What are 3 key takeaways from the book thus far?
There have been many takeaways from the book up to this point, but if I had to narrow it down to my three biggest takeaways, I think my top three would include: 1. Embracing Failure 2. Empowering Learners 3. Adopting an Innovators Mindset One of my first key takeaways from early in this book, was the importance of embracing failure. Too often, educators preach on how to "avoid" failures instead of preaching on how to embrace and learn from them. Instead, we should see failure as a friend and an opportunity for students to receive feedback on strengths and potential areas of improvement. Failure is essential to the learning process. My second key takeaway was the shift from engaging students to empowering students. An empowered classroom doesnt tell students what they are going to learn, it asks them, "What do you want to learn?" When we give students a voice and a choice to take responsibility for their own learning we can go from engaging students to empowering them. My last key takeaway was the importance of adopting an innovator's mindset. Couros does a good job explaining the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, something most educators have been informed of. But, then he takes it a step further and introduces what an innovator's mindset looks like. The book uses a great example of someone who is learning to play piano for the first time. With a fixed mindset, the learner doesn’t believe he or she has the ability to play the piano. With a growth mindset, the learner believes that, with hard work and practice, the opportunity to play the piano is within the realm of his or her ability. That belief leads the learner to try and, ultimately, grow. The Innovator’s mindset takes the growth mindset a step further by focusing on using one’s ability to learn to play the piano to create music. The Innovator’s mindset can be defined as the belief that the abilities, intelligence, and talents are developed so that they lead to the creation of new and better ideas. Couros, George. The Innovator’s Mindset (pp. 41-42). Yes, a growth mindset is crucial to prove one's openness to learn. But, we need to prepare our students to have an innovator's mindset, which basically gives them a platform to utilize and create something with the knowledge we are giving them.
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What did you learn from the reading and videos?
From the first three chapters of The Innovator's Mindset, I gathered that you have to have an open mind to change or you won't be successful. George Couros gives great examples of Blockbuster and Starbucks in the first chapter. One of those franchises embraced innovation and is very successful today and one of them refused to change their business model or innovate and they ultimately failed. I also reflected from the early chapters on my "Why" as a teacher. I think most educators originally got into teaching to change and positively alter lives. Somewhere along the lines, several educators have forgot their "why". Dr. Joe Martin says so well, “No teacher has ever had a former student return to say a standardized test changed his or her life.” Couros, George. The Innovator’s Mindset (p. 26). I really connected most with Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk, it really made me reflect about the school system and how most could do a better job fostering creativity. Students become frightened with being wrong because we stigmatize mistakes. This leads to people being too afraid to even try in fear of being wrong or being judged harshly. Also, too often our students are "completing" something rather than "creating" something. We are teaching students to comply and complete what we tell them to, when we tell them to do it. Its more important for students to find out what is interesting to them, find a problem with it, and solve that problem. That's how teaching problem solving skills should look. How does it change your thinking moving forward? From the readings and the videos I learned that educators need to embrace innovation. Change and failure can be incredibly scary things, but both are extremely important components of the process. But even more important to the process are the traits of resiliency and grit. Resiliency is the ability to come back after a defeat or unsuccessful attempt. Grit is resolve or strength of character. Couros, George. The Innovator’s Mindset (p. 49). I think this is one that applies to teachers and students. First, if your not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original. You can't be afraid to try, whether you succeed or fail, you can't be scared to try. Then, if/when you fail, it doesn't end there, you have to show grit and resiliency to figure out what failed or why you failed, and then try again. What do I want to get out of this course?
As I reflect on not only my time spent as a teacher, but also my time spent as a student, I have found that the teachers who have impacted me the most are the teachers who I felt truly cared about me inside and outside the classroom. Two of my all time favorite teachers I had growing up were also my football and basketball coaches. They were both incredibly caring and great leaders who helped shape me into the person I am today. From this course I hope to gain and be able to cultivate leadership skills that they both possessed. I want to continue to gain confidence in myself and be able to pass my knowledge onto my students and to my coworkers. I also want to develop my reflecting habits. Self-Reflection is a skill that I know I haven't spent enough time improving. Sometimes I feel I get to get too busy to stop and reflect on how things are going or how things could be improved. One passage from the Self-Reflection article that stood out to me was the part about how humbling self-reflection can be. Nobody enjoys picking out the negative things they are doing wrong or poorly, but it IS crucial for growth and improvement. |
MSET Program > CET 720 Leading Evaluation & Change in the Educational Technology Environment
AuthorMy name is Matthew Brue and I graduated from Dakota State University with a K-12 Computer Education Degree. I am currently pursuing my Masters Degree in Educational Technology. I obtained a minor in Computer Information Systems, as well as K-12 Technology minor. I work at the Tea Area School District as a Middle School Technology Teacher. Archives
April 2021
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