Week 3: Active Learning Strategies in the Middle School

    This week's reading (and video) focused on active learning. This is defined as when students are engaged in the learning process, and are not overly reliant on the teacher. The speaker featured in the TED Talk stated that the teacher takes the role of a guide, which allows them to interact with students at a more personal level. In order to help students actively engage in the curriculum, they need to have their intellectual, social, and physical needs met. The online article provided numerous examples as to how these were met in various content areas as opposed to what might be considered traditional, “teacher centered” learning. A final point stressed in both sources was that teachers should make an effort to show students that they care because that is what they will remember.

    I found the reading and video for this week to be very informative. I knew that something like active learning existed, but I was not aware that there was a specific term for it. It makes complete sense for an educator to try to meet these needs for students. The only one that I was not completely sure about before doing the reading was getting students physically engaged in a lesson, but after reading it actually seems relatively easy to implement. I came across a website working on the Padlet project that provided numerous strategies to get students moving in the classroom (definitely check it out if you have a moment!). I can definitely see myself using several of them in my future classroom. We actually did quite a bit of active learning in my middle school. One of the more memorable moments was when my seventh grade social studies teacher had us reenact a Civil War battle against another class (from the other team if you read my week #1 post). We each got a card stating what we were supposed to do - I died. It backfired in that it just became a game of dodgeball; in that sense, I guess it was not really purposeful. 

    I also really enjoyed the TED Talk. The idea of creating a “menu” of sorts that allows students to choose what they want to do while also meeting standards was interesting. While it does seem like it would be quite a bit of work initially, it seems like it would pay off in the long run, and I would seriously consider trying this in my future classroom. The speaker also made a great point about caring for students, even if it is as simple as greeting them individually when they walk into the classroom. We have talked frequently about how middle school students desire to be treated as individuals, and taking the time to show that you take an interest in them as people would help to meet that need.