Teaching with Fidelity

Right now I'm analyzing some achievement data, and noticed a discrepancy between what I thought the data would tell me and what it actually did tell me. I started racking my brain to think of why the numbers didn't turn out quite the way I thought they would, and then I remembered the particular year in question was the first year of a new textbook adoption, and as anyone who analyzes data knows (say it with me, everyone) "first year implementations always show a decrease in performance."

I remembered a conversation I had with an administrator that same year, who said that we should see gains in achievement as long as we implement the new program with fidelity.

Now here's where I'm going to get on the soapbox. Seeing the implementation of programs that have attributed to major gains in performance, and as the creator of professional development programs, I absolutely agree. We definitely want the teacher that is guiding and providing instruction to be upholding rigorous demands. We know that's what is right to make a difference in our students' lives.

But, shouldn't we just be teaching with fidelity? Why are we saying that we need to uphold the fidelity of a particular program when maybe more importantly, we need to uphold the fidelity of rigorous instruction? Our world is changing, and with that change brings the need of a creative class, moving away from the agrarian and factory model that most of school has been based on.

Obviously, "teaching with fidelity" has room for interpretation. The definition of fidelity even suggests that by using this phrase, there is an exact formula for teaching, when in fact, we need to consider the needs of our students in order to personalize learning. Fidelity doesn't mean working hard. Teaching with fidelity is about having high expectations for our students, challenging and pushing them, not allowing failure or even second best. It's about changing the lesson plans every year because no two groups of students are the same. It's about personalizing learning for every student, making the curriculum relevant to today's (and tomorrow's world) and making assessments authentic. It's about no two end products looking alike.

Let's make a fidelity scale. It might look like this:

I would say first and foremost, there are many, many more indicators that belong on this scale. School and learning are not about one single thing. The idea of learning encompasses everything from relationships to curriculum to assessment to strategies to delivery. As a teacher, I have thought about all the "things they didn't tell us in college," like the parent meetings, paperwork, curriculum writing, grading, mini counseling sessions, and so on. Similar to this, learning, a legitimate deep understanding, encompasses a collection of essentials that have to come together for one outcome. This outcome is that information is not only retained, but is used to analyze other ideas, considered critically from an alternate point of view, or used as a foundation to build an entirely new idea.

Teaching like this, in the upper end of Bloom's scale, encompassing real and relevant learning opportunities, using multiple resources and teaching students to consider the validity of resources, presenting information to authentic audiences, and creating, is teaching with fidelity. Take a look at the above scale. Additionally, consider how your students are thinking critically, if they're creating original works, and how you are personalizing the education of all your students. Where does your teaching fall on the fidelity scale?

Our world is changing. Information is growing. We have to raise kids up in a different way than we did in the past. Teaching kids to function in reading, writing, and math is no longer the end goal. Teaching them a skill set of persuasion, analysis, synthesis, evaluative decision making, collaborative teamwork, and problem solving is just the beginning for today's generation. We have to teach with fidelity to make a difference for our kids.

Think about it - what does fidelity encompass? How can we, as a whole, change so that we are teaching with fidelity? How can we measure it? This is what we need to consider when we're planning for our next year. This is how we can ensure that our students are truly learning and engaging rather than simply jumping through the hoops of school. This is what we need to do to teach with fidelity.

Thinking Different

What is real life creativity? Let's start with your commute to the office. If you're like many people I know, you will stop by the coffee shop on your way in and purchase a $4 designer cup of sugar, cream, and flavoring. Even if your coffee of choice is not the frothy blend, chances are your coffee shop has considered the season and availability of various coffees and will offer you coffee black, with anything from a light blend to a robust, nutty dark brew with a fancy name. More than likely, the coffee shop will have some type of advertisement displaying the new blend or the return of an old favorite with some catchy slogan. 

This is creativity. And this is just a trip to the coffee shop. Imagine the creativity that you will encounter in every other part of your day. When you read a new article in your publication of choice, when you take in a commercial on the radio or TV, or even when you go to your local department store.

These are all examples of creativity. Someone had to decide what creativity was going to look like in each of those examples. It's someone's job to invent the coffee flavor, design the advertisements, write the piece that catches your eye, and design the store displays that will make you take notice. And we need to recognize that none of these examples are limited to "the artsy ones," the ones that can draw really well, or maybe are really good at crafts or something like that. They're not Martha Stewart. They're the ones that realize that the next big move or the next thing driving their business is dependent upon being different, innovating, or standing out. Because why else would you spend $4 on coffee? 

I'm thinking about Apple's Think Different campaign from back in the late 90's. 

How often do we allow ourselves to think different? And are we teaching kids to think different? Or are we still expecting every student to turn out the same product? Being creative is being different. Our world depends on creativity- solving unique problems, challenging "because we've always done it that way."  We have to innovate, we have to inspire. We can't be afraid to stand out and be different. Because if we do, all we've done is create an unrealistic world. One without problem solving, one in which we make poor decisions because we have been spoon fed. Our world is anything but monotonous. We have to prepare students for uncertainty, and we have to prepare them to continue innovating.

By the way, this year's seniors were born in 1997, the same year Apple launched the Think Different campaign. Has their education been about thinking different or has it simply been replicating previous decades?

It's Fair Season!

Would you like to win a Flip video camera? What about an iPad? You could be the lucky one chosen because it's once again time for the Joplin Schools Annual Technology Fair!  All you have to do is sign up a few students from your class to showcase their awesome work on April 22nd from 5-7pm at the JHS 11/12 campus.

Because last year's changes were very effective, we are continuing with the categories of Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.  There will be elementary and secondary winners in each, and this year, we will be instituting a traveling trophy for the winners in each category.  There will also be random drawings for an iPad 1 and a Flip video camera.

