The following post is contributed by Will Richardson. Will Richardson is a speaker, educator, blogger and author of four books, most recently Why School? How Education Must Change When Learning and Information are Everywhere (September, 2012) published by TED books. Will Richardson will be the opening Keynote for the INSPIRE 2014: Engaging Today's Students conference in October 2014.1. From Answers to Questions - In a world where we have access to the sum of human knowledge (almost), 2.5 … [Read more...]
Will Richardson and Diana Laufenberg to Speak at Education Conference: Inspire 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TED Speakers Selected for Keynotes at the Second Annual NISCE Conference on Student-Centered Education -- INSPIRE 2014: Engaging Today's Student Winchester, MA, May 7, 2014—TED Speakers, Will Richardson and Diana Lefaunberg, will be the keynote speakers at INSPIRE 2014: Engaging Today's Student, NISCE's second annual conference on student-centered education.The two-day event hosted by the National Institute for Student-Centered Education (NISCE) is open to education … [Read more...]
Three Ways Educators Can Support Girls
Contributed by Dr. Rachel Kramer* Research shows that there is a strong link between a girls socio-emotional competence and their chance of success and performance in learning, and educators must equip themselves with methods that they can employ in the classroom to encourage and support this type of development in girls. The following are strategies that can be employed now by educators to support girls: 1. Build a sense of self-efficacy, encourage problem … [Read more...]
NISCE To Host Its Second Annual Conference on Student-Centered Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INSPIRE 2014: Engaging Today's Student WINCHESTER, MA, April 10, 2014—The National Institute for Student-Centered Education (NISCE) will host its second annual conference, INSPIRE 2014: Engaging Today's Student on October 22 and 23, 2014 in Norwood, MA at the Sheraton Four Points. The two-day conference of workshops, lectures and presentations is designed to bring together the latest thinking on the challenges and benefits of adopting student-centered learning … [Read more...]
Being Careful About What We Say
I imagine we may have a few differences when it comes to what we believe is appropriate communication with our students. For me, the goal is to increase communication and deepen relationships with students rather than increase distance between us and strengthen our negative assumptions about them. Lastly, and most importantly, we want students to love coming to our classes, to feel relaxed and comfortable in our presence, to feel safe enough to ask spontaneous questions, to take risks and to … [Read more...]
Teaching to Different Learning Styles When it Feels too Hard
Two years ago I talked about using Learning Styles in the Classroom. Since then, I have worked with many teachers who agree that teaching to varied styles is critical but wonder how to do it well when they don't have many resources, administrators don't think it is important, they worry the class will get out of control, and they have so many students they can't meet all their different needs. These are legitimate concerns that, if left unanswered, might prevent some teachers from promoting this … [Read more...]
Sanity and Humanity
As teachers in a school serving students with special needs, we have a little bit of advice we give one another from time to time. It comes in the form of an acronym – QTIP. When our students let loose on us in their anguish, anger, or misery, and we’re in danger of feeling overwhelmed, our colleagues will remind us to Quit Taking It Personally. If we were to take all our students’ pain and anger to heart we would quickly burn out or become basket cases unable to help ourselves or our … [Read more...]
Woodshop vs. Computers
The other day I was asked by my supervisor whether I thought my students were enjoying shop class as much as they used to. I had to admit that fewer students had been signing up for shop at recess than in previous years. She was surprised. She knew during tours of our school the shop is always a big draw. It’s true. I see the potential students on the tour. They get to the shop and their eyes widen and a look of great excitement comes over most of them. Their parents/guardians too get … [Read more...]
What Lies Ahead in Education is Up to Us
The Future of Education Steps away from the Massachusetts State House, Strategies for Children, a non-profit advocacy and policy organization seeking to have a positive impact on young children and families, held a conversation reminiscent of NISCE Professional Conversations. The panel discussion was titled Education Reform at 20: What Lies Ahead and was supported by the Boston Bar Association. Panelists acknowledged the impact of the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993, noting that it … [Read more...]
Larry Myatt Named Honorary Conference Chair for INSPIRE 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Long-Time Education Leader to Host INSPIRE 2013: The First NISCE Conference on Student-Centered EducationARLINGTON, MA, March 5, 2013 — The National Institute for Student-Centered Education has announced that Dr. Larry Myatt, cofounder of Education Resources Consortium, will serve as Honorary Conference Chair for INSPIRE 2013 The First NISCE Conference on Student-Centered Education, a national event featuring gifted speakers exploring current thinking on school reform … [Read more...]