Category: My students

blended learning, EDLD 5314 Digital Learning in Local and Global Contexts, Innovation Plan, literature review, My students, TeachingLeave a comment

Call to Action

Brent Mischnick

When I think about my journey so far in the DLL program; I feel like it is second nature for me to reflect and adjust my ideas for the benefit of my students. I would be lying if I said that I have always done it that way, but am very amazed at how I react differently now as opposed to the past. There is a lot more to be accomplished during my journey, but if it is any indication of what is coming; I am quite intrigued to see what else I can explore and create along the way. … Continue reading Call to Action

blended learning, EDLD 5389 Developing Effective PL, Innovation Plan, My students, TeachingLeave a comment

The NEW Professional Learning

Brent Mischnick

During my five years in my district, I have found myself as a presenter numerous times for our district’s Edcamps and Professional Learning Days. As a presenter, I have attempted to provide the most valuable professional learning sessions as possible. After reading, Teaching the Teachers Effective Professional Development in an Era of High Stakes Accountability by Gulamhussein (2013), I find myself wondering if any of the teachers that came to my sessions actually implemented what they had learned? I did not provide any additional support during implementation; that is one of the keys to effective professional learning. I hope that … Continue reading The NEW Professional Learning

EDLD 5304 Leading Organizational Change, Innovation Plan, My students, Teaching1 Comment

The 4DX Plan

Brent Mischnick

Change in education may be the most difficult change to make successfully. The day to day grind of teachers tends to overwhelm all attempts at real, organizational change. My school has been starting the process of becoming a Leader in Me school based around the 7 habits of highly effective people since last summer. This monumental change will require all hands on deck, but we may just get a little help from the 4 disciplines of execution along the way. At the annual Leader in Me Symposium in Dallas this past week, I was lucky enough to experience some of … Continue reading The 4DX Plan

EDLD 5304 Leading Organizational Change, Innovation Plan, My students2 Comments

What’s Your ‘WHY’?

Brent Mischnick

As we learned from Sinek (2009), not every organization knows ‘why’ they do what they do, and this is the reason why some succeed and others do not. In order to implement my Blended Learning innovation plan the proper way; I must remember my ‘why’. No matter what obstacles come up, I will always remember that my students are the biggest part of my ‘why’. I am attempting to contain my excitement after my principal agreed to support my innovation plan yesterday. The next step is to approach the district for final approval to pilot blended learning in my classroom … Continue reading What’s Your ‘WHY’?

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2019…Let’s go!

Brent Mischnick

Happy New Year to everyone! I really cannot believe that I am writing this blog post in 2019. Every school year seems to go by quicker and quicker, and this one has gone into hyperdrive since I started my DLL journey. I just finished my fourth class in the Digital Learning and Leading program at Lamar University and I would not have it any other way. I have enjoyed every minute of my stressful, yet amazing start to this eighteen-month journey. I began by learning the intricacies of the growth mindset, which has changed so much of what I do … Continue reading 2019…Let’s go!

CSLE, EDLD 5313 Creating Significant Learning Environments, growth mindset, My students, Teaching1 Comment

Do You Have a Growth Mindset ‘yet’?

Brent Mischnick

Dweck’s (2007) book was a great introduction to the start of my journey in the DLL program back in August. It reminded me of the different ways my students may respond to being challenged in my classroom. As I began to reread the book, I almost thought for a minute that Dr. Dweck had been following me around and writing about students in my classroom. I noticed stories that reminded me of a few of my students this school year and how entrenched they are in a fixed mindset. I knew that the majority of my classroom is filled with … Continue reading Do You Have a Growth Mindset ‘yet’?

CSLE, EDLD 5313 Creating Significant Learning Environments, growth mindset, Innovation Plan, My students, Teaching2 Comments

Creating Significant Learning Environments

Brent Mischnick

My classroom is a place of learning, but is it true learning at its best? After reading, A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change by Brown & Thomas (2011), I have realized just how far away my students are from the new culture of learning that they require. How can I move my students into the mode of learning that they need to be successful in a technology-rich world? I believe that as a teacher, I have enormous control over if and when my students become curious and passionate about learning. As I … Continue reading Creating Significant Learning Environments

EDLD 5305 Disruptive Innovation in Education, Innovation Plan, literature review, My students, Teaching2 Comments

Blended Learning: Changing the Classroom For The Better

Brent Mischnick

Introduction The role of the teacher has changed because of the integration of technology in the classroom (Horn, 2015). This change has started a new revolution called blended learning. Blended learning is not a new term and is defined in many ways. Most would describe blended learning as the combination of face to face instruction and student-paced technology-based instruction. It must also include the student being in charge of the time, place and location of their learning (Maxwell, 2016). There are many forms and models of blended learning being used in education today, although I will not be discussing all … Continue reading Blended Learning: Changing the Classroom For The Better

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Blended Learning or Bust?

Brent Mischnick

Blended Learning has so many facets and possibilities, yet there are so many schools that are not attempting to implement it. Well, I plan to change that at least at the school that I can control. I have created an innovation proposal to show my principal and hopefully will be the first step to a blended learning model coming to a classroom that I teach in! Dear Ms. Turner, I see an unbelievable opportunity to level up in my classroom and I would like to share it with you. I believe that the level of student engagement and the need for … Continue reading Blended Learning or Bust?

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Choosing an Innovation Plan

Brent Mischnick

This may be the first indecision that I have had in my first three courses during my DLL journey. I know that this innovation plan does not need to be started now and this is just the beginning of a long process to implement and refine my plan, but I still am showing some anxiety as I go through the decision process. After reading Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools by Horn & Staker I believe I may have come to some conclusions. My school has been blessed with 1 to 1 Chromebooks in fourth and fifth grade, but … Continue reading Choosing an Innovation Plan