Tag : Teachers

Digital edge

A survey shows students are increasingly opting for universities with a strong digital infrastructure.

Gone are the days when classrooms were limited to a monotonous teacher-student relationship based on rote learning from textbooks.

Today, students are opting for colleges and universities which provide a number of facilities. Technology has penetrated to a level where before opting for a college, students keep in mind various factors such as the use of digital tools in the teaching methodology, online classes, wifi facilities and so on.

Students across the world spend a large amount of time on digital platforms.

Mobile phones, computers, laptops and tablets have become indispensible for information as well as entertainment.

In such a scenario, there are several reasons why students opt for universities that have a digital presence. A digital platform is contemporary and extremely relevant today. It is mostly convenient and usable on the go; not as mundane as books and, thus, easier to engage with and, lastly, it can help generate interest among students and enable them to learn subjects better.

What students want

A recent worldwide survey by IT firm Accenture says that students seek the most promising digital capabilities and services while choosing a university. A total of 1,500 students were observed for this survey in mid-2014 (300 per country, including university-bound secondary students, current university students and recent university graduates).

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10 Ways to Help Solve Hibernating Students

Use Active Learning to Engage Hibernating Students

 

All teachers know a certain type of student: the hibernator. This is the student who walks in and immediately puts down his his or her head, making it very clear they do not want to have anything to do with you, your lesson, or his classmates.

Active learning is worth the initial resistance, because it ensures that students are learning. Not only do administrators look to see whether teachers are engaging all students, it is an educator’s responsibility to reach them. These recommendations are a good starting point for teachers unfamiliar with active learning:

  • Commit to using active learning and communicate confidently about it.
  • Begin implementing these strategies early in the year. Make them a part of your expectations.
  • Explain the reason for using active learning and how it benefits students.
  • Frequently use this type of learning so students know you are serious; they will accept their roles more readily.
  • Give clear directions. State the goal, time limits, procedures, and partner/group members’ names.
  • Post instructions in a visible location for student reference.
  • Divide students into pairs or groups yourself.
  • Start with low-impact strategies like think-pair-share or in-class writing exercises.
  • Then, move into more involved active learning activities.

The teachers also developed Interactive Learning Non-Negotiables, a model of 10 best practices used in every lesson, every day:

1. Essential Questions: Determine the lesson’s intended goal. Use one essential question per lesson that students must answer by the end of the lesson. Make sure the question is at the highest possible level of learning. To be effective, these queries should require analysis and application, an extended response, and cover multiple skills.

2. Activating Strategy: Get students actively thinking or connecting to that day’s material. Cochrane teachers often use video clips to immediately engage students by piquing their interest and then helping them connect to the lesson.

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Why Teachers Are Role Models

 

“I want to eat healthier, Miss,” my student said. “I eat too much fast food.”

“Go to the farmer’s market, or to the store. Don’t buy Pop Tarts.” Our farmer’s markets aren’t what they used to be. They used to be a few stalls with carrots and broccoli. Now, they’re everything from the basic organic foods to things that’d keep a foodie busy for a month.

“I don’t know what to buy.” She needed ideas.

“Asparagus is in season–”

“No! That’s gross. It’s slimy.”

“Only if it’s canned,” I told her. “Cooked it fresh with some garlic and…”

“No!” This was going to be a tough sell.

“How about some green beans with–”

“Eewww…I don’t eat green beans.” A crowd was gathering to see who would win The Battle of the Veggies. I’d need to think quick and come up with a good suggestion. I never lose.

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Useful Resources for Special Education Teachers

 

Students with special needs have a lot of potential to excel, but as a teacher, you have to make greater effort in finding effective resources and strategies that will bring knowledge closer to them. The educational industry is constantly changing, and it is currently focused on helping students achieve better results through research-based strategies.

The contemporary educational studies prepare educators with new, more effective teaching methods. The advanced psychological research on certain health conditions (like autism for example) helps teachers find a way to approach students with special needs. The concepts of educational technology are constantly being advanced, which gives educators many alternatives that can make their teaching techniques more effective.

We will see the 8 useful resources one by one,

Advanced Classroom and Curriculum Techniques

Educators can find great resources on classroom and curriculum management techniques at Teacher Vision. This website provides free information that helps teachers find the right approach for teaching students with handicaps, giftedness, Asperger’s, autism, and ADHD. Teacher Vision provides advice on adapting and supplementing the classroom materials with adequate books, activities, materials, and

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