LoTi Guy Speaks

ELA Resources
Read-Write-Think

Thinkfinity

Science Resources
Virtual LabsChemistry
Simulations

Social Studies Resources
270toWin
National Budget Simulation

Fine Arts Resources
The Audition Room
SFS Kids

Web 2.0 Resources
• GoToWeb20
• Web 2.0 Tool: Survey Monkey
• Web 2.0 Tool: Zoomerang
• Web 2.0 Tool: Survs
• Web 2.0 Tool: Dabbleboard
• Web 2.0 Tool: MyWebspiration
• Web 2.0 Tool: Wordle
• Web 2.0 Tool: TagCrowd
• Web 2.0 Tool: Blogger
• Web 2.0 Tool: 21 Classes
• Web 2.0 Tool: Writeboard
• Web 2.0 Tool: Wikispaces
• Web 2.0 Tool: ePals
• Web 2.0 Tool: Gaggle
• Web 2.0 Tool: GoogleDocs
• Web 2.0 Tool: Audacity
• Web 2.0 Tool: GarageBand

Recommendations/Commendations for Your Walkthrough Reports

2011-02-01T06:26:00.000-08:00

After completing either a H.E.A.T. or H.E.A.R.T. Walkthrough, it is critical to balance your teacher feedback with at least one targeted commendation coupled with one specific, yet supportive recommendation. A colleague of mine, Ken Flood, who is Principal of Chelsea Heights School in the Atlantic City School District (New Jersey) shared with me some standardized feedback statements that he uses as part of the District classroom walkthrough process.

As you review these commendations and recommendations, please consider how you might create your own list. You might even want to borrow a few of the statements below!

Commendations:
• The components of the lesson are consistent with the Literacy Collaborative program adopted by the district.
• The components of the lesson are consistent with the 5E model adopted by the district.
• The lesson integrated social studies into the language arts curriculum. The students explored selected topics using the computer as a medium.
• The students are often provided the opportunity to utilize the computer lab where technology is directly connected to task completion.
• The students have benefited from the grants funds that have supported participation in the innovative and new program through Rutgers University.
• The lesson integrated cross-curricular content into the P/E curriculum.
• The students were engaged in the activity for the duration of the lesson.

Recommendations:
• It is suggested that you continue to work in tandem with the BSI teacher to maximize supportive instruction for identified students.
• Where possible, you might want to utilize multiple software applications to accommodate the different level of learners in your classroom.
• Although no technology was used in this particular lesson, please continue to utilize technology that is relevant and directly connected to the completion of the task in the delivery of your lessons.
• It is recommended that you monitor very closely any student activities that require internet usage. This will deter students from deviating from the assigned task.
• Please continue to explore grants options to fund innovative and new programs that would benefit our children.
• It is suggested that you utilize benchmark results to identify areas of concentration and to drive instruction.
• Please continue to collaborate and work in tandem with the Health teacher and to develop cross-curricular lessons whenever possible. This is an excellent way to support other content areas.
• You are to encouraged to meet with at least two guided reading groups per day to remain consistent with the demands of the Literacy Collaborative program.
• Choral repetition will provide all students with the opportunity to practice pronunciation of the new vocabulary.

Teacher Feedback from H.E.A.T. Walkthroughs

2010-12-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

During the 2010-11 school year, the vision for the H.E.A.T. Walkthrough process is 90/90; meaning, 90 percent of the teachers will document receiving face-to-face feedback from every classroom walkthrough and 90 percent of the teachers will indicate that the feedback was meaningful to them in terms of improving professional practice. According to Hall and Hord (2000), “Classroom walkthroughs that include focused one-on-one feedback is the most powerful staff development approach available to impact and change behavior.”

1. Block out a time period on your office calendar each week to provide one-on-one feedback resulting from the H.E.A.T. walkthroughs.

2. Arrange a neutral venue away from your office, but on campus to meet with individual teachers so as to decrease possible interruptions.

3. Plan to meet with the teacher briefly in his/her classroom during or after class.

4. Send a note to the teacher to meet with you by a certain day so as to give flexibility to the teacher to decide when and where for their follow-up feedback.

5. Send an invite message inside a card for the teacher to meet with you at a specific time.

6. Arrange a brief chat over coffee before or after school.

7. Have your office assistant schedule the follow-up meetings with teachers receiving a H.E.A.T. Walkthrough.

Breaking down H.E.A.T. Walkthroughs

2010-11-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

Conducting classroom walkthroughs using the H.E.A.T. framework can serve as a powerful staff development intervention for your teachers if accompanied by targeted and timely feedback. It is also critical that your assessment of the amount of H.E.A.T. generated by students during a classroom visitation maintains a high level of reliability based on each of the H.E.A.T. dimensions. Provided below are some practical suggestions for gauging the amount of H.E.A.T. in the classroom.

Higher order thinking

There is often a tendency to score the Bloom level slightly higher than what actually is taking place in the classroom. If students are completing an endless stream of repetitive math exercises, gathering information from an outside source to summarize in a PowerPoint presentation, or identifying the story elements in a book, there is an excellent chance that the Bloom level is at Understanding level.

