My Contributions to Learning

In this 5304 and 5302, I believe I have earned a score of 85 out of 100. My rationale for this is that I met all of the key contributions and supporting contributions. I actively tried to maintain a growth mindset, collaborated with my partner on the growth mindset plan, wrote multiple sections, participated in all discussions, and met the deadlines in a timely manner.

Developing a growth mindset was tough and I am not sure that I can totally claim to have a growth mindset. I know I can always have room for improvement. I partnered with Samantha. We worked together last semester as well and she is a great partner to have. We frequently discussed all the assignments and gave each peer feedback. I always implemented my peer feedback as she made it better. We also discussed the course materials and how we could implement a true growth mindset. We also discussed our learning manifestos and our “whys”. She is a great collaborator. However, next semester I am going to work hard to join a larger group with her so we can gain even more collaboration knowledge from other peers.

I do believe I have grown through this course and plan to continue growing in the area of time management. I would have liked to collaborate with more people, but after getting off of work, kids cheer and dance practice, cooking dinner, and just getting ready for the next day, I was drained. This is my whirlwind and something that I know I need to really prioritize in order to do things more efficiently. I also would like to continue improving my skills in making revisions in a more timely manner. That will be one of the last things I have to do to change my learning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. My learning manifesto and growth mindset plan that I have created in the courses are linked below. I am really proud of myself for creating these plans and manifesto. I take great pride in my work and love to share whenever possible. I never thought I would be a content creator but I truly feel as thought I am now. I love this and really enjoy being able to post on my blog. However, that is another area for improvement for me. I know I need to be posting more content in order to make my e-portfolio better. I need to prioritize time in the next half of the semester to do this. I am going to make a plan and set days to make posts. I also plan to make a journal of ideas for post. So many times I am in class and a great post idea pops in my head but by the time I make it through the day it has totally left my brain. If I have a journal with me to jot the ideas down, I can be sure that I will remember to post these notions.

The assignments in these courses gave me a truly different perspective on my life. They taught me how to come out of my shell and truly be a leader who can develop a change in my working environment. I am usually a shy introvert. However, knowing how to efficiently bring about change gives me the confidence that I needed in order to see the change I want to happen. The Four Disciplines and Influencer books gave me a great deal kf knowledge and tips on how to go about these changes. The Growth Mindset plan that I developed has already been put to use in my classroom. My students tell each other that they are growing neurons if a they mess up. Better yet, they tell their classmates this while encouraging them after they witness them make a mistake. Using the growth mindset in my classroom at all times with my students has positively changed my students learning environment.

https://robynpayne22.wixsite.com/my-site/four-disciplines-of-execution

https://robynpayne22.wixsite.com/my-site/making-a-change

https://robynpayne22.wixsite.com/my-site/learning-manifesto

https://robynpayne22.wixsite.com/my-site/the-growth-mindset

https://robynpayne22.wixsite.com/my-site/crucial-conversations-leadership

https://robynpayne22.wixsite.com/my-site/connecting-the-dots-to-making-a-change

The Importance of a Growth Mindset

Growth mindset is not only important for ourselves but our students as well. Teachers need to use the word "yet" with their students often. The word "yet" is so powerful and tells students that even though they may not know the material now, they will get there as long as they set their mind to it. Our students are capable of great things, but we need to get them to realize their potential. Developing their growth mindset will drive them to become life long learners.

The growth mindset will literally set our students up for success in the future. The earlier we can instill this mindset into our students, the easier it will be for them in life. If students get stuck in a fixed mindset, it will be hard for them to break that mentality.

Carol Dweck said that most educators and parents who say they have a growth mindset are unknowingly working with their students in ways that lead their students or children to have a fixed mindset. I believe that by creating a significant learning environment for our students and providing them with choice, voice, and opportunities through authentic learning we can be sure to instill the growth mindset into our students. I am planning to do this by allowing my students to develop this mindset through real-world scenarios and problem-solving.

References:

TEDx Talks. (2021). You think you have a growth mindset, but do you? | Luna Leverett | TEDxRoseville [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWHPGmwwAFs

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My Why, How, What, and Creating Urgency for My Innovation Plan

Why:

We must prepare our students for the future by providing them with situations to practice their creativity, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

How:

We can do this by creating real-world scenarios that give our students choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning opportunities.

What:

Through the Project Based Learning model outcomes a generation of growth mindset learners who become great leaders, innovators, and problem solvers.

I have a two year timeframe for this innovation plan to be extended to my entire fourth grade team. With the recent drop in test scores and a noticeable difference in the independency level in our students after the pandemic, it is crucial to change how we are allowing our students to develop these problem-solving skills. The only way these skills are going to developed is by providing them with the authentic learning environments to practice these skills. Although our ultimate goal should not be focused solely on a test, by providing these opportunities, it will greatly impact the scores because students will be better equipped to solve those pesky problems that try to trick them.

According to Dr. John Kotter, 90% of situations that involve creating a significant change do not meet what they are aiming for because they did not create a sense of urgency in the beginning. We have a need for this urgency because our students deserve the opportunities to be the best they can be. Our future generations literally rely on this. Our students were faced with something (COVID) that drastically impacted their development. If we do not create this change the future could possibly not be so bright for them.

With that being said, our hearts need to also be in it. We have to be fully attached to change and have a desire to see the plan in its entirety. I will be holding weekly meetings with team-mates to ensure that they are not feeling burnt-out, bored, or frustrated with the plan. Likewise, I will also be doing the same with my students. They also need to have their heart involved in their learning in order to be passionate about their education.

References:

Dr. John Kotter. (2013). Leading Change: Establish a Sense of Urgency [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yfrj2Y9IlI

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Dr. John Kotter. (2011). John Kotter - The Heart of Change [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NKti9MyAAw

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