The Advisor That Cares

ADL Program, Evolution, Goals, Growth, Growth Mindset, Learner's Mindset, Learning

Adopting a Growth Mindset

October 5, 2022November 19, 2023 The Advisor That Cares

“Learner’s Mindset – a state of being where people act on their intrinsic capacity to learn and respond to their inquisitive nature that leads to viewing all interactions with the world as learning opportunities. This state enables one to interact with and influence the learning environment as a perpetual learner who has the capacity to use change and challenges as opportunities for growth” (Harapnuik, 2021).

How to reignite the learners’ mindset is a question with which I am constantly struggling—translating lesson plans and content from educational standards to create a learning environment where there are no standards to meet is liberating and limiting. I know, I know, classroom educators are screaming that the process of igniting and reigniting the learners’ mindset is a challenge due to the standards I wish were structuring the work I am hoping to do through my innovation. After completing the first three ADL program courses, I thought that my innovation would be chalked full of growth mindset messaging and modeling. However, the more information I absorbed this week, the more I recognized that I did not want to spend all my investments on cultivating a growth mindset in my learners. The meta-analyses, research, and other criticisms seem to illustrate that growth mindset lessons, messaging, and words alone do not lead to lasting change. Dr. Harapnuik pushes the message in the Learners’ Mindset discussions that without changes to the learning environment, it is difficult for authentic, meaningful change to occur in both ourselves and our learners (CSLE2COVA, 2019). We have to really want to learn. We have to help our learners really want to learn. The authentic tasks that reignite the learners’ mindset are where I honestly struggle with how to create an environment that helps my learners “turn life’s challenges into an opportunity for growth and development” (Harapnuik, 2021).

I would like to believe that daily, through my learning journey, I am embracing and reigniting my learner’s mindset, which will help me instill those values and beliefs in my learners. This whole process is exactly what lead me to the ADL program.

References

CSLE2COVA. (2019, April 5). LMD EP20 Growing A Growth Mindset. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR7uCZGPZ5k

Harapnuik, D. (2021, February 9). Learner’s Mindset Explained. Harapnuik.org. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=8616

ADL Program, Collective, Evolution, Goals, Growth, Growth Mindset, Growth Mindset Plan, Learner's Mindset, Learning, Learning Community, Learning Manifesto, Personal, Professional, Reflecting

Revisiting Reflections

October 5, 2022October 5, 2022 The Advisor That Cares

This week, we are revisiting some of our previous Growth Mindset content and reflections. As I re-watch the Learners Mindset Discussions, Episode 20, I am almost overcome with confirmation of so many things going through my mind these days.

When I was struggling with the thought of enrolling in the ADL Program, I watched so many LMD and ADL content, just trying to get a sense of the program. Dr. Thibodeaux‘s vulnerability spoke directly to my fixed mindset, to my wall of fear, to my heart. This discussion topic was the subject that sealed the deal for me.

Now I review the discussion and have a whole new perspective on the conversation. I understand what the instructors mean when they say that the environment we can create for our learners is the key to transformation, transference, and triumph (I wanted to say success but couldn’t resist the 3T’s). I understand it because they provided that very environment to learn for me.

We now get to create the environment through our essential questions/understandings. It is overwhelming. It is exceptionally challenging. But aren’t we “smashing through the walls of fear?” Aren’t we “setting our course by the light of the stars?” Aren’t we here “to change the world?” That is big and overwhelming, but our instructors believe in us. We believe in each other. And just because I know I need to hear it and you might too, I believe in you!

