Could Giving Parents Homework Help Students?
This article describes a pilot program to include families in student’s learning conducted by the nonprofit, PowerMyLearning, at South Bronx Preparatory. Once every one to two weeks teachers assign family playlists, homework that includes two project-based activities, one for the student and another in which the student teaches the concept to a family member. This… Read More ›
Making Dream Group Work an Everyday Reality
Ask math teachers what their ideal classroom looks and sounds like, and they will probably tell you about that one magical unicorn lesson where students worked collaboratively in groups and engaged in authentic mathematical debates that led to deeper learning for all. What is so special about those elusive lessons where group work…well, worked? And how… Read More ›
Demonstrating Student Mastery with Digital Badges and Portfolios
In this webinar, David Niguidula will discuss the essential questions from his new book Demonstrating Student Mastery with Digital Badges and Portfolios, including Setting the Vision: What do we want our students to know and be able to do? Defining Badges: How do we define the badges that are required for all students? How can students create personal… Read More ›
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 ›
Quality Principles for Competency-Based Education
As states, districts and schools re-design education systems to move from more traditional approaches to a system focused on success for every student, the 16 design principles outlined in this book provide a cohesive framework that offers a set of guideposts for schools and districts. This book will be useful to all district leaders and educators working… 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 ›
Student-Driven Restorative Justice
This article looks at the restorative justice circles established by students at Grand Mesa Middle School in Grand Junction, Colorado. Student Council members at the school decided to focus on the introduction of restorative justice circles in response to surveys they administered that indicated conflicts between students was a top concern for the student body.… 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 ›
Four Feet on the Ground: The Youth-Adult Partnership “Teeter-totter Effect”
The personalization of learning requires the relationship of students and teachers to shift to partnership and shared responsibility. Educational change in Vermont has also opened the door to unprecedented opportunities for young people to be central to change, rather than passive recipients. However, there are few roadmaps for shifting our mental models and practices to… 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 ›
Can Restorative Practices Improve School Climate and Curb Suspensions?
This report from the RAND Corporation looks at restorative practices. Many feel restorative practices can empower students by changing how discipline is enforced and by improving school climate by purposefully building relationships between students and adults as well as fellow students. This study of the implementation of a particular program which utilizes restorative practices in the… 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 ›