Installing 4DX with your Organization

Teachers in the classroom are always looking for more creative ways to better connect the real-world application process to the curriculum they teach daily. However, many educators may be afraid to implement new technology in their classrooms and are hesitant to learn a new skill while creating lesson plans for it. Therefore, implementing changes in the classroom can be challenging, as it often requires educators to step outside their comfort zones and adapt their established teaching methods. This process forces collaboration among teachers to identify areas needing improvement. However, creating a supportive environment that acknowledges the difficulties that come with this new frontier and allows educators to test out their concepts can gradually create a mindset of adaptability, ultimately preparing students for success in a rapidly changing world.

This is where the four disciplines offer a systematic method for progressing toward our wildly important goals (WIG) while acknowledging that daily "whirlwind" tasks still need to be addressed. I believe that adopting a 4DX strategy can empower teachers in the education system to help students find their career path after graduation.

The 4 Disciplines

Discipline 1:

Focus on the Wildly Important Goal (WIG)

The wildly important goal (WIG) of bringing VR technology into the classroom is to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes by providing immersive, experiential learning opportunities while preparing them for real-world careers after graduation.

This goal aims to prepare students more effectively for real-world challenges and career paths, ultimately bridging the gap from textbook curriculum to improving their readiness for life after graduation. By integrating VR technology, teachers can create an interactive and relevant educational experience that captures students' attention and helps students improve knowledge retention and real-world experience, while fostering critical thinking skills.

Discipline 2:

Act on the Lead Measures

In the 4DX framework, lead measures are specific, actionable behaviors that drive progress toward achieving the wildly important goals (WIGs). Unlike lag measures, which reflect outcomes after the fact (such as test scores or graduation rates), lead measures focus on the inputs and actions that can be controlled and directly influence the desired results.

For example, if the WIG is to enhance student engagement through VR technology, the lead measures include:

Number of VR sessions conducted per week: Tracking how often students engage with VR experiences.
Percentage of teachers trained in VR technology: Measuring the readiness of educators to implement VR in their lessons.
Student participation rates in VR activities: Monitoring the number of students actively involved in VR learning opportunities.

These lead measures provide actionable insights that can be monitored and adjusted to ensure progress toward the WIG.

Therefore, the lag measures would reflect the outcomes of those actions.

For example:

Student Engagement Levels: This could be measured through surveys or feedback that assess students' interest and participation in class after VR sessions (formative & summative assessments).
Post-Program Employment Rates: Monitor the employment rates of students who participated in the VR career exploration program and assess whether they pursue careers related to their experiences.
College Enrollment in Relevant Fields: Track the percentage of students enrolling in college programs related to careers they explored through VR.

These lag measures provide a view of the effectiveness of the lead measures in achieving the wildly important goal (WIG).

Discipline 3:

Keep a Compelling Scoreboard

A compelling scoreboard is essential for tracking progress and maintaining motivation when integrating VR technology into the classroom. This visual representation should clearly display key metrics related to the wildly important goals (WIGs) and lead measures, allowing educators and stakeholders to see how well they are advancing toward their objectives.

Designing the Scoreboard: Create a user-friendly digital or physical scoreboard highlighting key lead measures, such as the number of VR sessions conducted in class, the percentage of teachers trained, and student participation rates. Use graphs, charts, or color-coded indicators to make the information easily digestible and engaging.
Real-Time Updates: Ensure the scoreboard is updated regularly to reflect the most current data. This allows educators to assess their progress quickly and identify areas that may need additional focus or adjustment.
Visibility: Place the scoreboard in a central location where all the teachers can access it, such as a shared drive or digital hub on the network. This visibility creates an awareness of the time frame and encourages ongoing engagement with the goals. Out of sight, out of mind.
Celebrating Milestones: Use the scoreboard to celebrate key milestones and achievements as the team progresses toward their WIGs. Recognizing successes, no matter how small, can boost morale and reinforce the commitment to integrating VR technology.
Monthly Staff Meetings: Incorporate the scoreboard into regular staff development meetings to discuss classroom progress, challenges, and necessary adjustments, as well as shout-out emails and posting them in the monthly newsletter. This collective review helps maintain focus and encourages collaborative problem-solving. This will let teachers tackle any issues that arise or adjust lesson plans as needed.

Educators can effectively track their progress in integrating VR technology into the classroom by maintaining a compelling scoreboard. This ensures that the integration efforts remain aligned with their goals and builds a culture of accountability.