Hurry! You'll need to get your entry submitted before April 15th to be included in the brochure!

Just Google, Making Your Life a Little Easier....

One thing I love about Google Docs are the Scripts that can be installed and used with some of your already existing forms.  AutoCrat is one of my favorites.  With it, you can mail merge a form with a document.  This is what it means:
1. Create a Google form to collect whatever data you want.  Here's an example of one of mine:

2. Create a Google doc for the form data.  Where the data should be entered into the form, place double brackets. It looks like this:

3. Go back to the form, select "Tools" from the menu bar, and search scripts.

4. Search for the AutoCrat script and click "Install."  This will take a few minutes.  You'll be asked to Authorize it, and then the spreadsheet will open a new sheet in the document.  Simply tab over to Sheet1.

5. Click on the new autoCrat tab at the top and click "Run Initial Configuration."

6. Select the name of the document you created in step 2, and when prompted, just follow the bouncing ball (clicking save/submit) until you get to step 4.  Match the document tags to the sheet header titles in the form, as shown:

7. On the next screen, choose "Save merged file to Docs."  Choose the folder you want to save it to and choose your naming convention. Choose the type of file you want to save (google doc or .pdf), and check "Send merged files via email."  Your form should have had an area for users to input email.  Copy and paste the field setting for the email input into the next field.

8. Click Save settings and allow the documents to merge.  You'll notice a new column that appears in the spreadsheet.  This is your verification that the form has sent.  You'll also have a copy of the sent form in your Google Docs, should you need it.  Your new document will have all the information your users provided in the form of a letter.

The possibilities of this tool are endless! And there you go. That's just Google.  Making your life a little easier.

Supporting Technology in Your School

If you're an administrator, you might sometimes wonder how you can support teachers in your building when it comes to integrating technology into the curriculum.  Remember, staying up to date with technology as an administrator is just as critical as it is for classroom teachers.  Here's a few people you can add to your PLN:

If you're a "Pinner," here's a board for you to follow:  Jennifer Phillips, Ed Tech and Social Media
If you're a "Tweeter," here's a great new lead for you: Jen Sigrist

As we move towards the Common Core, we have a greater need than ever to focus on technology integration.  Not only is technology embedded in the Core Standards, but we also aid in student's learning, understanding, and innovation when we use their tools to meet learning goals and objectives.  Here's a middle school project idea to meet Common Core Standards for all core subjects of math, ELA, science, and social studies:

"Your community is redeveloping and wants to find a way to bring families and neighborhoods together.  A plot of land has been set aside to build a park.  Your group must research other parks and poll community members to make conclusions about what the community would like to see in the new park.  After collecting data, you will design a prototype model to present to the project development board as well as publications in the form of brochures or videos to attract visitors.  You will integrate maps and pictures into your publications."

An example project such as the one above would involve critical thinking in the form of evaluation, analysis, and synthesis.  Students would be involved in researching using Internet tools and would compile the collected data in a spreadsheet so preferences could be easily graphed.  Interactive maps could be accessed for layout, and students would use a variety of tools to experience geometry in the real world.  Students will write rough drafts and publish finished products as a community resource using visual literacy skills.

Although the above is an example for middle school, it could be adapted for both high school and upper elementary classes.  If you need resources for grade levels that do not fit either of these categories, please contact me.

I'd love to come work with your school during a PLC or other PD day to show you how technology tools can be used to meet CCSS. Check out my calendar for availability:



 

Creating Your PLN

In my last post, I gave the reasons for creating a PLN.  Here's a few quick links with tutorials demonstrating how to create various accounts for your PLN.


Creating a Twitter Account:

Creating a Pinterest PLN:

Use them on your computer or with mobile apps to stay connected!

Developing a Learning Network

How do we depend on networks in our lives?
How will you continue to depend on a network as professionals?

Technology changes so fast that it's hard to keep up with it.  As soon as you get used to one application, something new has taken its place.  Staying ahead of the curve can take a conscious effort.  

Many professionals use Web 2.0 tools to stay connected. You may hear this referred to as a "PLN," or Personal Learning Network. A popular one is Twitter, and recently, Pinterest has become a highly desired choice.  When choosing how you'll develop your Personal Learning Network, you need to consider what works for you and the time you have.  Here's a breakdown of each:


Twitter:

• Online social network
• There's an app for that
• Short, concise information
• Typically links to other sites
• Sometimes has inspiring messages
• Easy to follow leaders in Ed Tech

Pinterest:

• Online visual bookmarking service
• There's an app for that
• Easy to categorize information using boards
• Links to other sites and blogs

Developing a solid PLN is a good way to stay in the know.  

Here's an example of how I use Twitter:
My Twitter Feed
My Twitter EdTech list (This is a custom list I made of Tweeters that specifically provide information I use regularly)

Here are links to my Pinterest boards dealing with education:

Technology Integration

Non-Techy Education

Flipped Classroom

You must decide two things.  First, what are you looking for in a PLN? Do you want to keep up with innovators, cool sites, great leaders, or new tools?  What makes the difference is who you choose to follow.  Something else to remember is that it's important to contribute if you're wanting to learn from others. Taking but not providing won't get you far for long.

Before you build your PLN, decide what you're looking for.  Create a checklist of items you want to see from people (or companies) you'll follow to develop a PLN. This will be anything that you think will keep you in the loop with new technologies and/or ideas to use technology in the classroom.  Then, use the checklist to create your PLN.  You could choose to use a variety of social media, like Facebook or YouTube. This will help keep you abreast with new information and new technologies.