What is the role of personalized learning and competency-based learning in education today?1/27/2019 This is a subject that really intrigues me as an educator in 2019. I know something needs to change business as usual is not as effective as it should be with our changing student population. One of my biggest concerns is students personal accountability, “OWNING THEIR LEARNING”. I am also very interested in how personalized learning supports growth mindset. Teaching at Valley Oak it is very clear that business as usual did not work for my students and I believe they deserve something different. We do offer smaller class sizes and more individual support and that used to be enough to support our students to reach their goal of graduation. Now I see our students needing more; engagement is a challenge, personal accountability is a struggle, and work ethic ( agency) is declining. I believe developing growth mindset is part of the solution and I know see how personalized learning could also help support development of work ethic and accountability.
I have been very interested in the research around alternative seating choices. As teachers we tend to use seating as a ways to control/ manage the class but I do often wonder if the students have needs I am not providing to them. I will use my 5th period Math 1 as an example, this class is driving me absolutely crazy. Their behavior is so unfocused, changing everyday, and it seems no matter what I do nothing seems to work for more than a couple days. I have decided they are going to teach me many important lessons involving teaching Math 1 as well as how to meet the needs of struggling students needing mindset development and skills to develop focus. This is a class full of boys, there a 2 sweet girls, and they need to wiggle. So I am going to borrow some wiggle stools from another class and some of those ball chairs as well. I want to develop trust to give choice but it is hard since their past behaviors have been less than desirable. I am also teaching the 100% using the C-Stem computing and Robotics curriculum and that makes a huge difference. Students who usually struggle experience real success while coding. I am also looking into new classroom management systems I went to a class DOJO training and it seems amazing just a bit to juvenile for my crew so I am looking into classcraft. These kids are gamer and I need to try to connect on their level. One thing I do know these changes of personalized learning and competency based learning will take time, thought , and practice. Change is exciting, scary, and difficult. As I was reading through these article and watching the videos my gut instinct was this seems right ! Teaching our students the skills needs to operate in a personalized learning space would teach them very valuable life skills that many are really lacking. This is why I am getting my Masters I want to grow and improve as a teacher. I want to learn what current trends are and I want to talk about them and learn from like minded teacher like my wonderful Cohort 16. My mindset is growing exponentially.
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It has been a very humbling experience putting myself in the role of being a students again. I am always trying to learn and grow but this has been a whole new experience for me. As I speak to my students about trying and celebrating mistakes and developing a growth mindset I found myself needing to do the same. I truly believe on of the most valuable parts of this experience (the Masters Program) has been remembering what it feelings like to be a student. I have frustrated, confused, and ready to just give up. There have also been celebrations growing my mindset, learning new knowledge, and wonderful connections with peers. My knowledge has expanded and I really understand this journey of teaching is very complex and extremely important, we have a huge impact on the lives of our students.
The question guiding my study :What effect does mindset have on math achievement? Provided much insight into the complexity of my students math learning. I was very clear that they all come with anxiety and a lack of confidence. They are so defeated it takes a lot of time to build a trusting relationship before mindset growth can even begin to occur. The addition of new students to my class every 6 weeks definitely adds a real challenge to the work done developing a positive learning environment. This work is important and needs to continue we all know there is a serious problem in student math achievement in our district, state , and country. There is not one single solution to fix this problem. Our students are complex to quote Shrek they have many "Layers like an onion". They bring past school experiences, family challenges, learning disabilities, anxiety, fear, and we are challenged to meet their needs. Our students are amazing , resilient, intelligent, creative and waiting for us to guide them. Our quest is to take the whole students and grow their mindsets inspiring them to become life long learners. In doing this study I know I need to keep my driving and add a few more support questions to refine my work. I need to continue develop practices that support the question How |
Julie LovieJulie Lovie Is a Math and Science teacher at Valley Oak High School with 25 years experience in teaching at a continuation high school. Julie Also teaches at Napa valley Adult School in the High School Diploma Program. She is passionate about the environment, loves gardening, and learning. Archives
June 2019
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