TL;DR: Formative assessment is vital for effective teaching, offering real-time insights into student progress. Tom Schimmer advocates for diverse approaches, including thoughtful questioning, Socratic seminars, and one-on-one conferencing. Peer reviews, interactive technology, and strategies like think-pair-share enrich formative assessments, promoting collaboration and critical thinking. Tapestry of Formative Assessment Formative assessment is a tapestry and the heartbeat of effective teaching, offering … Read More
Why Start Podcasting?
TL;DR: Plan your podcast’s length, guest criteria, and distribution channels to increase chances of success beyond 10 episodes. Consider your social media presence and marketing strategy to effectively reach and engage with your target audience. Decide on the episode release format (seasonal or continuous) and allocate time wisely, considering potential collaboration and outsourcing options. You may wonder if you should … Read More
Teaching Students to Tackle Problem-Solving
TL;DR: Teach problem-solving through engaging challenges in middle school career technical education. Daily prompts require students to restate problems in their own words before attempting solutions. Shift from large projects to 1 to 2-day mini-challenges, enhancing student engagement and managing activities more effectively. One of the skills I’ve noticed that many students struggle with is problem-solving. Often, when you give … Read More
Revamping Education for 2024 and Beyond: A Blueprint for Change
TL;DR: Update education for 2024 with personalized learning, tech integration, and soft skills. Shift towards project-based learning & global citizenship. Reduce disparities, involve parents, and broaden evaluation methods. Introduction Education is the cornerstone of society’s progress. As we approach 2024, it is crucial to reassess and revamp our education systems to meet the evolving needs of the 21st century. In … Read More
What On Earth Is Career Technical Education?
TL;DR: Career Technical Education (CTE) explores interests & builds skills for students in middle and high school. CTE offers diverse electives and prepares students with certifications for various careers. Encouraging CTE allows students to explore passions beyond traditional college paths. So often when you meet new people one of the most common questions is, “What do you do?” Usually, I … Read More