Why is the way we are teaching today not working, and what are the main reasons it must be changed? Teaching today is not working because like everything else in our world, it is an outcome-oriented, not process-oriented, endeavor. Standardized tests are only the symptoms, not the root causes. As long as the goal ofContinue reading “Chapter 10: Why is Teaching not Working?”
Author Archives: Pat W
Play and Direct Learning
As an early childhood educator, my mom collects all sorts of books devoted to childhood development. When I told her she was going to be a grandmother, she dug through her library to pass on a few choice titles. One book was Play With a Purpose by Dr. Dorothy Einon. It must have been aContinue reading “Play and Direct Learning”
Chapter 9: Global Citizenship
How do the roles and responsibilities of being a global digital citizen affect our decisions locally, nationally, and internationally? Digital citizenship has the paradoxical effect of allowing people to show their true selves to the world at the same time it provides many incentives for people to lie. Truthfully, as a digital citizen, you shouldContinue reading “Chapter 9: Global Citizenship”
Spot It! Adjectives
Spot It!, also known as Dobble, is a matching game where players look at two circular cards and need to identify which object is on both cards. Each card shares exactly one object with every other card. The game comes in a variety of themes to match the intended audience. Spot It! can help ELLContinue reading “Spot It! Adjectives”
Parallel (play) Intersections
Parallel play is a vital stage of toddler development. Emerging between two an three years, parallel play involves toddlers “playing alone, together.” When two children sit at the same table and build their own block towers, that’s parallel play. Children learn a lot from parallel play. While they aren’t directly communicating, they are stealing glancesContinue reading “Parallel (play) Intersections”
Freelancer at 20
I recently learned that March 2023 is the twentieth anniversary of Freelancer. Developed by Digital Anvil and published by Microsoft Game Studios, Freelancer never seemed to be as popular as I feel it deserves. I loved it back in college during the mid-2000s and still consider it one of my favorite games. In honor ofContinue reading “Freelancer at 20”
Chapter 8: Virtual Communication in the Classroom
What are some other ways global virtual communication can be used as a classroom tool for learning? Virtual communication in education massively exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were shut down and students were quarantined at home. During all this chaos, educators worked to stay on mission. I think the future of education will lookContinue reading “Chapter 8: Virtual Communication in the Classroom”
Why Board Games?
Games should always have a place in class. When students are having fun and feeling good, their affective filters lower, and they become more receptive to learning. However, not all games are created equally. There has been lots of research and handwringing over screen time, and I think educators are responsible for providing alternativesContinue reading “Why Board Games?”
Chapter 7: What is 21st-Century Literacy?
How would you define literacy in the 21st century? How would you define modern-day collaboration? Twenty-first literacy should be divided into public production literacy and private consumption literacy. Production literacy needs to understand how large masses of people use technology because messages need to be made to fit the audience. One example of this understandingContinue reading “Chapter 7: What is 21st-Century Literacy?”
Chapter 6: Creativity is Prohibited
How is the current educational process prohibiting creativity? How does standardized testing prohibit it? A teacher at my school has a little post-it note on his desk with the mantra “If you can’t measure it, it didn’t happen.” I respect him a lot and think he’s one of the best teachers in our school. ButContinue reading “Chapter 6: Creativity is Prohibited”
The Keasy Depot 