revised 11/26/23 We all learn best when we are motivated to learn, and the intrinsic motivation of interest, pride, and “felt need” works much better than the extrinsic motivation of rewards, peer pressure, and fear! How do you build an intrinsic motivation to learn? Anchor the learning to some bigger problem or challenge that motivates […]
Blog Posts
Teaching Through Power-Standards
What does the word power bring to mind? Anything with power generally drives, motivates, or pushes other entities. A powertrain has been described as a car’s “go parts.” I love that definition! Schools everywhere have to make up for lost time from the spring school closures. You don’t have to lose content though. If you […]
The New Fall Look for School: A Hybrid Learning Environment
Fall 2020 promises to bring some challenges to schools in terms of social distancing. Most likely, students will attend school with a staggered schedule that has them both learning at home and learning online. Even if social distancing ends, the chances of another virus-related school closing are high. It’s time to stop thinking of schools […]
Teachers’ Superpowers in Synchronous Instruction
Sometimes, in the classroom, you stand in front of the whole class to deliver instruction; and you use your superpowers! You scan the group and see the furrowed brows of the confused learners, and you restate your point, maybe while drawing to clarify. You scan the group and see the light bulb go off and […]
11 Aspects of Remote Learning Design
The shift from “brick ‘n’ mortar” teaching to remote learning design is about more than posting lessons and assignments to a digital platform! Educators are working hard to recreate the learning ecosystem that exists in their classrooms and schools in a virtual way, because learning isn’t only about the lessons! Shifting paradigms is always a […]