“At the end of the day, what qualifies people to be called “leaders” is their capacity to influence others to change their behavior in order to achieve important results.” (Grenny, Patterson, Maxfield, McMillan & Switzer, 2013) The book Influencer has been an excellent resource providing tools and key implementation strategies to create change. Grenny points out out in order to make change within an organization it is important to notice vital behaviors, make the changes measurable, notice the obvious, look for crucial moments that can make an impact, and drive change through positive deviants. Once you have identified and addressed these behaviors then we must develop a plan using the Six Sources of Influence. When we can approach a solution in six different ways the possibility of success is ten times as great as just using one of the sources (Grenny, Maxfield, & Shimberg, 2013)
I plan to implement blended learning which will allow students to collaborate with peers, and work at their own pace through experimental problem-based learning. The use of technology has been gradually implemented through the purchase of our districts Learning Management System, but because of lack of resources this implementation has not been consistent in every classroom. This year with new purchases of Chromebooks, all teachers and students will have access to technology a few times a week. Through my implementation plan, I will first pilot blended learning in my classroom and extend this plan throughout the CTE (Career & Technology Education) department, and eventually provide opportunities for the use of technology school-wide. The ultimate goal would be to incorporate all staff, teachers, and administrators in the use of daily technology to provide students with a blended learning student centered environment.
Vital Behaviors
Teachers develop lessons in weekly PLC collaborations that incorporate technology.
Lead teachers and Instructional coaches support weekly in PLC (Professional Learning Community) or mentor meetings to provide assistance to new teachers, and teachers that are new to use of daily technology and LMS. (Learning Management System)
Administration continued use of technology in meetings and sharing documents that require the use of technology.
Measurements
At weekly PLC meetings within the team struggles and success with technology will be shared by each teacher. Teachers will then give advice to address the struggles or will coordinate a time to meet with lead technology teacher or instructional coaches to help and assist teachers that struggled. Any vital information will be added to a google doc and shared in the department head meetings.
Success will be celebrated at campus-wide faculty meeting by giving “Canvas Badge” for outstanding use of technology.
Lead technology teachers and Instructional coaches meet with new teachers or teachers with struggles weekly to provide any additional support and encouragement.
Teachers will access google docs to document tutoring, behavior, and accommodations to be shared with appropriate staff and administration.
Teachers will use documentation to show at evaluation meetings to provide they are using technology effectively in the classroom.
Notice the Obvious
Teachers need to focus on the content not technology. Assignments should be linked to technology to add impact. Teachers need to understand technology should allow for higher order thinking skills not just replace paper.
This is the first year most teachers will have daily access to Chromebooks, iPads, laptops, or desktop computers. All teachers should be weekly incorporating this technology into their high-level lesson planning and discussed in weekly department PLC meetings.
All teachers should be allowing students and parents access to assignments and projects through LMS's. Teachers should work together to add this information across departments. Assign one teacher to share technology documents among the group, to decrease teachers work load.
Professional training should be throughout the year. Teachers should share new found information they have learned through technology during weekly PLC’s. Simple tips they have learned to share with others. Administration gathers this information to present in faculty and/or department head meetings to extend technology tips to all staff.
Look for Crucial Moments
Teachers should be collaborating in technology integration through PLC. The work load should be divided among the group and each teacher should rely on their strengths through technology.
Educate parents the use of technology in the classroom. At the beginning of the year host a technology night, where teachers share how to use LMS, gradebook software, and classroom apps.
Technology training should occur in PLC and campus-wide staff meetings. The training should include short simple tips that have been learned throughout the week, or struggles that have occurred. To provide solutions later. This information is shared during department head meetings and campus-wide meetings.
When there is a technology difficulty get students involved. Many times, a student in your class has experience with the program and can solve the problem before technology specialist can arrive.
Positive Deviants
During the beginning of the year training let campus-wide know the leaders of technology throughout the school and district. Share the technology leader’s availability to assist and train others.
Instructional coaches should be attending PLC’s weekly and providing suggestions and ideas to assist and integrate technology into weekly lessons.
Instructional coaches and peer teachers should be observing teachers and providing feedback to assist integrating technology.
Empower students to explore an innovative technology and share with other peers.
Spot Cultural Busters
Teachers often complain that some devices are slow and waist quality class time. Allow teachers access to computer labs if laptops or other devices are not working properly or slowly.
Each teacher shares in weekly PLC struggles and successes while incorporating technology that week within their team, to encourage and hold accountability within their classroom.
Provide teachers with additional support, from lead teachers or instructional coaches to help with struggles addressed that week.
References
Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change: 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education
J. Grenny, D. Maxfield, A. Shimberg. (2013). How to 10X your influence. Vital Smarts, 1-13. Retrieved from https://www.vitalsmarts.com/resource/10x-your-influence/