Voice and Choice in Practice

The Flat Classroom project asked me to reflect on giving learners choice and you can read about my previous thoughts here.
Today, I took it one stage further with a Year 8 (Grade 7) group that have explicitly focused on increasing learner autonomy throughout the year. Although a rather extreme idea, I decided that I would start with a blank canvas when approaching a 2-week unit on poetry. It was experimental, it was risky but in the end - it was very much worthwhile.
We started off by adding our thoughts to the stem 'Poetry...' and posting our ideas on a blank wall. We then took some of the most pertinent ideas from the statements produced and placed ourselves on a continuum of agreement or disagreement. As we talked about why we'd chosen particular locations along the scale, further questions were generated which we recorded on a large whiteboard. Following this, the learners divided into 3 groups:

• Group 1 looked at the  Assessment Focus grids for English and - considering our notes - picked out those most relevant to our unit with annotations of how these would address our questions.
• Group 2 used question stems based on Bloom's Taxonomy to formulate higher order questions to address our enquiries.
• Group 3 considered the learning that the group had indicated needed to take place and the activities through which this could happen or be demonstrated. 

After a flexible time limit, the groups explained the task to those who would rotate onto their station and we repeated the process until everyone had contributed to all three strands:  the results were much better than I had expected. A colleague was observing the lesson as a critical friend and commented on the engagement, maturity and level of challenge that the group had set themselves. A concern of mine was ensuring rigour balanced with engagement (a goal I set here) and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the learners really did focus on the learning, rather than the hi-tech, low-learning activities they often crave. Their discussions at the conceptual level went as far as touching on the question What is art? and the beneficial mental sweating was visible - with not a gimmick, game or laptop in sight.

What this experiment has taught me is that a staggered release of responsibility in a structured framework really can lead to higher expectations and outcomes for learners. They used their well-developed skills of teamwork, collaboration and critical thinking to achieve a solid learning plan that they can now take complete ownership of. How this will correspond to the levels of engagement and sustained interest in the face of a pretty challenging learning experience remains to seen, but it's been a great start and one that I look forward to seeing develop.

PBL: Getting Started with Project-Based Learning

I've blogged about a few resources for the PBL classroom, which can be found in these search results, but a recent forum discussion and a chat with a colleague made me realise that not everyone is clear about PBL; many have the impression that it is simply incorporating projects into learning, but it rather more involved than this traditional classroom phenomenon. I intend to incorporate the elements that I find most suited to my learners such as the 'real world' focus and it complements my move toward thematic planning, providing a wealth of ideas to get started. My post on BIE is still a good place to start for those who are in the dark, but below are a few other resources that should make the ideas behind PBL a bit clearer, not least to myself!


Resource 1
Got 3 minutes and 50 seconds? This video from BIE explains what PBL is:

Like this? There are lots more on the BIE Youtube Channel and their project search tool on the right-hand side of this page is a great way to see what potential projects look like.

Resource 2 
Got a bit more time? Click here to access the Project-Based Learning Professional Development Guide from Edutopia.

Resource 3
Ready to get serious? Click here to access TechLearning's 25+ links to uncovering PBL online.


Hopefully, these resources provide a clearer picture of PBL in its purest form as well as the various ways it can be 'diluted' to suit other models of learning. Many professional forums, including those on the sites above, have threads around this topic, so jump in and join the discussion.

QuestGarden WebQuest Collection

WebQuests were a hot topic a few of years ago, but now that the initial novelty value has worn off, they may well be worth a second look for promoting independent enquiry and self-paced learning. QuestGarden offers a huge bank of WebQuests for free (as well as additional resources for paid members) so it's a great place to start if you're looking for one to supplement or kick-start a topic.

Whodunnit? A Forensics Unit of Work

The brilliant TeachersFirst has developed a unit of work around forensic investigations of a crime scene which "has been designed with an emphasis on laboratory activities." There are 20 45-minute lessons in all and they're targeted at Key Stage 3 (UK) or Grades 6-8 (US). They claim to be "appropriate for general science, science-technology-society (STS), or biotechnology classes." It seems to be very customisable by adding in or personalising particular aspects so it could be used for higher levels too. Some of the suggested applications are:

• an introduction to the scientific method, the microscope, laboratory procedures, and maintaining laboratory notes.
• an introduction to genetics and DNA.
• an application of DNA technology
• an "in between" unit before or after a vacation
• an end of the year final unit.

I'm already wondering if it could be more cross-curricular by including an investigation into detective fiction. Check it out here.