Applying is another Bloom level that is often incorrectly measured in H.E.A.T. Walkthrough summaries. Keep in mind that Applying represents students’ ability to transfer key concepts, skills, and/or strategies to new, but similar situations. Students applying information to produce some type of result, using facts, rules, and principles (e.g., using the conventions of persuasion to create a persuasive essay), or solving a problem (using mathematical problem solving to determine the different outcomes for a new board game) are examples of Applying.

Engaged learning

The difficulty with engaged learning is that the concept is often used interchangeably with “involved” learning. Keep in mind that students can be involved in the learning, but not necessarily “engaged.” Engaged learning represents (1) a purposeful cognitive process involving one or more complex thinking processes (e.g., problem-solving, decision-making, inductive reasoning) and (2) student empowerment in the learning process.

The lowest level of engaged learning involves students reporting back information to the teacher using one or more available formats (e.g., multimedia, voice recording, blog, wiki). This level represents students completing any type of worksheet, responding to a teacher-generated prompt, or submitting a summary of their work in a Powerpoint presentation where the teacher serves as the primary audience.

A mid-range level of engagement would involve giving students limited options for solving a problem such as analyzing data from a teacher-generated experiment, completing a Venn diagram comparing two characters from a short story, or students finding a solution to a teacher-generated problem.

Authentic connections

What may be real and relevant to the teacher is not necessarily authentic to students. When appraising the level of authentic connections, a critical question to ask is “Are students applying or transferring their learning to a real-world situation with possible consequences?” If the answer is “Yes,” then the learning event can be viewed as authentic and should be documented as such.

It is important to note that students watching or discussing real-world events (e.g., voter apathy, eating habits) is not necessarily applying their learning. At a high level of authentic connections, students are solving real-life problems or making decisions in a real world context.

Technology use

Believe or not, there is a tendency to rate technology use lower than what is actually happening in the classroom because the activity either involves a low level of Higher order thinking (e.g., Understanding) or a low level of Engaged learning (e.g., reporting back information to the teacher). The culprit in these situations is not the technology use, but the lower levels of thinking, engagement, and authenticity embedded in the student learning experience.

If you do mark Technology use at a level below the following: “Technology use is directly connected to task completion…”, be prepared to provide specific concrete examples on how the technology use could have been expanded to elevate the other areas of H.E.A.T.

The above suggestions will hopefully assist you in promoting reflective practice and professional growth based on walkthroughs that contain both valid and reliable observation data.

LoTi Administrator Orientation: Irving ISD - October 27th, 2010

2010-10-27T04:51:00.000-07:00

Provided below is the agenda for today's LoTi Administrator Orientation.

• 21st Century Teaching & Learning
• Big Ideas for Today
• Megatrends Impacting 21st Century Learning
• What is H.E.A.T.?
- Bloom's Taxonomy
• What is LoTi?

- LoTi Sniff Test
• What is CIP?

• Discussion: How does LoTi relate to H.E.A.T.? Add a comment at the bottom of this blog post now about the relationship between LoTi and H.E.A.T.

• What is the LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle?
• LoTi Implementation Checklist
- LoTi Assessment

- Next Steps Plan

- Reaction Time Simulator
- Reaction Time Spreadsheet
• What is educational followership?
• Retrofitting LoTi

Resources:

• Sample LoTi Project School Report

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

Day 2: Extreme Lesson Makeovers

2010-10-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

As we wind down Day 2 of the LoTi Extreme Lesson Makeovers, I wanted to highlight or feature six specific web tools that can help you "turn up the H.E.A.T." on student learning in your classroom.

Wordle
Wikispaces
Blogger
Edit Grid
Webspiration
Survey Monkey
Edmodo

Susan wants me to add a link to the Reaction Time Edit Grid website.

Reaction Time

Turning Up the H.E.A.T. on Content Benchmarking

2010-08-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleague,

Welcome to the LoTi Teacher Orientation session in the Pittsgrove Township School District. Provided below are links for today's program.

Today's Agenda:

Welcome and Introduction
Benchmarking Leveling Activity
Overview of LoTi/H.E.A.T.

H.E.A.T. Strategies

Focus Activities
Questioning Techniques
Web 2.0 Tools
Web-based Resources

Benchmarking Interventions

Chopped: LoTi Style

Focus Activities

Web 2.0 Tools

GoToWeb20
Web 2.0 Tool: Survey Monkey
Web 2.0 Tool: Zoomerang
Web 2.0 Tool: Survs
Web 2.0 Tool: Dabbleboard
MyWebspiration
Wordle
TagCrowd
Blogger
21 Classes
Writeboard
Wikispaces
Web 2.0 Tool: ePals
Web 2.0 Tool: Gaggle
Web 2.0 Tool: GoogleDocs
Web 2.0 Tool: EditGrid
Web 2.0 Tool: Audacity
Web 2.0 Tool: GarageBand

Web-based Resources

Math Resources

2010-08-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleague,

Welcome to the LoTi Teacher Orientation session at Fort MacKenzie High School. Provided below are links for today's program.

