The three horizons are: look for efficiency and improvement in current core programs; creating organizational structures and opportunities related to technologies; and reimagine and redesign vision and resources. The second question is difficult. I can see several small changes that would benefit students, but the changes wouldn’t create a significant impact on schools as we know them. Attitudes would be the thing I would change. I believe administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students need to have an open attitude about what a school now is and what it will become in the future. Technology has created so many possibilities for the future. It is difficult to imagine how a school will ‘look’ 20 years from now.
Horizon One - I believe a digital place, like BlackBoard/EdModo, would be ideal. We could upload our resources for others to see. We could submit lesson plans and have them placed in a cloud where we could retrieve and tweak them later (allowing others to comment and critique... if we were to be so bold.) It could also be a forum to openly discuss issues and seek suggestions for improvement in our classroom. One of the best experiences I ever had was having the ability to observe other teachers and have them observe me: it gave me a new perspective enabling me to see what I could do differently in my classroom. The critiques were a great way to receive feedback and continue improve classroom management and teaching techniques.
Horizon Two - Again, I feel like adopting a BlackBoard/EdModo/Schoolology account for our students would work well also. We could upload flipped lessons where the student is engaged at home and they spend the time in class working on what would traditionally be homework. They can ask you (or other students) questions via the forum, and then class time is used to ensure students understand the material and to even provide extension.
Horizon Three - I feel that schools need to provide more real world experiences (which would include hands on experience with new and prevalent technologies.) If we are to compete with future generations it is our task to prepare the students not just for today, but also tomorrow. Job shadowing would be a great way to do this, as well as career days. While it is a relatively old concept, with all of the new fields developing it is almost necessary that students explore those fields to even know they are there.
If I could change one thing about our school system it would be to enable students the ability to take college credits and/or have a vocational school experience while in high school. I have not heard of many programs that our district offers that would be similar to these programs. I think the elementary could start a green house which could couple with all the subjects affording cross curricular opportunities, real world experience, and could even be used as a source of income for the school.
There are ways in which we can enhance our community without spending a lot of time and money, we just have to be willing to try.
Courtney, what is your school district? Some school "cooperate" with bordering districts to allow students to have Vocational experiences if they don't offer those classes.
Courtney, I think the key to all three horizons is being willing to try! At our secondary categorical meeting this week, we spent a little time discussion Career, Technical Education (CTE). At the high school level, when this is implemented, relevance of math and English skills is much easier to see. At the grade school, I think we can make learning relevant to jobs the students’ parents do each day. Teaching for teaching sake and learning for learning sake aren’t what students want or need. Students need to comprehend how their learning impacts the world around them. Jerrie
I agree that students need to comprehend how their learning impacts them in the world. I have heard several first grade students that cannot see how education is helping them. They already want to quit school. It is very sad to me.
Horizon One: an ecosystem of powerful relationships between students and teachers that can only take place in "real" time (not the virtual world).
Horizon Two: For schools this translates into successfully integrating technology along with the risks, new program development and revisions of traditional boundaries of times, space, etc.
Horizon Three: Where schools realize that change is going to happen;
Horizon One: the core values provide an ecosystem of powerful relationships between teachers and students that can only be accomplished in "real" time (not the virtual world).
Horizon Two: For schools these opportunities center around technology and the rewards of virtual learning, collaborations and partnerships with companies, non- profits, etc as well as the risks and need for program development and training about using technology effectively.
Horizon Three: The idea of education totally changing... with the possibility of no traditional schools.
Your Horizon 3 is intriguing. I see high schools offering more online classes, which is expanding horizons. I wonder if we will get to the point that schools are mostly online and through Skype than in a building. Interesting thoughts!
Reading your thoughts on the 3 Horizons makes me think of college - -where you don't really build relationships with your professors (esp in large universities in general classes) but you do with your advisor and as you get into your major. Just looking at the relationship differently..maybe it doesn't have to be classroom teacher/student.
Karen - I love your second horizon. Technology isn't going anywhere, so we need to embrace it. If we enhance the technology to make it align with the technological skills students already possess we can ensure that they can be successful in the 21st century.
