It was May 2023 when I first heard  Dr H, He invited us, as a fundamental part of ADL Master, to make an innovation proposal that would challenge our minds and that could be implemented in our schools.

 

Right around that exact moment, my school was experiencing uncertainty about what to do and how to improve the results on the state tests in the third-grade reading and writing section. The results could have been more satisfactory, and although there were already some proposed actions, we found many conclusions and questions. Is this section below the expected goal if the students know how to read and write and have good writing and comprehension?

 

Through a series of professional developments, meetings, surveys, and observations, we embarked on a collective Journey to uncover the root cause. It became evident that our students' lack of Keyboarding skills  was a significant hurdle, leading to frustration, delays, and a loss of focus in the reading and writing section of the STAAR and TELPAS.

 

Although the  Typing app had already been acquired by the school ,  it was not part of a structured program that had an organization and was part of the daily lessons in the classrooms.

 

This is how my innovation proposal for Reading & Typing Club was born, and I must be honest, perhaps I was still a little lost in the scope and magnitude of ADL that, for a moment, I thought that the innovation proposal would remain just that, a proposal, and that's it. Today, 11 months later, many things have changed in the proposal and in my way of analyzing and teaching.

 

Embarking on the journey of exploring different authors and the theory of blended learning has been a challenging and enlightening experience. The Literature Review has allowed us to delve deep into the foundations of the proposal, revealing the extensive research and diverse perspectives that have shaped this field.

 

Complying with the stipulated schedules and Timeline has been a great challenge. Currently, three teachers with five classes are working on the Reading and Typing Club proposal, and the three of us are in different stages of implementation. Various adjustments have been made.

 

Last week, the STAAR writing and reading tests were presented, and we are excited to receive the results. Although we have had several measurement systems and formal and informal assessments during this time, our primary goal is the improvement of the state tests.

 

One of the great triumphs or achievements is that once students have mastered keyboarding, they feel excited about the new skills and benefits that typing provides.

 

Undoubtedly, our journey has been a learning experience, with numerous valuable lessons. Two, in particular, have stood out: the importance of diverse measurement systems and the need for adjustments tailored to the teaching styles and target students of each teacher. These insights will undoubtedly shape our future iterations.

 

Digital rotations and the implementation of typing in regular classes. GT and SPED Students are different, and everyone must take the state test.

 

An important aspect would be to include a more varied group of students. Currently, the innovation proposal is only being developed for bilingual classes. The other conclusions, obstacles, and adjustments that have been presented should have included a more varied population.

 

For my next project, I would like to create digital writing journals with my students. Considering everything I have learned in ADL, I now have a more concrete idea and better tools to start the planning phase.

 

​

References

​

Dweck, C.S. (2016). Mindset: The new psychology of success (Ballantine et al. edition. ed.). New York: Ballantine Books.

Fink, L.D. (2003). A self-direct guide to designing courses for meaningful learning [Pamphlet]. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Piaget, J. (1964). Part I: Cognitive development in children: Piaget. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, pp. 2, 176–186.

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. (nineteen ninety-six). Standards for foreign language learning: Preparing for the 21st century [Pamphlet].

Thomas, D., & Brown, J. S. (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change. Lexington, Ky.: CreateSpace