Y'all, I did something new last week, something I have never done before, something scary and new and life changing! (P.S. I say y'all because this amazingness happened in Austin, Texas) This was a game I have never played, heck I hadn't even read the manual, but like a true gamer I grabbed my controller, blew out my cartridge and pushed play! Last week I attended the SXSWedu conference in Austin, Texas. Now, attending this conference would have been an entirely new experience it itself, but because I like to play expert level I also submitted to be a speaker at the conference this past summer. Naturally, I never expected for my submission to be chosen among the over 1,200 entries for this conference, but the world works in mysterious ways and this was an upgrade I was meant to discover. Fast forward 8 months and I was on my way to my first ever conference presentation at one of the biggest national conferences for education! Now in a video game a bonus level is a special level within a video game designed to reward the player with extra points, power-ups or items. They are much shorter than regular levels, but can have major impact on the success of the character within the game. I want to talk to you guys about how my experience at SXSWedu was the ultimate bonus level for leveling up my teaching and learning! When I entered into the room that I would be presenting in, I was instantly overwhelmed. 185 chairs, a screen, a big opening in the middle where I was supposed to stand and try and impact a room of educators and people can be intimidating. Would the audience gain anything? Would I sound like I knew what I was talking about? Would I fall on my face literally and figuratively? These, and an unending list of other questions were scrolling through my mind in the hours and minutes leading up until the moment you see above. Entering an unknown bonus level is much like what I was feeling at that time. Will there be enemies in the level? What benefits will I get out of the experience? What will it even look like? The unknown is scary, I don't think many people dispute that, but it's also exhilarating. My session could have gone horribly. I was relying on technology (yikes), my students were freely able to answer questions how they wished (good thing they are amazing), and I had heels on people! However, this one hour bonus stage of my life provided essential XP to my confidence, to my network and to my own empowerment. Don't let scary questions about the unknown keep you from entering your bonus level. The power-ups you'll gain from the experience will forever change the way you play. I may be biased, but I truly do have the coolest students in the world. It's true that bonus levels can be completed alone, but when you can include a sidekick or a player 2, that level becomes a shared experience in gaining XP for all gamers involved. Empowering each other with your strengths allows each person to gain the full impact of the level. The most difficult power-ups are more easily reached through teamwork and collaboration. Why not utilize our students as those second players. Their talents, knowledge and willingness to take on the unknown will make a bonus level more disruptive to your game, in a good way! Too often they are forgotten as a source of collaboration for teachers. We should work WITH our students, not alongside of them. My session at SXSW would not have been as impactful without the expertise of my little gamers. Empowering them to share their voices, was scary, but it was the best part of this bonus level.
Listen, I get it! Taking risks and entering the unknown "Bonus Level" may not seem like it is worth the risk of failure. You could lose time on your journey to the final boss, you could lose a valuable life, you just might lose a previously gained power-up. But what could you gain even in the success or even in the failure? You might not know until you try, so it is essential to put yourself out there, try something new and conquer that bonus level! Cheat Codes: TARACTBL-Take A Risk And Conquer That Bonus Level YSCBYBC-Your Students Can Be Your Best Collaborators FTQADSS-Forget The Questions And Do Something Scary Happy Leveling! Taylor
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AuthorGreetings Readers! My name is Taylor Arehart and I am a 6th year Educator in Excelsior Springs, MO. I have taught 3rd, 4th and gifted and talented, but now I am beginning a new adventure as an Instructional Coach. I have a huge passion for transforming education and giving students the 21st century skills they need to rock the world. I am writing about my journey of leveling up! Leveling up means to constantly look for ways to improve in teaching, learning and living. This means in the classroom with my students as well as in other areas of my life. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey (and my students' journeys) to reach our highest levels and rattle the stars! Archives
October 2017
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