Horizon One: implementing innovations that improve what you have in place already. There are so many staff members at most schools who could come up with low-cost innovation to improve the classroom or school. School administration need to support that mindset. Horizon Two: A view of the things that are beginning to change, to threaten core ideas and curriculum. Instead of balking at the idea of change, allow it, implement innovative ideas. Bring the technology of the outside world into the classroom. Horizon Three: Ideas and opportunities that could be future growth; things that change the nature of education; Bring the technology of the outside world into the classroom.
I think I would change the system of grade placement and advancement. When I worked in a school that did SFA, I saw students working on the level they needed and being grouped with students who worked at that same level – age wasn’t a factor. I felt like students performed better by being taught at their level. As I think about this from a Gifted perspective, it makes sense that if a student who is 7 or 8 could do more advanced math, why hold him back? Why not rearrange classes so students are grouped by content they need to learn rather than by age? This year, our middle school librarian has allowed Elementary students to attend her after school book club. She makes these students read the same book, do projects, and achieve the same standard as the middle school students. I have noticed that the middle school students go out of their way to make sure the younger students are doing well, and the younger students are working hard to achieve what they need to. In my mind, it has been successful because it is encouraging students to work together to help each other.
I think that is a great idea I already know of a few students in my school district that are working ahead of their age and grade level peers in math. These students will be better prepared for future math classes as well as college math courses as well. We have had elementary students in the past that needed to work at their grade level and for the most part some of the students did not seem to mind working with or be around younger students at the level that they needed to be in terms of reading. Sure they'll be a few students that do not react very well to the situations or learning environments, but in the long run it would have been good for them so they could get caught up and improve in their academics.
I like the idea of students working at their level - irregardless of grade. That was one of the great things about the small rural school my boys attended. Students could work at their own level. And, yes, it encouraged older students to help younger ones. I do think the small student population figured into this being a success.
I think SFA works great for smaller districts that can level students... I think it would be interesting to see how it would work in a larger district.
Horizon 1- Implementing innovations that improve your current operation. Horizon 2- The place where things are beginning to change. The change can threaten the core causing disruptions. However those disruptions can be the beginnings of new organizations Horizon 3- This is where positive change actually begins to happen and mindsets are more open to moving forward.
The building I teach at is looking at implementing a new cell phone policy that will allow students to carry and use their phones in class with teacher permission. We are in the beginning stages of the conversation and gathering ideas from area schools as well as ideas from schools around the country, via the internet. I am excited about this because students are carrying their cell phones with them, even though they are not supposed to at this point, but now they can use them during the day in class if needed as personal computing devices. I would like to see a 1:1 I Pad or Chrome book initiative but school funding has alot to do with that happening or not happening!!!
Please have someone talk to veteran teachers at the Scott Middle School to get ideas. Jenny O'Neil or Adrienne Wren would be good people to talk to on the cell phone idea because they have lived through absolutely NO phones, to free-for-all no rules to some rules in the past 4 years.
Horizon number one is implementing innovations, this means that schools need to look for improvements in their current curriculum or programs or even adding new technologies or even teaching strategies. Horizon number two is structural organization within schools so that there are no disruptions for teachers teaching and students learning. Along with that staff can look to outside resources such as neighboring schools or even schools that are overseas that can help students learn from other teachers or even other students from around the world. Horizon number three is a "what if" scenario where schools look to the future of what their classrooms or schools may look like because of the ever changing technology and how we learn.::The one thing that I would like to see added not so much changed in our school is to learn from other students and/or teachers from neighboring schools or states or from other countries that are overseas it would give our kids a different kind of perspective of how things are or like in other parts of the world.
Horizon 1-innovations that improve current operations: improvement to the core programs/maintaining core values-making sure that we are walking the walk when we talk the talk about students/curriculum/technology and maintaining high standards for all involved, not just students.
Horizon 2-disruptions actually change a company and can cause a threat to what has "always been that way" but can bring about new levels of achievments. It's always hard to take a risk and move away from what we've always done, but in the long run with people trusting and buying into the new ideas, being at the fore-front of new ideas could reap benefits for students and staff alike. Horizon 3-No right or wrong but an opportunity to explore other options that may be better for the company in the long run. "Organizations that grab these opportunities willbe the educational leaders, the great schools of tomorrow." I would love to be part of something like that. I do realize that HPEC has had this mind set for many years, but we don't want to become complacent. We should always be striving to get better, learn more, etc. I think our HPEC teachers do a wonderful job of this. Since I've been here, I've seen many things change and it's only been for the betterment of our students. I've also gotten frowned upon by colleagues for having a "what if" attitude when teaching my sped kids. Because I didn't conform and always do what had always been done, it caused alot of problems and hateful feelings from veteran teachers, but I continued to do what I thought was best for my sped students and I based everything on "what ifs" because in life sped kids (in my opinion) need the freedom to also say "what if" because of their different learning abilities that doesn't conform to the "norm."
