What
types of diversity are already in place at your school that will allow it to
move from an industrial based model to more of an ecosystem model?
How
has technology changed the permanent boundaries in your school system?
Respond to one other person.
When thinking about the diversity of my school, I looked at the questions Lichtman posed in Chapter 13. Diversity is more than racial, gender, socioeconomic denotations, diversity includes the where and how students learn. Our school implemented a 1:1 iPad initiative this fall. Technology is current and plans are in place to keep technology current. But, more than that, a variety of courses and organizations are available for student participation.
ReplyDeleteWhen the traditional school day does not meet student needs, we have an online program offered for students to attain a diploma. For those who have dropped out, a credit recovery diploma program is also offered. We are piloting a new look to the school day next fall. We will have multiple start and end times for the school day. Students that work part-time jobs late into the evening can come to school later in the morning. Students that prefer the traditional start time will still come early. This is a change from within the school, not one coming from a ‘top down’ decision.
I really appreciate you pointing out that diversity is more than race. Diversity is used too often in conjunction with "race" that I feel it is sometimes mistaken for an antonym of the idea. Diversity, to me, is much like differentiation. I think technology is enabling schools to be much more diverse and progress beyond the mechanics of Fordism.
DeleteThat will be interesting with multiple start and end times. My oldest daughter would've liked to have come later in the morning. You will have to let us know how it goes.
DeleteI agree that is interesting and will defiantly let us know how that affects learning. I think it is about kids and how they learn if this is a solution to having a better learning environment than I am all for that.
DeleteWhat an interesting idea and concept that your school has come up with. It sounds like a great idea! Please let us know how it works for you. It sounds very innovative! :)
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ReplyDeleteI think our school has tried to be diverse, but as we have already read in our book... change takes time. We have adopted a new math program that provides online resources. Aside from the traditional classroom SpEd and Title 1 services are available. Students learn from lecture, book work, hands on experience, discussion, reflection, etc. Elementary is still very cut and dry with what they need to learn, but the "how" they learn is becoming much more diverse.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the ecosystem model, I would hesitate to say that our school has embraced it: we are still much like an assembly line. However, I do feel that technology has encouraged our staff to evolve into an ecosystem mindset. We are able to communicate faster, share ideas more clearly, research, and support one another more quickly... just what we need to survive and thrive in education. We have digital gradebooks that compute the grades for us, and even evaluate the success of our classes as a whole. There are programs like STAR Reading and Math, as well as Accelerated Reader and Math, which perform similar tasks and even branch off into diagnostics. Such technology is in place to make our lives as teachers more flexible so that our classrooms can be more diverse.
Courtney,
DeleteOne of the reasons our school moves forward is our administration. The principal pushes teachers out of their comfort zone to gain new skills and strategies to teach students. At the beginning of each new method we are to use, there is much grumbling by staff. After nine weeks or so, we evaluate our progress and continue with the implementation. I don’t think age is the common denominator for resistance to change, I think it is mindset!
Jerrie
I like what Jerri's school is doing the administration is thinking outside the box and getting teachers to do different things with the students in order for them to learn in different ways. I will be the first to admit that change is tough and we all need to accept the changes that may come forth in the future and we will have to step out of our comfort zone, think outside the box and get these kids better prepared to learn and think for themselves.
DeleteYou are right Jerrie. Mindset is everything. YOGOWYPI has been presented twice to our teachers and they do so well for about a week with inspiration and then many go right back and do things like they have always done.
DeleteI think we sped teachers are perfect for change because our everyday lives are nothing but change and we are all wonderful about over-coming and adapting to each situation :)
Diversity in a school reflects a diversity of ideas and viewpoints as well as respect for multiple learning styles. Many schools are not a free flow of energy, resources and ideas among staff members or administration. Several schools are benefitting from using older adults in the community as resources to come into the school to mentor, share knowledge, etc.
ReplyDeleteMany of our teachers are also teaching college classes and one of our CTE teachers is teaching a distance learning class.
You make a point about the respect for multiple learning styles. I think this is a difficult concept for teachers to implement. They are use to teaching how they learn and it brings them out of their comfort zone teaching in various ways. I would find it interesting to see how a distance learning class is conducted. I've gotten my masters online, but I'm sure that is very different than teaching elementary to high school students.
DeleteWhat a great idea to have community members involved in the school with mentoring. There are so many people who would contribute if they knew how to get involved with schools.
