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Tag: classroom

Sea of hands showing unity and teamwork
Student-Centered Learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

An Inside Look: Student-Centered Learning at Alpena Public Schools

In a previous blog post, we defined student-centered learning in a theoretical sense. In this blog post, we get a glimpse into what a student-centered classroom looks and feels like in practice. Alpena Public Schools high school English teacher Kris Copping shares how she works in partnership with her students to create a student-centered learning environment.

Vector of two human heads made of gears with light bulb shape inside. Innovation technology and new idea generation concept
Student-Centered Learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

Close Relatives: Student-Centered Learning and Blended Learning

As school leaders, we sometimes confuse the labels that we place on educational strategies and models. This happens frequently when we talk about “blended learning” and “student-centered learning,” two closely related terms with distinct meanings. In this article, the research team of Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute (MVLRI) discusses how student-centered learning relates to the ideas and promise of blended learning.

Students sitting on the ground with different colored pathways tracing their way to a lightbulb in the center
Student-Centered Learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

What Exactly IS Student-Centered Learning?

In education, we often talk about “student-centered learning,” but what does a student-centered learning environment actually look like? In this article, we define what student-centered learning really means and outline the common components of a truly student-centered learning model.

Podcasts
The Digital Backpack

Podcast: Engagement Hoopla

In this episode, Jeff and Erin chat with Emily Sicilia about engagement in the classroom. They explore how to define classroom engagement, and chat about Hoopla, an app Emily shares that has changed their reading lives!

3 men climbing a mountain. All three are helping eachother climb.
Podcasts
The Digital Backpack

Podcast: Power With, Not Power Over

In this episode, Jeff and Erin chat about the concept of “power with vs. power over” — inspired by a recent book study of Jim Knight’s High-Impact Instruction — and host a great interview with the always amazing Val Capel.

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Rebel U Shield
Podcasts
The Digital Backpack

Podcast: Live Episode @ Rebel U

In this episode, Jeff shares some audio from a recent teacher professional development session on podcasts, then Jeff and Erin chat about using classroom experience to shape professional learning.

Anchor in Sand
Podcasts
The Digital Backpack

Podcast: Anchors Away!

In this episode a podcast about … podcasts! Jeff and Erin discuss a cool tool for recording podcasts and how teachers might think about using podcasts in the classroom.

Child staring out a window in a classroom
Teaching
Andrea McKay

Innovation in Education

Students have access to more information in their pockets than ever before, yet they are often told to leave their phones in their lockers.

LEGO Stormtrooprs
Blended Learning
David Young

The Force Awakens Your Classroom

The blended learning team challenged their colleague, David Young (Instructional Design Manager at Michigan Virtual), to channel his excitement for the release of the new

Toy figure of Batgirl
Blended Learning
Kelli Hixon

The All Too Often Neglected Teacher Superpower

Throughout my childhood, I had teachers I connected with in a way I will never forget, while others have faded in my memories. What is the extra “something” those teachers possess? I think I’ve finally figured it out.

Playing Cards
Blended Learning
Jeff Gerlach

Teachers Trump Tools

We need to stop giving tools the credit for engaging our students and put the focus back on teachers.

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