Flipping and Challenge Based Learning seem to be highly engaging teaching methods. Dan Pink and Ramsey Musallam both talk about the importance of curiosity. Musallam’s three rules to spark learning are; #1 curiosity comes first, #2 embrace the mess, and #3 practice reflection. These 3 rules are a major shift in teaching. Yes, learning is messy, but it’s typically taught in a straightforward method. Allowing curiosity to drive instruction WILL be messy. If students come to school excited to learn all while learning is taking place, then I guess it’s time to make some changes. I personally chose this master’s program to learn about technology and make some changes in my own teaching. Over the past three years, I have been trying to ‘bring back the fun’ in learning. After watching the video about the Australian students I am truly inspired. As a third grade teacher our new NGSS standards include natural disasters. This has not been a standard that we have taught in the past, so we don’t have any materials to teach these standards. Soon we will be learning about fractions and the season for east coast natural disasters are quickly approaching. I can foresee a unit that not only includes natural disasters, but functional writing, fractions, art and a talent show. Between all of these ‘fun’ activities, a GLAD unit and a few resource materials, I feel that I have enough to put together a CBL unit this year. It might be messy, but my students will learn all while having fun. I can’t wait to see them apply what they have learned this year.
4 Comments
Joseph Williams
11/19/2017 02:00:04 pm
I agree that learning will be messy and that is OK. Your excitement can be perceived from your writing and much like you, this program excites me and is pushing me in ways that will pay dividends for students. I cannot wait to hear about your implementation of a CBL unit!
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helen blood
11/19/2017 02:07:45 pm
Yes messy and scary!! Sometimes I feel like I am on a construction beam 50 floors in the sky and I am terrified of heights. However, you keep me looking up.
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marya cindy De la torre
11/20/2017 08:37:01 pm
I agree that learning will look messy if all students are engaged and working together. When the project is engaging students get excited and want to solve the problem together. We should change the way we view"traditional" teaching, which is not student friendly.
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Lisa Gottfried
11/27/2017 07:48:12 pm
The amazing thing about messy learning is that you can pivot easily and course correct as needed. When somethings not working or you don't get the results you'd hoped for, you can revisit, iterate and get feedback. In Design Thinking they talk about getting out Minimal Viable Product so you can get feedback and make fixes. It can feel less overwhelming if you think in terms of doing many iterations and fixing as you go!
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