Today's Agenda:

8:30 am: Welcome and Introduction

8:45 am: Large Group: Benchmarking Activity (math and literacy)

9:30 am: Large Group: Overview of LoTi/H.E.A.T.

21st Century Skills

H.E.A.T.

LoTi

LoTi Sniff Test

Web 2.0 Tools

Chopped: LoTi Style

Collaboration Project

Important Links:

Resources:

General Resources:

Math Resources

ELA Resources

Family and Consumer Science Resources

Science Resources

Social Studies Resources

270toWin
National Budget Simulation

Fine Arts Resources

Web 2.0 Resources

Website Construction Resources

Wikispaces for Teachers

Blogger

SchoolNotes

Scholastic Home Page Builder

Jog the Web

Interactive Map Resources

Institute World Guide

National Geographic Map Machine

Google Earth

Video Editing Resources

Movie Maker (Windows)

iMovie (Mac)

Publishing Student Work Resources

Publishing Students Resources

Virtual Field Trip Resources

Take or Create One

Internet 4 Classrooms Trips

Tramline

Photo Sharing Resources

Photobucket

Flickr

Shutterfly

Screen Capture Recording Resources

Cam Studio

i Show U (Mac)

LoTi Teacher Orientation: Sheridan County School District

2010-08-25T05:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleague,

Welcome to the LoTi Teacher Orientation session at Fort MacKenzie High School. Provided below are links for today's program.

Today's Agenda:

21st Century Skills

H.E.A.T.

Bloom's Taxonomy
H.E.A.T. Framework
LoTi
LoTi Sniff Test
Web 2.0 Tools
Chopped: LoTi Style
Collaboration Project

Important Links:

Math Resources

ELA Resources

Family and Consumer Science Resources

Online Resources
Family and Consumer Science Website
Thinkfinity -Search by Content for Resources, Lessons

Science Resources

Social Studies Resources

270toWin
National Budget Simulation

Fine Arts Resources

Web 2.0 Resources

GoToWeb20
Web 2.0 Tool: Survey Monkey
Web 2.0 Tool: Zoomerang
Web 2.0 Tool: Survs
Web 2.0 Tool: Dabbleboard
Web 2.0 Tool: MyWebspiration
Web 2.0 Tool: Wordle
Web 2.0 Tool: TagCrowd
Web 2.0 Tool: Blogger
Web 2.0 Tool: 21 Classes
Web 2.0 Tool: Writeboard
Web 2.0 Tool: Wikispaces
Web 2.0 Tool: ePals
Web 2.0 Tool: Gaggle
Web 2.0 Tool: GoogleDocs
Web 2.0 Tool: EditGrid
Web 2.0 Tool: Audacity
Web 2.0 Tool: GarageBand

Website Construction Resources

Interactive Map Resources

Video Editing Resources

Movie Maker (Windows)
iMovie (Mac)

Publishing Student Work Resources

Publishing Students Resources

Virtual Field Trip Resources

Photo Sharing Resources

Screen Capture Recording Resources

Cam Studio
i Show U (Mac)

LoTi Administrator Orientation: Salina, KS

2010-08-10T04:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleague,

Provided below are the requested links from our LoTi Administrator Orientation session in Spring, 2010.

Important Links:
LoTi Connection
LoTi Lounge
LoTi Classroom (Online Learning)

Resources:

General Resources:

• 21st Century Learning Revisited

• LoTi Sniff Test
• LoTi Framework

• H.E.A.T.

• Thinkfinity

• Ning

• A-Z List of Informal Assessment Strategies

• Questioning Toolkit

• 21st Century Performance Assessments

Math Resources
Interactivate
NLVM
Illuminations
Math Tools

Get Real: Math in Everyday Life
Math Projects
Applying Math Skills to a Real World Problem
Funny Math Videos on Teacher Tube

ELA Resources
Read-Write-Think

Family and Consumer Science Resources
Online Resources
Family and Consumer Science Website
Thinkfinity -Search by Content for Resources, Lessons

Science Resources
Virtual Labs Chemistry
Simulations

Social Studies Resources
270toWin
National Budget Simulation

Fine Arts Resources
The Audition Room
SFS Kids

Web 2.0 Resources
• GoToWeb20
• Web 2.0 Tool: Survey Monkey
• Web 2.0 Tool: Zoomerang
• Web 2.0 Tool: Survs
• Web 2.0 Tool: Dabbleboard
• Web 2.0 Tool: MyWebspiration
• Web 2.0 Tool: Wordle
• Web 2.0 Tool: TagCrowd
• Web 2.0 Tool: Blogger
• Web 2.0 Tool: 21 Classes
• Web 2.0 Tool: Writeboard
• Web 2.0 Tool: Wikispaces
• Web 2.0 Tool: ePals
• Web 2.0 Tool: Gaggle
• Web 2.0 Tool: GoogleDocs

