Definitions-3+Principles

Teacher Effectiveness:
This page discusses the importance of three intersecting concepts (student engagement, student centered learning and 21st century citizens) important to the effectiveness of learning. It goes without saying that applying these three techniques in the classroom to improve learning outcomes requires thoughtful preparation by a conscientiousness teacher, e.g. an effective teacher. Here is a link to an open letter by Bill and Melinda Gates. Their foundation has long been concerned with improving education for students around the world. The letter raises awareness of teacher effectiveness as being the leading contributor of student learning outcomes. []
 * //"A teacher’s effectiveness has more impact on student learning than any other factor under the control of school systems, including class size, school size, and the quality of after-school programs."//**



Click here for the research report on this... []

There are three foundational principles to education that we will be focusing on this year for St Leon Armenian School. These are Student Engagement, Student Centered Learning and Tomorrow’s Citizens. These three principles have been chosen for their critical importance to modern education and to the capacity of these terms to embrace other subspecific concepts which we are free to explore as well. Too often educators are challenged by a sense of vertigo when it comes to the multitude of educational concepts swirling in this field. By using a taxonomy of these three principles and the descriptions below (acknowledging other taxonomies are possible and ours below may be further refined), we increase our sense of understanding of important educational concepts and raise our self confidence. That confidence is essential and can serve to inspire us to seek deeper understanding of specific concepts as we deem appropriate.


 * 1) Student Engagement
 * 2) Student Centered Learning
 * 3) 21st Century Citizens

(series of video's related to these 3 foundational principals [])

= Student Engagement (SE) = With studies showing nearly half of U.S. student not completing their education the topic of student engagement is paramount. For our purposes this term will go beyond techniques and concepts on eliciting student engagement to also include ideas on the value of student engagement and how attaining engagement changes with the times. Years ago film strips and sock puppets were likely thought to be engaging. Surly not by today’s standards.

Included within this expanded scope of SE is constructivism, which itself includes project, problem and inquiry based learning, Montessori, arts integration, experiential learning and the learn-by-doing principles found in progressive education.

Measuring Student Egagement: //National Survey of Student Engagement// Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education" (Chickering & Gamson, 1987). These principles include: [], Page 1
 * 1) student-faculty contact,
 * 2) cooperation among students,
 * 3) active learning,
 * 4) prompt feedback,
 * 5) time on task,
 * 6) high expectations, and
 * 7) respect for diverse talents and ways of learning.

[] - The alphabet of student learning

University of Oregen - Engaging students I found this clip from the Univeristy of Oregen very interesting, especially that it incorporates examples of engaging students in the language teaching process. BTW, the University has posted several other modules as well which can be adapted to meet the objectives of our group. ( [|s.hovhanessianmy1stwiki] ) []

(from the intel CD, module 1, lesson 1... good graphic explaining project based learning, and helpful comparison to problem based learning and inquiry based learning... remember, this intel cd course is built for project based learning, so they favor that approach of the three)

[|Project_Characteristics_Checklist.doc] [|Project_Characteristics_Checklist-Maria's.pdf] [|PBL_Action_Plan_Abe-Module1.pdf] (from the intel CD, module 1, lesson 3... this Project Characteristics checklist and sample one for Maria and Abe describes a little bit of what makes a good project based lesson... this might work for us... i'm going to look for other websites that have examples of project based learning units...)

“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” Chinese Proverbs [|http://thinkexist.com]

media type="youtube" key="opXKmwg8VQM" height="344" width="425" (amazing the timelessness of these topics in education... specifically Student Centered Learning, Student Engagement, and Preparing students for tomorrow [21st Century Learning])

Student Centered Learning (SCL)
As we gently move beyond the industrial age model of the classroom notions on student centered learning come to the forefront. For some SCL may connote a specific educational concept such as differentiated instruction or multiple intelligences. For our purposes herein we need to expand the scope of this term to help educators embrace a broad appreciation that learners are different from one another and these differences must be embraced in planning lessons and curricula.

Included within this expanded scope of SCL are Gardner’s multiple intelligences, differentiated instruction, individualized learning plans, response to intervention, online learning and authentic assessment.

[] - a teacher's experience in implementing SCL (check the links following the article).................JE

Great video showing comparisons of teacher centered and student centered learning. []

Differences between student centered and teacher centered. []
 * Student Centered Learning-Sample Class**

Interview with Howard Gardner on Multiple Intelligence Theory [|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEFpaY3GI-I]

Another interview with Howard Gardner, although i think this is more about 21st century citizens []

Interview with a Howard Gardner follower []

Howard Gardner - Multiple Intelligences and education []

[] - very usefull tips on how to conduct student-centered learning class and at the same time assess students and address weak areas …..JE

media type="youtube" key="iG9CE55wbtY" height="344" width="425" Ted Talks on YouTube: [|Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?] (great video on appreciating Gardner's inteligences)

21st Century Citizens (21CC)
In the last 10-15 years our educational lexicon has been overrun with concepts on 21st century skills and 21st century learners however we need a term to go beyond that. Of course, now more than ever, technology literacy, information literacy and critical thinking skills are indispensible, but to what end? We need a term that speaks to these skills in the context of a goal. That goal likely needs to address the times we live in. How our ethics are tested in new ways in this fast paced digital age. How new mores are needed in modern society with a global perspective. Not that schools or our educators will define these rules, but rather that they will prepare tomorrow’s citizens to accomplish that goal. Regardless of where a particular household stands on the debate of character education, society has established that the classroom plays a part in the process. Learning standards are also found here under TC as the very notion of a standard implicates a body of knowledge and/or aptitudes deemed necessary as of this moment in time. To be successful and relevant, standards must be a living and evolving set of goals and milestones. It is entirely appropriate they belong under the category of TC. Included within this expanded scope of TC include 21st Century Skills, life long learning, character education, learning standards, and learning preparedness.

[] - framework for 21st century learning ...........JE

[] - The growing role and impact of the internet in our lives, professional and personal. (** [|jekmekjian] **)

__The Did You Know videos (aka Shift Happens videos):__ The 'Did You Know' videos are quite popular. They speak to the concepts within TC and are meant to be provocative. After watching them you can't help but be amazed how remarkable are the times we live in and how different the near future will be for the next generation. I'm not sure if you are energized or scared to teach after watching them. As a teacher in modern times, it's good to be aware of the content in these messages. Visit/join http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com for more information.

=Did You Know 1.0 (Aug 2006)= =media type="youtube" key="xHWTLA8WecI" height="344" width="425"= = = =Did You Know 2.0 (Jun 2007)= =media type="youtube" key="pMcfrLYDm2U" height="344" width="425"= = = =Did You Know 3.0 (Oct 2008)= =media type="youtube" key="jpEnFwiqdx8" height="344" width="425"= = = =Did You Know 4.0 (Sep 2009)= media type="youtube" key="6ILQrUrEWe8" height="340" width="560"

[] -teachers commenting on teaching methods.

[] interact with your students.

[] avoide the lecture.

[] teaching methods.

[] teacher vision about teaching methods.