Remote Learning Challenges

Posted on February 2, 2021 Written by

Our state has numerous school districts in predominately rural areas. Some Arkansas schools (Oark is a good example) serve students in extremely isolated areas.

This article takes a look at the impact remote learning is having on students in these settings and some of the challenges they face. As the pandemic continues, I’m simply sharing this to remind you that if you’re in a similar situation, you’re not alone.

Note: Tips and techniques for helping teachers/administrators improve remote learning can be found elsewhere in this Blog.

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Dyslexia Graphic

Posted on December 3, 2019 Written by

As the old saying goes, “Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.”

My daughter (an elementary teacher) recently shared this classic graphic from Orton Gillingham. It’s an excellent illustration of how a someone with the characteristics of dyslexia may perceive letters, and why the way his/her brain works is not just a matter of being “wrong.”

It also shows why so-called “learning disabled” children often AREN’T. We simply don’t teach the way that their brains learn. And what wonders are we missing because we can’t appreciate their unique perspective?

That’s definitely something worth thinking about …

 

 

 

 

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“Open Classroom” Redux?

Posted on July 3, 2019 Written by

Back in the late 1960s, many schools explored the concept of “open classrooms.” According to a recent article in the Hechinger Report, a similar idea is now making a comeback … primarily from “a desire to create a collaboration-minded workforce that will thrive in the open office spaces being built by companies such as Google and Facebook” (Iasevoli, 2019). Revisiting and expanding Herbert Kohl’s ideas (Kohl, 1970) is an interesting concept. Was Kohl was simply ahead of his time?

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The Danger of Data!

Posted on June 19, 2019 Written by

Accurate data provides the foundation for meaningful change. But it’s even more vital to understand how to read and apply data! Peter DeWitt provides an excellent example of this in an article about Growth vs. Fixed Mindset, and why John Hattie’s rating of .19 does not mean that Carol Dweck’s work isn’t valid. Mastering this concept is essential to avoid making poor decisions or recommendations.

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