Amazing Learning Design Online (ALDO) (left),
a tool for guiding lesson design for diverse learners.
Use the choice board (right) to get you started on designing. It features four choices for each of the lesson design stages in ALDO.
Let's discuss the components of this formula. In the process, I'll share some ideas I've encountered in my studies.
Wish you had a list of amazing interactive science tools? Explore these periodic tables of elements that help make science interactive!
Engage students’ brain with these approaches:
Start positive and cultivate physical and emotional safety in the class
Inject suspense into your lesson. Try adding suspenseful pauses.
Movement activates the brain. Incorporate movements that support learning activities relevant to content.
Chunk learning to scaffold comprehension and processing
The new and unusual are of high interest to the brain. Create situations or demonstrations that break students out of their learning routine.
Take advantage of Think-Pair-Share type activities
Connecting to children's culture and teaching in ways that taps into culture can scaffold student learning efforts. This isn't new. Bilingual/ESL teachers have been doing this for awhile (more here). These connections help students access rigorous curriculum and develop higher-level academic skills.
This is their schema.
"Schema represent the pieces of inert information we've taken in, interpreted, and categorized. It is a set of conceptual scripts that guide our comprehension of the world. By coding knowledge and culture into stories, songs, chats, proverbs, and poetry, you can engage students in a communal learning experience aligned to their cultures" (Adapted from Zaretta Hammond).
Adapted from Source Activity via Ohio Leadership
Teacher Credibility (1.09)
Success Criteria (.88)
Teacher Clarity (.76)
Feedback (.64)
SOLO Taxonomy: Uni/Multi-Structural
Student has a lack of understanding or knowledge of concept. Or, student has an idea of what it is but not what to do with it or how it connects to other ideas.
Jigsaw Method (1.20)
Summarization (.74)
Vocabulary Programs (.63)
Direct Instruction (.59)
Flipped Classrooms (.58)
Interactive Video (.54)
SOLO Taxonomy: Relational Level
Student can link ideas together to see the big picture.
Jigsaw Method (1.20)
Classroom Discussion (.82)
Reciprocal Teaching (.74)
Concept Mapping (.64)
Metacognition Strategies (.58)
SOLO Taxonomy: Extended, Abstract Level
Student can look at ideas in new and different ways.
Transfer Strategies (.86)
Problem-Solving Teaching (.68)
Service Learning (.58)
Peer Tutoring (.53)
You can learn more about these and others in the Coaching for Results blog series at the TCEA TechNotes blog.
A fantastic tool to use is Diane's Results-Based Coaching Tool. You can get your own copy of Diane Sweeney's Sample Coaching Tool via her blog below. Try these sentence stems to get a coaching conversation moving.
Wish you could learn more about the essentials of coaching for results? You will want to read the Coaching for Results blog series. In this five part blog entries, you get what you need to know to be successful and begin. Grab and share the infographic to the right.
Work to build a learning partnership with each student, focused on creating a safe, positive learning environment that aligns to the diverse, deep culture backgrounds of students.
Ask yourself, "Where are the students now?" How many are 1) emerging, 2) developing, 3) meeting or 4) exceeding expectations? Determine what formative assessment you will use to assess students. (Source: Diane Sweeney)
Based on the phase of learning your students are in, select a high-effect size instructional strategy and digital tool that will speed learning.
Repeat the assessment you used earlier. Chart student progress towards learning objective. Adjust your existing approach.
There's a lot to learn about neuroscience, brain myths and truths. In this Wakelet collection, you'll find blogs, books, research, and popular articles about the brain.
Take some time to explore it. The brain is at the heart (sorry, corazon) of human learning.
(Pssst...it's not really 50 questions)