Becoming Change Agents

1/19/2011

This workshop was life-altering for me. Working with middle schooolers since my career started in 1993, I've been all about change, as well as constantly transforming myself as an educator to understand (and meet) the developmental needs of young adolescents. In fact, my middle schoolers are really responsible for allowing me to embrace such an attitude. It's only natural that I was so open to this workshop.

How do see yourself as an agent of change? How do you model taking risks and embracing change? What can you do to encourage your students to become change agents? And how is this all connected with 21st Century skills and learning?

14 Comments

Jessica Pitkin

1/20/2011 07:09:41 am

I see myself as an agent of change because I am willing to learn how to use new technologies and teach others how to use them as well. I have many colleagues that are not very comfortable with technology in the classroom, but the scariest part is usually learning to use the technology. Once the skill is learned, applying the technology to teaching and learning follows naturally.

I used to not like change at all because it can be hard and disruptive to routines and life. Through recent personal experiences I have become more open to change. On a daily basis I try to show students that teachers do not have all the answers. I often ask students to help me figure out how something works, or to check something I have written to make sure nothing is spelled incorrectly. A group of my students will start using glogster in the next few weeks. I have told them about the website and the fact that I am not well versed in the new technology. They asked me many questions that I could not answer yet, but I told them that we will be discovering new ideas together. I tried to convey my excitement about trying something new, so hopefully my students will be equally as excited.

One thing I would like to try to do is have my current and future students be more involved in the classroom dynamics. Simply by asking my students what changes can be made will open up a good dialogue. How can the classroom be set up better to serve your needs? What would you like to do more of? What kinds of technology would you like to learn more about and use on a more regular basis?

I believe that all of these ideas are linked to 21st skills and learning because change is the name of the game. Everyday new technologies and ideas are presented. Students and teachers now have be willing to change the way teaching and learning happens in schools. If we simply add technology to our exisiting teaching strategies, we will quickly fall behind. But, if we are able to change the ways we are teaching and incorporate technology in that change, we can open up so many more possibilites for our teachers and students.

Lauren DeSantis

1/21/2011 06:06:01 am

I can see myself as an agent of change after viewing this video. I think that it is time for change within the school systems, not only on the lower education levels but also at the high education levels. I think that it is very important to be able to be flexible and that you have to be open to change especially in education. Technology is one of the best ways to show how you can change and be flexible because it is something that is always changing. It teaches us that change can be good or bad but that it is always happening.

I was not a person that liked change at first until I got into teaching. I always found change hard to deal with. I liked things one way and one way only when I was growing up. I always wondered if it was from being in school. When I was younger doing homework with my dad I can always remember saying to him “No, I can’t do it that way! Our teacher wants it done this way!” and the teachers always did want it that way. I guess that is why change was so hard for me. However, over the years I have learned that change can be a great thing. Being able to be flexible is how you survive in the world. It took me a long time to figure that out and I still don’t think I can fully say that I grasp the concept of change. Along with change comes taking risks. I have learned that taking risks is not always as scary as people make it out to be. It can be exciting and make you a stronger and better person. I have never really been a risk taker, I always liked to stay in the “safe zone” and know that I was doing something that was up to par, but after being in college and being in a work environment I am learning that risk taking is an important part of life. Although you may not always get the result that you want I feel that it is more effective to take a risk and fail rather than to not take a risk at all. It helps you to find who you are and where your limits can be pushed. It is important in finding and developing yourself, who you are, and who you can become.

I think that when I am teaching I can encourage my students to become risk takers and like change. I think it is very difficult to do because of the standardized testing children take in school. All of these tests are done a certain way and don’t have an option of change or risk taking. I would want my students to know that change and risk taking are important in learning about yourself and life. I believe that by offering my students risks to take they can learn that it’s okay to try something new. I also believe that by using technology I can teach them about change. The internet and its applications are always changing and by using the applications they can learn what is great about these applications and what does not work. The best part about this is that everyone will have a different opinion and they will learn that what works for one student may not work for another. Just like what we are going to do in this class. Learning cannot be a one way street and students need to know that we are not perfect and can make mistakes.