DeleteMentoring has been an area where I've thought we could take advantage of more local opportunities. What ideas is your district using to attract mentors to give of their time?
DeleteThis doesn’t have anything to do with my districts per say, but your comment about community mentors made me think of something our church is doing. This year, our church partnered with the Dodge City school district to provide mentoring opportunities for ESL students entering a school in the U.S. for the very first time. Right now, volunteers are only mentoring for 30 minutes once a week. I included a link to DC’s FUMC website that gives a few more details. It’s been going on for a little while now, so I’m not for sure if the number of mentors has increased from the time of this article (I’m assuming it has).
Deletehttp://firstchurchdc.com/be-a-champion-for-schoolchildren/
The school I am based at has started MTSS this year. I feel this is leading to diversity in the fact that those students that need extra help in reading and math can get more direct teaching. The higher level students are then getting some expanded instruction so they are not bored and working at their potential. Teams have time at least once a week to work together and plan together on what they are going to do and which students need to be in which groups. There seems to be a more collaborative air to the curriculum than in the past. Outside resources (trainers) are brought in every couple of months to meet with the teachers of each grade level to analyze data and help them move to the next level. The school system is also good at having committees to look at new curriculum and practices, such as the MTSS committee.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how technology has really changed the boundaries in the school. I'm at the elementary level and am not sure how they use technology since I'm not really in the classrooms. Every class has computer class everyday. Again I'm not sure what they are learning but I'm assuming they explore different educational sites. This has opened doors to information about places they may not visit, like other countries and animals they may not ever see. Teachers are starting to use Google Docs so sharing ideas and information with each other has become easier as not everyone has to get together at one moment in time to talk about a topic or add to an idea. Change is happening. Some are for it and some not so easily persuaded.
Heather, our school has just started an MTSS committee. Very few teachers use differentiated instruction. Change is a slow process..... RE: your comment on my post -You're right, as teachers we teach in the learning style that is most comfortable to us.... and often don't realize that adding just one piece of differentiated instruction at a time is beneficial to students and not so overwhelming for teachers.
DeleteLike the book said, historically diversity has pertained to factors like race, gender, socio-economics, etc.... mainly regarding students in a school. The book gives a more encompassing definition; how many different elements are present is a system. I agree that technology has added a layer of diversity to schools that makes them more adaptable and resilient to change. Our school does not have 1:1 computing devices for students but we are we having that conversation (some classrooms have class sets of laptops). All teachers at Kepley use differentiaited instruction, Diversified Technology uses Google Classroom, and the art teacher has a partialy flipped classroom. With our conversation of 1:1 student computing devices I see a different layer of diversity in how the teachers are responding to that initive. Some teachers will not use the technology, some will use it occasionally, and some will use it as much as possible. I think the main reason for this diversity with teachers is the comfort level they have with technology, that and everyones learning curve is different. There are no permanent boundaries with technology, except annoying school filters!
ReplyDeleteI think it helps that our school has invested in technology. Our high school has laptops for every student, and the middle school has Chromebooks for every student. Students have access to materials and assignments online. Teachers have started to adapt their assignments to include GoogleDocs and GoogleClassroom. Our high school has started doing interdisciplinary projects. They are just starting with Freshmen, doing one project each semester, pairing 2 non-related classes. Hopefully teachers will grab this idea and make the most of the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to technology, Some classes are no longer “off limits.” If students need advanced classes and are self-motivated learners, they are able to take and pass online classes without having an instructor present. Also, teachers have access to a wider variety of interventions to use with students; for instance, some teachers have class-wide access to IXL math, so advanced students can work on materials for higher grade level as a way to advance or get more depth of content.
I think there are so many good things going on in your district... ways to intervene when needed but also push other students ahead. Not perfect but moving in the right direction!
DeleteI think that both of the districts I work in are slower in the technology movement than most, especially at the elementary level. iPads and computers are available on a "cart" but scarcely used. One of my districts has a lot of "extra" support in place for children to succeed - during and after school. They are just starting a computer program called Lexia. However, their day to day teaching is very similar to what I saw when I first started in education 12 years ago. My own children go to a different school and I see that technology is heavily integrated into their learning. Two of my daughters (4th and 7th grade) have their own google chrome books. They use google classroom to get/turn in assignments. Just last night my daughter had a question on a homework problem so she emailed her teacher and had support within 10 minutes from her. My 8 y/o daughter is a whiz at google...she finds out answers to our random questions at home in seconds. She has no boundaries to what she can learn.
