20 Ways to Create a Healthy Faculty Environment
In honor of Edutopia's 20th anniversary, we're producing a series of Top 20 lists, from the practical to the sublime. When a classroom "works" it is a powerful place to be. While the students ultimately make these moments, talented educators need to set the stage for success. The same can be said of harmonious faculty and staff relations. Faculty Meetings 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Faculty Lounge 6. 7. 8. Professional Respect 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Information Technology 14. 15. 16. Beyond Campus 17. 18. 19. 20. What tips do you have for creating a safe place to learn and teach?
A Guide to Depth of Knowledge: 5 Tips to Help Your Students
View Original Photo How do you know that the tasks your students complete will meet the rigorous standards of the Common Core? How do you know they’re reaching the level of thinking required for Common Core assessments and college and career readiness? You know by using a frame of reference called Depth of Knowledge. If you’ve noticed the exit questions included in some of our closure activities, or if you have heard of Bloom’s taxonomy, you are familiar with the fact that some activities require deeper levels of thinking. The CCSS ELA standards require students to produce at a Depth of Knowledge 3 and 4. A Breakdown of DOK1-4 DOK 1: The ability to process knowledge on a low level so that the knowledge can be reproduced or communicated. DOK 2: Solve routine problems, like book learning. DOK 3: Requires reasoning and developing a plan. DOK 4: Requires extended thinking, investigation and synthesizing ideas into new concepts. A detailed look at DOK1-4. Example writing pieces for DOK1-4 1. 2.
10 Ways to be a Terrible Teacher
Teaching is a noble calling. That is why when a teacher doesn't behave nobly it breaks trust and we get upset. I have to admit that I've had days as a "TT" (Terrible Teacher.) If we're honest with ourselves, we all have. It is usually when we're tired, grumpy or were woken up by a parent calling to complain about something we don't really agree with. But there are no excuses. So, today, I'll share a few of the things I think make a teacher terrible. Stop and Be Excellent Some of you will be shocked that I've taken my positive tone out of this post. Sometimes knowing what to do means we also know what NOT to do. 10- The teacher is always on their cell phone. 9 - The teacher is always on the computer or not paying attention. I knew a teacher who used to sew on her sewing machine during class. 8- The teacher is always losing his/her temper or is predictably dramatic. The predictably dramatic could be when you get soooooooo mad you jump on your desk. Let me tell you something.
The 21st Century Learning and Teaching Skills You should not Miss
Digital media and internet are transforming the way our kids socialize and play; they are even changing the way they learn and participate civically. Many believe that this shift could possibly transform teaching and learning broadening, thus, the focus of literacy to include the digital element. Technology is not only revolutionizing education but it is also reconceptualizing the way this education is delivered. Here is how this reconceptualization process is taking place : Learning environments in the 20th century : Learning in the 20th century was basically taking place in a poor environment whose major players were : school, teachers, and parents. Learning in the 21st century : Now that technology has creeped into our life a new vision of learning emerged. In this new digital age students learn in rich and stimulating environments. Online communitiesSocial networksPeer learningMaking global connectionssmart and mobile devicesnetworking
What makes an interactive whiteboard interactive?
I was recently asked by a principal how he could tell during classroom visits if a teacher was using the Smartboard "effectively." A pretty good question. While popular (2007, 2010, interactive white boards (IWBs) are controversial even (or especially) among technology enthusiasts. But many advocates of this technology (myself included), see IWBs as genuine means of bringing more interactivity, more student-focus into classrooms of traditional teachers. What happens on the IWB is determined by student response to questions.Students themselves use the IWB to solve problems or explain concepts.The teacher uses an IWB version of a game or puzzle.The teacher uses the IWB to add multi-media to a discussion and easily starts and stops video and music to discuss parts of the whole. What we don't want to forget is that someone who is coaching a teacher is not really looking for "good technology use" but for just good educational practices. OK, IWB critics - have at me...
Getting Organized
Organization Tips from Mrs. McDavid I have had many teachers stop by my room to ask how I keep things so well organized. I have had other teachers to ask if I would consider teaching a staff development course at our school to help teachers become better organized. Materials You Will Need ~ Back to the Top ~ Purge Unused Materials and Non Essential ItemsAs teachers we tend to hoard materials and supplies that we think might come in handy one day. Organizing the Teacher's DeskThe teacher's desk can become a dumping ground for paperwork, papers that need to be filed, correspondence from the main office, items that need to be read or evaluated, and papers that need to be held for future reference. The first thing you need to do in order to organize your desk is categorize the type of paperwork that crosses your desk: The next step is designating an area to file your paperwork. My personal favorite is the metal desktop sorter. Setting Up Your FilesMake a file for everything you need to keep.
Building A Better Mousetrap: The Rubric Debate
Building A Better Mousetrap: The Rubric Debate by Madeline Marcotte The origin of the term “rubric” (roo´ brik) gives us our first clue as to why educators often argue over the use of this assessment tool. Because the headings, titles, and sections of early books were often printed in red and, in prayer books, the directions for conducting religious services were also printed in red, “rubric,” which comes from the Latin for “red” or “reddish,” has evolved to mean “an established custom or rule of procedure.” Well known in elementary and secondary schools as crucial to state-mandated student performance assessment, rubrics are now used similarly by post-secondary educators in all disciplines to assess outcomes in learning situations that require critical thinking and are multidimensional. Rubrics, Garfield continues, have become an important assessment tool in “achiev[ing a] new vision of statistics education.” The argument for using rubrics and sharing them with students It’s the design
improve student presentation skills
October 10, 2011 By: Lora Helvie-Mason, Ed.D in Effective Teaching Strategies Do you find that students often struggle to put together effective oral presentations? To help students, try this activity as a way to provide feedback before the big speaking day. The four-corners activity can foster confidence in students while informing them about effective non-verbal/verbal delivery, audience needs, and how to craft effective speaking notes. Using the four corners of the classroom, each student delivers his or her presentation to a small group, receives individual feedback, and then rotates within that group from speaker to audience member. Here’s how to structure the four corners: Preparation: You will want to schedule this activity at least a week before the presentation is due. Activity: Next, divide the students into four groups (a group for each corner). The instructor: The instructor moves around the room; stopping to listen in on each of the four groups and offer feedback.
