Eclectic Technology

Beth Dichter's insight:

ProCon is one of my favorite websites. The mission of the site is to promote 'critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship by presenting controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisian, primarily pro-con format." There are 52 controversial topics that are available, and they have just released 20 lesson plans. Seventeen of the lesson plans are skill- based and three are content-based. The lesson plans are geared to learners in grades 5 - 12. Below is a list of two skill-based lessons and two content-based lesson, along with the grade levels.

Skill-Based (material quoted from site):

* Critical Thinking Quotes - Engage students in a metacognition exercise about critical thinking and also practice research and informational writing skills using ProCon.org's collection of critical thinking quotes. Grades 9 -12.

* Main Ideas of Visual References - Use charts and graphs on ProCon.org to engage students in a visual literacy exercise. Grades 6 - 8.

Content-Based

* Exploring Controversial Issues in Literature - To introduce a novel, use ProCon.org to help students build background knowledge and examine the novel’s controversial issue(s). Grades 5 - 10.

* Drug Ads Over Time: Analyzing Historical Images - Use ProCon.org's Gallery of Drug Ads to give students an opportunity to practice ad analysis and recognize how methods and messages have changed over time. Grades 5 - 10.

To access the 52 issues that have detailed information and provide references (and links) to the materials used click on the Home page and you will find topics in Education, Elections & Presidents, Health & Medicine, Media & Entertainment, Money & Business, Politics, Religion, Science & Technology, Sex & Gender, Sports, and World/International.

Are you considering using blended learning as a component of your classroom? This post suggests three great tools that may help you move forward on this journey.

* FrontRow provides differentiated math instruction for K- 8. It works across platforms and provides a pre-test (to place students correctly). Tutorials, videos, suggestions of students in their classroom to help are some of the many features provided. There is a free version and schools/districts may also choose to pay for access to more robust reports.

* MobyMax provides access to both ELA and Math for students in Grades K-8. There is a free version as well as a version that costs $99 per classroom (and provides additional tools) as well as a cost for a school. Students earn badges throughout this program. For more information click through to the post.

* Skoolbo also provides ELA and Math resources for students in elementary school. They state “our particular favorites are the ones below 8 years of age..” because they see the most improvement in this age group. Currently Skoolbo is providing free registration to schools in the U.S. who register prior to Dec. 31, 2014.

These are all great tools and you may find one that meets your needs. Each is aligned to the Common Core standards.

What happens when a school chooses to introduce student-centered education and the state requires that high schools look at competency-based model, rather than seat-time, to award credits?

Based on this article pretty amazing things can happen. This is not a short article, but it is worth reading. You will hear from students, staff and administrators about the changes that have happened and what is planned for the future. If the idea of  a competency-based model is new to you it may change your perspective on education. Take the time to read this report. You may also find yourself checking out some previous reports from Hechinger. Throughout the report there are links to previous reports that share additional information on some of the concepts discussed.

This post begins with a number of definitions for critical thinking, from the basic (as seen above) to more complex (as seen through the eyes of Common Core). It then goes on to look at:

Where did the concept come from?

The next section, "What does the term really mean?" provides two lists. The first list is "what we know critical thinking isn't. Below are two of the items on this list.

* Simply mimicking others thinking.

* Being biased towords (or against) one way of thinking.

The second list, "what we know critical thinking is."  This list includes:

* Willingness to be wrong.

* Questioning one's own thinking.

The final section provides Three Rules of Thumb - one for Essays, one for Discussions and one for Tests.

Below is one example from each of the Three Rules of Thumb.

* Discuss the phrasing of prompts.

* Highlight the mysterious.

* Include the "how" and "why" in multiple choice questions.

Each section of this post provides additional details.

As many schools move to Common Core the question of rigor is a key issue. States that have tested with Common Core have seen significant drops in scores. Why? The Common Core tests are more difficult than most local tests.

Grant Wiggins states "to significantly raise local standards of performance seems to mean we have to lower student grades." Most schools do not want to do this (and certainly most parents do not want to see lower grades).

He continues to explore this issue looking at rigor, and noting that rigor is currently defined by 3 elements:

1. The difficulty of the task or questions
2. The difficulty of the criteria, as established by rubrics
3. The level of achievement expected, as set by “anchors” or cut scores.

However, he notes that many schools/districts do not get past #1. Why? "The problem of fair/normed grading!"

Wiggins then goes on to the final section of this post, called "Solution: avoid thoughtless calculations based on false equivalencies."

However, there is one more section that provides two helpful pieces of information that may help you create better assessments. It includes Webb's Depth of Knowledge Wheel as well as audit matrix that looks at the Assessment Format (Task Complexity and Context) and Cognitive Demand (Depth and Fluency of Thinking). (See image above).

Additionally, he has included an appendix that has text from Webb for levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 for Math, Reading and Writing.

These are great resources to share with teachers in your district as we move to Common Core.

