Facilitation Materials for Professional Learning Community
Tools used:
Google Docs, Canva, Jamboard
Challenge:
After enrolling in IDOL courses Academy in September of 2021 (cohort 8), I discovered that there were learners from all over the world. There were a couple of accountability groups already, but none were local to me. I wanted a more personal sense of community within the larger IDOL community. Specifically, I wanted to connect regularly with other members and get to know them as we all learned about instructional design and began our new careers.
Sign-up sheet for accountability group facilitators to use collaboratively
(This is a public-facing copy. The original is a Google Doc with live links and is updated for Cohort 13.)
Solution:
I approached the founder of IDOL courses about starting a group for members in the Pacific Time Zone on the Mighty Networks platform. Then, another member and I started inviting nearby IDOLs to join it. Steadily the West Coast Accountability Group (WCAG) grew, and currently we have over 100 members! It has become a space to connect both asynchronously and in real time. As the principle coordinator and facilitator, I have developed and maintained structure and routines, as well as provided guidance and leadership opportunities to members.
I invite all group members to contribute ideas on our Jamboard.
Results:
The success of WCAG is more than just its conversion rate of 88% (invitees who've accepted the invitation to join). Consistency over time is a major reason why our professional learning community remains active more than a year later. Through our weekly goal-setting and meet-ups over Zoom/Google Meet/Gather, we have built a supportive space that has led to many members being hired as instructional designers, trainers, and similar roles within learning and development. Not to mention, we have expanded the number of facilitators. Out of all nine IDOLs who have served as facilitators, four of us have become coaches and one has served as an official mentor for IDOL courses. West Coast Accountability Group is synonymous with continuous learning and leadership!
These thumbnail and header images are used to promote our weekly meetups. The first three slides of each are the most current versions. Select "play" and move the cursor away from the images for optimal viewing.
Bonus! I created this logo to match the other materials that promote the West Coast Accountability Group within IDOL's community on Mighty Networks. Though this could go on under "Video and Graphic Art," I am including it here as part of the whole package.
Virtual Instructor-led Training for Science Educators
Tools used:
Google Slides, Padlet, Jamboard
Challenge:
This is an updated version of a training that I designed and presented at a virtual workshop for educators held by NASA-JPL's Office of Education in January of 2021. At that time, many educational institutions were providing remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and educators were looking for ways to increase engagement.
Solution:
I proposed the topic "Using Visual Thinking Strategies to Promote Inquiry-based Learning in Science" for a few reasons. It tied into Earth Science and worked for both virtual and in-person learning (which we knew was right around the corner). Furthermore, VTS was developed precisely as a high-engagement instructional strategy and had research to support its use and demonstrate its success. I knew firsthand the lively discussions that could be had because I had applied it in my own instruction numerous times.
Results:
While I conducted the training, there was a high rate of participation. Attendees were quick to respond to the questions I posed for two reasons. 1) I used open-ended questions to elicit responses and then had the participants elaborate and build on each other's responses. 2) I used high-interest images (real photographs with dynamic action or rich colors and textures). After concluding the demonstration, the chat window filled with enthusiastic feedback and numerous follow-up questions. Educators wanted to take what they learned back to their classrooms and put it into practice right away. Some reached out to me after the session, as well. Because of all of the thoughtful questions I received, I created and shared a short follow-up slide deck ("addendum") with examples of how to extend VTS beyond photos and how to tie it to mandated content standards. This updated version includes that addendum.
Note: a complete VILT is being created. Please check back for the facilitator guide and participant guide.