Tell me, and I forget; teach me, and I remember; involve me and I learn.
Blended Learning
Building Voices

Connecting to Communicating Your
Innovation Plan
Kindergarten is a grade where students constantly search and discover knowledge and the world around them. It is where they enter the world of letters and numbers for the first time. They have a lot to say but need help putting their ideas in order or writing them down meaningfully. After several months into the school year, we see how students still need to learn to think about an idea or write it down. Therefore, it isn't easy to achieve the stated objectives: opinion writing, informative and narrative writing.
This is a recurring problem that we have year after year in our classrooms, and it invites us to immerse ourselves in the search for new perspectives and alternatives, taking into account the characteristics of today's children. Look at my innovation proposal to see what I am proposing for Kaiser Elementary School's kindergarten bilingual classroom.
Implement new technologies (that are novel) that motivate them to delve into the writing process to achieve the goals set.
The implementation of blended education, proposed by Michael B. Horn, is a renewed and revolutionary proposal to meet these emerging needs. It allows us to combine in-person classroom instruction with virtual and online components to benefit from both. The result enhances in-person instruction with the ease, flexibility, and accessibility of technology, which allows us to celebrate the growth we can achieve with each child.
Given the emerging need to impact my student's learning, I developed an outline plan to help me begin and develop the Innovation proposal. Here, you will find dates, guiding questions, and action plans for the coming year. I plan to address the challenges I face in implementing this innovative practice. As I think about all the benefits it will provide, eclipsing any doubt that my fixed mindset (in the process of transformation) lets in.
At this point, you may have many questions to ask—a sea of successes and failures on the subject. If you would like to compare different approaches to the topic through authors at different stages of the process, we invite you to consult the literature review; there, you will find many answers to your questions. In this review, I analyze the effect of blended teaching on learning writing in the 21st-century child.
I will not stop here! I am not an expert in educational or mixed technology. I intend to continue enriching my search with new and innovative proposals on the subject. Here, I share some resources that I intend to explore.
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Blog Posts (27)
- Why blended learning? My new vision for teaching writing in kindergarten.
Being a teacher in Texas, I imagine that, like in any primary school in the United States, starting the teaching and learning process with very young children with different academic needs represents a challenge. Trying to motivate them to achieve the miracle of good knowledge (learning) and appropriate values serving them for life is a significant challenge. As I begin the adventure in my classroom, I am ready to start the learning journey by implementing different techniques to attract their attention in any of the subjects I teach. By doing it the conventional way and following class plans, I realized the lack of motivation and apathy that I often face. Especially if we are in the middle of Hagerty's class, where there are no audiovisual resources other than the sounds of the letters. Children who have a lot to say but need help putting their ideas in order or writing them down meaningfully. Several months into the school year, we see how students still need to learn to think about an idea or write it down. Therefore, attainment of the targeted aims, such as opinion, informative, and narrative writing, is not that easy. It has over the years been a nagging problem that we have to battle in our classrooms year in and year out, one that we have to dip ourselves into in the quest for new look and alternatives, bearing in mind traits of children of this age. The vast majority more enjoy video games, YouTube videos, and digital whiteboards than traditional games or writing letters with pencil and paper. This article addresses why Blended Learning and how we could show the way in this scenario? It will reveal the benefits of the station rotation model in the kindergarten classroom by reflecting students' writing progress and motivation. Why blended Learning: Blended learning, by definition, is an approach that responds to a new social context in which the need for a renewed pedagogical model that relates the process of technological and social change to educational innovation is evident. The opportunity to integrate traditional teaching methods with digital tools can be an effective solution to address the lack of motivation in writing in kindergarten. According to Fleck (2012), many teachers have begun to move away from the traditional approach to teaching and are trying to find ways to increase learner engagement. Horn and Staker (2015) noted “Just a few steps can be taken in educational circles, and you hear about blended learning. It is at the top of the list of trending topics related to changing education. Blended learning is any formal education program in which some element of the learner controls time, place, path, and/or pace. In all blended learning programs, students do some of their learning via the Internet. This does not mean using any digital tools, like an online graphing calculator or Google Docs. Blended learning means a broader educational shift from an in-person teacher to web-based content and instruction, ( pp 31-34 ). Specifically, the station rotation model, by definition, will significantly improve students' writing skills. The focus on combined interactive, adaptive, and dynamic learning activities is part of its effectiveness. Students can easily access learning materials and engage in collaborative conversations with peers and teachers. It is one of the most popular blended learning approaches. The model is neither new nor exclusive to blended learning. Teachers have used learning activity "hubs" in their classrooms for decades, particularly at the primary level (White J, 2019). One of the most important benefits in kindergarten classrooms is its flexibility for teachers and students. Teachers can decide how they would like to teach the learning material, and depending on the type of model, children can access the course material from anywhere convenient for them. Innovating from the Beginning: How Technology Transforms Learning in Kindergarten? Before, when we talked about education, we immediately thought of the physical classroom. However, when discussing education today, it is inevitable to think about the Internet and digital media. Today, they exhibit transformative advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, massive data processing, robotics, and biotechnology. In it, technology creates a world of profoundly personalized and instant experiences. This is where we must be ready to take advantage of those opportunities in the daily lives of our students. According to Don Tapscott, author of "Growing Up Digital," early exposure to technology helps children develop digital skills that will be essential in their later lives. Tapscott argues that children who use technology from an early age are more likely to adapt quickly to technological innovations in the future. In this way, we see how endless educational options may be of interest, providing, there is a world of possibilities. Among the contributions that ICT offers are: Stimulates creativity and ingenuity. Promotes the experience. Advances according to the learning rhythms of each student. Develop study and research strategies. Provokes curiosity. Stimulates independence. Wake up learning. It helps in the development of different eye-ear and especially eye-hand coordination. The digital age has radically changed development in the process of education. Technology