Today's education have made students meet higher and more complex expectations, particularly when expectations are measured and met with mandated assessments. In the same light, teachers face difficult challenges in providing appropriate interventions and in scaffolding student learning experiences to prepare them for future grade levels. When I was in school, I recall undergoing several testing moments that led to being conscious and worried about grades. There were limited opportunities where I experienced authentic and self-directed learning, and when it did happen, I noticed how more open I was in building better understanding. 

When developing self-directed learners, it is important to teach them to be properly independent. Part of this teachable moment includes the use of meaningful rubrics that learners can relate with and understand. Below is an example of a rubric that can support self-directed learners by  @awordonthird . More details can be found in this link, https://bit.ly/3vfh0Xv

As campus administrators, we support teachers in designing standards-aligned lessons that deliver student-centered learning experiences according to learners' different needs.
As you explore the slide deck below, click on the linkable images and identify some meaningful ideas, best practices for content delivery, and resources for relevant active and blended learning integration that you can add to your administrator toolbox.

I have been using Canva for at least a couple of years now and I continue to be amazed with the different templates, free access to videos/photos/audio, and creative themes to create Bitmoji classrooms, social media posts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.), graphic organizers, newsletters, graphic design, and many more. Another wonderful fact about Canva is that the app allows you to use some leverage with a Free Account, but I would encourage you to go Pro if you could since that is when added features come to life (e.g. sharing to Instagram, present and record, sharing to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, etc.)!  For more information, you can visit a blog post in TCEA's technotes, created by Emily Hopkins, "Canva for Education: The Ultimate Template Tool." 

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a pedagogical approach that emphasizes proper and relevant research-based understanding as well as meaningful strategies for all types of students, particularly those who may need additional support to bridge gaps in learning. The UDL Guidelines provides valuable information on the three (3) major components of UDL, i.e. Engagement, Representation, and Action & Expression. The images below links to websites that you can click to access and visit. 

​For Students

• Creative Communicator
  • Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
• Innovative Designer
  • Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.

For Educators

• Designer
  • Design authentic learning activities that align with content area standards and use digital tools and resources to maximize active, deep learning.

For Students

• 1 Empowered Learner: Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.
  • ​1a Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes.
  • 1b Students build networks and customize their learning environments in ways that support the learning process.
  • 1c Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
  • 1d Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies and are able to transfer their knowledge to explore emerging technologies.

​For Educators

• 5 Designer: Educators design authentic, learner-driven activities and environments that recognize and accommodate learner variability. Educators:
  • 5a Use technology to create, adapt and personalize learning experiences that foster independent learning and accommodate learner differences and needs.
  • 5b Design authentic learning activities that align with content area standards and use digital tools and resources to maximize active, deep learning.
  • 5c Explore and apply instructional design principles to create innovative digital learning environments that engage and support learning.

I was asked to share an inspiring message to public school teachers as part of their final reflection and culminating after school activity at my district, aside from welcoming and introducing the VIPs and special guests that late afternoon. I thought about this for a while and I was not quite sure as to what to share for this special event where teachers, administrators, and district leaders will be part of the audience. So, I dug deep into my "inspiration toolkit" and selected one of my favorite poems where I draw inspiration from, especially when I want to encourage positive and meaningful change among teachers and campus leaders. This poem is called "Innovate Together" by Najwa Zebian who is a Canadian-Lebanese author, educator, and spokesperson. Please click on the title below to view this poem that is located at George Couros' blog site. I also provided a video of Najwa's poem reading and delivery from George Couros' YouTube channel. 

Innovate Together 
​By Najwa Zebian