Why is Peer Feedback Fundamental to Education?

We all know the value of collaboration in helping students to learn and develop, but how important is peer-to-peer feedback? Teacher of 16 years and co-director of AusMinds, Tammie Meehan, aims to educate communities about the value of developing a growth mindset in our children, through the art of peer feedback. “It’s about revisiting the notion that “it takes a village to raise a child”, she says. “Our school understands the importance of giving our students a voice, allowing them to do the talking, not listening to the teacher talking constantly. Peer-to-peer feedback gives students the opportunity to learn collaboration…
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5 Ways to Create a Learning Environment Without Limits

What do you think of when you hear the term ‘learning environment’? Most of us think of school, or the typical classroom, seeing learning as a scheduled activity restricted to buildings and rooms dedicated to the practice. But what if we saw it differently? Better yet, what if students saw it differently? Many are now beginning to see learning in a different light, creating learning environments without limits that inspire students to learn the way they want, using it as a means of discovery and self-education. Limitless learning environments make it possible to learn anywhere, at any time, and any…
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Teacher’s Toolkit: 10 Survival Tips for Testing Season

For many, April marks the beginning of pollen-related allergies, longer days, and less layers. For educators, it means standardized testing season is upon us. With administration piling high, and pressure steadily mounting, preparations for state tests are in full swing across the country. To help educators keep a cool head and focus on what really matters during this hectic rush to the finish line, we’ve gathered a few of our top tips: #1. See the Bigger Picture Despite the many shortcomings of standardized tests, the focus of testing season should be on the value of assessment, above all. By continuously…
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Why Educators are the Driving Force of Change in Education

Education technology is a fast-paced industry, continuously evolving to meet the challenges of 21st century education. Every now and again, a concept comes to light that claims to ‘revolutionize’ or ‘transform’ education as we know it. Over the years, as a result of these recurring promises that often fail to deliver, we’ve become cynical of far-reaching statements offering an alternative to our familiar ‘one size fits all’ approach to education. But regardless of the innovation that technology puts forward, as Sir Ken Robinson states, “teaching is a creative profession”, and one that requires an innovative mindset that will “mentor, stimulate,…
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How to Motivate Students to Become Self-Educators

“I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” – Albert Einstein When Einstein first made this statement, many questioned his logic. With educators viewed simply as ‘teachers’, there to offload information and provide answers as they’re needed; teachers taught, students listened. But providing students with the answers and encouraging them to learn is no longer enough. With technology’s ever-growing influence, 21st century students now have every answer they need, when they need it. So what’s the role of the educator? Rather, as Einstein aptly points out, educators are not there to…
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How to Move the Conversation from Grades to Learning

“We need to shift the focus from grades to learning.” This is a big statement to make, full of complex notions and far-reaching ideals. We live in a world where test scores determine the end goal for most schools and universities, making it close to impossible for us to imagine an alternative, but despite our rigid system, the conversation is moving. There’s talk of skills, mastery, innovation, technology, collaboration, connectivity, personalization… So how do we stop talking and start doing? There are simple ways for educators and parents to teach students the real value of learning, away from the pressures…
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No Child Left Behind: From Standardization to Personalization

Facilitating a move away from grades and towards better learning is no easy feat. Educators are attempting to make the ambitious move through the use of technology, forming innovative movements that focus on accelerating student learning, and exposing the flaws of standardized testing. Rooted in the efforts of such teachers are the technology providers focused on personalizing the learning experience for every student. Adaptive systems like Fishtree are combining efforts with connected educators, focusing on a similar goal that foresees a shift from standardization to personalization. 1. From Regurgitation to Mastery High-stakes testing generally promotes memorization and regurgitation as an…
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Why We Need a Student-Centered Education System

“Student-centered education” has been a trending topic for some time now. With an emphasis on promoting and enhancing student voice, choice and control, technology is helping to create student-centered learning environments focused on preparing students for modern day life and careers. Growing movements like BYOD, flipped and blended learning are highlighting the importance of student-centered learning, accentuating the need for student-driven methods, and self-paced environments. So why should our education system take any notice? The Nellie Mae Education Foundation defines student-centered learning as revolving around four main components where: Learning is Personalized Learning is Competency-Based Learning Happens Anytime, Anywhere Learning…
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What Every BYOD Classroom Needs to Succeed

So you want to convert your classroom to a student-centered learning environment? By making this decision, you’ve recognized the need to deliver more diverse and inclusive instruction that better reflects the needs of 21st century learners. Beginning with the shift to mobile learning, we’re moving steadily into student-centered education where technology plays a key role, and where there’s more student voice and choice than ever before. But what’s slowing us down? It’s the “what next” that often urges you to lose sight of your initial motivation to change, which begins with choosing what technology to use. One recurring question when…
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You’re Missing the Point! How to Respond to Struggling Students

We all struggle from time to time, but the danger that presents itself when a student continues to fall behind without the right support is a widespread concern, with good reason. According to a study by the national testing group, ACT, even within high-performing, wealthy schools, students who fall far behind academically in 4th and 8th grade have less than a ‘one in three’ chance of being ready for college or a career by the end of high school. A similar study carried out by the American Educational Research Association on how low reading skills affect graduation rates reveals that…
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