ReplyDeleteThe diversity in our schools is that we have an iPad cart for the elementary with laptops for grades 3-5. At the high school we have started one on one Chromebooks for all students and staff. By next year the 6th and 7th graders will complete the Chromebook one on one phase so all secondary students will have a Chromebook. We might still have and online computer course for students at the secondary ed side of the district that the students as well as the community can attain their GED or high school diploma. However I don't think that program is being utilized and due to budget cuts it might even have been shut down.
ReplyDeleteI think in one of my districts, there is a start to diversity with students with the use of technology. The 1-1 Ipad initiative has helped some students who have difficulty writing to be able to put their thoughts into words. The use of on-line classes has helped some students who can't function in a regular educational setting. I think that there is an attempt by the administration to allow some student input into the way the schedule will look next year even though the students probably will be over-ruled. But at least an attempt was made.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the fact that a particular school district has spent the funds needed to help the kids accelerate in the CCRS by having IXL Math and Study Island. That program has been a life-saver in one of my other districts who don't have it, so I can do extensions with my gifted kids beyond their grade level. With budget cuts though, I don't know if it will be around next year.
Through everything, the budget is going to get in the way of many advancements districts have started or are improving on. We are in a sad state in Kansas and it's only going to get worse.
My district has definitely embraced technology. The middle school and high school began 1:1 Mac laptops three years ago. Homework and tests are done on the computers and through Google classroom or My Big Campus. The Elementary school has iPads available for use. All classrooms have a projector with a mimio and just received Apple TV. All district Elementary teachers received an Mac laptop. The middle school and high school teachers have had one since the 1:1 began. I feel my district is forward thinking and have implemented technology and strategies for the future. High School students have the ability to go to SCCC during the day to complete programs for a certification through CTE, and e2020 class are available to recover credits or increase load to graduate early. The students are able to use computer programs like IXL and some elementary classrooms take their tests on the computer. I see more and more use of technology in my district. There will be no going back now.
ReplyDeleteThe diversity of how students learn is apparent with a strong technology initiatves in one of my districts. They've also added a greenhouse. I've seen glimmers of technology changing the boundaries, when students Skype with representatives, or students across the world, and use search engines fluently to answer questions as they arise. Unfortunately, there are still times when technology is used to move the worksheet online.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is something that our district has grabbed onto. I know that the level I teach at each classroom has mimieo's with interactive activities, ipads that are available for use and Doc camera to project on the big screen. All teachers received a apple laptop that is for their use in and out of the classroom. There are many things happening within the district to engage students through the use of technology. It is updated equipment however it is a slower process with the budget cuts within the district. It is something that students use daily and have exposure to.
ReplyDeleteAt the grade school diversity I would say is met more through our MTSS groups. Sure we have Title and SPED services in addition but as a whole for math and reading we look at our kids needs and then try to address them or reteach skills through the tiers.
ReplyDeleteAs for technology our teachers all have iPad they use in the classroom for reinforcing lesson and showing videos or using some really nice apps during down time for students. In 4th grade kids make a lot of presentations using the lap tops in the mobile lab to show their knowledge of material in Social Studies and Science.
The MTSS groups sure do help to get small group support to the kiddos who may have otherwise been left behind. It also helps in the deciding factor of whether the child is learning or there may need to be special help needed.
DeleteI think that our school is trying to become more diverse, but change is a hard thing for some teachers to swallow. Our 6th graders all have access to Chromebooks, but they have to be left at school. Our 5th graders have access to laptops, but they also have to be left at school. They are talking about next year, getting Chromebooks for our 5th grade students. We'll see if it happens. I think what they are trying to do is get them ready for middle school when every student has a Chromebook and a lot of their assignments are assigned and turned in that way. Our younger students have iPads that are available for teaches to check out. They are used daily, but definitely have restrictions placed on them. Our WTI (MTSS) groups have allowed different kiddos to be serviced by SpEd and Title that wouldn't normally have access to those services. I definitely see our school trying to move in the right direction, but I think that it will take time. So much of change in the ecosystem model comes from having a really strong administrator or superintendent that likes to think out of the box and pushes their teachers to do the same. Baby steps are good though, and that is what I see in my school.
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