Educators at all levels want their students to develop habits of self-directed learning and critical problem-solving skills that encourage ownership and growth. In The Learner-Directed Classroom, practicing art educators (PreK–16) offer both a comprehensive framework for understanding student-directed learning and concrete pedagogical strategies to implement student-direct learning activities in school. In addition, research-based assessment strategies provide educators with evidence of student mastery and achievement. Teachers who structure self-directed learning activities can facilitate effective differentiation as students engage in the curriculum at their level. This book provides evidence-based, practical examples of how to transform the classroom into a creative and highly focused learning environment. Book Features: Guidance for implementing a learner-directed program, including advocacy, management, differentiated instruction, and resources.Attention to the needs of specific groups of students, including preadolescents, gifted and talented learners, boys, and those with learning differences.Insights into reflective practice and strategies for assessment of learning. Contributors: Catherine Adelman, Marvin Bartel, Katherine Douglas, Ellyn Gaspardi, Clyde Gaw, Lois Hetland, Pauline Joseph, Tannis Longmore, Linda Papanicolaou, Cameron Sesto, George Szekely, Ilona Szekely, Dale Zalmstra “In the present standards-based learning environment, this book is a welcome addition because it presents an alternative pedagogy that puts learners’ needs and interests at the core. Experienced and novice art teachers at all levels who read this book will be motivated to teach in open-ended environments where their choices can make a difference in their students’ lives.” —Enid Zimmerman, Professor Emerita of Art Education and High Ability Programs, Indiana University “From the comfortable couch of the foreword to the exhortative poem at the book’s conclusion, the reader journeys through remarkable classrooms with insightful educators. Practical AND inspirational, the educational principles and points so deftly illustrated herein apply across the disciplines and age spans. An important read for all teachers. A timeless and necessary pedagogy for all classrooms.” —Jacqueline Grennon Brooks, Professor, School of Education, Hofstra University “It is easy to proclaim creativity important and criticize current practices and then offer no actual solutions. This volume is filled with practical tips and hands-on advice aimed at improving self-directed student learning. Any classroom teacher interested in helping students learn, discover, and create will want to read and reread this book.” —James C. Kaufman, Professor of Psychology, California State University, San Bernardino, and Editor, International Journal of Creativity and Problem Solving “Here at last is a meaningful, practical, and hands-on textbook giving guidance to the classroom teacher about beginning or enriching a choice-based program for students, rather than the traditional regimented art curricula meant to please adults. I highly recommend this book to all who are involved in pedagogy, including parents” —Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Artist Diane B. Jaquith is a K–5 art teacher in Newton, MA and a co-founder of Teaching for Artistic Behavior, Inc., a choice-based art education advocacy organization. She is the co-author of Engaging Learners Through Artmaking: Choice-Based Art Education in the Classroom. Nan E. Hathaway is a middle school art teacher in Duxbury, Vermont. She is a gifted education specialist and is on the board of directors for Teaching for Artistic Behavior, Inc.

Publisher description

What does student-centered learning look like in real-life classrooms? In this collection, educator Bill Nave and nine award-winning K-12 teachers tell the story of how and why they changed their teaching and redesigned their classrooms in order to "reach every child." Student-Centered Learning argues that it is possible for all teachers--no matter what setting they teach in--to become extraordinary and for students to develop and realize their own unique personal goals. "The teachers who speak from these pages bring the reader into the kinds of classrooms we hope to create for all students. They show that student-centered practice requires deep knowledge of the subject to be taught, a repertoire of instructional approaches, the ability to respond when one approach is not working, and the trust of their students. Student-Centered Learning is an inspiration and celebration of good practice." --Sharon P. Robinson, president and CEO, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education "Student-Centered Learning offers inspiring and practical ideas for redesigning instruction that puts the needs and interests of students first. Written by exemplary teachers who share their struggles and joys in creating student-centered classrooms, it is a must-read for all people preparing to teach, and for experienced teachers who are looking for a way to revitalize their practice and motivate students." --Therese A. Dozier, director, Center for Teacher Leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Education "Student-Centered Learning is a deeply needed and timely work that takes us inside the classrooms of outstanding teachers. These educators share insightful strategies for making learning focused on individual needs. This book should be essential reading for every beginning educator, educator preparer, and educators seeking to grow their practice." --Katherine Bassett, executive director and CEO, National Network of State Teachers of the Year, and New Jersey State Teacher of the Year 2000 Bill Nave is a program evaluation and research consultant based in Maine. From 1968 to 1993, he taught sixth through twelfth grade science to students in New York and Maine and created programs for at-risk students and high school dropouts. He was selected as Maine's 1990 Teacher of the Year, and was a finalist for National Teacher of the Year.