CSLE2COVA. (2019, April 5). LMD EP20 Growing A Growth Mindset. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR7uCZGPZ5k

References

CSLE2COVA. (2019, April 5). LMD EP20 Growing A Growth Mindset. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR7uCZGPZ5k

ADL Program, Collective, Contributions, Evolution, Growth, Growth Mindset, Humor, Learner's Mindset, Learning, Learning Community, Personal, Reflecting, Tips

UbD Collaboration

October 4, 2022October 21, 2022 The Advisor That Cares

In one of our final course meetings, a classmate expressed some serious reservations about their final major assignment. Another fantastic community member messaged me, heartbroken about how we could help a classmate through their struggle. I created a zoom call and rallied the troops so that we could be supportive sounding boards to provide as much feed-forward as possible. This meeting took place after an hour-long class call and lasted another 40-45 minutes. I believe we all left the session with a better understanding of the assignment.

I wanted to share our discussion because I think it illuminates the purpose of our learning community component. As we discuss our ideas with others, we obtain clarity on our plans. As we support others in finding clarity for their ideas, we fortify our own.

Course Info

Course Number: EDLD 5313
Course Title: Creating Significant Learning Environments
Instructor: Dr. Kelly Grogan
LU’s Applied Digital Learning Program
Fall 2022, first eight-week session
UbD Template – Assignment

Collaborator Info

ADL Program, Advising, Growth, Growth Mindset, Growth Mindset Plan, Learner's Mindset, Personal, Professional, Reflecting

EDUCAUSE, Excited?

October 3, 2022 The Advisor That Cares

Before beginning the ADL Program, I cannot say for certain I ever heard of EDUCAUSE, but here I am excited because I just received an email with the subject: “Now Available: 2022 Students and Technology Report”

“2022 Students and Technology Report: Rebalancing the Student Experience“
EDUCAUSE, 2022

How exciting is it that “rebalancing the student experience” is part of the title for this year’s report. Of particular interest to me is the section on student success. As I reflect upon my 3 Column Table and prepare for my UbD Template, I see several of the topics we have discussed throughout our program courses and research. It is justifying to see academic advisors and coaches listed as a success resource as reported by students. This provides support and validation to the opportunity posed through the course planning of these two activities. Students share several of the frustrations advisors feel when trying to help students navigate the terrain of higher ed and federal regulations with referral to overwhelmed resources across campus. There just have to be more innovative ways to connect students. The nonacademic circumstances outlined by the report are inline with my heart and my passions for helping students succeed. “Work/life balance” appeared on my 3 Column Table Assignment this past Saturday (10/01/2022) when I submitted my first attempt at outcomes planning with regard to advising. To see that very factor listed on the report issued today (10/03/2022) is just amazing.

We are catalysts for change.

We are changing lives.

I’m excited.

What did you read that made you want to push forward and fight the good fight?

Reference

2022 Students and Technology Report: Rebalancing the Student Experience. (2022, October 3). EDUCAUSE. https://library.educause.edu/resources/2022/10/2022-students-and-technology-report-rebalancing-the-student-experience?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=report_workforce&utm_content=10-03-22&utm_term=_&m_i=gOxoTDKsSnuYNHpF5gYO7fCAQ7f4aHQ4dZIY9A9VdW_T7Y2lbkDcdYEJl4D_fBvjOXq6OEpO6aQnIFFamAp6GfDDl77T9Ugggg&M_BT=88967532832

ADL Program, Evolution, Innovation Plan, Learner's Mindset, Learning, Reflecting, Tips

Ub… kidding me?

October 3, 2022October 9, 2022 The Advisor That Cares

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

Growth Mindset, Humor, Learner's Mindset, Personal, Reflecting

Learners Mindset in Life

October 1, 2022November 28, 2023 The Advisor That Cares

I felt it so necessary to share this recent Hot One‘s interview. The guest’s mindset, David Blaine, is an inspiring living example. I can’t say I’ve followed any of his work, though I’m sure I’ve seen bits and pieces here and there throughout his career. Nonetheless, he shares beautiful nuggets of wisdom. His thoughts on failure. Maybe it is because I’m going through Carol Dweck’s Mindsets again. Still, I felt it necessary to share this learner’s mindset example with anyone who might have read the book and the ADL goals but struggles with living the learner’s mindset. Does everyone feel like it’s one step forward, two steps back, at times? I just keep adding, yet!

