I've worked with thousands of teachers in every content area preK-12 on boosting our practice for an ever-changing world.
Here are my top 3 low-lift, high-impact shifts. ๐งต
I love to read. Especially books on human development. The latest book by
@AdamMGrant
stands out: Hidden Potential, The Science of Achieving Greater Things. Here are my top five take away ideas, counting down to my TOP aha-moment. ๐งต
The research is clear: End of unit tests are far less effective than ongoing, shorter checks for learning. The best strategy is ~2 x's a week where learners seek to "best themselves" and watch their own improvement grow over time.
#howtolearn
#patternseeker
Unpopular opinion: Standards-Based Grading, while better than other practices, is still part of a broken system. So is the distinction between 'formative' and 'summative' assessments. All external validators of learning erode intrinsic motivation. โฌ๏ธ
Shift
#1
: Ask yourself and your students how studying (whatever topic, skill, or concept) gives us insight into who we want to be or how to make the world a better place. Use this question to guide planning and classroom reflection/discussion.
โIf my curriculum and pedagogy arenโt sufficiently engaging, is that an argument to rely on grades to coerce students into doing what I want? Or should I gulp and ask some serious questionsโฆ?โ
@alfiekohn
This book is a gift to educators! Excellent summer read
#ungrading
For example:
โ What were the main causes of World War II?
โ How does the study of World War II give us insight into preventing another world war?
โ How do I communicate in another language?
โ What does communicating in another language teach me about myself?
Words matter. I recently stopped using 'formative' and 'summative' as those have become so fraught with questions such as, 'Does this count?'
I started using:
'End of unit assessment' and 'ongoing assessment' to more accurately describe the difference.
When we teach students to recognize the deeper patterns of new situations, we prepare them to use their learning to figure out new problems we've never taught them. And that's exactly what's needed for today's complex world. ๐ ๐ช ๐
#LTT
#learningtransfer
If you like these shifts, please like/retweet the first tweet & check out our unit database with hundreds of examples from teachers all around the world:
And maybe consider joining one of our in-depth courses in September:
Shift
#3
: Foster a culture of transfer by consistently asking students to look for concepts and their connections in new situations -- in shorter texts, photos, news stories, or thought-provoking videos.
Wondering how to incorporate the
#UNSDGs
into your classroom instruction? Check out our free resource that links each content area with corresponding
#concepts
to specific goals.
#TeachSDGs
Shift
#2
: Ask students to articulate how 2+ organizing concepts interact. This points their attention to the deeper structural patterns of the discipline.
It allows them to construct the big ideas or enduring understandings for themselves.
On my way to teach 140 middle schoolers. Even if it goes poorly we will all learn something from the experience ๐
#takerisks
#alwaysateacher
Letโs go!!
Our next book manuscript is almost ready for reviewers. This oneโs hopefully going to revolutionize curriculum design: Learning that Transfers ๐ค๐ช coming March 2021
For example:
โ How do energy, force, and motion interact?
โ What is the role of word choice in communicating meaning?
โ How does place impact value?
Teachers: we are here for you! Check out this new curation of digital resources. What's missing? How else can we support you?
Click here:
#backtoschool
#remotelearning
#edtech
Todayโs the day! Iโve done plenty of keynotes in the past 15 years, but none quite as momentous as this one
@EARCOSORG
Nearly 1,000 school leaders will fill these seats this afternoon. Letโs goooo! 3 Truths for the Future of School with
@juliemargretta
#elc2022bkk
Donโt steal thinking from students! Just got a teacher to agree on the value of turning his key points into questions โ and then turn the board around after theyโve reached their own understanding. ๐๐๐ค
#learningtransfer
#cbci
Starting now: Iโm scaling back on work travel to savor their childhood. Through courses, writing, & online consulting โ Iโll continue to create tools to help young people navigate a changing world. Coming soon is a course for parents! Excited for this next chapter. ๐ค ๐
Q3: Conceptual understanding is built by exploring the relationships among concepts. These are my game-changing tools. Ask students how concepts are related and explore those questions in multiple contexts.
