Survey+Feedback+&+Reflections

Meeting - March 26, 2012:

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__Themes__ one way/ two way Friends Comm/Outside Collegues Text/visual/ auditory/Kinisthic in-person/remote solitary/group

__ This is what we are looking at __ __Expectations:__ claim time as a problem learn in a traditional way – colleagues, conferences learn in own community wide variety of learners with enpahsis on visual

__How would learning and connecting benefit…..__ expected a positive response; open minds,

__way to learn that extend beyond walls of school__ expected connected want to bes to be higher than now overall what percentage want to connect – 50%

__ways to build learning community__ confusion with bar graph question – may mirror the data

__ideal community look like to you__ where we collaborate, share, have time and space independence


 * __ Heidi’s notes: __**
 * When reading the survey, we need to keep the following in mind…. **
 * // What we expected: //**
 * Claim time as being a problem
 * People learn in traditional ways such as workshops, conferences, et.
 * We learn within our own community
 * We have a wide variety of learners with an emphasis on visual learners
 * A positive response to learning and connecting
 * Co nferences an school visits and people want to learn how to connect via Twitter, etc.
 * “How do you grow within your own community?”—conversations, conferences, the traditional and where people are collaborating on a reg. basis where they have time and space.

Reflections:

From Kimberly:

PLP Survey – Themes
 * Describe yourself as a learner**
 * Visual, auditory, hands-on, experiential
 * Need practice time, need repetition, need reinforcement
 * Work with others, practice with others in small groups
 * Time to practice on my own, explore new ideas on my own and in my own timeframe
 * Work with a mentor or coach
 * Conversations with others, bounce ideas and thoughts, brainstorming
 * Reading (diagrams, books, websites, etc)
 * Lectures and conferences
 * Watching and then doing, observations and asking questions
 * Want to make my mistakes in private
 * Reflection
 * Taking notes, jotting down ideas
 * Fly be the seats of my pants, dive right in, take risks


 * How would learning and connecting to others benefit you, your students, and your colleagues?**
 * Diverse and new ideas, lessons, resources and experiences
 * Different perspectives, new ways of thinking, another voice to our community, another lense to use when we look at our students
 * Think outside the box
 * Opens new worlds, broader cultural perspectives
 * Teach me things I can’t even imagine yet, inspire me to grow and change, move out of our comfort zones
 * Less isolated as a teacher, feel supported
 * Allow kids to realize they’re not just operating in a bubble
 * New excitement for my teaching
 * Connect more fully with colleagues, greater connections to each other, grow together in new ways, through relationships profound learning occurs
 * Ubuntu. We are who we are as a community. If we are all connected, we all benefit
 * Better prepared for the future


 * On what ways would you like to learn that extended beyond the walls of our school?**
 * Connect and collaborate with others inside the school as well as outside - locally and globally (Birds of a Feather, Skype, blogs, informal conversations, peer networks, travel, community partnerships, exchange program)
 * Guidance in using on-line tools and applications(blogs, twitter, Nings, Skype, chat rooms)
 * Classroom observations (here) and visit other schools (more than just one day a year)
 * Attend more workshops, seminars, conferences (including edcamp style conferences)
 * Use webinars and other online resources as a source of learning
 * Connect technology to the classroom
 * Reading (books, blogs, journals. Websites)


 * In what ways do you build your learning community?**
 * Blogs, Twitter, Google Reader, Pinterest, Skype, and other Social Media (reading and contributing)
 * Friends Virtual Faculty Room
 * Talking with colleagues both here and at other schools (informally and through meetings like Birds of a Feather)
 * Attend conferences, seminars, workshops, study groups
 * Reading journals, newspapers, books, websites
 * Courses/Webinars (online and f2f)
 * Part of several online groups and organizations
 * NPR
 * Some people expressed an interesting in learning online resources to help them build their communities*
 * Some people said that they haven’t and/or don’t build their learning communities

