Over the last two weeks I have been learning about the power of the influencer.  Developing a plan to create change one must be careful to not fall into the pitfalls of associated with change.  Many have the greatest of intentions but fall short when it comes to reaching their goals.  So how can I be successful in my journey to adopt blended learning into my school district?  Based upon the book the Influencer there are six strategies to developing a successful change.  Along with that one must be specific in what behaviors they want to happen.

Change doesn’t happen over night but change can have a plan.  I plan on using what I have learned over the weeks to help sustain an innovative plan to better suite the students with in my district.  Here is a look at my plan for adopting blended learning.

By incorporating the six sources of influence one can see a 10X the change.  Change starts with you but strengthen your success rate by being prepared.

 

(2012, December 17). Retrieved October 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu7UBY5euBg&feature=youtu.be.

So again I am tasked with digging deep inside my soul and defining my WHY.  This really started with Simon Sinek’s start with why video. As I watched the video several times it made me think over and over again about the same things.  In ever case I came back around to the words lead and inspire.  As a teacher I want to lead and inspire students to be successful in an ever changing world.  The world as we know it is always changing.  Our students need to be able to compete with the world around them. This is my Why in my life.  By understanding my own why I can now live it and show it.  That is what great leaders do, they live their WHY.  Leaders that live their why attract like minded people that want to be associated with them.

So what is the quickest way to attract people to my why? According John Kotter the Heart is the fast way to change.  I wont sit here and bore you with all the data and supporting facts to why blended learning should be used in your classrooms. It wont develop the right change from with in.  Teachers and students must feel with in their hearts that this is necessary.  That is how you can create a real sense of change.

A Sense of Urgency

Have you ever heard the phrase “putting the cart before the horse”.  That is what I took from John Kotter’s sense of urgency.  Often times we develop a plan but don’t create a sense of urgency and excitement.  So i’ll give you another phrase “If not Now, When?”  When will we say it is time for change?  Now is the time for change and my students are craving for that change.

 

Resources

Kotter, John (2011, March 23). The heart of change. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/1NKti9MyAAw

Kotter, John. (2013, August 15). Leading change: establish a sense of urgency. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/2Yfrj2Y9IlI

Sinek, Simon. (2013, September 29). Start with why. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/sioZd3AxmnE

I have never thought of my self as an Innovative person when it comes to invoking change.  In my career as a teacher I have often times developed and created lessons in my classroom that nobody has ever seen other than my students.  When I started my Lamar Journey that all changed.  There was something in side of me that was waiting for the right manifestation.   (See my previous video on my Manifesto.)

Through my learning experiences and new found drive in education.  I have developed a new fire for change not only within myself but also within my district that I work in.  I am excited to present my Innovation Proposal to administration.   I am also looking forward to discussing the many benefits to Blended Learning.  Blended learning is not a new concept by any means but it has found new meaning in the digital age.  With new technology being develop each and every day it is difficult to keep up with what is going on.  Blended learning is not a new piece of technology.  It is an innovative way that we can use technology to reach students in new ways.  You can read more about my research and findings in my Innovation Literature Review.  The research discusses the many ways to implement blended learning into the classroom.  There are some pit falls that must be avoided with every type of innovation.

Being an innovator takes planning and preparation.  So I develop a three year plan for my school district.  One must be careful to not jump in too quick.  Real innovation takes time to develop.  My own journey will be a great example to model for my fellow staff members.  I believe that there are many that feel like I do.  My innovation video is provided to give an insite to why Blended Learning is the right path.

When my district begins its journey down the path of innovation.  We will begin by looking at the resources that are readily available on the topic of Blended Learning.

• Catlin Tucker
• Josh Bersin’s Book – The Blended Learning Book: Best Practices, Proven Methodologies, and Lessons Learned
• k-12 Blended Learning
• Promising Practices in Blended Learning

 

Technology has changed the way we have lived for centuries.  Today’s technology is only a small change in the over all worldly view of change.  The people of the world have seen technology come and go.  Our ability to adapt and create with the current technology is our greatest ability.  We all have the ability to be innovators in a growing and changing world.  Blended Learning may seem disruptive and potentially changing the way that both students and teachers work.  Thou as innovators there will be something else that will need innovating down the road.  I know that my Innovation journey will not stop here with Blended Learning.  It will continue and change for as long as I live.

So are you ready to innovate?  I would love to hear how you would like to start your journey today.  Reach out to me through twitter or email.

I was asked to do a presentation on how I incorporate learning in my maker space.  I jumped at the opportunity to showcase some of the amazing things that my students have done.  As I started to look at how I was going to do my presentation; it made me think about the COVA model.

When my students are working on their maker space creations they are involved in the COVA model.  I had no idea that they were involved in the COVA model but they were.  They are given challenges and each student has a choice.  Students must choose how they want to attack the challenge.  Students often times come up with some very innovative ideas.  The power of choice is a great way for students to showcase their own ideas.  This can give them a great sense of ownership in their projects.  When students present their projects they start to have an even greater voice.  I love seeing students eyes light up when people begin to have conversations about their projects.  When students are truly invested in a project they develop a deeper sense of learning and understanding.

So when you are looking for ways to empower students remember the COVA model.  It can provide students with a true authentic learning experience.