#INeLearn Archive
The #INeLearn hashtag is used for both asynchronous sharing and synchronous conversations. Include #INeLearn in your tweets if you want to share resources or questions with Indiana educators and school leaders. Asynchronously, the #INeLearn hashtag provides educators across the state of Indiana a central space for sharing. On Thursday evenings beginning at 8 CST/9 EST when you use the #INeLearn hashtag, you are joining a live conversation--the #INeLearn Twitter Chat. For one hour, we interact in real time having a virtual discussion.
Thursday May 12, 2016
Thank you for joining us for tonight’s chat. We will continue our series with a chat on STUDENT AGENCY.
Q0: Introduce yourself to the group, and share something that made you smile today.
I am your moderator for tonight’s chat, and today I enjoyed getting together w/ my edtech friends at . That made me :)
Hi, Daniel from Michigan teaching in South Bend area. Will be in and out tonight of the Chat tonight
Glad you could join us, even if it’s off and on. :)
Chris Tucker, assistant principal at Western Boone HS.
Chris from Bloomington. Teach world history for private online HS. Hoping to keep up with & tonight.
Hi , Michelle w Office of eLearning. I'm going to share 2 things that made me smile -my first blog post in months & GoogleEI chat
Pam O'Risky, eLearning Coach from Southern Indiana. :-) Grandson's PreSchool Graduation
I saw that! I didn’t know you had a blog. Just followed!
Well, let’s get going with Q1… Lots to discuss tonight.
Thanks, -that will definitely keep me motivated to post more regularly! accountability partners needed :)
and taking a day off tomorrow is going to make me smile. :)
Q1: What is student agency? Why is it important?
how fun! Focus on what matters!
A1) To me, student agency is the feeling of control that students have over aspects of their learning. Choice, voice, etc.
A1: Students advocating for themselves. Allows choice and hopefully builds confidence.
Voice and choice… Great way to define it.
A1 Student agency is the power that Ss have over their education. How much say and power Ss have over learning their interests
Good addition. Self-advocacy is an important aspect.
A1 Ss having a voice, knowing it & having opportunities to share it
Great points everyone. So why is it important?
R1: Agency is transferring ownership of learning from teacher to student. Making learning real.
A1 Empowering students, developing self-monitoring skills, and like said, having a voice and knowing it!
A1 (2) If Ss don’t feel connected or empowered, they won’t apply selves as much. Ss always go farther for Ts that listen and care
R1: Voice, choice, and agency are what make the difference between learning and schooling.
A1: autonomy! Transferring from teacher center to student centered
Q2: How can blended learning support student agency?
R1: important b/c Ss will begin to OWN their learning instead of just renting it
Important because we want Ss to take a lead role in their growth. Develop drive and initiative.
A1: how about have students develop SLOs for themselves?
Love that. Owning versus renting.
It's important for several reasons but at the top of the list is awareness. students own their sucesses.
R2) Blended learning has potential to lower barriers of place and time so Ss can learn & share almost any time.
A2: With blended learning, students have a wide range of ways to engage in and display their learning.
Definitely have them work together with you as you develop SLOs! This is brilliant!
What are SLOs? Sounds familiar, but I’m drawing a blank…
A1: Students unwrapping academic standards. Developing classroom objectives. Participating in development of PBL Activities
R2: B.L. provides Ss with many opportunities and allows Ss to self-pace, as opposed to trad. class. B.L. allows 24/7 access too!
R2: True blended learning helps take the teacher off the stage, the teacher isn't the source of all knowledge.
Today’s question fits in with the chat tonight on student agency. https://t.co/AI6huvUUdB
A27 Thanks for the refocus - tech supports diversity by giving students voice & choice - and helping us connect globally
R2: more options & opportunity for choice and what's best for individual Ss learning
R2 I see blended learning as more transparent. Our fingerprints are all over the learning Who has more? Who is leading?
Student Learning Objectives
Makes it easier to create a S-centered learning environment where Ss can be agents of their own learning https://t.co/JVhYRJSbPi
R2: True blended learning helps take the teacher off the stage, the teacher isn't the source of all knowledge.
A2: T in my building is having Ss create the rubric for their project. Ss have really excelled in the project
A2: blended learning allows for personalized learning to occur. The way real information is available in real life
blah...become a big thing with the inception of RISE
A2: Ownership on activities that teach critical thinking skills essential for post secondary Ed and career tracks
Q3: What does student agency look like in a competency-based environment versus a more traditional learning environment?