#dpchat
@IB_DP
For example: Where do you see force, gravity, angle, precision, risk-taking, creativity, communication, audience, message, purpose, collaboration and more in this video:
Here I gooooo!! The biggest work trip of the year. Europe: three schools, three countries. I will teach several classes of students!! Lead three sessions for parents. And of course collaborate with amazing educators. ๐
#patternseeker
#howtolearn
Interested in ways to improve your teaching? Help students remember what they've learned and transfer it to new situations. Feedback for these resources is soaring! Get your copy today.
๐๐๐
#learningtransfer
Corwin:
Amazon:
Heading to a school via electric train! ๐ Canโt wait to meet the students, faculty, and parents of Saint Anneโs School in Delaware. Iโll teach four lessons, plan with teachers, lead a whole school workshop, and a parent session. Letโs go!!!
#patternseekers
Pssst: Three schools that focused on conceptual understanding and
#learningtransfer
last school year showed dramatic growth on benchmarks, esp. with sub-groups. Will tell you who once publicly available... for now Iโm ๐คธโโ๏ธ๐ overjoyed with this news! It works, friends.
#edchat
Feeling super lucky! Heading to Europe to work with the team at Vilnius International School in Lithuania. My first job in Europe which means Iโve had the privilege of training teachers on all six inhabited continents.
#learningtransfer
#conceptualunderstanding
#pypchat
#mypchat
A1: To me, a concept is simply an age-appropriate organizing idea.
I donโt spend too much time pondering whether it is or isnโt. Point is for students to see how we structure the world. And a concept attainment is a darn good tool to use. ๐
@dp_chat
#dpchat
Remember when we thought COVID would cause us to re-think teaching and learning? Instead it seems we've regressed to spending more energy teaching basic facts & skills. Let's not give up -- the world depends on updating our focus to conceptual learning that transfers. ๐ช
Things I didn't understand when I first started teaching but now I do:
- Facts alone don't transfer to new situations without abstracting one layer up to concepts.
- When we empower students to look for patterns and conceptual insights, everything else becomes so much easier.
Iโve had a lot of mentors & Iโm grateful to each of them. But no one has taught me more about generosity, humility, and authenticity. John Hattie is the real deal!
#grateful
When we help students see how the world is organized, they can transfer their learning to solve complex problems. Needed now more than ever! โค๏ธ partnering with teachers in Alberta. Stay safe and until next time...
#abed
#abedchat
#learningtransfer
#concepts
Can't WAIT to launch this podcast. It's been so much fun already. This Tuesday --> FIVE episodes dropping.
All thanks to teammate Trevor Aleo, this is going to be ๐ฅ๐ฅณ๐๐ค
Listen to the intro here:
It's official! Two amazing collaborators have joined my team to take
#learningtransfer
to the next level. Kayla Duncan and Trevor Aleo are absolute rock stars. Look out, world...
@MrsKaylaDuncan
@MrAleoSays
My team and I are busy preparing lots of examples using the current Alberta curriculum -- including SECONDARY examples. Sign up for one of these upcoming sessions, all levels welcomed.
Edmonton:
Lethbridge:
#abed
#abedchat
#cdned
โItโs not enough to โbring people to the table,โ we need to build a new table.โ
@HomaTav
Excellent contrast to show the evolution of equity over time. ๐
#elc2022bkk
#DEI
#deij
Join me for a free webinar next Thursday at 1 pm Eastern! I'll take you through a brand-new and exciting demo lesson and share free materials to help you plan for learning that transfers.
#deeperlearning
#conceptualunderstanding
Register:
What if the pandemic can serve as an accelerant for school improvement or even transformation? ๐๐ค
A wonderful afternoon presenting with
@juliemargretta
on the 3 truths for the future of schooling
@researchED_US
A1: Thinking classrooms are the foundation of self-directed learning. I teach students how to acquire-connect-transfer concepts and their relationships so they can teach themselves nearly anything.
#DPchat
#learningtransfer
Help students make meaning of concepts: ask them to explain what these words mean. Instead of stopping at: who is the author, what is the title? Ask: What is an author? What is a title? What is a character? Small tweak but helps them articulate concepts.
