Process Choices
Give students a choice of HOW they want to go about learning skills and knowledge. Do they want to do it collaboratively, read books, research on the internet, explore, build, etc...
Flipped Classroom
- Have students watch instructional videos, research, or prepare for class ahead of time so that class time can be used for applying learning.
- Try out Lino: a virtual assignment board in which you can display post-its of videos, articles, questions, forums, assignments, drawings, and more...The whole class can add to the Lino board with their responses as each delve into the assignment.
Online Formats
- Using formats such as Moodle, EdModo, or Google Classroom.
- You can have online forums, chat rooms, assignments, video chats, etc...all in one place. This could be a really great option for a gifted class that may only meet once a week.
- Google Drive can be a great resource as students are writing. The teacher can read, comment, and council a student as they write from any device at any time.
Independent vs. Group vs. Whole Class
- Some students really prefer to work by themselves and some work best collaborating. While all should be given opportunities with both. It is good to consider what their most productive working environment actually is. Consider using technology to monitor and meet with students (blogging, Google Drive, Lino etc...).
Independent Studies (Contract Work)
- Students can be set up with contract work. They can decide the topic or you can.
- The differentiation book mentioned on the Choices/Content page has a lot of resources to help plan and manage a student that is working on a contract.
Mentor
- Link up a student with a professional that is working in a field they are interested in or one in which their interests are put to use.
Lecture (some students actually prefer this method)
- Believe it or not, some students really enjoy just listening and discussing whole group. Making a lecture engaging and interactive can actually be a very powerful tool.
Exploratory
- Learning Centers is a great way to provide some experiences for your students that may not have been something they would have selected (or even known to select) on their own. See Choices/Content for some learning center examples.
Hands-On
- Any time a strategy or skill can be learned with technology or tools in a student's hands...the better. Mixing multi-sensories to learn guarantees that the information will be attained better.
Debates
- AVL Opposing Viewpoints has a database, how-to's, and lesson plans to structure debates in your classroom.
Socratic Circles
- Teach your students to question and discuss on many levels.