This is all connected with 21st century learners because children all learn on a different level and with these new technologies we can let all children learn on their level. We can challenge their limits and push them to strive past what they ever thought was possible, just by using a computer or program. In my opinion 21st century learners have so many different options and opportunities than past century learners. Therefore it is very important for them to be able to accept change and take risks, and by using technology we can accomplish this.

Christina Rinaldi

1/23/2011 02:12:48 am

I am change are three very powerful words. It is hard for people to grasp this concept when we have been so guided to learn and do things in a particular way our during our path of education. Read Chapters 1-4, answers questions at the end of the Chapters, discuss in class, test on Friday, fill in the bubbles completely, learn this because you have to know it for next year. I can't say that I blame most of my teachers, because being a teacher myself now, I get the confines of a curriculum can make it very difficult for a teacher to stray from what is handed them to deliver. There are so many walls up in education that it is discouraging to teachers and students to go further with technology and innovation.

I am change. I recently decided that as teachers, we have to learn to stray, even if it is a scary thought, and you may get shot down, you still have to go for it. You have to be a voice in changing how your school functions. We have to engage these students, we have to make them want to learn, we have to let them know that if they have no one at all at home encouraging them to succeed, they have one person standing in front of them that will always be their supporter.
I recently decided to break a few school rules. I haven't gotten in trouble yet, so hopefully it will all work out. My rule breaking isn't any major thing, but it is giving my students the opportunity to go on the internet on their phone or itouch to look up reference pictures for a project (our school has blocks up on so many things, a lot of it I understand why, but it is ridiculous some of the websites that are blocked, such as Google Sketch up, that I can't do, but I could go onto a graffiti creator website no problem. Whatever..) The students come in and want to show me pictures they've taken and altered in picnic ( a website one of my students mentioned to me about and showed me how to use it) and I am thrilled to see their work. They get so excited. The rules say I have to take their phone away or ipod if I see it and I get it, I understand the distraction that it causes in the classroom, I really do. However, why is it so bad if they use it for something educational? Why can't they use their phone to look up something for class? One of my students is working on a still life, and he was concerned that it would be messed with if he left the objects out and that he couldn't get the same look the next day..so I told him to use his phone and take a picture and he looked at me like, "Is she tricking me and she'll just take it from me or is she serious?" He trusted me and thanked me for letting him do that. It was such a small thing, but I think it made a big difference. I think I could get away with this a lot more in art, so I am going to try to get away with as much as possible.
So this is my change. I'm breaking a few rules to adapt to 21st century learners, I am breaking rules to show administration that we need to revamp the curriculum and incorporate more technology wherever possible, and financially possible, we need to make technology available to all teachers, not just the academics, and by doing all this we can really make a change in a positive direction. Our students need to be challenged and motivated, giving them tasks that are personal and meaningful, and not dictated is the way can accomplish this. These children we are teaching will be our future, why not prepare them for it instead of holding them back?

Barb J

1/23/2011 08:37:56 am

Me? A change agent? Ha! I HATE change. I the type of person who hates change. I have certain routines that I stick to, simply because I am comfortable that way. When something happens and there is a change to my daily schedule (um, like all the snow days recently), I begin to go a little crazy. I am a person who needs consistency.

However, I am someone who has pretty much grown up with technology. I was in 7th grade when my family got our first computer, and that was after many other families already had one. While I may not be the first to use some new impressive type of technology, I definitely love and embrace it.

Technology has made me a better learner. I have neat teacher handwriting, but my normal handwriting is horrible. If I try to take notes in class, I can never read them the next day. I was at the point where I was ready to give up taking notes all together, because it was pointless. Then, I realized that I could TYPE my notes while in class! Holy cow! What a difference that made for me! I can type faster and neater than I can write, and I can retain more information because I am not worried about trying to write neatly.

Since realizing that such a small thing made such a huge difference in my learning, it is reasonable to conclude that technology can help many, many other learners, too. There is such a wide variety of tools at out fingertips, and kids learn to use technology very quickly. If it is going to help engage them in a lesson, or help them make connections, or encourage them to write more, why are we not using it?

Oh, right. The budget. I work with small intervention groups all day. There are two other teachers in the same room with groups. We have one computer in our room, it is strictly for teacher use. There are websites, games, and software that could definitely help many of my kids learn, and I don't have access to them! It is incredibly frustrating! I want to help this new wave of learners, but my district is preventing that. I'm ready. The kids are ready. Our school districts are not.

