Teaching

Faculty of 1000 Biology is the next generation online literature awareness tool that highlights and reviews the most interesting papers published in the biological sciences, based on recommendations of over 2300 selected leading researchers. It is run by scientists for scientists and provides a rapidly updated consensus map of the important papers and trends across biology. A must-monitor reference for PreK12 teachers seeking...

Direct Instruction (DI) is the dirty little secret of the educational establishment. This method ... is the opposite of the favored methods of today's high-paid education gurus, and contradicts the popular theories that are taught to new teachers in our universities. Direct Instruction ... (has been demonstrated) in the largest educational study ever ... and continues to bring remarkable success at low cost when...

The physics department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technolkogy has replaced large introductory lectures with smaller classes that emphasize hands-on, interactive, collaborative learning. Attendance is up and the failure rate has dropped by more than 50 percent.Also, students taking the two introductory courses in classical mechanics and electromagnetism meet in high-tech classrooms, where about 80 students sit at 13 round tables equipped with networked...

If teachers use some of the same procedures that technical support services provide callers, would teachers help students increase learning rates more? I asked this question in 2006. I think now the answer is a qualified, "Yes." Writing about NESI and a learning efficiency analysis paradigm have helped to continue supporting that answer. Writing and reading educator and our advocates blogs also helped me...

"Well, there’s no question about it; kids today get their information electronically. As the Governor was walking in, every student out there had a cell phone out, and they were taking pictures, they were taking videos. Those devices are part of what life is like for a student in today’s world. A textbook right now is simply one part, its one element in...

This eighth conversation with Dr. W.E. Doynit extends descriptions of how to accelerate learning dramatically by increasing learning efficiency rates with and without Tablet and other mobile PCs. Topics: More responses to Robert Reed’s comments about lack of teacher willingness to accept NESI (see NESI Conversation 2: Doynit on School Reform); teachers; teaching to accelerate learning promptly; a case for NESI; conflicts of interest;...

A whitepaper from a Thai teacher called Parichat Pasatcha from Uthaiwittayakhom School reviews how teachers use Microsoft Multipoint and other Computer-Assisted Learning Technologies to enhance learning capabilities. The paper outlines a way to task students with selecting their own favourite subject, and then helping them develop at least one lesson, based on the Basic Education Curriculum. Not only does this develop their own project...

"And then - still smiling - he talked to us about physics, his diagrams and equations helping us to share his understanding. It was no secret joke that brought the smile and the sparkle in his eye, it was physics. The joy of physics! The joy was contagious. We are fortunate who caught that infection." Albert R. Hibbs, Senior Member of the Technical...

This eighth conversation with Dr. W.E. Doynit extends descriptions of how to accelerate learning dramatically by increasing learning efficiency rates with and without Tablet and other mobile PCs. Topics: More responses to Robert Reed’s comments about lack of teacher willingness to accept NESI (see NESI Conversation 2: Doynit on School Reform); teachers; teaching to accelerate learning promptly; a case for NESI; conflicts of interest;...

Donna Pahl (Wilkinson)* reviews the checklist she uses as a classroom teacher at a Normsville, Illinois public school. Her classroom activities inspired the term Decisive Teacher. She uses what she calls “The Pass It Forward” strategy. “I keep and review my notes of what worked and didn’t work as preparation for the next time I present that lesson. I keep my list on my...