How do you define student engagement in your classroom? This week’s guest, Heather Lyon, shares a common understanding of what engagement looks and sounds like so that anyone can design and gauge instruction using this understanding. More importantly, with this knowledge, educators can make changes to instruction to truly increase student engagement. In this episode, we also discuss: Grading practices … Read More
Reconsider Your Expectations
TL;DR: Believing in students and setting high expectations for them can help them be successful. Find ways to get your students interested. Make sure the lessons and activities you are teaching are relevant. Know what your end goal is and makes sure it is clear to your students, too. Provide opportunities for your students to reflect on their own work. … Read More
Classroom Spaces
TL;DR: Students respond better to classroom spaces that are interactive and encourage exploration, movement, and collaboration. Students learn science better through instruction that allows them to have access to the entire classroom space when inspiration strikes. Consider taking the time to honestly reflect on your classroom space to make it more engaging to your students. How are you using your … Read More
28. Engage Your Students with REAL Connections
Hey Designers, In episode 27 we looked at how to use Design Thinking to level up your life. In this episode, I’m sharing with you the REAL Instructional Framework that employs design thinking to create a strategic learning pathway that is anchored in a real world opportunity. This episode was originally a presentation I did for the Association of Middle … Read More
Engage Students with Magic Glasses & Table Dancing
TL;DR: Reimagine your lessons to make them more engaging for students. Some ways to engage students with your lessons include magic glasses and table dancing. Other ways to increase engagement in your lessons include finding ways to infuse movement, friendly competition, student conversations, and sometimes a little whimsy. Bueller? Bueller? Bueller…anyone? Anyone? Are you teaching to an ‘empty’ room? If … Read More
