The Never-ending Upgrade: Why Constant Growth is the Key to Success

While I enjoy keynoting and facilitating workshops, it is through a coaching lens that I get to see how teachers and administrators are implementing innovative learning strategies with fidelity. Through their actions, I can collect evidence to show efficacy while curating exemplars I can share in my presentations. No matter where I go, I get the same message from educators on their desire for practical strategies. There is no better example than those implemented in classrooms, schools, and districts. 

“Eric, we know the why. To move our practice, we want to see how it can be done and what it could look like.”

The quote above is something I hear over and over again as I support school systems across the world. It is important to educators because it highlights the importance of moving from theory to practice. While understanding the reasons for change (the why) is important, it is equally important to see how this change can be implemented (how) and what the results might look like (what it could look like), something I elaborate on in Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms. Here’s why:

• Educators need practical guidance: Ideas and strategies are often handed down from above, with little guidance on how to implement them in the classroom. Educators need to be shown how to put these into practice.
• Sharing effective practices: By sharing examples of what has been implemented successfully, educators can learn from each other and improve their own practice.
• Building a vision for change: Seeing what innovation could look like can help educators stay motivated and committed to making changes.

Thus, when I am in certain places, I always check in on educators who push the envelope and crave feedback so they can grow. A few weeks back, I was in Stryker Local Schools (OH), where I have been supporting the district this past year. One classroom I always try to visit is that of Larry Freshour, an elementary technology teacher. For starters, he is always craving feedback. I can’t remember a time this past school year when we had a conversation, and he didn’t mention how he was implementing an idea or strategy that he learned during one of the professional development days I facilitated. The other reason is that he thoroughly engages learners using a rotational model, immersing students in thought-provoking tasks.

During a recent visit, he had just finished up with a hook on circuits using a short video from Flocabulary.  When I entered, the class was already completing lightsaber cards in honor of May the 4th, which Star Wars fans are undoubtedly aware of and have this date marked on their calendars. Research has shown how vital relevance is to learning and Larry makes great efforts to impart authentic contexts and application during each lesson. Students were seen throughout the room creating working circuits to ignite the lightsaber. Self-regulation, pacing, and intrinsic motivation were on full display. 

Constant growth is the key to success because our world is always changing. By continuously learning new skills, adapting to new situations, and pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones, we stay relevant, overcome challenges, and unlock our full potential as educators. This growth mindset fuels progress, keeps us engaged, and allows us to reach new heights consistently, just like Larry.  

Quantifying Innovative Practices

Lately, I've been giving a lot of thought to effectiveness, and this has been mirrored in my writing and work as a coach. Reflecting on my time as a principal at my previous school, I recall the successful shift towards digitalization and incorporating innovative practices. Our main goal was to demonstrate tangible improvements rather than just discuss them. We merged quantitative and qualitative measures to validate each innovative idea's reasons, processes, and outcomes in detail. The critical element in this equation was skillfully purposefully employing digital resources while ensuring consistency and continuity in all our old and new practices. 

As a principal, I persistently sought methodologies and procedures to gauge the effects of the changes we were enacting. Regrettably, no such solutions were available. As I engage with districts and schools regularly, they frequently inquire about ways to gauge the outcomes and efficacy of their innovative strategies, such as BYOD, 1:1, blended and personalized learning, classroom and school redesign, branding, makerspaces, and professional development. This got me thinking about what might be missing to ensure efficacy. 

As the CEO of Aspire Change EDU, I'm dedicated to research-driven, data-enhanced, and evidence-based services and resources to aid districts, schools, and organizations in transforming teaching, learning, and leadership. Among these resources stands the Innovative Practices Assessment (IPA), which was created to fill a void in moving from ideas and innovative practices to results that improve the learning culture. 

The IPA establishes the framework for educators and administrators, facilitating an innovative lens to underpin individualized professional growth. It initiates by scrutinizing the tactics instituted within each educational institution, at the school or district level, which bolster student learning through technological integration, encompassing dimensions like rigor, pertinence, interpersonal bonds, involvement, and the broader ethos. Subsequently, the procedure advances to comprehending the extant leadership methodologies that effectively usher in technology and groundbreaking approaches. These methods are harmonized with the 7 Pillars of Digital Leadership & Learning. (Student Learning, Learning Spaces and Environment, Professional Growth, Communication, Public Relations, Branding, and Opportunity). 

