Differentiated Instruction

This site is a webquest on Differentiated Instruction. It includes some theory, some how-to, some linkage to multiple intelligences and even some sample lessons for "layered learning". I believe there is something for everyone here.
http://www.montvilleschools.org/pp%20presentations/DIquest.html

Multiple Intelligences

When we talk about teaching to kids in the ways in which they learn best, multiple intelligences is on direction from which we can address the issue. I began from the earlier video I posted on the topic and then began looking to see what else was out there. The following sites not only offer information and background on the theory of multiple intelligences, but some offer surveys for students (and teachers) to explore their own intelligences and discover the ways in which they learn best. Check them out:
Information on Multiple Intelligences
http://www.chaminade.org/INSPIRE/learnstl.htm
http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm#Learning%20Styles%20Explained
http://www.ldrc.ca/projects/miinventory/miinventory.php?eightstyles=1
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/mi/w1_interactive1.html
http://www.ion.illinois.edu/resources/tutorials/id/learningStyles.asp
http://surfaquarium.com/Mi/inventory.htm

Internet Access for schools

I have become a recent convert to the expansion of Internet use in schools. It is an area I happily gave little thought to in recent years. I have considered myself relatively computer literate and have even used webct to complete a number of my Masters courses.
Recently I began helping others in a Masters program with a course on computer technology and curriculum. What an education! Through this experience I have learned that there is far more that I don't know than I do. Wikis, blogs, moodle, vocaroo, voiceover,movies, etc., etc., etc.
Several of the earlier posts to this site came from a growing understanding that we need to teach our students to live in their world by using the tools that exist in their world. They have a much larger horizon than we have ever had and they need to know how to make sense of it.
These short clips help break the ice when speaking to groups about the importance of using technology, but the issue always seems to be how do we do it and still protectour school systems, our ability to control students' environments and limit their access to undesirable choices.
What is our job? Do we protect kids from all possibilities or do we teach them about positive choices, options and ways to handle some of the hazardous stuff that come their way?
REspond please. I am looking for ways to put this into a proposal to open up school access to effective Internet use for teachers and students.

Parent Involvement

Here's an interesting, and by that i mean thought-provoking article on parental invovlement sent to me by one of my Principals. http://www.psu.edu/dept/jrre/articles/22-8.pdf
I'd like your thoughts on what the article is saying and how it pertains to our teaching practices.

New site to follow

I've just come from a presentation by Ian Jukes. He speaks eloquently about the future of education as it relates to the future of the world we live in. Change in the constant in our world and he puts it into perpective for us.
I would like to share his blog address with you> He reads, sorts and posts relevant educational publishings about the technological world we live in.
http://web.mac.com/iajukes/thecommittedsardine/BLOG/BLOG.html
Please enjoy.

What is it we need to do differently? What tools do we need? Have?

A Vision of K - 12 Students Today
“This project was created to inspire teachers to use technology in engaging ways to help students develop higher level thinking skills. Equally important, it serves to motivate district level leaders to provide teachers with the tools and training to do so.”
Are we providing students and teachers with the tools they need to learn and teach in the 21st Century?

“Every learning experience occurs within a context or an environment in which the learner interacts with the knowledge, content or problem.” Judith Boettcher (Ten Core Principles for Designing Effective Learning Environments: Insights from Brain Research and Pedagogical Theory)

Where do we as educators fit into this experience for our children?

Multiple Intelligences

It's time we learned more about how children learn and what that means for us as teachers.