Category Archives: Learning
Multitasking – BS with a capital BS.
This is a quick little rant. My wife asked if I needed help getting down off my soapbox. I said, “No, I’ll write a blog post”. :) Tonight, I was reading some things online and watching TV at the same … Continue reading
Posted in Critical Examination of Technology, Learning
4 Comments
The importance of abstract thinking.
While developmental learning theory highlights the need to represent new concepts in concrete fashion, if we do not help students move toward more abstract thinking about concepts, they will likely not be able to transfer their understanding to new situations … Continue reading
Compliance vs learning
Below is a comment I left over at “Think Thank Thunk“. For those interested in Standards Based Grading (SBG), I highly recommend subscribing: Your notion that a philosophical change must happen is right on. If we don’t alter our fundamental … Continue reading
Posted in Assessment, Learning
6 Comments
Introducing Concept Maps
Below is my reply to an email a colleague sent me inquiring about how they might introduce their students to concept mapping. I thought I would share my brief thoughts for comment and use: I like to use familiar things … Continue reading
Posted in Assessment, Class Activities, Learning
Tagged Activities, authentic assessment, concept maps, Learning, students
1 Comment
Relevance is not the holy grail
(disclaimer: this post is me “thinking out loud, so I apologize for any lack of clarity) Yes, relevance is a worthy goal, but it should not be our only goal. What about learning for learning sake? Scientists learn out of … Continue reading
Pursuing Passions Project – Update & Student Views
(Hear author read this post) My students have been working on a project in which they identify, learn about, and share their learning concerning a topic about which they are passionate. Today was day four of the project. I took … Continue reading
Grading – shift toward understanding
I tried a new approach to grading this year. In an ideal environment, grading would look very different from traditional school, or not exist at all. However, the pragmatist I am, I thought about how I might work within the … Continue reading
Posted in Assessment, Learning, Reflection
Tagged Assessment, authentic assessment, grades, grading, homework
1 Comment
Students pursuing their passion: an update
(Hear author read this post) Earlier this week, I posted an open-ended assignment in which my students were able to identify a topic of their choice, learn about the topic, and share their knowledge with the world. Today is day … Continue reading
Grading homework-a waste of time?
(Hear author read this post) My school has recently engaged in discussions regarding homework. We are reading articles, forming committees, and sharing ideas. We are discussing what role homework should play in our school, in student learning, and in our … Continue reading
Posted in Assessment, Goals for Students, Learning, Reflection, Teacher Actions
Tagged assignments, compliance, grading, homework, Learning, practice
13 Comments
An open invitation for students to learn.
(Hear author read this post) Below is the blog post I wrote for my students on our class ning. This project will be worked on throughout the rest of the school year. While this will not be the only thing … Continue reading
Teaching as Dynamic 