Looking Back: The First Year of the Student-Centered Learning Research Collaborative
The Student-Centered Learning Research Collaborative launched last November with over 100 researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and funders coming together to break down silos and advance the field. To celebrate our first birthday, we thought we’d share a run-down of what we’ve been up to since then. Hope you enjoy – and don’t forget to sign up… Read More ›
How Can We Abolish the Phrase “I’m Just Not a Math Person”?
This blog was originally posted on June 13, 2017 in Education Week’s Learning Deeply Blog Four teachers gather around a laptop to watch videos of their students working in groups to solve math problems. Using a protocol to guide their discussion, they pause the videos at opportune moments and practice providing strategic feedback. Their goal:… Read More ›
18 Digital Tools and Strategies That Support Students’ Reading and Writing
In this article, the Instructional Technology Specialist from Littleton, CO offers a wealth of education technology resources related to literacy development. In a presentation at the 2016 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference she presented an array of digital reading and writing tools teachers and students in her district find helpful. In her district… Read More ›
Civics Needs a Makeover NOW. How? Keep It Student-Centered, Stupid!
Originally posted on EdWeek’s Learning Deeply Blog on October 11, 2017. Our current political climate and all it portends about our democracy has alerted many Americans to a striking fact: civic education needs a makeover. Currently, only 23 percent of high school seniors are proficient in civics, according to the National Assessment of Education Progress, and just… Read More ›
How Tech Can Help Students with Disabilities Thrive in STEM Education
This article highlights advice from educators on the best ways to support students with disabilities through technology. It focuses on the power of technology to adapt and personalize experiences in STEM fields to provide all students access to the same topics, skills, and experiences in science, math, and technology. Educators can apply the advice from… Read More ›
How to Engage with School Partners? Tips for Researchers from One Project in Maine
As education researchers, how do we remain responsive to the needs of our partners while maintaining our role as independent observers? In July 2016, with funding from the Student Centered-Learning Research Collaborative, EDC began a two-year research project looking into student-centered learning with 10 partner school districts in rural Maine. In addition to what we… Read More ›
Gateway to Opportunity: Extending Learning into the Summer and into the Workplace
As the school year kicks into gear, it is often a time for reflecting back on summer. I can’t tell you how frequently I bump into students who tell me they were bored and up to “nothing really” over their breaks. With the work that I do, it is hard for this response to not… Read More ›
Getting to Know Students Deeply
This blog explores ways to use student voice as a form of data to help improve culturally responsive teaching practices. The author poses the question, “how do we know we’re culturally responsive if we’re not listening to our students?”. She details 6 ways to collect valuable information from students including: one-on-one interviews, focus groups, feedback… Read More ›
The Role of Advisory in Personalizing the Secondary Experience
This article looks at the role of advisory in personalizing learning experiences in high schools. Through development of strong adult/student relationships and self efficacy skills, advisory can help students map out their personal learning plans through high school and beyond. This article outlines 5 core elements that should be part of any advisory system as… Read More ›
18 Tips for Making Blended Learning More Student-Centered
This article shares 18 tips from leading schools and providers who have added student-centered strategies, such as boosting student agency and collaboration, to their blended learning plans. The article has links to additional resources and websites throughout. Some tips include: Genius Hour Developing a values-based culture Work -based learning projects Adaptive Learning This article offers… Read More ›
Partnership Strategies for Real-World Projects
This article provides insight from an interview with leaders at Iowa BIG, a public high school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where students learn across disciplines through community-based projects. Based on lessons learned, school leaders share tips for establishing and nurturing local partnerships with organizations, businesses, and government agencies which are critical to the success of… Read More ›
How to Plan Instruction Using the Video Game Model
In this blog entry, teacher and neurologist, Judy Willis, explores ways to apply the motivation tactics used in video games to engage students. She discusses how teachers provide students with achievable challenges that are based on individual needs and grow with their mastery of the skills and content. She explores in detail: The role of… Read More ›