The influencer model discusses that in order for organizational change to occur adopters must embrace vital behaviors. Vital behaviors are “actions that produce the greatest amount of change” (Grenny, Patterson, Maxfield, McMillian, Switzler, 2013). I believe if my organization welcomes these vital behaviors my goal of student ownership will occur.
Vital Behavior 1
Personalized, learning paths should be aligned for each student using platforms such as Canvas, Khan Academy, Prodigy, First-In Math, iLearn, or Imagine Math.
It’s obvious that student engagement happens through games and play but getting opinion leaders to believe may be difficult. Some believe that teachers are the “keepers’ of knowledge” and should be the “sage on the stage”. I started using Prodigy as one of the ways to push content through play and personalization and the kids are eating it up! They can’t get enough of this learning experience. If I can get some of these opinion leaders to change their thought process then change will occur. We have to make a game to unlock our students learning!
Vital Behavior 2
Students must be given multiple opportunities to choose their learning outcomes such as podcasts, video, blogs, journal entries, slideshows, instructional games, or eportfolios.
This vital behavior that I am proposing may be difficult to commence. It’s a cultural buster because it’s not a norm. For decades, it’s been pen and pencil as way to show student success and learning. These are great and can still be used but our world is changing and we must prepare our students for their future not our past. According to a 2014 Career Builder study, companies are looking for people who possess traits such as team-orientated and someone who works well under pressure (Business News Daily, 2015). Companies such as Google seeks out people with grit, who can tackle difficult projects, and who can take ownership of their learning (Business Insider). “As the United States increasingly moves towards an economy based on information and services, more and more jobs—and indeed entire sectors of the economy—require that workers be able to acquire information, analyze data, and act on their newly created knowledge by applying it in novel situations with creative problem-solving.” (Darrow, R., Ed.D. & Powell, A. Ed.D. ,2013). Cooperative learning projects (such as project-based learning) provide those traits and gives students the opportunity to collaborate using real world experiences.
Another important component of leading change within my organization is through the six sources of influence. The six sources of influence is a model that focuses on motivation and ability. It’s structured in three categories: personal, social, and structural. These categories are designed to connect to vital behaviors through practice.