Through this proven model, schools and districts can identify opportunities to begin their transformation or take their digital and innovation goals to the next level. The IPA combines a self-reflection questionnaire rubric, on-site observations, and extensive data and evidence collection inventories. Rubrics are then leveraged to observe leadership and instructional practices while collecting artifacts to provide evidence of efficacy-based innovative practices. Once collected and analyzed, a detailed summary report outlining areas of success, focus opportunities, and recommended next steps will guide the professional learning journey, supporting the development of a strategic implementation plan.  

Here is a summary of the IPA process:

Step 1: The IPA questionnaire is completed by the district or school. This 18-question rubric asks school leaders to reflect on their perceptions of where their school falls, from needing to start to well-developed. School leadership teams are expected to collect and document aligned evidence for each item during this reflective process. This information will then be reviewed at the initial meeting for reflection and goal-setting to grow and improve. The baseline evidence shared is in the context of determining the fidelity of innovative practices that currently exist and are implemented on a routine basis (including examples of data, lesson plans, unit plans, student work, PLC minutes, rigorous digital performance tasks, walk-through forms, assessments, sample observations/evaluations, portfolios, PD plans, social media accounts, pictures, videos, press releases, media coverage, partnerships, etc.). 

Step 2: On-site observations and interviews with leaders, staff, and students are conducted to validate perceptions and evidence collected for the questionnaire. Targeted classroom observations of student learning aligned with the mission and vision of the school(s) are also conducted. Additional data is collected for analysis in the final report. The idea is to engage school leaders in dialogue about their culture, student learning, and practices, regardless of their transformation. 

Step 3: The data and evidence are tightly aligned to research-based rubrics to provide a detailed view of where a district or school is with its transformation. The data and artifacts are analyzed, leading to a summary report detailing the current state of practice at each school or district. 

Step 4: The IPA report is shared and discussed with the school or district leadership team. Observations about the evidence collected are shared and discussed. During the strategic planning process, discussions focus on areas of strength and improvements to develop a tailored and personalized implementation plan.

Step 5: On-going professional learning is implemented and progress monitoring through the robust questionnaire is documented to determine the efficacy of the transformation efforts using innovative approaches.

The IPA process has been created to support districts and schools looking for ways to measure and articulate the impact of technology and innovation on practice. While data is valuable, it moves beyond this as the only metric for success by actually taking a lens to an array of strategies and practices that combine to create a thriving learning culture.  

The IPA doesn’t just look at innovation. It also provides insight into all elements of school culture and student learning. In addition to being informed by a broad body of research and driven by evidence, the IPA process is also aligned with the following:

• Future Ready Schools (Click HERE to view a detailed alignment document) 
• National Education Technology Plan (NETP)
• Books that showcase evidence and changes to practice aligned with research
• Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms: Preparing Learners for Their Future
• Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times
• Uncommon Learning: Creating Schools That Work for Kids
• BrandED: Tell Your Story, Build Relationships, and Empower Learning
• Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow’s Schools, Today

Evaluation of our practice is essential to grasp our current position and the impact of alterations. We aspire that the IPA process will aid you in shaping, honing, gauging, and subsequently disseminating remarkable innovative practices that vividly portray the achievement of effectiveness.

Reach out today to have a conversation on how the IPA process can help transform your school, district, organization, or system (AspireChangeEDU@gmail.com)

 

The Fallacy of Best Practices

In an education world obsessed with standardization, the pursuit of "best practices" reigns supreme. Countless systems and schools rely on pre-defined, one-size-fits-all approaches, promising guaranteed success. However, this rigid adherence to a single ideal can stifle innovation and hinder progress. We must shift our focus to effectiveness – achieving desired results in a way that adapts to unique situations. 

The allure of best practices lies in their simplicity. They offer a seemingly foolproof formula, eliminating the need for critical thinking and tailored solutions. This, however, ignores the dynamic nature of learning. Industries evolve, technologies change, and societal needs are constantly in flux—context matters.  A practice deemed "best" today might be obsolete tomorrow, especially in a disruptive world. Chasing an elusive ideal can leave schools stagnant, resulting in students who cannot adapt to new circumstances. The reality is that there is no such thing as a “best” practice.  If there were, every system, district, school, and educator would implement them with high fidelity and get amazing results. 

Effectiveness, on the other hand, prioritizes results. It encourages experimentation, research-based pedagogy, and data-enhanced decision-making. Schools that embrace effectiveness analyze their specific context, identify goals, and then explore diverse approaches to achieve them. This fosters a culture of innovation, where solutions are not copy-pasted but thoughtfully crafted. 

Imagine a marketing campaign: a "best practice" approach might dictate a specific social media strategy. However, focusing on effectiveness would analyze the intended audience and platform trends, potentially leading to a more innovative, targeted approach. Like a marketer analyzing their audience and platform trends to tailor their approach, educators should assess their students' individual and collective needs, key concepts, and the most recent pedagogical research. This could lead to more innovative, personalized, and effective teaching strategies that deviate from traditional practices but result in better learning outcomes.

