Activity 2: Student Centered Learning by Adriana Fernandez https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0 Thomas Sheltra, Andrew McMillan, & Adriana Fernandez en-us 2022-08-06 12:48:56 UTC 2025-11-14 09:09:33 UTC hello@padlet.com Room layout and decoration andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256010950 Teachers should be mindful of how their classrooms are laid out and what they look like. If you don't create a warm, safe, and inviting environment, students may not be as successful in their class.

Example:
I teach in a Montessori class in a kindergarten. The class is laid out in such a way that the students are free to explore the space and learn what they want to learn.]]> 2022-08-07 02:33:16 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256010950 Learning areas andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256013329 This strategy is especially useful in kindergartens and primary schools where students stay put and usually only have one or two teachers. By having separate learning areas you can enhance the learning experience, you can more easily keep students on task or even help the students by differentiating teaching to help those that need help.

Example:
At my current job, the classrooms are broken down into different zones. We have an English zone, an art zone, and a math zone to name a few. Having the class segmented in this manner helps get the students focused on learning.]]> 2022-08-07 02:44:19 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256013329 Flexible seating arrangements and seating options andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256015773 Traditional rows of seating are horrible for students. They are not conducive to creating an environment where student-centered learning can occur. In the above picture, is a good example of how a classroom should be set up. This classroom has different options for desks and seats. Even though the desks are quite different, they share one commonality, the students face each other. You can also note that there are four styles of chairs, allowing students to choose one that they like.

Example:
At a public primary school I worked at in Hangzhou China, the class had circular table arrangements. This was the first time I had ever seen this in Asia, where row seating is king. This made group work easier and allowed for student-centered learning to occur.]]> 2022-08-07 02:54:15 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256015773 Smart boards andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256018839 Smart boards are a valuable tool in the classroom. They can be used to show videos and PowerPoint presentations and can replace a whiteboard or blackboard. Students enjoy using them in the classroom as they work like a large Ipad.

]]> 2022-08-07 03:10:47 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256018839 References andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256022591 Drew, C. (n.d.). 12 Classroom Layout Ideas & Seating Arrangements. Helpfulprofessor.Com. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://helpfulprofessor.com/classroom-layouts/

Learning Areas. (n.d.). Https://Www.Childrensschool.Org/. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.childrensschool.org/our-program/learning-areas/

Deris, T. (2019, April 2). Designing Flexible Seating With Students. Edutopia.Org. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/designing-flexible-seating-students

Bannan, K. (2022, March 4). What are the advantages of smart boards for schools? Https://Insights.Samsung.Com/. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://insights.samsung.com/2022/03/04/what-are-the-advantages-of-smart-boards-for-schools/]]> 2022-08-07 03:27:05 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256022591 Think-Pair-Share andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256030334 Think-Pair-Share is an excellent activity that requires collaboration. The teacher will ask the class a question that requires an answer. Students will think about the question. They will then work with a partner and discuss what answers they came up with. The groups will then share their findings with the class. 

Example:
In a high school class I taught in last year, I introduced this activity. The students were very excited to be able to be responsible for their own learning. This is due to the fact that traditionally the teachers talk and the students listen in China. By allowing students to take ownership of their own learning we are not only developing better students but, we are also developing better people. These are important life skills.]]> 2022-08-07 03:58:13 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256030334 Student-centered approaches in the classroom andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256031727 Here are some of techniques I learned during my social-studies teaching methodologies classes at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.]]> 2022-08-07 04:04:35 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256031727 References andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256032537 Howard, M. (2014, October 27). Think Pair Share [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW87rihT38I

Using the Think-Pair-Share Technique | Read Write Think. (n.d.). Readwritethink.Org. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/using-think-pair-share

Drollinger, M. (2015, November 27). Jigsaw. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzJpVE-fQeE

Jigsaw: Developing Community and Disseminating Knowledge. (n.d.). Facing History and Ourselves. https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-strategies/jigsaw-developing-community-and-disseminating-knowledge#:%7E:text=The%20Jigsaw%20strategy%20asks%20a,they%20develop%20their%20collaboration%20skills.

Edutopia. (2018, July 6). 60-Second Strategy: Fishbowl Discussion [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVCFGLVZA3w

Fishbowl. (n.d.). Facing History and Ourselves. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-strategies/fishbowl


]]> 2022-08-07 04:08:51 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256032537 Think Pair Share andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256032692 2022-08-07 04:09:45 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256032692 Jigsaw Activity andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256036824 A jigsaw activity is a collaborative reading activity. In a nutshell here's how it works. You take a long reading passage and assign students one piece of the passage [Section A, B, C for example] to read. You then get all the people who read the same section to form a group and discuss what they read and figure out what the main points of the reading are. Then you will join a group of people who've read different passages and share what you've learned. The teacher in this instance acts as a guide or a facilitator, the students are doing the teaching themselves.

