If you’ve ever taken a statistics course, you’ve been warned about these. Outliers can throw your data off. If you’ve ever looked at a bell curve, you’ve seen a graphical representation of these – data points at either of the far ends of the scale. If you’ve ever read Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers, you’ve read…
via Daily Prompt: Measure Having students who work hard and do well in school, I always bought into the premise that grades measure learning. With years of experience in education, and the advent of digital grading systems, where every little grade book entry can be seen 24/7, now I am not so sure. Lately, I…
Are you a teacher? If so, are you involved in professional learning communities (PLCs)? What are some of the characteristics of PLC’s you attend? What is the feel? Do you go in with a feeling of resentment? Or, do you go with an open mind ready to learn from your peers – those that teach…
On a trip to our public library a few years ago, one of the librarians commented to me when I checked out that she likes to look at the books I have been reading because I make such “interesting” choices! I took it as a compliment, but also thought it was a little odd. I…
I just got through writing an online response to a discussion question for a graduate course I am taking on the Models of Teaching and Learning. It was on developing self-concepts through orientations towards the environment. Basically, the chapter in the text explored students becoming self-actualized or exhibiting high states of growth through surveying…
It is not a popular topic in education today, arguably it probably was not ever given attention by the demands of the masses. But, gifted and talented education (GATE) or talented and gifted programs (TAG) address the learning needs of the students at the other end of the spectrum. The educational spectrum. At one end…
I’ve been thinking a lot about connecting with students lately. Part of the reason for doing so is that I am taking a graduate course on the Models of Teaching and Learning. The text for this course is set up in “families” of models and has been informative. Believe it or not, many of the…
After the success of yesterday’s travel photo journal, I am reluctant to digress to a more serious topic. However, my writing needs to have a purpose to inform as well as entertain, so I will persist with what some might feel are uncomfortable topics. Upon returning to school this fall, my two high schoolers were…
In the course of this week of first time blogging, I have realized something. It is not going to be easy to write about the subjects that I truly want to write about. Although I have enjoyed writing my posts, something is lacking. It finally dawned on me that the something missing is the risk…