advances at compromise levels about every aspect of human life. Therefore, it is necessary to be constantly updated to keep up with the great changes in the world and its development. My new vision for teaching writing in kindergarten. I am complicit in the power of using technology to foster motivation in students. Faced with the unexpected and sad news of the death of a kindergarten teacher in October 2022, and after having been without a teacher for more than two months, I arrived at a classroom where sadness, self-distrust, absence of routines, and lack of motivation were the norm. See how they could barely write their name to compete with each other to write a note to the teacher. Or Seeing Darío arrive every morning crying because he had his shoes untied, forgetting Wednesday's folder, or not being able to write his name to say: Dario: Teacher, have you seen what reading level I am reading at? Teacher: No: Dario: Level E (first-grade level). Alarm signals that were building the paths to implement some digital tools. Nothing was more genuine than seeing little eyes shining at the possibility of writing on a digital screen or using tablets or computers in digital writing activities with interactive applications (Seesaw, ABC Mouse) that teach the formation of letters, words, and phrases. Alternatively, a 3-minute YouTube video can help them understand new writing concepts. It keeps children's attention and explains ideas in a visual and attractive way that previously took them hours, sometimes days, to learn with the blackboard and chalk in hand. Showing them videos of people writing was essential to helping them understand the process and replicate it. The implementation of rewards and recognition for achievements in writing encourages children to try harder. Inspiration and the strength of passion, which in my class translates as "Superpower." Identify your superpowers, believe in them, and unleash them. Listen to your inner strength and show how valuable you are. These were some of the reflections I told them, and incredibly, those children transformed that place (the class) into a space we never wanted to leave. Despite seeing the first results in implementing this methodology, there is still a long way to go, a lot of work to do, many tools to apply, and finding, along the way, a complicity between traditional teaching methods and digital tools that best applies to our little Cowboys. Finding the right path is a meticulous and incessant task that occupies us daily in the beautiful mission of teaching and educating.
- Executing Change 4DX.
Learning at an early age is the very moment in which the foundation should be laid for further academic and personal development. In this context, I propose an innovation plan, with a focus on "Learning to write at an early age through Blended Learning," aimed at transforming the process of teaching writing in kindergarten. To ensure effectiveness and success, I will execute 4DX, proposed by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. The 4 Disciplines of Execution principles will help an organization execute the most important goals. These disciplines are: Focus on what is crucially important (WIG): It means intrinsic motivation and the help of innovative technologies to make it more challenging and stimulating for children to learn writing within the given context. Predictors: Will identify indicators that will predict students' motivation and performance success, such as active participation in technological activities and progress toward writing skills. Keep a results board: This can be any visual, accessible system that enables us to track student progress and the impact of new strategies put in place. It will help in making continuous adjustments to realize improvements. Establish a cadence of accountability: Hold regular meetings with the faculty and staff to review progress, discuss challenges, and plan the next steps. Disciplines within the 5 Stages of Change recognizing the need for change, clarifying the change, launching the plan, adopting new practices, and optimizing and maintaining habits will enable us to apply this innovation plan in very orderly and sustainable ways. We will work towards a continuous learning/growth culture in kindergarten through systematic and collaborative improvement of student writing skills. The 4 Disciplines of Execution: How do the Influencer Model and 4DX complement/supplement each other? In the short time I have been a Kindergarten teacher, I have been able to visualize how students have a low motivation towards writing and how to apply this to opinion, narrative, and poetic writing. A problem that, in discussions with my team of more experienced teachers, reveals a recurring problem year after year. This implies the search for new ways to teach and have results. Implementing blended learning in kindergarten represents an innovative strategy to improve writing skills in children. This innovation plan promotes intrinsic motivation, integrating changes, innovations, and technologies that transform the writing process. To ensure the success of this plan, we have combined two powerful strategies that we consider crucial to change. The 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) with the Influencers Model allow effective and sustained execution of the desired changes. When I think about how these proposals (Influencer Model and The 4DX) complement each other, my graphic mind becomes concave and convex. From top to bottom, they have strong connections around their analysis and practical proposals. The 4DX encourages us to identify and focus on a crucial objective: Increase the intrinsic motivation of students towards writing, something that the Influences Model does very well since it allows teachers and students to be mobilized and motivated towards the objectives (WIG) using influences. . personal and social. The second discipline focuses on identifying and acting on measures that predict success, which the Influencer Model gives us a foundation to analyze the influences that affect these. Creating a scoreboard is a visual and motivating tool that keeps everyone focused on goals. The Influencer Model guides us to use structural and social influences that encourage and motivate students and teachers. Adaptation and adoption of new changes in a kindergarten class could not work without routines and monitoring. The fourth discipline encourages routine responsibility and monitoring. Here, the Influencer Model highlights the importance of personal and social influences in holding regular meetings to review progress and adjust strategies. So, integrating the 4 Disciplines of Delivery with the Influencer Model provides an effective strategy for implementing blended learning in kindergarten. Conclusión: Throughout my journey through The Four Disciplines of Execution, many passages left an imprint on me and a terrible desire to put them into practice. One of the messages the authors leave in the book is inspiring and motivating for me, which I make available to you as a conclusion to this work. “Consider spending the future in a relentless whirlwind where everything is always urgent and truly important priorities are forever postponed. The great management scientist Peter Drucker observed: “I have seen many people who are great at doing unimportant things. They have an impressive track record of achievements in trivial matters.” But you don't want to be magnificently trivial. You want to make a real difference. Want to make a high-value, high-impact contribution? The 4 Disciplines of Execution can take you there (McChesney et al, 2012)” References: Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change. McChesney, C. (2016). Introduction to 4DX OS. YouTube. https://youtu.be/KOhF6T5D8X8?si=iUJ39RM_WvkVP1gp McChesney, C. (2017). The 4 Disciplines of Execution in a Nutshell. Youtube. https://youtu.be/mP7sq_tGZj8?si=UCbGUZRbQKWqTE60 McChesney, C. (2020). Move Your Middle Chris McChesney. Youtube. https://youtu.be/cbQfozH2KxM?si=wxk-jMSZlRS8H7XC McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 Disciplines of Execution.