Example:
In a middle school class I taught last year, I would sometimes do jigsaw activities. The students enjoyed them for many reasons. The first being that they got to move around the classroom. The second was that they were able to interact with students they normally wouldn't, thus building social skills. But the most important reason was that the students enjoyed the responsibility of teaching their classmates something new.]]> 2022-08-07 04:31:39 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256036824 Jigsaw activity andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256037954 2022-08-07 04:35:48 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256037954 Fishbowl Activity andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256043802 The fishbowl activity is something I learned in university over 17 years ago and with higher-level students, I still use it to this day. You break the class into two groups, the fish in the middle and the fishermen on the outside. The fish engage in a discussion while the fishermen observe and record the engagement. Here's where the magic happens. The fishermen provide feedback to the fish in groups of two. Because the teacher is just a facilitator for the discussion the students are truly the center of the learning process. This works best in subjects where opinion and discussions are more prevalent. It probably wouldn't work in a math class but would work in a social studies class.

Example:
I haven't used this activity in a while. The last time I used it was in a debate class I taught a couple of years ago. I think the students enjoyed it because it was something new and exciting for them. Watching them interact this way was pretty interesting. And more importantly the students were more open to feedback from their peers, which wasn't something I ever expected to see.


]]> 2022-08-07 05:11:18 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256043802 Thomas Sheltra: 4 Student-Centered Assessments https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256174471 1: Self-Assessment: Not simply going over a quiz and having the student mark right and wrong answers, but self-assessment is a tool for the student to identify their own strengths and weakness. 

Example: 

One example is having students highlight the criteria in class so they have a full understanding of the material, and know what the descriptions are for the standards for each criteria in how they will assess themselves. 

2: Peer Assessment: Similar to #1, peer assessment is not a way to give grades to students by checking each others work, but to give feed back on a peers work in progress. 

Example: 

Ladder of Feedback is a good example because it allows peers to ask questions, express the peers strengths and give feedback on what they could do to improve the quality of work in progress. 

3: Exhibitions: This would be an end of year project, especially something that meets a graduation requirement as this type of assessment is meant as a final assessment that has been assessed in different stages with revisions and feedback. 

Example: 

A graduation requirement for my high school was a senior project. I wanted to learn how to make a snowboard. I had to write a proposal, find a mentor, work on the design, keep records of my hours with my mentor, and write a paper. The final requirement was a paper, presentation, and a display at senior night. There were several steps in this requirement from the start of the school year to senior night where I was assessed and given feedback all the way to the final submission. 

4: Portfolio: This is another excellent example as it is not an assessment of the students best work, but it is a collection of each assignment, unit, etc of the students process from beginning to end and shows growth. 

Example:

My current students must have a physical or e-portfolio, which highlights their work in their program, including career readiness (Vermont ESSA graduation requirements) such as a cover letter, CV, and reflection pieces on their co-op experiences. 


Reference: 
Student-Centered Assessment Resources. (2013). Retrieved from Studentsatthecenterhub.org website: https://studentsatthecenterhub.org/resource/assessment/
]]> 2022-08-07 16:40:50 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256174471 Thomas Sheltra: RTCC Technical Portfolio https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256175595 Here is an overview of the Technical Portfolio students must have in order to graduate. It lists requirements, evaluation, and assessment standards for passing.

http://www.orangesouthwest.org/uploads/1566328744.pdf]]> 2022-08-07 16:45:29 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256175595 Thomas Sheltra: RUHS: Senior Project https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256176250 My old high school now makes their senior projects digital. Here is an example of a senior project every graduating senior must pass. 

https://sites.google.com/orangesouthwest.org/abigale-garvin/home]]> 2022-08-07 16:48:43 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256176250 Thomas Sheltra: Career Readiness Capstone https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256183160 Part of my English/Humanities course will focus on Career Readiness and Financial Literacy. While there will be prior instruction and work on students resumes, cover letter writing, and professional e-mail correspondence, the end of the year will be a final project that focuses on the job search and interview process.

Students will:
1: Search for a job
2: Apply for that job (to me) with a final draft of their cover letter and resume.
3: In appropriate interview attire, students will sit down with HR managers and interview for that job.

Students will also need to keep a portfolio in my class that will include all work from draft to final draft. The advantages of portfolios as an assessment tool I believe lets the student take ownership for their work, makes learning more individualized, and allows students to conduct self-assessment by checking their work and continuing to improve on it.

Reference: 

Lowe, J. (2013). Describe the Advantages of Portfolio Assessment for Students. Retrieved from Seattlepi.com website: https://education.seattlepi.com/describe-advantages-portfolio-assessment-students-1470.html
]]> 2022-08-07 17:22:11 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256183160 Thomas Sheltra: Personalized Learning: https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256187373 Integrating digital tools and learning platforms can give individualize instruction to each student. Students with prior knowledge assessments would then start off at different levels, and master skills at their own pace. 

