Closed Captioning of Innovation Project Update Video
Identify and reflect on all the components and work you have done so far on your innovation project.
For my innovation project, I have composed a plan that combines a flex blended learning approach that uses a learning management system, like Schoology, project based learning, and guided instruction. This design will support my learners through creating a significant learning environment (CSLE) that uses the COVA model, giving students choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities.
Schoology is used as a digital tool to organize courses, engage students, and track progress. Project based learning encourages creativity, real-world thinking, and peer collaboration. Guided instruction is provided in small groups, allowing students to get targeted support and fill in learning gaps that they need to get extra help on concepts that they have not yet mastered.
I also created a proposal letter to present to stakeholders, asking for an opportunity to implement this learning environment in my classroom. The goal is for students to become self-directed learners and build student agency on their personal learning journeys. I developed this innovation proposal to start a change that offers students a dynamic, yet individualized learning experience.
My plan is to share what I have learned with my fellow co-teachers, and administration. I have also conducted a literature review to support my innovation plan, which includes a list of books that I have referenced, and other books that I plan to read to deepen my understanding of the flex blended approach. The research highlights how following this model will increase student motivation and independence.
In addition, I created an implementation outline to detail the steps that I will take to apply the flex blended approach in my own classroom. I have also made lessons, materials, and projects, and thoughtfully considered how this learning model will fit into my classroom routine to enhance my students’ learning experiences. Ultimately, I plan to develop a more customized learning experience for each student.
Finally, I have also completed action based research on gathering tools, and other digital resources, like Progress Learning, to strengthen math instruction. These learning tools can make a greater impact on the learners performance in this flex blended approach to further support my innovation plan.
Identify where are you in your innovation project? What if anything do you have to complete? By when?
Right now, I am at the final planning stages of my innovation project. I have created my proposal letter, completed my literature research, developed an implementation outline, and gathered other resources that align with the use of a flex blended learning environment. I have identified the advantages of using digital tools like Progress Learning, and designed activities that combine project based learning, and guided instruction.
Yet, even though I have integrated parts of this model in my classroom throughout the spring semester of this school year, I still need to fully implement the entire flex blended learning framework into my classroom for an actual school year, and have my students use it in full force from the very beginning. Therefore, my goal is to not only continue to roll out parts of the model for the rest of this school year, but to collect feedback, make adjustments, and improve the structure of the model for the next year. I would like to see my students use this learning environment that I have created to improve their overall learning experience and educational journey. At this point, it is about implementing my design, and making reflections of what I have learned through trial and error, and to be ready for putting it into effect for next year.
Analyze, assess, and reflect on the learning process you have undergone by working on your innovation project?
Working on my innovation project has taught me so much, not only about the flex blended approach, but also about myself as an educator. At the beginning, I struggled with a fixed mindset, and I really did not think that anything that I have done thus far in pursuing my Master’s of Education in Applied Digital Learning was even remotely possible. I have truly come a long way with a growth mindset and believing in myself and my personal accomplishments.
When I first started, I did not really know what I wanted to change in my classroom, or how I wanted to go about changing my teaching methods. But, through inquiry based education, active learning, extensive research, peer collaboration, lesson planning, and personal reflections, my vision of what I wanted to accomplish became clearer and more structured. I have learned how to think more deeply about the best ways that my students can learn, and I have learned how important it is to create a significant learning environment that supports student agency and independence, and supports choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities (COVA).
Most importantly, I have learned that innovation takes time and requires flexibility. I have reflected often, made changes, and accepted feedback along my journey from my professors, peers, co-teachers, and other stakeholders. I also realize how important it is to have balance in a significant learning environment supporting COVA to give students the freedom to learn in ways that really work for them while still giving clear guidance and helpful support as they need it.
Diving deeper into this research has helped me understand that this kind of learning environment matters and that it can make a difference in the future of education. Learning about real world examples, and seeing it for myself, of how Schoology, project based learning, guided instruction, and digital tools, like Progress Learning, can work together has made me more confident in my personal learning and teaching approach. I have developed strong skills for effective planning and technology integration, which will benefit me for years to come, far beyond this project, and where I am currently at right now in my teaching career.
Conclusively, this learning journey has been a challenging, yet rewarding process that I will never forget. It has pushed me beyond my limits to grow, think, and reflect in more ways than I have ever thought that I could. Not only will I implement my innovation plan in my own classroom, but I now feel prepared to lead change, and support others to try this in their classrooms or on their learning journey.
What worked?
The things that worked for me were creating a clear structure for the flex blended approach. I have used Schoology for the organization of lessons, and materials. This learning management system helped me be on track, and made it easier for students to stay engaged, and follow through with their learning. My students responded well to having choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities with their projects, activities, and assignments. Their interests increased when they were able to work at their own pace. Another thing is that small group instruction worked well because it gave me a chance to have meaningful teaching moments with students that needed targeted instruction based on their level of understanding and misconceptions. Taking the time to do the research and build a strong foundation for my innovation plan gave me confidence and clarity in what I wanted to implement. Overall, it came together because I found a way to combine structure with flexibility and make learning personal to each individual.
What could you do better?
There are so many things that I can do better with, since I have so much room to improve and refine myself. At first I was so excited about the flex blended approach that I wanted to put it into action all at once, and then I realized that it doesn’t work that way, and that starting small and building slowly is the way to go. I have learned that introducing too many different things at once can become overwhelming for both me and my students. Therefore, rolling things out in phases is a good strategy to use in order to give everyone more time to adjust to the new changes.
I can also improve by collecting feedback more often and consistently. I want to be more intentional about asking students for their feedback on how they feel about their learning, and using their response to make changes to improve the learning process and experience for each of them. This information can assist me with making adjustments to my innovation plan.
Finally, I could certainly improve on time management when it comes to planning things out, and preparing materials to implement my innovation plan. Finding balance and handling my day to day responsibilities, such as learning and teaching, has been a process in itself where there is always room to grow.
What lessons have you learned?
I have learned that it is okay to start small, make mistakes, and self adjust as you go through the learning process. When people have choice, ownership, voice and authentic learning opportunities in a significant learning environment, they feel empowered of their learning, and they naturally want to be more engaged, motivated, and confident on their own, personal learning journey. Change does not have to be perfect to be powerful, in fact it is more important to be flexible, since things don’t always go as planned. Be open to change, and make adaptations. This is a big part of having innovation plans work in the classroom. Of course, doing the research, setting clear goals, and building a solid structure makes it a strong plan that focuses on my “why”.
In summary, I have learned that I am capable of leading change, not just for my students, but for my team, school, and community too. This experience has been helpful because I have grown as an educator, and it has given me tools to carry with me into my future endeavors.
How do you plan to promote and communicate your innovation project?
I plan to share my innovation plan with my team, fellow teachers, and administration during planning times or professional development meetings. I will walk them through my innovation plan using the flex blended approach to see how it works and give examples of how I have used the combination of Schoology, project based learning, and guided instruction in my own classroom.
I will also create a simple presentation to give visuals and highlight my students work, classroom routines, and the bigger impact this approach has had on student engagement and learning. I want them to see that this approach is easy to understand, simple to follow, and relatable to others.
I look forward to the days where I can offer my help and support to my colleagues, especially if they want to try something like this, perhaps through informal coaching, or even by co-planning a lesson together. My goals are to build interest and spark conversations about blended learning and how it can be both meaningful and manageable in the classroom.
Knowing what you know now, what key things (if any) would you do differently?
I would take things slower, and remember to introduce my innovation plan in smaller parts, so that there is more time to adjust to the change. I would also be more intentional and ask for feedback earlier in the process. Knowing what works and doesn’t work is the key to improvement and refinement.
Another thing that I would do differently is share my innovation plan with my team sooner. Maybe if I got their input and support from the beginning, it could have made the process smoother, and even sparked more new ideas that I had not thought of. In a nutshell, I have learned that innovation works best when it is thoughtful, flexible, and collaborative.
How would you apply what you have learned to your next innovation project?
In the future, when I pursue any other innovation projects, I will apply what l have learned from this experience. I will be sure to have solid plans, gather valuable feedback, and make personal reflections. After this experience, I am more confident in trying new things. Ultimately, I am excited to continue to grow as an educator who brings meaningful, purposeful, and flexible learning experiences to all of my students.
References
Bittner, J. (2024). Literature review: Promoting student agency using a flex model of blended learning. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://jackiebittnerdesigner.com/literature-review/
Bruno, J. (2021, October). How to build student agency in your classroom. NWEA. https://www.nwea.org/blog/2021/how-to-build-student-agency-in-your-classroom/
Buckler, V. (2019, February). The Benefits Of Collaboration In Project Based Learning. Magnify Learning.https://www.magnifylearningin.org/project-based-learning-blog/the-benefits-of-project-based-learning-collaboration
Harapnuik, D. (2018, July). COVA. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991
Realizing The Magic That Is Small Group Instruction. Edmentum. October 24, 2023. https://www.edmentum.com/articles/realizing-the-magic-that-is-small-group-instruction/
Schenk, M. (2023, June). Comprehensive Guide to Blended Learning: Types, Examples, and More. Acadecraft. https://www.acadecraft.com/blog/different-types-of-blended-learning/
The Learning Accelerator. (n.d.). Communications planning for innovation in education. Education Elements. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://practices.learningaccelerator.org/strategies/guide-communications-planning-for-innovation-in-education
Peer Review Feedback/Feed Forward
Jelisa Davissophus
Apr 14, 2025 2:08 PM NEW
I really enjoyed reading your reflection. I can relate to your experience, especially the part about balancing structure and flexibility in the classroom. My innovation plan is focused on using technology in 6th grade English Language Arts, and I heavily rely on Schoology along with its tools and resources to keep students engaged and organized. I think it’s great how you’re using Schoology and project-based learning to give students more choice and ownership. Like you, I’ve learned how important it is to start small and listen to student feedback early. I’m getting ready to present my plan at the Digital Learning Conference, and your journey reminded me how powerful this work can be. I also plan to share my project with my team and district leaders, just like you mentioned. I wish you all the best as you move forward with your full classroom implementation!
Jackie Bittner M.Ed. 