Discovery Phase Reflection
This week for the discovery phase of our design thinking project our group met to discuss our design thinking question and outlined how we would begin collecting data about our problem. We discussed various topics that all revolved around 1:1 programs in schools including: student self-assessment, student engagement, and increasing student achievement. After discussing various topics we started to realize that the overarching problem was that teachers are scared to integrate technology in certain ways due to the confusion over whether we should be teaching traditional content or 21st century skills in the classroom. Using technology in the clasroom can be powerful but teachers don’t always focus on it because of the pressure to get through all the standards to prepare students for the state test. Therefore, we focused on the problem of finding a balance in education between teaching traditional content and teaching 21st century skills. This is a problem that all four of our group members face and it has been something we have discussed quite a bit in this program so we thought it would be a good focus.
For my individual contribution this week I met with my group members and discussed various topics and we came to a mutually agreed upon topic. After we came to our topic idea we discussed that we would each develop some sub-questions for our topic and do research. I contributed quite a few questions for the topic and some questions for the end user to use in a survey to collect information. I did some research on the SDSU database about 21st century skills to understand what has already been researched on our topic and the outcomes. I also came up with an idea for an outline of the visual we could use for our guiding questions. During this time I met with another group member and we discussed possible questions and a calendar to make sure we all stayed on track with this week’s assignments. We all have been responding in an email thread about our next meeting time and are getting things done well. One challenge I see for my group are going to be the deadlines. With all of our hectic schedules working full time and with other commitments it is difficult to find a time for all of us to meet together and work on the project. Additionally, I am in two classes right now and working full time with a lot of coordinating and planning to do by the end of the school year. I am struggling to find the time to get assignments done while also honoring my outside work commitments. I am good at time management but this is one challenge I see myself and my group having.
I think this model of problem solving is a great way for students and/or teachers to work together to collectively solve a problem. As an administrator I think it would be valuable to start a committee at a site and have them go through the design thinking process to solve a problem they see is the largest one our school is facing. This committee could work on something as big as determining the school focus or as simple as improving school attendance. Following a detailed process would be helpful and I can see a lot of value in allowing teachers to problem solve. The same would go for students. If students are given the choice to solve a given problem and are allowed to work together to determine their path, they would learn much more than content but other skills as well: collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.
Technology Vision and Action Steps
Vision: Students will become successful contributors to our global society through learning and practicing critical thinking and problem solving. Students will utilize all available technology tools to make their learning relevant while collaboratively working with their peers. Their learning will be personalized, self-constructed and self-assessed so students can see the value in their accomplishments
The following are three action steps to move towards this vision:
Steps:
Systems of Sharing Technology
The systems in place at my school and district are well organized and comprehensive. All students have 1:1 devices and most schools allow students to take these devices home. Students are expected to be on their devices throughout the day using various programs to support their learning. Blended learning has become an integral part of teaching in each classroom. When there are problems with devices there is a quick and orderly process that happens in order to fix them. Students may be without their device for as short as an hour to as long as a few days. Internet connectivity has some problems occasionally but typically students can log on without problems 95% of the time. If problems arise with internet connectivity it is typically fixed within a few hours. The district first released chromebooks into the classroom three years ago so it has taken some time to work out all the problems but now it is efficient and works well.
Although technology is available for all students and teachers to use throughout the day I do not think all teachers are using it to the same degree. One advancement I’d like to see is more professional development on how to use technology in the classroom. Some teachers are willing to take the time on their own to experiment and find out what works for their students. However, many teachers don’t know where to begin and therefore don’t use it. Students will get different experiences depending on which teacher they get each year. I’d like to see my district focus more on supporting teachers use technology consistently from class to class.
This week for the discovery phase of our design thinking project our group met to discuss our design thinking question and outlined how we would begin collecting data about our problem. We discussed various topics that all revolved around 1:1 programs in schools including: student self-assessment, student engagement, and increasing student achievement. After discussing various topics we started to realize that the overarching problem was that teachers are scared to integrate technology in certain ways due to the confusion over whether we should be teaching traditional content or 21st century skills in the classroom. Using technology in the clasroom can be powerful but teachers don’t always focus on it because of the pressure to get through all the standards to prepare students for the state test. Therefore, we focused on the problem of finding a balance in education between teaching traditional content and teaching 21st century skills. This is a problem that all four of our group members face and it has been something we have discussed quite a bit in this program so we thought it would be a good focus.
For my individual contribution this week I met with my group members and discussed various topics and we came to a mutually agreed upon topic. After we came to our topic idea we discussed that we would each develop some sub-questions for our topic and do research. I contributed quite a few questions for the topic and some questions for the end user to use in a survey to collect information. I did some research on the SDSU database about 21st century skills to understand what has already been researched on our topic and the outcomes. I also came up with an idea for an outline of the visual we could use for our guiding questions. During this time I met with another group member and we discussed possible questions and a calendar to make sure we all stayed on track with this week’s assignments. We all have been responding in an email thread about our next meeting time and are getting things done well. One challenge I see for my group are going to be the deadlines. With all of our hectic schedules working full time and with other commitments it is difficult to find a time for all of us to meet together and work on the project. Additionally, I am in two classes right now and working full time with a lot of coordinating and planning to do by the end of the school year. I am struggling to find the time to get assignments done while also honoring my outside work commitments. I am good at time management but this is one challenge I see myself and my group having.
I think this model of problem solving is a great way for students and/or teachers to work together to collectively solve a problem. As an administrator I think it would be valuable to start a committee at a site and have them go through the design thinking process to solve a problem they see is the largest one our school is facing. This committee could work on something as big as determining the school focus or as simple as improving school attendance. Following a detailed process would be helpful and I can see a lot of value in allowing teachers to problem solve. The same would go for students. If students are given the choice to solve a given problem and are allowed to work together to determine their path, they would learn much more than content but other skills as well: collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.
Technology Vision and Action Steps
Vision: Students will become successful contributors to our global society through learning and practicing critical thinking and problem solving. Students will utilize all available technology tools to make their learning relevant while collaboratively working with their peers. Their learning will be personalized, self-constructed and self-assessed so students can see the value in their accomplishments
The following are three action steps to move towards this vision:
Steps:
- Teachers will ensure that students are engage in collaborative group work to solve complex problems at least once a month using Google Apps for Education.
- Teachers will allow students choices in assignments to allow them to construct their own learning that is personalized for their needs.
- Teachers will allow students time every week to assess and reflect on their own learning to determine where they need extra support.
Systems of Sharing Technology
The systems in place at my school and district are well organized and comprehensive. All students have 1:1 devices and most schools allow students to take these devices home. Students are expected to be on their devices throughout the day using various programs to support their learning. Blended learning has become an integral part of teaching in each classroom. When there are problems with devices there is a quick and orderly process that happens in order to fix them. Students may be without their device for as short as an hour to as long as a few days. Internet connectivity has some problems occasionally but typically students can log on without problems 95% of the time. If problems arise with internet connectivity it is typically fixed within a few hours. The district first released chromebooks into the classroom three years ago so it has taken some time to work out all the problems but now it is efficient and works well.
Although technology is available for all students and teachers to use throughout the day I do not think all teachers are using it to the same degree. One advancement I’d like to see is more professional development on how to use technology in the classroom. Some teachers are willing to take the time on their own to experiment and find out what works for their students. However, many teachers don’t know where to begin and therefore don’t use it. Students will get different experiences depending on which teacher they get each year. I’d like to see my district focus more on supporting teachers use technology consistently from class to class.
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