Digital Differentiation Technology is a tool that can be used to help teachers facilitate learning experiences that address the diverse learning needs of all students and help them develop 21st Century Skills. At it's most basic level, digital tools can be used to help students find, understand and use information. When combined with student-driven learning experiences fueled by Essential Questions offering flexible learning paths, it can be the ticket to success. Note: The interactive graphics you see below have been updated. The goal is to design student-driven learning experiences that are fueled by standards-based Essential Questions and facilitated by digital tools to provide students with flexible learning paths. Essential Questions: Student-driven learning experiences should be driven by standards-based Essential Questions. Flexible Learning Paths:Use digital tools to provide students with flexible learning paths to meet their unique learning styles. Teacher Facilitated Learning Experiences:
The Origin and Evolution of Cells - The Cell - NCBI Bookshelf Great Infographic Making Tools for Teachers 1- Visual.ly This is my favorite tool. It helps you easily create awesome infographics using pre-designed templates. It also lets you create an infographic out of any Twitter Hashtag provided you are signed in which you can do using your Twitter account. 2-Easel.ly This is another great web tool to create infographics. 3-PiktoChart I love PiktoChart and I have used it a couple of times and found it really great. 4- Infogr.am Infogr.am is an easy to use online service that lets you create, share, and discover infographics and online charts.It is also very easy to use, you can select a pre-designed template, add charts, videos and maps and within a few clicks your template is ready to go viral. Other infographic creation tools you might want to try :
Cooperative Learning What is Cooperative Learning? Cooperative learning is an instructional strategy that simultaneously addresses academic and social skill learning by students. It is a well-researched instructional strategy and has been reported to be highly successful in the classroom. For a more in depth explanation of this strategy, follow this link to the self-guided tutorial. What is its purpose? There is an every increasing need for interdependence in all levels of our society. How can I do it? Five Basic Elements of Cooperative Learning 1. The basic elements of cooperative learning can be considered essential to all interactive methods. How can I adapt it? Cooperative learning can take place in a variety of circumstances. Assessment and Evaluation Considerations Observing cooperative learning groups in action allows you to effectively assess students' work and understanding. Teacher Resources
Differentiation - tools, tips and resources Differentiation is an important aspect of education. Students learn differently, have different needs, different backgrounds, different skills, different ability levels, different interests and more. As educators, we try to create engaging lesson activities that provide a variety of learning experiences and allow students to demonstrate their learning in different ways. Differentiation should occur in both how students learn and gain knowledge and skills, and in how they demonstrate and are assessed on what they have learned. “In the practice of education, differentiation is defined as working to address the abilities, interests, and needs (both perceived and real) of individuals. Here are some resources, tips, and tools on differentiation: Digital Differentiation - ideas and tools for differentiating with digital resources Tools for Differentiation - helping teachers meet the needs of all learners Differentiating with Web 2.0 Technologies
free university lectures - computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry Whether your goal is to earn a promotion, graduate at the top of your class, or just accelerate your life, lectures can help get you there. Our archives of lectures cover a huge range of topics and have all been handpicked and carefully designed by experienced instructors throughout the world who are dedicated to helping you take the next step toward meeting your career goals. Lifelong learns can turn their free time turn into self-improvement time. The online lectures on this list are more than lecture notes or a slideshow on a topic -- they were designed for audiences like you, with carefully sequenced themes and topics taught by veteran educators, and often with additional resources for your own independent study. The lectures are available to anybody, completely free of charge. Lecture courses are a valid and vital learning tool, and may be one of the best methods of learning available.
