Transforming Practice

Goals:

1. Thank-you and acknowledgement of learning
2. Consultation on moving forward
3. Share Ideas for Knowledge Dissemination
4. Prepare for May PL Day

Agenda:

Welcome

AISI Update and Thank-you

Consultation:

a) What are the legacy learnings for AISI in RVS?

• Organize and Share

b) What has worked well within the design of AISI in terms of how it has supported teacher and school growth ?

• Share

c) Think Tank: Where do you see us going from here?

• Share

Knowledge Dissemination:

• Action Research Rocky Talk: June 12th from 4:30-6:00.
• Call for Speakers- Contact Josh Hill
• Speaker Template
• To attend R.S.V.P. to Josh Hill

• How will you provide an opportunity for knowledge dissemination at the school level?

May PL Day

Please find the memo below that was sent to all school based administrators that provides important information about our upcoming cohort work: http://www.rockyview.ab.ca/staff/staffmemos/2013-memos/march-2013/upcoming-aisi-cohort-information/view

The annual AISI conference is a valuable learning opportunity as it featured inspirational keynote speakers as well as teachers from around the province sharing their AISI projects and findings. Many of the presentations, including the keynotes by Dr. Andy Hagreaves and Dr. Nat Kendall-Taylor, were captured by video and are available to view here: http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/aisi/leaders/conferences-and-events/conference-2013.aspx

Additionally you can join the AISI Network to see an archive of the 20 live blogs and countless tweets that conference participants shared that chronicles their learning during the conference.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the superb presentation that the following RVS’ teachers shared detailing their action research experience. We hope to capture this presenation and share it with you in the near future.

Thank-you on behalf of RVS!

The AISI 2014 conference could be a great opportunity for you to share your Action Research story with the Provincial Community.

Logistics:

Lunch will be provided at all three venues.

Agenda:

Reflection through Metaphor Activity

Co-Reflection (We will be using cameras to document this activity)

Co-Reflection Protocol: 10 min per person
1.The presenter explains their metaphor reflection and shares any specific areas for which he/she would like ideas and feedback.
2. The group asks clarifying questions and the presenter responds.
3. The presenter can no longer speak but can take notes.
4. Critical Friends:
    a. I wonder if…                                In turn each member expresses a wondering
    b.  A good next step might be…        In turn each member proposes an idea
5. The presenter can ask clarifying questions

Lunch

Challenge Zone Activity

Introduction to knowledge dissemination grant details and AISI Network

AISI Network Tour

Planning for Next Action and Associated Documentation

Posting Action Steps on Google Group

“Ideas that are spreading, have a greater chance of success than those who do not spread.” – Seth Godin

We are excited to announce our dynamic and varied opportunities for the sharing of research findings and best practices. Moving beyond compliance reporting, knowledge dissemination in cycle 5 will be authentic and designed to go viral. The following opportunities for teachers to make their inquires public will be optional and include support and funding. We want to create a culture of open innovation and sharing!

Social Media Tools

 Concept:

Share your Collaborative Action Research Findings with a broad community through social media tools.

Support:

A)   Half day sub release provided for 1-2 representatives per school to attend introduction to Social Media session. Attendees will be equipped to introduce more members of their schools teams if interest exists.

B)   Establish a school digital presence. A learning specialist will support school leadership/tech team to design and launch a school branded social media strategy to provide a medium for teachers to share their collaborative action research findings. Up to 4 half day sub release and learning specialist coaching.

How to Apply:

A)   Event details and e-register link will be sent to school administration when available.

B)   Email Josh Hill to express interest and arrange support.

Blogging

Concept:

Share your Action Research findings by posting on the Divisional Blog

Support:

Template and half day sub release

How to Apply:

Email Josh Hill indicating your interest. Opportunity will close when funds are exhausted.

Rocky Talk

Concept:

Rocky Talks is a divisional celebration of learning modeled on the TED talk format. We will be hosting a Collaborative Action Research themed Rocky Talk in 2013.

Support:

Full day sub release and support from learning specialist and/or University Partner.

How to Apply:

Express interest to Rick Gaudio. Opportunity will close when program is full (5 presentations).

Journal Submission

Concept:

Publish your Action Research findings in a best practice/showcase style format to a Professional Journal. (AISI Journal, ASCD, etc.)

Support:

Full day sub release and a University Partner will provide ideas and feedback throughout the process.

How to Apply:

Express interest to Josh Hill. Opportunity will close when funds are exhausted.

Conference Presentation

 Concept:

Share your Action Research findings as a presenter at a Provincial, National or International conference.

Support:

Up to 2 sub release days.

Travel cost support up to: Western Canada $1200; Eastern Canada/United States $1800; Intercontinental $2500.

Learning Specialist and University Partner coaching available upon request.

How to Apply:

Notify Josh Hill of your intention and apply to present to the conference as per the conference application process. When you are accepted to present you will submit a detailed expense application. Opportunity will close when funds are exhausted.

Here are responses to a number of FAQs regarding Collaborative Action Research and RVS’ AISI Cycle 5. If there are other questions that you would like to see addressed in this format please share them by replying to this post.

