Courageous Edventures

Jennie Magiera always knew she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. Throughout all of her roles starting as a Chicago Public Schools teacher to currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer for Des Plaines School District 62, she always made teaching and supporting students her priority. A White House Champion for Change, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google for Education Certified Innovator and TEDx Speaker, Jennie works to redefine teaching and learning through innovative new practices. She is also passionate about transforming professional learning, which she’s personally championed through her work on the Technical Working Group for the US Department of Education’s 2016 National Educational Technology Plan and co-founding PLAYDATE and other new conference concepts. Jennie has earned degrees from Phillips Exeter Academy, Columbia University and University of Illinois-Chicago. Aside from her students, Jennie′s great loves in life are sci-fi, mashed potatoes, Tabasco sauce, her dog and her husband. You can find Jennie on Twitter at @MsMagiera or through her blog Teaching Like It’s 2999.

"This book is written for any educator looking to sail into an innovative classroom. Ms. Magiera uses humor and stories to identify with educators and help guide the reader through the transition of a traditional classroom to an innovative classroom. This book takes you on a journey and is packed with ideas, examples, and resources that would be invaluable to any educator."

• AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorPrefacePART I. CHARTING YOUR COURSE1. Come on in, the Future’s FineMe and the Three Little PigsFrom Houses to ShipsWhat Is Innovation?Two Compass Options: The SAMR and TIM FrameworksDeciding When to Use SAMR and When to Use TIMSetting a Course for Innovation2. Problem-Based Learning: It’s Not Just for KidsTeacher Innovation Exploration Plan: An Individualized Education Program for TeachersIdentifying the Problem of PracticeDefining the Problem of PracticeStepping Up to a SolutionCritical Friends3. Getting Your Students ReadyLearning to SAIL: Student Innovation TeamsDon’t TouchGo SlowBe KindStaying Safe on the Open Sea: Digital CitizenshipWhat Is Digital Citizenship?Respect for OurselvesRespect for Others4. Getting Your Materials ReadyLet the Students Lead the WayBuild a Management SystemRewrite Your Supply ListTech Is Not a TreatLess Is More5. Falling in Love With FailureCalling Forth Your CourageFailing ForwardStudent FailureTeacher FailureSystem FailurePART II. NAVIGATING YOUR PROBLEMS6. Digging Into DifferentiationProblem: So Many Ability Groups, So Little TimeSuggestion: Clone the TeacherProblem: Keeping Students Engaged During Small-Group TimeSuggestion 1: Choose Your Own Adventure TimeSuggestion 2: Self-Differentiating ChallengesSuggestion 3: Critical FriendsProblem: Finding Developmentally Appropriate Differentiated ContentSuggestion 1: Create Your Own ContentSuggestion 2: Digital ResourcesProblem: How Do I Disseminate Materials to Students and Collect Their Work? (aka Digital Workflow)Suggestion 1: Learning Management SystemSuggestion 2: Google ClassroomSuggestion 3: Class Websites, QR Codes, and Google Forms7. Rethinking AssessmentProblem: I Hate Grading!Suggestion 1: Digital Student Response SoftwareSuggestion 2: Learning Management Systems AssessmentsSuggestion 3: Online FormsProblem: I Need to Differentiate Assessments Based on Individualized Education Program Accommodations and/or ModificationsSuggestion: Screencast AssessmentsProblem: My Students Have a Hard Time Self-AssessingSuggestion 1: Metacognitive ScreencastingSuggestion 2: Digital PortfoliosThe Draw of Google DrawingsProblem: Teaching Students How to Give Peer FeedbackSuggestion 1: Google DriveSuggestion 2: Google Drive and Google FormsSuggestion 3: Blogging and QuadbloggingAccountability Without Assessment: Gamification and Achievement Badges8. Creating a Positive Classroom EnvironmentProblem: Creating a Culture of Respect and CollaborationSuggestion 1: Mood Check-InsSuggestion 2: Class Dojo for Encouraging Positive ActionSuggestion 3: Using Music to Set the MoodProblem: Supporting Struggling StudentsSuggestion 1: BloggingSuggestion 2: Positivity TimelinesProblem: Communicating With FamiliesSuggestion 1: Class Dojo for CommunicationSuggestion 2: Google FormsSuggestion 3: Digital Newsletters/Class Blog9. Planning for Powerful LearningProblem: Finding Curricular ResourcesSuggestion 1: Pinterest and EduClipperSuggestion 2: Twitter and Google+Suggestion 3: Blogs!Problem: Scheduling Time for Collaborative Team PlanningSuggestion 1: Google CalendarSuggestion 2: Doodle.comSuggestion 3: Google HangoutsProblem: Vertical Alignment—What’s the Rest of the School Teaching?Suggestion 1: Google DriveSuggestion 2: Shared CalendarsPART III. SAILING INTO THE GREAT BEYOND10. Power to the PupilCultivate Curiosity: How Do I Build Curiosity?Sorting Your Questions: Questdones and QuestrunsOutwit Obstacles: How Do I Teach Perseverance?Purposeful Playtime: How Do I Find the Time for Purposeful Play?Reimagined Centers20% TimeOpen SchedulingBringing the Purpose to the Playtime: Entering Creation StationReflect, Reflect, Reflect11. Discovering the Power of VoiceAmplifying Our StudentsStep 1: Finding Their Inner Voice—Blogs Versus DiariesStep 2: Sharing Their Voice With Others—Building Classroom Discussions and BackchannelingStep 3: Teacher-Moderated Sharing—Dipping a Toe Into Social MediaStep 4: Opening the Garden Walls—Diving Into Social Media12. With Great Power Comes Great ResponsibilityRevisiting Problem-Based LearningDigging in to Problem-Based LearningStep 1: Finding the Problem-Based Essential QuestionStep 2: Developing the ChallengeStep 3: Rising to the ChallengeStep 4: Showcasing the LearningThe Role of the TeacherProblem-Based Learning Spotlight—KidTREK: A Safe Journey App for StudentsThe Student Becomes the MasterPART IV. REFLECTING ON YOUR EDVENTURE13. Evaluating Your PracticeLooping in Your Critical FriendRevisiting the SAMR and TIM FrameworksLeveling Up With the SAMR ModelApproaching the Three Dimensions of the TIMSharing Your AdventureTaking It a Step Further: Presenting Your Story14. Staying Inspired and Finding SupportCreating a Professional Learning Network That WorksProfessional Learning Communities and Professional Learning NetworksCultivating Constructive ConflictA Shared SpaceTeacher-Led Learning EventsEdCampsPLAYDATEsFormal Learning EventsStep 1: Go With a Goal in MindStep 2: Keep a Three-Dance CardStep 3: Recruit Allies and Use Collaborative ToolsStep 4: Schedule Time With Yourself to Debrief IndividuallyStep 5: Pay It Forward15. Planning Your Next EdventureBe Your Own HeroDon’t Get ComfortableChannel Your Inner StudentShare Your Crazy PillsAppendix A- Challenge Card TemplateAppendix B- Teacher Innovation Exploration Plan (TIEP)Index