Shift Your Classroom: Small Strategic Steps | Powerful Learning Practice

I’ve come to describe my shifted classroom as an inquiry-driven, project-based, tech-embedded environment. But that’s not where I started.For most of my teaching career, I’ve been a pretty traditional teacher even now I slip back into that mode sometimes. However, as I went through the motions of trying to “teach” my students, something didn’t feel right. My students seemed to learn things only for the exam, were focused on the mark, not the learning that was supposed to be taking place. When the unit or semester was over, they dumped all their notes and assignments. Frustrating.My shift to a student-centred classroom has been a roller coaster ride, but well worth the work and effort you can read about some of it here. For the most part, my students are engaged and have started to take responsibility for their education. We view knowledge as a process, not a product. I think the most valuable skill my students have acquired is the ability to learn, unlearn, and re-learn.  Given today’s constantly changing world, this is one of the most important things they’ll take with them when they graduate.Teachers who are interested in shifting their classrooms often don’t know where to start. It can be overwhelming, frightening, and even discouraging, especially when no one else around you seems to think the system is broken. The question I’ve been asked often throughout the past year is “Where should a teacher begin?”  I’ve reflected on  this a fair amount, and I think small strategic steps are the key.

via Shift Your Classroom: Small Strategic Steps | Powerful Learning Practice.