Inspired Teaching and Learning
It is possible to think about school differently?
Whether I head to a school or read a headline in the news, one thing is clear - schools are in the midst of a seismic shift. Some call for transformation, others think that is too slow and call for a revolution. With teachers stretched thin and the pull for schools to fix all the social ills, I am sure that somewhere in between there is a solution. Read more about trends in school change from Dr. Pat Crawford’s Leadership Thoughts Newsletter.
The World of Learning Institute is one of those ways of thinking differently about what is possible. Our belief that everyone can learn a language and have access to learning languages, has lots of connections to many other content areas. The concept came from the creativity of small rural school leaders that WANT to provide offerings to their students when budgets are tight and teachers are hard to find. Read more about other out-of-the-box ideas from Dr. Pat Crawford - one of the people with an early vision for helping small and rural schools expand options.
At the World of Learning, we are the opportunity. As Olivia presented at PETE&C to a packed house The Classes they Wouldn’t Have Taken; she, Anita, and Lauren are beating the drum for this revolution. Every day I am amazed at how they bring out the best in learners - and support other teachers in the WOL community. Their dedication to continuous learning and support, in turn, provide students with AMAZING experiences, too. And most importantly - students have opportunities to experience learning that otherwise not have not happened.
Here are a few keys to our excitement and inspiration:
WOL courses have a face-to-face virtual component that is highly engaging. It is possible for everyone.
WOL teachers share resources and new technology tips to support each other and create awesome experiences for students.
Students are engaged and using the target language authentically!
Teaching is fun in a collaborative community.
At the PETE&C conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania, our team shared what they have learned by teaching languages in the synchronous world. And the strategies they use are not just for language classes, they can be used in your classrooms, too!
Anita and Lauren highlighted the use of chat and whiteboard tools in No Camera, No Mic, NO PROBLEM. In this video from a year ago - Anita walks teachers through some ways to get engagement when the resources are slim.
How are you providing collaborative time for your teachers to work together to hone their craft and beat their own drums? (We know that there is a lot going on that is great in schools!)
To learn more about the World of Learning Institute and how you can expand your opportunities - email me, at pmulroy@iu08.org or check out our webpage. See what we offer in our course catalog and join us in creating learning spaces that encourage life-long learning and collaboration.