Whether the format be constructed response, research paper, essay, or digital discussion prompt, I have heard educators lament over students’ brief responses, casual style, and the influence of “texting” language. Students struggle to code switch toward communication in an academic register. How do we teach our learners to make this shift? The brain learns and […]
Educators, researchers, parents, and politicians often spew rhetoric regarding the negative aspects of technological devices on growing brains. It is said that smartphones and on-demand video streaming services have caused students to be unable to focus on tasks in the classroom, that their constant attention to devices distracts them from learning content, that constant access […]
Our First Hour of Code Prior to my current work as an educational technology/integrated studies consultant for a county office of education, I was an elementary school leader who had begun my public teaching career as a multi-subject teacher in the elementary and middle school grades. As a teacher, I continually advocated for increased access […]
Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic I sometimes hear people advocate for the need for the educational system to go “back to basics”, with a primary focus on reading, writing, and arithmetic. This verbiage often comes from non-educators, yet just as often I witness educators who consistently place importance on English language arts and mathematics content above […]
Andragogy – Pedagogy for Adults We often hear educators discuss the importance of research based, effective pedagogy for our students. Coaches and administrators ask teachers to actively engage students, personalize learning, and design experiences for students to construct knowledge through exploration. Sadly, these well-meaning adults may plan staff meetings and professional development sessions in which […]
Academic conversations build an understanding of content and promote communication that prepares students for college and career. But how do we ensure that all students participate in our academic conversations, particularly our English Language Learners and students with special needs, who would often prefer to sit on the sidelines than speak up in class? We […]
This is the second episode in a blogpost series chronicling my first experience in creating a student-centered learning environment. Click here to read Episode 1: Fear. Do we get a grade for this? As I walked to the blacktop to bring my students back to the classroom following break, I sensed their nervous excitement. I […]
Accepting the Challenge My experience creating a student-led learning environment began with an internal decision to prove someone wrong. It was mixed with arrogance and a bit of fear. While I was in the process of obtaining my Master of Arts degree, a professor challenged us to allow students to create their own assessments. Internally, […]
Students First – It’s in the Standards Who is in charge in your classroom? Is your instruction designed for student learning or for adult comfort? International, national, and statewide standards call for student-centered learning design in which learners are called upon to think critically, collaborate, create and communicate. These standards require students to engage in […]
Co-Written with Instructional Technology Specialist Steve Woods If you’ve gone to a few technology-rich educational conferences, you’ve likely come across one or two BreakoutEdu breakout sessions. Have you had the opportunity to get your hands on one of these uber-tactile and visually rich wooden or plastic boxes, catching the eye with a myriad of locks, […]
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