Stephanie C

1/24/2011 07:45:03 am

I definitely feel like I am an agent of change. While many people become apprehensive about change, I do not. In fact, I am one of those rare individuals that crave change. It drives those around me crazy. Every few days, weeks, months, years, I am changing something about my life or environment. In the classroom, I’m always switching groups and partners. At home, my couch and living room have been redesigned every few weeks. I need change, because without it things just become stale.

Because I love change, I often find myself as the agent of change. I love finding new things and then passing them along. I love seeing what is the next big thing and I’m constantly obsessed with staying on top of current trends. I especially love technology and I love finding new ways to integrate new technology into the classroom. I definitely don’t mind making a fool of myself when my “changes” don’t go as expected. Instead, I try to learn from my missteps and keep pushing forward. I’m not afraid of risks.

Being a classroom teacher, 21st century learners are so exciting to me! These are kids that grew up on the new technology and know as much or more than I do about technology. I love it because we get to push each other to new levels. I am struggling with teaching using technology the way that I feel will impact my students and teaching the way my district demands me to. I’m also struggling with the fact that while our classroom may be technologically advanced, my students’ homes are not. I feel obligated to teach them many technology skills that they may never get at home, like how to use a computer and how to type.

Change is directly connected to 21st century learning because in the end we will never be able to learn and in turn teach about all the current technology. Instead we have to teach students how to deal with it and give them the skills to become independent learners. We have to teach them not to fear new technologies, but rather to embrace them. We have to teach them how to network so that if they are struggling they can still find the answer. We have to teach them to become change agents.

Dawn C

1/25/2011 09:16:07 am

I am somewhat of an agent of change. I am happy to embrace change and learn new technology, but am not out seeking the next new gadget. I feel that once I learn a new tool there is an updated version and can never keep up. However, I do realize how important change is and need to flexible with it, especially working with our students.

I am working with preschoolers and we do not use the computer much in the classroom. However, I do encourage my class as a group to look up unknown facts on the internet to become better learners. I also believe that there are websites and programs to help teach students, preschoolers in my case, to learn the alphabet and numbers which will prepare them for kindergarten. I would encourage parents of my students to work with their children on these programs at home. The more experience they have with technology at an early age, the better they will be in older grades.

The world is in constant change and we as teachers have to flexible and teach our students that technology should not be feared but embraced. We should integrate as much technology into the classroom daily. This allow for both teachers and students to become change agents.

Katie S link

1/25/2011 11:03:07 pm

I definitely think I model taking risks with my students because I actually take those risks right along side them. I'm not embarrassed to tell a student I don't know the answer, and then work with them to find it. I think it's really important to let students know that we're not the end all be all of knowledge, and I think it's equally important to throw ourselves into learning the way we hope our students will. I strive to learn every day alongside my students, and I hope that my energy and enjoyment will feed them and foster their own excitement and drive.

I try to encourage my students to be agents of change by challenging them: the way they think, what they believe, etc. My goal is to help students become thinkers; I want them to think, analyze, criticize, and synthesize any and every situation which they face. I want them to have confidence in themselves, and to push the boundaries of their knowledge. I believe that help students to cultivate and embrace these skills will help them every day for the rest of their lives. To me, being able to think is THE 21st Century Skill. If you can think, you can figure out how to solve problems, where to look for information, judge the validity of that information, and form your own educated judgments about any scenario. This is the essence of learning, and it is the heart of why I teach.

Jenny B.

1/26/2011 02:49:12 am

I think what Jessica said about involving the students in the classroom dynamics and opening up dialogue is crucial to helping students become agents of change. So many have never been asked what they think of things- they are just told what to think. If we want our students and children to be 21st century learners, able to think and enable change, we need to allow them to do just that!
I believe that I am an agent of change, as are so many other teachers, but there are so many obstacles in our way! Budget cuts, job and program cuts, and "old school" administration that think technology is an extra. It is crucial to bring in technology to all classrooms, no matter what is being taught, but it is becoming harder and harder to do just that.
I take risks every day, and every day encourage my students to do the same. While this rarely involves technology (the only computer I currently have access to is my laptop that we are not allowed to have students use), it still helps my learners. They are learning to set goals for themselves and take risks as a means to achieve these goals. Even the mandatory assessments I give as part of my academic support job have become a way for the students to challenge themselves (can you beat last weeks score? how can we make you better?) and they are loving taking on this responsibility.
I love what Katie said about thinking being THE 21st century skill- I could not have said it better! If our students learn to think, what can't they accomplish? We just have to allow them to think... which many classrooms are simply not set up for.