Horizon 1: look for efficiency and improvement in current core programs, keeping relationships between student and teacher. The relationships could definitely get lost with the implementation of great amounts of technology. Horizon 2: steps to change, implementing technology, implement non-traditional teaching methods Horizon 3: creating new ways of teaching, doing project based instruction, community instructors, etc One major change I would like to see in my district is less testing! It seems as if teachers do not really get teaching time. If less testing is implemented, some of the new ideas, such as, project based learning could be implemented. The new teaching strategies need to be implemented in the elementary as well as secondary. I see more of the changes happening in the high school.
Horizon 1: looking for efficiency and improvement in core programs and core values (but not a lot of change) ; provide meaningful relationships between students/teachers Horizon 2: extensions and recreations of the core programs that combine new capabilities and innovations, changing traditional programs and decision making (some change involved , partly risky/partly safe) Horizon 3: completely new way of educating students, education is more fluid and adaptable, giving learning a purpose for each child (high risk and may seem threatening to some)
I would like to see my district bring the FUN back to learning..letting kids get their hands dirty, be creative, solve real life problems in real life situations, explore, expand their world. So many of my students don't know anything but Garden City as a vacation spot.
Horizon 1 - implementing interventions to improve current operations Horizon 2 - the view that things are about to change, to threaten the core, possible disruption of the core Horizon 3 - the forward thinking innovations that have the real possibility of "completely new ways of doing things"
Which I would change depends on which school I was talking about, but I guess attitudes would be the most consistent - those that create the restrictive fear of change and innovation, those that are steeped in tradition solely for traditions sake, those that feel so pressured by meeting standards by a certain time that the students don't enjoy learning,
Horizon 1: Looking for efficiency and improvement in the school’s current core programs Horizon 2: Opportunities (often related to technologies that change the foundational relationship among student, teacher, and knowledge on which the system is based) that offer potential to create added value within the school, but that also come with real risk Horizon 3: Reimagining and redesigning the alignment of vision and resources in the school in ways that are significantly different from today
If I could change one major thing in my schools, it would be an absolutely unimaginable increase in their funding. I think not having to worry about their budgets would relieve a tremendous amount of stress and influence everyone’s outlook for the positive, possibly helping other situations they may be struggling with as well (It would also definitely help out with Horizons 2 & 3!). I know money isn’t everything, but since it’s a hot topic right now, it’s just the first thing that popped into my mind.
I agree with you Brittney!! Funding is such a huge concern in every district and it seems like it just keeps getting worse. If schools had the funding that they needed, life could be so much different for all of the students.
The three horizons: improving current core programs; opportunities related to technologies; vision and resources need to be readjusted to fit today's world as it changes. I feel if there is one thing I would change it would be to use developmentally appropriate ideas to shape education at the lower level and even into the grade school. I know the big shift is Common Core and it's expectations are high but is there a way during the very beginning of a childs school life, to implement skills needed in a way that is age appropriate and looks at developmentally readiness. Some of these kids are getting put into special education as developmentally delayed students which makes perfect sense however given time and attention, they are able to master the skills higher than some peers in regular education classrooms. Yes I do understand early childhood and the developmental stages but I think we are asking kids to sit for an hour to do a skill that is over their head and then teachers complain about behavior. At 4 years old the skills need to be taught differently not sitting listening to the teacher in a calm manner ready to learn, they are ready to play and socialize. I feel this a thing that I would change in order to look at what is the development and process of children who are 4 years old and have never had exposure to many things asked to do within the classroom setting.
Horizon one is being able to improve the efficiency in your existing core program/school. This is done by ensuring that we continue to provide values (vision statement) Horizon two is discussing implementing change. This is the point in a school that can cause disruptions and resistance to the changes. Horizon three is the realm of “what if” scenarios and moving towards implementing the changes. Something I would like to see our elementary school do it work towards making our MTSS more meaningful and beneficial for the students in each of the tiers. I feel like we have taken that first step forward in implementing it yet I feel like for most we are just going through motions and not being affective with in our groups. I would like to see the schedule of the day allow for more time in the groups so that we can accomplish more in them. That might mean restructuring the schedule with bigger groups in PE and Music or computer lab times being used differently but I feel like there has got to be room for growth and tweaking it to be more meaningful.
