Category: Teaching

blended learning, COVA, CSLE, EDLD 5320 Synthesis of Digital Learning and Leadership/Capstone, eportfolio, growth mindset, Innovation Plan, professional learning, TeachingLeave a comment

COVA…a Look into the Future of Learning

Brent Mischnick

Beginning my journey in the Digital Learning and Leading (DLL) program at Lamar University was not an easy decision and definitely kept me up at night more than once. Although, when I started my first course and was introduced to the growth mindset (#1 below); everything changed. I began to realize that many of my fears were my fixed mindset trying to peek out from behind the corner, but I soon learned how to deal with those struggles the right way. The next idea that got my mind spinning in circles was when I was introduced to the COVA (#4 … Continue reading COVA…a Look into the Future of Learning

EDLD 5317 Resources for Digital Environments, TeachingLeave a comment

Using Video in the Classroom and Beyond

Brent Mischnick

What do you think the future of education will look like? Will students finally be given the opportunities they deserve to show what they know and grow into lifelong learners? Video is one excellent way to engage students in more meaningful learning and opens doors most teachers never knew existed. Allowing students to find their voices using video can help them take ownership of their own learning. Showing teachers how video can be used in their classroom and how it will benefit student learning is necessary. Having this modeled for them in the form of professional learning using video can … Continue reading Using Video in the Classroom and Beyond

digital citizenship, EDLD 5316 Digital Citizenship, Teaching2 Comments

Cyberbullying…it is always personal

Brent Mischnick

Many students have been affected by bullying, maybe even ourselves when we were in school as well. Bullying has been an issue for decades, and it makes you wonder why we can’t find a solution or ways to curb this behavior. Personally, I never really realized that I was bullied when I was in school until after I finished up eighth grade and moved on to a new school. Then it hit home when I heard and saw others bullied; I made it my mission to stand up for those that were and that has continued as a teacher. When … Continue reading Cyberbullying…it is always personal

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Copyright or wrong?

Brent Mischnick

Copyright in education has become a hot topic since computers and the internet began the era of the copy and paste. This phenomenon continues to be an issue even though teachers check students work with plagiarism checkers constantly. Students seem to be okay with taking someone else’s work and saying it is their own. The ease of the copy and paste has created an issue that never used to exist. While I was a teacher, I felt that students did not have a very good understanding of the correct process of citing sources for copyright reasons. This lack of understanding … Continue reading Copyright or wrong?

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What is Digital Citizenship?

Brent Mischnick

I used to think that I knew what digital citizenship was, and I did have a partial understanding of it; but there is so much more. First of all, digital citizenship is not just a teacher-student interaction; it should be a student-parent-teacher-administrator learning collaboration. Without this collaboration, we will continue to have the same issues we have now and it will probably get worse. Cyber-bullying, plagiarism, and so many other areas of concern when it comes to students and the digital citizens they need to be for a safe online experience. Ribble (2015) states that digital citizenship is about creating … Continue reading What is Digital Citizenship?

EDLD 5318 Instructional Design in Online Learning, professional learning, TeachingLeave a comment

A Course for Teacher Professional Learning

Brent Mischnick

As I finish creating my personalized course for teachers; I am very excited to see all of the learning that that takes place. On the other hand, I wonder how many teachers will truly venture out into the universe of taking an online course during the school year. As I start my new position as an Elementary Innovation Leader (Technology Coach) for my district; I have found many teachers that have a very different expectation for their students learning compared to their own. Many teachers tend to think that doing things the same way all the time will improve student … Continue reading A Course for Teacher Professional Learning

EDLD 5318 Instructional Design in Online Learning, professional learning, TeachingLeave a comment

Continuing to Build…

Brent Mischnick

Over the last week, I have continued to look for ways to vary my course activities and provide different opportunities for the teachers that will be taking this course. As teachers we like to provide differentiated instruction to our students; so I am looking to build my course with the same idea in mind. I continue to use the OSCQR website for guidance and came across standard #29 that talks about variety of resources. It opened my eyes about some of the ways to incorporate other activities that I may have dismissed or not thought of before. I ended up … Continue reading Continuing to Build…

EDLD 5318 Instructional Design in Online Learning, professional learning, TeachingLeave a comment

An Update on my Online Course

Brent Mischnick

While building my online course on Google Classroom; I find myself in a continual reflection mode of what is needed and what is not. Learning in the same online environment through Lamar University for the last fourteen months has been helpful to focus on the detailed aspects of my course. Another quality tool that has helped me shape my course has been the Open SUNY Course Quality Review (OSCQR) site. Following the fifty standards on the site has allowed me to find more clarity in how to make my course more learner centered (OSCQR, n.d.). Most of my experience when … Continue reading An Update on my Online Course

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