• Web 2.0 Tool: EditGrid
• Web 2.0 Tool: Audacity
• Web 2.0 Tool: GarageBand

Website Construction Resources
Wikispaces for Teachers
Blogger
SchoolNotes
Scholastic Home Page Builder

Jog the Web

Interactive Map Resources
Intute World Guide
National Geographic Map Machine
Google Earth

Video Editing Resources
Movie Maker (Windows)
iMovie (Mac)

Publishing Student Work Resources
Publishing Students Resources

Virtual Field Trip Resources
Take or Create One
Internet 4 Classrooms Trips
Tramline

Photo Sharing Resources
Photobucket
Flickr
Shutterfly

Screen Capture Recording Resources
Cam Studio
i Show U (Mac)

LoTi Administrator Orientation: Irving ISD - July 27th, 2010

2010-07-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Provided below is the agenda for today's LoTi Administrator Orientation.

• Texas Prairie Dog Simulation
• Monster Exchange
- Make a Police Sketch
• 21st Century Teaching & Learning
• Big Ideas for Today
• Megatrends Impacting 21st Century Learning
• What is H.E.A.T.?
- Bloom's Taxonomy
• What is LoTi?

- LoTi Sniff Test
• What is CIP?

• Discussion: How does LoTi relate to H.E.A.T.? Add a comment at the bottom of this blog post now about the relationship between LoTi and H.E.A.T.

• What is the LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle?
• LoTi Implementation Checklist
- LoTi Assessment

- Next Steps Plan

- Reaction Time Simulator
- Reaction Time Spreadsheet
• What is educational followership?
• Retrofitting LoTi

Resources:

• Sample LoTi Project School Report

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

LoTi Administrator Institute: Pittsgrove TSD - July 12th, 2010

2010-07-12T02:54:00.000-07:00

Provided below is the agenda for Day 1: LoTi Administrator Institute.

• Big Ideas
• 21st Century Skills & Themes
- Reaction Time Simulator
- Reaction Time Spreadsheet
• H.E.A.T. Orientation
- Bloom's Taxonomy
- 270ToWin
• LoTi Orientation

• Discussion: How does LoTi relate to H.E.A.T.? Add a comment at the bottom of this blog post now about the relationship between LoTi and H.E.A.T.

• LoTi Digital-Age Survey

• LoTi Goal Setting
• H.E.A.T. Strategies
• Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T.

• Discussion: As an administrator conducting classroom walkthroughs, what criteria or "look-fors" do you currently use to gauge acceptable instructional practices? How do these criteria compare with the H.E.A.T. look-fors?

• Retrofitting LoTi

Resources:

ISTE 2010: Beyond Catch Phrases

2010-06-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to ISTE 2010!

Digital-Age Learning Best Practices Observation Form

Promoting shared expertise with networked collaboration
Complex Thinking Skills

Bolstering inquiry through student questions
H.E.A.T. Scoring Guide
5E lesson Plan Template

Making Authentic Connections

Using horizontal/vertical differentiation
Sample Learning Station/Center Template

Anchoring student learning with digital tools/resources

Implementing Formative Assessments
A-Z Informal Assessment Handout

Word Up! Using Word Frequency Visualization Tools

2010-06-23T09:37:00.001-07:00

Do you like word games, crosswords, and playing scrabble? Do you consider yourself a visual learner? These tools connect visual and verbal learners like never before!

Word Frequency Visualization tools allow students to analyze visually the frequency of words within a passage by pasting the passage text directly into an online form. Web 2.0 Tools such as Wordle and TagCrowd are free to use and do exactly this.

Wordle, by definition on their website, "is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends". At first, it may seem like just a fun little tool, but the educational opportunities are endless that educators are finding for these tools.

Imagine having students paste the text from the Declaration of Independence into a form and then getting back a word cloud that shows the frequency of the words visually; with the more frequent words appearing larger on the screen and the less frequent words appearing smaller. How about a discussion that compares and contrasts the inaugural speeches of John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama based on the word frequency in the visual representation of these speeches? These same tools are also effective for students to analyze their own writing to explore the redundancy of word use. In the most simplest terms, it is a great way for students to express themselves with in a visually, verbally, Web 2.0 way!

Below are links to these Web 2.0 Tools as well as some links to ways educators as using these tools in the classroom.

Web 2.0 Tools
Wordle
TagCrowd

Examples
TagCrowd Example
Forty-six Interesting Ways to Use Wordle

So now that you have explored and shared the tool and the ideas, let's focus on how to continue to encourage teachers to utilize them by giving them some commendations and recommendations.

Wiki: Commendations
1. Reward efforts by highlighting Wordle creations to the rest of the staff.
2. Set up for success and take the lead on creating a Wordle to illustrate something (i.e. your next meeting agenda) to your staff or something fun to get started!!

Wiki: Recommendations

1. Start simple by presenting a task that needs to be completed by using one of these tools. Curriculum maps or content standards can be copied into a word frequency visualization tool to highlight key concepts to begin the discussion and activity at a curriculum planning meeting.
2. Keep it simple and use these tools for Student of the Week, describing character traits of the individual student.

