Professional Learning & Development | Growth Mindset | Education

The Blogger Challenge

The Blogger Challenge concludes today. A challenge was issued and 18 daring educators answered the call. Some had never blogged before. A few had blogs, but had not written and reflected in a while. Others never stopped. Some of the cool things about this blogger challenge was that it was a) voluntary b) during the summer c) badge related d) cross divisional Feedback from the Bloggers… “What fun the blogging challenge was, it was my first time participating in an all school activity. Thank you for the opportunity it’s been fantastic!” “What a fun ride! I am challenging myself to keep […]

Badging / Learning Measures / Professional Learning Posted on: January 31, 2016

The Power of the Scoreboard & Accountability

The Power of the Scoreboard & Accountability Badging interest exploded with the faculty program’s initial launch in August. After months of plateauing, another spike occurred when we measured progress in December and January through a series of infographics and charts. We teased prizes, but as of yet, we have not even specified what those prizes might be. Therefore, it isn’t clear whether the hope of winning prizes has any impact. The scoreboard, and the accountability that comes with it, seems to be the driving force behind this second surge in badges earned. Perhaps accountability coupled with time of year? Badges […]

Badging / Professional Learning Posted on: November 19, 2015December 9, 2015

The Power of Badging

The Power of Badging Since launching our faculty badging program in August, teachers have earned over 100 badges and provided some intriguing information related to mastery and learning needs. What does this data tell you about our faculty learning and the power of badging? We rocked it on Summer Learning. Folio, Drones, and Blogging are fairly strong. Though we’ve spent several faculty meetings focused on formative assessment in recent weeks, only 1 person has applied for and earned the formative assessment badge. Also, since receiving Clear Touches in every room, only 5 have earned that badge and only 1 faculty […]

eportfolio / Faculty Meetings / Professional Learning Posted on: November 5, 2015November 6, 2015

Overcoming Obstacles to ePortfolios

Overcoming Obstacles to ePortfolios This morning’s faculty meeting saw teachers paired up with Middle School Digital Media students. Our goal was learn from students and ‘crack the code’ on how to use eportfolios more effectively. We followed up on last week’s meeting (vertical process standards/formative assessment/eportfolio demo) and last week’s conference mentor discussions (how students can take greater ownership of their learning through eportfolios). Today’s Faculty Meeting Agenda Essential Questions: Based on student feedback, how can we ‘crack the code’ for how to use eportfolios more effectively both ‘for learning’ (formative/workspace) and ‘of learning’ (summative/showcase)? Desired Outcomes: Students and faculty […]

Digital Citizenship / eportfolio / Formative Assessment / Innovation / Learning Measures / Progress Monitoring / Reflective Practice / Space Configurations / Technology / Visible Thinking Routines Posted on: October 23, 2015October 23, 2015

10 Ways e-Portfolios Increase Learning

10 Ways e-Portfolios Increase Learning In schools, the use of e-portfolios is increasing as a way to enable learning, as well as a means to measure it. See Admissions Revolution (80 colleges and universities move towards use of online portfolios). There are a variety of types and purposes of e-portfolios including workspace, showcase, academic, employment, etc. This post focuses primarily on the blog as student workspace – designed as a tool to accelerate learning at any age, as well as to build capacity for being globally competitive beyond schooling. How might e-portfolios increase learning? 1) Writing – Does the importance of […]

Book Review / Coaching & Feedback / Instructional Rounds / Reflective Practice / Teamwork Posted on: October 21, 2015October 21, 2015

Thanks for the Feedback

Thanks for the Feedback Our team has recently discovered this fabulous book, recommended by Meredith Monk from Folio Collaborative. The authors outline the 3 types of feedback we all need and receive as human beings: appreciation, coaching, and evaluation. None of these concepts are new, but the clarification of each one, as well as the interconnectedness of them are providing important insights for us. Just the summary from Chapter 1 alone has given us great fodder for discussion and reflection. “Feedback” is really three different things, with different purposes: Appreciation – motivates and encourages. Coaching – helps increase knowledge, skill, […]

Collider Conference / MVIFI / Professional Learning Posted on: October 10, 2015October 10, 2015

MVIFI Introduces Collider Conference

MVIFI Introduces Collider Conference Yesterday, Mount Vernon spent a half day introducing a new, in-house approach to professional learning: Collider. The new MVIFI nucleus team, wearing their sweet new ‘mechanic’ shirts, led the charge. More personal reflections coming soon. Meanwhile, here is a list of all sessions/topics and Jim Tiffin’s storify of major tweets and insights… List of Workshops and Sessions/Topics Jim Tiffin highlights the key moments via twitter via Storify I am proud of the Middle School teachers who led several sessions and took an active role as participants.

Coaching & Feedback / Instructional Rounds / Professional Learning / Reflective Practice Posted on: September 24, 2015

Implementing Instructional Rounds

Implementing Instructional Rounds Recently, the idea was posed to us about how to implement instructional rounds. I’m so excited at the prospect of sharing this valuable practice with other educators, that my mind began racing. Hundreds of thoughts all crashing together in my mind at the same instant. Pulling out a trusty, white legal pad, I began to scribble down questions. Ah, start with questions. It’s embedded in my DNA. Questions for Schools to Discuss Before IR Can you describe your school’s current model for observation? Current evaluation model? Feedback model? Is there any peer to peer observation happening in your […]

Learning Outcomes / Professional Learning / Professional Learning Communities / R & D Posted on: September 8, 2015October 24, 2015

A Brief History of Social Science R & D

A Brief History of Social Science R & D at MVPS For five years, I have had the privilege of co-chairing the Social Science Research & Design Team at Mount Vernon with Head of Lower School Shelley Clifford. We have worked alongside the incredible teachers from Preschool through Upper School to create, iterate, and reimagine learning outcomes, as well as innovative instructional and assessment strategies. Here is a succinct outline of the highlights of our team’s efforts… 2011-2012 – Audit of current learning outcome practices – Compare/contrast MVPS learning outcomes to Georgia Performance Standards – Compare/contrast MVPS learning outcomes to […]

Faculty Meetings / Professional Learning / Professional Learning Communities / Reflective Practice / Teamwork / Visible Thinking Routines Posted on: August 27, 2015August 27, 2015

How Are Mistakes and Failures Embraced?

Teachers participated in a visible thinking routine called “Think, Pair, Share” today. They asked, “How are mistakes and failures embraced as opportunities to grow and learn?” Specifically, they applied this question to 3 key initiatives: Assessments, ePortfolios, and Student Led Conferences.Today’s Agenda – Middle School Faculty Meeting Desired Outcomes: Expand our ability to utilize assessment in new and more effective ways Advance ePortfolios by incorporating more storytelling Collaborate with vertical teams to grow in our practice Essential Questions: How are mistakes and failures embraced as opportunities to grow and learn? How are students “storytelling” their learning with ePortfolios? Learning Activities: Think, […]