Strategies for strengthening the brain

Link to article

Do you have a student that has a hard time deciding what to do in certain situations, making decision that should for all intensive purposes be automatic for most people? Well, I was really intrigued to come across this article and thought you might be interested in discovering what I discovered: the student might have underdeveloped executive function.

Executive functions can be defined as the awareness and directive capacities of the mind. By wielding these skills and abilities, students decide where to focus their attention and which tasks to undertake. As a general rule of thumb, when students of any age have difficulty completing developmentally appropriate academic tasks on their own, executive functioning may be at the root of the problem.

This article includes ways that teachers can help a student make connections in the brain that will improve executive functions. Here is a brief excerpt:

incorporating instruction on executive functions into content lessons emphasizes that:

1.  Students are in charge of their learning

2. Honing their use of these skills and abilities will improve their performance in school and beyond.

Here is the link to the article. Again, I hope that you learn how you might be able to better support your students a little more effectively now that you know there is something you can do for those that are not at the level of development that they should be.

Seesaw- An intoduction

Seesaw is a free iOS or web based software program that helps teachers create and maintain a digital portfolio system style collection of student work. Here are the selling points right off the bat:

1) It is free for teachers and parents.

2) Easy to set up classes and enter students

3) Very easy to add artifacts into the portfolio

4) Enables a teacher to generate links to the work that is stored.

5) Supports in app blogging

6) Contains interactive whiteboard capabilities

7) Connects parents and teachers, and increases communication.

This tool is one of the most versital and  yet easy to use apps for students, parents and teachers.

Here is a link to a presentation that I created to introduce Seesaw at a faculty meeting the other day.

Seesaw presentation

TCEA16

When my supervisor mentioned this conference that we would be attending, I had little idea what to expect. I have been to conferences, and have attended events similar, but was not prepared to engage in what I learned would be a week long perpetual infusion of learning. It was, needless to say, a period of fast paced, no holds barred, presentations, key note speakers, exhibitions, and idea sparking innovation.

I took notes furiously and tried to capture everything on my iPad so that once it was over I might be able to digest everything I had taken in. I would like to share with you some of what I was able to glean from the best presentations I attended.

Google Apps Add-ons

 One of the first presentation I attended was "Add-on Some Awesome Sauce" I enjoyed this presentation very much because it gave me a chance to see how some Google add-ons worked.

 This slide shows which add-ons go with which Google Apps

Seesaw

 Seesaw is a tremendously powerful tool for Teachers who are interested in increased communication with parents and building digital portfolios for students. This presentation included a video that described how Seesaw is used and various customizations that are supported through the app/web based version.

Adobe Apps

 Adobe Voice is a tool that captures a student's audio recording as they narrate a picture slide show. Here is an example that I made: https://voice.adobe.com/a/kMjj0/

 Adobe Post is a great resource for digitally presenting research or learning that a student has done in an easy to use graphic creator. Here is an example I made: 

 Adobe Sleight is a great way to make learning visible with a blog style customizations and options. Here is an example of one that I made: https://slate.adobe.com/cp/nRrX5/

TCEA was a great conference where I learned a lot and was able to meet lots of other porfessionals that share my passion for tech integration.

Notegraphy quote designs I've made.

Growth mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

Education is one of those professions that love buzz words. Every year you have to attend at least 3 PD sessions to make sure that you know what it is and how to use it in your class. Things like: differentiation, and 'data driven', personalized learning, research based, formative/summative assessment, stimulus/context based learning, rigor, and now recently, we have Growth vs. Fixed Mindset.

I have engaged in several discussions with colleagues about the term 'Growth Mindset'. Sounds interesting and, at the same time, sounds like the kind of term that people outside the classroom like to create so they can write a book about it with lots of research and studies done on how it impacts student success and achievement. Please believe me that I have complete and total respect for this work, but as I thought about it, what are we in this business for- student success and achievement. How are these possible without the 'Growth Mindset' that most administrators are now touting as a key component to pedagogy. Show me a student that has been successful (and I mean successful as in they are actually internalizing and not just memorizing) that has had a 'Fixed Mindset'? I can not think of one, and I estimate that I have taught over 3,000 kids in 13 years.

Here is what I have been able to find out about it. What is growth. These are informative articles about defining Growth Mindset from David Hochheiser, and another from Keith Heggart in the online journal Edutopia. Both reference Carol Dweck's research on the topic. So, I think I will study her work further to get a more deep understanding.

As I was researching, I arrived at an article written by Carol Dweck, "Growth Mindset". There is some great information and she helps to clearly define what this process entails.

There was a great twitter chat focusing on this topic. Here is the hashtag if you are interested in viewing some of the comments: #EDthink. This awesome chat was hosted by @AaronJPena, and @MandyVasek (sorry if I left someone out). Here is what I could gather from other professionals based on three of the questions that were posed.