So explore the Word Frequency Visualization Tools and see how they might be used in your classrooms to turn up the H.E.A.T.!

Turning Up the H.E.A.T.: LoTi Orientation

2010-06-07T04:01:00.000-07:00

Today's Agenda:
• 21st Century Teaching & Learning
- Reaction Time Simulator
- Reaction Time Spreadsheet
- 270ToWin
• H.E.A.T.
- Bloom's Taxonomy
• LoTi
• H.E.A.T. Strategies
- Web 2.0 Resources
- Focus Strategies
- Lesson Makeovers
• Retrofitting LoTi

General Resources:
• 21st Century Learning Revisited
• LoTi Sniff Test
• LoTi Framework
• H.E.A.T.
• Thinkfinity
• Ning
• A-Z List of Informal Assessment Strategies
• Questioning Toolkit
• 21st Century Performance Assessments

Math Resources
Interactivate
NLVM
Illuminations
Math Tools
Thinkfinity
Get Real: Math in Everyday Life
Math Projects
Applying Math Skills to a Real World Problem
Funny Math Videos on Teacher Tube

ELA Resources
Read-Write-Think
Thinkfinity

Family and Consumer Science Resources
Online Resources
Family and Consumer Science Website
Thinkfinity -Search by Content for Resources, Lessons

Science Resources
Virtual Labs Chemistry
Simulations

Social Studies Resources
270toWin
National Budget Simulation

Fine Arts Resources
The Audition Room
SFS Kids

Web 2.0 Resources
• GoToWeb20
• Web 2.0 Tool: Survey Monkey
• Web 2.0 Tool: Zoomerang
• Web 2.0 Tool: Survs
• Web 2.0 Tool: Dabbleboard
• Web 2.0 Tool: MyWebspiration
• Web 2.0 Tool: Wordle
• Web 2.0 Tool: TagCrowd
• Web 2.0 Tool: Blogger
• Web 2.0 Tool: 21 Classes
• Web 2.0 Tool: Writeboard
• Web 2.0 Tool: Wikispaces
• Web 2.0 Tool: ePals
• Web 2.0 Tool: Gaggle
• Web 2.0 Tool: GoogleDocs
• Web 2.0 Tool: EditGrid
• Web 2.0 Tool: Audacity
• Web 2.0 Tool: GarageBand
• Web 2.0 Tool: Zoho Writer

Website Construction Resources
Wikispaces for Teachers
Blogger
SchoolNotes
Scholastic Home Page Builder

5C's of Instructional Leadership

2010-05-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Research abounds that references the pivotal role that building administrators play in the educational change process. Successful implementation of any school-based innovation can be traced to the attitude and actions of the site-based leader. Whether the change involves the implementation of a new reading program, the creation of professional learning communities, or the introduction of a new way of conducting classroom walkthroughs, the behavior of the school building principal can bring either success or failure with any innovation.

The LoTi Digital-Age School is by definition a school committed to improving student achievement and digital-age teaching and learning on campus. However, our experiences have shown that the level of success is directly related to the quality of leadership manifested by the campus’ chief instructional officer. On campuses that have flourished as LoTi Digital-Age Schools, the building administrator has manifested a high degree of what I refer to as the 5’C’s of instructional leadership: Cultivation, Courage, Creativity, Commitment, and Communication. Each of these attributes serves at the core of a successful LoTi Digital-Age School implementation.

Cultivation:

How many times have you heard someone describe their educational leader (e.g., superintendent, principal, director) as a true visionary--someone who is able to envision a bold plan to improve student achievement, reinvigorate a dormant curriculum, or sustain

21st Century learning environments, yet is unable to execute on that vision? Though creating a vision for instructional change or renewal at the campus or district level is laudable, the inability to cultivate that vision for success into a viable plan of action can lead to staff discontent, apathy, and, worse yet, passive resistance to the entire change process. LoTi Digital-Age School principals who are able to cultivate a climate of change against perceived environmental barriers (e.g., standardized tests, staff resistance) possess that intangible attribute of a true instructional leader that cannot be taught in a graduate course.

Courage:

Courage represents the ability to “stand for principle” in the face of mounting pressure to

find quick-fix solutions (e.g., extensive test prep exercises, over-reliance on drill and

practice activities) for long-term problems. In schools today, no one can escape the

inevitable “high-stakes” test given annually each spring to measure what students know

in targeted grade levels and content areas. Possessing the ability to challenge

conventional wisdom and focus on what research as well as what your “gut instincts”

tells you what works best for students academically (e.g., higher order thinking, student

engagement, authentic problem-solving, differentiated instruction, cooperative learning) defines the courage level of instructional leaders. Acting courageously simply means applying one’s convictions to a problem or challenge regardless of outside pressures. Successful LoTi Digital

Age Schools are lead by leaders with courage.