1. Do we have to be concerned with FOIP and will Digital Documentation be used to hold teachers or schools accountable?

2. What is the difference between Action Research and Reflective Practice?

3. How will schools be asked to report for AISI cycle 5?

1)    Watch video assigned to your table group

How do we increase student intellectual engagement through authentic experiences that meet each learner’s specific needs, as well as curricular requirements?

a)http://studentvideos.hightechhigh.org/video/158/Laura+Webb%27s+10th+Grade+Dream+House+Project

b) http://studentvideos.hightechhigh.org/video/63/Biodiversity+on+the+Bay

c) http://dp.hightechhigh.org/%7ejrobin/Projects/55Tiles/55wordsbook.pdf

d) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pFMPSWBds&feature=g-histd)

e) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GsN5uwLEww&feature=g-hist

2)    Compose an individual reflection on it in light of the essential question.

What does it make visible in terms of the essential question: How do we increase student intellectual engagement through authentic experiences that meet each learner’s specific needs, as well as curricular requirements?

What questions does it raise? What would you like to explore further? What would you do differently? What can you generalize about our topic of inquiry from this documentation?

3)    Regroup to sit with 2-3 people who were at different groups

4)    Each individual share reflections supported by digital documentation and engage in reflective dialogue as critical friends.

5)    As a group reflect on what questions, ideas, hypothesizes your dialogue has inspired.

West Meeting: Wednesday Dec 12th 1:00-4:00 Cochrane Toyota

East Meeting: Thursday Dec 13th 8:30-11:30 Education Centre

North Meeting: Thursday Dec 13th 1:00-4:00 Education Centre

Goals:

Collaborative Reflection and Analysis on 1st CAR Spiral

Build Capacity for Engaging in Co-Analysis of Digital Documentation

Prepare for 2nd Collaborative Professional Learning Meeting 

Solicit Feedback to Inform Divisonal Supports

Agenda:

1. Reflection: using a tool of your choice compose your response to the following

a) Describe what has occurred in cycle 1 thus far at your school

b) Reflect upon:

• team understanding of CAR paradigm
• collaboration and dialogue
• structures and supports for teacher reflection
• digital documentation

2. Small Group Sharing and Dialogue

3.  Digital Documentation Analysis Activity

4. Introduce and Discuss goals for 2nd school CPLM

• Collaborative Reflection and Analysis on Digital Documentation and Reflection from  1st Spiral
• Revisit Dialogue on Common Understanding of Phenomenon of Study (i.e. Engagement, Literacy Development, Critical Thinking, etc.)
• Plan for Action and Associated Digital Documentation
• Solicit Feedback to Inform School Supports

5. Planning for Action

• Using a tool of your choice reflect on what you will take away from this cohort meeting and what you will do to encourage: documentation, reflection and dialogue
• Share in small group

6. Provide Feedback on Divisional Supports

Frequently Asked Questions Video Draft Questions:

1)    What is the difference between Action Research and reflective practice?

2)    Is digital documentation how we are held accountable?

3)    Do we have to be concerned with FOIP and Ethics considerations?

4)    Where is the rigor in this research?

5)    How will we be asked to report on our AISI learning?

A crucial design feature of the RVS’ Cycle 5 AISI design is the Cohort Collaborative Professional Learning Meetings. The cohort meetings are staggered between school based PL meetings and provide the following:

• Co-planning for school based meetings
• Co-reflection and critical feedback on school based projects
• Co-analysis of school based digital documentation
• Inspiration for future action from sharing between schools
• Opportunity to connect to University Partners and Learning Specialists to arrange school based support.

Schools are invited to send school based representatives to these meetings. It is a school based decision how many representatives will attend. Please be aware that you will need to utilize your school based AISI allocation to support the costs of sub release for these meetings. It is not necessary to RSVP for these meetings.

West Meetings: (Bragg Creek, Springbank, Bearspaw, Cochrane, Westbrook)

We are in the process of trying to find suitable west location(s) for the cohort meetings to alleviate travel inconvenience. Details to follow.

Dec 12th PM (1:00 -4:00 PM) Cochrane Toyota

Feb 6th Full (8:45-3:30) Cochrane Ranch House

April 29th PM (1:00 -4:00 PM) Cochrane Ranch House

May 30th Full (8:45-3:30) Cochrane Ranch House

East Meetings: (Chestermere, Langdon, Beiseker, Kathryn, Indus, Prince of Peace)

Dec 13th AM (8:30 -11:30 AM) Education Centre -Airdrie

Feb 4th Full (8:45-3:30) Chestermere High School

April 30th AM (8:30 -11:30 AM) TBA

May 28th Full (8:45-3:30) TBA

North Cohort (Airdrie, Crossfield)

Dec 13th PM (1:00 -4:00 PM) Education Centre -Airdrie

Feb 5th Full (8:45-3:30) Ramada Inn Airdrie

April 29th AM (8:30-11:30 AM) Education Centre- Airdrie

May 29th Full (8:45-3:30) Education Centre- Airdrie

The videos below feature Dr. Pellerin introducing Collaborative Action Research and Digital Documentation. They were captured at the Oct. 17th and 18th Cohort Collaborative Professional Learning Meetings. Our goal is to provide school representatives with as many resources as possible to support the launch and AISI cycle 5 and the implementation of collaborative action research.