Going Beyond Assumptions: The Journey to Policies that Enable Learner-Centered Transformation
Reflecting on my journey as Superintendent of Vista Unified School District, I learned the power of auditing and engaging in a collaborative process to update district policies. As critical as it is to establish a learner-centered Framework for the Future—vision, mission, values, goals, learning model, and accountability structure—all of it sits on shaky ground if the enabling policies are not there to support it. Online Course: Learner-Centered Leadership Book Study Many systemic behaviors I saw in Vista, and now see in districts across the country, are perpetuated by an assumption that some policy somewhere says “this” is what we ...
3 Optimistic Predictions for the Future of Learner-Centered Education
As we look towards 2024 and beyond, I foresee several exciting developments in learner-centered education. At Learner-Centered Collaborative our focus remains steadfast on advancing learner-centered education. We envision a future where education systems are dynamically aligned with the needs and aspirations of each learner. The potential for transformative impact is immense, and our ongoing initiatives and collaborations will continue to pave the way for this change. In the coming year, we plan to deepen our research, expand our network of partners, and enhance our programs to reach more educators and learners. We're exploring new frontiers aimed at fostering environments ...
Navigating Our Future: The Revised Big Questions Shaping Our Research Partnership with UCSD
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the need for research and practices that are robust and reflective of contemporary challenges is imperative. Recognizing this need, Learner-Centered Collaborative, in partnership with UC San Diego, has embarked on a journey to foster innovation and advance knowledge in the field of education through collaborative research projects, shared resources, and joint initiatives. The collaboration between LCC and UCSD will leverage the expertise and resources of both organizations to drive impactful research outcomes to influence improvements for learners and for the field of education. In October 2023, a consortium of educational leaders, teachers, and researchers ...
Scorecards: How Might We Measure What Matters In Schools?
Identifying strengths and possible Scorecard metrics with Hawaii Public Charter School Commission. There are many good reasons to have ways to determine if a school or school system is effective. For one, our schools are preparing our young people to be productive contributing citizens and (hopefully) thriving adults, so best to measure efficacy before it is too late. In addition, schools drive a culture of ongoing improvement; there are significant implications for attracting and retaining students, families, and staff; and, policy makers often use determinations to make decisions regarding funding and resource allocations. The problem is that ...
4 Ways to Increase Inclusion and Engagement When Allocating Resources
If allocating resources is part of your job, keep these 4 learner-centered ways to increase inclusion and engagement in the process handy.
5 Tips for Implementing Learner Profiles
As school leaders, one of our most critical tasks is to balance coherence and flexibility in our educational institutions. Coherence refers to a unified vision and shared understanding among stakeholders, while flexibility allows for adaptability and responsiveness to individual student needs. A valuable tool for achieving this balance is the implementation of a learner profile, also known as a portrait of a graduate. This blog post explores the benefits of using learner profiles and offers practical advice for school leaders on how to effectively incorporate them into their educational systems. The Power of Learner Profiles A learner profile is ...
How to Get Started Developing a Learner Profile
Learning communities across the country are asking an important question right now: what does success look like for our learners? Educational leaders are recognizing that clarity of desired outcomes is an important element in promoting coherence and connectedness. As a result, there is an increasing interest in the development of learner profiles that define an aspirational vision for learners in a visual, easily-communicated manner. In brief, the learner profile establishes the whole-child outcomes and it provides a catalyst to transform systems, processes, and structures necessary to support students in developing and demonstrating the outcomes. How is a learner profile different ...
The Power of Networks
Learning is social. We are all learners and adults need social learning experiences as well. We know that relational trust is foundational for meaningful growth and change in learning communities and that communities with strong connections and social capital are more likely to be effective. Unfortunately, the prevailing Industrial model of education promotes isolation through specialization. Our assembly models have led us to organize into “self-contained” classrooms and schools that operate with limited interaction with one another. Many teachers have never seen their neighbors down the hall in action and many principals have never seen the schools down the ...
Catalyst Collection
Catalyst is a monthly newsletter from Devin Vodicka featuring learner-centered insights and resources for educators, leadership teams, and change-makers. In each edition of Catalyst, Devin shares insights, learnings, and resources about the learner-centered education movement. Browse this collection to read past editions of Catalyst and explore what you missed! Join the conversation! Get the latest newsletter and new editions of Catalyst delivered directly your inbox sign up here. April 2024: Policies that Enable Learner-Centered Transformation March 2024: Creating Coherence and Alignment February 2024: The Many Benefits of Getting Outside January 2024: Optimistic Predictions for 2024 December 2023: Centering Learners ...
Remote vs. Classroom Instruction: Are We Asking the Right Questions?
Post-remote learning test scores are in. Are we asking the right questions?
Rethinking College and Career Readiness in a Hybrid World
The shift to more flexible, hybrid models in both college and career is happening at the same time as our education system is reverting back to a rigid, seat-time based system that was designed for a different era. Explore how we can best prepare students to be flexible, self-directed learners and contributors to society.
A Learner-Centered Take on Homework
This learner-centered perspective on the age-old homework debate reframes the question away from what, when, and how much and brings us back to our why and imagining the possibilities of homework from there.
The Four Elements of Trust
Research reveals that there are four elements of relational trust: consistency, compassion, competence, and communication. The balance of these four elements leads to relational trust. Every leader has to determine their own mix to develop the trust that is key for success in a community of change.
Now Is the Time for Learner-Centered, Whole-Child Education
Measuring whether a school is supporting interest-driven, whole-child development, or not, will be imperative as we evaluate the progress of individual learners and of our collective system.
Catalyst Newsletter
Catalyst Newsletter from Devin Vodicka- Learner-centered insights and resources for educators, leadership teams, and change-makers.
There has never been a better time for OER
Shifting to learner-centered experiences for all students is going to require many shifts, including the ways in which we think about outcomes and assessments, and providing flexible and open learning resources will be an important part of the change journey.
The connection between anti-racism and learner-centered education
A learner-centered paradigm, which begins with a respect for the jagged intersectionality of our unique identities, is required if we are to achieve our aspirations of reducing systemic inequalities in education and beyond. Explore how learner-centered education empowers learners to develop their unique identity through exercising agency in pursuit of real-world problem-solving.
Our Research-Informed Approach to Product Development
We are pleased to share a summary of our research-informed approach to the development and refinement of the Altitude Learning platform.
