When brainstorming potential solutions to a problem of practice, a structured brainstorming activity can help ignite creative thinking. This guide from “I Am Not My Pixels” shares directions for “Crazy Eights,” a structured brainstorming activity.
When brainstorming potential solutions to a problem of practice, it is important to think outside the box. These rules from IDEO help set the stage for a successful brainstorming session.
When brainstorming potential solutions to a district problem of practice, it can often be helpful to look to others for inspiration. This set of introductory guides shares research and examples related to common problems of practice in education.
Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) interviewed a range of teachers and students to identify opportunities to improve teaching and learning. The team heard a clear and consistent theme that stakeholders felt many students are not engaged in their learning and don’t see the purpose or how it connects to their dreams for life beyond school. After reviewing themes from the interviews, the team summarized a key problem of practice: “How might we provide relevant, standards-aligned feedback to students so that every student reaches mastery?”
This problem statement challenged the team to find solutions that help each and every student deepen their learning through opportunities for ownership and personalized feedback (including feedback relevant to the student’s goals and aspirations). This problem statement also required the team to think about more individualized and flexible systems than traditional grading structures that apply a “one-size-fits-all” approach to assessing student learning at a single point in time; such traditional systems do not always include personalized feedback or give students additional opportunity to improve their mastery.
When designing change in a district, it is essential that leaders hear directly from students, families, teachers, and classified staff (i.e., those most impacted by teaching and learning). This guide from Stanford d.school will help you translate feedback into a clear problem your design team will address by framing problems as “How Might We?” questions.
This free OER guidebook was developed to help teachers develop the core skills needed to teach in environments that blend online and in-person learning.
One of three individual tests of blended teaching competence developed by Emily Pulham, Ph.D., through a TLA Measurement Fellowship.
One of three individual tests of blended teaching competence developed by Emily Pulham, Ph.D., through a TLA Measurement Fellowship.
One of three individual tests of blended teaching competence developed by Emily Pulham, Ph.D., through a TLA Measurement Fellowship.
A learner profile tells an individual’s academic and personal story over time and helps to establish a coaching relationship. It includes strengths, areas for growth, interests, aspirations, goals and how the individual learns best.
