The ABC’s of Competency-Based Learning Although classrooms offline have been delivering competency-based training for decades, the eLearning industry has only just woken up to the merits of this form of learning. However, competency-based training is yet to become a trend in online education simply because most designers and training managers are not sure what it means and how they can implement the concept in practice. So in this post we’ll be decoding the jargon. For starters, here’s an infographic that outlines the whys and the wherefores of competency-based learning. Read on, if you want to learn more. What is a Competence? To put it simply, competence means a skill. Competency is: Measurable. What is Competency-based Learning? Remember how you learned mathematics in school? Competency-based learning lets learners move through a course at their own pace. What are the Benefits of Competency-Based Learning? 1) Relevance to the Real World: Tip: Do not create instructional modules that just state the mere facts. 4) Self-Paced
10 URLs to Find Out What Google Knows About You Google is much more than just a search giant. It is also home to many of your favorite products: Gmail, YouTube, and Chrome, just to name a few. Apart from that, it also offers many products to help you keep track of your data. We’ve compiled a list of important Google URLs of some hidden tools that carry information of what you did with Google, mostly from the searches that you have made on their many products, the voice searches and typed out Google searches that you have made. 1. Google Dashboard offers transparency and control over the personal data stored with your Google Account. It summarizes data for each product you use and allows setting preferences for personal account products. 2. Saved Passwords is the tool to view the usernames and passwords (stored with Google Smart Lock) that you have ever typed and saved in Google Chrome and Android for signing into various websites. These stockpiled credentials are synced and accessible across your numerous devices. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
edutopia Inquiry-based learning is more than asking a student what he or she wants to know. It’s about triggering curiosity. And activating a student’s curiosity is, I would argue, a far more important and complex goal than the objective of mere information delivery. Nevertheless, despite its complexity, inquiry-based learning can be somehow easier on teachers, too. True, it’s seemingly easier because it transfers some responsibilities from teachers to students, but it’s really easier because releasing authority engages students. Teachers who use inquiry-based learning combat the “dunno” -- a chronic problem in student engagement. Let’s face it, when you ask a student something like, “What do you want to know about _______?” In all honesty, however, what inquiry-based teachers do isn’t easy at all; it’s just hidden, and some people confuse the two. Learning Something New Triggering inquiry is about learning something new, and triggering curiosity is no small feat. Think about it. 1. 2. 3. 4.
The Difference Between Pedagogy, Andragogy, And Heutagogy The Difference Between Pedagogy, Andragogy, And Heutagogy by Terry Heick Jackie Gerstein’s passionate thinking about learning is some of my favorite to read. She is rarely pulled down by trend or fad, but is unquestionably progressive and forward-thinking in her approaches to learning and thinking about learning. She and I also share a passion: self-directed learning. I’m embarrassingly interested in any kind of learning at all–formal or informal, self-directed or teacher-centered, authentic or academic. Gerstein’s presentation, “Education 3.0 and the Pedagogy of Mobile Learning” uses the concept of mobile learning as a spearhead into a broader discussion of how people learn–different approaches, different domains, and different technologies.
8 Classroom Management Apps for Tech Savvy Teachers For teachers, the calling to make a difference in a student’s life is strong. But for many, the workload and burden overwhelms their ability to deliver a strong impact. Fortunately, education technology is here to lend a hand. In this post we will be looking at 8 apps tech savvy teachers can use to better manage their classrooms. Most (not all) of these apps are available for free, and most (again, not all) are available as mobile apps (for Android, iOS and beyond). 1. Class DOJO is a very helpful tool for teachers to gather and generate data on the behavior of students. By using this tool, a teacher has a number of predefined behavior options under the categories of positive and negative behaviors. The app also provides a secure communication method for teachers to send feedback about a student to their parents, similar to a continuous progress report on how the children are doing. 2. Google Classroom for anyone with a Google Apps for Education account. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
edutopia Discover the Benefits of Inquiry-Based Learning A Case for Curiosity: Hear from one educator on the value of asking “why?” and learn how to preserve and nurture a curious mindset. (Edutopia, 2016) 3 Rules to Spark Learning: Watch a short video to understand how student questions seed real learning. (TED Talks, 2013) Why Curiosity Enhances Learning: Read about findings of a neurological study on curiosity. (Edutopia, 2014) Designing Learning That Matters: Learn about the benefits of inquiry-driven, deep-learning experiences. Back to Top Create Learning Environments That Foster Inquiry How to Bring ‘More Beautiful’ Questions Back to School: Take a look at five ways to create learning environments that value questions. Plan Curriculum That Supports Inquiry Inquiry-Based Learning: An Approach to Educating and Inspiring Kids: Scan an in-depth inquiry-based learning guide for information on techniques and strategies for doing inquiry-based projects in any educational setting.