1) "What role does effort play in developing your growth mindset?" Without it there can be little to no growth. However, effort for the sake of effort does not necessarily equate to growth. For example, if you can expend effort and regress as well. Your effort has to be directed carefully and mindfully in an informed plan of action.

2) "What role does failure play in developing your growth mindset?" One of the best quotes from the chat was from Jenna Carlson, "Failure hasn't taught me I can't do it, it has taught me I have to do it differently." In my opinion, I believe that our culture has taught us that failure is a bad thing, where as the most successful people in the world see failure as an opportunity to do something better! If a teacher or student has a fixed mindset then failure is acceptable and a stopping point. In a growth mindset, a teacher or student would view failure as a chance to explore other options to overcome the hurdle in front of them.

3) "What are some experiences that can lead to a fixed mindset?" This was an interesting question, and I enjoyed reading some of the responses. Things that lead to a fixed mindset are: comfort, stability, routine, and fear, broken relationships, an emphasis on outcomes and not process, negativity. Here was one of the breakthroughs I found in this question. Success can lead to a fixed mindset if you view it as a destination and not a journey! That was awesome!

I look forward to further exploration on "Growth Mindset". I hope you have enjoyed reading what I have gathered, and hopefully like me, it will begin you on a fruitful trip down education lane.

PLN/PLC

"If a teacher is not connected, it is by choice not by circumstance."

This quote struck me as being a perceptive examination of todays educators. Seriously, with so much access to resources through online platforms there is little excuse for not being connected professionally. 

Viki Davis contributed a journal article to Edutopia to discuss what a Professional Learning Network/Community is and its value in education.

Torrey Trust defines the PLN (PDF) as "a system of interpersonal connections and resources that support informal learning." The PLN is a cornerstone of modern connectivist theories of learning as advocated by George Siemens and Stephen Downes.

Some of my favorite PLN's are Google+ Communities like: Connected Classrooms, and Instructional Technology Integrators and Coaches. In addition to those, I have found tremendous value in Twitter and twitter chats. My handle is @erod129 (please follow and I will be glad to follow back), and I take part in chats like: #personalizedPD, #edtechchat, #haysedchat. Through these chats, not only do I gain valuable insights through experts and specialist in the field, I make connections that I can rely on for ideas and advise. Here is a directory that lists chats and when they are scheduled.

I think the last way that I try to stay connected is by using an app called feedly. This is a way for me to curate journals and articles that are of interest to me. You can bet that Edutopia is at the top of my list of RSS feeds. Using Feedly I do not miss any post from my favorite online journals. When you find a great online journal, you can search for it in feedly and add it to your list. Feedly will keep track of new posts and add them automatically. There is an option to share your feeds with others, but it is an option when you upgrade from the free version.

I would love to know how you stay connected. Please feel free to share your experience and ideas on how to grow your PLN/C

Hays CISD Digital Learning Team

I would like to give a shout out to my director, Jamie Locklin for his skill in forming and maintaining a cohesive and supportive Digital Learning Team. If you are interested in great ideas and ways to integrate technology into your school/classroom, he is the Jedi Master, which, I guess would make me his Padawan (I'm good with that). I am honored to be given the opportunity to learn and to help my district become more tech integrated.

When I applied for this position I was sure that there would be many more other highly qualified people that would be considered. I was shocked when I was contacted for an interview, and then truly humbled when I was offered the position. Jamie told me that the committee was looking for a veteran teacher that had strong background in pedagogy and content; someone that was familiar with technology but eager to learn more and easily trainable. Also, someone that people could easily relate to others, and someone that was personable. I was very honored that I fit those descriptions.

It was not an easy decision to give up 13 years in the classroom, leave comfort of familiarity, and begin in a new direction. Jamie made it easy. He is one of the most patient, and supportive supervisors I have ever worked with.

One of my favorite aspects to the work environment that I am in is the collaborative aspect that we have. When we meet, we bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. I am unceasingly impressed with the quality of interactions that we have. We learn from each other, and we are able to create products that help to support the learning of our teachers and students. I can witness the difference that we make to teachers and I know that translates into student success.

So, if you are an administrator, and you are hoping to build a team, please make sure that you consider the personalities of those you seek to hire. You may have the most skilled person in front of you, but if they can not take a joke then you have undermined your teams cohesiveness and therefore their productivity.

I can not over emphasize the importance of a teams interdependence and cohesiveness. This was never more evident to me when we planned PD for all administration in our district. Our Superintendent and all principals were in attendance. As a team we joined together to support the learning of all those in the room. Not one of us were experts in everything presented, but together there were at least one or two that could address any question about the technology that was being used that day. I am proud to be part of the team, not only because it went very well, and we received lots of positive feedback, but because I knew that I was not alone. I knew that I could rely on my team mates and my director to support me if a question or problem arose that I was not able to address.

I am excited to see our team grow and experience more success as we support the needs of teachers and students in Hays CISD.