Inquiry-Based Tasks in Social Studies
This article explores ways to foster deep learning in social studies classrooms. The author, a classroom teacher and instructional coach, discusses how to introduce inquiry-based tasks. He notes this approach can be used for explorations that are bigger than a lesson but smaller than a whole unit. Inquiry-based tasks may be a manageable way for… Read More ›
Promoting Belonging in Math Through Instructional Choices and Practices
During the session, Dr. Matthews, a former math teacher and math education researcher, and Dr. Alison Shell from Digital Promise will discuss the importance for teachers to develop healthy mindsets and sense of belonging in the classroom as part of their equity-based teaching practices. They will provide instructional strategies to help teachers analyze, coordinate, and adjust… Read More ›
Eastern Carver County School District Learner-Centered Resources
The resources below illustrate the work being done in Eastern Carver County School District, Minnesota to promote learner-centered education: This transcript of an interview with Brenda Vogds, (former)Leader of Personalized Learning and Innovation for the secondary schools in the district, explores how the district worked to bring educators into the process and nurture the development… Read More ›
Building Public Awareness: Framing That Works Explaining Complex K-12 Initiatives to the Community
Whatever the educational challenge—improving assessments, personalizing learning environments, or advancing equity—public thinking plays a role in the solution. And the way the issue is framed for the public has a big effect on levels of support and engagement in the issue. During this webinar, staff from FrameWorks Institute will help educators and advocates decide where… Read More ›
Programming for Personalization: Using Computer Science Resources in Support of a Student-Centered Learning Environment
This e-guidebook provides a set of resources and strategies to help educators empower students to build digital literacy and computational thinking competencies across disciplines. It includes an overview of each resource, how that resource might support student-centered strategies, and examples of how to use the resource in a variety of classrooms. Resources include: Scratch Code Academy… Read More ›
Frequently Asked Questions about Social-Emotional Learning
This FAQ provides a quick overview of SEL. It examines the definition of SEL and answers some basic questions about how it may be implemented and assessed in schools. This would be a great resource to share with parents at a school beginning an SEL program or to share with new parents at a school… Read More ›
AASA National Conference on Education
The National Conference on Leadership, sponsored by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is a chance for superintendents to come together to learn form each other. It will include breakout sessions run by fellow leaders on topics related to leadership, curriculum, professional learning, and school environment. Keynotes will feature Susan Rice, Former United States National Security… Read More ›
Productive Problem Finding
This resource developed by Distinguished Fellow alumnus Frank LaBanca is designed to introduce “problem finding” as a tool for student-centered learning. When students look and find problems, they engage in a creative process to develop and define an idea for a study. Through problem-finding, students set objectives, define purposes, decide what is interesting and ultimately… Read More ›
Why It Matters to Have Teachers That Look Like Me
For ten years—the first decade I was in school—all my teachers were white women. As a Mexican American kid, I didn’t get the chance to have a man of color as a teacher until high school. Going into my senior year, I like how diverse my teachers are now, but I wish I’d had the… Read More ›
4 Things you Should Know about Digital Portfolios
This article provides a quick overview of the components of student-centered digital portfolios. It highlights four takeaways, including the importance of focusing on the learning process and putting students in the drivers seat. This short article would be a good piece to spark a discussion with staff around digital portfolios for schools looking to implement… Read More ›
Visual Teaching Ideas to Spark Creative Thinking in Math
This article looks at ways to spark creativity and deep thinking in math classes. The author, a veteran educator and author, focuses on the use of images to spark deep thinking. Using images can help all types of learners access math as humans naturally seek to understand patterns and relationships. He also discusses how images… Read More ›
Deeper Learning and Diffusion of Innovation and Scaled Impact of New Hampshire’s Work-Study Practices
Through its Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE) initiative, New Hampshire offers innovative, successful approaches in competency-based and deeper learning practices, and is a model for other states to follow. JFF is partnering with the New Hampshire Learning Initiative, the New Hampshire Department of Education, and the Center for Innovation in Education to understand how… Read More ›