5 Characteristics Of Project-Based Learning That Works - Schedule a TeachThought Professional Development PBL Workshop For Your School > 5 Characteristics Of Project-Based Learning That Works by Drew Perkins, Director of TeachThought Professional Development Interested in learning more about how to leverage great thinking and learning using authentic project-based learning? Check our PBL Workshop Services. As I’ve written before (What PBL Can Do For Your School…And What It Won’t) project-based learning can be an amazing tool for student, teacher, and school growth but only if you’re getting great thinking and learning as a result. Quality PBL takes advantage of built-in and designed levers of quality that helps the teacher as facilitator align the thinking and learning we’re after in our students. Aligned Thinking and Learning The project is intentionally designed to solicit thinking around desired standards, content, & skills students need to know. When planning for project design what thinking and learning do we want our teaching to align with?
Gender neutral parenting doomed to fail Sex therapist and psychologist Bettina Arndt says gender-neutral parenting is impossible and that women expect too much from husbands and fathers. Arndt has served on a number of committees advising government policy, including the Family Law Pathways Advisory Group and the Child Support Review Reference Group and says women are taking over all the parenting, even going as far as raising them to be more like women. "As we discovered, back in the 70s there were a lot of women who, feminists, women in the women’s movement who decided they were going to try to do that sort of thing, a lot of us have realized we are really up against it because, I think there is no question there is something biological," she said. "I think it’s doomed to failure." She says women need to be more realistic about what they expect from men as partners and fathers. Video Are we raising our boys wrong? Video Are we raising our boys wrong?
Teaching Methods: Inquiry based learning with Professor Simone Reinhold - Teacher This podcast from Teacher magazine is supported by Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank. The Mutual Bank is proud to support the financial wellbeing and professional development of the education community. Visit victeach.com.au to find out how they can help you reach your financial goals. Jo Earp: In this episode of Teaching Methods we’ll be exploring inquiry based learning. I’m here with Simone Reinhold, Professor for Primary Mathematics Education at Leipzig University, Germany. JE: Professor Simone Reinhold, welcome to Teacher. Simone Reinhold: Inquiry based learning should always start with a challenging task. The children, as a first step they should explore what’s [been set]. The next step then would be to justify your findings. Another step would maybe then be to argue by means of finding ways to display this – for example, with the material, or do a drawing, or set up a number of equations, or something like that to prove what you’ve found. SR: Yes, to do that. SR: That’s my mission.
Is 2016 The Year That Progressive Education Returns? - Is 2016 The Year That Progressive Education Returns? by Robert Sun The 1920’s were a high point in the Progressive Education movement. Developed in response to the rigid pedagogy of 19th Century industrial society—methods that stressed uniform learning largely defined by social class—Progressive Education sought to break the mold with a more enlightened approach to public schooling. While Progressive Education had many elements, it essentially followed three teaching strategies. First was an emergent curriculum that responded to children’s enthusiasms, recognizing that students are most motivated to learn something they are already interested in. Despite its promise and a number of early successes, Progressive Education eventually lost momentum in the United States. As America comes to grips with the 21st Century world, however, the precepts of Progressive Education are once again finding favor. Finland has been a leader in the neo-progressive movement.