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Courageous Edventures
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Courageous Edventures
Navigating Obstacles to Discover Classroom Innovation

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September 2016 | 200 pages | Corwin

Chart a course to innovation using educational technology 

Let’s go on an edventure! Do you want to innovate and take risks in your teaching? Looking for ways to troubleshoot common classroom challenges? Whatever obstacles you and your students face can turn into edventures, and this book will show you how to navigate them with grace, humor, and grit. Jennie Magiera charts a course for you to discover your own version of innovation, using the limitless possibilities of educational technology. You will learn:

  • How to create your own Teacher-IEP (Innovation Exploration Plan)
  • Keys to problem-based innovation (PBI)
  • Strategies and solutions for tackling common classroom problems
  • Methods for putting learning into the hands of students
  • How to find innovation in everyday places

Packed with real-world, immediately applicable solutions to the problems teachers face in their classrooms every day,Courageous Edventures shows how technology can be a fun and easy tool to improve classroom management and student learning!

"Magiera leads people on a journey with some great ideas to get started in the classroom right now, or the inspiration to find your own way, leading to innovative ideas for learning and teaching."
George Couros, Author of The Innovator's Mindset and Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Consultant

"This book does a superb job of providing practical ideas and strategies on how to actually implement innovative practices in today's classroom. Her knowledge and experience as a change agent further strengthen the techniques presented and will help educators truly envision what's possible in classrooms today."

Eric Sheninger, Corwin Author and Senior Fellow
International Center for Leadership in Education

 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Preface
 
PART I. CHARTING YOUR COURSE
 
1. Come on in, the Future’s Fine
Me and the Three Little Pigs

 
From Houses to Ships

 
What Is Innovation?

 
Two Compass Options: The SAMR and TIM Frameworks

 
Deciding When to Use SAMR and When to Use TIM

 
Setting a Course for Innovation

 
 
2. Problem-Based Learning: It’s Not Just for Kids
Teacher Innovation Exploration Plan: An Individualized Education Program for Teachers

 
Identifying the Problem of Practice

 
Defining the Problem of Practice

 
Stepping Up to a Solution

 
Critical Friends

 
 
3. Getting Your Students Ready
Learning to SAIL: Student Innovation Teams

 
Don’t Touch

 
Go Slow

 
Be Kind

 
Staying Safe on the Open Sea: Digital Citizenship

 
What Is Digital Citizenship?

 
Respect for Ourselves

 
Respect for Others

 
 
4. Getting Your Materials Ready
Let the Students Lead the Way

 
Build a Management System

 
Rewrite Your Supply List

 
Tech Is Not a Treat

 
Less Is More

 
 
5. Falling in Love With Failure
Calling Forth Your Courage

 
Failing Forward

 
Student Failure

 
Teacher Failure

 
System Failure

 
 
PART II. NAVIGATING YOUR PROBLEMS
 
6. Digging Into Differentiation
Problem: So Many Ability Groups, So Little Time

 
Suggestion: Clone the Teacher

 
Problem: Keeping Students Engaged During Small-Group Time

 
Suggestion 1: Choose Your Own Adventure Time

 
Suggestion 2: Self-Differentiating Challenges

 
Suggestion 3: Critical Friends

 
Problem: Finding Developmentally Appropriate Differentiated Content

 
Suggestion 1: Create Your Own Content

 
Suggestion 2: Digital Resources

 
Problem: How Do I Disseminate Materials to Students and Collect Their Work? (aka Digital Workflow)

 
Suggestion 1: Learning Management System

 
Suggestion 2: Google Classroom

 
Suggestion 3: Class Websites, QR Codes, and Google Forms

 
 
7. Rethinking Assessment
Problem: I Hate Grading!

 
Suggestion 1: Digital Student Response Software

 
Suggestion 2: Learning Management Systems Assessments

 
Suggestion 3: Online Forms

 
Problem: I Need to Differentiate Assessments Based on Individualized Education Program Accommodations and/or Modifications

 
Suggestion: Screencast Assessments

 
Problem: My Students Have a Hard Time Self-Assessing

 
Suggestion 1: Metacognitive Screencasting

 
Suggestion 2: Digital Portfolios

 
The Draw of Google Drawings

 
Problem: Teaching Students How to Give Peer Feedback

 
Suggestion 1: Google Drive

 
Suggestion 2: Google Drive and Google Forms

 
Suggestion 3: Blogging and Quadblogging

 
Accountability Without Assessment: Gamification and Achievement Badges

 
 