Less emphasis on final answer and more on the process the 24/7 is filled w/exchanges when done well. https://t.co/irTKKoKSyQ
R2: B.L. provides Ss with many opportunities and allows Ss to self-pace, as opposed to trad. class. B.L. allows 24/7 access too!
A3) No direct exp w/ this but would think Ss would be more directly involved in assessing progress/achievement of competencies.
A3: Competency based allows students to take a variety of paths to mastery.
Is this the best environment to encourage student agency? Can it work in a traditional structure? https://t.co/03TsFtRhy2
A3: Competency based allows students to take a variety of paths to mastery.
R3: I think that in a compliance based class, Ss perform for T. In competency based, they can learn for themselves.
A3: Agency is seen through data based goals, personalized playlists to monitor and reflection to evaluate
A3: Pure true differentiation of learning. End point the same but is met by the modality of choice by Ss
I’ve never heard that term - compliance-based class. Good description.
How do you create personalized playlists? I’m really interested to hear more about this.
A3 I think Ss have to unlearn schooling in order to really thrive in competency-based class. Tend to jump hoops/rush to finish
Can't take credit. It was in 's TedTalk. I highly recommend it!
Traditional structure can still differentiate instruction/projects to allow more student advocacy.
R3: More opportunities to Ss to build the competencies and to prove their learning as opposed to root learn and lose model
That’s my hesitancy about competency-based instruction. Goal of finishing…
Q4: What skills do students need to take ownership of their learning? How do we develop these?
I know I was that student! Kinda jealous of kids today who have the opportunity to learn a different way!
R3 (2): Ss can also develop core skills and tools necessary for life long learning + and have more of a desire to continue efforts
A3: if Ss are instructed how to advocate for themselves in their learning, the sky is the limit for instructional improvement
So true, Fuure topic: the sin of the teacher (attention getting if nothing else) https://t.co/AQ7ijOrCvk
That’s my hesitancy about competency-based instruction. Goal of finishing…
That’s pretty much Q4. :) How do we do that?
R4: Ss need time and task management, planning and structure & determination. If done right, Ss will take care of the effort
Q4: students must know what and why they need to know the subject matter.
Illiterate of 21st Century are those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. https://t.co/RGF96cO1gz
A3 I think Ss have to unlearn schooling in order to really thrive in competency-based class. Tend to jump hoops/rush to finish
R4: Ss need to be able to ask questions, to feel like the end product is their own to take ownership https://t.co/BtSEOKZYgX
Q4: What skills do students need to take ownership of their learning? How do we develop these?
R4: I think our emphasis on grades and GPA needs to change to shift the focus from the destination to the journey.
Students need an understanding for why the content matters. To support this, the Ts must facilitate an authentic & engaging exp.
R4(2) Ts must teach and model the skills, provide just in time instruction & teach Ss how to manage projects. Teach tools to aid
Q4: I also think that Ss need to know that there are no real "right" or "wrong" answers for a subject initially.
So true, but this is much deeper in my mind. It's going against the grain of our fiber mixed metaphors-sorry!
R4 Students need understanding for why the content matters. To support this, the T must facilitate an authentic & engaging exp.
Wow, very cool. Is this for all lessons? A specific subject? What tools do you use? How do you evaluate rigor?
A4: Revise, collaboration, multiple resources all contribute to learning. Formative assessments benefit mastery
R4 students need to have sound communication, interpersonal skills and have positive relationship w/teachers.
A4 We have to teach questioning. (This is why I didn't teach elem-I could grasp questioning math concepts)
Lots of talk about asking questions and avoiding “right” answers. This is uncomfortable for Ss playing the game of school….
…How do we help empower students and develop these skills/mindsets?
A4: make rubber meet the road? Incorporate standards from all subject levels and have Ss explain interconnection
YES! Ss (& Ts) often focused on answers but it's knowing how to ask good ?s that really leads to learning.
if we really want ownership Ss must feel that their questions are valued, and that teacher doesn't direct it, Ss do
A4 that last tweet should have been could NOT Journaling is one strategy that can help, dialogue partners is another
Good argument for breaking down subject silos at least some of the time.
Absolutely -what I like about the virtual room is that there are less places to hide or blend in
That's a part of the problem. I'm hoping that the shift to a competency based system will trickle all the way up?
Let’s move on to brainstorming what this can actually look like in a real classroom…. Q5 coming up…
Yep … I think we need to add a competency-based learning debate chat into this series… https://t.co/C5MZZXh0gj
That's a part of the problem. I'm hoping that the shift to a competency based system will trickle all the way up?
