The #michED chat is a grassroots effort dedicated to giving teachers, students, and parents across Michigan a bigger voice in the conversation about education in our state. We welcome all voices through a variety of projects, media, and social networking. We’re trying to address educational issues through apolitical conversation, spreading ideas and stories of success from Michigan classrooms across the state, and helping teachers and students regain the courage to connect and demonstrate that schools in Michigan are creating amazing opportunities for learning. We want the face and voice of education in Michigan to be a mural of shared experiences and positive examples of connected learning.
Welcome to the first #michED chat of the year! Please introduce yourself. Tell us what you do & where you're from. And welcome our guest--author, speaker & innovation expert, Ted Dintersmith (@dintersmith)!
@dintersmith , we're so excited to have you with us! Thanks for taking time to discuss the ideas in your book, #WhatSchoolCouldBe & how they relate to Michigan schools. #michED
Here's a big shout-out to my colleagues from @LkVlFalconPride! We used #WhatSchoolCouldBe for a book study this summer. It has opened the door for many important conversations. #michED
My name is Christopher Walker and I am an Educational Technology Consultant from Jackson Count ISD. Excited to be apart of a chat with @dintersmith and @mpetty39! #teamjxn#miched
My name is Christopher Walker and I am an Educational Technology Consultant from Jackson County ISD. Excited to be apart of a chat with @dintersmith and @mpetty39! #teamjxn#miched
Q1) In the book, Ted concludes that real change “won't come from the top. It will happen one district, one building and one classroom at a time.” At what level is your school working on shift--the district, building or in individual classrooms? Explain. #michED
A1: our district has really bought into cultivating a positive culture from every building and in every classroom. We use Nurtured Heart & PBIS...its created an amazing atmosphere! #michED
A1) We've been at the classroom level, but this year I've already seen some shift at the building level. Really looking forward to it. And many of those teachers went through our book study this summer.
#michED
Our district has taken BOLD steps to meet the needs of our learners. Proud to say that we are all bravely working on shifting to improve things for our kids. I agree, many "small" steps can make a BIG difference. #michED
Q1) In the book, Ted concludes that real change “won't come from the top. It will happen one district, one building and one classroom at a time.” At what level is your school working on shift--the district, building or in individual classrooms? Explain. #michED
A1: I hear and see so many great things happening in our classrooms in my district. I think my building and district do a good job of guiding and listening to our needs. Always difficult if a district picks a one-thing-for-all approach to change. #miched
Our district has taken BOLD steps to meet the needs of our learners. Proud to say that we are all bravely working on shifting to improve things for our kids. I agree, many "small" steps can make a BIG difference. #michED
Q1) In the book, Ted concludes that real change “won't come from the top. It will happen one district, one building and one classroom at a time.” At what level is your school working on shift--the district, building or in individual classrooms? Explain. #michED
A1: our shift comes through in every area possible, even picking up trash, greeting others and complimenting others are district wide expectations and it's opened the doorway for valuable teaching moments #michED
A1: I don't want it to seem as if I am working in a silo, but I am trying to shift HS math to make it more 'relevant' this year. It is actually what my personalized PD is focused on. It is a complete paradigm shift, and scary at times, but am eager to start the process #miched
Proud of the work we've begun @mylsps. Transformation of instruction with 1:1, focusing on @DrTonyWagner survival skills, innovation with intention guides our improvement. #mylsps#miched
Q2) Here are the PEAK Learning principles from the book. In what areas does your district, school or class do well and which need the most improvement? Please share examples. #michED
A1: My experience is that change can come from teachers, but it takes admin. support to making lasting change. When teachers & principals agree, it can be powerful. #miched
A1: Our school is focused on turning Ss into leaders. We are also kicking off our first year of the 1:1 tech. initiative. Exciting things happening @myLSPS#michED
A2: I'm still too new to my district to know which of the PEAK Learning principles we excel at, but my own personal goal is to help foster more agency among staff and students. #michED
Q1) In the book, Ted concludes that real change “won't come from the top. It will happen one district, one building and one classroom at a time.” At what level is your school working on shift--the district, building or in individual classrooms? Explain. #michED
A2) As we went through the book in our study, I think many of us realized we needed to improve in all four areas. Purpose and Agency probably need it the most. Part of my job is PD, so I'm focused on those two areas. #michED
A2: I think I do well with P,E and K. In some ways I do well with A (some S choice, often the lessons are driven by their Qs) but I know it is the area I need the most growth. #miched
Q2) Here are the PEAK Learning principles from the book. In what areas does your district, school or class do well and which need the most improvement? Please share examples. #michED
Essential Skills and Mindsets would be the one I pride myself on working so well in the art room. The art room has always been about more than making something "pretty". My kids come away with amazing skill sets that make them ready for 21st century living #michED
In the book, I describe a school (Lawrenceville Academy) that re-tested returning Ss and, just three months after their final, Ss had forgotten almost everything. Do any of your schools explore ways to confirm (or not) that what Ss learn is retained? #miched
A2: One of the things that we have worked on are our Exit Learner Outcomes. They have really helped us to focus on what our learners will know and be able to do when they graduate. #MichEd
Q2) Here are the PEAK Learning principles from the book. In what areas does your district, school or class do well and which need the most improvement? Please share examples. #michED
Q3) How can we be sure our students learned something at the deep level described in the PEAK Learning definition? (Deep, retained Knowledge: Students develop real mastery of the topics they study. They can apply it, ask thoughtful questions about it, and teach others.) #michED
