Plugged In: Igniting Interest and Ownership in the Classroom

Outline

1. Welcome & Overview of S.P.A.R.K (10 minutes)
Content:
Introduce the S.P.A.R.K framework, explaining how each component contributes to an engaging, student-centered classroom.
Overview of how S.P.A.R.K aligns with educational trends and 21st-century skills development.
Engagement:
Poll: Use Mentimeter to ask participants which S.P.A.R.K component they already use most effectively in their classroom.
Video: Video highlighting classrooms where S.P.A.R.K components are effectively in use.
Activity: Think-Pair-Share (5 minutes): Participants discuss with a partner how they currently foster student engagement and which element of S.P.A.R.K they are most curious to explore.

2. The Power of Engagement: Why It Matters (10 minutes)
Content:
Brief presentation on the importance of student engagement and ownership. Introduce research-based benefits of high engagement (e.g., higher retention, improved academic outcomes, increased student autonomy).
Engagement:
Pose a question: “What would your classroom look like if every student was 100% engaged?”.
Activity:
Table talk (3 minutes): Individual think time. Share visualization with a partner/table, discussing their thoughts and how it differs from their current reality.
Group Discussion (5 minutes): Educators share key takeaways from their partner/table conversations with the larger group.

3. Strategies for Igniting Interest (15 minutes)
Content:
Discuss and demonstrate concrete strategies for capturing student interest, including: Using real-world connections.
Incorporating student choice in assignments.
Leveraging technology for interactive learning. Introduce AI tools and applications that can enhance learning.

Engagement:
Play a short video (2-3 minutes) showing a classroom using one of these strategies.
Engage educators in reflection on how they could incorporate a similar strategy in their context.
Activity:
Small Group Brainstorm (5 minutes):
Educators work in small groups to brainstorm ways they could modify or adapt one of the presented strategies in their own classrooms. Each group focuses on one strategy (e.g., student choice or real-world connections).
Sharing Out (2 minutes):
Each group shares their top idea with the whole group, sparking collaboration of ideas.

4. Building Ownership in the Classroom (15 minutes)
Content:
Define “student ownership” and discuss its connection to motivation and lifelong learning.
Explore practical methods for building ownership, such as:
Student goal-setting.
Peer feedback and peer teaching.
Self-assessment tools.
Providing opportunities for student-led discussions or projects.
Engagement:
Use a quick interactive poll (e.g., Poll Everywhere) to ask educators, “What’s the biggest barrier to giving students more ownership?”
Activity:
Jigsaw Discussion (8 minutes):
Participants form small groups, and each group takes on one of the ownership-building methods (goal-setting, peer feedback, etc.).
After 5 minutes of discussion, groups switch members, sharing observations and challenges they discussed.
Reflection (3 minutes):
Facilitator leads group debrief

5. Practical Application/Closure (7 minutes)
Content:
Encourage participants to reflect on the strategies and activities presented during the workshop.
Discuss the importance of intentionality and consistency in implementing new strategies.
Engagement:
Educators will brainstorm one specific engagement or ownership-building strategy they will try in their classroom within the next two weeks.

Supporting research

"The Power of Student Choice: Pathways to Engagement and Autonomy in the Classroom" by John Spencer

"Personalized Learning: A Guide for Engaging Students with Technology" by Peggy Grant and Dale Basye

"AI for Educators: Learning and Teaching in the Artificial Intelligence Revolution" by Matt Miller

"Making Learning Whole: How Seven Principles of Teaching Can Transform Education" by David Perkins