Week Eleven Personal Post
I'm very excited about my technological leadership in education endeavors this week -
If you remember, a few weeks ago I asked the department to provide some data on a shared google sheet. Our administration is asking us to create some snapshot views of course comparisons.
With 21 distinct core English courses, and 16 teachers, we are trying to measure and increase the consistency and transfer of the students' growth opportunities across our progression. To begin this conversation, I asked each member to enter data from the first quarter grade book on a single spreadsheet that would make vertical and horizontal alignment more visible.
From 16 members in total, we had two complete the sheet the day that I sent it out, about three more complete it before the meeting, a handful completing it during the meeting (while other department members were talking!!!), and four plead ignorance regarding how to use the google sheet.
I was excited, at the time, to have only four members who needed my hands-on involvement - two of whom I watched enter the data and one of whom asked me to do it for him.
In preparation for tomorrow's department meeting, I emailed the team again of the English department and asked them to continue our data gathering work. This time I am asking teachers to add their 2nd and 3rd quarter results, and to work in pairs to discuss similarities, differences, and goals for improving compatibility over the next year.
And this time, I have already received assurances from two of the technophobes that they won't need their partner's help to get their report done this time. (Setting aside their distressing, predictable attempt to avoid partnering...) I am thrilled to see them accepting the technology and the sharing required for this exercise - not just because it requires an embrace of technology, but also because they are willing to move beyond the insularity our school has long allowed.
If you remember, a few weeks ago I asked the department to provide some data on a shared google sheet. Our administration is asking us to create some snapshot views of course comparisons.
With 21 distinct core English courses, and 16 teachers, we are trying to measure and increase the consistency and transfer of the students' growth opportunities across our progression. To begin this conversation, I asked each member to enter data from the first quarter grade book on a single spreadsheet that would make vertical and horizontal alignment more visible.
From 16 members in total, we had two complete the sheet the day that I sent it out, about three more complete it before the meeting, a handful completing it during the meeting (while other department members were talking!!!), and four plead ignorance regarding how to use the google sheet.
I was excited, at the time, to have only four members who needed my hands-on involvement - two of whom I watched enter the data and one of whom asked me to do it for him.
In preparation for tomorrow's department meeting, I emailed the team again of the English department and asked them to continue our data gathering work. This time I am asking teachers to add their 2nd and 3rd quarter results, and to work in pairs to discuss similarities, differences, and goals for improving compatibility over the next year.
And this time, I have already received assurances from two of the technophobes that they won't need their partner's help to get their report done this time. (Setting aside their distressing, predictable attempt to avoid partnering...) I am thrilled to see them accepting the technology and the sharing required for this exercise - not just because it requires an embrace of technology, but also because they are willing to move beyond the insularity our school has long allowed.
Sounds as if your department is headed in a positive direction!
ReplyDeleteHey 75% buy-in is not bad! Like anything...technology has a way of becoming more approachable the more we work with it.
ReplyDelete