Connecting the dots or collecting the dots?

• Connecting The Dots or Collecting the Dots 

I really enjoyed the "Mapping your Learner Journey" article. It was great at putting learning into perspective by comparing it to using google maps for those step-by-step instructions and not truly getting to know the route. Not truly learning the steps to get where we want to go. Then when something happens, we are at a loss because we can't/don't know the surrounding areas to modify and change directions to ultimately end where we intended to go. This goes hand in hand with encouraging and fostering a more meaningful approach to learning and creating those authentic learning environments for our students.

First, we as educators must look at ourselves and self-reflect. Are we just collecting the dots or are we connecting dots? Currently I would have to say that I have just been collecting the dots. My district is extremely strict, and we have to turn in daily lesson plans and worksheets and sites that we are using. When we get walkthroughs, they evaluate your teaching along with if everything is put on the board and if you are sticking to the lesson plans that you have submitted. You are also being evaluated on if your lesson plans meet TEKS and the pacing calendar at the school for the day you are currently on. As fourth grade goes, we have a team meeting, and the department chair tells us exactly what we are doing each day and gives us each site, document, video, and worksheet we are to use and turn in. So, in this regard I am just collecting the dots and doing what I am told. I am not connecting dots; I am not being able to adjust my instruction to create that significant learning environment. I wish I could help my students grow and build their love for learning. Our district is data driven and is all about standardized testing and how beneficial it is for data. They don't allow us to try to look at the bigger picture so that we can create an environment for our students that embrace COVA. Therefore, I as a teacher am just collecting the dots, and therefore my students are the same.

BHAG by Collins and Porras (1994) refers to a goal that motivates people and teachers to provide clear directions to inspire us to make more meaningful connections by practical application and focus more on connecting concepts for more progress. I would love to move away from just focusing on grades, tests, and data. I want to focus more on helping my students connect the dots in class while using their prior knowledge and experiences to help them along the way. Of course, I would still continue to use small group intervention with those who are well below where they should be for their age group and utilize RTI to help them as well. My problem is that if the whole group is struggling for me to truly help my student connect the dots, I have to be able to have the time to reteach and make sure that they not only understand the material but also can connect those dots to other areas in life. I always encourage my students to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Since starting the MED program here at Lamar I have come to realize that if I want to embrace COVA and create those significant learning environments for my students that the district, I am at is not the place for me. I have been looking at other options and districts and hope that I find something that will be a better fit for me before the start of the next school year.

References

Harapnuik, D. (2016) Collecting dots vs connecting dots. https://youtu.be/_7o3Jh1KZLw

Harapnuik,D.(2023) Mapping your Learners Journey - http://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6420