In the process of intentionally planning the implementation of blended learning, focusing on the desired result, influencers, and vital behaviors are the seeds that will grow into transformational change in our schools.
The desired result is that we will provide one thousand CMSD K-8 scholars a personalized blended learning experience utilizing our Schoology LMS by January 31st, 2024. The influencers, our teachers, will have two vital behaviors. They will use formative data to design personalized learning experiences for our scholars and provide access to the learning in Schoology. Seems pretty simple, right? A ton of reading about case studies and research have led me to this seemingly simple plan. Narrowing the focus to a specific measurable goal, identifying the influencers, and putting the emphasis on only two vital behaviors will likely give us our desired result.
To get our influencers onboard, we must also intentionally plan to influence, motivate, and support the journey. These six sources of influence will develop the strong roots we need for our plan to succeed. Have you ever heard the saying, “skill or will”? With the six sources of influence, we can eliminate any “buts” by empowering our influencers through building stronger abilities and motivating our influencers to join our innovation plan through personal, social, and structural sources.
Motivation for anything comes back to the “why”. If we can get our educators to connect with the reason they chose the work they do every day, then we can get them onboard to do hard things for the children they care so much about. I’ve learned that the peer accountability is an effective way to build social motivation as well as acknowledgments and rewards, so built in is time to collaborate and celebrate together.
Ability is also an area of influence, and empowering someone to have the skills to succeed will encourage full participation. Coaching cycles, professional learning communities, and opportunities to share with peers will empower and scaffold skill development for all influencers.
References:
Grenny,J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change, Second edition. McGraw Hill.
Harapnuik, D. (2015, January). The head won’t go where the heart hasn’t been. [Video]. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=5461