The MTSS groups are great but sometimes are not used in a way to help the students. It is just going through the motion of developing the groups and then developing strategies to help them to learn the missing skills. Our school does it for 20 minutes at the end of the day however I teach in a EC building so 20 minutes is about all the attention span will allow us for instruction. I do a MTSS group and sometimes I have even done it one on one if I see a student who is really struggling.
Horizon one: this is where we look for efficiency and improvement in our current core programs. Horizon two: this is where we look at the opportunities that are related to technologies that change the foundational relationship among teachers, students, and the educational system. Horizon three: this is where we contemplate a future that looks vastly different from anything we now call a school.
The second question is a hard one for me to answer. I think that there are many, many good things about the school and the teachers that I work with. They all try very hard to implement new ideas, even when they don't want to. I think, though, if I could change one thing, it would be how the teachers differentiate learning for the students in their class. Sometimes differentiation is only putting a student on a computer program...not finding different ways to teach them or different things for them to learn. I sometimes see our higher achieving students bored in a classroom and our lower achieving students completely lost. I think if teachers could find ways to reach all of their students it would be so much more beneficial for everyone.
Krista- I agree with your comments about differentiation often only consisting of computer programs. That's typically the first thing that pops up during a brainstorming session of what to do with a student, "Well.... Is there something on the computer they could do???" And I'll be the first to admit that I'VE been that person! Right now, I'm working with a kiddo who can only have limited amounts of screen time because of some health issues, but they GREATLY need differentiated instruction. Yikes, right??? However, to my surprise, our team came up with some super creative ideas (Doesn't that sound awful??? Haha!), so now we're all just antsy to find out if any of them are going to work =)
The three horizons are: look for efficiency and improvement in current core programs; creating organizational structures and opportunities related to technologies; and reimagine and redesign vision and resources.
ReplyDeleteThe second question is difficult. I can see several small changes that would benefit students, but the changes wouldn’t create a significant impact on schools as we know them. Attitudes would be the thing I would change. I believe administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students need to have an open attitude about what a school now is and what it will become in the future. Technology has created so many possibilities for the future. It is difficult to imagine how a school will ‘look’ 20 years from now.
Horizon One - I believe a digital place, like BlackBoard/EdModo, would be ideal. We could upload our resources for others to see. We could submit lesson plans and have them placed in a cloud where we could retrieve and tweak them later (allowing others to comment and critique... if we were to be so bold.) It could also be a forum to openly discuss issues and seek suggestions for improvement in our classroom. One of the best experiences I ever had was having the ability to observe other teachers and have them observe me: it gave me a new perspective enabling me to see what I could do differently in my classroom. The critiques were a great way to receive feedback and continue improve classroom management and teaching techniques.
ReplyDeleteHorizon Two - Again, I feel like adopting a BlackBoard/EdModo/Schoolology account for our students would work well also. We could upload flipped lessons where the student is engaged at home and they spend the time in class working on what would traditionally be homework. They can ask you (or other students) questions via the forum, and then class time is used to ensure students understand the material and to even provide extension.
Horizon Three - I feel that schools need to provide more real world experiences (which would include hands on experience with new and prevalent technologies.) If we are to compete with future generations it is our task to prepare the students not just for today, but also tomorrow. Job shadowing would be a great way to do this, as well as career days. While it is a relatively old concept, with all of the new fields developing it is almost necessary that students explore those fields to even know they are there.
If I could change one thing about our school system it would be to enable students the ability to take college credits and/or have a vocational school experience while in high school. I have not heard of many programs that our district offers that would be similar to these programs. I think the elementary could start a green house which could couple with all the subjects affording cross curricular opportunities, real world experience, and could even be used as a source of income for the school.
There are ways in which we can enhance our community without spending a lot of time and money, we just have to be willing to try.
Courtney, what is your school district? Some school "cooperate" with bordering districts to allow students to have Vocational experiences if they don't offer those classes.