I pride myself on Knowledge (for the students, of course). I really work to set my room up so that the Ss are often teaching each other. My goal is deep understanding of how and why concepts work and that they can explain their understanding. #miched
A2: Purpose is the area that I struggle with most in the art room. it's a shift in thinking that needs to happen for Ss to understand how important the arts are, it's tough sometimes in the world of student growth and data for them to articulate what it means to them #michED
We have begun conversations around spiraling of essential standards throughout the year, but not from year. Also beginning to look at NWEA data from spring to fall, and spring to spring instead of only fall to spring. #Miched
A3: PBL is a great framework for deeper learning. If students are working on authentic problems in their community, they are motivated & apply to new situations #miched
A3) I like using the test of "Can you teach others?" We did a project in math last year where students made video tutorials. It was very revealing for what they truly learned and what they didn't. #michED
A3) In math, 1 way I measure the Deep knowledge is to assess with creative projects. Can they "Play" with the material? In Geo, for the 3D figs assessment, Ss need to take pics of 3D obj around school and approx the SA and V. Estimation, imperfect shapes, add to fun! #miched
A3: In a perfect world, we are assessing them on a proficiency scale through an iterative process, and spiraling our content throughout the year by also making connections throughout various topics. #miched
A3: I'm my precious district, Genius Hour was a treasured time into my art and science classrooms. Ss really accumulated deep knowledge from driving their own learning in a safe and supported environment. #michED
A3: Developing assessments that require application, or assess those activities that demonstrate application versus multiple choice. Continuing to spiral priority standards and skills throughout courses and years. #MichED
A3) I definitely think that being able to teach others shows a high understanding of a topic. I often feel when I teach something I gain a better knowledge of that subject...especially when students have a ton of questions. #miched
Q4) Ted highlights the Gone Boarding program (see https://t.co/ku06aauyUL) from Grand Rapids in the book. What other innovative programs are you aware of in Michigan that are showing us what school could be by reaching students in dramatic ways? #michED
Q3) How can we be sure our students learned something at the deep level described in the PEAK Learning definition? (Deep, retained Knowledge: Students develop real mastery of the topics they study. They can apply it, ask thoughtful questions about it, and teach others.) #michED
Q4) Ted highlights the Gone Boarding program (see https://t.co/ku06aauyUL) from Grand Rapids in the book. What other innovative programs are you aware of in Michigan that are showing us what school could be by reaching students in dramatic ways? #michED
A2: #miched have a look at Futures Academy at International School Beijing. Also we’re now working on #P21 and #globalgoals in Jakarta and Seoul. If you mesh, #Sdg targets and #pbl the sky is the limit
A4) We visited @costrand16 in Grand Blanc (part of our ISD). She used a PBL/Genius Hour approach to her 4th grade. It was amazing! I felt like I was seeing something like in @MLTSfilm. Our group was so inspired! #michED
A4: There's a brand new charter school in Flint opening next year by the Flint Cultural Center. All learning will be tied to the efforts of various cultural, scientific, and arts organizations in the community. https://t.co/vLWy5wnIkq#michED
A3 Team, I have to get into work but reach out on any Qs regarding our PBL SDG work at https://t.co/KnLrKZDdhM. A lot to share w great results and evidence. You guys are awesome. Keep up the innovative thinking. Your students will thank you by being amazing #miched
A4: this yr I am piloting a year long art partnership program with our local school, the Torrant Center,for developmentally disabled students. I'm taking a group of 30ish 5ths to essentially be art Ts for their partner. Hand & HeARTs is going to be a great opportunity! #michED
Last year, prior to 1:1 roll out, we had our entire instructional staff visit "research and design" pilot classess. At all grade levels. It was powerful. And a significant commitment in time and expense. Well worth it. #mylsps#MichED
Someone once observed that we don't get better by dwelling on our faults, but by figuring out what we do well and do more of it. So true when it comes to schools and classrooms, and there are remarkable things all across any community. #miched
A4- I came across an article about various successful artists who have attended Interlochen Fine Arts School. were they more motivated prior to or after they attended? Disciplined? #miched
A4: May not be an 'initiative' but technology is something that we all need to exploit. It shrinks our world, connects us with others, and opens the door to new opportunities. Build our PLN's, let students explore, and provide opportunities that would not be available w/o #miched
Q6) Let's start moving toward practical steps. Which traditional aspects of school pose the biggest obstacles when you take an innovative approach? For example, grading, scheduling, teacher evaluations, etc. If you’ve had success, what advice can you give? #michED#michED
I think you can to a point. I wonder how long we want retention for? I can't remember stuff very long if I don't keep using it. If it is relevant, kids will remember it. Too much of the curriculum really isn't very important. #miched
Q6) Let's start moving toward practical steps. Which traditional aspects of school pose the biggest obstacles when you take an innovative approach? For example, grading, scheduling, teacher evaluations, etc. If you’ve had success, what advice can you give? #michED#michED
I would say scheduling is the biggest challenge to change in the secondary setting. Sadly don’t have lots of examples of overcoming this structure to share #michED
I'm worried about teachers' gaps in assessment literacy + how they stymie even the best efforts to close achievement gaps for students. Teachers need a rich understanding of formative assessment + a process for providing the timely, meaningful feedback students require. #MichED
A6) I find grading to be a big obstacle. I do projects with teachers that really hit some PEAK principles, then they struggle with how to get it in the grade book. #michED
A6) Fear of change feels like the biggest obstacle.
