OVATA

Last fall, there was enough Oregon interest in the Delta Conference that OVATA moved its Summer Conference to avoid a conflict with the Tarleton-based event.  And then, due to financial challenges, Delta was cancelled.

But that didn't stop Oregon ag teachers.  OVATA leadership worked with Dr. Kyle McGregor, one of the Delta Conference facilitators, to bring a shorter version to Summer Conference.  Judging by the participation and response, it was well worth it.

A quick round-up review of the key ideas from a taste of Delta:

- Components of a lesson: formulating the proper components and pieces before your lesson can make the difference.  Craft the learning!

- Setting context: do your students remember what you've done, see where this is going, realize why it is important, and know what is expected for them for the day?  Using global contextual sets and contextual bridges makes sure they do.

- Effective directions: do you find yourself repeating directions? Over and over again?  Using "go" words, crafting efficient steps, setting time limits, and clarifying questions will help.

- E-moments: great ways to reach multiple learners.  We'd include the equation but you'd need your learnbook to refigure it out.

- Language: do you include your students with how you say things?  Is it "we" or "I/you"?  Who is the keeper of the knowledge?  It makes a difference!

We all know that accepting and working with "change" is crucial-whether you work in agriculture or education.  However, changing ourselves is never easy.  We applaud everyone who participated in the Delta workshops with the willingness to learn.  Anytime you have an optional morning and the majority of your membership attends, you know you work with the right people.

Thanks for what you do!

So how do we completely change the way we gave directions, spoke to students, set up activities, or even formulated lessons all at once?

We don't!

A valuable concept found in Quantum Teaching is "kaizen" - a Japanese business idea of always making small improvement.  What seems insignificant but done every day will create an ever-better result and never-ending improvement-in this case our teaching.

So don't expect to radically change every thing you do in your class on the first day.  But do challenge yourself to continually work on the Delta concepts-correct your language in the moment to make it inclusive, or restart directions that were starting to get muddled.  When we take the approach of "kaizen," we will do better in our teaching and ultimately do the best we can for our students!