This report from the Carnegie Corporation predicts that the implementation of Common Core will decrease graduation rates significantly unless "we create small schools and do blended learning." Larry Ferlazzo shares a number of tweets, and also includes a link to the original document from the Carnegie Corporation.

This is information that should be shared, and it is surprising to me that main stream media is not publishing these numbers. We know that many schools (and states) are questioning the speed with which we expect students to meet this new standards, and for many teachers the scores of their students impact their job security. Take the time to read the post, and consider download the pdf of the full report (20 pages). There are many graphics located in the document that provide important statistics.

The concept of growth mindset is often discussed in schools. Research shows that a students' mindset plays a role in how well they do at school. This post provides "4 belief statements that underlie student performance." Each statement is listed below, but click through to the post to learn more about the meaning behind the statement.

1. “I belong in this academic community.”

2. “My ability and competency grow with effort.”

3. “I can succeed.”

4. “This work has value for me.”

There are a number of links in the article and you may want to read the article located in EdWeek (published in Sept. 2013). This article looks at how our language as teachers impacts each student. Our words are important and we may not be aware of the words we use are impacting our students.

Also consider scrolling down and reading the comment by Tom Vander Ark. He discusses two areas that are forgotten in the discussion of mindset (and he includes grit here also) - the ability to transfer knowledge between content areas (an important component in Common Core) and "domain knowledge and skill." He provides suggestions on what we might try in our classrooms.

Did you know that the Common Core standards do not require students to learn to write in cursive, but they do require that students become proficient at keyboarding? Recent research is showing that it is important for students to write in cursive. Why?

Quoting from the article:

“When we write, a unique neural circuit is automatically activated,” said Stanislas Dehaene, a psychologist at the Collège de France in Paris. “There is a core recognition of the gesture in the written word, a sort of recognition by mental simulation in your brain.

There are some states that are still requiring cursive. One wonders if this new research will lead to a shift in Common Core standards.

Click through to the article for additional information.

Technology comes into play in that it provides students with a wide range of options to find and show their voice. This post looks at five areas:

* Writing

* Multimedia

* Speaking

* Performing and/or Direction

* Artistic Expression

Within each area there is a strategy listed, a number of tools suggested in four areas a short look at "terms of success."

Helping students find their voice through technology also provides opportunities for students to be creative and to connect with an authentic audience,  helping to build 21st century skills as defined through the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and Common Core.

What is visual literacy? The Institute of Museum and Library Services defines it as  "Demonstrate the ability to interpret, recognize, appreciate, and understand information presented through visible actions, objects and symbols, natural or man-made"

(http://www.imls.gov/about/21st_century_skills_list.aspx).

This is a 21st century skill and our students need to be visually literate. This post shares:

* Standards that support visual literacy (from Common Core, National Council of Teachers of English Standards and the Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning Corporation.

* A lengthy list of the many formats you will find visuals that you can use as teaching tools, such as political cartoons, symbols, dioramas, and advertisements.

* Visual Thinking Routines - each of the routines is described and two have videos that demonstrate them. The ones with videos are Model Think Aloud Strategy, and Introduction to Visual Thinking Strategies that is "a specific approach to whole-class viewing and talking about art that primarily uses [three] questions."

Additional resources include Asking the 4Ws, Five Card Flickr, Image Analysis Worksheets (five different ones), and a lesson: Step-by-Step: Working with Images that Matter. 

We know that many of our students are visual learners and that they need to be able to "read" images. This post provides a wealth of resources that will help make your students adept at this process.

The Common Core require that we get students engaged with reading on a deeper level. This infographic on Close Reading is designed for students and provides suggestions for students to follow: Look for Clues, Ask Questions, Make Your Case, and Prove It. . There is also a version available for teachers that has additional details. Both may be downloaded. To find the one for teachers go to http://www.weareteachers.com/hot-topics/topics-in-education/understanding-close-reading-download-our-infographic-now

This paper looks at digital literacy, specifically how infographics can be used to meet Common Core standards. A well designed infographic will have:

* A Purpose

* A Style

* Evidence

* Format

The paper also includes a section "How can I teach comprehension with infographics?" This section includes two infographics and has the students critique them using the following questions:

* What is the author's purpose or question?

* What evidence supports the author's claim?

* What are the strongest elements of this design?

* How could the design be improved?

You could use these same questions and have students in your class critique their infographic and their classmates.

And last but by no means least they provide a list of locations where you can create an infographic.

Infographics support reading comprehension and writing skills. They also allow students to strengthen their critical thinking skills and synthesis skills.

Check out this activity from The Common Core Writing Book by Gretchen Owocki. One of the activities she suggests is  using a 3-2-1 strategy to help students summarize text. The student must choose three key words, find two phrases that are important and also one quote. They can then share this with a small group, and move to sharing in larger groups. The post suggests that this may used for the following (quoted from the post):

1.  Summarizing text
2. Individual accountability for reading
3. Discourse facilitation
4. Low-stakes writing
5. Strategy for comprehending complex and lengthy text
6. Structure to enable "teacher as facilitator"

Vicki Davis shares her insights in working with students on informational text, specifically in history (but applicable to other subjects).