Sidevibe

Sidevibe is a useful tool which is now totally free making it eligible for a slot on this blog. It takes the idea of a shared notepad that floats on top of webpages and enhances it with the ability to add links, discussions, prompts and much more. Other tools might be alternatives to some of the features, but it negates the need to click between two media e.g. a webpage and a note-taking tool, thereby saving time and keeping the 'flow' of work going.

Having a test-run with it, I found out that it is not currently supported by Chrome or the latest version of Safari so you'll have to use another browser such as Firefox or Explorer when creating 'vibes.'

Here's an intro below which gives an overview, but really you need to go and experiment with it yourself, and perhaps explore the forums, before its potential applications become fully clear.

Integration:
Sidevibe can be used for many activities; below are just a few:

• turn any webpage into an online activity by providing questions or instructions to follow when visiting a specific URL;
• collaboratively collate websites related to a topic;
• prove discussion / thinking prompts for a webpage containing any type of media from print to video;
• take notes on a research topic as learners move through various websites;
• structure / plan / write an assignment with the criteria / rubric open on the page in front of them;
• receive immediate feedback at the side of a presentation by using Sidevibe as a backchannel.

More Flipping Videos for School

TheFaculties.org is another great resource for videos for use in or out of the classroom. The content, from a range of faculties (see below), can be used to complement lessons or as another resource for flipping your classroom. Having explored the English section, I've already bookmarked several videos that I can make immediate use of - really worth taking at least 10 minutes to have a look through to see what you can make use of. The great thing about this site is it is aimed at schools so competent learners should find the content relevant and accessible.

Highlights:

• Many of the faculties include videos on the differences between given subjects at school and university to prepare learners for their academic futures
• Sections are available for A-Level, University and Careers so learners can explore the relevance of and resources for particular subjects in those contexts
• Mini-lectures on specific topics abound, from how to form a convincing argument (English) to an exploration of obedience to authority (Psychology)

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The Learning Network from NY Times

The Learning Network from this popular newspaper is jam-packed with teaching resources and materials. From lesson plans to discussions, it is worth exploring to see what you can find to enhance teaching and learning in your own context.

Integration:

• Sign up to receive weekly lesson plans for your subject area via email; a different learning area each day
• Access the Lesson Plans categorised by subject area
• Use the Test Yourself page to improve vocabulary in a quick 3-minute activity
• Guide your over-13s to express their thoughts on Student Opinion
• Use the Poetry Pairings to get your learners making links between the creative medium and the world around them
• Have groups take part in the Reading Club to extend their exposure to non-fiction readings and other media
• History groups may be interested in following On this Day as a starting point for any lesson
• The daily News Quiz could be used to encourage the skills of skimming and scanning large quantities of text
• The Student Crossword page has printables organised by topic
• In collaboration with SnagLearning, there is also a page of Film Documentaries on various world events

Teaching Research Skills

A recent post on the TES forum asked about how best to teach research skills, so I em...researched online and found the following:

Teach-nology provides this page on which resources are best for researching particular topics. It could easily be adapted to be more relevant to your learners' cultural situation.

The All about Explorers site contains fictional biographies with differentiated lesson plans to lead learners to an appreciation of why being discerning about Internet resources is so important.

Bibliobouts is an online game that teachers can customise for assignments.

Students are rewarded for their research skills and their ability to differentiate between good and bad material. To play, they find sources, which are judged by their peers for relevance and credibility, and then measure the worth of sources their classmates find. They gain more points the more sources they assess accurately and the better their own sources are judged.

-The Chronicle of Higher Education

Bibliobouts works with Zotero which is a free tool for collecting and citing sources. It works from your browser and is an interesting alternative to other bibliography tools.

The British Library has a section dedicated to creative research with guidance for learner, teachers and a great set of links to even more helpful websites.

The 50-word assignment idea from Charles L Cohen of Wisconsin University is designed to improve writing, as well as research, skills. Following the links to the examples and explanations clarifies how it works and can be adapted for high-school groups.




Update (03.02.11): The Learning Network has just published a lesson plan on the reliability of sources which may also be of interest. Click here.

As always, feel free to add your own resources and reviews in the comments box below.

Explania

Explania is exactly what the logo claims - a collection of animated explanations on a range of topics. The videos can be viewed without registration and embedded by anyone on any site. Have a look at the example below and if you like what you see, browse the site for more useful media for teaching Sport, Ecology, Health, Economics (Money) or ICT (Technology).

