How Do You Define Achievement?

by | Dec 16, 2011 | Connected Leadership, Less Teacher, More Student, Passion Based Learning, Student Life, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices

In the discussion over learning styles and measuring achievements, it’s important to take into account what educators see first-hand in class. To get a sense of their perspective on the subjects, MindShift editor Tina Barseghian asked educators who are part of our Powerful Learning Practice “Voices from the Learning Revolution” group blog to weigh in on what they’ve observed in their classrooms. Here’s what they say.

It's Never "Just a Comment"

by | Dec 15, 2011 | Creating Global Classrooms, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices, Web Tools That Deepen Learning

All of my first graders’ eyes are glued to the Smartboard in our classroom whenever we take the time to read our blog comments. Their eyes shine as they read or hear a comment that has been written just for them. The fact that someone they care about or someone we will never meet took the time to type a message to their class or to their personal blog has a big impact on them.

Helping Students Own the Learning Environment

by | Dec 13, 2011 | Less Teacher, More Student, Making The Shift, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices

They first learned to own the learning, and now I see a second big change in the way my students perceive learning and school. They are willing to experiment with how to organize themselves and to evaluate if it worked or not. Owning the learning AND owning the learning environment are two separate things. I believe having both perceptions in play is essential for students to maximize the learning potential.

Constructing Creativity in the Classroom

by | Dec 8, 2011 | Passion Based Learning, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices

A creative, kaleidoscope mind is one that innovates – invents – inspires. It takes what it knows and turns it upside-down, inside-out, and backwards to see what new possibilities and patterns emerge. It will be able to view a problem from many perspectives, and find a solution/design more rigid minds could not. I have coached an Odyssey of the Mind team for five years now, and I’ve seen evidence that creativity is definitely a skill that can (and should) be taught.

Life in a Inquiry Driven, Technology-Embedded, Connected Classroom: English

by | Nov 30, 2011 | Less Teacher, More Student, Passion Based Learning, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices, Web Tools That Deepen Learning

One of the most important things we can do is teach our students how to use social media wisely, and how social media can be used for social good. In grade 11 English this semester, we’ve chosen to create a social media campaign to raise awareness around modern slavery. It’s not enough for my students to learn about slavery, they need to do something with it, specifically “real world” projects that matter.