What would an ideal learning community look like to you?**
 * “Groups of colleagues/cohorts who are willing to take risks, to learn together, explore opportunities and debrief successes and failures.” Willingness to try and an acceptance that failure is okay. Where everyone would feel free to voice their opinion and give feedback so we could grow together.
 * Trust
 * Collaboration
 * Time and place to explore new ideas and to reflect. Easy to attend – won’t conflict with classes or other commitments. Possibly synchronous and asynchronous meeting opportunities.
 * Group of people from all over the world
 * Chance to mix with people from different divisions, schools, organizations, backgrounds, and perspectives - but who have similar interests.
 * Non-judgmental – “we are all explorers”
 * Fun and exciting
 * GROW cohort
 * Learning outside of the classroom would be important (learning from other professionals, students’ passions, etc.)
 * Project based learning
 * “Students learning from students, students learning from teachers, teachers learning from students.”
 * Technology and the classroom more integrated
 * No grades, students focused on their interests, voluntary, teachers would facilitate learning
 * More personal – mentors
 * Information is shared freely

From Micheline -

Expectations versus Survey Results

McManus

__Question 1: Describe yourself as a learner.__ I truly expected a great variety of answers, and that is essentially what I found in reading through the responses. I did expect, based on the information presented to us in the Mariela Hardiman (sp?) lecture on brain research, for visual learning to be prominent. It was. I was intrigued that many said in person conversations were a primary tool for learning. I also found it interesting that there were many times when I would read a response like, “I like to jump right in” and immediately following would be something along the lines of, “I like to take my time and understand something before I try it out.” There were some good reminders that we really need to offer different ways for people engage. I was also just struck by the lovely and sophisticated responses overall. There were some really positive reflections on process. Someone said they are good about managing their output (teaching and other tasks) but not their input (learning), which feels haphazard. That comment got me to think about my own way of passively taking advantage of opportunities rather than structuring my learning.

__Question 2: How do you grow as a learner/educator?__ I expected that the answers would vary, but that the greatest number of people would grow through conferences, conversations, and more traditional means of professional development. This was pretty much the case. The use of Nings or Twitter, while not insignificant, was nonetheless not as high as the use of conferences and conversations, and even reading journals to grow.

__Question 3: How would learning benefit you and your students?__

I expected the responses overall to be positive. I didn’t have an idea of what specific benefits faculty would point to. I was struck by how many times people mentioned “global,” and “world,” and “future.” There seemed to be a real feeling that being connected beyond the classroom would prepare students better for the world they will live in. The scope of this potential benefit definitely resonated throughout the responses. It was not a lukewarm, “maybe.” Overall I got the impression that there was a strong “yes,” in terms of seeing the practical benefits to being connected learners.

__Question 4: In what ways could learning extend beyond your classroom walls?__

I expected a variety of answers, and I got them. There was an openness to exploring blogging and Skype, and an interest in more time to explore conferences and school visits. Some felt they didn’t quite grasp the questions, but the responses were always thoughtful. I liked the enthusiasm for designing one’s own experience. From “TRAVEL!” to “Let’s come up with an alternative to AIMS,” people seemed energized by the idea of playing a greater role in deciding for themselves how to reach beyond classroom walls.

__Question 5: In what ways do you build your learning community?__

Again, I expected a variety of answers and again there were a variety. I liked the shoutout to Heidi! That example also provided a good idea for modeling work going forward: sitting down with friendly people who are also learning. This could be especially helpful for those people who feel like they are happy to stay talking to their colleagues here, and don’t feel they have the time to look outside school. It could also help the person who, like me, when they first tried Twitter gave it a week and then quit.

__Question 6: What would your ideal learning community look like?__

I expected a focus on collaboration, and it was certainly there. Though some wanted that through “team teaching” and others through more organic models of sharing. I liked the shoutout to GROW, which in many ways models the organic collaboration many talked about in their responses. Because I was curious, I did a wordle of the responses to see what came up over and over:

[]

As we has predicted before, TIME was a major impediment people raised to having the ideal learning community, and the major theme that they wanted to see in an ideal setting. Not just bi-monthly, but regular time for learning.