Integration:

• Use the videos to liven up delivery of content
• Learners could watch different videos in groups and then peer teach to change the interaction away from being teacher-focused
• Use the animations as models for learners to create their own for future/younger year groups
• Embed the videos on your shared online learning platform for revision purposes

Twurdy Search Engine

The creators of Twurdy were driven to produce this search engine because search results often produce websites which are simply too wordy ('twurdy', get it?) for many of our learners, and possibly ourselves. By entering a search term into their engine, you get a list of results from Google categorised (by shades of colour) by their readability. Easier to read, or less wordy, results appear paler in colour than their less readable counterparts which appear darker. It is an algorithm-based search, rather than a human-moderated one, so expect some anomalies, but overall a very useful way of sifting through the web to find more accessible content.

Integration:

• Introduce learners to the different searches they can perform to help them find the quickest way to accessible websites
• Use in planning to locate content that can be used in lessons
• Very useful for projects where learners are doing a lot of independent research
• EAL learners will benefit from the shaded coding in finding sites they can understand

ReadWriteThink

ReadWriteThink is a treasure trove of classroom and other resources. While there are over 800 lesson plans  the real winner for busy teachers is the library of interactives. They cover a range of skills from phonics to planning writing, and they are colourful and engaging.

Integration:

• Interactives can be used by learners to create particular texts and the results can then be printed
• The Interactives are accompanied by lesson plans and suggested linked resources to maximise their usefulness
• Use the 'parent' section to encourage involvement from home

Project Based Learning (PBL)

If you've ever wondered what PBL is, how you go about getting started or are looking for resources to support what you've already done, this site from BIE is full of really useful stuff. From forums to ready-to-go projects, advice for creating 'driving questions' and a 'Tubric' to help you develop them, there's something on here for anyone who's thinking of developing their skills in this type of teaching.
It's so full of resources that it really does inspire even a tired mind dry of all creativity. A really great site to visit to spark ideas for a new school year and one that you may well visit regularly for fresh projects.

Teachers First

Teachers First is a site packed with resources for teaching all subjects from pre-school age up to pre-university. As well as the provision of quality lessons plans, worksheets, projector-friendly materials and more, they also review and include useful online sites and tools. Professional development articles and advice can also be found on here. Set aside at least half an hour to explore the many great features to be found and use them to plan lessons, direct learners and join a large online community of teachers.

Sophia

I really like the idea of Sophia. Although there are numerous sites in existence for teachers to share resources with each other, I've not seen one as polished as this that allows learners themselves to access learning 'packets' independently and at no cost. It's based on the idea of a social network exclusively for learning. While I don't think it really follows the model of the likes of Facebook and MySpace, it does allow teachers to create units of learning by incorporating multimedia elements from off and online. As a learner you can create study groups from your learners, and as a learner you can invite friends to study particular topics with you.

Integration:

• Use Sophia as a tool for promoting independence among your learners when completing homework tasks
• Try upside down instruction and use lesson time for application of new knowledge and to iron out any difficulties
• Challenge your learners to create or improve upon a negotiated topic related to your unit of work
• Use as a tool for differentiation by guiding learners to packets which meet their needs; adapt existing packet to provide levels of difficulty

TES

The Times Educational Supplement is undoubtedly the largest teaching community in the UK. The forums cover a range of subjects and roles, but the main reason teachers call in here is for the resource bank (and possibly the job bank too). Among the resources are thousands of lesson plans and materials for all subjects and ages - all free to download. Most are customisable so they can be adapted to suit your individual classes. A free registration is required but it takes minutes and is worth the hours it will save you in preparation time. Check out the forums while you're there and bookmark it as you'll no doubt be a regular visitor.

Teachit

Teachit is the mainstay of English teachers in the UK, and for good reason. This site contains thousands of multimedia resources including 'Whizzy Things' that you can use on your IWB. Covering a whole range of topics related to Literature, Language & Media, files can be downloaded in pdf format. A subscription allows downloads of customisable Word documents, but if you contribute a small number of acceptable resources, you can get access for free. They also own the late Andrew Moore's site which is excellent for learners to access very comprehensive notes on a range of texts and topics.


[For teachers outside the UK, Key Stage 3 (KS3) covers ages 12-14, KS 4 covers 15-16 and KS5 is 17-18 (pre-university courses).

Curriki

This site is a real find. It's got loads of good resources and they're all free and all downloadable, so you don't have to rely on a dodgy Internet connection 'on the day'.

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Integration:

• Use the lesson plans and units of work to cut down on your preparation time.
• The animations can be embedded into your VLE, wiki, website or shared drive as a more visually appealing way to introduce concepts
• Use the animations, videos etc. as models for your learners to base their own presentations on