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Innovation Project

Updated

As a part of the ADL program, I have been actively engaged in an innovation project that has been the foundation of my coursework. This project has allowed me to apply theoretical concepts to real-world challenges, developing practical skills and knowledge that will be useful in my future projects. I would like to share my reflection on my Innovation Project Update.

 

While participating in the Applied Digital Learning (ADL) program, I have actively engaged in an innovation project that has been the foundation for much of my coursework. This project has provided context and been a driving force behind my learning journey. It has allowed me to apply theoretical concepts to real-world challenges, enabling me to develop practical skills and valuable knowledge in my future projects. Working on this project as a part of the ADL program has been an enriching experience that has profoundly shaped my academic and professional growth. I would like to share my reflections on my Innovation Project Update.

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I use strategies to level the playing field so all children can discover, learn, and develop their self-esteem. One of the most exciting challenges is integrating technology into preschool education. Every interaction and experience a child has with their environment will influence how they perceive, believe, and adopt attitudes toward learning and the world around them at this nascent stage of development.

 

These children had little access to engaging learning methods. Still, through their work's digital tools, they could learn at their own pace and continue to develop the necessary skills while working in an environment that fostered such growth. Furthermore, the proposal is framed within the principle of equity. Access to education, freedom of expression, and access to technology is a necessary step in a society.

 

This innovation project was a learning experience that truly changed my perspective. This has allowed me to experiment with different approaches and gain insights into how preschool education can evolve through inclusion in learning by improving teaching methodologies and complementing experiential learning by leveraging technology and adopting the COVA method.

 

I took advantage of the appropriate selection of interactive applications and accessible and engaging platforms that could be manipulated by all students, including those with needs. The alternation between physical presence and digital activities within the blended learning approach also enhanced student autonomy while keeping curiosity and motivation high.

 

Otherwise, the technology worked well and my instructional use was mostly successful; however, I found that these devices would need to be appropriately placed in class time, which fits perfectly with this adoption. In addition, I need to document more efficiently because it is essential to monitor the impact of my interventions on student learning and communicate progress to teachers and parents.

 

The need to be flexible in educational projects using COVA can change the relationship between teachers and students by improving motivation, mutual respect, and teamwork.

 

To move forward with my project, I will create presentations and workshops for my colleagues, focusing on the methods and resources used to carry them out. I will blog about my process to share my successes and mistakes with other educators. I will emphasize the slow integration of technology and create a tracking system to know exactly where it is being used with students.

 

Going forward, I will involve parents early on by offering workshops explaining the tools and apps being used in the classroom. Launching a more minor pilot program will help work out kinks before full implementation. Just as Drew Dudley emphasizes the importance of small acts of leadership, my innovation project, while modest in scale, can influence how teachers and students approach collaboration. Designing, implementing, and refining this project has been a meaningful learning experience, reinforcing that leadership happens daily through intentional design and thoughtful collaboration.

 

Making a Big Difference

The Everyday Leadership video by Drew Dudley discusses how small actions can make a big difference in other people's lives. These small moments are called popsicles when someone does something nice for someone else without even realizing it. Dudley thinks that everyone can be a leader and positively influence the people around them. The video tells us to think about how we can be a good leader in our daily lives and positively impact our friends and community.

 

Why did I choose this innovation project?

The first step in becoming a leader is to identify the problem or area of weakness within the group we are working with. As a teacher, I often wondered how I could help my young students meet the curriculum's goals. After researching, I discovered applied digital learning and pursued a master's degree. Throughout this year, I have found a lot of satisfaction in learning through technological tools. I started with the disruptive innovation subject, where I designed my learning plan focusing on innovation.

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My Innovation Project Components

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1. Proposal Letter

Draft a proposal letter outlining an innovative approach to blended learning for mathematics, emphasizing the development of life skills through technology to better meet students' needs.

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 2. Blended Learning Video I created a video highlighting the significance of blended learning and explaining how it can significantly benefit prekindergarten children. As someone who enjoys using digital tools, I enjoyed making this video.

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3. Literature Review

I created a literature review to support my innovation plan. This helps me to demonstrate that my work has value and coherence and that it is not just something I am doing for the sake of it in the classroom. Having this review gives me more confidence as a teacher when it comes to questions about the effectiveness of my plan.

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 4. Implementation Outline

The implementation outline guides teachers in creating the conditions for success in planning, implementing, and evaluating their blended learning initiatives. I implemented it to enhance my educational practice and cover all aspects of blended learning.

 

Project now?

I am currently structuring my Instructional design for the digital class and rotation stations for my project. As part of this assignment, I have to prepare the five modules of my instructional design and organize everything in Google Classroom to present it to my students, team members, and parents.

 

What worked?

Incorporating Digital assessments in the classroom to improve teaching and learning by providing access to information, encouraging collaboration, personalizing learning, developing skills, preparing students for the future, and improving assessments.

 

The use of Growth of mindset in classrooms to enhance students' academic performance, self-confidence, metacognitive skills, motivation, resilience, and collaborative abilities in a supportive environment.

 

I create significant learning environments to promote intrinsic motivation, deep understanding, critical thinking skills, and autonomy in my students, all essential for effective long-term learning.

 

Professional development for improving my educational practice: I learned how to adapt to student needs, foster innovation, support collaboration, increase job satisfaction and retention, and improve student outcomes.

 

I learned to use my e-portfolio as an essential tool for organizing, presenting, and highlighting achievements and skills, significantly contributing to my professional and personal success.

 

While learning to Lead organizational change, I discovered my WHY and developed skills in the influencer model, 4DX strategies, and corporate conversations.

 

What can I do better? And how?

I am interested in improving the field of Action Research and enhancing my knowledge about diverse evaluation methods. Equity and the inclusion of students with disabilities in research projects are crucial. As a responsible researcher, I aim to ensure all students have equal opportunities to participate in the research process. Therefore, I plan to delve deeper into inclusion and make necessary adjustments in planning and evaluation to address this critical issue.


 

Promoting my Innovation Plan

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I plan to expand my innovation plan by sharing relevant content such as articles, videos, and infographics on the networks I created in the Digital Resources Environment subject. This way, my educational community can access the information I create. I intend to collaborate with other teachers interested in sharing their experiences. We can participate in virtual events such as podcasts, team classes, and professional development opportunities.

 

What's next in my upcoming projects?

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Each group of students has different needs when they come to class, whether in math, science, language arts, or arts. Blended learning is a versatile style that can be adapted to any subject. Therefore, for my next research project, I plan to incorporate this learning strategy, which combines technology with the traditional classroom. Additionally, action research is essential to developing my methods, and I plan to incorporate it into my study. Ultimately, the effort is worth it because it helps us improve as educators and benefits our students. I will do it all again as many times as necessary.

References

 

EDLD 5320 Module 2. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2024, from                                                                                

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzVDcIyRd2s&t=11s‌

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Dudley, D. (2012, February 11). Líderes cotidianos. Www.ted.com.                                                                    

https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership?

subtitle=es&language=es

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Dweck Revisits the "Growth Mindset":

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/09/23/carol-dweck-revisits-the-

growth-mindset.html

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Gulamhussein, A. (2013). Teaching the Teachers Effective Professional

Development in an Era of High Stakes Accountability. Center for  Public Education.

Retrieved from  http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/system/files/2013-  176

ProfessionalDevelopment.pdf​

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Horn, M. B., & Staker, H. (2014). Blended: Using disruptive innovation to improve

schools. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 1118955153

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McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 disciplines of execution:

Achieving your wildly important goals. New York, NY: Free Press.

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Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial conversations:

Tools for talking when stakes are high. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill.

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