by California Casualty | Educators |
Whether at the elementary or post-graduate level, teachers everywhere often struggle with facilitating classroom discussion. You may have one or two students who are completely engaged, but too often you catch yourself wishing everyone would share their thoughts for a better overall learning environment.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to encourage meaningful discussion.
Understand the issue
Classroom discussion can be a touchy issue. Some teachers claim they can’t get their classrooms to stop talking and have to work hard to curb side conversations and redirect attention to the subject matter at hand.
Other instructors can’t get their students to talk at all, which becomes frustrating over time and can adversely affect the overall learning environment.
For teachers who have difficulty facilitating conversation in the classroom, it’s vital to get to the root of the problem. In most cases, the source is fear, lack of interest, or an insufficient base of knowledge.
When fear is the issue, students are afraid they’ll be laughed at for their opinion, or embarrassed for stating something incorrectly. This may have more to do with the shyness of the particular student, but you can rectify this by leading a frank conversation about how to respect others’ opinions.
Lack of interest can be combated by making the content more engaging, incorporating more visuals, and avoiding mindless repetition. This is usually the easiest obstacle to overcome, but it can be frustrating for teachers who don’t want to go to the trouble of changing their approach or curriculum.
Finally, a lack of knowledge can lead to a quiet classroom. In other words, the students simply don’t know enough about the topic to offer any valuable insight. This is either a sign that they aren’t doing homework, but it might also suggest the content is too challenging.
Five tips for fostering classroom discussion
Depending on the dynamic of your classroom and the underlying issues, any or all of the following strategies can help you foster better classroom discussion:
- Employ silence. One of the oldest tricks in the book, but one often overlooked, is to use silence to your advantage. Instead of filling the space with your views and opinions, offer questions and wait for a response. Look confident, use eye contact, and encourage participation. If nobody takes the opportunity to talk, ask a question about the question.
- Respect sensitivity. Depending on which subjects or courses you teach, it’s possible that you may encounter sensitive subject matter from time to time. In these instances, it’s critical that you respect all viewpoints and commit to learning, as opposed to descending into argument.
- Never criticize individuals. As a teacher, you should always follow the mantra “criticize ideas, never individuals.” No matter how ridiculous an opinion sounds, you can’t take it personally. When you’re a teacher, any bit of criticism can evoke fear in students and kill your ability to facilitate conversation and classroom discussion in the future.
- Encourage group discussions. If students won’t discuss ideas in a large classroom setting, you may find it more productive to break students up into smaller groups and encourage them to conduct a discussion among themselves. This allows them to speak without the direct oversight of an instructor, and almost always enhances classroom discussion when students return from their groups.
- Break the ice. Instead of jumping into the curriculum as soon as class starts, consider beginning each class with three to five minutes of casual conversation. Ask about other classes, current events, or other lighthearted topics. This can prime the class for more formal discussion and increases everyone’s overall level of comfort.
Auto insurance for teachers
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by California Casualty | Educators |
San Mateo, CA, March 2, 2015 – Educators and dignitaries gathered February 16 to honor five 2015 California Teachers of the Year. The gala recognized the dedicated, exceptional teachers for their passion in helping all their students achieve both in and outside of the classroom. One, Maggie Mabery, seventh and eighth grade science instructor at Manhattan Beach Middle School, was nominated as California’s National Teacher of the Year candidate.
As the Presenting Sponsor of the California Department of Education’s School Recognition Program, California Casualty was proud to take part in the event. California Casualty’s Assistant Vice President Lisa Almeida was privileged to introduce State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. The gala was so moving that a California Casualty Field Manager who attended was inspired to contact all the special teachers that had made an impact in her life to say thank you.