Depending on the platform being used, teachers can see time spent working on the platform, data on performance, and identify students who are struggling, and those who need more challenges. 

This way students are able to work at their own pace, received 1-on-1 help, and get instant feedback.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oLNLCO0vfI&ab_channel=educause]]> 2022-08-07 17:48:23 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256187373 Thomas Sheltra: Think-tac-toe https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256191184 This is a great idea that I have used in my US History classes for a end of unit assessment.

You give students 9 different options and must choose 3 of those 9. Each one requires a different component, and students can choose whatever ones they want to do to complete the task.

Example: For my students when we finished the Civil Rights Movement, I gave students a think-tac-toe board that had options like:
1: Create a poster advertising the March on Washington.
2: Research 2 Civil Rights songs, and describe the meaning of the lyrics.
3: Create a new motto for the 21st century.

It gave students the flexibility to choose which ones they wanted. I was surprised by how many students chose artistic choices, and was pleased to see how creative students can be when you give them the options to choose.

https://www.thoughtco.com/think-tac-toe-strategy-for-differentiation-3110424

References:

M. Ed., S. E., & B. A., E. E. (2019, March 18). Think-Tac-Toe: A Strategy for Differentiation. Retrieved from ThoughtCo website: https://www.thoughtco.com/think-tac-toe-strategy-for-differentiation-3110424
]]> 2022-08-07 18:07:34 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256191184 Thomas Sheltra: Using technological tools for differentiation: https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256194566 The use of technological tools can help teachers use differentiated instruction not just as a case by case process, but as a way for all students to learn at their own pace, but also to utilize technological platforms to give students the choice to select their own assessment tools to showcase the mastery of the content through innovative ways.

Example:

Students at my school must take WorkKeys assessments for math and english. One of the key benefits of this tool is that students take a diagnostic test, it puts each student at their own level, and allows the student to complete tasks at their own pace, and allows me and program teachers the ability to track progress, and to help students who are struggling with the coursework. But it allows us to identify those issues with each student, instead of waiting for a problem to appear to intervene. 

https://www.avid.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=6506&ViewID=DEDCCD34-7C24-4AF2-812A-33C0075398BC&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=6197&PageID=3300&Tag=&Comments=true#:~:text=Differentiation%20isn't%20just%20something,knowledge%2C%20and%20individual%20learning%20needs.]]> 2022-08-07 18:21:57 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256194566 Thomas Sheltra: Project-Based Learning https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256206359 I really enjoyed reading this as I really enjoy giving projects to students as a way of breaking away from quizzes, tests, and other assessments that make my students eyes glaze over. I find that when my students are working on a project they are more focused, creative, and really show a pride in their work.

Again, there is a great deal of flexibility in the way teachers assign groups based on the learning outcomes they are trying to achieve. Teachers, over the course of a long project, can have mini-lessons, which can be used to differentiate instruction to students who need extra help, and a way for students that are high achievers to become leaders within their groups and help those students who are perhaps struggling with the material.

One of the 6-strategies i'm really looking at utilizing in my classroom this year is having my students keep reflection journals. That way every student can track their thoughts and ideas on what worked well, what didn't, assess their own strengths and weaknesses within a given assignment or project, and then to set goals for growth. This way students can look back at the end of each previous assignment and the year and see their growth. It also gives me the opportunity to change how I differentiate my instruction for students. Perhaps I had been teaching students in a way that was not useful for them, and it gives me feedback on where I can improve.

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/differentiated-instruction-strategies-pbl-andrew-miller

Reference:
Miller, A. (2012, February 8). 6 Strategies for Differentiated Instruction in Project-Based Learning. Retrieved from Edutopia website: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/differentiated-instruction-strategies-pbl-andrew-miller
]]> 2022-08-07 18:58:35 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256206359 Fishbowl Activity andrewstewartmcmillan https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256251017 2022-08-07 23:00:37 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2256251017 Movement in the form of physical games, morning movement routines before class and even stretching breaks in between instruction periods can "sharpen" students' ability to focus during instruction. adrianafernandezibanez https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259434639 This article teaches the importance of using movement as a central element in learning. 

According to the cited research in the piece, movement is especially important for brain development in elementary students. 

Another critical piece of information informed about how data has shown that including exercises into instruction time (breaking it up into chunks interrupted with movement) has the power to strengthen students' ability to focus. 

Additionally, adding games meant for learning through movement and physical activity can possibly increase knowledge retention. 

