The model involves students working in small, randomly chosen groups; solving problems standing up at whiteboards; building on small bits of knowledge as they go; and consolidating their discoveries as a class after working through problems. As teachers of all subjects have struggled to get students engaged in the years after pandemic shutdowns, many in … Read more
The Berkeley researchers took advantage of the fact that ChatGPT, like humans, is erratic. They asked ChatGPT to answer the same math problem 10 times in a row. I was surprised that a machine might answer the same question differently, but that is what these large language models do. Often the step-by-step process and the … Read more
How is empathy “passed down” in this way? When parents respond to children’s distress in a supportive, empathetic way, it gives children a model for how to respond to the distress of others. Friendships in the teen years may then give children a chance to practice and hone the empathy skills that they learned from … Read more
Critical thinking is the ongoing application of unbiased analysis in pursuit of objective truth. Although its name implies criticism, critical thinking is actually closer to ‘truth judgment‘ based on withholding judgments while evaluating existing and emerging data to form more accurate conclusions. Critical thinking is an ongoing process emphasizing the fluid and continued interpretation of … Read more
POW! SMACK! BAM! The sounds of a classic comic book fight scene have not always been associated with academic opportunities, yet many teachers see students reaching for graphic novels and comic books more often than traditional books. Comic books and graphic novels fall under the umbrella of sequential art. It’s a medium of communication, not … Read more
Curriculum Associates did not detect as much deterioration as NWEA, but did find widespread stagnation in 2023-24, according to a report released on August 19, 2024. Their researcher Kristen Huff described the numerical differences as tiny ones that have to do with the fact that these are different tests, taken by different students and use … Read more
Education has gone beyond acquiring knowledge to acquiring skills using EdTech tools; students learn digital literacy, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Using technology in learning also enhances the student’s ability to appreciate and ponder on issues in a previously deemed impossible manner. Thus, tech serves as an additional tool for navigation, similar to how tutors … Read more
You are preparing for an interview with a candidate, and on their resume, you notice that they used to go to the same college as you. You get excited and think, “I went to that college, and I’m good at what I do, so they’ll be good too.” Now take a moment to think about … Read more
The Oakland Community School is regarded as one of the nation’s first community schools – a model in which public schools partner with community organizations to provide comprehensive support services alongside traditional academic instruction. Many of Oakland Community School’s practices formed the blueprint for community schools today. 2. They established one of the most successful … Read more
🗓 To ease a child’s anxiety about going back to school, help them understand what to expect. As Daniel Tiger sings, “When we do something new, let’s talk about what we’ll do.” Remind them that “grown-ups come back” [at the end of the school day] — and they can share their new experiences at school … Read more