From Linda:


 * Describe yourself as a learner.**

Visual 18 Auditory 5 By doing 22 multi-sensory 11 Learn with others; share ideas – 16 Quiet and alone 7 Practice to reinforce 9


 * How would learning and connection to others benefit you, your students, and your colleagues?**

Almost everyone see the benefit. only 2 don’t know or left blank seemed obvious


 * In what ways do you build your learning community? (most people talked about their learning community not how they build or grow it.)**

Traditional- with others, collaborate, meetings - 34 Traditional – on own, prefer more solitary learning, (not really a community) - 16 (journals, reading, workshops, conferences) Connected and traditional – 12 Don’t have one or haven’t built one – 3


 * In what ways would you like to learn that extend beyond the walls of our school?**

Want to connect, a risk-taker - 21 Listed 1 tool to connect (skype, blogging, edcamp) 4 Traditional – visit schools, conf., books and journals, collab with others - 35 Sabbaticals and travel – 7

other – lurker, PBL, Web 2.0 tools 4

From Paula:

"Raw Data" Dialogue (38) Kinesthetic (34) Textual (Reading) (30) Visual (28) Individually (21) Auditory (18) Writing (6)
 * //Describe yourself as a learner://**

Mentioned using technology for learning: 14 Indicated fear/dislike/caution surrounding the use of technology: 6

Paula’s Inferences:
 * Most prefer dialogue, but receive mainly monologue in planned professional development.
 * Most did not specify whether they preferred the group to be outside or inside the school.
 * Only 18 identified as auditory learners, but we have a lot of auditory experiences in professional development.
 * As expected, we have a variety of learners. Many identify as having more than one learning style.
 * Fear or dislike of technology not as prevalent as originally anticipated.
 * Cycle of inspiration, action and reflection; or inspiration, reflection and action
 * Most expressed a desire for a practical classroom application

Looking back at those who did express fear: Myths
 * Screen time = passive, not engaged, not excited

Paula’s Inferences:
 * //How do you grow as a learner/educator?//**
 * As a community over all, our primary means of learning about education outside of Friends School is one-way. (Recipients of knowledge, not a dialogue)
 * Most of our dialogues occur at Friends - we are either most comfortable learning in our own environment, or we have greater access to dialogue within our own community.

Next steps:
 * Q: Does our PD meet the current needs of our community? (Example: Only 18 self-identified as Auditory learners, yet much of our PD has been speakers, etc.)


 * //In what ways to you build your learning community?//**

"Raw" Data: I tried to keep this to only references to methods that would add persons to the network, not just engaging with people already in the network:

Area professionals/committees - (18) Workshops/Conferences/Seminars - (15) Students - (3) Classes - (2) **Online/Virtual Methods: (23)** Social Media (Facebook, Pinterest) - (7) Blogs (6) Online groups/webinars/classes/Nings - (5) Twitter - (4) Skype - (1)
 * Face-to-Face Methods: (38) **

Paula's Inferences:
 * Lots of people included "talk to other educators" but did not specify how.
 * There may be some education possibilities in this area.
 * Preference for face-to-face, but not an overwhelming preference.
 * Some interest in learning to be more connected. Time still an issue.

"Raw-ish" Data:
 * //In what ways would you like to learn that extend beyond the walls of our school?//**

Blogs (reading) - 12 Global class exchange/teacher connections - 9 Blogs (writing) - 8 - I think this is enough for my "Blogging Alliance" idea Skype - 6 Twitter - 4 Web 2.0 - 4 Webinars - 2 Websites - 2 Nings - 1
 * Web-based activities: 52 mentions **

Travel - 8 Service Learning - 4 Non-Educational Experiences - 3 Research/Field Work – 2\
 * Experience Real-World/Have a Real Life Impact - 17 **

Peer Networks/Birds of a Feather - 12 Cohort - 1 EdCamp 1
 * Affinity Groups (Face to Face) - 14 **