- Influencer Strategy.
Discuss how the model is divided into the two domains of motivation and how it is subdivided into personal, social, and structural sources. Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan y Al Switzler, desarrollaron un modelo para producir sobre otros ciertos efectos (influir) con el libro "Influencer: The Power to Change Anything.”To be clear, Patterson, Grenny, Maxeld, McMillan, and Switzler didn’t discover a magic bullet. Rather, they uncovered a common set of tools that have been proven effective in different combinations, under different circumstances.The authors also came to understand that the world’s greatest influencers start by focusing on behaviors. They don’t seek to apply an influence strategy until they have clearly defined the underlying behavior they are targeting. The most important part of leading change is understanding what you are leading towards, when it will happen, and being able to track progress towards it. Use both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Don’t waste time on how to create change until you’ve carried what you want, why you want it, and when you want it. An effective result is: 1. Specific and measurable. It is quantitative not qualitative. 2. What you really want. It’s the outcome that matters. 3. Time bound. It comes with a completion date. This model divides influence into two main domains: motivation and ability. These domains are subdivided into three sources: personal, social, and structural. 1. MAKE THE UNDESIRABLE DESIRABLE. The first strategy involves creating new experiences by providing individuals with ample opportunities to actually try the behavior. Trying a new behavior enables people to stop predicting how it will feel, which historically, is often wrong. The authors suggest using modeling to create vicarious experiences. It is important for individuals to feel like it is almost a game, that is, use reasonably challenging goals and clear feedback in order to engage individuals. Take The focus o of the activity itself and attempt to reconnect the person’s behavior with the vital behavior, in order for successful inuence.The second strategy involves creating new motives for the vital behavior. Influencers must make the new behavior relevant to an individual. When people make their behavior morally significant, almost anything can be achieved. In daily life we are often not moral thinkers, so it's imperative that influencers get individuals to act on their morality instead of blurring the vision by acting on emotions. 2. SURPASS YOUR LIMITS. A person’s resistance to change is because of a lack of skill. People underestimate the need to learn and practice the skill they desire. In fact, all people who achieve extraordinary accomplishments do so because they have practiced the right actions in a controlled environment. People simply cannot change through sheer willpower alone. 3. HARNESS PEER PRESSURE The most powerful influence tool out there is the people who we respect. They can easily persuade any social network to either follow through with change or can grind change into a halt. In order to utilize this power, it is necessary to be the one respected person within the network who can model the new vital behavior. It is also necessary to spend a large amount of time with the respected people in the network in order to build trust, and enable them to spread the message of change. Sometimes it is necessary to invite everyone in the network to come together and talk openly in order for change to be widely accepted. It is important to seek a healthy dialogue, and strive to create a safe venue for discussing controversial topics. In some cases, change efforts require the help of all members of the organization. “People must be plucked from their support structure and placed in a new network, one where virtually everyone in their new social circle supports and rewards the right behaviors while punishing the wrong ones” (Patterson et al.2008, p. 164). 4. FIND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. In the entertainment business, there are many examples of heroes who have defeated many enemies alone. In North America especially, the authors maintained that partially because of the entertainment industry, society has become unwilling to use cooperation in order to solve problems. Rarely does any one person have the ability to have success in every single problem they encounter. It is necessary to invest in building our own social capital in order to help us succeed in all complex situations. Expert influencers know the importance of building social capital. “They’re quick to consider what help, authority, consent, or cooperation individuals may need when facing risky or daunting new behaviors. Then they develop an influence strategy that offers the social capital required to help make change inevitable” (Patterson et al. 2008, p. 192). 5. DESIGN REWARDS AND DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY. The first four sources of influence deal primarily with changing individual behavior in order to have success in the vital behavior. Sometimes though, we need to utilize incentives to help create change. Patterson et al. (2008) noted that rewards must be linked to vital behaviors in order to be successful. They should be closely linked to specific actions you want repeated, and not just outcomes. In terms of rewards, it is also important to rely on personal and social motivators first. Small incentives that reward improvements, and that are heartfelt are the most appreciated.Before administering punishments of any kind, the authors advise leaders to provide a clear warning before handing out the punishment. People need to understand that negative things will happen if the negative behaviors continue.Punishments make an organization firmly understand their core values, and can be used to change behavior if correctly administered. 6. CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT. The final strategy presented involves the changing of actual things within the building. People fail to realize the impact on change that changes a few things at work, which means that this strategy is often overlooked. It is also far easier to change things rather than people. Another reason that we do not always adopt this sixth strategy, is that even If we realize the impact our environment is having on us, it is often difficult to know what to do about it. Once the element for change has been identified, the next step is to provide cues to remind people of the behaviors you hope to influence. The small cues draw attention to the important details, change how people think, which in turn, changes behavior. Change also becomes easier and more manageable when changes to the physical environment can eradicate choice altogether. When structure is relied on, the vital behavior an expert influencer strives to change becomes inevitable. The behavior becomes more of a pattern, and failure does not become an option. Consider how many sources of influence need to be addressed to get children to make a change. Discuss why it is so important to explore the six sources of influence if you want to be successful in your change effort. You need to combine at least four preferably or more sources of influence. Your chances for success go up 10 times (Washed Up video). It is essential to address the six sources of influence to achieve significant changes in a child's behavior since each one acts directly on behavior and motivation. Especially when it comes to assuming a new model, such as learning to write from blended learning. I think it is important to explore each of them because without intrinsic motivation or without social support, it is very difficult to want to learn to write at an age where play and fun are a priority. Likewise, having a solid structure helps them develop skills they can use when frustration and demotivation take over their behavior. The help of friends and colleagues and constant interaction with others in writing and reading comprehension activities are decisive in reviewing and fixing the contents. The influencers came to the conclusion that if you understand the science behind behaviors, you can change remarkably resistant behaviors. “All of this is important to know because if you want to change the world, you eventually have to change how people behave. And if you want to change how they behave, you have to rest and change how they think”(p.20). This means that we as people, can learn how to influence others, it is not because of a character flaw or lack of motivation. We need to see it because of a character flaw or lack of motivation. We need to see ourselves as influencers, and study the masters in order to learn. References (2023). All Washed Up! https://youtu.be/cW0qZl6IrkI?si=v3MRSgisv7hw83w3 Influences. Book summary. (n.d.). www.transformleader.com. Petterson, K., & Grenny, J. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change, Second Edition. (McGraw-Hill Education. ed.). Youtube Video. (2022). Harnessing Social Pressure. https://youtu.be/wu7UBY5euBg?si=30gjT0uYrSNP2gVY
Other Pages (70)
- Growth Mindset Plan Reflection | Learning
Growth Mindset Plan Reflection As I consider my journey in building a growth mindset, I could highlight important strides in developing a better person with a sense of adaptability and critical thinking in both my profession and personal life. By this, I do not mean that I have already assumed a growth mindset since we are all a combination of many circumstances. We may have a growth mindset in our personality and a fixed mindset in intelligence. In some ways, we are victims of this phenomenon that limits us from being successful in what we do. However, the most important thing is not to believe that today, we will have a growth mentality but to build it throughout our lives with determination, effort, and constant work. The world is a whole of examples of successful people and entrepreneurs whose beginnings were never the best. This is where my story begins. Four months ago, I had my first introduction to Carol de Week's theory at the beginning of the EDLD 5302 course in the Master of Education in Applied Digital Learning (ADL). By then, the sensation caused by meeting her was like a profound awakening, a rescue to the valorization of my potential since I understood that failure is not a permanent state but a process of evolution and transformation, equipping me with feelings of security and perseverance. And adaptability. Thus began the path towards learning, taking it to each interaction context. To do this, I developed a Growth Mindset Plan to alleviate my students' anxieties due to the difficulties of not learning and the lack of optimism and appreciation of their potential. Today, after four months of studying the Master's of Education in Applied Digital Learning (ADL) with the courses EDLD 5303 and EDLD 5313, my knowledge about how to form a growth mindset in my learning environment has been enriched with contributions and practices novels like the most recent research findings from Case Western Reserve University, which suggest that a growth mindset alone may not generate such significant, measurable results. He adjusted my approach to align with new insights and develop a growth mindset. For example, he designed activities in writing lessons where the student fosters a growth mindset with social-emotional and cognitive skills in a 3-column table . I promote spaces for practice and role plays, as well as group discussions about emotions and narratives about the importance of effort and overcoming challenges and allowing them to experience success through effort and practice so that they can constructively control failure and adversity. I have become more aware of learning to listen to the voice of the fixed mindset in both my professional and academic roles. In the classroom, he observed and addressed my students' doubts when they faced new challenges, such as starting to write without almost being able to hold a pencil. Solving these fears has helped them recognize this voice, fostering the ability to adapt and resist, as I have also implemented in my master's program, facing my fears and doubts due to the uncertainty of being unable to do it. However, challenging my fixed mindset voice has been my saving grace and empowering force in my academic experience. When I encounter challenges in my studies, I tell myself they are opportunities to develop my skills rather than seeing them as evidence of intrinsic limitations. The concept of "Not Yet" has been my companion since I met it in EDLD 5302. As Dr. Dweck highlighted, it is a particularly transformative perspective. He has reshaped my approach to teaching and personal development, turning setbacks into moments of "not yet" potential. Every moment is perfect for practicing and promoting a growth mindset when meritorious work is not recognized in the Celebrations session of the methodological meetings. When someone has a different perspective and makes corrections or when students believe the possibility of success is unattainable (reading, writing, and phonics workshop). In short, a growth mindset involves establishing an environment where my students and I can constantly learn, adjust, and evolve. Returning to the message in my Growth Mindset Plan, concluding: The world seems big before our eyes, and the possibility of changing it is difficult for us. It will aim to leave a mark on my students. They will be able to remember me once they are good men and women, and thus, I will begin to change my little piece of the world, causing a growth mentality. Related Posts Why blended learning? My new vision for teaching writing in kindergarten. Executing Change 4DX. Influencer Strategy. Media that Engages.
