Change is not easy. The inevitable truth is that most people do not like change. Influencing people to change requires sharing your “why” and changing their hearts before changing their minds (Sinek, 2018). My Innovation Plan will allow teachers to implement blended learning using a station rotation model to teach social studies in a Kindergarten through Second Grade classroom. My plan is not about introducing a new way of teaching, using more technology, or adding more work for the teacher. Blended learning is a way to better utilize the tools we already have so that students can learn at their own pace and with authenticity. To influence my teachers, I have created a strategy to help implement my innovation plan and bring about innovative changes.
Desired Results
After an 18-month implementation teachers will be using blended learning with a station rotation model to teach Social Studies in the K-2 classroom. Students will be accessing blended learning tools through the Seesaw Learning app that they are already familiar with.
Vital Behaviors
- Teachers will commit to professional development and helping each other learn how to use the Seesaw app.
- Teachers will commit to collaborating with their grade level team when creating choice boards and rubrics for a unit of study in social studies using the district’s pacing guide and curriculum.
- Teachers will meet weekly to discuss what is working with stations and what is not, as well a plan to improve.
Measures
Using rubrics, student projects will be graded for mastery. Students will take district assessments where data will be collected and studied for TEKS mastery. Teachers will use Google Forms to provide feedback on how blended learning is working in their classroom.
Influencers
It will take many people to help influence those who are implementing blended learning. The following will have a vital part in the implementation process:
- principal
- assistant principal
- teachers
- instructional coaches
- district technology integration specialist
- special education teachers
- bilingual teachers
Next Step
According to the authors of the book, Influencer, once the results are identified and vital behaviors are found, the only thing left is to help people adopt the behaviors through mastering the six sources of influence (Greeny, J., et. al., 2013). My goal is to motivate and influence teachers to implement blended learning in their classrooms while providing support and encouragement without teachers feeling as if more has been added to their plate.
Change is not easy for anyone. Influencing people to change their thinking and behavior will definitely be a challenge. It will take perseverance to see my innovation plan to fruition.
References
Grenny, J. (2013, April 26). Change behavior- change the world. YouTube. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T9TYz5Uxl0&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
Greeny, J., Maxfield, D., & Shimberg, A. (2013). How to 10X Your Influence (Vital Smarts, ed.). Vital Smarts. http://www.vitalsmarts.com
Patterson, K., Grenny, J., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2009). Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, First edition (Hardcover). McGraw-Hill.
Sinek, S (2019) Star with why: How great leaders inspire action. TEDXPuget Sound. A. https://youtu.be/sioZd3AxmnE
Blended Elementary 