Best practices often lack nuance. They are developed based on broad trends in education or a world that no longer exists, failing to account for unique strengths and weaknesses at the school or individual level. Effectiveness, however, thrives on understanding specificities. It empowers schools to leverage their unique assets – their culture, staff skillset, or niche expertise – to achieve their goals in a way that optimizes their strengths. This approach encourages autonomy, knowing what actually works in a given context, and innovation, allowing for the adoption of cutting-edge strategies that resonate with the current generation of students. It also fosters a more dynamic environment where feedback and data from actual classroom experiences can shape ongoing approaches, keeping learning relevant and impactful.

The shift towards effectiveness is a testament to the power of educators and schools. It requires a change in mindset, a move away from blind adherence to methodologies that some figureheads and organizations claim are the only way to get results, and instead, a move towards continuous learning and adaptation. Schools need to invest in ongoing support, evidence collection, and analysis, allowing them to track the success of their chosen strategies. They must cultivate a culture of open communication where educators feel empowered to challenge assumptions and propose alternative methods. 

Embracing effectiveness isn't about discarding all existing knowledge. Established practices can serve as valuable starting points. The key lies in using them as a springboard, not a rigid blueprint. Schools gain the agility and creativity needed to navigate an ever-changing world by prioritizing effectiveness, not clinging to the fallacy of best practices. Achieving real results in a dynamic world trumps a theoretical ideal. 

The time has come to break free from the shackles of "best practices" and embrace the power of effectiveness driven by the true experts in education—the schools and educators who implemented these strategies consistently and with a high degree of fidelity. It is these people who move an idea into action and determine its effectiveness.  

11 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools to Support Effective Teaching and Leadership

It goes without saying that AI is a hot topic of conversation in education circles and beyond. In the beginning, I was a skeptic myself, but now I use it to support my professional work, especially when I coach leaders. While there are legitimate concerns and anything generated by AI needs to be fully vetted, the most profound benefit is how it can save educators precious time.  Teachers can use it to help design lessons, build assessments, unpack standards, personalize, scaffold questions, develop hooks, provide relevant connections, and so many more possibilities.  Leaders can use certain AI tools to streamline communication, personalize feedback, provide targeted support to staff, find peer-reviewed research in a snap, and aid in other leadership tasks. 

Here are some of the most popular tools being used at this moment:

• Magic School - Get help with lesson planning, differentiation, writing assessments, and so much more. Click on the “magic tools” tab at the top of the page to see all of the options available to teachers.   
• School AI - Know what students need, when they need it and deliver it with AI support. The company behind this tool is extremely committed to data privacy. 
• QuestionWell - Generate an endless supply of questions so you can work smarter, not harder.
• Gradescope -Seamlessly administer and grade all of your assessments, whether online or in class. Save time grading and get a clear picture of how your students are doing.
• Parlay - Facilitate meaningful, measurable, and inclusive class discussions.
• Diffit - This is a great tool for differentiation. It allows teachers to get “just right” instructional materials, saving tons of time and helping all students access grade-level content. 
• Chat GBT – A chatbot that uses natural language processing to create humanlike conversational dialogue. It can respond to any prompt, such as unpacking a standard into scaffolded questions or differentiating aligned tasks. I recently used it when working with a fourth-grade teacher to create a song on long division as part of a review activity. Users who have the paid version can create elaborate images. 
• Gemini – A chatbot from Google that is very similar to Chat GBT. The free version allows for the creation of pictures that do not contain people. 
• Brisk Teaching – A Google Chrome extension that helps busy teachers save time in the tools they already use, like Google Classroom, Docs, Slides, YouTube, and online articles. In seconds, teachers can create unlimited instructional materials, give feedback, evaluate student writing, and level or translate texts - all without needing to switch between apps. 
• Ideogram – A free image creation tool. Create picture prompts for worksheets and writing tasks. During coaching sessions, I have helped elementary teachers create images for sight words.
• Copilot (free, but need a Microsoft login) – Very similar to Chat GBT and Gemini. 

Another tool that I have begun to explore is Leap. It can convert my blog posts to podcasts that sound very professional. When I listened to the first recording, I was amazed.  Stay tuned as I launch my podcast later this year. 

AI can be an invaluable timesaver for all educators. However, it is important to note that it cannot facilitate lessons and feedback conversations.  It is a tool to support effective practices, not drive or replace the work of educators. The real power behind AI is the people who use it strategically to work smarter, not harder.