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Let Flexibility Lead To Alignment

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  In my previous school district, I was the only teacher teaching a physics course with set, district-wide learning outcomes. These same outcomes were also taught in physics classrooms at the other high school in our district. But at our school, I was one of the 2 physics teachers. The other teacher taught the AP-level physics courses. So, in many ways, I had opportunities to incorporate strategies I believed were best for learners and that I found worked best for them without being seen as out of alignment with anyone in our building. My amazing friend and one of my teaching philosophy goddesses, Katie Novak, stated the following misconception about alignment: All teachers must deliver instruction in the exact same way. True alignment, she says, is about shared goals, rigor, and outcomes. Thank you, Katie! Katie has taught me to truly believe that learner variability is the rule, not the exception. I encourage you to take 10 minutes to listen to Katie Novak explain it in the ...
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Mo Portfolios Mo Problems: Version 1.0

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As we approach the school year, two big things have occurred that have made me realize that portfolios can be a place for literacy and learning to be reflected. The first is that we are going 1:1 with Chromebooks at the high school. The second event was our district being included in the Google Sites Beta.  The Beta represents a giant leap in accessibility for students who are able to use the core GAFE apps like Docs and Slides.

What these two changes mean is that we can access to the portfolio anytime (no need to sign up for computer lab) and with ease (it will be a much less intimidating process).  Students who are familiar with GAFE apps will be more able to provide peer support.  They don't need to know the complex menus of the traditional Google Sites (Classic Sites).

So, I'm calling this Version 1.0 because I'm really starting from scratch here guided by the work of George Couros and Vicki Davis with student portfolios. They have so many great resources that I had to use to think about when drawing up my first iteration I plan to implement in 14 days.

Couros asks a simple question about purpose of the portfolio format. Will the portfolio be used as a learning portfolio, a showcase portfolio, or both.  It is my intention that it be a place for both. The learning portion will be in the form of student narratives and the showcase will be presentation and defense of course artifacts.

The outline of version 1.0 is below for what will be in the portfolio. I'm currently deciding on the "visibility plan".  But, will make them live to myself and parents right away. Probably, live to the world after our first unit. And, promote to the world after the first 9 weeks.  I would love if you would provide me with any feedback, questions, concerns, or clarifications.  As my PLN, I'd love your help in clarifying and shaping my vision. I think it would be really cool if I was able to get enough feedback to draft Version 1.1 before school started.  Thank you!



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