Students are engaged in real-life learning opportunities with the teacher serving as the facilitator. The environment is safe so students are willing to take risks. Students are offered choices and are producing meaningful products which are actively displayed with positive teacher commentary creating an affirming environment.
Students are engaging in a variety of different products. The work is design to accomodate each learning style. The lesson has a clear and meaningful focus.
There is no one specific WOW design. It can be implemented in a myriad of ways. Some common elements include engaged learners, a teacher who functions as a facilitator, not as a lecturer, and lessons designed with student learning styles, needs, and relevance in mind.
I would see at times students choosing their partners or choosing how they would present the material learned. I would see some of the other design qualities in teachers' lesson plans and as the students are completing their activities/experiences.
Students actively engaged in the current assignment. BUT, you have to ask the right questions to make sure they are engaged. A child may look engaged, but could really only be compliant and just doing the work so he/she won't get in trouble. You will also see the teacher as an extra resource and not lecturing.
When you walk in a WOW Classroom, you say, "WOW!!!" It's where YOU wish you had been taught...It's the teacher you want for your own children...it's where learning is meaningful and not just checked off of somebody's "to-do list".
In a school that has students engaged they will have constant activity, motion, questions, and yes noise, but it is the noise of learning. Those teachers that only want silence in a classroom will be left behind.
In a WOW school, I would expect to see teachers working together to create dynamic learning opportunites for their students. I would also expect to see students engaged in real-life learning situations/activities.
Students are engaged and given choice in their work. They take ownership of what they do and take pride in their work. The work is also authentic and often self-created. Student work with commentary is displayed.
I think Barbara, El, Jean, Lorrie, and Sharon K. hit the nail on the head. WOW is all about designing engaging, student-centered work. With the WOW framework, students should appear to be enjoying their work. They should be well-behaved, not because they feel they must be, but because they're so engaged that they're not even thinking about misbehaving. The teacher is present to guide student work and provide encouragement and feedback, but the students are responsible for their own learning and they are happy to take on that responsibility.
I would expect to see craziness:-)-in a good way. A lot of movement and commotion-where kids are communicating to each other what they are doing a why they are doing it.
Movement in the classroom; interaction among students and between teachers and students; student interacting with the task that has been designed for them; student work displayed inside and outside of the classroom; variety, student choice in the lessons and products are bring created; the teacher as the facilitator to guide learning instead of the primary source of knowledge
I should see total engagement on the part of students with the teacher involved through facilitating the work by answering the questions and encouraging the students to "think about the real world."
In a WOW school, I would expect to see learning that occurs outside the box. A WOW school, in my opinion, would look a lot like a Cornerstone school. It would have a safe environment, work with commentary, and a lot of student work displayed. I think the teacher would be seen more as a facilitator or director, instead of a know-all person with all the answers.
I would expect to see students engaged in meaningful work, minimal lectures and somewhat noisy classes since students would be engaged in group work. Students would also have input in the design of the work, among other things, but above all learning.
25 comments:
Students engaged and actively exploring and learning. Student work displayed. Teachers as a guide.
from Barbara, El, Jean, Lorrie, and Sharon K.
Students are engaged in real-life learning opportunities with the teacher serving as the facilitator. The environment is safe so students are willing to take risks. Students are offered choices and are producing meaningful products which are actively displayed with positive teacher commentary creating an affirming environment.
Students are engaging in a variety of different products. The work is design to accomodate each learning style. The lesson has a clear and meaningful focus.
From Shannon S. And Michele G. River Road
We would expect to see children involved in activities that are meaningful to them.
Engagement that is relevant to the real world.
There is no one specific WOW design. It can be implemented in a myriad of ways. Some common elements include engaged learners, a teacher who functions as a facilitator, not as a lecturer, and lessons designed with student learning styles, needs, and relevance in mind.
I would see at times students choosing their partners or choosing how they would present the material learned. I would see some of the other design qualities in teachers' lesson plans and as the students are completing their activities/experiences.
Students actively engaged in the current assignment. BUT, you have to ask the right questions to make sure they are engaged. A child may look engaged, but could really only be compliant and just doing the work so he/she won't get in trouble. You will also see the teacher as an extra resource and not lecturing.
When you walk in a WOW Classroom, you say, "WOW!!!" It's where YOU wish you had been taught...It's the teacher you want for your own children...it's where learning is meaningful and not just checked off of somebody's "to-do list".
In a school that has students engaged they will have constant activity, motion, questions, and yes noise, but it is the noise of learning. Those teachers that only want silence in a classroom will be left behind.
ENGAGED students, not busy students.
In a WOW school, I would expect to see teachers working together to create dynamic learning opportunites for their students. I would also expect to see students engaged in real-life learning situations/activities.
Students are engaged and given choice in their work. They take ownership of what they do and take pride in their work. The work is also authentic and often self-created. Student work with commentary is displayed.
Best Practices!
I think Barbara, El, Jean, Lorrie, and Sharon K. hit the nail on the head. WOW is all about designing engaging, student-centered work. With the WOW framework, students should appear to be enjoying their work. They should be well-behaved, not because they feel they must be, but because they're so engaged that they're not even thinking about misbehaving. The teacher is present to guide student work and provide encouragement and feedback, but the students are responsible for their own learning and they are happy to take on that responsibility.
I would expect to see craziness:-)-in a good way. A lot of movement and commotion-where kids are communicating to each other what they are doing a why they are doing it.
I expect to see chaos - but great chaos. Classrooms in which the students are leading and are actively engaged and enjoying the lesson at hand.
Movement in the classroom; interaction among students and between teachers and students; student interacting with the task that has been designed for them; student work displayed inside and outside of the classroom; variety, student choice in the lessons and products are bring created; the teacher as the facilitator to guide learning instead of the primary source of knowledge
Emily Wilson
Students engaged in their work. Proud of what they produce, and becoming lifelong learners all at the same time.
Students engaged in real world learning. Teacher as a facilitator.Each learning style addressed.
True student engagement in meaningful work
I should see total engagement on the part of students with the teacher involved through facilitating the work by answering the questions and encouraging the students to "think about the real world."
Students engaged in meaningful lessons -- no worksheets!!!
In a WOW school, I would expect to see learning that occurs outside the box. A WOW school, in my opinion, would look a lot like a Cornerstone school. It would have a safe environment, work with commentary, and a lot of student work displayed. I think the teacher would be seen more as a facilitator or director, instead of a know-all person with all the answers.
I would expect to see students engaged in meaningful work, minimal lectures and somewhat noisy classes since students would be engaged in group work. Students would also have input in the design of the work, among other things, but above all learning.
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