The infographic located in this posts looks at six challenges that students may face, and provides insights that you may use to meet them with your students.They six challenges are listed below, with additional detail found in the post.

1. Did the student read the text?

2. Did the student comprehend the text?

3. Where does the student struggle?

4. How can you give meaningful feedback to the students?

5. How can you get meaningful data to help your whole class?

6. How do I align this with standards?

Then Davis raises an important question: "So now, how do we meet these challenges and teach nonfiction text, put questions in the text, improve the questions, personalize learning AND align with standards?"

She provides the answer by introducing a website that is new to me, Actively Learn. Davis provides a great review of the site and shares what she sees and pros and cons. There is a freemium version and a paid version, so you may choose to try it out and see how it works.

Why should you check out Skoolbo? Because they are offering a "Forever Free" license to schools that register by Sept. 30, 2014.

Skoobo is geared to elementary school (and states that they find the best results in students 8 and younger) that provides online games in the areas of numeracy and literacy. Some of the features that may be of interest include:

* A "Spiral Learning Algorithm' - The first time a student uses Skoolbo they will take a test that will help place them a the appropriate level. After each game is completed the program will reassess, essentially differentiating work for each student. Teachers may also assign specific curriculum.

* Students get immediate feedback and support through the program.

* The program is cross platform and can be used on PC, Mac, iPad, Windows 8, Android and web browsers.

* And remember,  it is free (at least until Sept. 30, 2014)!

So head over to Skoobo to check this out. Share it with other teachers you know in elementary school. And if you get it for your school make sure to let parents know.

How do you explain to students and parents the Common Core standards? If this question is difficult to answer you should check out this post. There are two tools that you may find helpful.

The image above shows six classroom scenes showing 21st century skills that students are developing on the left side. The right side shows that paths that students may take based on their skills.

There is also a second visual that is designed for teachers. It is an evidence sheet. You may take the sheet and complete two sections. The left side shows what the standards look like in your classroom, and the right side will  allow you to share how the skills will help your students succeed in college and career.

You can download both these tools as pdf files.

Are you looking for an extensive list of reading response questions? Look no further. This post provides an in-depth list of questions, as well as suggestions on how the author used them in her classroom.

Along with a lengthy list of great questions there is also a section called Test Readiness Terms that provides additional questions in the areas of Analyze, Compare, Contrast, Define, Describe, Differentiate, Discuss, Evaluate, Explain, Identify, Interpret, List, Main Idea, and Outline.

Below are five randomly chosen questions.

— Describe the most important event. Give at least three reasons why you think it is the most important event.
— Draw an interpretation of the passage – may be a picture, symbols, graphic organizer.

— If you could change what you’re reading, how would you change it?

— Is the setting described well enough that can put a picture of it in your mind? Why or why not?

— What have you found boring about what you’ve been reading? What made it boring? If you were the author, what would you do to make it more interesting?

If you have students using writing journals it is worth your time to check out this list. You may not want to use all of the questions (the author notes that a printed list ran to 10 pages) so take the time to review and select ones that will work with your students.

If you haven't had a chance to check out the website Newsela this may be a great opportunity to take a look at it and share it with students (if you have an easy way to access them).

Newsela provides news at five reading lexiles, from Grade 3 or 4 through Grade 12. When you log in there will be a choice of articles to choose from. After reading you may choose to take a quiz.

Although this challenge has started you may still sign up. The post provides additional details and links to the website.

How many times have you heard or read about the school-as-a-factory, how public schools were created to help move children from farm-to-factory? Today this metaphor may be out of place, but conversations around education still revolve around terms that relate to factories. Think of Common Core and how business has been a prime player in the creation of the standards.

This post explores this issue and provides a number of great visuals that help bring the discussion into focus.

Can teachers teach the Common Core standards and provide authentic learning so students are engaged? This post explores this issue and provides eight strategies for teaching in authentic ways. Below are four of the strategies.

* Make the standards fit into student interests.

* Teach students to question.

* Emulate effective risk taking.

* Be open to many answers.

For additional information the four strategies above and for four more click through to the post.

This infographic provides a range of information including:

* A look at the various skills students are expected to master

* Definitions of the 21st century skills

* Identifying skills strengths

* A look at assessments and current trends

* How to bridge the gaps

Where do we begin when we want rigor to be a component of our courses?

With standards - if your state is using Common Core they have been recognized as rigorous...so what comes next?

With curriculum - if using a text is it rigorous? If creating your own have you thought of rigor as you created your curriculum. This post will help with that as it provides 5 guiding questions for you to ask to evaluate the rigor in curriculum...as well as an example.