When teaching Ts with A4A this came up. I asked Ts to think of a unit that sucks; everyone hates it; glad it's over.
I asked if it was the Ss fault? Don't fix everything. Take risks with this unit. #miched
A6: The system..? 8 periods, 150+ S's, 45 minutes/day, need to give a 'grade' and teaching standards that may or may not be aligned to a standardized test. We need to assess our true 'why?' to what we do. And that goes for the entire ed system. What do we really want? #miched
Yeah, it's a HUGE shift to move instruction so far that it doesn't fit into neat scoring categories anymore. Almost have to redevelop assessment along with the instruction. #michED
Yes. One thing that gets them, though, is collaborative work. It's so hard to grade individual students accurately sometimes. It can discourage some or benefit others unfairly. #michED
Have you seen Ted's @MLTSfilm? That idea played a big part. Basically, if most forget it anyway, is it worth trying to cover the standards? Interesting question. #michED
Q7) When it comes to innovation, some say we have to jump in with both feet and others talk about taking small steps. Which have you seen to be most effective? What encouragement do you have for those of us who want to see transformation this year? #michED
Just curious re attitudes in your schools about CTE. Respected? Looked down on? I think it's a big opportunity in school if all kids have some CTE in their experience. #miched
A4. We think our @Skyline_WC is innovative! We're a peer-to-peer writing center focusing on closing achievement gaps in our school, working for educational equity in our community with @umichSweetland + @EMU_C2W + raising student voice with award-winning publications. #MichED
A7: Taking small steps to change Education is fine if you're working towards a bigger end goal, not just small steps for the sake of taking them. #michED
A7: I say don't be afraid to jump in, but know yourself as a teacher. Understand what you are comfortable with so that you can make the best decision for your class. #miched
A7) I'm leaning toward jumping in. I worked with a group once with a "small steps" approach and it ended up being too easy to abandon. As I've said, though, I'm not there yet. I am looking for answers on this one. #michED
I'd love for this great group to check out our https://t.co/iLBLg3DgWS, which offers small steps leading to big change, with a suggested sequence/organization. #miched
Hey @Creekside_MS family & @zeelandschools community, want to help us out? Mrs. Mabin has some amazing activities planned to help build more positive relationships at Creekside. Please consider helping us! #crk1819#miched
We are building relationships @Creekside_MS! Want to help? For the next few days, $50 of your donation will be matched if you use the code RIPPLE - thank you!
https://t.co/Ot77haD03w
More often than not, change happens slowly for the sake of those around you and allows the system to change gradually without as much pressure. Just need a strong leader to keep things moving at the top. #michED
Also, take a look at this great video from Prince EA. It's gotten 4 million views on FB and YouTube in just two days, and at the end refers to the Innovation Playlist. https://t.co/Fj7IcR4flf#miched
More nuanced, I think SOME CTE classes are more respected than others. I do feel a change in attitudes towards these types of classes, but tough ‘sell’ to get parents to move to CTE and away from AP classes. Parent attitudes key. #miched
A7) My advice is to present the innovative ideas to the class as a learning experience that, if it works, will benefit others (the school, community, wider audience, etc). This has always been an exciting way to start for us. #michED
A7: Differentiate. Let teachers who are ready dive into deep end and let others go gradually. Encourage everyone to talk some steps and celebrate successes, large and small. #miched
This past year, I was on a team that developed single-point rubrics arranged around power standards for use in our 6-12 ELA classrooms. Our goals were to prioritize feedback, help teachers focus on standards when grading + to give students clear learning progressions. #MichED
In reply to
@RachelleinMI, @jesscrandell, @mpetty39
Where did the time go!! This has been a great chat! Thanks so much to everyone who participated. I look forward to going back through it. Thanks @dintersmith for the conversations you've made happen!! #michED