8. Creating a Positive Classroom Environment
Problem: Creating a Culture of Respect and Collaboration

 
Suggestion 1: Mood Check-Ins

 
Suggestion 2: Class Dojo for Encouraging Positive Action

 
Suggestion 3: Using Music to Set the Mood

 
Problem: Supporting Struggling Students

 
Suggestion 1: Blogging

 
Suggestion 2: Positivity Timelines

 
Problem: Communicating With Families

 
Suggestion 1: Class Dojo for Communication

 
Suggestion 2: Google Forms

 
Suggestion 3: Digital Newsletters/Class Blog

 
 
9. Planning for Powerful Learning
Problem: Finding Curricular Resources

 
Suggestion 1: Pinterest and EduClipper

 
Suggestion 2: Twitter and Google+

 
Suggestion 3: Blogs!

 
Problem: Scheduling Time for Collaborative Team Planning

 
Suggestion 1: Google Calendar

 
Suggestion 2: Doodle.com

 
Suggestion 3: Google Hangouts

 
Problem: Vertical Alignment—What’s the Rest of the School Teaching?

 
Suggestion 1: Google Drive

 
Suggestion 2: Shared Calendars

 
 
PART III. SAILING INTO THE GREAT BEYOND
 
10. Power to the Pupil
Cultivate Curiosity: How Do I Build Curiosity?

 
Sorting Your Questions: Questdones and Questruns

 
Outwit Obstacles: How Do I Teach Perseverance?

 
Purposeful Playtime: How Do I Find the Time for Purposeful Play?

 
Reimagined Centers

 
20% Time

 
Open Scheduling

 
Bringing the Purpose to the Playtime: Entering Creation Station

 
Reflect, Reflect, Reflect

 
 
11. Discovering the Power of Voice
Amplifying Our Students

 
Step 1: Finding Their Inner Voice—Blogs Versus Diaries

 
Step 2: Sharing Their Voice With Others—Building Classroom Discussions and Backchanneling

 
Step 3: Teacher-Moderated Sharing—Dipping a Toe Into Social Media

 
Step 4: Opening the Garden Walls—Diving Into Social Media

 
 
12. With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
Revisiting Problem-Based Learning

 
Digging in to Problem-Based Learning

 
Step 1: Finding the Problem-Based Essential Question

 
Step 2: Developing the Challenge

 
Step 3: Rising to the Challenge

 
Step 4: Showcasing the Learning

 
The Role of the Teacher

 
Problem-Based Learning Spotlight—KidTREK: A Safe Journey App for Students

 
The Student Becomes the Master

 
 
PART IV. REFLECTING ON YOUR EDVENTURE
 
13. Evaluating Your Practice
Looping in Your Critical Friend

 
Revisiting the SAMR and TIM Frameworks

 
Leveling Up With the SAMR Model

 
Approaching the Three Dimensions of the TIM

 
Sharing Your Adventure

 
Taking It a Step Further: Presenting Your Story

 
 
14. Staying Inspired and Finding Support
Creating a Professional Learning Network That Works

 
Professional Learning Communities and Professional Learning Networks

 
Cultivating Constructive Conflict

 
A Shared Space

 
Teacher-Led Learning Events

 
EdCamps

 
PLAYDATEs

 
Formal Learning Events

 
Step 1: Go With a Goal in Mind

 
Step 2: Keep a Three-Dance Card

 
Step 3: Recruit Allies and Use Collaborative Tools

 
Step 4: Schedule Time With Yourself to Debrief Individually

 
Step 5: Pay It Forward

 
 
15. Planning Your Next Edventure
Be Your Own Hero

 
Don’t Get Comfortable

 
Channel Your Inner Student

 
Share Your Crazy Pills

 
 
Appendix A- Challenge Card Template
 
Appendix B- Teacher Innovation Exploration Plan (TIEP)
 
Index

Supplements

"This book is written for any educator looking to sail into an innovative classroom. Ms. Magiera uses humor and stories to identify with educators and help guide the reader through the transition of a traditional classroom to an innovative classroom. This book takes you on a journey and is packed with ideas, examples, and resources that would be invaluable to any educator."

