Mount Vernon Ventures’ Post

At THINK Learning Studio, we are slowly uncovering that our core mission is much more basic than what we initially imagined. It's to help our friends and colleagues at schools move from point A to B, steering clear of the curriculum design pitfalls and traps we've encountered along our journey. The future of the "alternative schools" movement is filled in uncertainty. None of us know what comes next, which is part of the fun and design process. Despite the resilience of the traditional educational system, we remain optimistic about the potential synergy between conventional and progressive educational models. This collaborative and coexistence *could* be the key to shaping a more effective educational landscape. Enjoyed hearing so many stories this week about how "new design labs", PBL projects, and curriculum pivots are thriving across so many schools. Let's keep pushing forward. ___________ Louie Barnett Dr Kevin House, FCCT, FRSA Darren Coxon Mags Cummings Brett Girven Emma Nolan 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 إيما نولان Dr. Sabba Quidwai Chung Man C. John Tan #educationalleadership #PBL #professionaldevelopment

🌟 New Insightful Read Alert! 🌟 Thrilled to share my first publication: "Exploring Design Thinking in K-12 STEM Education" – a profound dive into the transformative power of design thinking in shaping the future of education. 🎓🚀 My work illuminates the essential blend of creativity, empathy, and problem-solving that design thinking brings to STEM education, encouraging a holistic approach to learning. With a focus on STEAM (integrating Arts to STEM), this publication emphasizes the importance of a diversified educational framework, promoting innovation and inclusivity. 🌈 Key Takeaways: Design thinking as a human-centered problem-solving approach. The significant role of empathy in creating inclusive, user-centered solutions. Practical strategies for integrating design thinking into K-12 education. The vital shift towards STEAM to foster creativity alongside scientific inquiry. My vision for a more inclusive, collaborative, and innovative educational landscape is both inspiring and actionable. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or simply passionate about the future of education, this read is for you. Let's advocate for change and embrace the principles of design thinking in our educational communities. 🌍💡 👉 Dive into the full article [DOI: https://lnkd.in/gt4MTxtM] #DesignThinking #STEMEducation #STEAMEducation #FutureOfEducation #InnovativeTeaching #EducationalChange

🌟 Are you ready to transform your STEM classroom into a space where every student feels valued and empowered? 🌱Check out the Head, Heart, Hands Rubric designed to help educators create equitable and engaging learning environments. We are proud to offer you tools and practical strategies that support your success. 👉 Download yours here: https://lnkd.in/etSWNZdp #STEMEducation #InclusiveTeaching #EquityInSTEM #InclusiveSTEM #EducationalEquity #TeachingStrategies #Teaching #EngineerInclusion #Inclusive #Learning #FreeDownload

22nd May, 12:20pm - see Professor Rose Luckin at the Association of School and College Leaders' Curriculum Conference 2024 This year's Curriculum Conference will focus on three themes: 📣 Do more: how schools can implement a rich curriculum offer when budgets are ever increasingly stretched. ASCL Funding Specialist Julia Harden will remind colleagues about the DfE’s approach to integrated curriculum financial planning (ICFP), with a focus on how new curriculum deputies or leads can work with their business manager when looking at the curriculum. While ICFP has been a feature of the system for a while, we know that since the pandemic many curriculum leads might be new to post, so what does ICFP mean for 2024? We’ll also explore what schools are doing to deliver a rich and sustainable extra-curricular activity against this backdrop of funding restraints and teacher burnout. 📣 Know more: we’ll consider what a knowledge-rich curriculum means in terms of inclusion and diversity, and how schools can diversify their curricula while still teaching the national curriculum. The conference will include a session on the rise of AI and what this means for knowledge-acquisition and the continued importance of ‘knowing more’. We’ll also hear from Ofsted about what a knowledge-rich curriculum means to them, and how schools can benchmark their own curriculum against the national curriculum. Summer 2024 also marks a decade since the reforms to the national curriculum. We’ll hear from leading architects of the current national curriculum who will reflect on what’s worked well, what could have been better, and lessons for any future curriculum reforms. 📣 Remember more: what the science of learning can tell us about curriculum sequencing, and – crucially – how school leaders can help their subject leads use cognitive science to inform or reflect on their own curriculum sequences. With leading experts in the science of learning, we’ll ask how we can help students remember what they’ve been taught through deliberate curriculum design. Book your place at https://lnkd.in/dKixR_fa #edtech #ai #curriculum #machinelearning #onlinelearning #educators #teachers #parents #learners #students #pupils #impact #innovation #heads #headteachers #leadership #schools #colleges #ascl

This is the first of three smart briefs I will be authoring around the benefits of CTE courses and the importance of creating a solid program for students - they are our future after all!

