Professional Learning Community (PLC)

on Student-Centered Learning in High School

September 20, 20133:30-5:00 pm

Introductions and Background

• Welcome• Background:– Nellie Mae Education Foundation New Approaches in Urban

Districts Grant – $450,000 / 18 months to research , plan and pilot blended

learning models at the high school level – Part of a cross-district community of practice with other

Connecticut communities: Danbury, Meriden, New Haven, Manchester, Norwalk; Chelsea and Revere in Massachusetts; and Providence in Rhode Island

– PLC Introductions2

Introductions ….In 30 seconds, tell us about :•Who, what, and where you teach•Something that you know about blended learning

OR•Question you have about blended learning

OR•Something you like/dislike about blended learning

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Planning Goals

Goals: 1.To increase district and community knowledge of student-centered blended learning2.To determine ways to use blended learning to increase student achievement and differentiate learning3.To engage in action research to pilot and evaluate blended learning approaches in two schools: Pathways Academy of Technology and Design and Bulkeley Teacher Prep and Humanities Academy4.To share best practices from the blended learning research for consideration throughout district

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Project Scope and Planning Activities

I Where we are today

II Explore promising practices

III Develop a Shared Vision for Blended Learning

IV Engage the Community for Input and Expand Knowledge

V Pilot implementation plans in Bulkeley and Pathways

VI Project Report 5

Planning Teams and Key Participants

• Bulkeley/Pathways Professional Learning Community (PLC)

• Superintendent’s Work Group on Student-Centered Learning in High School

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What is…Student Centered Learning? Student Centered Learning: •Emphasizes that education is not “one-size fits all.” •Students develop their academic and career interests and produce authentic, professional work to demonstrate their learning. •Teachers act as coaches, advisors, and facilitators, providing students with the opportunity to take charge of their own learning.

(Moeller & Reitzes, 2011)

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What is…Blended Learning?

Blended Learning – a formal education program in which a student learns in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace; in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home.

(Clayton Christensen Institute, 2012)

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The Basics of Blended Learning

• educationelements. (2011, September 24). The Basics of Blended Learning [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xMqJmMcME0

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Blended Learning Models

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Rotation

• Within a course or subject, students rotate on a fixed schedule (or as directed by the teacher) between different learning modalities, at least one of which is online learning.

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Rotation

• Example: The KIPP LA Empower Academy

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Flex

• Instruction is delivered primarily via the Internet, with students moving on an individually customized sequence; scheduling is fluid among learning modalities, and the teacher of record is on site.

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Flex

• Example: San Francisco Flex Academy

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Self-Blend

• Students choose to take one or more courses entirely online to supplement their traditional courses.

• Example: Quakertown Community School District

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Enriched model

• Students divide their time between attending a brick-and-mortar campus and learning remotely using online delivery of content and instruction.

• Example:Albuquerque eCADEMY

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Hybrid Models

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What role does the PLC play?

The PLC will be the practitioner core of the planning grant. The group will come together to learn, share experiences, explore new tools, and problem-solve together. The work of the PLC will inform the Superintendent’s Work Group on Student-Centered Learning.

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PLC Site Coordinators’ Responsibilities

• PLC Site Coordinators from Pathways Academy of Technology and Design and Bulkeley Teacher Prep and Humanities Academy• Serve on the Superintendent’s Work Group• Participates in site visits and CoP sessions• Lead the building PLC work in collaboration with Program

Coordinator and Planning Consultant • Complete the assigned responsibilities as specified in the

Nellie Mae Grant, MOU, and Project Work Plan

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PLC Members’ responsibilities• PLC Members: 10 high school teachers to participate in action research

around blended learning.• Conduct action research in their classrooms and document the

experience• Develop a theory of action regarding blended learning as a student-

centered approach to support Common Core State Standards, College and Career Readiness, build students’ autonomy and motivation, and provide personalized learning opportunities for students anywhere, anytime.

