Are you keeping your students interested?

We, as teachers, must personalize learning for our students in way that make school more relevant and inspiring.  We need to allow students to choose their own paths through learning.  We must connect our expectations to students' interests as learners.


Are you using technologies and environments such as the social web and interactive games within your classroom?  If not, you need to consider integrating technology into your classroom.


“Between adaptive software that can present and assess mastery of content, video games and simulations that can engage kids on a different level, and mobile technologies and online environments that allow learning to happen on demand, we need to fundamentally rethink what we do in the classroom with kids”(Richardson, 2012).  


Are you using adaptive software that can present and assess mastery of content?  An example of adaptive software is the NWEA assessment tool which assesses students at all levels.  


Do your students have access to video games and simulations that can engage them on a different level?    Examples of these simulations include Compass Odyssey Learning and Study Island.  These are great websites, that engage students, as they are mining their way through content.  


Do your students have access to online environments that allow learning to happen on demand?  Your students are used to accessing information and getting feedback immediately through the Internet.  Do you have a class website including a blog?  Are your students utilizing Google Docs?  


“It’s just dumb (and lazy) of educators-not to mention ineffective-to presume that (despite their traditions) the Digital Immigrant way is the only way to teach, and that the Digital Natives’ language is not as capable as their own of encompassing any and every idea” (Prensky, 2001).