- Publication Outline | Learning
Publication Outline Topic Why blended learning? My new vision for teaching writing in kindergarten. EDLD 5317 June, 2024 Introduction: The way we teach our children must be updated and up to date to be applicable and effective in this generation. Kindergarten is the stage where educational practices can be innovated and reevaluated. The conventional way of teaching writing has become a problem in capturing the attention of the little ones, who are mostly technologically oriented and whose knowledge of touch screens is more developed than pencil and paper. The concepts I will share in this article come from my Innovation Plan, Learning to Write in Kindergarten through Blended Learning. I will show why blended learning represents a new vision in teaching writing in kindergarten and how this innovative methodology can solve writing problems in our classrooms, evidencing the persistent demotivation and discontent with writing. Key Considerations: Know individual student needs and intended learning objectives. Use digital tools attuned to the closed educational environment and available to all. Incorporate game elements and activities to make learning more attractive for the learner and, simultaneously, more challenging. Highlight how important feedback collection is to develop further. Submission Options: Edutopia.org : Valuing submit on Edutopia.org, an online educational resource, and publication that shows people how to adopt or adapt best practices through stories of innovation and continuous learning in the real world. It also explores innovative teaching practices, educational technology, and positive educational change. Submission guidelines: How to propose a post to edutopia.org Send an email to GUEST BLOG at EDUTOPIA (dot) ORG with “Guest Blog: [Proposed Post Title]” in the subject line, and be sure to include the following information: Writing with Edutopia Guide. A few sentences describing your proposed post and a detailed outline (keep in mind that finished blog posts should be around 850–1,000 words). Links to any multimedia you plan to include. A few words about the intended target audience for your blog (for example, high school math teachers, administrators, etc.) A roughly 80-word bio with details about your role in education. Three to five links to other pieces (if any) you’ve written, particularly for academic publications. Full disclosure of any commercial interest in any products or services mentioned. Your Twitter handle (if you have one). Please note: We accept only original submissions. If your post has appeared elsewhere, we will not accept it. Educational, Technology and Society : Considerando submit en ET&S ya que se enfoca no solo en la tecnología sino más bien cuestiones relacionadas con el proceso continuo de aprendizaje, enseñanza y evaluación y cómo se ven afectados o mejorados mediante el uso de tecnologías. Además es bienvenida la investigación empírica sobre cómo se puede utilizar la tecnología para superar los problemas existentes en la educación local con hallazgos que se pueden aplicar al espectro global. Submission guidelines: ETS Submission Manuscript Template ET&S publishes articles that report on original research that bridges the pedagogy and practice in advanced technology for evidence-based and meaningful educational application. Articles are less than 8,000 words, including a 250-word abstract, 4 to 5 keywords, figure captions, and tables (in table format, not as images), excluding References and Appendices. Placeholders, Endnotes, and footnotes are not accepted. The article should be original, unpublished, and not be considered for publication elsewhere at the time of submission to ET&S and during the review process. Please ensure you use the ET&S template available here to prepare your manuscript. 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The journal will conduct a plagiarism check using iThenticate or Turnitin and will ensure that the similarity index is less than 30%, with each individual reference contributing less than 5% to the index. Furthermore, manuscripts must have a less than 20% AI detection index. These indices are determined from the report generated by the plagiarism system. If the requirement is not met, the manuscript will be returned to the authors, who will inform them of the indices found in the report. EdTech Magazines : Consider submitting to magazines like EdSurge , which focus on educational technology and innovative teaching methods. Además cubre algunos de los temas más importantes de la actualidad con profundidad y matices en la educación infantil y cómo está cambiando la educación para reflejar los cambios demográficos de Estados Unidos; y esfuerzos para hacer que la educación de calidad sea más asequible. Submission guidelines: How to Pitch Your Story There are a few ways to pitch us. Have an idea to pitch? Please submit a story pitch — ideally two to three paragraphs including a claim or essential question you plan to explore with details about what you plan to include and why your experience can help tell this story. Along with your pitch, let us know what your current role is. You can submit it here or email it to voices@edsurge.com . Have a draft already? Please submit your draft to voices@edsurge.com . Aim to keep your essay under 1,200 words, and please include relevant links to sources (in the body) as evidence for your points and any photographs, videos, charts, or graphics that help tell your story. In addition, please include a brief bio, links to your work, and a photo of yourself. If we’re interested in editing and publishing your story, we’ll email you within one month outlining the next steps. We will assign an editor to work with you if we accept your submission. Please note that our editors work directly with writers, so we prefer that each writer submit their pitch. If someone else is submitting a pitch on behalf of a writer, they must disclose and explain the relationship. What Could Lead Us to Decline Your Piece? Lack of fresh perspective or information The writer doesn’t have firsthand experience with the topic Lack of clarity Not enough substance or evidence for the points discussed The piece reads like marketing material or a press release for a product, company or service The writer has an affiliation with a company, product or service that creates a conflict of interest Excessive vitriol or pandering. We steer clear of conflicts of interest or subtle bias. That means if you’re receiving any perks or compensation for organizations that you’re writing about or that are related to the subject that you’re describing, and that relationship creates a conflict of interest, your pitch will not be accepted. What is the connection to your innovation plan or initiative? Change, innovation, and technology incorporated into the teaching process are capable of reshaping the learning experience and making learning more attractive and stimulating for kindergarten students. The argument (Why) that supports my innovation plan is that children reveal their greatest potential when they begin to let themselves be carried away by intrinsic motivation. However, blended learning marks a turning point and brings into play new flexibility, commitment, personalization and motivation in our students, because it opens the opportunity to enable: a transformative future for educational systems. Compliant with educational applications and interactive digital pedagogies