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New Horizons for Learning Online Journal
Vol. XI No. 1, Winter 2005From the Editor
Dee DickinsonRecognizing the tremendous pressure that educators are under today, we offer the following articles in this Winter issue of New Horizons for Learning's online Journal that we trust will be informative and useful.
We are deeply concerned about current pressures to move towards greater use of direct instruction in all subjects--even science! Direct instruction is effective for helping students to memorize facts and skills, and will indeed raise scores on standardized tests that use multiple choice, true and false, and short-answer questions. It is an important educational tool for these specific purposes. Direct instruction may not, however, help students to understand and be able to apply what they have learned. It does not take into account the fact that students learn in many different ways, and does not help students to identify their strengths that can be used in learning. It does not develop higher order thinking skills that are so essential in today's world, nor does it foster curiosity, desire to learn, and the joy of learning itself.
The following articles are written from both the mind and the heart. They offer principles and tools that will not only help students to learn more effectively but will help them to enjoy the process and be interested in continuing to learn throughout life, Take heart! Direct instruction has its place in teaching and learning, but have faith that integrating the arts and other experiential processes in the curriculum will help students to meet those higher standards in ways that foster the coordinated development of mind, body, and spirit.
SPRING JOURNAL
The next issue of the Journal will focus on "Literacies." Guest editors of that issue will be Jennifer Stone and Manka Varghese. Jennifer is an Assistant Professor of Language, Literacy, & Culture at the University of Washington. Her research and teaching focus on the intersections between literacy, technology, and diversity. Manka is a Professor of Language, Literacy, & Culture at the University of Washington. Her work examines how to prepare teachers to meet the needs of linguistically and culturally diverse students.
Our co-editors describe the focus of the Spring Journal as follows: Whereas US schools—through standards, curricular choices, and assessments—are adopting increasingly narrow versions of what counts as literacy, teachers are faced with increasing cultural and language diversity and ever-widening arrays of textual possibilities. We use the term "literacies" to highlight the range of opportunities to communicate that young people currently engage in both in and out of school. In this issue, we will examine the following themes: 1) linguistic and cultural diversity, 2) the role of technology in creating new avenues and forms for communication, 3) forms of representation beyond print (talk, images, etc.) 4) attention to students' literacy practices in their out-of-school lives.
We would be happy to receive suggestions and submitted articles by mid-February. They may be sent to building@newhorizons.org.
ARTICLES
Two, Four, Six, Eight, Let's All Differentiate! Differential Education: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Stephanie Bravmann
Education professor profiles the history of differential education, shows the failings of NCLB today, and points us to a positive future.The Thoughtful Classroom Harvey Silver, Richard Strong, Matthew Perini and Greg Tuculescu
The author discusses the challenge of new emphasis on accountability and higher standards in education and how to achieve them through creating thoughtful classrooms.Leveling the Playing Field Johnnie McKinley
Professor highlights the results of a two-year study to examine the student-teacher interactions with African American students that boost student achievement.Can Novice Teachers Differentiate Instruction? Yes, They CAN! Holly C. Gould
Education professors explain their process of helping new teachers to become more adept at differentiating instruction.Differentiated Instruction From a Librarian's Perspective Laura Grosvenor
Librarian from an ATLAS school shares how she assists teachers in differentiating instruction in their reading programs.Two-Footed Questions for Higher Grades and Happier Teens Ellen Weber
Author of numerous books on the application of Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences describes a method for developing higher order thinking processes among secondary and higher education students.The Road Not Taken – A Disciplinary Journey Curt Brand
School Psychologist discusses how motivating students can make it possible for more to be successful at learning.What Would it Look Like if All Students Felt Included? Carol Frodge
Administrative Intern describes the development of a small school within an Edmonds, Washington middle school. This is the first in a series of three articles about the project as it evolves.Differentiated Curriculum for Classrooms with Gifted Children Sue Hovis
Educator describes some basics for the differentiation of curriculum for gifted students.Brains on Fire: The Multimodality of Gifted Thinkers Brocke Eide and Fernette Eide
Neuroscientists describe differences in brain physiology and function of gifted students.12 Brain/Mind Learning Principles in Action – One Author's Personal Journey Renate Caine
Education professor introduces her twelve organizing principles for how the brain/mind learns and how to use that information to enhance student learning.Brain Science and Education Noboru Kobayshi
Director of Child Research Net discusses implications of brain research for education and reports on a recent conference on that topic in Japan.Nanoscale Science and Technology: Connections with K-12 Education Ethan Allen
