IPET/PET learners will collaborate, design, and incorporate blended learning experiences for local elementary and/or middle school students.

          It's not a long statement, but it's the big goal that is at the heart of my entire innovation plan. Once the goal was written, I had to really consider how it would all play out. I've had some ideas floating around in my head for quite a while now, but I've realized those ideas were individual activities, but not connected to a specific outcome/goal or assessment. I had to figure out where those ideas fit, what preceded them and what followed them. Even more importantly though, I had to know what goal was being targeted by my idea. If I had an activity idea, what goal did it meet and how would achieving that goal be assessed? This ultimately led to a few ideas being left if the dust because once I truly considered my individual goals, those stray activities didn't align anywhere.

          Does this have you questioning some of the things that have been done in classrooms everywhere?  Some people call them "love units."  Those really fun, engaging units or activities that aren't quite in alignment? This doesn't mean everything fun and engaging goes out the window. Quite the contrary in fact. It just means start with the goal. Franklin Covey (2004) says that to "begin with the end in mind" is one of the 7 Habits of High Effective People.

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          I went back to my innovation plan, timeline, and philosophy and after much collaboration and consideration with my small group came up with my BHAG.  Dee Fink (2003) provides a lot of what you need to get started here.  The DLL professors also provide just enough guidance to get us taking steps in the right direction to go from an overarching goal to how to make the goal happen. Worksheets to get out some thoughts, a template for a 3 column table, examples from the past, and a small, connected group from class got my brain wheels turning.  As the weeks fly by, I am learning more and more about myself, my innovation plan, and the change agent that I hope to become.  I'm also growing increasingly excited about my innovation plan as we continue to add pieces.  

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Worksheet 1 - Learning Environment & Situational Factors to Consider

Worksheet 2 - Questions for Formulating Significant Learning Goals

3 Column Table