Paula’s Inferences:
 * We have a large, strong vocal population that wants to try new things online
 * I think we might have enough "baby bloggers" for a Blogging Alliance program

Next Steps:
 * This list could be a starting point for our documentary - we could be showing the kinds of experiences that others would like to have.
 * #75 specifically mentioned she would like to see someone's personal journey. :)
 * Connected learning is a cost-effective way of getting global perspectives on your teaching and learning, and potentially for making contacts for in-person travel. (Use my Ireland example)
 * This could also be a way of reaching people from where they are - "Have you ever wanted to connect with another classroom - well, then ___ might be for you!"
 * The creation of "real data" or "real learning" is intriguing - creating something that everyone can use, or participating in something that has a real effect on the world (service learning, etc.)


 * // How would learning and connecting to others benefit you, your students, and your colleagues? //**

"Raw Data"

Top 9 Reasons for Being a Connected Learner/Educator:
 * 1) Diversity (new ideas, innovations, perspectives from outside our community) - (32)
 * 2) Serving Students - Makes me a more effective teacher, and better able to serve our students - (27)
 * 3) Relationships with Colleagues - Feel less isolated, feel support, camaraderie and meaningful relationships - (20)
 * 4) Rejuvenation - Adds freshness, excitement to my teaching - (16)
 * 5) Allows me to offer something to others - (14)
 * 6) Reaching Students - provides motivation for students, meets them on their own ground - (12)
 * 7) Supports Lifelong Learning - (11)
 * 8) It's our world, we need to be able to function within it - (8)
 * 9) Helps me acquire new resources - (8)

Paula’s Inferences:
 * Exposure to new ideas is generally thought of as a good thing
 * Our "tech day" professional development has been aimed at providing new resources - this is not viewed as the most important reason. [That was a different expectation for me].
 * Making a contribution to the community was a surprise – I thought there would be a greater amount of people who perhaps feared that they didn’t have much to offer. This is a good finding, and encourages me to

Two most frequently heard words: "Time" and "Collaboration"
 * //What would an ideal learning community look like to you?//**

Paula's Inferences:


 * We might have some institutional issues:
 * Competition and collaboration - lack of sharing or wanting to hold on to the knowledge?
 * Different levels of comfort with connectedness and technology, and the desire to learn at own speed ("I like to learn at my own pace" and "One size doesn't fit all")
 * Non-judgmental feedback
 * Want to feel okay taking risks
 * Time - preserve family time, #72's "synchronous and asynchronous"/drop-in idea is compelling
 * Remove self from the routine of daily life
 * Trust - everyone valued for their expertise and encouraged to grow in their own way
 * Pace is too fast - need more time for reflection; too exhausted to try new or be supportive or listen to others (is this a symptom of adding but never taking away?)
 * A sense of being "preached at" or "lectured"?
 * A sense that our PD is "overscheduled" and not enough time to work on what we want to work on?


 * People indicate that they want to collaborate - I don't see a lot of "leave me alone" here (one or two)
 * We are ready for this - but not everyone is at the same spot, and they are hoping to find like-minded people to grow with, not being forced to progress at a pace faster than what they are ready to handle.

Next steps:


 * Share this list with "GROW"
 * Q: Which of these institutional issues can we work on "solving" through our next steps? For example, I feel most compassionate about the people who feel discouraged, intimidated and overwhelmed by information and technology.

From Molly:

Molly’s notes from the survey:
 * 1) Many people say they learn from doing. Also small group work. Visual learners as expected. Several noted they like to go off by self to practice, make mistakes, etc. More seem to read blogs than any other form of e-connection – Twitter or Nings.


 * 1) Graph mirrored what we would expect. Free response additions were really varied. I did not discern much of a pattern – everything from students and colleagues, to books, online classes and Pinterest.


