Connecting, Agile Classrooms, and Authentic Learning with Laura Williams

In this conversation Laura Williams shares the importance of connecting with others, agile classrooms, and the Authentic Learning Alliance. Some of the other topics that we discuss.

Emersion is important in figuring out what you want to doAsk yourself: Are learners connecting to experts to further their learning in an experience or project? Are you producing or creating something for someone beyond the classroom? Are students using or engaging in a real process that helps them develop skills and knowledge?How do experts engage in this (processes) Look to learn from othersLook to solve problems in your communityConnect your school to your communityBe part of the solution in making our communities betterWin - Win - Win : Students are learning, businesses are benefitting, and teachers are having funLearn about industries practices - how do real businesses create processesFour thingsSafety a prerequisite Deliver value continuouslyMake People Awesome Experiment and learn rapidlyTwo things - Daily Stand Up (share out what they have been working on, what are they working on today, what are my impediments)  Scrum board  -Sticky notes with physical board ( To do, doing, and done) map out and plan, this is how I’m going to do it, chunk it, )
 Teachers can see who is working on what and when Making it visible makes it easier for students We’re constantly getting feedback from our environment all the time. Reflect on it.It’s important to know what you want, it is also important to know what you don’t want. You don’t know what you don’t know. Learn from others. How do we get kids comfortable with new ideas, new propositions.How can we help them find joy in living, learning, and working.Help students learn how to identify action steps.Network, talk to people who have already been there.No business has ever said know, look to connectConnections that lead to opportunities that can lead to changing trajectories for kids.

Lauara Williams bio:
Laura Williams (MAT, MA- ELPS) is your resident authentic learning expert, facilitates the Iowa Authentic Learning Network, and is the founder of the Authentic Learning Alliance. She also is a Project Manager of a statewide project board for PK-12 Students across Iowa serving the Iowa Area Education Agencies. Her educational background includes B.A. in Interdepartmental Health Studies: Emphasis on Multidisciplinary Sciences, M.A.T. in Secondary Science Education, and Principal Licensure and M.A. in Ed. Leadership and Policy Studies.  Over the past 10 years, she’s dedicated herself to transforming education through incorporating authentic learning experiences with area partnerships into PK-12 classrooms as an educator, consultant, and 21st Century Learning Specialist. She believes that education can be “the great equalizer” if we can leverage our student’s interests and passions. “We have ~6.5 instructional hours a day and I believe we can be the difference. We just have to dedicate the time, space, and connections to "up the ante" for students. I believe we can help each learner find their superpowers and help them develop 21st Century skills to be successful in living, learning, and working. We can help learners develop a mindset that they can be and do whatever they want in order to find their greatest human potential and live in their element.” 

Follow Laura on Twitter  @mrswilliams21c or email at [email protected]