There is a big paradigm shift looming in education: the need to shift focus from teaching to learning, from teacher as information deliverer to teacher as facilitator of learning. That means on any given day, the teacher’s primary focus should be not on a lesson plan or textbook page, but on a student, and another, […]
I often hear design process and design thinking mentioned in connection with STEM and STEAM programs; and yes, clearly, if you’re going to solve a design problem, it’s good to have a design process. But the type of methodical thinking involved in design process is just good for everyday life! So build it into everything […]
I recently heard a comment that children make up 30% of the world and 100% of our future. I love that! How can we position students to change the world while ensuring we are giving them the foundational skills detailed in the standards? The key is in the “flipped triangle:” While it may seem like […]
I’m pleased to share this perspective on a more productive way to address student behavior by guest blogger Shané Beauford, Coordinator of Systems Thinking at IDE Corp. Student behavior is a hot topic in schools, with some schools moving to programs that depend on extrinsic rewards to prompt positive behaviors. Often, when addressing student behavioral […]
We know from research that social and emotional learning (SEL – casel.org) supports academic achievement and better life outcomes for students. So it’s critical that schools build practices into the day that support the advancement of SEL. As you walk through the SEL competencies, you’ll find that there are some “foundational” skills students need: In […]