as well as traditional teaching methods, this mode creates not only a dynamic but also a multifaceted learning environment where each student is considered to know more about video games and online videos than about games. Traditional writing with pencil and paper makes it an emergency to accept changes and adapt our way of teaching to the interests and habits of the 21st-century student. Therefore, blended learning is more than “blending.” It is the deliberate integration of face-to-face teaching and digital resources to make writing activities more challenging and engaging. Not only does technology play a key role, but students' cognitive skills must also be developed to carry out the practical implementation of blended learning. How can this information help others? Helping people find their WHY, sharing their passion, and promoting effort and dedication to their goals will always help. This article is about showing educators and teachers that understanding blended learning means a magnet to attract the attention of today's students, providing dynamic, creative, and effective classes. Nothing is more exciting than seeing little eyes shining and amazement exacerbated when we put a digital screen in their little hands to write, an iPad to learn the sounds and names of letters, or when they are in Kahoot competing knowledge skills with their companions. This proposal as a learner-centered educator helps students feel committed to studying, increasing their participation and intrinsic motivation. It seeks to train well-rounded students who learn to write and develop essential digital skills, better preparing them for the future. It also helps to educate and attract parents' attention to new technological trends by providing indirect training and education in the homes of our students. Another relevant element is that this information helps raise the voice of (school administrators, district, state, and country) having a vision of our classes' teaching and learning needs to develop and implement policies that promote the use of technologies and methods innovators in institutions. Lessons learned or hoped to learn? An important lesson to understand is that students learn best when motivated. We find this motivation in the use of digital tools through the implementation of blended learning. This makes children advance in their abilities, making learning more effective and preparing us for this increasingly digitized world. In this type of learning, the teacher goes from being an authority of knowledge to a promoter of knowledge, providing personalized support. I hope to learn through your practice how to take on the challenges that arise and the search for practical solutions to overcome them, analyzing the results and the impact it could have on the formation of a student prepared for later educational stages and life in general. I am a Kindergarten teacher, and I have been lucky enough to see how powerful words and motivation are in students. Faced with the unexpected news of the death of a kindergarten teacher in October 2022, and after having been without a teacher for more than two months, I arrived at a classroom where sadness, self-distrust, and the absence of routines reigned. , rules, and lack of motivation were the norm. Seeing Dario arrive at the beginning of the school year crying because his shoes were untied, forgetting Wednesday's folder, or not being able to write his name to say, Teacher, have you seen what reading level I'm reading at? E (first-grade level). I saw how they could barely write his name, and then they competed to write a note to the Master. I am complicit in the power of the word, inspiration, and the strength of passion, which in my class translates to "Superpower." Identify your superpowers, believe in them, and unleash them. Listen to your inner strength and show how valuable you are. These were some of the reflections I told them, and incredibly, those children transformed that place (the class) into a space we never wanted to leave. What digital resources will be included in your article? Briefly describe. HMH Program: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company (HMH) provides educational content and related services for grades K-12 through online learning platforms. Seesaw: A learning platform that combines instructional tools, standards-aligned lessons, student portfolios, and inclusive communication features. Kahoot and Booklet: Interactive quiz platforms that engage students in learning through game-based quizzes, making the educational experience more fun and interactive. Zoom and Microsoft Team . It provides educational access and continuity to millions of students worldwide. A crucial element that minimizes disruption to learning and ensures that students can continue. My electronic portfolio. It is a great opportunity to share with parents and teachers some controversial topics about the writing process. Slideshows . Show the writing processes of an informative text and an investigation. Think of your audience, digital presence, and the message you hope to communicate. The audience will be my closest radius of interaction. Educators, teachers, directors, and staff of the school where I work. As well as kindergarten students, parents, and guardians. Additionally, the district's educational technology department should be involved in seeking to integrate digital tools effectively. I will establish frequent publications on case studies, pedagogical strategies, and references talking about the most controversial topics of blended learning through my Educational Blog in my Portfolio. I will also use social networks like Facebook and Instagram to connect with other educators worldwide. The message I will carry will be to explain why blended learning? My new vision for teaching writing in kindergarten. Conclusion: Adopting blended learning to teach and learn is an open window to the constant innovative upheaval in education. It is our guarantee for our students since it allows us to develop competent skills in them from an early age. It is an engine that drives students' motivation to write and interact with different technologies. A faithful approach guarantees the extension of the school in the students' homes, facilitating access to educational materials at any time and place, which is especially beneficial for parents who want to be involved in their children's educational process. It is the way to transform the role of the teacher in the classroom, turning educational spaces into excellent environments for commitment to learning. In summary, blended learning represents a significant change in the teaching of writing in early childhood education. Its application will depend on the Why? that you find in your training as an educator. See more of my work Reference: Bersin, J. (2004). Best Practices, Proven Methodologies, and Lessons Learned. Edtech Magazines. (n.d.). Submission Guidelines. https://www.edsurge.com/ Educational,Technology and Society. (n.d.). Author's Guidelines. https://www.j-ets.net/home Edutopia. (n.d.). Write for Us. https://www.edutopia.org/about/your-turn-write-us Friday, M. J. (2024). A 4-Step Process for Writing and Storytelling in Kindergarten. https://www.edutopia.org/article/maintaining-culture-writing-storytelling-kindergarten Horn, M. B., & Staker, K. (2015). Blended Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools. Sineck, S. (2009). "Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. .