Arley S

1/26/2011 04:25:50 am

I am fortunate to work in a relatively new school that is going through a period of growth and development. While this can be hectic, confusing, and at sometimes scary, I have had several opportunities to be a change agent in regards to curriculum development, events and programing, and even school policy. Initially, I almost felt unworthy of making decisions and implementing programs because I was a new teacher and one of the youngest in the building. I have found that I need to trust my instincts and that collaboration is essential. I trust that I am able to accomplish whatever I have set in my goal and if I don't know how to do it, I'll find someone who will and work with them! I've found that I've been able to make the greatest change in my classroom and in my school by reconsidering preconceived limitations and finding ways to work around them with my colleagues and students.

I try to encourage my students to be change agents by incorporating choice into my curriculum as much as possible. When students can choose to research and learn about something that they are interested in, they are more likely to engage with the material at a higher level. This high level of engagement requires them to take risks and challenge themselves. When students are "hooked"on a topic, they take on the responsibility of learning and begin to work as "21st century learners". To me, 21st century learners are innovative and grow and adapt based upon the needs of the situation they find themselves. By holding high standards and incorporating collaboration, discussion, debate, and problem solving in my courses I try enable and empower my students so that they will be critical thinkers and agents of change in their own life.

Christina N.

1/26/2011 04:37:10 am

I see myself as a agent of change because I am constantly seeking innovative technologies and strategies that can better me not only as an educator but as a person. Our world is changing, and education needs to change with it. I have observed so many math classes where the learning is being handed to the students. Teaching styles are lectured and students are sitting taking notes. No critical or innovative thinking is being made. One of the first quotes from the video was
"to leave a sustainable legacy". That is what education should be like. Students wont remember if they are sitting day by day taking notes. They need to be active and involved. I want to teach each and every one of my classes and "leave a sustainable legacy".
The way I model being a risk taker and embracing change would be through the way I teach. I want to teach my class where students are at their own pace and learning from their own styles. Some students might be learning with the support of myself. Others are exploring on WebQuests. Others are researching uses for what we are learning in the real world. Some are doing group activties that conincide with the topic of study. Another quote that was from the video was about trust and how the group had to trust one another with their own work. "What value they can add to your work?" I think this is a vital quote that teachers can think about when reflecting on their teaching. What value can my students had to my lesson? Students will surprise you when you give them control of their own learning.
I agree, I love how Katie said that thinking should be "the skill". I think the role of a teacher needs to change. We should be an advisor. One who watches over as students are in control. Ideally, students should have say in our district's curriculums. How great would it be if students can have a voice in that dissucssion and own their own learning! That is why I love the way this course is ran. What we are really intereasted in we can explore. This should carry into our school systems.

Carolyn Z

1/26/2011 05:54:27 am

When it comes to my work life, I see myself as a begrudging change agent. I am often resistant to change when it first presents itself, but I quickly learn to accept and am grateful for the change. I am not yet a teacher, but I find this to be a case in my current job writing proposals. When process changes at work arise, I am usually annoyed by the need to change my routine; however, after a day or two, I come around and realize that the change was necessary and my job has been made a little easier. I have even found myself holding back my own ideas so that I don’t have to change what I am used to doing only to see that when I do finally make a suggestion, everyone, including me, reaps the benefits.

I tend to be a change agent and model risk taking more in my personal life. I get bored easily, so I am often exploring new hobbies. This past fall I tried a new recipe once every week when making dinner for my husband and me. I am currently trying to train myself to be able to run a 5K. These small changes cause disruption to my routine, but I find that when I mix things up a bit, I have something to look forward to.

I do not yet have a classroom, but when I do, I feel I will encourage change in my students. I believe the best experiences and the most learning opportunities present themselves when we are outside of our comfort zones. If we stay in one place, we’ll never explore and learn what is around us. Also, adapting to 21st century skills is critical, especially to students today. In order to be successful in school, and in “the real world”, students must be able to adapt to an always-changing environment and they must know how to use technology efficiently and productively. Knowing how to use technologies is a necessary life skill. Once today’s students grow up and enter the workforce, they will have to know how to use technology in order to get a hold a job. Without these skills, they may not be able to survive in the “real world”.

