Katie Martin

When we tell kids to complete an assignment, we get compliance. When we empower kids to explore and learn how to make an impact on the world, we inspire problem solvers and innovators. This change in education will require more than providing training for administrators and teachers to implement new curriculum or programs and resources. To create a culture of learning and innovation for all, these learning experiences must be situated in an ecosystem that redefines how we measure success, prioritizes learning at all levels, and is always evolving to meet the needs of those we serve. This talk will focus on the characteristics of learner-centered experiences and how we can create experiences that spark curiosity, ignite passion, and unleash genius.

COVID-19 has transformed how we learn and interact with one another. To meet the needs of the learners diverse learning environments and align school with the world we live in there is a need to embrace new mindsets about learning, along with new tools and resources available to make these shifts across diverse classrooms. Making these shifts requires more than learning about the latest technology or digitizing learning experiences. Instead, it is about us, as educators, evolving to meet the needs of those we serve.

If we see this pandemic as a portal and use this opportunity to create a new way forward, we can choose to leave behind the parts that no longer fit the future we want to create. This is an opportunity to look to our learners and focus on what really matters most now and what skills, mindsets, and dispositions we want to ensure as we move forward. There are many unknowns in the near future but we do know that if learners don’t feel seen for who they are and valued for the unique gifts they bring, we will fail to create opportunities for all individuals to reach their full potential. The role of the teacher matters more than ever and it is crucial that we focus on how to co-design meaningful experiences, connect with learners as individuals, and help them develop skills to navigate their world today and in the future.

Design Session / Workshop

Although school models vary, we know that our students living through the pandemic are developing a new world view, trauma, knowledge gaps, and likely new and different skills and experiences than they would have had in school. Changing how we learn in education starts with what and how we assess and how we hold people accountable. As we shift many systems and practices, this is the perfect opportunity to create a new and better model of how to teach, learn, and measure what matters. When we tell kids to complete an assignment, we get compliance. When we empower kids to explore and learn how to make an impact on the world, we inspire problem solvers and innovators. Instead of accountability to finishing a task, let’s focus on the evidence of learning and growth.