Beliefs, Passions, and Stretching of Knowledge

Stretching is the act of extending reach from one point to another. The act of widening or enlarging tension. To be made capable of being longer or wider without tearing or breaking. Stretching is what I experienced each week during 5302. COVA, opened the door for choice, ownership, voice through authentic learning experiences. My authentic learning experiences stretched my thinking, professional knowledge, intrinsic motivation, and self-awareness. Many interest lead me through hours of research without feeling bored or pointless. I can honestly say COVA helped me find my  how and why for teaching. Developing a Growth Mindset Plan, Personal Learning Manifesto, and connecting with Professional Learning Networks revealed who I am and what I stand for as an educator. Each assignment, challenged me to dig deep within to find out who I wanted to be and how I would model or reflect such. 

Growth Mindset Plan

Have you ever been presented with information that made you feel like, my goodness I wish I had known this information years ago? That's the feeling I had when I was introduced to Carol Dweck's growth mindset and the power of yet! Mindset, book written by Carol Dweck revealed research and strategies that confirm how you think affects your achievement. Carrol's research helped me understand learning is a choice. If one's mindset believes achievement is possible, their thinking will seek ways to learn and achieve. If the mindset believes skills and knowledge are permanent, effort will not be put towards improving. She explained this as a Fixed mindset. A mindset that embraces making excuses as to why task can't be accomplished. Explaining that our mindset is a choice, Carol encourages one to embrace a growth mindset because research suggest it brings continued progress and achievement. A growth mindset seeks and discovers ways to achieve even when presented with setbacks or undesirable outcomes. The growth mindset enables positive thoughts to keep individuals on the road to success. The growth mindset completely changed my perspective for learning and how I approach learning new skills. In addition, I can model growth mindset with my students so that they are equip with adequate tools that aid in students attaining intrinsic motivation and discipline to achieve. 

The growth mindset resignated  COVA, which is a much different approach to engage learners during the learning process allowed me full choice, ownership,voice through an authentic learning experience. That means I had full control of how I learn and how I convey my knowledge. I chose Canva to develop and organize my growth mindset plan. I had never used Canva before so there was a learning curve. I utilized the growth mindset strategies while developing a growth mindset graphic presentation plan. I wrote my growth mindset plan to implement this school year with the purpose of creating a tool that removes negative mental blocks that disengages students from the learning process. I know my growth mindset plan will be beneficial to students and parents as my school district opens the 2020-2021 school year  virtually. As students and parents experience challenges, it is my goal to help them utilize the growth mindset strategies and choose to persevere.  

 Learning Manifesto

Challenge number 2 awakened my self-awareness through developing a personal learning manifesto. During the process of developing my learning manifesto I embraced a growth mindset. I had to utilize and model growth mindset thinking as I engaged in an authentic learning assignment that would require me to take ownership and choose what type of platform to share my declaration. This sounds simple but, a technology beginner such as myself has limited experience doing such. The growth mindset helped me to focus on how to achieve presenting my declaration in such a way that represents excellence. I committed to Animoto and Screencastify which presented me with a learning curve that stretched my patience, confidence, and skills. What I believed as an educator ignited my why for teaching. The fire within me is the driving force that allows me to be intentional about creating significant learning environments that promote and deepen student learning . My learning manifesto was developed with the purpose of addressing how I help students access knowledge to empower themselves. This project challenged my capacity and ownership of my learning and leading. One thing that I struggled with was the formatting during this assignment. Currently I am still failing forward as I try correcting and adjusting time frames. I have invested much time and effort into making this project smooth and clean as I desire. I have learned and gained skills that have shaped me to be a relatable leader our 21st century students need. 

Professional Learning Networks

Life long learning will go through cycles that interchange planning and multiple evaluations that lead to breakthrough innovations. I discovered through my third assignment that lifelong learning requires learning networks. Just like iron sharpens iron, collaboration and networking develops and stretches individuals. I think a big part of a growth mindset process is being able to connect with like minded individuals who share the same passions or similar experiences. Altogether learners are able to help each other deepen their knowledge. I enjoyed exploring various professional networks among the science community, African American educators, technology gurus, and more. As I discovered each network, I realized I needed to narrow my focus. I needed to pick networks that aligned to my learning manifesto, my vision and declaration for myself and students. I decided to join Kesler Science Professional Network through Facebook, Science Teachers Association of Texas, became familiar with Pinterest networking platforms, connected with members from Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators, registered for an annul local ed tech conference, subscribed to Edweek.org, and saved a link for (teacher toolkit) more professional learning opportunities. Joining the professional networks helped me to realize lifelong learning is a journey and engaging in them enhances  inspiration, creativity, and guidance. All of which are empowering authentic learning experiences through collaboration and feedback. Because I know how important learning networks are, I would love to create a platform for students to join. 

References

Byblow,Carson[TEDxYouth@AASSofia](2018,April 11).The mind of a champion[Video]Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px9CzSZsa0Y 

Dweck, C.(2016).Mindset.Random

Dweck, C.(2015, September 22). Carol Dweck Revisits the "Growth Mindset" Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/09/23/carol-dweck-revisits-the-growth-mindset.html

Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). COVA+CSLE Mindset vs Traditional. Retrieved July 31, 2020, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7007

Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). Retrieved August13, 2020, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6988

Harapnuik, D., Thibodeaux, T., & Cummings, C. (2020). COVA: Choice, Ownership and Voice through Authentic Learning. 

Moore, C. (2018, November 28). Five ways to teach students to be learning cantered, too Faculty Focus. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/five-ways-to-teach-students-to-be-learning-centered-too/

Sesame Street.(2014,September 10). Janelle Monae - Power of Yet[Video]Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLeUvZvuvAs 

TEDxTalks. (2012, November 18). The Power of Belief - mindset and success. [Video] Youtube. https://luonline.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_160299_1&content_id=_4605744_1