Q5: What leadership opportunities can we provide to students in a blended learning classroom?
A5: working on developing my curriculum for ICP incorporating manufacturing skills and leading to a pipeline for PTLW program
A5) Support (helping other Ss w/ tech ?s), cheerleader, moderator, previewer/bug-finder, etc.
A5: you have to allow them to understand the outcome of their education. Ss learn backward design and help develop objectives
R5. Every student can be a class leader. They are the CEOs of their own learning. That's not possible in traditional environment.
Cool idea. https://t.co/9S9WgcZ6FE
A5: you have to allow them to understand the outcome of their education. Ss learn backward design and help develop objectives
A5 Have Ss initiate discussion forums; establish a group F&Q page but never add until Ss have responded to a peer's Q
y’all give me so many good metaphors.
R5: Ss need to feel that the learning they do can help others, stand up tall and let your voice be heard https://t.co/07aL3YFeSq
Q5: What leadership opportunities can we provide to students in a blended learning classroom?
R5: Ss becoming experts and teaching others, spreading the content knowledge around the class.
I had an online class like this. We were assigned wks to be in charge of writing, facilitating, or summarizing discussions
R5: have Ss screencast learning, audio record, then comment back, authentic convos can be great opport. https://t.co/07aL3YFeSq
Q5: What leadership opportunities can we provide to students in a blended learning classroom?
Toughest (but most beneficial) discussion board activities I’ve ever participated in.
A5: I love the idea of S led seminars during independent work. While you're working if you get stuck join at the back table
A5: Big picture, what worked in the past isn't working. Time to get away from "This is how we always have done it"
That idea fits in well with what I’ve been reading and reflecting on regarding flexible classroom environments.
So true. Keep trying to tweak rather than truly change existing system & expect big changes. Doesn't add up.
A5 Allowing students to be the problem-solver is such a great leadership opportunity; freedom to use the tools at their disposal
Some of the most dangerous words ever spoken - 'But we've always done it this way'! https://t.co/XVMwrBjSBF
A5: Big picture, what worked in the past isn't working. Time to get away from "This is how we always have done it"
that's how my traditional classroom worked! Be in a place where you had purpose!
You’re right… No silver bullet, but this is a great idea. Intentionality is so important. https://t.co/58E1nsAvJI
It can't just be this, but one way to increase agency is to show students YOU value it-Assess agency through rubrics.
Q6: Do you agree that many teachers are afraid to give up control to students? Why is that? How can we support those teachers?
R5 Something I have tried is having Sts lead a lesson of their own online.
A6) Yes b/c it's diff & because of way Ts are assessed.
Sorry Im late to the party Middle School Vex Robotics Championships tonight
r6 Absolutely. You have to unlearn what teaching is. With lesson planning & evaluations so high stakes, unpredictability is scary.
R6: Yes. Giving up control is hard. We know how important our jobs are and we don't want to fail.
This is a good point. It’s scary to give control over when there is so much pressure on Ts. It’s not just stubbornness.
A6 For some it's a matter of time and the investment of energy-don't see the value & return Once T experiences it, they want for S
sounds pretty exciting! did you have a team competing?
We have such an important job. We must innovate and improve, but we only have 1 year… not a lot of time for failure
Totally agree. Think good Ts want to try new things but sometimes admin/community not supportive.
https://t.co/ifjkKPTZaw
Begin with "the end" in mind, communicate that to students at start, have plenty of formative assessment, and tweak scaffolding.
R6 I feel some Ts fear giving up control as they worry about being the most relevant or smartest in the room on subject.
I recall a digcit workshop I did for a service center when I first joined Educators at all levels were VERY uncomfortable w/agency
Q7: To continue that question… What should/shouldn’t students have control over?
Yes we had 2 team with one ending up being in the winning alliance!! Great night for the Sts.
Do you think that's b/c many Ts feel they don't have agency themselves? Hard to imagine giving it to Ss if Ts don't have.
This is one of the most spirited discussions I've been part of. Time to change the world
And that is one of the most encouraging tweets a moderator could ever read. :)
R7: Students should not assign grades to other students. Provide feedback? ABSOLUTELY! But if we are providing feedback v
R7: With the right classroom culture, not much?
Truth. Getting Ss-centered is a lot of work. W/o Ss buy-in, ROI < 0. Then I ask myself: better off w/traditional lesson?
that is exactly what the problem was. (And the WS Ts weren't okay w/ me turning over my lead role in the workshop!)
R7: (2) grades, there should be no limits
PS: Sorry guys. I timed that last question terribly.