Title: “Fostering Growth: Transforming Schools with Dialogue-Based Learning” We’re thrilled to unveil our partnership with schools in implementing “The Change Plan,” a dynamic initiative revolutionising education through discussion-based learning. Through “The Change Plan,” schools can adopt an innovative approach that not only boosts academic progress but also empowers students as critical thinkers and compassionate individuals. Across various educational contexts, schools can tailor the program to meet their unique challenges and goals. For example, one school seamlessly integrated dialogue-based learning into its curriculum, resulting in increased student engagement and a more positive school culture. Here, students not only grasp academic concepts but also develop vital cognitive skills and empathy through meaningful conversations. Similarly, in another school, educators enthusiastically embraced discussion-based learning, creating an inclusive classroom environment where every student’s voice is valued. This led to higher student motivation, confidence, and active participation. These success stories highlight the transformative potential of discussion-based learning in schools. By fostering a culture of growth and empowerment, we equip students with essential skills for success in academia and beyond. We’re here to support school governors and head teachers as they explore integrating dialogue-based learning into their educational strategies. Together, let’s create learning environments that inspire curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. #DialogueBasedLearning #EducationTransformation #StudentEmpowerment #SchoolLeadership #SuccessStories

"Ever wonder why some classrooms have that buzz of engagement while others are as still as a silent library? The secret sauce isn't always about the teacher or the students, it's about the CURRICULUM! This is your backstage pass into the world of secondary schooling where a strong curriculum is the unsung hero. The reason? It’s not only about facts and figures. It’s about shaping problem solvers, critical thinkers, and future leaders. A well-crafted curriculum can serve as a powerful tool - a roadmap that inspires teachers and fires up students, leading to improved academic outcomes and a positive school culture. Integration of technology, interactive learning sessions and an environment that encourages questions and not just answers - that's what good curriculum is all about. Harnessing the power of a good curriculum at secondary schools can pave the way for success, keeping students engaged and constantly craving for more knowledge. After all, an educated mind cannot help but ask, 'What's Next?' Stay tuned for more insights on how a dynamic curriculum can turn a classroom into a powerhouse of learning. Remember, a school may be built with bricks and mortar, but its true foundations are laid down by a robust curriculum." #Education #Curriculum #SecondarySchools #Learning #Engagement

Urban Elementary School Principal, you're probably familiar with how the traditional school model mirrored factory settings - rigid bell schedules, students receiving one-size-fits-all instruction in classroom rows. It was an approach that made sense when preparing the future workforce for industrial-era jobs. However, the modern world has reduced the need for those practices. Today's students require a vastly different skillset to thrive - one centered around advanced literacy abilities like critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving. The surprising key to your school's success? Adopting a super-focused, comprehensive approach to literacy instruction across all grade levels and subject areas. Not just restricting a focus on literacy to the reading block, but ensuring literacy is the foundational fabric woven through every lesson. As you plan for the upcoming school year, transitioning away from the factory model towards authoring a new literacy-driven model will be vital. Merely operating under the ingrained conventional structures will leave your students ill-equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century. Embracing this shift and embedding literacy's prioritization into your school's very DNA may be the surprising secret to getting the outcome you want, which is students who are thriving in literacy. Kim and I have a checklist that we will share with you. It may have some components that you have not considered when making your school plans for the fall. Comment 'access' to get a copy of the Leadership to Literacy Checklist Check out the full Literacy Leadership Coaches Podcast on YouTube @ https://ow.ly/VKrm50QXlcA #LiteracyMatters #Edchat #Learning #Leadership #Edreform

🧠Unlocking the Power of Metacognition in Education🧠 Metacognition, or “thinking about thinking,” is a game-changer for student learning. By incorporating metacognitive strategies, educators can help students evaluate and improve their thinking processes, leading to better academic outcomes and lifelong skills. At McGraw Hill, our digital platforms like Connect and ALEKS are designed to foster these reflective practices, empowering students to become self-regulated learners. How are you integrating metacognition in your teaching? 🌟 #Education #Metacognition #EdTech #StudentSuccess #McGrawHill

🚀 **Rethinking the Modern Classroom: Where Learning Meets Innovation!** 🏫 Are our classrooms still the best spaces for learning? 🤔 As educators, we need to ask ourselves: Are traditional school classes meeting the needs of today's learners, or are we simply replicating the past? 🔍 **The Landscape of Learning** - The conventional setup of rows of desks and a chalkboard may have served us well in the 20th century, but times have changed. - Today's students thrive in dynamic, engaging environments that promote interaction and creativity. 💡 ✨ **What If We Shattered the Mold?** Imagine classrooms where: - **Flexible seating** options encourage collaboration. 🪑✨ - **Tech-integrated lessons** foster self-directed learning. 📱💻 - **Real-world problem-solving** situations prepare students for life beyond the classroom. 🛠️ Here’s where it gets serious: We have to move past the one-size-fits-all approach. Each student possesses unique strengths and challenges. ❗️ **Warning Signs Ahead** - Sticking solely to traditional methods can lead to disengagement and reduced retention. - Are we preparing students for their future, or merely educating them for yesterday’s world? 🚨 🔑 **The Key: Creativity and Flexibility** Let’s recognize that: - **Classrooms can be spaces for exploration.** - **Subjects can be fluid**, crossing boundaries between math, science, and the arts seamlessly. 🔉 **An Engaging Call to Action** - Share your thoughts! How have you adapted your teaching to meet modern needs? - What innovative strategies have you employed to enhance the learning experience? ✍️ 🌈 **An Optimistic Vision** Imagine a future where our classrooms become innovation hubs. 🌱✨ Spaces where students are not just passive recipients of knowledge but active architects of their educational journey! Let's champion a new era for education and redefine what a 'classroom' truly means. Join the conversation—our students deserve it! 📣 #EducationRevolution #ClassroomInnovation #TeachingTechniques #FutureOfLearning