Discipline 4:

Create a Cadence of Accountability

Establishing a cadence of accountability is crucial for ensuring that the integration of VR technology into the classroom remains on track and aligned with the wildly important goals (WIGs). This structured routine creates a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement among team members.

Regular Accountability Meetings: Schedule monthly staff meetings to review progress related to the VR integration goals. During these meetings, team members can share updates on their lead measures, discuss successes, and address any challenges they may face.
Structured Agenda: Develop a clear agenda for each meeting that includes time for reporting on lead measures, discussing any obstacles encountered, and brainstorming potential solutions. This structure helps keep discussions focused and productive, ensuring that all critical aspects of the VR integration are covered.
Setting Individual Responsibilities: Clarify individual responsibilities and expectations regarding the lead measures at each meeting. Teachers are held accountable for their contributions to the overall goals by assigning specific tasks and follow-ups.
Encouraging Open Communication: Foster an environment where teachers feel comfortable sharing concerns, questions, or feedback regarding the VR implementation process. Creating a safe space for dialogue promotes collaboration and encourages innovative problem-solving.
Tracking and Celebrating Progress: Use the insights gained during accountability meetings to update the scoreboard and recognize team members who are making significant contributions. Celebrating milestones and achievements can enhance motivation and commitment to the overall vision.
Adjusting Strategies as Needed: Based on the discussions during accountability meetings, be open to adjusting strategies or lead measures to better align with the goals. This flexibility ensures that the team remains responsive to challenges and opportunities as they arise.

By establishing a cadence of accountability, educators can create a structured framework that reinforces commitment to the VR integration goals, encourages collaboration, and drives continuous improvement in the classroom. This proactive approach ensures that the initiative remains focused and effective in enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.

5 Stages of Change

Getting Clear: Begin by clarifying your 4DX goals regarding integrating VR technology into the classroom. This involves defining the desired outcomes, such as enhancing student engagement, improving learning retention, and preparing students for real-world applications through immersive experiences.
Launch: Initiate the implementation process with a focus on leadership, ensuring that school administrators, CTE administrators, and key stakeholders are on board. Their support is essential for garnering the resources and commitment needed for successful integration.
Adoption: Encourage teachers to actively pursue the 4DX outcomes by incorporating VR technology into their lesson plans. This phase involves training educators on how to effectively use VR tools and ensuring they have the necessary resources to facilitate engaging learning experiences. Even setting up staff development training to give teachers the oppertunity to practice hands on, discuss lesson plans with other teachers, and work out any initial potential issues.
Optimization: As other teachers and classes begin to bring in VR technology, they should continuously refine the 4DX strategy based on feedback from both teachers and students. This may involve adjusting lesson plans, exploring new VR applications/software, and ensuring that the technology is effectively meeting educational goals.
Habits: Finally, establish habits among educators and students to sustain momentum in using VR technology. This includes regular check-ins, ongoing professional development, and creating a culture that embraces innovation and continuous improvement in teaching practices. Even bringing in rewards for teachers to incentivize using this technology in their classes to expand education in the 21st century.

By applying these stages, educators can effectively integrate VR technology into the classroom, ultimately enhancing student learning and engagement.

5 Stages of Implementation (Yamashita, 2018)

How the Influencer Model and 4DX Complement Each Other

The Influencer Model and 4DX work together to help bring VR technology into the classroom. The Influencer Model focuses on finding key behaviors that encourage teachers to adopt VR, supporting the steps outlined in the 4DX framework. By involving influential teachers, this model creates a positive classroom for using VR technology. It also addresses teachers' unique concerns and motivations, aligning nicely with the organized approach of 4DX. This combined strategy ensures that both emotional and practical aspects of using VR are considered, making the transition easier.

Additionally, the feedback process from the Influencer Model helps reinforce accountability measures in 4DX, leading to better results. Together, these methods help teachers successfully integrate VR into their lesson plans, helping improve students' learning experiences and knowledge retention while also creating a fun and enjoyable learning classroom.

References

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A.. (2013). Influencer:
The new science of leading change. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Khan, M. (2025). The 4 disciplines of execution summary. Muzammil
Khan. https://www.muzammilkhan.us/the-4-disciplines-of-execution
summary/

McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2016). The 4 disciplines of execution:
Achieving your wildly important goals. New York: Free Press.

Yamashita, J. (n.d.). 4 disciplines of execution. AdultEdTech. Retrieved April 22, 2023,
from https://jerryyamashita.com/4-disciplines-of-execution.html