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Learning Innovation Lab: LIL Investigations from the ClassroomInnovative learning design explorations trending now among our network of teachers:
Engagement & Motivation: How can we leverage the unique affordances of today's technology to engage and motivate students?
Universal Design for Learning - UDL Can we design lessons so that every child has access to information and can participate fully regardless of learning style? How can technology support this? Project and Problem Based Learning: What is the evolution of thought and practice for a new teacher when project-based learning/problem-based learning and technology come together? iPads in the TK Classroom: If iPads are seamlessly immersed in the kindergarten curriculum, how will teaching and learning change? What are the unforeseen benefits? These are some of the driving questions that inspired the development of this innovation program. Click INNOVATORS & BIG QUESTIONS to see more. Who are Innovation Fellows?The goal of the innovation fellows program is to explore ways teachers and schools can make learning more accessible for all students by creating learning opportunities that, by the nature of their design, create multiple pathways to engage students. Through the generosity of NapaLearns, a local non-profit organization, Napa county teachers may obtain their Master's degree in Educational Technology or Innovative Learning from Touro University CA through a substantial grant. NapaLearns provides direct tuition remission in return for the fellow "giving back" via professional development for other teachers at their school, district or a county-wide event.
The program asks teacher to consider questions such as, what is it that my students need to know? What are their learning needs? How can I best help them to acquire knowledge in a way that they will remember the content? How can I make sure that there's a role for every student in my classroom so that they can contribute to the learning? In essence, universal design for learning, a major foundation of the program, is not just for special education students - it's for everyone! Similarly, as ubiquitous access to information and the affordances technologies and digital media bring more tools and resources to the classroom, we demand teachers focus on learning, not the technology. The TPACK Master's candidates (classroom teachers) are encouraged to take risks, embrace play, conduct ongoing action research, and use their data to inform planning for next steps in instruction. Any type of communication tool is allowed and encouraged to be used to communicate and represent knowledge and understanding. This allows for the study of transliteracy - e.g. how differing communication tools can convey ideas for understanding. |
Touro University Graduate School of Education Hosts Research Poster Celebration
Peg Maddocks (far left with scarf) of NapaLearns and Dr. Patrick Sweeney (far right), former Superintendent of Napa Valley Unified School District, join Dr. Pamela Redmond (in white first row) in celebrating the Innovation Fellows who finished their Innovative Learning Master's degree in 2017 at the Master's Poster event.
The Challenge of Leading Schools to Become Ready for 21st Century Learning
After years of pondering how to support schools to address the needs of a future workforce, we've decided to launch the Leading Innovation Lab in 2020. To garner the wisdom of our colleagues, teachers, principals and other administrators along with engaged business partners, parents, and higher education professionals, we are launching a research study to collect information as to what is needed to develop future-ready leaders.
At SXSWedu, Drs. Louise Santiago and Pamela Redmond presented a Campfire session on the crisis facing schools - where do you find future ready leadership?
Read our first blog on the topic at leadinginnovationlab.com our new partner site. View a video regarding the issues at hand at: https://youtu.be/yLO9PX4z8uc Pedagogy Shmedagogy, What's That All About?
Lisa Gottfried, a 2016 Innovation Fellow and New Tech High School teacher, recently blogged about her experience in the program. She reflects on both the function and work of teacher and the art and science of teaching, education and methodology. As she reflects on the program expectation that asked her to examine her practice through a lens of equity and innovation, and highlights how her thinking evolved. Read more...
The Innovative Learning Master's Degree program is housed at Touro University California's Graduate School of Education. Through the generous support of the NapaLearns, over 150 teachers from Napa County alone are helping to change the future their students.
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