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"Wherever we are, we’d all like to think our classrooms are “intellectually active” places. Progressive learning (like our 21st Century Model, for example) environments. Highly effective and conducive to student-centered learning. But what does that mean? The reality is, there is no single answer because teaching and learning are awkward to consider as single events or individual 'things'..."
Beth Dichter's insight:
Have you thought about what the characteristics of a highly effective learning environment are? This post may provide many ideas for you. Several of the characteristics are listed below. You will find many more in the post as well as some detailed descriptions. * The students ask the questions—good questions. Do your students know how to ask good questions? Do you know how to teach them to ask good questions? Are they supported when they ask questions? * Ideas come from a divergent sources. Are we asking students to use multiple sources and to see more than one view of an issue? * Criteria for success is balanced and transparent. This is a tougher one to meet (based on the post). Do your students understand the criteria for success? As we come to the end of this school year this is a great time to reflect and think about what we might change next year. Looking through these 10 characteristics may lead you to some changes in your classroom next year. 
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"The Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) illustrates how teachers can use technology to enhance learning for K-12 students. The TIM incorporates five interdependent characteristics of meaningful learning environments: active, constructive, goal directed (i.e., reflective), authentic, and collaborative (Jonassen, Howland, Moore, & Marra, 2003). The TIM associates five levels of technology integration (i.e., entry, adoption, adaptation, infusion, and transformation) with each of the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments. Together, the five levels of technology integration and the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments create a matrix of 25 cells..."
Beth Dichter's insight:
This Tech Integration Mix is provided by the Florida Department of Education. It was recently updated (2011) and provides a variety of resources. Along with the five levels of tech integration and the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments you will find videos that demonstrate technology being used in math, science, social studies and ELA in various levels. Additional resources are also available including a digital tools index for each tool used.
Mark Ayton's curator insight,
June 25, 2013 5:39 AM
This is an amazing resource. It lays out a matrix of 5 tech use levels against 5 activity types and provides video case studies in each matrix block for Maths, Science, Social Studies and Lauguage Arts. That's 100 easily accessed short video case studies! Although aimed at American K12 teachers the examples cover an amazing array of tools and techniques that will readily transfer to UK FE and Skills. 
Nick Nebelsky's curator insight,
June 26, 2013 12:30 PM
Finally a structure to build a curriculum around.... 
Dana Lott's curator insight,
July 2, 2013 3:42 PM
I saw the author of this philosophy and rubric as ISTE in Denver a few years back. Really great thoughts! Thanks, Jenn!
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“When students are motivated to learn, they naturally acquire the skills they need to get the work done.” Sir Ken Robinson Common sense tells us that students are more likely to learn if they are motivated by and engaged with the curriculum or project at hand. Now, hard science is telling us the same thing. When students are passionately engaged in their learning - when they are mesmerized by their learning environment or activities – there are myriad responses in their brains making connections and building schema that simply would not occur without that passion or emotion.
Beth Dichter's insight:
Are you looking for some ideas on how to bring passion-based learning into the classroom? This post provides 25 suggestions, and each has a short description. Below are a few to whet your appetite, Click through to the post for more. * Share your own passions with students. * Let students share their passions. * Connect students' passions to real-life scenarios. * Help connect students to a new subject through an existing passion.
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What do you think the 10 characteristics of a highly effective learning environment are? This post says an environment is "highly effective and conducive to student-centered learning." Read this post to learn more. Each characteristic listed also includes an explanation. Characteristics listed include: * The students ask questions - good questions. * Questions are valued over answers. * Ideas come from a variety of sources. * Learning is personalized by a variety of criteria.
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"The UDL Curriculum Toolkit is a web-based platform that allows for the development and publication of web-based curricula and other content built according to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)...the UDL Toolkit provides a frame for curriculum development with features that facilitate comprehension (e.g., highlighting, accessible text, vocabulary support), that encourage action and expression (e.g., notetaking, prompts for writing, drawing, and audio recording), and that recruit and sustain engagement (e.g., video, teacher feedback, collaborative whiteboard)." This toolkit has the potential to help teachers better meet the needs of their students.
