HSE Design Team: Trust Your Students

In preparation for next year’s 1:1 roll-out at the elementary schools, a year ago this month, an invitation went out to all K-4 teachers to join the HSE Design Team. Out of the many applications, 23 teachers were chosen to receive professional development during the summer and throughout the current school year.

For a year these  teachers have been experimenting
and learning together. 

 The focus of their ongoing study is how best to use technology as a powerful tool to support best-practice instruction.  These teachers have learned together, have shared their successes and failures, and have reflected on how to improve student learning, with the goal of providing insight and support to the roll-out coming next fall.  They have all led professional development in their buildings and at district events, and they are committed to working alongside their colleagues as mentors and guides next school year.

Last Thursday, the HSE Design Team met for their final training this school year.  At the end of the day, we asked for them to respond to four questions.  The questions and selected responses are listed below.  While these answers are from elementary school teachers, we argue that their insights apply to all teachers at all levels.

Read their responses, and see if you agree:

Where did you see the biggest impact on student learning?

• Students had ownership in their learning and were incredibly engaged.  Our year was filled with student-centered research, and my students' reading levels skyrocketed!
  
• Empowerment, connectedness, and independence where kids become natural problem solvers and take charge of their learning!  The confidence, passion, and engagement has been inspiring!
• Students are moving from participants in their learning to directors, facilitators, and encouragers of their own and their peers’ learning.
• Students had more choice and ownership in their learning.  As the year progressed, I noticed students wanting to dig deeper and question things more because they knew their questions could be answered.  Students became better problem solvers and gained responsibility.  I also believe student learning was enhanced because parents were much more connected and aware of how/what their children were learning in the classroom.
• Student engagement was at an all-time high this year.  Students loved being able to make choices concerning their learning.

What is a major insight, an “a-ha moment,” or take way from this year’s work?

• Kids are capable of so much more than we believe.  Every day was an eye opener!  (Note: There were many, many variations of this comment.)
  
• Don't be scared to try something new. I learned the most when I completely invested into the SeeSaw program. It was a leap of faith to be completely on board, but I love it, my students love it, and my classroom has never been the same since.
• Both kids and families have been positively involved in the online learning.
• The students are very capable. The more freedom you give them, the more opportunity they have to surprise you!
• Students are starting to realize that their classrooms are no longer four walls.  They are able to connect, learn, share, and integrate technology with classrooms from all over the world.  They are able to celebrate their differences and passions for learning at any given moment. They are the drivers for their educational journey. I am just a facilitator.
• As educators we are able to connect their learning to the “real world” in a way that we never have before.  They are able to connect content to its use and intent in the real word, extend questions, and find answers in real-time.  This has propelled self-motivated learning in a powerful way.

What are your next steps—what are you looking forward to next year?

• I'm looking forward to being more confident implementing technology next year.  I'm also looking forward to helping my fellow teachers do some great things with the iPads!
  
• Learn more! I'm looking forward to the camaraderie of my staff as we work through this together.
• Next steps would be continuing to integrate the technology in powerful and more meaningful ways, as well as to continue taking risks!
• I am looking forward to reflecting on what has been successful and then working on bringing it back next year in a more developed, organized, and effective way.
• I am looking forward to jumping in with both feet in August! I was hesitant this year, but soon learned the incredible possibilities that come with 1:1 technology.
• My next steps are to continue to learn, grow, stretch, and reflect.  I am looking forward to the new challenges next year and the chance to continue to take risks, fail, and try again!
• I'm excited to push even further into the world with my students. I want to be able to connect with all continents, all our US states, and learn from even more children all over the world. I want to show my students that they are world leaders and shakers.
• I am looking forward to walking alongside colleagues and students as an encourager and collaborator in inquiry and continuing to pursue the question, “What does this look like in the real world?”

 What advice do you have for someone who is nervous going into next year?

• Two things we've said over and over again: Don't be afraid to fail, and start small. Find a few things that you like and learn them well.  After that, start adding a piece at a time.
• The best advice I have for next year is to take it one step at a time.  You can't do it all at once.  Take time and take little bites.   Use your “baby fork.”
• You know what you are doing, and if you don't, your kids will never know! Be confident in your abilities.  We have prepared for this! We are ready!
• Don't overwhelm yourself with all of the possible things that can go wrong with technology. Chances are, it is going to happen. Go with it, and be BRAVE! Good Luck. You won't be able to imagine what a classroom was like before having technology at your students’ fingertips.
• It's OK to start small and find something that you are comfortable with! Find your passion and dig into that!
• Try it! If it fails, try something else! There is much more to lose by not trying.
• Don't let your fears drive what you do. You and your students can do this. If you say you can’t, you never will, and you are putting a ceiling on the learning of your students.
• Your students are more capable than you think!  Don't put a ceiling on their learning and what they are capable of!
• You are going to have epic fails. Embrace and celebrate them. That's when we learn.
• Trust your students!  Believe they can.  Don't let fear drive the bus. 

We hope you take these messages from the HSE Design Team to heart.  Take some chances.  Trust yourself. Trust your students, and embrace the journey.

Have a great week, HSE!

Your HSE Teaching and Learning Team

• Jan Combs, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
• Stephanie Loane, Director of Elementary Education
• Tom Bell, Director of Special Education
• Jeff Harrison, Director of Educational Technology
• Phil Lederach, Director of Secondary Education