which way to competence and independence? ctebvi #507, april 5 th 2014 betty henry, phd california...

Which Way to Competence and Independence?CTEBVI #507, April 5th 2014

Betty Henry, PhDCalifornia School for the Blind

Rote Skills Competence

Dependence Independence

13/14/2013

Objectives 

1. Participants will learn different conceptions of intelligence and the particular role of a fixed vs. growth mindset in becoming a competent and independent learner.

2. Participants will consider the role of “problem solving” within their curriculum and identify specific ways to enhance this role.

3. Participants will learn principles and techniques that can help “competence and independence” become more central in the educational process.

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Budgets: amount & distribution

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Develop your “smart Develop your “smart budget”budget”

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Two ways to look at Two ways to look at intelligenceintelligence

Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset

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““10,000 hours is the magic number of greatness.”

Malcolm GladwellOutliers: The Story of Success

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Misteakes are good…Misteakes are good…

Kurson, Robert (2007)Crashing Through: A true story of risk, adventure, and the man who dared to see

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Mistakes Big and Small: Mistakes Big and Small:

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Disaster vs. Learning ExperienceOmission vs. Commission

Hover vs. Ignore

Personal QualitiesPersonal Qualities

Challenging circumstances exaggerate personal tendencies; those who would be bad parents become awful parents, but those who would be good parents often become exceptional.

Andrew SolomonFar from the Tree

(2012)9

Personal Qualities #2

Ask not what disease the person has; ask what person the disease has.

Sir William Ostler1849 - 1919

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Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your

altitude.Zig Ziglar

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The Marshmallow Test

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Application to VI…

How do non-cognitive factors impact:

Incidental learningComprehension and significance of concepts, objects, and actionsIntegrating informationRecognizing the emotional intent of messagesPrioritizing input efficiently

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Using your “smart budget”

• I have people on my team; I know how to get specialists to collaborate.

• I may be spatially bewildered, but I can analyze the task and use an iPhone for directions.

• If I put the concepts to music, I can remember them.

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Objective #2:Objective #2:

Participants will consider the role of “problem solving” within their curriculum and identify specific ways to enhance this role.

What are the essential features of being competent and independent, and how is this different for someone with vision impairment?

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Examples of “problems”:

• Real problems students face• Contrived problems students face• Real problems teachers and

parents face• Real problems students face that

adults solve for them

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Problem SolvingWho owns the Problem (adult or child)?

The 4 questions:

Rights, Safety, Property, Capacity

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Two ways of learning18

Problem SolvingChildren learn from solving problems.

3 + 3 = ?“The Henrys are coming for dinner. Please make sure we have enough chairs at the table.”

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At a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that

gift would be curiosity.Eleanor Roosevelt

“Dad, Where’s the Plunger?”http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr30/3/fr300302.htm

Future Reflections Summer, 2011,

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Personality

If you knew a child was not adaptable, what would you do?

a)Tell her to shape upb)Cue/prepare her for anticipated changesc)Bribe her for necessary activitiesd)Anticipate power struggles

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How can we provide opportunity for problem

solving?

Math WalksDaily Living Skills

Social StoriesWord Chains

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Left Brain & Right Brain Thinking

LogicalFuture oriented

EmotionalPresent oriented

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Executive Functions

The skills needed to: Set the goalsAnalyze the taskOrganize a planInterest the workersProduce a resultEvaluate success

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To improve executive functions

Provide child-based strategies

◦Pre-teach◦“Ready to listen”◦Chunk and organize◦Break up long tasks◦Reflect on learning◦Plan for next time

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PRAISE VS. ENCOURAGEMENT

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3. Participants will learn principles and techniques that can help “competence and independence” become more central in the educational process.

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How can competence and independence become more

central to the education process?

Prioritize meaning Minimize promptsTeach application of skills and factsUse working memory as a guideRespect your knowledge and truth

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Prioritize Meaning

In the curriculum

In life

Vertical identity: identity across generations

Horizontal identity: identity through peers

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Minimize Prompts

“Never do something for someone else that she can do for herself”

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Teach application

I can count to 100 vs. I can get enough napkins for everyone in my class.

I can spell milk vs.I can make a grocery list.

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Use Working Memory as a guide

Memory

Say these numbers after me.

What was the main character’s name?

How many days are in a week?

Working Memory

Repeat these letters, but in alphabetical

order.

How many characters were in the story?

Joe has $10; how much change will he get back if he buys a toy for $8 and there

is 9.5% tax?

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WORKING MEMORY IS AFFECTED BY:

FatigueAnxietyMoodAlcoholStimulationDisorganized environmentMedical or neurological conditions

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Working Memory is best when a person is…

“alert, calm, and engaged”

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Respect your knowledge and truth

The Emperor has no clothes…

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…and what if it doesn’t work?

Things that maybe can’t change:

Intellectual disabilityLearning disabilitySensory impairmentAutism

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Fasten your own seatbelt first…

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Small changes can make a big difference.

At 211 water is hot.

At 212 water can power a locomotive

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Time Management MatrixTime Management Matrix

Urgent Non-urgent

Important 1 2

Not important

3 4

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Time Management MatrixTime Management Matrix

Urgent Non-urgent

Important CrisesPressing problemsDeadlines

PreventionRelationship

buildingPlanning

Learning new skills

Not important

InterruptionsSome calls &

emailPressing matters

TriviaBusy work

Time wasters40

“It’s hard to remember to drain the swamp when

you are up to your neck in alligators.”

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Urgent Non-Urgent

Important

Impact of how you focus Impact of how you focus your timeyour time

Urgent Non-urgent

Important Crisis style Vision

Not important

Victim Irresponsible

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How do you create balance?

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Complex Projects

Procrastination:

“Hard work often pays off after time; laziness always

pays off now.”

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What obstacles are in my way?

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What is the difference between supportive and

committed?46

bhenry@csb-cde.ca.govbhenry@csb-cde.ca.gov

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