• Gather and review information about blended learning approaches• Document existing models within Hartford Public Schools• Visit programs to experience blended learning models and outcomes• Assess findings of the literature and internal and external reviews

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PLC 2013-2014 Membership

Location Name Title Grant Role Email Address Site Contact

Bulkeley Kerry Swis tro Theme Coach PLC Si te Coordinator swisk001@hartfordschools .org

Bulkeley Kim Chi ldress Theme Coach PLC Si te Coordinator CHILK001@hartfordschools .org

Bulkeley Justin Taylor Socia l Studies Teacher Pi lot Teacher TAYLJ006@hartfordschools .org Kim

Bulkeley Bel inda Perez Math Teacher Pi lot Teacher pereb001@hartfordschools .org Kerry

Bulkeley Jess ica Chi rdon Engl i sh Teacher Pi lot Teacher petej001@hartfordschools .org Kim

Bulkeley Paul Griswold Engl i sh Teacher Pi lot Teacher GRISP001@hartfordschools .org Kerry

Bulkeley Kevin Clemens Socia l Studies Teacher Pi lot Teacher CLEMK001@hartfordschools .org Kerry

Pathways Rob D'Andrade Math Teacher PLC Si te Coordinator DEANR001@hartfordschools .org

Pathways Shayna Chomko Socia l Studies Teacher Pi lot Teacher CHOMS001@hartfordschools .org Rob

Pathways Jul ia Rivera World Language Teacher Pi lot Teacher RIVEJ003@hartfordschools .org Rob

Pathways David Goldblum Principa l PLC member David.Goldblum@hartfordschools .org

Bulkeley Gayle Al len-Greene Principa l PLC member ggreene@hartfordschools .org

Centra l Offi ce David Stoloff Consultant Project Consul tant David.Stoloff@hartfordschools .org

Centra l Offi ce Michel le Puhl ick Exec. Di r. Curriculum and InstructionProject Manager PUHLM001@hartfordschools .org

Centra l Offi ce Deidre Tavera Exec. Di r. Strategic Planning and DevelopmentProject Manager TAVED001@hartfordschools .org

Centra l Offi ce Sarah Horkel Program Coordinator Program Coordinator HORKS001@hartfordschools .org

Nellie Mae Professional Learning Community

Other Contacts

PLC Blended Learning Implementation Plans

• Individual plans for Implementation Phase• Focuses on the integration of blended learning with specific

students and classes• Informs the Superintendent’s Work Group and Nellie Mae on

the progress of the project• Informs our next steps for resources, site visits, and planning

to support further implementation• Plans are due on Thursday, October 17, 2013, emailed by site

coordinators to David.Stoloff@hartfordschools.org and Horks001@hartfordschools.org

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PLC Supports

• PLC meetings – building-based and district-based• Site Coordinators• Devices• Site visits and conferences• Availability of substitute teachers to allow for required

attendance at project meetings and out of school professional development

• StipendsSite Coordinators – 225 hours ($7,200)PLC members – 170 hours ($5,440)(estimated 4 pay dates – 11/30/13, 2/28/14, 5/31, 9/30)

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PLC Meetings

• Building-based meetings: PLC meetings that will be planned, coordinated, and documented by building site coordinators during the school day or after school, with invitations to the members of the project leadership group;

• District-based meetings: PLC meetings planned and coordinated by David Stoloff and Sarah Horkel, planned to be 4-6 times per academic year

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PLC District-Wide Schedule

• Friday, September 20, 3:30 – 5 pm, Bulkeley

• Wednesday, October 23, 4 – 6 pm, Pathway Academy to Technology and Design

• Wednesday, November 20, 4 – 6 pm, CPBN

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Project Action Research

• Action Research Leader: Dr. David Stoloff• Action Research Plan is grant deliverable for

December 2013• Outlines action research process during

Implementation Phase (January 2014-June 2014)

• Requires qualitative and quantitative data collection

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Next Step: Landscape Scan

• School survey: work group feedback on topics, key questions, areas of inquiry –

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MWSLQNLcompleted by October 4, 2013• Continuing development of project website – http://blendedlearningct.wordpress.com/

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