Festival of Education’s Post

Do you feel seen in your PD? Do you feel heard? Or is it just more chart paper and sticky notes? In our professional development, we like to do the following things: 1) We like to go outside and explore our local context. This is how we derive our local phenomena. It's also difficult to find this in your boxed curriculum. 2) We like to research and explore the history of our school and district communities. We call this an ethnographic tour. Where do our young people eat, play, and be in community? This cultural capital is priceless. 3) We like to play! So much about science, CS, AI, and STEM is about joy and play. It is through joy that we can learn and create new brain pathways. 4) Finally, we connect our learning to society and the environment and of course, right back to our local context. CONNECT-CREATE-CULTIVATE All of this is in our upcoming book STEM for ALL. Have you preordered yet? Preorder link here! https://lnkd.in/gZQ2Fp3c

I am delighted to share our first paper in 2025 that uses asset-oriented perspective to explore teaching and learning of nature of science in linguistically diverse classrooms. We characterise two types of translanguaging spaces that are productive to students' learning of nature of science: NOS-inscription space and NOS-negotiation space. #translanguaging #natureofscience Link: https://lnkd.in/ebezUUfw

Starting an academic journey is much more than just gathering information; it's about sharpening your mind to think critically and understand the world in its myriad complexities. 🌍💡 Through academics, we don't just learn facts; we learn how to question, analyze, and see the bigger picture. This journey equips us with the tools to tackle real-world problems, innovate, and drive change. So, let's celebrate academics not just for the knowledge it imparts but for the thinkers it shapes. Together, we're navigating the complexities of the world, one critical thought at a time. #AcademicJourney #CriticalThinking #LifelongLearning

Did you catch our big collaboration with Teach Like a Champion and Doug Lemov? Teaching Unpacked is designed to help refine your teaching by bridging the gap between Cognitive Science research and practical teaching strategies. Have a look for yourself here: https://lnkd.in/dcZ6qEEc

Can academic integrity exist with artificial intelligence? The answer might surprise you! Senior Manager of Academic Integrity Anna Beard shares key aspects to consider as you prepare for the 2024-25 school year: https://bit.ly/3zoUb9S

Good Day Colleagues, I am going through our books for content to share on our 30 day FREE Executive Function Festival on Instagram, and I came across this quote from our 2016 book, 70 Play Activities. "I believe that two precursors to learning and behavioral change that will be further studied in the near future are rhythm and timing. While we often begin the discussion of reading with phonics and the conversation regarding numeracy with symbol-quantity match, I have seen in hundreds of children that when we begin teaching self-regulation, cognitive control, behavioral intention, reading and math with predictable and consistent motor rhythm and timing, the children’s abilities to execute higher order behavioral and academic tasks, improve exponentially. Why is this? Because motor rhythm and timing are precursors to behavioral and academic learning.  Further, patterning which is a central element of learning, coincides with tempo, rhythm, and timing in both reading and math." At the time, I was basing my viewpoint on what I saw clinically. Now, there are many studies on rhythm, timing, and tempo in learning. We need to tap, step, stomp, drum, and move rhythmically a lot more with our students in school. If this topic interests you, a few scientists to read include: Reyna Gordon, Usha Goswami, Kate Williams, Assal Habibi, Alex Doman, Anna Fiveash, Nina Kraus, Fleur Bouwer, Adam Tierney, and Michael Thaut. Feel free to respond with the names of other researchers in rhythm, language, and cognition as well.

🚀 Unlocking the Power of Self-Learning in Science 🚀 In a rapidly evolving world, the ability to learn independently is more important than ever, especially in science. Our latest blog dives into practical strategies to help children take charge of their education. From sparking curiosity to engaging in hands-on experiments, discover how to empower young learners to explore and understand scientific concepts on their own. Curious to learn more? Check out our blog for actionable tips on fostering a love for science and building lifelong learning skills. 🌟🔍 #Science #Curiosity #LIYKits #Education #SelfLearning #STEM #EmpoweringStudents #InnovationInEducation #Experientiallearning #ScienceExperiments https://lnkd.in/gzm4v8iv

The Summer 2024 Synthesis is here! Synthesis is a student-produced magazine that tells stories of graduates, students, and faculty of the Anderson University College of Arts and Sciences making an impact. In this year's edition, you'll read about how Psychology Professor Patty Slaughter is helping students be their best selves and to know their God-given purpose in life. Read about how an app developed by Professor of Communication James Duncan to track chapel attendance has become widely adopted in the higher education world—and not just for chapels. To read more information and to download the Synthesis, follow the link in our bio. #GreatAcademics

‘With textbooks in retreat, the ascendant instructional format is the document-based lesson, increasingly referred to as an “inquiry task” or simply “an inquiry” in social studies circles.’ This quote, from page 98 of the recent American Historical Association (AHA) report on secondary US History teaching, clearly lays out the intersection of two significant trends in secondary history education: 1️⃣ The receding importance of the textbook in the history classroom 2️⃣ The near-universal support for inquiry-based learning practices among those who study effective history pedagogy, as underscored later on the page, “Professional networks put inquiry at the center of their descriptions of best practices.” Kindred K-12 helps teachers and districts get inquiry-based teaching methods into social studies classrooms, helping more students build the critical reading, analysis, and evidence-based communication skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century. Follow our page to stay informed about the intersection between social studies pedagogy and AI!

In education, simply saying “this is important” often falls short. Instead, effective teaching relies on using subtle clues and signals that highlight importance. This approach taps into cognitive science principles, guiding students to recognize and prioritize key concepts on their own. When we provide clear, contextual cues we engage students more deeply and enhance their ability to retain and apply crucial information. Explore how cognitive science can transform your educational strategies. Learn more about our programs here: https://lnkd.in/dbhxM4eA #EffectiveTeaching #CognitiveScience #EngagedLearning #EducationInnovation