My Journey

The journey toward this degree began when I attempted the Flipped Classroom concept in my Honors level literature classes a few years ago.  I found that I was not saving that much instructional time, not being very effective with the the Flipped Classroom Idea; therefore. abandoned the idea. A colleague has recently completed the ADL program at Lamar University, and was doing some very interesting projects with her classes. We spoke about it and shortly thereafter I enrolled in the program.

 

The program began with what I considered to be a radical idea. We were not to regurgitate what we were being asked to do. We were given, Choice, Opportunity, and Voice through Authentic Learning in Significant Learning Environments CSLE+COVA- Harapnuk and Thbiodeaux (2023) and the works of John Dewey and other constructivists. I was exposed to the work of Carol Dweck (2006) and her Growth Mindset. She emphasized the Power of "Yet," and I took that message to heart.  I created my response to Dweck's Growth Mindset while studying the Principles of CSLE+COVA. By using the CSLE+COVA framework, I was able to produce my Implementation Outline and  Innovation Plan to develop a blended learning classroom environment based Horn and Staker's (2015) work Blended.  Along with my Innovation Plan, I was encouraged to develop my Learner's Philosophy. One of the elements of the program that truly helped me along was the learning communities we were encourage to build within each course and throughout the program. This was done over the GroupMe chat, individual Zoom meetings, and breakout rooms in each course.

 

We were also encouraged to develop an e-Portfolio to not only showcase our work, but to serve also as an example of the work we were able to do. Throughout the program I was asked to produce several different documents that detailed my understanding of the concepts taught during the program.In developing my Innovation Plan, I was asked to produce an Annotated Bibliography to support the ideas in my Innovation Plan. I utilized the UbD work of Wiggns & McTighe (2005) to help create a plan for a Significant Learning Environment.  I was encouraged to create a resource for digital environments by synthesizing an outline detailing the requirements for submission and then an article for publication. It was then I was able to begin developing an online course beginning with a Big Hairy Audacious Goal in Creative Writing. To do so, I developed Fink's 3-Column table for Instructional design.

 

It was in developing my Influencer (Grenney et.al. 2013) strategy and using the 4DX model (McChesney, et.al. 2016)  of organizational change that I began to see that I could effect more than just my learners. I could effect the educational culture of my building and possibly my district. I began to develop an improved Professional Learning Strategy by creating a Call to Action, an Outline, a Timeline, a Fink's 3 Column table, and the introductory session.

 

Finally, I was able to develop an Action Research Study based on the work of Mertler (2020) in order to gauge the effectiveness of my students learning and my teaching. I synthesized a Literature review and an Action Plan to conduct my research.

 

As a result of the ADL program at Lamar University, I feel that I am well equipped to begin changing the world "one learner at a time."

 

References:

 

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

 

Fink, L. D. (2003). A self-directed guide to designing courses for significant learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

 

Harapnuik, D. (2021). COVA. Harapnuik.org. https:// www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991

 

Haranuik, D. Thibodeaux, T. (2023 August 5). COVA:Inspire learning through choice, ownership, voice, and authentic

     experiences (2nd ed.).  

 

Horn, M.  Staker, H. (2015). Blended: using disruptive innovation to improve schools.  Jossey-Bass

 

Grenny, J. Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., Switzler, A.  (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change. New York:

        McGraw-Hill Education.

 

​​​McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2016). The 4 disciplines of execution: achieving your wildly important goals. Free Press.

 

Mertler, C. (2020). Action research: improving schools and empowering educators. (6th ed.)  SAGE Publications.

 

Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high (2nd 

      ed.). McGraw-Hill.

 

Sinek, Simon. How great leaders inspire action (2010 May 4). https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=qp0HIF3SfI4&t=132s.

 

Thomas, D., & Brown, J. S. (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change.

       CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

 

Wiggns, G. & McTighe, J. (2005). (2nd ed.). Understanding by design. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.