The Birth of an Idea
In the realm of education, we often emphasize the importance of differentiated instruction for students. But what about teachers? This question sparked the inception of Juniper Consulting LLC.
As an Instructional Coach in October 2022, I found myself increasingly frustrated with the ‘one size fits all’ approach to teacher training at the school and district level. The absence of individualized learning paths for educators seemed to contradict the principles we upheld for our students. This led me to question: why aren’t we differentiating trainings for teachers and leveraging online learning platforms to do so?
The Power of Microlearning
This is where the concept of microlearning comes into play. Microlearning is a strategy that involves delivering content in small, manageable units, making it easier for learners to absorb and retain information. It’s flexible, focused, and respects the learner’s pace, making it an ideal solution for busy professionals like teachers.
The benefits of microlearning are numerous. It allows for better retention of information, as the brain finds it easier to process smaller chunks of information. It’s also more engaging, as the short, focused modules keep the learner’s attention. Moreover, it’s flexible, allowing learners to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Overcoming Roadblocks
Identifying the roadblocks – time, resources, and the lack of skill and knowledge to implement this – I embarked on a journey to find a solution. Starting in November 2022, I began researching the skills and tools I would need to bring this idea to life. My research led me to an innovative training tool platform, Storyline 360, and its component, Rise 360. With a user-friendly interface and high-quality, interactive training capabilities, it seemed to be the answer.
Rise 360, with its ready-made templates, was perfect for addressing the time factor, while Storyline 360 offered a more in-depth, PowerPoint-like creation process. Using these tools, I began creating differentiated microlearning trainings for VOYAGE (PLCs) and RTI (Response to Intervention) in December 2022. The trainings were designed to cater to three distinct needs: brand new teachers with no experience of PLCs and RTI, teachers new to the school needing to understand how the school ran these initiatives, and returning teachers who required a brief review.
A Game-Changer in Teacher Training
The Storyline 360 platform made it easy to upload these trainings to an LMS like Canvas, allowing teachers to complete their assigned trainings on their own schedule. This was a game-changer in the field of teacher training, offering a flexible and effective solution to an age-old problem.
The Birth of Juniper Consulting LLC
After creating several of these differentiated trainings, I decided to take this initiative further. In January 2023, I quit my job in public education and founded Juniper Consulting LLC in March. Here, I took my ideas and started working on a series of trainings that schools could purchase, bringing the benefits of microlearning and differentiated instruction to teachers across the country.
The Future of Juniper Consulting LLC
Over the next few months, we are excited to roll out VOYAGE Horizons, a product of a decade’s worth of work, successes, and lessons learned in the field of PLCs. Available for purchase starting July 31st, this comprehensive training program is just the beginning. We also have plans to release eLearning modules addressing phonemic awareness and phonics by the end of 2023.
Our Commitment
At Juniper Consulting LLC, we believe in the power of microlearning and differentiated instruction, not just for students, but for teachers as well. We’re committed to revolutionizing teacher training, one online course at a time, and we’re excited about the journey ahead.