Innovation Plan Update

Prior to beginning my journey in the ADL program, I remember reading through the program map and course descriptions with anticipation. However, one particular course description stood out above all others: 5305- Authentic Innovation Plan. As I read through the course objective, I can remember feeling a very distinct sense of panic when reading the words, proactively use those changes as catalysts to enhance their institution or district’s learning environments (Harapnuik, 2018). That was the very moment I realized that I would not simply be learning about other innovators, but rather working towards becoming one myself.

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While I was comfortable with trying new things within the four walls of my classroom, creating plan for a school/district-wide innovation seemed overwhelming and intimidating. I read through countless examples of former student innovations, and I still could not visualize my plan of action. My biggest hang-up was that I didn’t want to do something that someone else had already done. I spent many nights speaking to classmates who felt as though they couldn’t quite narrow down their possibilities into a plan that was truly authentic. Thankfully, Dr. Bedard took the time to listen to my ideas and mold them into something that would well for me: The Innovation Station at San Jacinto Elementary School. Through the Innovation Station, learners would experience Blended Learning through the Station-Rotation Model. They would also have the opportunity to experience COVA through hands-on classroom activities.

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The 2023-2024 school year saw the Innovation Station come to life at San Jacinto Elementary School. As part of my Innovation Plan centered on utilizing blended learning, I was able to create a digital course using Canvas. The course was split into five, week-long modules. This was my first time utilizing online learning, and I was very curious to see how it could support blended learning. After completing the build of my course, I piloted it with a class of twenty 3rd Graders. I showed them how to sign in, took a deep breath, and handed over the reins. For the next five weeks, students worked their way through the modules at their own pace. They formed partnerships and teams, conducted research, and participated in real-world problem solving with a variety of our stakeholders. I met with students daily using an online scheduler, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences I have had in my classroom. Not only were the students passionate and engaged, but they had complete control. I remember walking around my classroom, stunned, as I listened to them discuss their project ideas. I spent several lunch periods and after-school work sessions with students who simply wanted more time to work on their course. I received messages from parents who asked about the online course and wanted to know if there were other courses that their children could take.

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My learners truly loved rotating through the stations, and they often took the concepts they were learning and applied them to their real life experience. I loved the small group and individual time I was able to spend with learners who needed additional support, and many teachers came in to see how I was using blended learning in my classroom. This led to several Professional Learning offerings on Blended Learning, and I co-taught in several Math classrooms to help teachers ease into the process.

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This year has been such an amazing learning curve. While my Innovation Plan didn’t go as expected, because not all the 3rd grade teachers implement blended learning in their classroom. I enjoyed the learning experience and it definitely made me more confident in taking on leadership roles. I learned that the old saying “actions speak louder than words” is even more true in adults. Several individuals who “supported” my innovations verbally seemed to resist the physical changes they would to make. However, after seeing others having success, they immediately jumped in and gave it a chance.

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Looking forward, I have several goals for the coming school year and my second go-round with my Innovation Plan.  

As a culminating project, I will help my students created a playground proposal that could be presented to the Board of Education. This proposal included a Cost and Safety Analysis, a 3D print of a model, and a video that provided their pitch.  I know my students will be excited to present their ideas to the board and make this a reality. The opportunity to create a centrally-located makerspace in my school will allow for teachers to learn to use the space independently, and I’m excited to see how the community will also utilize the space. While many teachers accepted Blended Learning in Math last year, this year they will be striving to incorporate the Station-Rotation model into ELA classes. I hope to create a few after-school course options for students, as well as some mini-courses using course goals, Learning Outcome Table and a list of materials that I that would need for my classroom. Additionally, I plan to work towards revolutionizing Professional Learning in my district and creating more meaningful, personalized experiences using technology.

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Of all the lessons I’ve learned from this experience, the biggest one has been faith in myself. I still hold on to the idea of perfectionism in some form, but my experiences in ADL and this Innovation Project have shown me that the only thing really “perfect” is failure. It humbles, grounds, and motivates a person. It increases one’s curiosity and pushes them to go further and dream bigger. Going through this process has really allowed me to feel comfortable in defining the overarching goal of my big ideas and working backward to plan for success. No matter how big the dream, it really is possible with the support of the right people and a strong understanding of the why. I’m so thankful for this experience, and I know that I will carry the lessons with me as I seek to tackle future innovations.

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                                                                                                                         Reference

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Harapnuik, D. (2018). Dll program map [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7018