Creativity:

Top-flight LoTi Digital-Age School administrators are able to exercise their creative instincts to find solutions to problems. Where others see barriers, they see opportunities. Think about those building administrators whom you have known personally, read about in a periodical, or viewed

on You Tube who were able in a relatively short period of time to increase student attendance, reduce violence on campus, improve school climate for both staff and students, and raise test scores. Many of us have met these individuals and watched them as they steered their way through obstacles and against overwhelming odds as well as naysayers who said that it could not be done. These individuals are able to exercise their creativity with a large dosage of personal initiative to implement their vision for success.

Commitment:

In the movie, The Patriot, Mel Gibson’s character was reminded continually by his oldest son played by Heath Ledger to “stay the course” as it relates to the larger mission of defeating the British during the Revolutionary War rather than give up or focus energy on personal vendettas. Successful LoTi Digital-Age School principals are able to stay committed as it relates to the implementation of their action plans even when the popular decision would be to acquiesce to special interest groups on campus or stop the process entirely. During my graduate years as an aspiring administrator at San Diego State University, I will never forget a professor, Dr. Al Moreno, who often kidded us about the definition of leadership which was to “find which way the herd is going and get out in front.” True leaders do not rely on Gallup Polls to do the right thing; they “just do it.”

Communication:

Effective communication is the cornerstone for an effective LoTi Digital-Age School implementation. Oftentimes, staff is unsure about the school’s central mission when the level of communication from the principal is reduced to a weekly email or a brief speech during a faculty meeting or via the intercom. Quality communication extends beyond the spoken or printed word. At successful LoTi Digital-Age Schools, the building leader is able to translate his/her words into action and create a consensus among all key stakeholders as to the school’s mission. Though the level of communication starts with the principal, it does not stop there. Quality communication involves all participants on campus best manifested in clusters of professional learning communities.

The 5 C’s of instructional leadership are central to the change process at a LoTi Digital-Age School. According to Joiner, “effective change requires skilled leadership that can integrate the soft human elements with hard business actions.” (Joiner, 1987 p. 1). Successful LoTi Digital-Age Schools are lead by individuals who possess these qualities.

May the LoTi be with you Always!

Chris Moersch

Joiner Jr., C.W. (1987). Leadership for change. Cambridge, MA: Ballinger Publishing Company.

LoTi Administrator Meeting: Goose Creek ISD

2010-05-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

Provided below is the agenda for our LoTi Administrator Meeting.

Big Ideas for Today

Mega-Trends Impacting Digital-Age Learning

21st Century Teaching and Learning

What is H.E.A.T.?

• H.E.A.T. Framework

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

What is LoTi?

• Digital-Age Framework

• Dissertation Studies involving LoTi

• Research-based Results

• School Improvement Model

LoTi/H.E.A.T. Input/Output Model

• LoTi Sniff Test Review

• Discussion: How does LoTi relate to H.E.A.T.? If you have access to a laptop, add a comment at the bottom of this blog post now about the relationship between LoTi and H.E.A.T.

What is the LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle?

• Assess - MILE Guide Assessment: Partnership for the 21st Century Skills

- LoTi Digital-Age Survey

• Plan

- Sample Next Steps Action Plan

• Implement

- Sample H.E.A.T. Strategy- Sample Edit Grid Spreadsheet

• Sustain

Sample LoTi Project School Report

What is Digital-Age Leadership?

Professional Development Opportunities:

• LoTi Administrator Institute (Summer, 2010)

• LoTi Mentor Certification Institute

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

Resources:

• A-Z List of Informal Assessment Strategies

The Wonderful World of Wikis

2010-04-23T04:17:00.000-07:00

Web 2.0 tools provide educators with a plethora of options for creating collaborative learning environments for their students. Online Collaborative Writing/Research tools give students a place to work together on research and writing projects and allow their research to go beyond the capabilities of one student.

By breaking the topics down into parts and sharing information, students are more likely to ask better questions and to look for the best resource they can find. By sharing the writing online, students can work with another student who is interested in the same topic even if they do not happen to have the same class period or even the same teacher.

According to Wikipedia, the world's largest wiki, a wiki can be defined as a collaborative website which can be directly edited by anyone with access to it. Wikis have grown to be used as a tool to create classroom websites and other information repositories where the creators can control who has viewing and/or editing rights. Most wikis can be edited using a simple web browser and do not have the barriers (technical skills, additional software and hardware requirements) that many other web publishing tools possess. Wikis provide the medium for educators to really start turning up the H.E.A.T. (Higher-order thinking, Engaged learning, Authentic connections, and Technology tools) or H.E.A.R.T. in the classroom.

So what are some quick and easy ways to introduce wikis to educators? Assign a collaborative task such as lesson planning or even planning a school event. Ask teams of educators to design a wiki to do their planning. And do not forget to include everyone! Administrators and other school leaders set a great example by modeling the use of the tool with staff. Here are some simple to use wikis that are FREE and include many educational examples and tutorials to get started:

FREE Wikis

PBworks in Education

Wikispaces for Educators

Example Wikis

2nd Grade Teachers

Middle School Science Fair

High School Book Leads

So now that you have explored and shared the tool and the ideas, let's focus on how to continue to encourage teachers to utilize them by giving them some commendations and recommendations.