Reference:
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/move-body-grow-brain-donna-wilson#:~:text=Photo%20credit%3A%20Thinkstock-,Incorporating%20exercise%20and%20movement%20throughout%20the%20school%20day%20makes%20students,activities%20to%20your%20teaching%20toolkit.
]]> 2022-08-12 00:08:07 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259434639 Some students are kinesthetic learners, meaning they absorb knowledge best through physical activities. Here are different options to add those options to the curriculum. adrianafernandezibanez https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259446672 - Forming pictures/images with the body and gestures can increase vocabulary retention for students learning a foreign language.

- Active breaks in which students take a minute to step away from the material they are learning has proven to improve creativity, social skills, and even productivity, according to the cited study.

“When we take a brain break, it refreshes our thinking and helps us discover another solution to a problem or see a situation through a different lens,” writes Lori Desautels, an assistant professor at the Butler University College of Education. 

- Drawing information while learning can also be conducive to increased knowledge retention because, through drawing, learners have to expand on the meaning of what they are learning about and doing so through hand-eye-brain connection. In unison, the physiological and cognitive work develop a deepened sense of learning that can ultimately improve the experience. 

References: 
https://www.edutopia.org/article/more-dozen-ways-build-movement-learning
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-020-09527-z


]]> 2022-08-12 00:28:31 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259446672 This piece showcases a few videos in which students model various movement techniques to enhance the learning of more complex concepts for students in high school. adrianafernandezibanez https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259456566 - Group simulations: Science classes collaborated in modeling biological processes such as the circulatory system. The experience seemed to engage students in a very social activity that employed movement to demonstrate how different parts, like the students that acted like them, work together to carry out body functions.

- Creating a tableau/picture or visual representation of an idea or concept with the body can be used to work with EAL students.

- Group singing: songs and singing as a group has been part of human learning and community building since the beginning of time. Vocalizing information and learning through singing, which can also become very sticky with the right tune, has the power of solidifying information into memory very effectively.

References:
https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/movement/
https://twitter.com/up_leonard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1060538248076894209%7Ctwgr%5E99fc680432a56016a94b675b5295068160439b0f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cultofpedagogy.com%2Fmovement%2F]]> 2022-08-12 00:44:11 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259456566 Student-centered reading techniques include close reading strategies, providing choice for content, and offering different formats/genres of writing. adrianafernandezibanez https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259461792 I believe that the most effective technique or approach to teaching reading is providing variety in regards to the reading material. 

If students find books, articles, magazines or poems about topics they enjoy or relate to, they will naturally be inclined to read more and more. 

Enjoying the information they read will more organically expand their vocabulary and improve reading comprehension skills, such as those spelled out through close reading techniques. 

That is not to say I don't think those are not effective. However, I believe readers who enjoy what they read will become more avid and hence, better readers. 

References:
https://www.edutopia.org/article/6-techniques-building-reading-skills-susan-barber
https://www.commonlit.org/

]]> 2022-08-12 00:52:47 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259461792 Teaching reading can be challenging because it is a receptive skill. This needs to be accounted for when employing approaches and techniques to teach it. adrianafernandezibanez https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259478471 One of the most outstanding techniques mentioned in this piece was assessing reading comprehension informally through discussion. 

Having conversations around what is being read and understood from different perspectives is a very social and engaging way to digest and absorb reading. 

Showing students different samples of various kinds of discourse patterns, as the article articulates, is also an effective way for students to interact with reading. 

Moreover, the types of writing patterns each provide another opportunity for readers to discover a voice of writing or style that resonates with their interests and personality. 

Resources:
https://busyteacher.org/14461-how-to-teach-reading-skills-10-best-practices.html
https://busyteacher.org/classroom_activities-reading-worksheets/]]> 2022-08-12 01:19:16 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259478471 Making inferences, summarizing information & identifying main ideas require the critical thinking processes needed for deeper understanding. adrianafernandezibanez https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259486461 Techniques used to teach reading should, ultimately, lead not just to the identification of the information being written about but also an understanding of what it means. What the author is trying to achieve with his writing and what the writing is exposing for its readers. 

Which brings us to the fact that the goal of teaching reading, beyond sounding out words like is accomplished in lower grade levels, is to achieve reading comprehension. 

One of the most transformative ways to reach deeper levels of comprehension is summarizing. This calls for critical and analytic thinking because learners must identify key information (while filtering the rest) to then explain in their own words what the meaning of the reading expresses. 

Yet another powerful technique in teaching how to detect higher understanding in reading is making inferences. Such conclusions lead students to make connections between prior knowledge and text evidence from what they are reading to reach new ideas. 

And THAT, original thinking, I think is in and of itself the highest level we can teach students to reach through reading and transforming that information into knowledge and innovation. 

References:
https://www.readnaturally.com/research/5-components-of-reading/comprehension
https://www.readnaturally.com/research/5-components-of-reading/comprehension#programs]]> 2022-08-12 01:30:59 UTC https://padlet.com/adrianafernandezibanez/gafuxe8619o5x5u0/wish/2259486461