Group items tagged

A good piece on why Constructivist methods like Critical Skills are a good idea.

"I used to think I was a pretty good teacher. Now I realize that I did the best I could with the knowledge I had, but my classroom was woefully inadequate for many of my students. I failed to equip them with what they needed."

Some good video footage of a teacher explaining how the CSP has impacted her teaching

"The key to generating truly innovative ideas, he says, is learning how to challenge the status quo-which is why he's busy trying to teach people how to "think wrong'" Important pieces to consider when engaged in our work.

Bad title. Good piece

"The best advice that I have ever been given to help me create good quality summative comments when assessing pupils' work came from Darren Mead. He explained that if the comments made are kind, specific and helpful, the pupil will be able to progress to the next level."

"The outcome of this demonstration was for pupils to know that peer assessment should provide not only summative comments but also an insight into achieving better work."

Excellent exploration of Blooms- good demo of Prezi

Really well done!!

This is great. Already shared it:)

Ever wonder if teachers have an image problem? This site is all about "rebranding" teaching. Good downloadable materials.

Here is the list that I ended with.  Even though it is numbered, I now see that other arrangements are at least as appropriate as this.
Permission to Identify and Describe a Problem
I added permission here because several times during the day people described environments that were unwilling to admit problems or listen to those who suggested any course other than "business as usual."
Permission to Solve the Problem
This one might actually be tougher to allow than it seems.  Having worked in state government, I know how risky it is to do anything that jeopardizes your reputation - or that of your boss.  In some environments, it is your job to make your boss look good.
This one might better be labeled, "Permission to take a Chance."
Willingness to Let Go
I suspect that many worthwhile innovations fail, because they are simply mounted on top of existing practices, rather than transforming existing practices.  This is illustrated by the three challenges, made by American education reformers, to the Finnish education model (see Finnish Miracles and American Myths).  The U.S. education reform movement seems unwilling to consider letting go of government testing, school competition, and accountability.
Awareness of Other Boxes
This is a bit of a twist from my usual reference to "outside the box" thinking.  It was actually sparked by a previous conversation with the Director of Applications Development at a large school district I recently worked in.  He told me that what he looks for in prospective hires for his programming staff is "creativity."  He went on to say that the best part of his education was all of the history, literature, science, etc. that he took.
I think that innovation does not necessarily come from outside the box, but from having access to other boxes that rearrange our perspectives and enable us to come at a problem from a different angle.
Engineer a New Way
Thi

Good. Simple. Powerful.

Good piece on getting started with Twitter.

"First Day of Class Activities that Create a Climate for Learning By: Maryellen Weimer, PhD in Teaching Professor Blog There's no discounting the importance of the first day of class. What happens that day sets the tone for the rest of the course."

I don't care what her bio says, the author HAD to have gone to AUNE. Great activities for first day of class...OR opening up a meeting, workshop, etc.

A good overview of adult learning theory

Brings up interesting question of "When do we start?"  Also, about possibilities for teaching parents to be teachers.

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Projects Discover a project-based learning model that motivates students to pursue knowledge and drives academic achievement.

Reads like a page out of our Level One Kit.

1. Welcome authentic questions2. Encourage effective teamwork3. Be ready to go Big4. Build empathy5. Uncover passion6. Amplify worthy ideas7. Know when to say no8. Encourage breakthroughs

Lots of stuff here about David Sobel, including two really nifty upcoming workshops he's doing for ACSR!

Trisha Riche' is a kindergarten inclusion teacher at R. L. Brown Elementary in Jacksonville, FL. The grade-level chair at her school, Trisha was selected as one of the top ten most innovative educators in the country for The Great American Teach Off. Here's an experiment you can conduct in many schools, maybe even the school where you teach.

"The problem with many assessments is they measure what students know not what they can do with that knowledge.How can instructional strategies help learners develop expertise in the content area?"

"1.What is the ultimate goal of teaching and learning? For students to know something on the surface or for students to be able to think and do something differently?"