Kelly Fitzgerald, Online Learning Integration Specialist
Leander ISD

"A practical and resource-filled guide to using technology to true advantage in the classroom."

Betsy Ruffin, Retired Educator, Technology Consultant
B Ruffin Enterprises, Cleburne, TX

"In Courageous Edventures, our innovative educaptain, Jennie Magiera, charts our course for the perfect blend of inspiration and practical and actionable ideas that can help to reinvigorate the classroom. A must read for new and veteran teachers alike that can remind us all why we teach."

Adam Bellow, Founder of EduTecher & EduClipper

"Courageous Edventures shares both inspiring tidbits and practical strategies for changing a school, a classroom, or a lesson. Magiera provides a valuable blend of personal stories and applicable examples for educators in any setting.  I encourage educators to read the book and think about how they can be more courageous in their own practice."

Zachary Walker, Author of Teaching the Last Backpack Generation
National Institute of Education, Singapore

"Jennie Magiera does a superb job of providing practical ideas and strategies on how to actually implement innovative practices in today's classroom. Her knowledge and experience as a change agent further strengthen the techniques presented and will help educators truly envision what's possible in classrooms today."

Eric Sheninger, Corwin Author and Senior Fellow
International Center for Leadership in Education

"Courageous Edventures is full of insightful and actionable ideas for transforming your classroom. Magiera paints a picture of innovative teaching and learning that is accessible for educators at all stages of their career. I love Magiera’s student-centered approach to using technology to reach authentic audiences and the colorful stories from the classroom. This is a must-read for teachers searching for a road map for deeper learning!"

Monica Burns, Author & Speaker, Apple Distinguished Educator, Founder of ClassTechTips.com

"Principals, superintendents, and other leaders in education, share this book with your teachers now. Magiera’s thoughtful and delightful insight into the best of what’s happening in our schools will inspire new teachers and reinvigorate veterans to provide the classroom experiences our students need to thrive in and shape their world."

Kevin Brookhouser, Author of The 20Time Project How Educators can Launch Google's Formula for Future-Ready Innovation

"Jennie Magiera leads people on a great journey through this book with some great ideas to get started in the classroom right now, or the inspiration to find your own way leading to innovative ideas for learning and teaching. A great book for those wanting to bring innovation to life in their classrooms."

George Couros, Author of "The Innovator's Mindset" and Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Consultant

"This book is certainly courageous. Instead of offering a step-by-step guide for your next technology purchases, Jennie Magiera masterfully designed an ecology of learning that is rich not only in assorted learning technologies, but in learner experimentation, autonomy, collaboration, problem solving, reflection, and so much more. Her expansive approach to technology integration and the principles underlying it will be relevant for many years. Suffice to say, the ideas found on every page of this book will be just a as relevant a decade from now as they are today."

Curt Bonk, Professor, President
Indiana University, CourseShare, LLC

"Jennie Mageira guides teachers as they navigate obstacles to discover classroom innovation in her new book, Courageous Edventures. She starts off asking teachers to be courageous and bold because true progress and innovation only happens when they disrupt the status quo and take big risks. Jennie knows how daunting this is for teachers so she thoughtfully created strategies so any teacher can feel safe and comfortable embarking on this journey. The book is organized in four sections based on a sailing metaphor that helps teachers prepare for their Edventure, navigate problems, empower students to set their own course, and then reflect on the journey. I highly recommend teachers and administrators to read Courageous Edventures to guide them and encourage discussions around changing teaching practice."

Barbara Bray, Creative Learning Strategist and Co-author of Make Learning Personal and How to Personalize Learning
Oakland, CA

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1


Jennifer Misong Magiera

Jennie Magiera always knew she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. Throughout all of her roles starting as a Chicago Public Schools teacher to currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer for Des Plaines School District 62, she always made teaching and supporting students her priority. A White House Champion for Change, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google for Education Certified Innovator and TEDx Speaker, Jennie works to redefine teaching and learning through innovative new practices. She is also passionate about transforming professional learning, which she’s personally championed through her work on the Technical Working... More About Author

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ISBN: 9781506318349
$39.95

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