OODA Loop
OODA Loop
Embedded Files
The OODA Loop Framework will be used to recover from distance learning and transition to in-person learning, or back to distance learning should the need arise. "Convene and encourage districts to spend time reimagining what is needed to restructure and adapt before the next school year" (Colorado Children's Campaign, 2020, p. 4). A 4-8 person team of administrators, stakeholders, teachers, and staff should be implemented in order to create an OODA Committee that will guide question-asking and decision-making throughout the process (Brown, 2021).
observe
observe
"Gather information about what’s happening inside and outside the company, including any available data. Ask what leading indicators you wish you had, what sort of technology you could be using to get those indicators, and who you can ask for information..." (Brown, 2021). Begin observing what is happening in the community. Take parent and teacher surveys such as those shown in Tirado et al. and Hernandez et al. Both surveys took thoughts from stakeholders in the community and used those to guide their plans and decision-making for the upcoming school year.
(Tirado et al., 2020, p.8)
(Tirado et al., 2020, p.8)
(Tirado et al., 2020, p.9)
(Tirado et al., 2020, p.10)
(Hernandez et al., 2020, p.6)
(Hernandez et al., 2020, p.8)
(Hernandez et al., 2020, p.9)
(Hernandez et al., 2020, p.11)
orient
orient
While using the information that was observed, begin to think about "''Who are the people who are currently using this technology, both inside and outside the company, who can they help us figure this out relatively quickly?'" (Brown, 2021). In this case, turning to librarians or educational technologists would be beneficial as they can guide technology decisions as well as teach teachers and staff how to use it. For instance, a librarian or educational technologist trained in the Canvas Certified Educator Course could teach teachers how to transition from using Canvas solely for distance learning and back to blended learning in the classroom (Instructure, 2021).
Decide
Decide
After observing what changes should be made and how to use the talents of existing teachers and staff, the OODA committee will decide what is the best course of action for the school whether it means transitioning to in-person learning, offering a hybrid, or remaining in distance learning. Of course, factors outside of control and must be considered as well. Schools should also offer ways to support teachers, students, and staff with mental health and fatigue (Colorado Children's Campaign, 2020).
Act
Act
Upon deciding a course of action, leaders must act to share their decisions, how the decision was made, and begin implementing the change. Whether asking teachers and staff to begin transitioning back to full in-person learning, offering a hybrid of virtual and in-person, or remaining in virtual learning, the OODA committee must be transparent as to why the decision was made.
While this is the end of this loop, continuous improvement must be made, and the observations and orientations must continue while the transition is being made. Continued decision-making must be done and the OODA committee should not be disbanded as improvement is not something that is ever complete, especially after an emergency situation. In Marin County, California, "...Marin’s successful reopening to several factors: intensive collaboration with schools, communities, educators, and public health; a mission-driven focus on getting students back to school safely using a continuous improvement approach;" (Ondrasek et al., 2021, p. 7)
To continue improving and taking action, "Look to other industries doing similar things. Seek digital technologies that can help you act in safer and more efficient ways..." (Brown, 2021) School administrators should seek information on what other schools are doing and re-evaluate as needed. " If another wave of COVID-19 sweeps through a community, schools may once again be closed and have to return to remote learning" (Bailey et al., 2020, p. 12). Remember that decision-making is ongoing and while returning to in-person learning may be possible, should another emergency happen or community guidelines for managing COVID-19 transmission may change, "As leaders continue to assess their states’ COVID-19 outbreaks and economic reopening strategies, they can consider a variety of timelines for the reopening of school campuses (once it is safe from a health perspective)..." (Foundation for Excellence in Education, 2020, p. 2).
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse