrator, I decided that I wanted to continue assisting administrators, teachers, students, and parents. Since I never made time to learn technology, I knew I was in trouble. I went back to Graduate school in 2016 to obtain a degree in Instructional Technology at Texas A&M-Kingsville. But then I realized I only had learned how to develop programs on implementing technology, developing staff developments, and other useful strategies which I already had knowledge about it. Therefore, I decided to look for another program that would assist me to entice my audience on how to embark on an active learning approach based on proven constructivist theories.

My Journey

I realized that I had choice, ownership, and voice through my authentic assignments especially in developing the ePortfolio. My ePortfolio needs to be better developed in order to make it more inviting. Sometimes I felt lost in some of my assignments, but my professors were always willing to answer any questions I had. After teaching 20 years plus in a traditional setting, it was a challenge. It was like that I finally get to share my authentic ideas/projects. In order to adjust to this style of learning, I read about Fixed Mind-set vs. Growth Mind-Set. It helped me analyzed the educators I was trying to assist. I know more people that have a fixed mind-set about implementing technology than those that have a growth mind-set. This will certainly not allow them to change for them to succeed.

Promoting Change

I had no trouble adjusting to this style of learning because I was tired of following directives from my school district’s bosses. They only tend to stick to the old ways of teaching. Even though I wanted to go from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, I was not allowed. But now that teachers have more say-so in developing their lesson plans and activities, the students will be allowed to share the same opportunity through COVA and CSLE. My sharing of this new learning convinced many of them to go from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset which is an amazing change. Throughout all my classes, my professors guided me through the development of my ePortfolio and learning about technological innovations as opportunities and not challenges. They also added digital learning resources to my new digital tools’ collection. What was of high interest to me is how to focus on the people first. We need to appeal to their hearts and not just their heads. Remarkably interesting. I tried to develop my innovation plan in hopes of changing my organization which I think that I advanced to some level. As I was learning about COVA and CSLE, I started applying it with my group. Due to the pandemic, the teachers in my area are home and teaching virtually. Therefore,they are not having group meetings with trainings on campus or walkthrough observations by administrators to get assistance/feedback. Therefore, this is an excellent opportunity for them to implement the COVA approach. This is can be the time to assist them on changing their learning philosophy.

Challenges

I immediately saw that the persons that I assist were excited about what I was sharing with them, especially the teachers. They were used to follow the school district’s directives to the“T”. Many of the teachers wanted to stay in their comfort zone for fear of technology. But once I learned more about COVA and CSLE, I was in disbelief that we never had given our teachers the opportunity to have choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning. Another issue is that there are around 45 ESL students in 6th grade. Some of them are barely learning English due to the fact that they just immigrated from a Central America country. At the same time, we all were learning together. The older staff were so scared to learn something new so I recommended that they read “Who Moved My Cheese?” (Johnson, 1998). The school districts around me have been teaching virtually learning since late March 2020. Therefore, this new learning I have shared has helped many of the teachers and administrators. But I still have hurdles/obstacles in the future since there are some persons who are stuck at the fixed mindset. Are they afraid of failure, criticism, more work for them to develop authentic activities or what? This is something that I will continue to work with them during my journey.

References

COVA Approach. http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991

CSLE. http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=849

Holmes, N. (2013). Image. http://www.harapnuik.org/?p=3627

Johnson, S. (1998). Who Moved My Cheese? https://youtu.be/hlBD4vJsPzo

Innovation Project Reflection

Innovation Project

Guadalupe Mata-Claflin

Lamar University

EDLD 5320.D02: Synthesis Digital Learn/Leader

Dr. Christina Haynes

October 25, 2020

Innovation Project

My Innovation Plan is about working as a Science consultant for sixth grade students. I wanted to assist this group because my daughter teaches in this group. She needed the other teachers to jump on board with new ideas. The intention was to work with the sixth-grade teachers so they could integrate blended learning strategies with their students. But these strategies could be applied to any subject at any grade level. Any teacher is welcome to apply/share them with other educators/students.

Beginning of Plan

The beginning of the plan was to meet with the sixth-grade teachers to discuss concerned issues such as, why are the Science scores so low at the end of the year. We also discussed the lack of intervention strategies, some students are off task and lack of teacher training/assistance. I will also involve everyone (including parents) to integrate technology devices/tools which is part of my disruptive innovation. As a matter of fact, around 70% of the parents that need assistance speak only Spanish. Therefore, I am translating only what they ask me for. For example, one parent wanted me to give her step by step instructions in viewing detailed objectives his child needed assistance with due to low scores. Our teachers and students need to embrace technology innovations as opportunities for higher learning.

Halfway through Plan

My plan was to have teachers integrate more technology to enhance students’ learning to a higher level. Due to some health problems that I did not expect, I was out of communication for an entire year. Currently, I am halfway through my project due to the pandemic situation. Since all the teachers and students are at home learning virtually, it is hard to meet with teachers as a group to share and discuss test scores/strategies. When we have discussions virtually, there are too many

interruptions such as, someone’s device froze, person went off screen or family situation that person had to leave meeting. I wished I had completed my plan with great results.

Continuing my Plan and Journey

To complete my plan, I need to meet with the teachers on a regular basis which can be weekly, biweekly, or monthly in person. We need to share feedback as to what worked, is working or needs to be modified. We need to make sure that Science test scores have risen due to higher student learning, new strategies have been implemented and teachers feel 100% comfortable with technology/assistance because of implementing technology at school and home. Our communication will continue through videoconferencing, emailing and phone calling during the pandemic. Those teachers and students that will be allowed on campus will continue to work in small groups with everyone wearing masks for safety.

While working on this plan with everyone involved, there were many points that I analyzed and assessed during my learning process. I learned that it is easier to change students from a fixed mindset (where it is needed to succeed) than it is with adults. As I speak, I am struggling with a couple of older teachers that past their retirement time and always had the fear of computers. One has asked me to assist her in completing paperwork to retire in December rather than overcome some obstacles. Even though we have given them every possible assistance that we have with technology, they are unable to adjust.

There are various ways that I plan to promote and communicate my innovation project. At the end of the project, I plan to develop it as a study. I will include who was involved (no names mentioned), grade level, test scores before and after (probably will measure the students’ results for two years, strategies applied and final feedback from those involve. This study can be shared by anyone involved including the Principal. I know that when I embark in another project, I will be more knowledgeable on assisting with their own mindset. Now I know that some persons will not change to get better results in what they undertake. For sure, I must apply everything I learned about COVA and CSLE to assure success.

References:

Turning Technologies. 2020. Effective Blended Learning Strategies | Turning Technologies. [online]

Available at: <https://www.turningtechnologies.com/news-and-events/tips/effective-blended-

learning-strategies/> [Accessed 6 November 2020].

Digital Learning & Leading Journey Synthesis

The Goal of My Journey

Capstone

COVA Reflection & Application

Innovation Project Reflection