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Expanding Learning by Building Futures

Verena Roberts & Mark Turner

October 25, 2018

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We acknowledge that we are on Treaty Seven Territory.

We acknowledge the

past, present, and future generations of Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot, and Tsuut’ina Nations who help

us steward this land, as well as honour and celebrate this place.

We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries and whose respectful stewardship have enabled us all to enjoy the riches of the Creator & our country.

Retrieved from Wikipedia

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Hello!

We are:

Verena Roberts & Mark Turner

You can find us on twitter

@verenanz & @maturner3

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1.

What are Cohorts?

Summary of:

Alison Turner’s MEd research

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“Cohort learning is when students are grouped into learning arrangements who begin and complete learning experiences with the same students through most of their academic program”(Alberta Education, 2009).

“Think of a cohort like a small learning community providing curriculum within a career related field “ (Turner, 2018)

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“The purpose of this study was to explore how cohort learning promotes intellectual engagement for students and gather learner evidence to inform teacher practice” (Turner, 2018)

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Activity 1

Brainstorm as many High School Activities you can think of on the stickies provided….

Extend your thinking as far as you can go….

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Add Your Stickies to the “Evidence of Engagement Chart” At Your Table

**DISCUSS**

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Intellectual Engagement

Academic Engagement

Fun Activity

Disengagement

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Friesen, 2009

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What Can We Do For High School Students?

  • Listen to student’s critical voices
  • Be vulnerable - ask students for feedback about their experiences & target instruction
  • Make learning opportunities that are relevant, meaningful & develop a sense of belonging

Consider using:

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Turner, 2018

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2.

What Is Building Futures?

An Overview of BFA

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Started with a conversation

  • Jarrett, Greg and Sheri
  • How can our community co-create learning opportunities?
  • 32 Grade 10 Students (year-round)
  • Learning all core classes (plus CTS)
  • Build two homes
  • More Opportunities
    • Entrepreneurship, volunteerism, Baking???

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What a Day Looks Like

  • Students Arrive
  • Connect Students to Trades (Taste of the trades)
  • Rest of Students in “Garage”
  • 12-1230 lunch
  • Connect Students to Trades (Taste of the trades)
  • Rest of Students in “Garage”
  • Hometime

-Draw from 5 High Schools

- Mix of Academic Abilities

- More females than males

-It’s not about the HOUSE!

No Timetables, No Bells, Access to technology

WHAT WOULD YOU CREATE?

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AMAZING LEARNING EXPERIENCES that are CONNECTED TO COMMUNITY

(Attach outcomes to the experience)

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Activity 3

Brainstorm as many possible “Learning Experiences” that connect students to community”.

  • Community experts/needs
  • Help solve a problem
  • Give Back
  • Connect Schools
  • Benefit the partner

10 Minutes

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Same question for me:

“What Learning Experience could I offer students that went beyond the house, beyond our physical experience, that connected them to their community?

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Better Airdrie

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3.

Expanding K-12 Learning Environments through Open Educational Practices (OEP)

Design Based Research Using OLDI - Open Learning Design Intervention

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What is Design Based Research?

  • Balance between Theory and Practice
    • Participants & Researchers have voice
    • Collaborative Design intervention
    • Authentic Research Learning Environments
    • Practical application & replication
    • Iterative Cycles and Prototypes
  • Flexible Design for Emerging Research
  • Blends both Qualitative and Quantitative Research
  • Evaluation of Innovation for Continual improvement

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Open Educational Practice (OEP) in K-12 learning contexts describes an intentional design that expands learning opportunities for all learners beyond classroom walls by collaboratively and individually sharing and building knowledge and encouraging networked participation by interacting with others from multiple cultural perspectives “

(Roberts, 2018 - Building from Cronin, 2017)

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Indicators of Open Educational Practice:

  • Designing For Sharing Learning Resources/Experiences

  • Participatory/Experiential Learning

  • Connection to Community/Global Learning Networks

  • Safe Learning Spaces

  • Expanded Learning Environments

  • Interdisciplinary

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BFA Blog

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https://sites.google.com/view/buliding-futures/home

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Activity 3

Visitor & Resident Mapping

  • Rethinking the Idea of Digital Natives and Immigrants
  • We Are All Learning - All Over the Place
  • How Do we Value - Learning?

You will need a Sheet of Paper & A Pen

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Remixed from Visitors and Residents Mapping White and LeCornu, 2017

CC BY Lanclos, White & Phipps

Personal

Work/School

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Where Learning Happens….

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BFA

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Where Learning Happens….

Roberts, 2018

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Open Learning Design Intervention

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A

B

C

Yellow

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20

7

Blue

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15

10

Orange

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Reflection & Feedback

Foundational Skills

Clear Connections to Learning & Thinking

Clear Assessment

Flexibility & Iteration

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Expected Contributions:

Teaching:

Designs for Scaffolded Support from:

Isolated Classrooms-> Learning Commons/Collectives -> Learning Networks

Learning:

Student Reflection and Evidence of Awareness of Expanded Learning Spaces, Connections and Networks Which Can Contribute to Personal Learning Pathways

Design:

Model Describing Expanded Learning Environments: Networked Learning Connections with Authentic Experiential Learning Opportunities Outside Classroom Walls

Theory:

Building upon Social Constructivist , Connectivist and Critical Theories by Connecting Democratic Citizenship and Systemic Sustainable Education through the Comparative Dynamics of Open Learning

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Garage

Local Community

Global Community

VandR Maps- Blogging

OLDI - Airdrie/Global Community

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Activity 4

Build Your Own Learning Cohort Using the Materials Provided:

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Let’s review some key points:

Cohorts:

Students are grouped into learning arrangements who begin and complete learning experiences with the same students through most of their academic program.

Teaching Effectiveness Framework:

  • Teachers Designers of Learning
  • Learning Worth Time
  • Assessment Improves Learning
  • Variety of Relationships
  • Teachers reflect upon practice with peers

Building Futures, Airdrie

  • Connect with Community
  • Co-create Learning Experiences (then attach curriculum)
  • It’s NOT about the house!

Open Educational Practice

  • Designing For Sharing Learning Resources/Experiences

  • Participatory/Experiential Learning

  • Connection to Community/Global Learning Networks

  • Safe Learning Spaces

  • Expanded Learning Environments

  • Interdisciplinary

Design-Based Research

  • Balance between theory and practice
  • Flexible Design for Emerging Research
  • Blends both Qualitative and Quantitative Research
  • Evaluation of Innovation for Continual improvement

Where/How Students Are Learning

  • Formal
  • Informal
  • Non-Formal

Learning Environments

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Thanks!

Any questions?

@maturner3

maturner@rvschools.ab.ca

@verenanz

verena.roberts@ucalgary.ca

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