UW professor and researcher considers the implications of nanoscale science and technology for K-12 education.A Private Role in Public Education: An International Perspective Brian J. Caldwell
The Managing Director of Educational Transformations in Melbourne illustrates how Australia and Britain increased the level of social support in public education and what the two systems can learn from each other.The Role of Aging in Adult Learning: Implications for Instructors in Higher Education David L. Crawford
Professor discusses the characteristics of the adult learner and implications for higher education settings.The Olympian Initiative: Training Kids to Think Like Olympians Marilyn King
A two-time Olympic athlete delivers an update on a project working to transform schools.An Ohio Champaign Aging To Be New Dave Faulkner and Rick Smyre
Champaign County, Ohio's economic development director and the president of the Center for Communities of the Future explain how a Big Idea was developed to create a learning community that combines cutting edge communications technology, transformational leadership, and cultural transformation.RECOMMENDED READING
Click on book title for more information12 Brain/Mind Learning Principles in Action: The Fieldbook for Making Connections, Teaching, and the Human Brain
Renate Nummela Caine, Geoffrey Caine, Carol McClintic, and Karl KlimekAutism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z: Assessment, Diagnosis, and More
Barbara Doyle and Emily Doyle IlandBoys and Girls Learn Differently!: A Guide for Teachers and Parents
Michael Gurian, Patricia Henley, and Terry TruemanThe Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear
edited by Paul LoebMI Strategies in the Classroom and Beyond Using Roundtable Learning
Ellen WeberProceed With Passion: Engaging Students in Meaningful Education
Paul Cummins with Anna Cummins and Emily CumminsASCD's list of Differentiated Instruction Resources
Free Parenting Workshops: Parenting Counts!
King County area, Washington State • various dates, January 2005
Presented by KCTS Television in partnership with the King County Library System, funded by a grant from Talaris Research Institute.ArtsTime Conference 2005 - The Arts-"Bringing Learning to Life"!
Tukwila, WA • March 11 – 12, 2005
For more information go to www.artstime.org.11th Annual ADDA Conference - New Frontiers in AD/HD
Tucson, AZ • May 12-15, 200512th International Conference on Thinking
Melbourne, Australia • July 4-8Differentiated Instruction Conference
Las Vegas, NV • July 10-13, 2005Do you have experience using MI? Tom Hoerr, head of the New City School in St. Louis, MO and facilitator of the ASCD MI Network, is looking for authors to contribute to his newsletter, Intelligence Connections. If you think you may be interested, please contact Tom at trhoerr@newcityschool.org. You can see old issues of the newsletter at the school¹s website, www.newcityschool.org
A research study is being conducted at the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Education about the math anxiety and computer phobia that students (and adults) may experience in and out of the classroom when they are faced with learning or doing mathematics or computer work. If you are interested in participating or want additional information, please send an email to research@davdawn.com
Gini Graham Scott is looking for funny mistakes in writing made by kids from 5 to 20, from elementary school to college for a new book tentatively entitled: From the Pens of Kids to be published by Sasquatch Books in spring 2006. These mistakes can include comments about history, science, math, literature, psychology, everyday wisdom, politics, excuse notes, fractured grammar, metaphors, etc. She won't be using any names of the kids. You can send your examples by e-mail to kidsmistakes@kidmistakes.com or by mail to Gini Graham Scott, Kids Mistakes, Changemakers, 6114 La Salle, #358, Oakland, CA 94611.
HAVE YOU SEEN? Related Links
Differentiated instruction resources
Strategies for Differentiating
CAST's National Center of Assessing the General Curriculum
ASCD's Definition of Differentiating Instruction
ASCD's handbook: Focus on Differentiated Instruction
As A Child: A report on ChildSpirit 2004, the 2nd North American Conference on Children's Spirituality, by Jack Yantis
Learning Forum Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading awareness about effective learning and teaching, has created a new worldwide campaign called Making Great Kids Greater! This campaign stems from nearly 25 years of improving children's lives through a "learning laboratory" called SuperCamp and Quantum Learning programs.
The goal of this campaign is simple: to make people aware of the importance and impact of how we see children. When we see children as capable and intelligent, when we respect them and listen to them, when we believe in them, they learn to believe in themselves. Once that happens, everything in their lives improves. Imagine children everywhere believing in themselves and their capabilities. Imagine the possibilities.
The LIFE Center at the University of Washington
An interdisciplinary team of University of Washington researchers has been awarded $12.4 million by the National Science Foundation to establish a center to investigate how humans learn and to create environments that will help prepare people of all ages for future learning.Article: "With Boys and Girls in Mind," by Michael Gurian and Kathy Stevens. Article in Educational Leadership (published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). November 2004 (Volume 62:3, p. 21). You must purchase the article from ASCD in order to read it.
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