- ADL Journey Synthesis | Learning
5320 Applied Digital Learning Journey Synthesis Throughout this (ADL) Apply Digital Learning program, my works have been influential and shaped both professional and personal growth: work on an Innovation Plan to explore Blended Learning's impact on motivating kindergarten students in a writing process, collaborative projects, reflections on my blog, etc. This has been more than just the fulfillment; this has been a transformation. This program has taken me way out of my comfort zone to inspire new approaches in education. This challenge to balance creativity, research, and application has been an asset in shaping my vision toward meaningful classroom change. Finally, I close this chapter in my life with renewed vigor for teaching, a clearer understanding of blended learning strategy execution, and a more significant commitment to empowering my students by making the learning process fun. Thank you for being my accomplices through this journey! When I started the Apply Digital. The Beginning When I was six years old, I had a dream. To learn how to ride a bike. I soon had many experts on the subject at my side. My dad, my cousin, my sister, and even my neighbors. All of them have a theory and way of riding a bike. However, despite many instructions, I needed help to get very far. One morning, I looked out the window of my house and began to observe all the people passing by on bikes. I noticed how people held the steering wheel, braked, and moved their feet to achieve balance. In a hurry, I went outside and began to imitate what I had seen, and, to my surprise, I got further than I had ever managed before at that moment. I didn't understand what had happened. How had I not worked on it before, with so many instructions around? Today, after finishing my Master's in Digital Learning, I have many answers to what happened that magical morning. I feel like I grew up reinventing myself and learning from my mistakes. Learning (ADL) program, I felt like that little girl who couldn’t ride a bike. I came from a very traditional education, where classes followed a rigid, compliance-focused schedule and where creativity and flexibility didn’t have much room. Entering a program that valued autonomy, authenticity, and innovation was like swapping training wheels for a bike without them: exciting but also scary. The first few days were filled with frustration: connection issues, tools I didn’t understand, and that constant feeling of being out of my comfort zone. However, like with the bike, every fall taught me something new. I soon began to see those challenges not as barriers but as opportunities to learn and grow. I learned to let go of fear, trust in my abilities, and enjoy discovering a new approach to learning that I now apply in my profession and daily life. I invite you to see BELOW a story about a genuine transformation through the ADL program to learn more. Video Description. Balance, Fall, and Innovation" is a storytelling video that parallels my personal journey of learning to ride a bike with my professional growth through the ADL program. It explores resilience, overcoming challenges, and embracing innovation in education. From finding balance to navigating falls, this video reflects on the transformative lessons that have shaped my journey, culminating in my Innovation Plan: enhancing student motivation through blended learning in kindergarten writing. It celebrates growth, determination, and the power of reimagining education. Who was involved? Throughout my journey, several key people were involved in this transformation process. First, my professors and mentors had a fundamental impact. They provided me with the technical knowledge, emotional support, and motivation needed when technology-related frustrations made me doubt my abilities. Their patience and willingness to answer my often technical questions were crucial to helping me overcome the obstacles that arose. It was also a fantastic team. My peers, who shared the same passion for learning, were always willing to collaborate, share resources, and solve problems. Every conversation and every team meeting was an opportunity to grow together and learn from each other. They inspired me to keep going when I felt lost or overwhelmed. It is essential to mention that it is not only about my professors and team in the academic field. In the context of my personal development, my greatest strength came from the unconditional support of my family. My husband and children were my refuge in the most challenging moments. There were days when there weren't enough hours when studying meant sacrificing time with them or leaving household chores unfinished. But they never made me feel like I was alone in this process. My husband took on additional responsibilities, constantly reminding me that this effort was for a better future. My children, although small, understood that Mom was learning something important. Their words of encouragement, their patience, and even their drawings telling me, "You can do it," filled me with energy on the most challenging days. Valuable Professors. Dr. Dwayne Harapnuik TIMELINE Throughout my journey in the Applied Digital Learning program, each stage in the graphic symbolizes a crucial step in my development as an educator. I started by focusing on developing myself, strengthening my growth mindset and openness to change. Then, I moved on to creating my Innovation Plan Proposal , which began a more strategic approach to integrating technology into my teaching. The design of my ePortfolio solidified my learning, while the Literature Review allowed me to dive deeper into theoretical foundations to support my ideas. As I progressed, I worked on Creating Organizational Change , imagining how these ideas could impact my classroom and educational community. Creating the Implementation Outline and developing strategies for a Significant Learning Environment helped lay the foundation for more dynamic and meaningful learning. Simultaneously, I focused on improving Instructional Design and Effective Professional Learning Development , ensuring that these tools and strategies were accessible and practical. Finally, I learned to assess the impact of digital learning through Assessing Digital Learning and closed this cycle by publishing my findings, which allowed me to reflect on and share my growth. This entire journey not only transformed my teaching practice but also gave me renewed confidence in my ability to innovate and face challenges. To learn more about the impact of Blended Learning on kindergarten students’ motivation during the writing process, explore detailed implementation strategies, examples of blended activities, key research that shaped this initiative, and the educational principles driving its development in the sections below. Home About Me ePortfolio Blog Networks Blog 5315 Action Research Design Outline Action Research Literature Review Action Research Plan Contribution to my Community 5320 COVA Reflection & Application Innovation Project Update ADL Journey Synthesis 5389 Alternative PL / Call to Action Planning the Alternative PL Connecting and communicating your ideas 5318 Instructional Design Implementation Usability & Reflection Contribution to my Learning 5318-5389 5317 Publication Outline Rough Draft Media Project Final Draft & Compilation. Contribution to My Learning Peer Assessment 5304 What’s your Why Influencer Strategy 4DX Strategy Plan Contribution to your Learning Self-Differentiated Leadership & Crucial 5303 Growth Mindset Plan Reflection Learning Manifesto Reflection Contribution to My Learning Communities Plan de Innovation Reflection. 