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The Reflective Principal: A Taxonomy of Reflection (Part IV) Reflection can be a challenging endeavor. It's not something that's fostered in school - typically someone else tells you how you're doing! Principals (and instructional leaders) are often so caught up in the meeting the demands of the day, that they rarely have the luxury to muse on how things went. Self-assessment is clouded by the need to meet competing demands from multiple stakeholders. In an effort to help schools become more reflective learning environments, I've developed this "Taxonomy of Reflection" - modeled on Bloom's approach. It's posted in four installments: 1. A Taxonomy of Reflection 2. The Reflective Student 3. The Reflective Teacher 4. The Reflective Principal It's very much a work in progress, and I invite your comments and suggestions. I'm especially interested in whether you think the parallel construction to Bloom holds up through each of the three examples - student, teacher, and principal. I think we have something to learn from each perspective. 4. The Reflective Principal Each level of reflection is structured to parallel Bloom's taxonomy. (See installment 1 for more on the model) Assume that a principal (or instructional leader) looked back on an initiative (or program, decision, project, etc) they have just implemented. What sample questions might they ask themselves as they move from lower to higher order reflection? (Note: I'm not suggesting that all questions are asked after every initiative - feel free to pick a few that work for you.) Bloom's Remembering : What did I do? Principal Reflection: What role did I play in implementing this program? What role did others play? What steps did I take? Is the program now operational and being implemented? Was it completed on time? Are assessment measures in place? Bloom's Understanding: What was

In an effort to support the continued planning of the implementation of the 21st Century Teaching and Learning Series, materials from the eMBEDDED LEARNING Academy Implementation Training presentations for CFF participants have been posted.

Doing What Works is a website dedicated to assisting teachers in the implementation of effective educational practices. The Doing What Works website contains practice guides developed by the Department's Institute of Education Sciences that evaluate research on the effectiveness of teaching practices described in the guides. The website also contains examples of possible ways this research may be used, but not necessarily the only ways to implement these teaching practices.

The LoTi implementation model offers a systems approach to improved student achievement using 21st Century teaching. The model is comprised of four stages ~ Assess, Plan, Implement, Sustain

"In 1994, Dr. Christopher Moersch developed the Levels of Technology Implementation (LoTi) scale in an effort to accurately measure authentic classroom technology use. This scale focuses on the use of technology as an interactive learning medium because this particular component has the greatest and lasting impact on classroom pedagogy and is the most difficult to implement and assess. The challenge is not merely to use technology to achieve isolated tasks (e.g., word processing a research paper, creating a multimedia slide show, browsing the Internet), but rather to integrate technology in an exemplary manner that supports purposeful problem-solving, performance-based assessment practices, and experiential learning--all vital characteristics of the Target Technology level established by the CEO Forum on Education and Technology."

iLearn technology is an edublog dedicated to giving teachers practical tips for integrating technology into the classroom. All of the resources are free to use and simple to implement. If you know of a great classroom technology resource, please let me know about it on my contact page! Written by: k-5 technology teacher Kelly Tenkely

An edublog dedicated to giving teachers practical tips for integrating technology into the classroom. All of the resources are free to use and simple to implement.

Running and gaining weight?! What's going on? A succinct summary of goal setting, translation into concrete expectations, monitoring during implementation. By Aimee Buckner, shared through ChoiceLiteracy. Nice!

"Planning is imperative for any technology initiative - iPad or otherwise. You need to ensure that you clearly understand and communicate how the technology integrates with your overall pedagogical objectives. Too many institutions purchase technology and then search for ways to utilize it ... or leave it collecting dust on the shelf. Planning needs to consider both infrastructure needs and the educational applications of the new technology. Without the proper preparation, technology initiatives are liable to become expensive failures."

The iSchool Initiative is a student-led, non-profit organization that is dedicated to revolutionizing our education system through innovative technology. Our mission is to inspire and educate students on how to become life long digital learners in the information age. We accomplish this by raising awareness for the technological needs of the classroom, providing collaborative research on the use of technology in the classroom, and guiding schools in the implementation of this technology.

Although central to the business of higher education, the LMS has also become a symbol of the status quo that supports administrative functions more effectively than teaching and learning activities. Personal learning environments offer an alternative, but with their own limitations. An open learning network helps bridge the gap between the PLE and the LMS, combining the best elements of each approach. The initial implementation of an OLN at Brigham Young University represents a new learning platform model in higher education.

Hmmmmm. Hadn't thought about much of this...

The Big6 is an information and technology literacy model and curriculum, implemented in thousands of schools - K through higher education. Some people call the Big6 an information problem-solving strategy because with the Big6, students are able to handle any problem, assignment, decision or task.

Are you having trouble getting through to folks to try to loosen up the restrictions to allow you to do the kind of work you REALLY want to do? This article, shared by one of our new coaches, Jason Suter, may help.

"a collection of ideas each teacher implemented to successfully break and/or work within the ban where they teach in an effort to empower students with the freedom to use their cell phones as personal learning devices. "

"In order to encourage and promote the reuse of computers, GSA is proud to sponsor the Computers for Learning (CFL) website. Computers for Learning The CFL program evolved as a guide for implementing Executive Order 12999, Educational Technology: Ensuring Opportunity for all Children in the Next Century. The order encourages agencies, to the extent permitted by law, to transfer computers and related peripheral equipment excess to their needs directly to schools and educational nonprofit organizations. The CFL website allows eligible recipients to view and select the computer equipment that federal agencies have reported as excess."

"Learning Focused Schools practices are assisting teachers with developing and implementing "Best Practice" however, the effective integration of the latest 21st Century tools and strategies is also necessary to develop highly differentiated instructional practices. These strategies will assist students with not only core content area proficiency but also 21st Century skills and NETS proficiencies. This page offers many ideas and practical application of LFS and effective 21st Century instructional technology strategies."

These videos provide excerpts of lessons that demonstrate the effective integration of technology in the classroom learning environment and highlight strategies that contribute to student learning that can lead to mastery of the NETS*S.

Administrators TA Packet / Look For Rubric

Recipes4Success is your best resource for supporting project work with students. Recipes4Success includes software tutorials and reference guides, online tools, and a step-by-step process for implementing project-building with students.