The Power of Effective Questioning "While asking questions may seem a simple task, it is perhaps the most powerful tool we possess as teachers. If we ask the right question of the right student at the right moment we may inspire her to new heights of vision and insight. A good question can excite, disturb, or comfort, and eventually yield an unexpected bounty of understanding and critical awareness. But even apart from such serendipitous moments, question-asking serves many functions that make it the stock in trade of the skillful teacher. "
This is the most viewed TED Talk of all-time, and for good reason. Sir Ken Robinson provides a stunning and articulate call to action for schools to rethink the very nature of learning. This is perhaps one the most powerful arguments for the "why" of Project-Based Learning.
Create Music on the Web "Soundation is a powerful online music studio with professional features like recording, effects, virtual instruments and over 700 free loops and sounds."
"NowComment makes it easy to have rich, engaging discussions of online documents no matter how large (or small) your class or collaboration group.
NowComment is fast, powerful, and feature-rich: you can sort comments, skim summaries, create assignments, hide comments, reply privately, and much more"
The SEL 3 Signature Practices were developed in response to these commonly heard questions: "But what does SEL LOOK like?" and "How can we start doing SEL right now?" Educators and OST providers understood and believed in the power of SEL, but sought clarity about how to demonstrate and observe SEL in action during the school day and beyond.
The SEL 3 Signature Practices are one tool for fostering a supportive environment and promote SEL. They intentionally and explicitly help build a habit of practices through which students and adults enhance their SEL skills. While not an SEL curriculum, these practices are one concrete example of a way to help people understand and practice the goals of an overall systemic SEL implementation plan.