Greetings WOL Friends,
Our podcast is now on Spotify! You can follow us there!
We are grateful that you continue to read and listen to our podcast and newsletter . Just as the World of Learning has grown and expanded, so has our following and engagement. It’s always fun to get a comment or have someone in passing say how much they related to one of our conversations. If you can’t tell, we like working together!
Today we talked about our journey with of Erin Siverd and Lindsay Ally. In this episode we dove into how providing relevant opportnities for students goes beyond just filling in when you can’t find a teacher. We also related how expanding courses that you aren’t able to offer or how thinking differently about how to work creatively together impacts student agency.
We have been providing a virtual option for the past 8 years at Appalachia IU8, and our mentors who started Blended Schools have been offering these extensions and alternatives since the 90’s.
Recently I read a post on the Christensen Institute Blog by Michael Horn which states what to me seems obvious - there are unlimited ways technology can be leveraged to expand options for learners (read it all here). I am flummoxed that we, educators, have not been able to make more use of the distance learning platforms and other resouces that are available to expand options.
Why do you think more alternative uses of technology are not being implemented?
When you want to get creative, contact us at the World of Learning Institute. Even if not for services - we LOVE to talk to people who are trying different approaches to make sure everyone has what they need. There is NO shortage of ideas on our creative team.
Here are a few of the collaborations we are working with districts to provide: a Library option in Salisbury Elklick, STEM in Johnstown, and our Elementary Program is using music to support math instruction.
What creative options that flip our traditional ways of supporting teaching and learning are you using?
As you listen to our podcast you will notice that the story of the World of Learning Institute is one of an adventurer. We go places and take on challenges to meet our purpose of providing support to schools and districts by making opportunities available, that would otherwise not exist for learners.
This podcast is full of goodness from Lindsay and Erin - no glitz or glamor - that highlights how collaboration and professional learning for the adults, leads to classrooms that are vibrant and filled with enthusiasm for learning.
Here are a few of their ideas in a nutshell (culled from the transcript using ChatGPT and some editing by Pat):
Collaboration and Support: Lindsay and Erin discuss the collaborative environment and the supportive nature of the World of Learning, where educators are enthusiastic about sharing ideas and materials.
Challenges and Adaptation: The discussion touches upon challenges faced in transitioning to the virtual environment and how the World of Learning provides effective support and professional development opportunities to facilitate adapting for the specific needs of schools and districts.
Professional Development and Learning Experience: Lindsay highlights the effective micro-learning courses and their practical application in her teaching, mentioning the helpfulne.ss of the cognitive load theory and Mayer's theory of instructional design. See more from JolteEDU
Student Engagement and Learning: The conversation delves into the importance of building relationships for student engagement. Without the development of trust you will not see students taking risks or getting comfortable in the online learning environment. Fostering a positive learning experience requires our Learning Facilitators to get to know their students.
Course Design and Learning Framework: Erin elaborates on the 6E model utilized in course design, emphasizing the importance of predictable structures for students and the benefits of consistency across different subjects.
More on our 6E model and why it is so effective for building confidence in both our students and our VLF’s in future episodes. Or check out a few of our older episodes here:
As always, if you can’t find a teacher or would like to expand your offerings let me know. I am glad to have a conversation.
Best,
Pat
No Glitz or Glamour