Resources for Internet Safety Month
June 3, 2011 by PLB Registrar · 1 Comment
Summer vacation is only days away and children will be faced with more free time than they can imagine. And thanks to the internet, many of our students will be upping their screen time instead of heading outside to play so it’s appropriate that the first month of summer vacation be designated National […]
Teaching Tenacity & Metacognition through Games
June 3, 2011 by PLB Registrar · Leave a Comment
Games and objects ground instruction, and provide the basis for experience and mental representation — comprehension. When we have this, we can spend less time decoding and more time discussing printed text. So by writing about accessible narratives such as games, we were more successful when reading related printed text. We had learned […]
What Does a Transformative Classroom Look Like?
June 2, 2011 by PLB Registrar · Leave a Comment
To understand what makes a classroom a tranformative place, we might begin by examining four case studies. All four teachers have created what could be characterized as transformative classrooms.
As you read about each classroom, notice their common attributes: clarity of purpose, self-responsibility, bonds among students, and an increasing level of […]
2 Things Teachers Must Do for Effective Classroom Management
June 1, 2011 by PLB Registrar · 2 Comments
A great deal of what we might call classroom management style comes from attitudes and pedagogical choices. Classroom management effectiveness is defined as a learning environment that promotes learning, motivation, and collective function.
Classroom management dysfunction is defined as any event, behavior, pattern, feeling, or thought that prevents a teacher from being […]
Why Use Formative Assessment in Learning
May 31, 2011 by PLB Registrar · Leave a Comment
The usage of formative assessments in class as a way to guide instruction and to authentically determine student mastery offers many advantages, far beyond higher test scores. According to Chappius & Chappius (2007), although all formative assessment practices have the potential to increase student learning, assessment for learning in the classroom offers a […]
Transformative Classroom Management – Strategies to Engage Positive Behavior
May 30, 2011 by PLB Registrar · 9 Comments
What makes a teacher successful in one school is the same thing that makes a teacher successful in the next school. It is true that all students are unique and group dynamics, cultural backgrounds, and experiences vary — sometimes dramatically. But for the most part, sound ideas get positive results and unsound ideas get mixed results at best.
Not all ideas sold in the marketplace of classroom management strategies lead to desirable results. In fact, many of the most popular ideas result in more harm than good. For that reason, parts of this course are devoted to explaining why many of the most popular ideas in use today are flawed, and what to do instead.
What does Memorial Day mean to you?
May 29, 2011 by PLB Registrar · Leave a Comment
As Memorial Day comes this year it had me thinking about the meaning of the holiday. In doing research on Memorial Day I found that it was originally known as Decoration Day and there are a lot of questions about its origin. You can read more here at Wikipedia. […]
Teaching Tip: Word Processing
May 27, 2011 by PLB Registrar · Leave a Comment
You very likely already use a word processing program quite often. There are many different programs available, including Microsoft Word and Open Office Writer. Most of the word processing programs do much more than just provide a place to type text. They allow you to do simple desktop publishing, make tables, do mail […]
Setting Up a Moodle Classroom
May 26, 2011 by PLB Registrar · Leave a Comment
When you first “enter” your new online Moodle classroom, it may seem a bit daunting. Lots of empty space, maybe some course blocks in the sidebars, and in the top section of your classroom will be a resource titled “News Forum”. Before you try to do anything, make sure you turn your editing […]
Accepting Classroom Environment for English Language Learners (ELLs)
May 25, 2011 by PLB Registrar · Leave a Comment
The first step in working with students from diverse backgrounds is to create an environment of acceptance so that all students feel welcome, empowered, and ready to learn. Small things that educators do to reach out to students who are ELLs can make a big difference to them while they are learning a […]
