K12 Strategies To Improve Participation
Today in K12 schools is much like years ago. There
is a teacher in a classroom - doing the trench work - to carve out learning
in the lives of students. Sure the surroundings have changed and more
technology exists. Today there are still tons of experts analyzing and
measuring infinite nuisances. Today, more than ever before, students face
piles of "high stake" assessments that supposedly measure what
they learned or are capable of learning. Is education turning it's focus
on the forest and forgetting to look at the trees? Only time will tell.
Two things I know as a former teacher. First, being
a K12 teacher today is more difficult than ever before and second one
is that teaching is an unforgettable, meaningful experience with a potent
responsibility. Here are three easy and simple tweaks I have used to improve
student participation. They can be done in any classroom, around the world
and in any language, to expose learning opportunities and shape lifelong
learning skills in the future leaders of our world.
1. Build lessons that include life
Digital students are used to multitasking and dealing
with multiple information streams. Build your class that way. Use a matrixed
lesson driven with a clear learning objective. Provide multiple activities
during a class period with opportunities for students to work with other
students. Include formal or informal assessments as needed and actively
monitor student work. Most important, before class ends, make time for
each student to reflect on what they have learned or observed. Matrixed
lessons keep student's busy learning not disrupting.
2. Lesson Content: Make It Relevant
Your students live in a world of 60-90 second clips
that are deemed informational: prime time news, commercials, youtube,
and so forth. Taking that into consideration is absolutely necessary when
planning lesson activities and resources. Use real-world examples in your
lesson. For example, In science instead of talking about the components
of cells, build a city that has the components and function of cells.
Instead of teaching rectangles, ask how much paint is required to paint
the school classrooms. Instead of talking about social skills, have student
design and act out a play with specific social concept goals.
3. Pedagogy - Constructionist - Project Based Learning
(PBL)
Maximize the moment. PBL is matrixed learning: social
skills, academic skills.. When students work in groups it requires them
to build broader skills than it takes to listen or watch the teacher present
information. Plus, it allows students to manage each other - which they
will do effectively when you use appropriate classroom management techniques.
There are varying degrees of PBL complexity. An easy way to get started
is with a simple project and then working up the scale. A 10 minute activity
working in pairs to produce a "T" chart or Venn Diagram is an
example of a simple project. Start simple and move to more complex projects.
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