Jennifer F

1/26/2011 06:03:16 am

How do see yourself as an agent of change?
I think teacher can be defined as change agent. We are there to help our students improve on the knowledge that they already have. We are constantly building on prior knowledge in math to increase our student’s knowledge. As the teacher it is my job to not only provide my students with an education, but allow them to see how they can educate themselves. Math is pretty cut and dry, but there are numbers of websites available for students to better their skills or explore the uses of the particular subject area. .
How do you model taking risks and embracing change?
Well, Ive changed my new kitchen around three times in the last month so that each drawer and cabinet is used to its best capacity…. Does that count? I take risks by trying things without knowing what the outcome might be. I am okay with making mistakes along the way in order to learn from and help in the learning process. Change to me means different or new so I am always up for upgrading… I embrace change by exploring its possibilities.
What can you do to encourage your students to become change agents?
As a change agent (teacher) I aspire to promote change, encourage self motivation, lead by expressing my own passions for life and learning, and always be open to listening and understanding people
And how is this all connected with 21st Century skills and learning?
The 21st century learner is engulfed in technology even before they can read and write. Kids of today are playing video games and have a computer knowledge that far surpasses what we (30 somethings) had as toddlers, young children, teens, etc. As a change agent in the 21st century it is imperative that we broaden our students knowledge by embracing the technologies that they already know so well.

Ayesha

1/27/2011 10:02:17 am

Now, that I finally found out how to get toleave a message (boy, I guess I really need to be in this course...I have a lot to learn).

I beleive that learning happens once you a person is placed in an uncomfortable situation. These students started learning without knowing they were learning. Although they were waiting for instruction, they quickly learned they would not be getting instruction; therefore, creating their own learning experiences separately and together.

I'm excited to learn from myself along with m peers.

Charlie P

1/30/2011 10:39:28 am

Thoughts on Change and Transformation:
Think about how our lives are changing every minute of every day. We shed our skin daily like snakes and leave parts of ourselves wherever we go without much thinking about it. Today's nano-second culture pushes us onward toward the next big thing at ever increasing speed until we have trouble remembering yesterday. But then why should we concern ourselves with yesterday if it is merely all about change - if we are just Change. But are we? Is it a good thing to claim that "I am Change?"

No, the truth is that I am Not Change but an Agent of Change, a Facilitator of Change. Because Change is inevitable I need to learn how to be an ever more EFFECTIVE Agent of Change. As a teacher it is my responsibility to assist my students and help them to think about and consider how to effectively manage their change-filled lives, just as I am constantly learning to manage my own. The key thing here is to accept that change never stops so we cannot stop adjusting, adapting, and acclimatizing to it.

Managing Change successfully is wholly dependent on one's attitude. Change must be accepted and embraced. It must be seen as a measure of success. As an example, a long time ago, my father went to visit his uncle who was a Professor of Botany nationally known for his seminal research. In contrast, my father barely knew how to spell botany. And so, when his uncle came home at the end of the day, instead of asking a question that might further showcase his own ignorance of of the subject, my father simply asked, "Uncle John, how was your day?". "Thank you for asking", said his uncle who appeared genuinely pleasedwith the question. "As a matter of fact", he said, "It was a wonderful day." "In fact", his uncle continued, smiling broadly, "This was one of the best days I have ever had... today I proved that all of the conclusions I have published over the last 10 years are totally wrong!". No that's having the right attitude !

In the early '80s, Tom Peters penned the admonition "If it ain't broke, break it." His purpose was to stimulate American corporate management to break the shackles of the status quo and become customer-centric and globally competitive. American Industry's subsequent recovery in the late '80s and '90s was in part a result of this change in philosophy. The causes of the Great Recession that put us where we are today came about because we stopped changing once we found what worked. Having achieved success, our government and business leaders failed to continue to manage the changes we had made; they stopped adjusting, adapting and acclimatizing and so "the wheels fell off the wagon". Peters' words are still true on a global scale. It is all about managing constant Change.

And the merry-go-round never stops...

Becoming Change Agents

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