Wiki: Commendations
1. Reward efforts by highlighting wiki creations to the rest of the staff.
2. Set up for success and take the lead on creating a wiki that can utilized by all staff for event planning or something fun to get started!!

Wiki: Recommendations

1. Collaboration, teamwork, support are key elements and should be encouraged. No one has to go this alone!
2. Start simple by suggesting a task that already needs to collaborated on and suggest using a wiki as the tool.
3. Reward efforts by replacing a meeting with the use of a wiki with some key points and ideas that staff can discuss online over a week instead of a weekly staff meeting.

So explore The Wonderful World of Wikis and see how they might be used in your classrooms to turn up the H.E.A.T.!

Creating Collaborative Learning Experiences

2010-03-24T04:01:00.000-07:00

• Online Collaborative Project Websites
- ePals
- CIESE
- Global Schoolhouse
- Education World
- Scholastic Online
- Connect Teleprojects
- Space Day
- Nature Mapping
- Eduscapes
• Creating Online Collaborative Projects
• Scoring Guides
• Moodle

Resources:
• Teacher Tap
• Online Collaboration
• Collaborative Project Ideas

Technology Tools for 21st Century Learning

2010-03-12T09:58:00.001-08:00

An argument could be made that today's "digital natives" are the most connected generation of all time. These students need to be prepared to deal with the unique challenges and opportunities that accompany our digitally-connected world. Similar to previous generations, students today encounter new cultural experiences that impact their behaviors in the classroom. The proliferation of technology tools has fundamentally changed the way students interact with their environment. Today's students rely on social networking tools and Internet sources for basic information, connecting to friends, entertainment, and personal reflection. The lack of these familiar tools in today's classrooms often leaves students feeling disconnected and disenfranchised. The fourth area in the H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. process is the use of Technology Tools.

Teachers have a unique responsibility to balance the students’ desire to use technology tools with the need to keep students safe online while consistently moving ahead with their curriculum objectives. When observing teachers and providing feedback, there are ways one can suggest the use of Technology Tools in the classroom. Outlined below are commendations and recommendations focusing on the fourth target area of H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T.: Technology Tools.

Technology Tools: Commendations
As always, start with a positive and cite specific examples of instructional technology that the teacher used during the lesson. Then suggest the possibility of introducing additional technology resources that might enhance the learning or address multiple learning styles. Have the teachers review their own lessons to pinpoint where they can include technology resources in the future. Additionally try to encourage small steps towards instructional technology activities by guiding teachers to examples found on such sites as Thinkfinity or Discovery Education.

Technology Tools: Recommendations
1. Encourage individual staff members to discuss strategies for technology integration within their professional learning communities.
2. Challenge individual staff members to explore ways of using their existing technology resources to "bump up" the H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. in their respective classrooms.
3. Encourage individual staff members to take small steps by directing them to resources (see list below) that are standards-based and integrate technology tools effectively.
4. Empower staff to utilize the available technology in the classroom for learning centers/stations tied to the current benchmark/content standard.
5. Recommend that individual staff members seek assistance from their campus technology specialist or facilitator to locate specific resources (e.g., websites, simulations, applets) that align with the current content benchmark or content standard being addressed in class.

Integrating technology with Standards-based Lesson Ideas
Thinkfinity
Discovery Education
Edutopia
Go to Web 2.0
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Interactivate
Illuminations
ReadWriteThink

For additional technology tools and resources, see the H.E.A.T. Resources List

MassCUE's 5th Annual Technology Leadership Symposium

2010-03-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

If you were able to attend either one of my sessions, Using 21st Century Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to Improve Student Achievement or Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T., I referenced several websites. These websites appear below. I look forward to your feedback.

Using 21st Century Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to Improve Student Achievement

Turning Up the H.E.A.T.

What is the LoTi Level?

LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle

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.

Other Resources

Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T.

Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T. PowerPoint (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

Keeping it Real: Authentic Connections for Students in the Classroom

2010-02-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

Most educators would probably agree that learning is most effective when it occurs in a "hands-on", "learning by doing" environment, where students are engaged in real world, meaningful tasks. So how can educators keep it "real" for students? The third target area in the H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. process is Authentic Connections. Authentic Connections represent what people might actually do in the real world - real life issues, themes, problems. The degree of authenticity may fluctuate depending on the age and background of the learner; yet all authentic assessments possess the following attributes: (1) allow for multiple solutions, (2) relate to student’s prior knowledge, (3) have personal meaning, (4) are challenging, and (5) employ complex thinking processes. One of the easiest ways to infuse greater authenticity into student learning experiences is by integrating one of more 21st Century Themes into the learning experience. These themes include:

* Global Awareness,
* Economic Literacy,
* Health and Wellness Awareness, and
* Civic Awareness

You can learn more about connecting to these themes at The Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

When observing teachers and providing feedback, there are ways one can suggest making these Authentic Connections in the classroom. Outlined below are commendations and recommendations focusing on the third target area of H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T.: Authentic Connections.

