Creating Significant Learning Environments

My current course in the Digital Learning and Leading Program through Lamar University is focused on constructivist learning theories and how to create student-centered learning environments. We have dived into how we can bring these constructivist theories and integrate them into our classrooms or learning environments.

While reading A New Culture in Learning by it broadened my ideas for my innovation plan and how I can create authentic learning experiences in my classroom. If educators want to create authentic learning experiences, we need to make sure my mindset of what a classroom looks like and feels like. Creating a culture of learning, sharing, and questioning is imperative to this. Humans geek out. We explore, we question, and we are naturally curious beings. Educators need to mimic how humans learn outside of school and bring it into our classrooms. We can transform our classrooms by harnessing the power of the Internet and creating environments that promote and encourage questioning, imagination, and play. The goal is to create a learning environment that leverages the intelligence and eagerness of our students to create life-long questioners.

I took what I learned in A New Culture of Learning, and started to focus on how my own learning philosophy can influence my learners' learning environment. I had not thought about my learning philosophy in depth since college. I was able to see how teaching has changed and influenced my learning philosophy. Below is an outline of my learning philosophies.

When I dived deep into my own personal learning philosophy and read A New Culture of Learning, it helped me reflect back on my growth and what learning environment I need to be building in our schools. I went back and looked at my learning philosophy as I was developing my BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). I wanted to make sure that what I wanted to accomplish in my innovation plan was connected to my learning philosophy and I was creating truly authentic learning experiences.

To help map out my innovation plan and authentic learning, we utilized 2 different models. We used Fink's 3 Column-Table and Wiggins' and McTighe's book Understanding by Design. The 3 Column-Table helps break down my BHAG, to equip teachers in the district with tools and pedagogy within the curriculum to create engaging, authentic learning experiences for students. This model breaks down the goal into learning goals, learning activities and assessments. My 3 Column-Table focused on helping educators achieve this goal. When I used the Understanding by Design(UbD) template, I created a unit/lesson for the students. The Ubd template is a more in depth design. It breaks down the learning into 3 stages to help focus in more. Both of these models helped dissect my BHAG in different and helpful ways.

This course helped bring my innovation plan to life, it helped me figure out the how in my outline. When I look back to the first course, I can see how much I have grown in my ideas. My first Growth Mindset Plan focused on my own personal growth. I focused on my "EdTech Goals". I unfortunately, did not accomplish the goals I set out to do. Moving to a new state/district has set me back more than I thought it would. I want to shift my goals to focus on my Innovation Plan and helping my students become 21st Century Learners. I have updated my Growth Mindset Plan on my EPortolio.

References

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Ballantine Books.

Fink, L. D. (2005). A self-directed guide to designing courses for significant learning. Retrieved from: https://www.deefinkandassociates.com/GuidetoCourseDesignAug05.pdf

Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design (expanded second ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.