The authors who introduced the concepts of Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) and choice-based art education have completely revised and updated their original, groundbreaking bestseller that was designed to facilitate independent learning and support student choices in subject matter and media. More than ever before, teachers are held accountable for student growth and this new edition offers updated recommendations for assessments at multiple levels, the latest strategies and structures for effective instruction, and new resources and helpful tips that provide multiple perspectives and entry points for readers. The Second Edition of Engaging Learners Through Artmaking will support those who are new to choice-based authentic art education, as well as experienced teachers looking to go deeper with this curriculum. This dynamic, user-friendly resource includes sample lesson plans and demonstrations, assessment criteria, curricular mapping, room planning, photos of classroom set-ups, media exploration, and many other concrete and open-ended strategies for implementing TAB in kindergarten–grade 8. Book Features: Introduces artistic behaviors that sustain engagement, such as problem finding, innovation, play, representation, collaboration, and more. Provides instructional modes for differentiation, including whole-group, small-group, individual, and peer coaching. Offers management strategies for choice-based learning environments, structuring time, design of studio centers, and exhibition. Illustrates shifts in control from teacher-directed to learner-directed, examining the concept of quality in children’s artwork. Highlights artist statements by children identifying personal relevancy, discovery learning, and reflection.

In this much needed resource, Maryellen Weimer-one of the nation's most highly regarded authorities on effective college teaching-offers a comprehensive work on the topic of learner-centered teaching in the college and university classroom. As the author explains, learner-centered teaching focuses attention on what the student is learning, how the student is learning, the conditions under which the student is learning, whether the student is retaining and applying the learning, and how current learning positions the student for future learning. To help educators accomplish the goals of learner-centered teaching, this important book presents the meaning, practice, and ramifications of the learner-centered approach, and how this approach transforms the college classroom environment. Learner-Centered Teaching shows how to tie teaching and curriculum to the process and objectives of learning rather than to the content delivery alone.

The widely used STEM education book, updated Teaching and Learning STEM: A Practical Guide covers teaching and learning issues unique to teaching in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. Secondary and postsecondary instructors in STEM areas need to master specific skills, such as teaching problem-solving, which are not regularly addressed in other teaching and learning books. This book fills the gap, addressing, topics like learning objectives, course design, choosing a text, effective instruction, active learning, teaching with technology, and assessment—all from a STEM perspective. You’ll also gain the knowledge to implement learner-centered instruction, which has been shown to improve learning outcomes across disciplines. For this edition, chapters have been updated to reflect recent cognitive science and empirical educational research findings that inform STEM pedagogy. You’ll also find a new section on actively engaging students in synchronous and asynchronous online courses, and content has been substantially revised to reflect recent developments in instructional technology and online course development and delivery. Plan and deliver lessons that actively engage students—in person or online Assess students’ progress and help ensure retention of all concepts learned Help students develop skills in problem-solving, self-directed learning, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication Meet the learning needs of STEM students with diverse backgrounds and identities The strategies presented in Teaching and Learning STEM don’t require revolutionary time-intensive changes in your teaching, but rather a gradual integration of traditional and new methods. The result will be a marked improvement in your teaching and your students’ learning.

Grit. Determination. Mindset. Self-control. All these terms are attributes of self-regulated learning, which is the ability to manage impulses, stay focused on tasks through completion, and develop a sense of autonomy in learning to achieve academic success. In Self-Regulation in the Classroom, Richard M. Cash translates research and theory into easy-to-implement strategies and ideas you can use to help students—with special needs and without—become self-directed learners, including ways for them to: increase their engagement in learning boost their confidence avoid meaningless distraction develop effective study habits set and achieve goals use failure as a learning tool reflect and relax A foundation for promoting positive behavior and executive function skills, this book can help you meet the needs of all your learners and help them reach their potential in the classroom and in the real world. The teacher and student forms, charts, and lists in the book are downloadable for use in your classroom. Also available is a free study guide to be used in PLCs and book study groups. (more...)

This volume focuses on assessing students' abilities as self-directed learners. The authors use 'triangulation' to ensure that the assessment system is balanced and complete.

The Learner-Centered Music Classroom: Models and Possibilities is a resource for practicing music teachers, providing them with practical ideas and lesson plans for implementing learner-centered pedagogical concepts into their music classrooms. The purpose of this book is to propose a variety of learner-centered models for music teaching and learning through the use of a variety of autoethnographic viewpoints. Nine contributors provide working and concrete examples of learner-centered models from their classrooms. Offering lesson plan ideas in each of these areas, the contributors provide practical approaches for implementation of learner-centered approaches in music instruction across a variety of landscapes. Learner-centered teaching provides an approach to music education that encourages social, interactive, culturally responsive, creative, peer-based, open-formed, facilitated and democratic learning. Chapter 1 defines the what, why, and perceived benefits of learner-centered approaches in music teaching and learning contexts Chapters 2-10 will include example lesson plans, rubrics, etc. as models for teachers. The contributors to this book suggest that learner-centered approaches, when embedded into the culture and curricular framework of a music classroom, offer exciting approaches for teaching music in ways that are culturally and educationally appropriate in contemporary education.

Learn what a flipped classroom is and why it works, and get the information you need to flip a classroom. You’ll also learn the flipped mastery model, where students learn at their own pace, furthering opportunities for personalized education. This simple concept is easily replicable in any classroom, doesn’t cost much to implement, and helps foster self-directed learning. Once you flip, you won’t want to go back!