Authentic Connections: Commendations
As always, start off with a positive and cite specific examples that the teacher used during the lesson to help students make connections to the content that is being presented. Then suggest the possibility of connecting this content in additional ways. Have the teachers review their own lessons to pinpoint where they can make authentic connections themselves. Additionally try to encourage small steps towards authentic activities by guiding teachers to examples of authentic learning using 21st Century Themes.

Authentic Connections: Recommendations
Remind teachers that all authentic learning experiences possess the following five factors that should be kept in mind while planning instruction:

1. Allow for multiple solutions
2. Relate to student’s prior knowledge
3. Have personal meaning
4. Replicate challenges found in the real world
5. Employ complex thinking processes (e.g., problem-solving, decision-making)

Keeping this mind, we can begin our attempts at keeping it "real" for students as you turn up the H.E.A.T. in your classrooms!

Digital-Age Makeover Construction Kit

2010-02-12T06:51:00.000-08:00

General Resources:

• 21st Century Learning Revisited

• LoTi Sniff Test
• LoTi Framework

• H.E.A.T.

• Thinkfinity

• Ning

• Questioning Toolkit

• 21st Century Performance Assessments

Math Resources
Interactivate
NLVM
Illuminations
Math Tools

Get Real: Math in Everyday Life
Math Projects
Applying Math Skills to a Real World Problem
Funny Math Videos on Teacher Tube

ELA Resources
Read-Write-Think

• H.E.A.T. Rubric
Soap Bubbles Spreadsheet

Family and Consumer Science Resources
Online Resources
Family and Consumer Science Website
Thinkfinity -Search by Content for Resources, Lessons

• Web 2.0 Tool: EditGrid
• Web 2.0 Tool: Audacity
• Web 2.0 Tool: GarageBand

Website Construction Resources
Wikispaces for Teachers
Blogger
SchoolNotes
Scholastic Home Page Builder

LoTi Administrator Orientation: Irving ISD

2010-02-05T02:51:00.000-08:00

Provided below is the agenda for our LoTi Administrator Orientation session.

Big Ideas for Today

270toWin

Mega-Trends Impacting Digital-Age Learning

21st Century Teaching and Learning

What is H.E.A.T.?

• H.E.A.T. Framework

What is LoTi?

• Digital-Age Framework

• Dissertation Studies involving LoTi

• Research-based Results

• School Improvement Model

LoTi/H.E.A.T. Input/Output Model

• LoTi Sniff Test Review

• Discussion: How does LoTi relate to H.E.A.T.? If you have access to a laptop, add a comment at the bottom of this blog post now about the relationship between LoTi and H.E.A.T.

What is the LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle?

• Assess
- MILE Guide Assessment: Partnership for the 21st Century Skills

• Plan

- Sample Next Steps Action Plan

• Implement
- Retrofitting LoTi

• Sustain

- Eduphoria H.E.A.T. 2009 Form

Sample LoTi Project School Report

What is Digital-Age Leadership?

Professional Development Opportunities:

• LoTi Digital Age Schools

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

Resources:

LoTi Snapshot: Union County School District

2010-02-03T07:38:00.000-08:00

Provided below is the agenda for our LoTi "Snapshot."

Let's first explore digital-age teaching and learning by viewing the short video clips below.

• Elementary School Classroom: Food Chains

• High School Classroom: Biology

• Middle School Classroom: Elements Commercial

Now, rank the videos from Lowest (1) to Highest (3) in terms of representing digital-age teaching and learning.

• Discussion: Add a comment at the bottom of this blog post now about the specific "look-fors" that separated your highest rated video from your lowest rated video.

What is H.E.A.T.?

• H.E.A.T. Framework

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

• Discussion: Conduct a H.E.A.T. analysis of the Food Chains video. Was it bringing the H.E.A.T. to student learning in terms of Higher order thinking, Engaged learning, Authentic connections, and Technology use. Take a minute to reflect on the amount of student H.E.A.T. generated from the video.

What is LoTi?

• Digital-Age Framework

• Dissertation Studies involving LoTi

• Research-based Results

• School Improvement Model

• Discussion: Conduct a LoTi Sniff Test of the Elements Commercial and Biology videos. What was the LoTi Level of each video?

- Union County LoTi Digital-Age Survey Results

• Discussion: How does LoTi relate to H.E.A.T.? How does the LoTi/H.E.A.T. Model relate to 21st Century Skills.

What is the LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle?

• Assess

- LoTi Digital-Age Survey

- MILE Guide Self-Assessment Survey - Partnership for the 21st Century Skills

• 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)

* Sample Classroom Walkthrough

* LoTi/HEAT Observation Form

* Sample Observer Report

• Discussion: What criteria or "look-fors" does your school district currently use to gauge acceptable "digital-age learning" best practices? How do these criteria compare with the H.E.A.T. look-fors?

* Sample LoTi Project School Report

Professional Development Opportunities:

• LoTi Administrator Institute

• LoTi Administrator Institute Course Syllabus

• LoTi Mentor Certification Institute

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

Resources:

• LoTi Lounge