I want to inspire my students to seek digital learning opportunities by modeling that behavior and showing the value of seeking multiple sources and applications of different aspects of learning. I know I better understand content and material when I can view it through different lenses and processes until it makes sense.
For example, here is my process for beginning the UbD Assignment. I first go to YouTube and search for each individual author and UbD. Then I search on the associated channels for the ADL program discussions. Here are some of the sources that I first used to frame the project.
After taking pages and pages of notes, I think reviewed the assigned chapters (Intro, 1 and 3) but I did not stop there. As I began trying to work my way through the assignment, I quickly found myself reading and taking notes on almost the entire book. This thirst to understand and to try to do right by my learners pushes me to consider more from the innovation to innovate advising.
I want to inspire the learners I have influence over to become digital learners too. Through combined formalized education and informal learning opportunities, I believe our learners have a more significant chance for understanding and skill transfer. As our learners experience authentic learning and connect informal learning, they will be more likely to carry those skills to the next challenge or task to be addressed. By giving our learners real-world learning opportunities, they will become the “self-evolving learners” that Grant Lichtman identifies (TEDx Talks, 2013). I am striving to increase curiosity and questioning by using questions. I hope that by prompting learners with questions instead of just providing information, they will begin to tap into their inquisitive mindsets and seek additional information and ask more questions. Through reigniting that curious mindset, I hope learners will be inspired to think outside the box and actively seek further information, verification, and clarification sources.
References
TEDx Talks. (2013, March 21). What 60 Schools Can Tell Us About Teaching 21st Century Skills: Grant Lichtman at TEDxDenverTeachers. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZEZTyxSl3g&t=2s
The Advisor That Cares 