Lori Dunn, grade 8 science, is focused on both providing an academically rigorous curriculum and in helping her students gain the skills needed to be successful in our new global economy. Mrs. Dunn is committed to creating classrooms in which students can build the skills needed to be both successful learners and leaders. That means students in Mrs. Dunn’s class not only grapple with scientific content, but are required to be decision makers and problem-solvers.
How have you increased student responsibility for learning in your classroom this year?
By creating a student-centered environment, individuals are now keeping logs of their work and learning to prioritize what needs to get done. My unit scaffold has a variety of choice and different assignments that can be submitted at different times. I have witnessed students keeping track of what they have completed, develop a plan for what needs to be done, and also collaborate with each other on group assignments which has to be scheduled together when they are all av
ailable to complete such work.
What was something that really surprised you about how yours students were able to succeed in this new learning environment?
At the start of the year, I was nervous that when given freedom to schedule their own time; my students would be off task. I was prepared to be the police officer and not the facilitator of my classroom. I am surprised and happy to see that students enter my classroom with a plan and get started right away on the job that needs to be done. There is growth beyond the content that is occurring in my classroom and I was not expecting it to come so naturally to my students.
What was very challenging for your students?
Some students are so used to a teacher centered classroom that they found it challenging to make decisions when presented with choices. For example, I give different choices for reading assignments not only based on topic but on level of difficulty. In the past, students were all given the same article with the same assignment to complete. In this new environment, there was a lot of uncertainty as to what they wouldchoose and it made them uncomfortable. One student said "It's so much easier when you just tell me what to do and I do it." I told him he was complementing me. It is easier when I tell them what to do...because there is no thinking required on their part.
How does a learner active classroom prepare students to be global
citizens?
Through student centered activities, I have been able to present various topics concerning world issues in an effort to create awareness on topic such as global warming, alternative fuel sources and international cooperation on the ISS. By providing them choices within each area, students can select a topic and activity that interests them and makes them feel more connected because they can become personally invested in what they are learning.
