Welcome to the Authentic Learning Alliance!
When businesses offer real, authentic, hands on projects, where the deliverable is REAL, student engagement increases and the very connection opens doors for future careers and interest areas for young people. These experiences can be curriculum allowing for an authentic path for students to uncover learning around benchmarks, standards, and competencies. We have to create the environment where students are asking the questions, engaging in inquiry, and developing skillsets that will prepare them for the future. We said good bye to "sit and get learning" and replaced it with authentic tasks with area partnerships. It seems simple - If we don't like sit and get learning as adults, why would kids?
Learning should be fun and interesting for all learners. We believe this in our professional development for educators and business partners too. At the alliance, we practice what we preach in every staff development.
Learning should be fun and interesting for all learners. We believe this in our professional development for educators and business partners too. At the alliance, we practice what we preach in every staff development.
Meet the Founder
Laura Williams #ThinkTanker
Laura Williams · 21st Century Learning Specialist ·
Credentials:
Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Health Sciences
Master of Arts in Teaching ·
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies · Principal Licensure · Evaluator Certified ·
University of Iowa Teacher Leadership Certified ·
Certified Scrum Product Owner
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I'm Laura Williams, your resident authentic learning expert and host of the Authentic Learning Alliance google group and facilitator of the Iowa Authentic Learning Network. Over the past 10 years I've dedicated myself to transforming education through incorporating authentic learning experiences with area partnerships into PK-12 classrooms as an educator, consultant, and 21st Century Learning Specialist. I have also supported area partners in the visioning around these experiences to maximize a win-win-win experience for all stakeholders. I believe that education can be the great equalizer if we can leverage our students interests and passions. We have ~6.5 instructional hours a day and I believe we can be the difference. We just have to dedicate the time, space, and connections to "up the ante" for students. I believe we can help each learner find their super powers and help them develop 21st Century skills to be successful in living, learning, and working. Iowa Roots
Through this endeavor, I have made some great partners along the way! My role as a 21st Century Learning Specialist for AEA Learning Online has privileged me to work with some great educators, leaders, business partners in order to support schools across the state to design, launch, and implement authentic learning programming. Check out the Iowa Authentic Learning Network to explore resources and get connected with some amazing consultants and educators in Iowa who are just as passionate about this incredible movement in education! Currently we have around 500 educators joining this movement in Iowa! Follow @iowaaln on Twitter to learn more! It is our sincere hope we can connect passionate educators to share and learn from each other from across the globe! |
