Module ID# 23
Type: training
Revised: 07/2007

Module Description - Instructional Outcomes - Instructional Events
Instructional Evaluation - Discussion List

MODULE DESCRIPTION:

General Description of Modules 1, 2, and 3.
 

This three-part module is developed to enhance your knowledge and skills related to facilitating positive attitudes toward changing school environments. Given the legal and ethical requirements for including and educating, whenever and wherever possible, students with disabilities, gifted students, and ESL students in general-education classes with their age-appropriate peers, educators are required to significantly change how they think about and do instructional planning and delivery. Primarily, they have to work collaboratively with peers in their efforts to plan for the educational needs of ALL students in their classes.

General educators must also learn to manage change as they move increasingly toward interdisciplinary teaming. Interdisciplinary teaming means that teachers no longer work in isolation but must share responsibility for the success of ALL students in their schools.

While there are many elements to consider in all change processes, this three-part module focuses primarily on people in the change process. This focus is important for two reasons:

 

1.      It is the people within organizations who have missions, create visions, struggle with paradigms, select goals, write policies, design procedures, and engage in the best practices to facilitate change.

2.      Substantive change is unlikely to happen unless organizations make a concerted effort to:

a.       Identify and address people’s attitudes (beliefs, feelings, values, and behavior) toward a specific change, and

b.      Respect and nurture people’s emotional needs prior to and during a change.
 

This three-part module is organized into three units of instruction: MODULE ONE gives you (1) a new and useful perspective on the multifaceted issues and the difficulties ahead when you try to work collaboratively to implement required changes in your workplace, and (2) an understanding of why you do not always immediately embrace change efforts, especially when they are not initiated by you.

MODULE TWO introduces you to (1) an effective user-friendly construct for managing change. It is called the Seasons of Change (SoC) model, and (2) the typical behaviors and attitudes of colleagues who are dealing with the issues that need to be resolved in each season (stage). Recognizing these behaviors is critical if you wish to influence people’s thinking and eventually change behaviors, theirs and yours.

MODULE THREE describes in detail (1) the most appropriate strategies that you should use with colleagues who are experiencing the challenges of each season (stage), and (2) the strategies that you need to request of colleagues as they work with you during those times when they want you to change and you are resistant to the ideas or programs that are being advocated.

While it is highly recommended that you complete all three modules in the series, module one and module two could feasibly stand on their own. Module three must be preceded by module two.

Instructional Proficiencies

Standard 8: Performances #4, #5, #7
Standard 9: Performances #1, #2, #3

INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES:

At the completion of Module One, you will:

• Reevaluate your current beliefs about change.
• Identify why most people find change difficult.
• Describe seven components of change that must be addressed if any change is to occur.
• Describe different types of change that influence our emotional well-being.
• Explain four keys to future success with changing environments.
• Identify characteristics of an effective collaborative-learning organization.
• Describe how schools are changing with the influence of technology.
• Identify the changing roles of educators in the twenty-first century.

INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS

To complete this module, you will need to:

• Study this module on the issues and challenges of our changing school environments.
• Refer to other resources for additional information on the topic.
• Complete the “Tasks for Completion and Discussion” included in this module.
• Complete a pretest on how you would facilitate change in your workplace.
• Survey three books related to the topic of Change, then read and report on two books.
   

There are several “Task for Completion and Discussion” activities that you will be asked to respond to throughout this module. These tasks will assist you by providing opportunities for deeper understanding, additional practice, and reflection on the content with others in your “discussion thread”.

Module Index:

1. Task for Completion and Discussion #1
2. Task for Completion and Discussion #2
3. Task for Completion and Discussion #3
4. Task for Completion and Discussion #4
5. Task for Completion and Discussion #5
6. Task for Completion and Discussion #6
7. Task for Completion and Discussion #7
8. Task for Completion and Discussion #8
9. Resources and References