Disclaimer:

This is a blog about my learning journey and my role in education. I am torn about sharing a personal reflection because of the language used. I am battling over whether that is professionally appropriate considering the multi-use purpose of my ePortfolio. I hope that you, the reader, will accept my humble apology if you find the content inappropriate. I also hope you will take this disclaimer and go no further in viewing the content should you be sensitive to cursing.

Warning – NSFW (language)

First We Feast. (2022, September 29). David Blaine Does Magic While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E2EbGoXlPQ

ADL Program, Evolution, Learning, Reflecting

Embracing Change

September 28, 2022October 13, 2022 The Advisor That Cares

The findings of visiting 60 schools video proves that we need to get better at preparing our learners for unknown futures. As Grant Lichtman describes, by forming both “self-evolving learners and self-evolving organizations,” we can grow and change as learning, education, technology, and society continue to change will prepare us all simultaneously for the future as well as the present (TEDx Talks, 2013). 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. By providing those sources and opportunities to my learners, I hope to inspire them to become digital learners too. Through this type of combined formalized education and informal learning opportunities, I believe our students have a more significant chance for information 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 students 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 students 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 students will be inspired to think outside the box and actively seek further information, verification, and clarification sources.

References

21stEducator. (2009, April 2). 21st Century Education vs. 20th Century Education. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiD1UqLPrOg

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

Advising, Collective, Evolution, Learner's Mindset, Learning, Learning Community, Personal, Professional, Reflecting, Tips

Cultivating Dreams

September 27, 2022 The Advisor That Cares

This afternoon I had the pleasure of attending the following Coffee Chat with my professional organization. I found the resources shared so valuable and timely that I wanted to post some of the links and ideas to reflect upon as I address learning outcomes in my upcoming assignment.

Excellent small group discussions with advising colleagues and brainstorming session on dream inducing questions like:

What did you always want to do/be when you grew up? And why?
What does good academic standing look like to you this semester, and how does that bring you one step closer to your dream/ideal profession?
What inspired you to come to this institution, and how does that “why” drive you closer to your dream?
What are things that you loved to do when you were young?
What do you do when you lose track of time? (accessing flow)
Where do you find yourself most creative?
What brings you joy?
What courses have you enjoyed the most and what did you enjoy about them?
If money was not an issue, what would your ideal job be?
Does anybody out there already have your dream job and what do they do?
What do you love to do?
Who is a role model in your field of interest that you want to emulate, and how can you “walk in their footsteps” this semester?
What do all the things you are interested in have in common?

ADL Program, Contributions, Goals, Growth, Learner's Mindset, Learning

Quality Course Design

September 26, 2022September 26, 2022 The Advisor That Cares

Tutorial on the application of Dee Fink’s Taxonomy to “Design courses that promote significant learning”

Just sharing a beautiful resource I discovered while doing additional research on learning outcomes and significant learning environments. This is a beautiful resource for those who may feel overwhelmed by the process of working through L. Dee Fink’s Self-Directed Guide to. Designing Courses for Significant Learning since the information is broken into smaller pieces with activities embedded to assist in the development phases.

Click the image below and we can work through the process together.

https://midway.libguides.com/coursedesign/home

Here’s a fun little tool for creating learning objectives or goals for Step 2: Learning Goals

https://teachonline.asu.edu/objectives-builder/

ADL Program, Advising, Goals, Learner's Mindset, Learning, Personal

Aligning O, A, and A

September 23, 2022September 23, 2022 The Advisor That Cares

Next up in my adventure to learn how I can create a significant learning environment through my innovation of advising, is Aligning Outcomes, Activities, and Assessments.

We are considering outcome based education/learning through the creation of these environments. My process for learning is to seek and search for all the possible inputs for a topic. I have completed several LinkedIN Learning trainings and am watching a number of YouTube sources on the topic.

Creating Effective BHAG & Outcomes (7 minutes)