Using EduLead Practices to Implement FIRST Framework

Published in EduLead Newsletter - May 2019

     The FIRST framework by SEGA Group is “designed on the basis of renown models and theories, such as experiential learning; gamification and game-based learning; facilitate learning, 6Ds model, positive psychology, experience economy and neuroscience” (Bahgat, Said, Elsafty, & Shaarawy, 2018, p. 123). These models and theories are framed into five domains and 15 principles. In implementing FIRST in Rawafid School*, we integrated it into a leadership framework, in which many of the concepts and practices are derived from the EduLead program, by Rite Education.

     Implementation went as follows: Each month one of the five domains with its three principles were introduced to the teachers via two of the school teachers who had been trained and certified by the founders of the FIRST Framework. This training session was followed by classroom implementation on the part of the teachers. It is important to note here that teachers were grouped into 5 groups, each led by a coach. Coaches were assigned this role based on the delegation matrix  (RITE International Inc., 2018), where teachers who portray skill and experience on one axis and independence and ability to drive-self on the second axis, were selected to coach groups.

      During implementation, learning walks were conducted by peers (a group member and the coach) focusing on the principles that were the subject of the training sessions. Learning walks observation forms were tailored to include the principles of the domain teachers were trained on. Those observation forms were accumulating with new principles as we proceeded in the program throughout the school year.

     After the implementation and learning walks, the groups of teachers and their coaches conducted PLC meetings where they reviewed the principles and the activities that would serve each of the principles and discussed their practices: what went well, what challenges they faced and how they would overcome them.

     This cycle was repeated 5 times, once for each of the FIRST domains. During this implementation, teachers kept learning portfolios to document their practices and their learnings. The portfolios included lesson plans, reflection logs, evidence of implementation, and checklists for self-evaluation.

     In addition, there was an online quiz that served to motivate teachers to review the principles and to monitor where teachers still needed help.

     Finally, summative evaluation was conducted where whole classroom observations were done; each teacher was observed by one of the coaches and another peer. Observation notes were compared and discussed by the observers. Then they were discussed with the teacher whose classroom was observed. In addition, teachers planned whole lessons integrating the FIRST domains. Lessons were uploaded to Google Drive, reviewed by the coaches, including the trainers and the educational supervisor at the school. Detailed feedback was provided to the teachers.

     All in all, implementation of FIRST Framework within a Leadership framework enhanced implementation and allowed for continuous reflection on practice and planning for action. Further, it has been a great stepping stone to transfer the whole school into a professional learning community where all learn from one another. In this leadership framework, different responsibilities such as training, coaching and peer visits, were delegated to different teachers. This helped distribute leadership among different teachers; a practice that makes them more engaged in their learning and more accountable for the program success. In addition, it makes the teachers the owners of the process of their growth and development.

*located in Bekaa, Lebanon

References

Bahgat, M., Said, T., Elsafty, A., & Shaarawy, A. (2018, August). FIRST Framework Design and Facilitate Active Deep Learner eXperience. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 6(8). doi:10.11114/jets.v6i8.3337

RITE International Inc. (2018). Kuala Lumpur: NAMA Foundation.