California Casualty’s sponsorship also makes possible these other California School Recognition Programs:
- California Gold Ribbon Schools – honoring exemplary public schools which demonstrate significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap
- Classified School Employee of the Year – highlighting those who symbolize the profession’s commitment to education
- California Green Ribbon School Awards – recognizing schools that accomplish great things in the areas of sustainability and health
- California Blue Ribbon Schools – celebrating schools that promote and support the improvement of education
The partnership with the California Department of Education is a testament to how schools, businesses and communities can come together to promote the remarkable successes of schools and educators across the Golden State. California Casualty Field representatives will help present the awards and attend the special recognition ceremonies, enhancing the company’s commitment to California educators.
“Since we partnered with the CTA in 1951, California Casualty has been vested in helping California educators in their passion of making a difference for their students,” said California Casualty Vice President Mike McCormick. “It’s an honor to help recognize the everyday heroes who educate our children and make our communities better.”
by California Casualty | Educators |
Here are some New Year resolutions for educators sure to make you laugh out loud.
Source: Read here.
by California Casualty | Educators |
Technology is capable of more than improving productivity at work and enhancing global commerce – it’s a powerful tool to help teachers engage their students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 90% of classrooms are equipped with computers and/or internet access. As technology becomes more accessible and mobile, teachers are using it to breathe life into the learning process by making it fun and interactive.
Using Technology in the Classroom: 10 Innovative Ideas
From apps to handheld devices, teachers are using technology to create a memorable learning environment that encourages collaboration and conversation. Here are 10 unique ways you can use technology to transform learning:
- Digital challenges.
Nothing is more exhilarating for a student than the feeling of being the first to find the correct answer. Some teachers are using technology to create digital scavenger hunts, which get students excited about learning new information while perfecting online search skills. Begin a lesson with a digital challenge to set the pace for an inspired learning experience and watch student engagement soar.
- Class blogs and forums.
Technology took classroom communication to a new level. Now, teachers can create class blogs or forums using free tools, like WordPress.com and Blogger, to publish student work. By encouraging comments and posting class news, teachers use familiar social media tactics to create education-focused communities and engage their students in academic discussions.
- Take learning outside.
Technology-based innovation of the learning process doesn’t only apply to in-class projects. In fact, schools equipped with a wireless internet connection allow teachers to take the classroom outside. Even without a wireless connection, mobile devices pre-loaded with educational apps can enhance the learning process outside the classroom, especially for science classes.
- Experience art and music interactively. Whether you’re discussing Beethoven or Michelangelo, sometimes words don’t effectively convey the message. Between YouTube and mobile apps offering on-demand media, giving students the opportunity to experience the sounds of classical greats and admire the detail in a masterpiece is easier than ever before.
- Inspire healthy competition. With a variety of classroom management apps available, teachers can create virtual leaderboards, merits, and award systems accessible on any device. Because students are able to access and view their progress with peers, healthy competition is inspired while providing motivation to learn.
- Partner with other classrooms. When attempting to partner with other classrooms or invite guest speakers, teachers no longer have to spend additional time working out the logistics. Whether using a low cost communication tool, like Skype, or implementing a classroom-specific collaboration tool, educators are using technology to reach across physical walls and keep the classroom interesting.
- Get parents involved. While parents are working and children are in school, many moments throughout the day are not communicated to parents. From awards received to behavioral feedback, technology is simplifying communication between parents and teachers. As a bonus, digital classroom management tools reduce time spent completing paperwork and writing notes to parents.
- Track progress and goals.Viewing progress towards a goal is a good way to motivate students, identify concerns, and reward excellence. Online classroom management apps with syncing technology make goal tracking simple, transparent, and fast. Students and parents are able to view progress on classroom and student-specific goals.
- Encourage feedback from students. Survey and poll tools, such as Poll Everywhere, provide teachers with a quick, easy, and real-time method of obtaining student feedback. Students may respond to a poll question from class, their mobile phone, or any computer and teachers are able to review responses in real time.
- Keep students organized. As students graduate to higher levels of education, staying organized is paramount. Technology is making it easier for teachers to impart responsible study habits and organizational skills through the use of digital notebooks and student organizers. Accessible on any device, online notebooks help students keep track of subject-specific notes, record lectures, keep images, and archive online research.