DeleteCourtney,
ReplyDeleteI think the key to all three horizons is being willing to try! At our secondary categorical meeting this week, we spent a little time discussion Career, Technical Education (CTE). At the high school level, when this is implemented, relevance of math and English skills is much easier to see. At the grade school, I think we can make learning relevant to jobs the students’ parents do each day. Teaching for teaching sake and learning for learning sake aren’t what students want or need. Students need to comprehend how their learning impacts the world around them.
Jerrie
I agree that students need to comprehend how their learning impacts them in the world. I have heard several first grade students that cannot see how education is helping them. They already want to quit school. It is very sad to me.
DeleteHorizon One: an ecosystem of powerful relationships between students and teachers that can only take place in "real" time (not the virtual world).
ReplyDeleteHorizon Two: For schools this translates into successfully integrating technology along with the risks, new program development and revisions of traditional boundaries of times, space, etc.
Horizon Three: Where schools realize that change is going to happen;
Horizon One: the core values provide an ecosystem of powerful relationships between teachers and students that can only be accomplished in "real" time (not the virtual world).
Horizon Two: For schools these opportunities center around technology and the rewards of virtual learning, collaborations and partnerships with companies, non- profits, etc as well as the risks and need for program development and training about using technology effectively.
Horizon Three: The idea of education totally changing... with the possibility of no traditional schools.
Your Horizon 3 is intriguing. I see high schools offering more online classes, which is expanding horizons. I wonder if we will get to the point that schools are mostly online and through Skype than in a building. Interesting thoughts!
DeleteReading your thoughts on the 3 Horizons makes me think of college - -where you don't really build relationships with your professors (esp in large universities in general classes) but you do with your advisor and as you get into your major. Just looking at the relationship differently..maybe it doesn't have to be classroom teacher/student.
DeleteKaren - I love your second horizon. Technology isn't going anywhere, so we need to embrace it. If we enhance the technology to make it align with the technological skills students already possess we can ensure that they can be successful in the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteHorizon One: implementing innovations that improve what you have in place already. There are so many staff members at most schools who could come up with low-cost innovation to improve the classroom or school. School administration need to support that mindset.
ReplyDeleteHorizon Two: A view of the things that are beginning to change, to threaten core ideas and curriculum. Instead of balking at the idea of change, allow it, implement innovative ideas. Bring the technology of the outside world into the classroom.
Horizon Three: Ideas and opportunities that could be future growth; things that change the nature of education; Bring the technology of the outside world into the classroom.
I think I would change the system of grade placement and advancement. When I worked in a school that did SFA, I saw students working on the level they needed and being grouped with students who worked at that same level – age wasn’t a factor. I felt like students performed better by being taught at their level. As I think about this from a Gifted perspective, it makes sense that if a student who is 7 or 8 could do more advanced math, why hold him back? Why not rearrange classes so students are grouped by content they need to learn rather than by age? This year, our middle school librarian has allowed Elementary students to attend her after school book club. She makes these students read the same book, do projects, and achieve the same standard as the middle school students. I have noticed that the middle school students go out of their way to make sure the younger students are doing well, and the younger students are working hard to achieve what they need to. In my mind, it has been successful because it is encouraging students to work together to help each other.
I think that is a great idea I already know of a few students in my school district that are working ahead of their age and grade level peers in math. These students will be better prepared for future math classes as well as college math courses as well. We have had elementary students in the past that needed to work at their grade level and for the most part some of the students did not seem to mind working with or be around younger students at the level that they needed to be in terms of reading. Sure they'll be a few students that do not react very well to the situations or learning environments, but in the long run it would have been good for them so they could get caught up and improve in their academics.
DeleteI like the idea of students working at their level - irregardless of grade. That was one of the great things about the small rural school my boys attended. Students could work at their own level. And, yes, it encouraged older students to help younger ones. I do think the small student population figured into this being a success.
DeleteI think SFA works great for smaller districts that can level students... I think it would be interesting to see how it would work in a larger district.
DeleteHorizon 1- Implementing innovations that improve your current operation.
ReplyDeleteHorizon 2- The place where things are beginning to change. The change can threaten the core causing disruptions. However those disruptions can be the beginnings of new organizations
Horizon 3- This is where positive change actually begins to happen and mindsets are more open to moving forward.
The building I teach at is looking at implementing a new cell phone policy that will allow students to carry and use their phones in class with teacher permission. We are in the beginning stages of the conversation and gathering ideas from area schools as well as ideas from schools around the country, via the internet. I am excited about this because students are carrying their cell phones with them, even though they are not supposed to at this point, but now they can use them during the day in class if needed as personal computing devices.