5313 UbD Design Template Contribution To My Learning ... Aligning Outcomes, Assessment and Activi Revised Growth Mindset Plan Final Compilation A New Cultural of Learning My Philosophy learning 5302 Growth Mindset Contribution to Your Learning Learning Manifesto 5305 Innovation Proposal Literature Review Implementation Outline Connecting and Communiting What Have I to Create? This fantastic journey has almost come full circle, and I am filled with much gratitude and inspiration. This ADL program at Lamar University has truly changed me in many ways, both as a teacher and a learner. It was not just any academic achievement goal but about change in the personal and professional realms. In this chapter, I reflect on the growth, resilience, and creativity nurtured by this journey. As I revisit the steps from the very foundational courses into the now-realized dream that hopes to empower students and inspire fellow educators, join me. 5305-Disruptive Innovation in Technology In this course , I explored technology innovations and viewed them as opportunities instead of challenges, using these changes as catalysts to enhance my institution’s learning environment. 5302-Concepts of Educational Technology I took charge of my learning journey during this course , incorporating choice and voice in designing authentic projects. I leveraged technology innovations to drive change within my organization. 5303 -Applying Educational Technology ePortfolio Throughout this course , I created an ePortfolio to share my work, reflect on my growth, and develop my voice. 5313-Create a Significant Learning Environment I identified and incorporated constructivist theories in this course to develop and implement meaningful digital learning environments. 5304-Leading Organizational Change During this course , I applied leadership theories and practices to become a self-differentiated leader capable of addressing the resistance to change that inevitably arose when launching innovative digital learning initiatives. 5317-Resources Digital Environments Throughout this course, I explored various digital environments and resources to effectively communicate with others about the practical implementation and pedagogical value for educational use. 5318-Instructional Design Online Learning In this course , I applied constructivist learning theories and instructional design principles to develop and deliver an online course, using significant learning environments and selected course management tools. 5389-Developing Effective Professional Leadership During this course , I effectively applied an innovative teaching practice by collaborating with colleagues to assess its impact on learners and design and demonstrate authentic professional learning (PL) activities that were active, substantial in duration, and tailored to our discipline. 5315-Assessing Digital Learning and Instruction Throughout this course, I was able to assess the instructional impact of implementing my innovation plans on creating effective digital learning environments. 5320-Synthesis of Applied Digital Learning In this course, I synthesized my knowledge, skills, beliefs, and values gained through digital learning and leadership experiences. I presented a comprehensive plan on how I developed into a digital learner and leader capable of identifying and promoting innovation, creating significant digital learning environments, and leading organizational change Contribution to My Community & Learning Community In this reflection , I explain the reasoning behind my self-assessment by focusing on my commitment to self-driven learning and personal growth. Throughout this process, I have put much effort into improving my skills and contributing to the learning community. Whether through sharing ideas, participating in group discussions, or helping others, I have been dedicated to ensuring we all learn and grow together. This reflection captures how I’ve developed individually and as part of a supportive community. References: Christensen, C.M., Horn, M.B., & Johnson, C. W. (2016). Disrupting class: How disruptive innovation will change the way the world learns (2nd ed.). McGraw Hill. Dweck, C. (2016). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Ballantine Books. Harapnuik, D., Thibodeaux, T., & Cummings, C. (2018). Choice, Ownership, and Voice through Authentic Learning. Creative Commons License. Horn, M. B., Staker, H., & Christensen, C. M. (2015). Blended: using disruptive innovation to improve schools. Jossey-Bass. Pink, D. H. (2009). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. Riverhead Books. Sinek, S. (2009). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA. Canva Infographic. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e69ee5_a3fe6b67a2dd40dfa9e9a4577d8622e6~mv2.png Google's Imagen. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e69ee5_da031f26c6424c5fa64d0522c056ebf2~mv2.png Lamar University's Imagen Professor Imagen https://luonline.blackboard.com/ultra/institution-page WIX's Imagen. An image of Globe And Hand.jpg Blue binary background. Computer language matrix. Multiple exposure photos of LED screen displaying information codes. Cyberwar and digital. .jpg Cloud computing concept. Group of businesspeople in the office. Communication network..jpg Visual contents concept. Social networking service. Streaming video. Communication network. _Video version available in my portfolio..jpg https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e69ee5_1cc92b26c6a14ce39d10637f13cc3975~mv2.png https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e69ee5_d04d4bf738f342ceab1df4cf61ffe40c~mv2.png New ways of working: The differentiation strategy concept is a symbol on wood blocks. Providing uniqueness, different and distinct from competitors,..jpg Audiovisuals I Created. Call Action Why Blended learning Research Writing Kindergarten Course Instructional Design Research Writing Kindergarten Course Implementation Research Writing Kindergarten Course Usability & Reflection Transform Professional Learning Communities COVA approach Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authenticity A Journey in Apply Digital Learning
List of Books
List of books that I would like to read to improve my overall growth and that of my organization.