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"There is a difference between personalization and differentiation and individualization. Barbara Bray and Kathleen McClaskey developed this chart on the differences on approaches to teaching and learning. The chart clearly explains that personalization is about the learner and the distinct difference in the learning environment."
Mrs. Reinagel's curator insight,
July 13, 2015 1:03 PM
#VBBT2015 Food for thought or just another word for the same? |
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"Flipped learning is a pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual learning space, and the resulting group space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive learning environment where the educator guides students as they apply concepts and engage creatively in the subject matter. "
Beth Dichter's insight:
This infographic shares information from a recent survey on flipped classrooms. It also shares information from two previous surveys allowing you to see how rapidly some changes are taking place. Below are two of the details from the infographic. Click through to see the complete infograhic and learn more. * In 2012 73% of teachers recognized the term "Flipped Classroom, in 2014 that is up to 96%. * Close to half the teachers researched have been teaching for more than 16 years - Cool because it shows it is not just the way of young techie teachers. Please note that the data was collected over 10 days in an online survey by Sophia (the website) and the Flipped Learning Network and 2,358 teachers replied.
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Beth Dichter's insight:
Are you considering implementing blended learning? If you are check out this new infographic from Digital Learning Now that looks at implementation process.
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"Over the years, I’ve noticed how one question can change the dynamics of any situation. Everything might be moving along quite nicely at the dinner table, everyone’s happy and laughing but one question can send those same smiling faces into a frenzy of shouts and upset. This also holds true in a classroom. Students may be working quietly and the teacher might be content but one question or comment from a student or the teacher can turn that quiet into bubbling sea of chatter."
Beth Dichter's insight:
As teachers we know that there are days when a lesson is just not hitting the spot. This post provides a range of ideas across the curriculum that you might try if this happens..."just quick tricks to step up the beat so that students stay interested." Five lesson ideas are presented for math, reading, writing, science and social studies, each providing an idea that you may want to incorporate. One example for social studies is below (quoted from the post). Lesson: Civil Rights One of the most important lessons taught to students, this gives them a deeper understanding of right and wrong and why laws exist and need to be enforced. Sometimes students see it as ancient history though. So keep it current as well. Add Students. Ask the important question: How have things changed? Have them list it or journal it then expand on that as the lesson continues. They need to understand their relationship to it.
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Are you looking for an online platform to help children in Grades 1, 2 and 3 with math and reading? ScootPad, a leading math and reading practice platform, may be just up your alley. "ScootPad enables mastery through gradual and thorough practice which is personalized to each student - rather than providing a quick fix for problems and gaps." They are committed to provide students with a "fun, exciting and challenging learning environment"; teachers a "fully automated practice/homework, real-time progress tracking and in-depth assessments so you can enhance your instruction and provide on-time intervention"; and parents "real-time visibility to your child's progress and proficiency."
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"It’s clear that children from poverty are often at a disadvantage in school, and educators can find it challenging to help such students become positively engaged in their own learning. In a recent webinar for Scientific Learning, author and educator Eric Jensen (Teaching with Poverty in Mind), provides invaluable guidance for teachers who work with at-risk and low-income youth." As well as providing some suggestions there is also a link to a webinar and links to additional readings.
Kyle McAlister's curator insight,
September 21, 2018 10:49 AM
As I study to become a high school teacher in a metropolitan area, this article is pertinent to both my effectiveness in that position, as well as my current research. The methods that the article highlights regarding how to engage students who live in poverty and how to be a support for them speak directly to my question of how a teacher can influence poverty.
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What are the characteristics of an effective learning environment? Read on...
These criteria really outline some solid principles that should direct our planning and thus be evident in our learning environments. Principles such as: student enquiry, work readiness, personalised learning, flexibility, authentic and transparent assessment. I like the focus on critical thinking here :)
Great scoop Beth. I love the goal of "intellectually active" classrooms.