70: Vygotsky and the Zone of Proximal Development Lev Vygotsky was a Russia psychologist who worked in the early part of the 20th century before he died at 38. Many educators who adopt methods that are commonly called constructivist ground their pedagogy in ideas he developed. One that is particularly useful in designing all curriculum Read More
Category: Teaching & Learning
Continuing to Think About Theory in Education
A theme that recurs in my blog and in my other writing is the importance of theory in education and educational planning. I maintain the position that theory is a vital part of teaching and learning and leadership because it helps us understand exactly what matters in what we do. We can focus on relevant Read More
Education as the “Recitation Script’
Ronald Gallimore and Roland Tharp (1992) educational psychologists who studied conditions in classrooms that influence learning, referred to this type of teaching as a recitation script and observed, “the predominant experience of American school children. Sitting silently, students read assigned texts, complete ‘ditto’ sheets, and take tests. On those rare occasions when they are encouraged Read More
#edtech and Teaching
Since computers arrived in schools, much of the professional development has been designed to show teachers how to use ICT and how to adopt that ICT into instruction (with the assumption that ICT would be a neutral aspect of the classroom). As the emerging educational paradigm shift is completed, the focus of professional development to Read More
Personalized Learning: Four Types
67: Four Types of Personalized Learning Educators hear “personalized learning” is almost every professional conversation, conference description, in-service training, graduate course, or other discussion of “the future of education.” I have long been a user of “personalized learning” in my classrooms including the course I teach for teachers, and I must admit being quite frustrated Read More
Technology Skills Books
Between 2009 and 2011, I led technology institutes at several schools. During these week-long sessions held in the summer, I worked with teachers to develop technology skills. In most cases, these were taught from the perspective of “a new starting line” as the teachers had become complacent with technology and several new tools (hardware, software, Read More
Review of 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times.
Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote several brief reviews of books which appeared on the Education Review web site. Since then, the editors ceased publication of that type of review and removed the previously published brief reviews from the site. I am making the original drafts of my reviews available here. Brief Review of Fadel, C., & Read More
How I Spent My Summer: Life Teaches a Teacher
Appropriate Proper Reasonable This essay appeared in the Journal of the New England League of Middle Schools in 2008. As that is no longer available, I am making it available here. Ackerman, G. (2008). How I spent My summer: Life teaches a teacher. Journal of the New England League of Middle Schools, 19(1), 5-7. My summer Read More
On Creativity
I am rereading much of my library to make decisions about which books to keep and which need to find another home before I move again. Several titles on my shelves focus on creativity. This refers, of course, to that aspect of human cognition that allows new ideas to be created. In Nancy Anreasen’s 2005 Read More
Types of Eduction
Educational theory has been marked by a steady progression of ideas: Instructionism posited knowledge could be transferred from outside a learner’s brain into it, and one stored there, it was available for use to solved problems and build new knowledge. Constructivism posited social interaction led learners to build new knowledge inside his or her brain. Read More