Tuesday, 28 January 2020

Ideas for Teachers Set 4


Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner
Howard Gardner introduced the theory of multiple intelligences in his book Frames of Mind in the year 1983. He developed his theory though his intensive work as neurologist. According to Gardner, intelligence refers to the ability to solve problems and create solutions. He believed that they were eight way of knowing. In 2009, Gardner included existential intelligence as the ninth intelligence. Since individuals learn, apply and represent knowledge in different ways, Gardner opined that a teacher should use different methodologies to teach a subject.


Gamification of education
Gamification of education is a way of using game based elements in classrooms to increase engagement, interest and promote learning. It can be using video games for learning or just aspects of games such as giving rewards, dividing the content into levels, giving students choices in various paths they can take (just like in video games) in terms of choosing type of assignment they want to do, team playing activities in class which will also gain points, etc.
There can also be themes given to your classroom and roles/avatars to each student which creates an alternative reality for students to indulge in- eg. "Pirates exploring the sea of knowledge" or "Harry Potter themed classes with activities related to learning". It is all customisable according to the resources that are available with you.
Links for further study and an example of implementation are available below-
https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/educational-technologies/all/gamification-and-game-based-learning

Mindsets and role of teachers
Mindsets are perceptions about one’s intelligence and when students believe they can mould their intelligence or abilities, they put  more effort which leads to better achievement. As teachers, how we can mould their mindsets, by educating them about the neuroplasticity of the brain is very relevant. As an educator, our mindset also affects the student’s learning and the mindsets we instil in them. Dr.Carol Dweck has done extensive research in this area and the link below throws more light on it.

Building Positive Classrooms and Student Character
Area of Interest: Understanding the influence of CLASSROOM ATMOSPHERE on students and their overall learning has always fascinated me. While pursuing a certificate course on Building Positive Classrooms and Character Strengths on “Coursera”, we were asked to take a survey to identify our Character Strength Profile and also rank the character strengths we would wish for our students to have. Having an idea of our character strengths can enable us to be more productive in our work, satisfied in our endeavours and passionate towards our field of interests.
SOURCE:

Link: https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths

The VIA (Value in Action) Institute on Character has designed a survey questionnaire to identify an individual’s character strength profile. This study on Character Strengths which is conducted by the VIA states that “Every individual has all the 24-character strengths in varied degrees, giving each person a unique character profile. Individual Character strength profiles can be discovered by taking the scientifically tested VIA survey.
Link: https://www.viacharacter.org/about

The VIA (Value in Action) Institute on Character (based in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a non-profit organization that works towards bringing the science of character strengths to the world. It creates courses, surveys and resources for professionals that helps them build their character strengths. Their mission statement says it all -
“The VIA Institute on Character helps people change their lives by tapping into the power of their own greatest strengths.”

Discovery Learning
                The teacher plays roll of facilitator in this method. Discovery Learning makes the students independent learner with the challenge of finding solution to the problem using critical rational skill. I would like to share few method to implement in the classroom and I believe it works if you are interested give a try to carry this activity in your classroom. 1.warm up exercises to create mood of learning in the student. 2. Twenty question is excellent warm up activity - this activity like the riddle game where students figure the answer by asking question to teacher only yes/no question. 3. Public interview to the student with topic in the class. 4. Incomplete sentence provided to complete individuals or group Ex: The one thing that I want accomplish.... 4. Class meeting among teacher and the student. 5. The teacher could call randomly any student to answer then follows chain method to get different answers.

All for sport-sports for all

School a place, a home for development, creativity, knowledge and power. A place where pupils come together to learn, play and live together.
Decathlon a sports brand that manufacturers sports wear, clothes and equipment for the development of sports and sportsmenship in people.
It's main aim is to make sports sustainably available to many.
It's goal by 2030 is to connect, inspire, explore, co-writing, live everyday.
There are a lot of inspirational videos made but this one touched me the most. 'It's about a group of students in Africa, wanting to play football they never could purchase a football. As a part of exploring, decathlon identified the interest of students and have made the products at an affordable price and have encouraged students to play what they love'.
Decathlon has conducts events and progress in schools to encourage and motivate students. Decathlon is a home and it is where it has always wanted to be. Decathlon also looks towards the nature, the environment to make it safe and preserve the world for the coming youth.
Decathlon is a dream come true to make sports for all.

Links:
https://www.decathlonvision2030.com
https://youtu.be/LwfBo-iuxQE

Sustainable School

In today's world the need of the hour is to meet the goals of sustainable development and here is a school called  Green School in Bali modelling to all on how these goals can be achieved. Some of their initiatives are using solar energy and it is the only school in the world to use micro hydro power as their energy sources. They also have implemented a challenging initiative of having dry pit toilets where they compost human waste. The students are exposed to sustainability where the young minds have come up with ideas like seeing their country free from plastic bags and school bus running on bio fuel for transportation. In this way the school and the students together work towards sustainability where the students are given a sense of civic responsibility alongside creating love for nature.


Individualised Education Plan (IEP)
In times where parents expect the best guidance and coaching for their wards from schools, IEPs are a great way to reach out to students with special needs. When we talk about inclusion in a school setting parents and other care givers play equally important roles in designing learning outcomes for students. IEP s are plans that are constructed in collaboration with parents who are very much aware of their child's specific needs and can contribute immensely in the learning process. Like a knowledge base is essential to build on for  complex topics, similarly IEP s also require inputs from parents regarding the existing skills of students and individual outcomes that need to be met after the plan is implemented.
Stages in developing an IEP are:
Gathering and sharing information
Setting direction
Developing and writing the IEP
Implementing and reviewing the IEP


The following link contains an anatomy of an IEP:

Role of School Counsellors
Earlier in my school days, we did not have a counsellor as such. Teachers would solve problems if there were any. But nowadays it has become the need of the hour to have counsellors in schools or any educational institutions. This is because of the various problems and issues that have increased among the students. It could be due to various reasons such as conflicts among friends, relationship problems, conflict with parents and so on. The duties of a counsellor does not limit to just solving problems.  The counsellor  helps the students identify their problems and help them work towards coming out of it. The counsellor also helps in reinforcing the students with a positive outlook and also give them career guidance and help them achieve greater academic excellence. The counsellor along with the teachers and parents help the students to bring out the best and help them utilize their potential and become more systematic in life so as to become well adjusted and productive individuals in the community.


Brain-based learning
Brain-based learning is a new perspective in teaching and learning which is based on the usage of technology and knowledge of the brain and is functions in order to get the maximum outcome from the student in educational institutions. In this theory,it unites knowledge of neuroscience,psychology and education with the objective to optimize the teaching and learning process.

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