Top 10 Ways to Wake-up Students in Class - SimpleK12 The following is a guest post from Michelle Doman, a 7th and 8th grade Language Arts teacher at Brandon Middle School in Wisconsin. Top 10 Ways to Wake-up Students in Class Many people get a little squeamish, wiggly, and offer a scrunched expression when I respond to the question, “What grades do you teach?” I teach middle school, and with heart and honesty, I find great joys (and challenges) in teaching the group referred to as “tweens” and adolescents. So, I invite you into the quirky world of middle school. Do not fear…you will become comfortable in a beanbag, find a new young-at-heart-love-for reading air, and (at times chuckle) as I give you a sneak-peek into the crevices (oh, look out for that dirty sock) of the teenage minds. Here are the Top 10 Ways to Wake-up Students in Class... 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. If anyone has more ideas to capture the wondering, daydreaming, (hormonal) minds of middle school students, I would love to read about them. P.S.
Reader Idea | Teaching the American Civil War to Students in China An 1866 image showed Gen. Robert E. Lee on Traveller, his famous horse. This idea, for using primary sources to help teach about the Civil War, comes from a teacher who works with English-language learners in China. If you’ve used The Times for teaching and learning and would like to see your idea on our blog, write in and tell us what you’ve done. Teacher: Margaret Blaha Institution: Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Grade Level of Students: Intermediate to advanced English-language students Idea: Students use a Learning Network lesson on the Civil War and primary and secondary sources, do their own research on an important figure, then write blog posts that explain a primary source and its lasting effects on American culture. Why We Chose It: This lesson offers an engaging introduction to the vast topic of the Civil War for a 17-week course on Western culture taught in China to English-language college students. What Ms. “I’m proud of how it all turned out. — Margaret Blaha
The Best Resources On Differentiating Instruction My colleague Katie Hull-Sypnieski is leading a February 1st Education Week Webinar on differentiating instruction, and I would strongly encourage people to participate. Katie’s the best teacher I’ve ever seen…. In addition, Katie and I have co-authored a piece for Education Week Teacher on the topic that will be appearing there soon (it’s appeared: The Five By Five Approach To Differentiation Success), and an upcoming post in my blog there will be talking about it, too (that two part series has also appeared). Also, check out The Best “Fair Isn’t Equal” Visualizations. Given all that, a “The Best…” post was inevitable, and here it is. Here are my choices for The Best Resources On Differentiating Instruction: The Best Places To Get The “Same” Text Written For Different “Levels” Busting Myths about Differentiated Instruction is by Rick Wormeli. Reconcilable Differences? Deciding to Teach Them All is by Carol Ann Tomlinson. Here’s a slide from a Rick Wormeli presentation: Related January 11, 2015
Richard Feynman Home page Advice for First-Year Teachers Advice for First-Year Teachers From the 'Sophomores' Who Survived Last Year Education World asked the "sophomores" who faced -- and survived -- that dreaded first year to reflect on their successes and failures. There's no doubt about it. To help you stay cool and dry in the coming year, Education World asked the "sophomores" who faced -- and survived -- that dreaded first year last year to reflect on their successes and failures. What advice did those teachers offer? Take charge. So, with thanks to Dawn, Jean, Retta, Jana, Alana, Lisa, Tracy, Lew, Mike, and all the other teachers who responded to our request, Education World compiled a list of the 26 top tips for surviving the first year. THE ABCs FOR FIRST YEAR TEACHERS Admit your mistakes -- and learn from them. Finally, keep in mind the words of Philadelphia teacher Lew Clark: "Have a blast! Check out some of the sites below for more advice and activities for beginning teachers.
Johns Hopkins University Creative Dramatics in the Classroom by Dee Dickinson For many years Creative Dramatics was a requirement for teacher certification at the University of Washington and in many other universities throughout the country. Budget cuts resulted in the demise of this program (along with many of the other arts); however, its value is still apparent. In order to prepare students for engaging in this process, it is useful to have them gain confidence by becoming various characters as a group, or participating in group pantomimes, such as different kinds of trees moving in the wind. Another preliminary activity for early elementary children might be the following: The teacher reads mysteriously Walter de la Mare's poem, Someone. The teacher might ask for volunteers to make the sounds of the busy beetle, others the screech-owl, and others dewdrops, while she/he reads the poem again. After confidence builds in the group, there are some useful ways to assure the success of such creative play. About the author Copyright © January 2002