#forsythpln
#abed
#gpsd6
3 steps to foster deeper learning that transfers:
1) concepts in students' lives
2) concepts in historical context
3) concepts in modern situations
New resource
๐
Developed while working with rockstar teachers
@HSHMC
&
@FIS_School
#sschat
#LTT
Grasp the structure of life in 3 steps!
How does physical exercise impact how I feel?
How can teamwork impact our day?
Overview:
PreK:
Elem:
Middle:
High:
We are SO EXCITED for our book launch that we may have lost our minds. FREE online course with pre-order purchase! ๐โจ๐
#LTT
Amazon:
Corwin:
Course:
Get the free course code:
๐ Teaching tip: Before starting a unit, ask the golden questionโ "So what?" Infuse lessons with purpose and relevance, and watch engagement soar! Let's make every learning moment count. ๐ก๐
How do we introduce and reinforce key concepts in a lesson or unit?
Check out our go-to Acquire strategies--great for deepening students' conceptual understanding at any point in their learning journey.
#LTT
#pypchat
#mypchat
#dpchat
@AdamMGrant
Hidden Potential by
@AdamMGrant
contains so many amazing visuals, but this one is my clear favorite, p 127. Honor the distance traveled. Even when we experience inevitable setbacks. {Screenshot credit: Adam Grant on Instagram}
โSchool is a time to apprentice students into the act of becoming their own teachers.โ
#visiblelearing
Yes! Still pinching myself that I get to co-author with Fisher, Frey, and Hattie. Of course, leaning on
@samwineburg
, too.
Visible Learning for Social Studies, stay tuned...
We tend to default to pencil and paper as a way to share information and elicit thinking from our students. Let's expand our tools with multimedia, materials, stories, movement, music, & more.
7 days until registration opens for this workshop series. ๐๐จ๐ญ๐คธ๐ณ๐งฉ
#beyondprint
@AdamMGrant
#3
: Character counts way more than we typically realize. Determination, resourcefulness, and resilience are more important for achieving greatness than innate ability, grades, or prestige of university. We need to teach these traits explicitly to our children.
Asking students to sort images or quotes into categories forces them to think about the critical attributes of the concept. Itโs not just for young children! Try it with concepts you are currently teaching.
#learningtransfer
#conceptualunderstanding
โThere is a difference between confidence and competence.โ Look at data difference between principalsโ and teachersโ beliefs in themselves/their admin as instructional leaders. ๐ณ
#AVL2020
@PeterMDeWitt
@Jenni_Donohoo
@CorwinPress
We need to have a heart to heart on what matters most for today's children. What pressure do we put on them? How do we communicate what matters most? These are the questions I'm exploring as a parent and educator.
#LTT
Woohooo! So excited for a week with amazing educators at the British International School Riyadh. Five campuses and growing every year. ๐ ๐ค โ๏ธ
#conceptualtransfer
โYou can show pride in your identity without denigrating someone elseโs humanity.โ
@de_fine
Sometimes self-love can be an act of resistance. What do you love about your identity?
Incredibly powerful session, โYou Canโt Lead Where You Want Go.โ
@EARCOSORG
#elc2021bkk
A little birdie just told me these books hit the TOP 10 sales list at Corwin right now.
#learningtransfer
๐ณ๐๐ช๐๏ธโโ๏ธ๐๐๐คฉ
Get your copy today!!!
"You honor so many giants in education in your work."
@dannymaas
says to me in Edmonton. Quotes like this keep me going, push me further. I'm a synthesizer and I see the pattern!
#abed
#abedchat
Elementary book:
Secondary book:
First time traveling professionally since March 2020. ๐ Feels good to tweak my slides as I wait for a flight. Itโs been tooooo long. Brazil, here I come! ๐ง๐ท ๐
@amisa_us
@GradedBR
#LTT
#AMISAEDCON
Stop what you are doing and listen to this gorgeous person share some wisdom on relationships and connection. What an honor to have
@JodyCarrington
on our show.
#abed
#abedchat
You guys...We've reached 500 downloads in just four days! ๐ณ๐ค๐
Check out our first five episodes and a new one coming each week. Thanks so much for your interest and support.
Apple:
Spotify:
Buzzsprout: