Reflective+Practices

Teacher growth in the New Literacies Teacher Leader Institute centered around reflective practices. First conference organizers trained a group of teacher leaders who could facilitate small groups during the Institute. Then teacher leaders and participants spent the end of each day in their small groups reviewing a set of benchmark practices. They also conducted exit interviews discussing their products of learning. Finally the teacher leaders conducted follow up sessions throughout the year with participants.

__Inquiry Process Benchmarks__
The following **Inquiry Process Benchmarks** were used to help teams stay focused on the process and the products of learning that that they shared on the final day of the Institute. For each question, teachers were encouraged to answer Yes or No and then provide a critical reflection, when appropriate, with group members.


 * //Monday//**
 * Do have you an inquiry partner?
 * Have you and your partner agreed upon a compelling question for your inquiry process?
 * Have you considered how to make global connections through your lesson?
 * Have you reviewed the Cool Tools?
 * //Tuesday//**
 * Have you attended 2 Cool Tools sessions? (Remember, design partners should attend different sessions!)
 * Have you gathered and analyzed information related to your instructional plan?
 * Have you considered the types of TPACK you will need to carry out this lesson?
 * Are you collaborating effectively with your partner? Are you creating synergy with your partner?
 * //Wednesday//**
 * Have you attended 2 Cool Tools sessions? (Remember, design partners should attend different sessions!)
 * Have you creatively synthesized your content and technology into an innovative instructional plan?
 * Are you ensuring innovative and creative use(s) of technology in your instructional plan?
 * Are you pushing beyond your comfort levels with technology use?
 * //Thursday//**
 * Have you critically evaluated and revised your instructional plan? Is it aligned with your state's standard course of study?
 * Do you have a completed innovative instructional plan posted on your wiki?
 * Do you have a technology product that supports your instructional plan __or__ an example/model of what it is you want students to create?
 * Have you leveraged your newly developed TPACK in this lesson?


 * //Friday (Design Studio Showcase)//**
 * Have you shared your instructional plan and related technology product with the group?
 * Have you reflected on your learning experiences for the week? What are your take-aways?
 * Have you developed a plan to share your experience and expertise (as a teacher leader) with your colleagues?
 * Will you go forth, make it so, and stay connected with your New Literacies Teacher Leader colleagues?

As part of a sustainability model the trained teacher leaders would then conduct follow up sessions with the participating teachers. These were held three times throughout the year.

The Massachusetts New Literacies Institute had their follow-up session on Oct 15, 2010 at Microsoft office in Waltham, MA. Eighty eight teachers spent the day sharing Cool Tools, discussing their projects, and working together to build cross district relationships.