"Put the tools in kids' hands.
* Interactive whiteboards: They don't call 'em interactive for nothing. When these large-display screens that connect to a computer and a projector arrived at Forest Lake, Williams gave teachers six months to wean themselves from their interaction-less overhead projectors. Students can touch the interactive boards to solve math problems, play games, or write and edit text. When one student is running the board, Williams suggests keeping others engaged using remote clickers, personal dry-erase slates, or manipulatives. (Download this idea guide for interactive whiteboards.) "
From Joel -
I'm a business teacher and member of Minnesota Business Educators, Inc. I've put together a little website with some of my lesson plans for high school web site design courses, and I'd like to offer this to other business teachers. The lesson plans are totally free. I'm wondering if you might be interested in adding a link to my website, http://highschoolwebdesign.com, on your Cool Cat Teacher blog.
The site contains a complete, twelve week course in high school web site design, including projects with step-by-step instructions and rubrics.
Thanks so much and have a great day!
Joel Roggenkamp
Business Teacher
Author, http://highschoolwebdesign.com
According to many definitions of good teaching, I don’t qualify:
I don’t clearly state objectives
If I do state them, they are as fuzzy as all get out
I have a hard time measuring student progress
My course syllabus changes almost daily
I never use tests
I constantly stray off topic
I do constantly question whether or not I need to be more structured. Do I need to be able to define my outcomes more succinctly than this?
Students will learn that:
Learning is social and connected
Learning is personal and self-directed
Learning is shared and transparent
Learning is rich in content and diversity
I do provide rubrics, build criteria together, emphasis and utilize descriptive feedback. Providing supports and the odd insight best describes my role. I’m of total confidence they are learning. Just read their blogs.
I’ve read, listen and thought more about assessment than most and yet it still baffles me. Mostly because the kind of assessment that makes most sense (immediate and descriptive feedback) isn’t really valued in schools.
