ImagineIT Design Process As we begin to plan our ImagineIT, I remember wondering what pictures will I take at the Museum of Science and Industry that will relate to my ImagineIT. Once I was there it helped me to imagine and vision my project. I was able to vision students learning to work together and collaborate. The design process has taught me to imagine, design, and wonder. This part of the process motivated me to implement and allow students to be creative. Reading for knowledge and inspiration and sharing with other cohort members challenged and encouraged me to continue presenting innovative lessons. Collaboration with people around the school community gave me hope that people are willing to share and invest in our next generation. Another important part of the process was reflecting and reevaluating.
ImagineIT Experience Students, colleagues, and principal shared their thoughts on STEM activities and how building community impacted them and the school. Fun learning, new technology, team building, cool collaborations, and enjoyed being creative were the overall message from students’ responses. They discussed their preference of not working in teams but they enjoyed working on teams after being in my classroom because the engaging activities helped them learn how to be better team players. It influenced them to do better because the technology activities we fun but competitive. The 5th graders expressed gratification to be a team leader collaborating with 3rd grade and kindergarten because they were able to help other students and it felt good. The kindergarten teacher said the experience impacted her because as a seasoned teacher she was burned out but glad she agreed to collaborate because it was encouraging. The third grade teacher expressed the excitement it brought to her classroom with lessons that were enjoyable, fun, and fulfilling. My principal expressed her appreciation of how implementing the program with fidelity and my collaborative spirit caught fire to everyone in the building and my learning environment trickled out my classroom into the rooms of colleagues.
Through this experience I’ve learned that teaching is always evolving and goes beyond the textbook. Implementing an innovative classroom give students something to look forward to and a wonderful experience. I know my classroom will change from year to year as I continue to learn.