I would like to see a 1:1 I Pad or Chrome book initiative but school funding has alot to do with that happening or not happening!!!
Please have someone talk to veteran teachers at the Scott Middle School to get ideas. Jenny O'Neil or Adrienne Wren would be good people to talk to on the cell phone idea because they have lived through absolutely NO phones, to free-for-all no rules to some rules in the past 4 years.
DeleteHorizon number one is implementing innovations, this means that schools need to look for improvements in their current curriculum or programs or even adding new technologies or even teaching strategies. Horizon number two is structural organization within schools so that there are no disruptions for teachers teaching and students learning. Along with that staff can look to outside resources such as neighboring schools or even schools that are overseas that can help students learn from other teachers or even other students from around the world. Horizon number three is a "what if" scenario where schools look to the future of what their classrooms or schools may look like because of the ever changing technology and how we learn.::The one thing that I would like to see added not so much changed in our school is to learn from other students and/or teachers from neighboring schools or states or from other countries that are overseas it would give our kids a different kind of perspective of how things are or like in other parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteHorizon 1-innovations that improve current operations: improvement to the core programs/maintaining core values-making sure that we are walking the walk when we talk the talk about students/curriculum/technology and maintaining high standards for all involved, not just students.
ReplyDeleteHorizon 2-disruptions actually change a company and can cause a threat to what has "always been that way" but can bring about new levels of achievments. It's always hard to take a risk and move away from what we've always done, but in the long run with people trusting and buying into the new ideas, being at the fore-front of new ideas could reap benefits for students and staff alike.
Horizon 3-No right or wrong but an opportunity to explore other options that may be better for the company in the long run. "Organizations that grab these opportunities willbe the educational leaders, the great schools of tomorrow." I would love to be part of something like that. I do realize that HPEC has had this mind set for many years, but we don't want to become complacent. We should always be striving to get better, learn more, etc. I think our HPEC teachers do a wonderful job of this. Since I've been here, I've seen many things change and it's only been for the betterment of our students.
I've also gotten frowned upon by colleagues for having a "what if" attitude when teaching my sped kids. Because I didn't conform and always do what had always been done, it caused alot of problems and hateful feelings from veteran teachers, but I continued to do what I thought was best for my sped students and I based everything on "what ifs" because in life sped kids (in my opinion) need the freedom to also say "what if" because of their different learning abilities that doesn't conform to the "norm."
Horizon 1: look for efficiency and improvement in current core programs, keeping relationships between student and teacher. The relationships could definitely get lost with the implementation of great amounts of technology.
ReplyDeleteHorizon 2: steps to change, implementing technology, implement non-traditional teaching methods
Horizon 3: creating new ways of teaching, doing project based instruction, community instructors, etc
One major change I would like to see in my district is less testing! It seems as if teachers do not really get teaching time. If less testing is implemented, some of the new ideas, such as, project based learning could be implemented. The new teaching strategies need to be implemented in the elementary as well as secondary. I see more of the changes happening in the high school.
Horizon 1: looking for efficiency and improvement in core programs and core values (but not a lot of change) ; provide meaningful relationships between students/teachers
ReplyDeleteHorizon 2: extensions and recreations of the core programs that combine new capabilities and innovations, changing traditional programs and decision making (some change involved , partly risky/partly safe)
Horizon 3: completely new way of educating students, education is more fluid and adaptable, giving learning a purpose for each child (high risk and may seem threatening to some)
I would like to see my district bring the FUN back to learning..letting kids get their hands dirty, be creative, solve real life problems in real life situations, explore, expand their world. So many of my students don't know anything but Garden City as a vacation spot.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOpps, pasted in the wrong question.
