Education
-
10 Student Engagement Strategies That Empower Learners – TeachThought
by Terry Heick Agreeing on how to best establish what a learner understands isn’t simple — if for no other reason then understanding itself isn’t simple. The difference between gamification and game-based learning is important: the former uses encouragement mechanics to promote engagement, while the latter uses video games as core sources of learning material or cognitive action) is one response. By…
Read More » -
Shifting Focus From Ideas To The Effects Of Those Ideas
by Terry Heick It’s not the thinking behind an idea that should bother us, but rather the effect of the idea. #edtech. Content-based academic standards. PLCs. Video streaming. Use of data. Mandates to be research-based in our behavior. Remote teaching. Differentiation. Social media in the classroom. None of these ideas are good or bad in and of themselves. They’re just…
Read More » -
What Is The Library Of Congress? – TeachThought
What Is The Library Of Congress? by TeachThought Staff The recent dismissal of Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, has brought renewed attention to the Library of Congress—but what exactly is the Library of Congress, and why does it matter? The Librarian of Congress leads the institution and is appointed to a 10-year term. Hayden, who held the…
Read More » -
How To Be More Creative
by TeachThought Staff According to a study published in the Thinking Skills and Creativity journal, students who regularly engage in creative tasks show statistically significant gains in problem-solving and reflective judgment (Beghetto & Kaufman, 2014). In other words, fostering creativity is not just about making school more fun—it cultivates the very thinking habits that support students as they grow. How…
Read More » -
Charlotte’s Web Overview
by TeachThought Staff Today’s product Pick Of The Day is a childhood classic on almost every self-respected reading list in the United States (and many beyond): Charlotte’s Web book by E.B. White. The following links are affiliate links–which have zero to do with recommending Charlotte’s Web or any other book or product we offer but it does dictate the websites…
Read More » -
Advocating For Critical Thinking Amid Social Tension – TeachThought
Standing for Critical Thinking and Progress by Terrell Heick At TeachThought, we have always focused on promoting critical thinking cross for use in ‘human’ applications–namely, people (i.e., education stakeholders) and places (i.e., communities). Our mission has been apolitical by design—centered on improving thought, education, and human potential without aligning with political ideologies or factions. However, recent events in the United…
Read More » -
4 Neurosystems Of Learning – TeachThought
by TeachThought Staff Understanding how the brain actually learns has been a a scientific challenge for millennia. Based on recent advances in neuroscience and its application to learning, there is an emerging model of how the brain learns and it is unlike anything that was expected. It is suggested that the brain does not have one learning system but rather…
Read More » -
Stages Of A Self-Directed Learning Model
by TeachThought Staff Self-Directed Learning is not a new concept, but it’s often misunderstood—especially in the context of K-12 classrooms. In a prior reflection, Terry Heick explored the relationship between self-directed learning and the true purpose of education: “The goal of the model isn’t content knowledge (though it should produce that), but rather something closer to wisdom—learning how to learn, understanding…
Read More » -
What Is Cognitive Dissonance? A Definition For Teaching – TeachThought
What Is Cognitive Dissonance? A Definition For Teaching Understanding Cognitive Dissonance: A Psychological Framework for Growth and Learning Human beings strive for consistency between their thoughts, beliefs, and actions. When an inconsistency arises—when beliefs and behaviors clash—it creates a sense of discomfort or tension known as cognitive dissonance. This concept, first introduced by psychologist Leon Festinger in 1957, provides…
Read More » -
30 Free MOOCs For Teachers & Students
A List Of Free MOOCs For Teachers & Students contributed by TeachThought Staff While the initial surge of enthusiasm for MOOCs in the early 2010s has tapered off, they remain a valuable and widely-used resource for lifelong learning, professional development, and academic enrichment. Let’s take a look at how and why that’s true. 1. Continued Demand for Flexible Learning MOOCs…
Read More »