Courageous Edventures

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 Group for the US Department of Education's 2016 National Educational Technology Plan and co-founding PLAYDATE and other new conference concepts. Jennie has earned degrees from Phillips Exeter Academy, Columbia University and University of Illinois-Chicago. Aside from her students, Jennie's great loves in life are sci-fi, mashed potatoes, Tabasco sauce, her dog and her husband. You can find Jennie on Twitter at @MsMagiera or through her blog Teaching Like It's 2999.

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

"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 "A practical and resource-filled guide to using technology to true advantage in the classroom." -- Betsy Ruffin, Retired Educator, Technology Consultant "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 "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 "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 "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 "Magiera takes us on a Courageous Edventure by outlining a blueprint for charting a new course while navigating rough waters in order to sail into the Great Beyond. Her words of wisdom, stemming from her career as a practitioner, are encouraging yet simultaneously challenging-challenging educators to create new, authentic learning experiences for all kids. Whether your setting is urban, suburban, or rural, Magiera will push your thinking, challenge the status quo, and support your work in developing Future Ready classrooms and schools. Courageous Edventures is a great read and a needed tool for your toolbox!" -- Thomas C. Murray, Director of Innovation "With Courageous Edventures, Jennie Magiera has created a book that is both powerful and accessible to teachers who want to transform their classrooms into more modern, active, empowering spaces. Magiera's powerful voice and passion for the work shine through on every page, making this a fun read as well as a deeply helpful read as well." -- Chris Lehmann, Founding Principal of Science Leadership Academy and Author of Building School 2.0 "Courageous Edventures is as fun as it is wildly useful for teachers wanting to move from hope for more effective teaching and more satisfying professional experiences to realizing both. Magiera helpfully explores the general (building professional networks, reflecting collaboratively, etc.) and the specific (her brilliant "Gripe Jam," fascinating ways to use OK Go videos, and much more) in ways that will hold the attention of both veterans and newbies. This is a perfect book for those in teacher education programs and professional study teams at all kinds of schools." -- Rushton Hurley, Educator and Executive Director