Teaching Strategies - Enfield High School



Teaching Strategies

Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms Contents Standards Based Learning Differentiated Instruction Learning Styles Multiple Intelligences Learning Technologies Reading and Writing Manipulating Math Collaborative Learning Discovery Learning Universal Design Tools that Make the Difference Sponsor's Message IntelliTools(r), Inc., a pioneer in learning solutions since 1979, produces award-winning software and adaptive hardware products for preK-8 students. We help all students-achieving students, struggling students, English language learners, and students with special needs-learn to their fullest potential with products that incorporate universal design and enable differentiated instruction. Our research-based, standards-aligned software products are fully accessible for standard keyboard and mouse users as well as for our IntelliKeys(r) programmable keyboard and switch users. Get a demo CD, catalog, free eNewsletter, and learn more. Editor's Message With today's drive toward inclusive classrooms, educators must deal with wider ranges of abilities, skills, languages, and learning styles than ever before. Finding the best strategies to meet every student's needs is often a challenge. Yet effective models are available and research tells us how to create meaningful learning experiences for all children in a classroom. Using these methods results in higher achievement and greater success for diverse groups of learners. Adding tools that address multiple learning needs supports both educators and their students in their drive for success. Standards Based Learning The No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to teach to high standards and test students on the results. When schools hold students to high standards, it means that curriculum, teaching, and testing all must be aligned. Standards are sets of skills, abilities, and knowledge that students are expected to master in each grade. The curriculum, the content, and the lessons that address these standards help students to learn. By assessing achievement annually, schools can determine how well students are doing and how well the system is working. With standards and curriculum frameworks in place in every state, and with state assessments used to measure learning, the real test is to find what teaching techniques will help all students achieve to these standards. Review state-by-state learning standards. Differentiated Instruction There's no magic bullet in education. Students come to school as unique individuals who learn and live differently from one another. Educators are aware of differences, especially those that impact learning and want to respond with activities that address different needs. It is clear that the "one-size-fits-all lesson" and "teaching to the middle" styles of teaching are outdated. The solution is differentiation: providing different learning activities for students within ranges of skills and abilities to maximize growth. The advantage of differentiation is that it addresses such variables as learning styles and intelligences. Read more information about differentiated instruction. Learning Styles Learning styles are different ways of acquiring information. Some students are visual learners who need to see examples, visual displays, and even a teacher's demeanor to absorb information. Others are auditory learners who learn best by listening to teachers and other students speak, reading aloud, and participating in discussions. Tactile/kinesthetic learners prefer a hands-on approach and learn best by exploring a concept and manipulating objects. Designing activities for various learning styles helps students to understand and do well. Learn about models of learning styles, read articles, and find out more about online inventories. Multiple Intelligences Research shows that people learn in one or more of eight approaches. The more traditional methods of instruction focus on words and numbers, but some students learn best from using pictures and music. Others thrive on social experiences such as collaborating with others and reflection. Some learn from the physical world of movement and from nature. The advantage to offering activities that address intelligences is that students will learn best when they use the method they prefer. For information on how to help students with different learning styles to learn. Read more about Multiple Intelligences. Learning Technologies Providing several ways to approach learning leads to greater student success. With technology as an option, students can use versatile tools to pursue the types of activities that work best for them. Classroom computers are patient instructors that offer both information and ways to check comprehension. They provide tools to create and publish. They offer interactive approaches to learning so that students can take charge of their own progress. Students can use these tools to improve their skills and demonstrate what they've learned. Read Technology & Learning magazine plus educator-written articles on technology and learning. Reading and Writing Of all the subjects, reading is the key to achievement in all content areas. Being able to decode words and comprehend meaning means that children can understand and analyze information. Yet many students struggle to succeed. Many have language or learning difficulties and face obstacles to acquiring even the basic skills. Specialized software can help. For example, talking word processing programs help students to improve word skills, and having images included with text promotes clearer understanding. From a solid base in reading, students can learn to write, explain ideas, and communicate with others. To find valuable resources in all aspects of Language Arts, review the listings that the U.S. Department of Education provides. Manipulating Math Many students have to work hard to learn even basic arithmetic. Without a good foundation, the advanced math skills of problem solving and analysis are unlikely to capture student imaginations. Research shows that using manipulatives to learn fractions, decimals, and other essential skills paves the way for better learning of all math skills. Interactive software can help. For example, when students can manipulate objects such as base ten blocks or geoboard shapes, or visualize and affect mathematical relationships through sorting bins or Venn Hoops on screen, they stay engaged and are more likely to enjoy doing math. For teaching strategies, student activities, research, resources, tools, and even a place to get answers to math questions, visit The Math Forum. Collaborative Learning Students bring different interests and expertise to any task, and when they build on their combined strengths and knowledge and learn from one another, students learn well. Collaborative classrooms have specific characteristics: students work in heterogeneous groups. Both knowledge and authority are shared among teachers and students. Teachers work more as coaches to help students gather information rather than as lecturers who impart that information. When the conditions are right and when the strategies and tools are in place, the result is improved learning. For a discussion on many aspects of the topic, read "What Is the Collaborative Classroom?" Discovery Learning When students can experiment and find out things for themselves, they are motivated to learn and develop intellectual curiosity. Discovery learning promotes understanding how to ask good questions, test out premises, and develop informed answers. In the process, they acquire a respect for their own powers of thinking. This allows them to compare the information they find with what they knew before, analyze the results, and create a more complete understanding of the topic. Using technology to search for and analyze information adds a level of complexity that furthers analytical thinking. Watch video clips that demonstrate discovery learning. Universal Design Universal design reflects the concept of creating products and services usable by people with the widest possible range of functional capabilities. In the classroom, this can mean products and services with built-in assistive technologies for learners with disabilities. A positive outgrowth of universal design is its benefit for a broad audience: many modifications and options built into applications can be tremendously helpful to other students as well, as it serves varying learning styles and multiple intelligences. Read the principles that govern universal design. Tools that Make the Difference While states and districts acknowledge the drive toward inclusive classrooms, universal design, and the need for differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all students, thus ensuring that no child is left behind, it is quite a challenge for the individual teacher in the classroom to manage that expectation with limited time, resources, and professional development. IntelliTools recognizes the teacher's burden and has increased support at the product level and in professional development. Its software is easy to learn, has embedded help and good documentation, and includes QuickStart guides. In addition, there are training centers around the country, and free training is often available with purchase. Take a test drive of the software. Get a demo CD, catalog, free eNewsletter, and learn more.

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