Once you have students’ full attention, set clear objectives and frame them in a context that they can understand and, more importantly, identify with. Depending on your preference, this can be done by asking your students to reflect (a ‘why’ question) or challenges for them to chase (an ‘identify’ question). Head inside to learn more about this important area of teaching.
Do you ever sit around and dream up ways for how classrooms can be made more exciting, innovative and useful? Just start a little inquiry, mix in a bit of cool technology and you’ll be on your way to interacting with a room of engaged students! That is the focus of this week’s Eduporium Weekly along with how you can started with project-based learning.
All too often, we place too much emphasis on driving home concepts and confirming student knowledge by administering tests on a regular basis. Is this the best way for kids to learn, though? Traditionally, most education models have revolved around this approach, but in recent years, more and more teachers have been embracing STEM methods.
Blended learning initiatives are currently carving their path into mainstream education with as much force as Hurricane Fred. Okay, maybe not quite as much, but it’s still equally powerful. That’s because when it comes down to modern learning in 21st century schools, two minds are often much better than one. Head inside to learn more about the latest trends we’re seeing.
It’s just about that time again—the exhilaration (for teachers) and the dreading (for students) of going back to school. Or is it time yet? Have you ever wondered if every child in the world starts school on the same day or, if they don’t, how long have they already been in class? Well, the answer is that not everyone starts school at the exact same time.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to overcome lack of creativity in education and if you’d care to learn how, keep reading! Some of the factors that scientifically compose creativity include originality, self-expression, risk taking and collaboration—none of which I see in traditional lecture-giving and note-taking classrooms.
Researchers from MIT reportedly have created a new robot in their lab and apparently, it does resemble an actual person. Engineers at the prestigious university recently revealed the interface they have constructed, which can allow human programmers to interact with a humanoid robot, allowing that robot to learn and eventually mimic human-like reflexes.
One of the hottest topics in EdTech throughout the recent months has been the subject of digital citizenship (or digital literacy). By designing classrooms that are more conducive to the specific needs of the students it surrounds for 180 days, those inside will become more eager to learn and, with increased engagement, see better academic results.
With all the buzz surrounding STEM education, teaching students skills that will be vital to succeeding post-education is something that the best modern instructors seek to accomplish. What they could be doing, however, is not only teaching students the skills they will need, but also putting them to the test now right in the classroom.
With the obvious shift to jobs centering on STEM-rich areas, schools are gearing up to educate their students on science, technology, engineering and math in earlier grades and in more rigorous ways than in the past. The presence of and necessity for STEM skills in the 21st century is showing to be truer than ever.
