LoTi Guy Speaks

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Targeting Higher-order Thinking in Classroom Walkthroughs

The LoTi Classroom Walkthrough process is intended to promote continuous improvement and reflective practice in the classroom. Teachers are observed on their level of H.E.A.T. or H.E.A.R.T. which stands for Higher-order Thinking, Engaged Students, Authenticity, (Rubrics), and Technology Use in the classroom. Administrators using the Classroom Walkthrough with H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. process are strongly encouraged to provide timely and effective written and verbal feedback to teachers following the walkthrough. This feedback should include a summary of the lesson along with at least one commendation and recommendation regarding the lesson.

Outlined below are commendations and recommendations focusing on the first target area of H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T.: Higher-order Thinking

Higher-order Thinking
One of the simplest ways to determine the level of Higher-order Thinking in a classroom is to note the questioning strategies being used; e.g., the types of questions being asked and perhaps, more importantly, who is asking the questions? Which level of Bloom's Taxonomy would these questions be categorized? Classrooms demonstrating "higher-order thinking" typically involve students asking these higher-order questions rather than the teacher. Most data reveals that the level of questioning is often teacher-led and at the knowledge/comprehension or application level of the Bloom's Taxonomy. So what feedback can we provide teachers to take it to the next level?

Higher-order Thinking Commendations
Start with a positive comment! Administrators can commend teachers on the level of Bloom's being achieved in the classroom walkthrough and/or the questioning strategies being used. Including specific examples of questions that were asked during the observation and discussing the level of Bloom's of the questions is an extremely valuable exercise to do with teachers.

Higher-order Thinking Recommendations
The most productive feedback is usually discovered through reflection after a lesson. This is why the feedback is such a vital part of the Classroom Walkthrough with H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. process. As mentioned earlier, discussion of the lesson regarding the type of questioning strategies and questions asked will surface many ideas for future planning. An approach that often works is listening to the teacher reflect on the lesson and then providing advice and suggestions based on that reflection. In regards to Higher-order thinking there are many helpful resources available to direct teachers in order to enhance their current practice. Check out some of the recommended higher-order thinking sites that follow and utilize these in your own recommendations to teachers.

By the way, elevating the Higher-order thinking in the classroom also increases the level of student engagement and promotes authentic connections to the content.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

LoTi Administrator Orientation

Provided below is the agenda for our LoTi Administrator Orientation "snapshot."

What is LoTi?

• Digital-Age Framework

• Dissertation Studies involving LoTi

• Research-based Results

• School Improvement Model

What is the LoTi Sniff Test?

• Sample Elementary Classroom - LoTi 2

• Sample High School Classroom - LoTi 5

What is H.E.A.T.?

• H.E.A.T. Framework

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

• LoTi/H.E.A.T. Input/Output Model

What is the LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle?

• Assess

- LoTi Digital-Age Survey

• Plan

- Sample Next Steps Action Plan

• Implement

- Sample H.E.A.T. Strategy-Web 2.0 Tools

• Sustain

- Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T (User ID: lotiguest/Password: lotiguest)

* LoTi Observer

* Sample Classroom Walkthrough

* LoTi/HEAT Observation Form

* Sample LoTi Project School Report

Professional Development Opportunities:

• LoTi Administrator Institute (Spring, 2010)

• LoTi Mentor Certification Institute

• Online LoTi/H.E.A.T. Classes (User ID: lotiguest/Password: lotiguest)

Resources:

• LoTi Connection

• LoTi Lounge

• LoTi Classroom

* Buy One, Get One Free online H.E.A.T. courses flyer

Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T.

Provided below is the Classroom Walkthrough with H.E.A.T agenda which includes the goals, agenda items, and resource links.

Goals:
• Learn about each step of the H.E.A.T Walkthrough Process
• Using the LoTi Observer, practice gathering data in classrooms
• Acquire a systems approach for continuous improvement
• Develop a plan for conducting regular H.E.A.T.

Agenda
• Welcome and Overview
• Defining Classroom Walkthroughs
• H.E.A.T.
• LoTi Framework
• CIP Framework
• 5-Step H.E.A.T. Walkthrough Process
• LoTi Observer Application
• Step 1 - Pre-Walkthrough
• Step 2 - H.E.A.T. Walkthrough
• Step 3 - Post-Walkthrough
• Step 4 - Introduction to Group Data Analysis
• Step 5 - Development of Group Action Plan
• Wrap-Up
• Session Evaluation

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The Benefits of Walking (for your mind, your body and your school)

Dr. Oz and the majority of health experts recommend walking at least 30 minutes a day to maintain good health and exercise. Classroom walk-throughs are quickly growing into an effective and practical method for administrators to get a pulse on classroom instruction. Administrators are under more stress than ever to meet demands of federal mandates and state requirements. Walk-throughs might just be a practical and effective strategy by combining mind, body and school into a healthy experience personally and professionally.

