Blend, Engage, Reflect, Repeat - An Innovation Plan
- Candace L. Moffitt
- Dec 6, 2017
- 3 min read
Blend, Engage, Reflect, Repeat: An Innovation Plan
Young Women’s STEAM Academy
710 Cheyenne Rd.
Dallas, TX, 75217
22nd November 2017
Greetings and Great Health Wonder Administrators,
Before I begin I must say thank you for all of your hard work and the dedication you show our students on a daily basis. The job of an administrator is no easy feat. I am certain I speak for everyone on campus when I say thank you.
As we continue to break the chains off of our students we must remember that the archaic method of learning is stagnating the academic progression we seek to create. Students are being advanced without the ability to demonstrate their learning and educators are struggling to keep up with the growing demands state facilitated education and the effective use of technology in the classroom is abandoned for fear of trounce. Those affected the most are often performing below grade level or already classified as SPED/504. If the problem is not caught and corrected as swiftly and aggressively as possible we are sure to do a disservice to our students and ourselves.
I would like to suggest a plan of action that will engage all students and as well as eliminate a portion of the burden educators carry by shifting students from the traditional sit and get method of teaching and allowing classrooms the freedom to evolve into the now. For our Wonder Women the now has come and is on the precipice of passing us by. Starting with the tier 3 students I surveyed them to see how they thought their learning could be enhanced. More than half indicated some form of computer usage to help when the pace is faster than they would prefer. Three students stated rotation on a constant basis would help them focus and buy in to the learning objectives each day.
Initially I wondered how the students’ suggestions could work in my ELAR classroom. I surveyed the tier 1 and tier 2 students as well and the results mirrored the tier 3 students; indicating that the use of technology would be highly beneficial to their academic success. After considering the resources readily available on our campus I checked the logs for the cows (computer on wheels) to see how often they are being utilized. They are not. In actuality the designated cows on the 7th grade floor have only been reserved by myself and one other educator.
I am proposing the incorporation of blended learning in every ELAR classroom to:
shift from the traditional sit-and-get teaching method thus avoiding boredom
create more flexibility to increase rigor for tier 1 (76% +) learners and grow up with grade level (and one step below to close the gap) rigor for tier 3 (54% -) learners
reduce educator stress associated with creating differentiated learning
give students the opportunity to reflect faster and stay connected to their emotions while learning
Why not close the achievement gap and remove educator stress by introducing structured technology into the classroom? Students are already using technology devices for their non-scholastic needs. This proposal would increase student productivity and engagement while elevating the stress of educators by utilizing new resources that are already available.
Alfred Mercier said “what we learn with pleasure we never forget”. I submit introducing pleasure into the classroom will revitalize our students, invigorate our educators, and keep the focus on the learning where it belongs. Together we are better. I look forward to expanding the growth of our ‘Wonder Women’ and shattering the glass ceilings of education one classroom at a time.
Kindest regards,
Candace L. Moffitt
7th grade ELAR, Educational Practitioner