ReplyDeleteHorizon 1 - implementing interventions to improve current operations
Horizon 2 - the view that things are about to change, to threaten the core, possible disruption of the core
Horizon 3 - the forward thinking innovations that have the real possibility of "completely new ways of doing things"
Which I would change depends on which school I was talking about, but I guess attitudes would be the most consistent - those that create the restrictive fear of change and innovation, those that are steeped in tradition solely for traditions sake, those that feel so pressured by meeting standards by a certain time that the students don't enjoy learning,
Horizon 1: Looking for efficiency and improvement in the school’s current core programs
ReplyDeleteHorizon 2: Opportunities (often related to technologies that change the foundational relationship among student, teacher, and knowledge on which the system is based) that offer potential to create added value within the school, but that also come with real risk
Horizon 3: Reimagining and redesigning the alignment of vision and resources in the school in ways that are significantly different from today
If I could change one major thing in my schools, it would be an absolutely unimaginable increase in their funding. I think not having to worry about their budgets would relieve a tremendous amount of stress and influence everyone’s outlook for the positive, possibly helping other situations they may be struggling with as well (It would also definitely help out with Horizons 2 & 3!). I know money isn’t everything, but since it’s a hot topic right now, it’s just the first thing that popped into my mind.
I agree with you Brittney!! Funding is such a huge concern in every district and it seems like it just keeps getting worse. If schools had the funding that they needed, life could be so much different for all of the students.
DeleteThe three horizons: improving current core programs; opportunities related to technologies; vision and resources need to be readjusted to fit today's world as it changes.
ReplyDeleteI feel if there is one thing I would change it would be to use developmentally appropriate ideas to shape education at the lower level and even into the grade school. I know the big shift is Common Core and it's expectations are high but is there a way during the very beginning of a childs school life, to implement skills needed in a way that is age appropriate and looks at developmentally readiness. Some of these kids are getting put into special education as developmentally delayed students which makes perfect sense however given time and attention, they are able to master the skills higher than some peers in regular education classrooms. Yes I do understand early childhood and the developmental stages but I think we are asking kids to sit for an hour to do a skill that is over their head and then teachers complain about behavior. At 4 years old the skills need to be taught differently not sitting listening to the teacher in a calm manner ready to learn, they are ready to play and socialize. I feel this a thing that I would change in order to look at what is the development and process of children who are 4 years old and have never had exposure to many things asked to do within the classroom setting.
Horizon one is being able to improve the efficiency in your existing core program/school. This is done by ensuring that we continue to provide values (vision statement)
ReplyDeleteHorizon two is discussing implementing change. This is the point in a school that can cause disruptions and resistance to the changes.
Horizon three is the realm of “what if” scenarios and moving towards implementing the changes.
Something I would like to see our elementary school do it work towards making our MTSS more meaningful and beneficial for the students in each of the tiers. I feel like we have taken that first step forward in implementing it yet I feel like for most we are just going through motions and not being affective with in our groups. I would like to see the schedule of the day allow for more time in the groups so that we can accomplish more in them. That might mean restructuring the schedule with bigger groups in PE and Music or computer lab times being used differently but I feel like there has got to be room for growth and tweaking it to be more meaningful.
The MTSS groups are great but sometimes are not used in a way to help the students. It is just going through the motion of developing the groups and then developing strategies to help them to learn the missing skills. Our school does it for 20 minutes at the end of the day however I teach in a EC building so 20 minutes is about all the attention span will allow us for instruction. I do a MTSS group and sometimes I have even done it one on one if I see a student who is really struggling.
ReplyDeleteHorizon one: this is where we look for efficiency and improvement in our current core programs.
ReplyDeleteHorizon two: this is where we look at the opportunities that are related to technologies that change the foundational relationship among teachers, students, and the educational system.
Horizon three: this is where we contemplate a future that looks vastly different from anything we now call a school.
The second question is a hard one for me to answer. I think that there are many, many good things about the school and the teachers that I work with. They all try very hard to implement new ideas, even when they don't want to. I think, though, if I could change one thing, it would be how the teachers differentiate learning for the students in their class. Sometimes differentiation is only putting a student on a computer program...not finding different ways to teach them or different things for them to learn. I sometimes see our higher achieving students bored in a classroom and our lower achieving students completely lost. I think if teachers could find ways to reach all of their students it would be so much more beneficial for everyone.
Krista-
DeleteI agree with your comments about differentiation often only consisting of computer programs. That's typically the first thing that pops up during a brainstorming session of what to do with a student, "Well.... Is there something on the computer they could do???" And I'll be the first to admit that I'VE been that person! Right now, I'm working with a kiddo who can only have limited amounts of screen time because of some health issues, but they GREATLY need differentiated instruction. Yikes, right??? However, to my surprise, our team came up with some super creative ideas (Doesn't that sound awful??? Haha!), so now we're all just antsy to find out if any of them are going to work =)