The benefits of effective classroom walk-throughs are numerous for both teachers and students. According to Downey in The Three-Minute Classroom Walk-Through, research shows enhanced teacher satisfaction, self-efficacy, and attitude and improved classroom instruction, student discipline, and school effectiveness. The overall perception of principal even improves through the walk-through process! These are all results that we would find valuable in our schools. These results will happen over time so in the meantime we can review some immediate benefits.

The more frequently you walk-through...
the more valid your data.
the more you know what is going on in your school.
the more instructional strategies you will gain and share.
the more teachers and students will see you as a visible leader.
the more consistency you will have established.
the more answers you can provide parents.
the more information you can provide to supervisors.
the more feedback you can provide to teachers.
the more instructional conversations will result.
the more ideas you will have for professional development.
the more needs you will have identified.
the more stress-free you will feel.
the more exercise you will get each day.
the more time you will save.
the more energized you will feel as a leader.

If experts recommend 30 minutes of walking per day and the average classroom walk-through takes 2-3 minutes, you can ideally observe 10 teachers in that time frame. Use a little creativity and break that 30 minutes into 10 minute chunks and make it work for your schedule. Get all administrators involved and you can easily see all teachers at least once per week. Very soon you will start seeing these results and ultimately improving your mind, body and your school!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

GaETC Conference: 2009

Greetings!

If you were able to attend either one of my sessions, Teach 2.0: Challenging the Interactive Generation or Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T. using iPod Touch/iPhone, I referenced several websites. These websites appear below. I look forward to your feedback.

Teach 2.0: Challenging the Interactive Generation

* Teach 2.0: Challenging the Interactive Generation PowerPoint pdf
* Buy One, Get One Free online H.E.A.T. courses flyer
* LoTi Administrator Institute in Atlanta, GA flyer

Big Idea #1

• LoTi Framework

• LoTi Sniff Test

Big Idea #2

• H.E.A.T. Framework

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

Big Idea #3

• Assess - LoTi Digital-Age Survey

• Plan - Next Steps Action Plan

• Implement - Web 2.0 Tools

• Implement - online H.E.A.T. Courses

- Username: lotiguest

- Password: lotiguest

• Sustain - Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T.

Big Idea #4

• HEAT Observation Form

• LoTi Observer

Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T. using iPod Touch/iPhone

Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T. using iPodTouch/iPhone pdf

• LoTi Framework

• CIP Framework

• H.E.A.T. Framework

• HEAT Observation Form

• LoTi Observer

• LoTi Lounge (Select online LoTi Observer Walkthroughs)

- Username: lotiguest

- Password: lotiguest

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The New LoTi Digital-Age Survey

Some of my colleagues have shared their concerns about the potential "drop" in scores on the new LoTi Digital-Age Questionnaire. I expect the LoTi "scores" to drop somewhat in schools throughout the country; this is not a surprise based on the following events:

1. The LoTi Digital-Age Questionnaire was recently aligned to the new NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) for Teachers that were released in July, 2008. These standards set expectations for digital age learning at a significantly higher level than the previous 2002 NETS-T. Unfortunately, the bar has been raised dramatically. Our job is to ensure that the LoTi Survey align with the latest national standards.

2. The results of our latest validation study suggested that the survey response rubric change from teacher's perceptions about their implementation of technology to their actual use. For example, in prior years, the statement, "My students use the classroom digital tools and resources to engage in relevant, challenging, self-directed learning experiences that address the content standards," would have been ranked by the teacher as either "Very True of Me, Somewhat True of Me, Somewhat Not True of Me, and Not True of Me" depending on personal perception.

In the New LoTi Digital-Age Questionnaire, that same survey statement is ranked by the teacher based on frequency of implementation, not personal perception using the scale, "Never, At least once a year, At least once a semester, At least once a month, A few times a month, A least once a week, A few times a week, and At least once a day."

These changes to the survey would account for any dip in the LoTi Levels. Please keep in mind that assessments sometimes change from year to year to reflect changing standards. One example of this phenomenon is standardized tests. Many states change both the types of questions as well as the "cut scores" for standardized tests to reflect updated standards as well as expectations.

May the LoTi Be With You Always!

Chris

MassCUE & M.A.S.S. 2009 Technology Conference

Greetings!

Thank you for attending our session entitled, Using H.E.A.T. to encourage Academic Excellence. Provided below are links to resources discussed during the session.

MassCUE H.E.A.T. Presentation

Big Idea #1

• H.E.A.T. Framework

Big Idea #2

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

Big Idea #3

• LoTi Digital-Age Framework

• LoTi Sniff Test

Big Idea #4

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

• LoTi Digital-Age Framework

Big Idea #5

• HEAT Observation Form