 * 1) Expected positive but surprised at openness. Several noted need to teach to deal with interconnected world; more resources and more viewpoints; sense of excitement and possibilities; use of word fresh, freshening; learning and moving forward together; thru relationships that learning occurs; some sarcasm, snarkiness (duh); energy; students ahead of teachers in realizing connections w/others;


 * 1) Seems to be a high percentage of people who want to be more connected (in Lower School, judging by the time of the answers)– they do cite time as an issue (can we help get them over the hump?); many want to visit others – other schools, conferences; field work; service learning; actually more travel and face to face than I expected – less willingness to connect electronically than I expected.


 * 1) Is some confusion- with extending learning; increasing profile in FS community; blogs, Twitter, edcamp, virtual faculty room; friends who are teachers; students have good ideas if we listen; pinterest; online groups; cohorts of local teachers; Twitter, ISTE, webinars; I don’t; too busy to track down resources from Twitter; FS community – have not exhausted resources here; conventions, conferences; AIMS affinity groups; - seems to be a little bit of a disconnect w/ways people named extending learning would be valuable


 * 1) True collaboration (need time for it); time and space to explore w/some expectations so it gets done; without traditional grades, more hands-on, exploratory; more connected; university library metaphor was interesting; connect with bloggers and have time to implement; emotional life as important as intellectual life; outdoor time; time for togetherness and independent work; more tech & more PBL; diversity; centered around inquiry, not subject matter; would like to join PLP; Friends minus the grades and the college pressure; voluntary w/teachers as facilitators and students working in groups or independently; (interesting that some took this to mean PD and some to mean school in general – guess that was to be expected); open-ended, low-pressure environment; time to network; as expected time comes up again and again; trust; apprenticeship

From Heidi -

Heidi’s impressions from the survey:

How would learning and connecting to others benefit you, your students and your colleagues?
 * More resources which would bring more resources to my community of teachers
 * Feel less isolated which would give us support
 * Bring new excitement to my teaching which would benefit the kids b/c they’d feel it
 * Grow and learn from eachother
 * Give us different perspectives which would then cause us to change and learn and grow
 * Teaching will be better from doing this

Describe yourself as a learner.
 * ** Learn best by doing, kinesthetic, hands on, experiential **
 * Visual
 * multi-sensory and repetition and practice
 * time to process
 * experience and reflection
 * discussion
 * auditory but not auditory alone
 * reading, sifting through information on my own and come back to it later

In what ways do you build your learning community?


 * My first impression here is that people are not answering the question. They are still talking about how they learn and not how they //build// their community…
 * Much confusion about the difference between “how do you grow as a learner” and “how do you build your community”—I think there is difference but at first glance they appear to be the same question for many…
 * There seems to be nothing about building relationships with people online…nothing about contributing to different communities…
 * Sharing with colleagues at school—still nothing on “building”
 * Study groups
 * Virtual Faculty Room
 * Talking to teachers from other schools
 * Not enough time to build a community
 * Someone said they haven’t exhausted the people here at Friends so why would they go outside of the walls of our school?
 * Many said they don’t do it at all

I think the idea of building a learning community appears scary and teachers think of it as having to do more…too much too many people and they can’t handle what they have to do already. It appears to be not even considered for the most part.

In what ways would you like to learn that extend beyond the walls of our schools?


 * Reach out to others via technology
 * Network with other teachers in their area of teaching in our area
 * Conferences
 * Traditional (school visits, workshops, conference)
 * Blogging and Skyping
 * Travel
 * Some people resistant to learning via a computer
 * Twitter

Many people didn’t really answer the question…it appears to me that many people feel inadequate when it comes to “connecting” and also even being a “learner” in the realm of 21st century teaching and that feeling affects their ability to see what the questions are really asking them. I think this is very important to note because it makes the data unclear. When I looked at our questions again and really, really thought about them, they are pretty clear. If you look at the answers across the board…for example, read all of the answers that #2 wrote—you get a sense of where that person is coming from more clearly.

My overall sense is that most people want to learn but think they have no time and they don’t know where to begin. Really interesting to read all of this!