Low Cost and Free Ways to Incorporate Technology
Between budgetary concerns and logistics, incorporating technology into the classroom can seem like an impossible task. Fortunately, there are numerous free and low cost options for teachers that help bring lessons to life:
- Google Classroom. Accessible on any device, Google Classroom is free, robust, and offers multiple classroom-specific features. Many time consuming tasks, such as providing custom feedback and responding to student questions, are simplified by using Google Classroom. From assigning projects and reviewing submissions to grading homework and discouraging academic dishonesty, Google Classroom efficiently digitizes classroom essentials.
- Science360 for iPad. Developed by the National Science Foundation, Science360 is a free app providing students and teachers with a vast library of images, audio files, and video covering numerous scientific topics. Content found in Science360 is published by scientists and researchers to enhance classroom learning. Using this app encourages students to remain informed about current science events.
- Likened to a social network for classrooms, Schoology is a learning management system that streamlines communication, organization, and collaboration. For students, Schoology provides a one-stop shop for assignments, course materials, and supplemental information while simplifying communication with the instructor. Teachers benefit from administrative functions, like the ability to create custom web pages and review class statistics, which save time and resources.
- Aiming to replace paper-filled 3-ring binders, LiveBinders is an online note taking and storage tool. While itsuse for students in the classroom is obvious, LiveBinders is also helpful for presenting parents with course materials and student reports, organizing educational tools and research, and keeping class-specific information in one easily accessible location.
- Featuring the ability to instantly sync and store information, Evernote offers robust capabilities and a generous storage allotment. Save, share, and sort information related to specific subjects. Users can take and save pictures, create audio recordings, and store media files in Evernote, which keeps important information in one place.
Liven Up Your Classroom with Technology
With so many tools to bring technology into the classroom, your options for customizing the learning process in your classroom are endless. Whether you need to help students get motivated about a “boring” subject or want to inspire collaboration in your class, use technology to add a twist to traditional education.
Working for Teachers
While you’re working hard to educate future generations, California Casualty is working hard for you. Offering auto insurance specifically for teachers, our company is dedicated to making your morning commute worry-free. Contact us today to learn more.
Resources (not all linked):
https://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/johnson/johnson033.shtml
https://www.edudemic.com/technology-in-their-classrooms/
https://www.teachhub.com/12-easy-ways-use-technology-your-classroom-even-technophobic-teachers
https://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2014/09/07/20-things-you-can-do-with-google-classroom/
https://www.edutopia.org/stw-online-learning-free-virtual-lessons-projects
https://www.edutopia.org/tech-to-learn-classroom-technology-resources
https://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/archives/technology.shtml
https://www.teachthought.com/technology/6-tips-and-18-resources-to-extend-learning-beyond-the-classroom/
https://byoung4481.wordpress.com/
https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id
by California Casualty | Educators |
Here are some great pictures of our newest winner of the School Lounge Makeover, Colleen Leslie from Apshawa Elementary School in West Milford, New Jersey.
by California Casualty | Educators |
It’s all about commitment.
Like the commitment of Elizabeth Thompson, who may have said it best, “The really good teachers are the ones you remember; they stick with you all your life.” The Oakdale, California teacher is the most recent winner of a California Casualty $2,500 Academic Award. She added, “I teach because I want to make a difference in each child’s life. [Thanks to California Casualty] I can now do things that I couldn’t do before.”
Elizabeth, a second generation educator, is passionate about finding new ways to enrich and stimulate her students who have learning challenges.
We realize that all too often educators are the unsung heroes working hard to make sure our children excel. They give their time, encouragement, and frequently their own funds to make sure their students learn and achieve. Their reward is the satisfaction that they made a difference in a child’s life.
While we might remember a favorite teacher that motivated us, few of them get the public accolades they deserve. That’s why California Casualty has teamed up with the California Department of Education (CDE) as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2015 School Recognition Program that honors educators who inspire students to succeed, recognizes schools that continually show high achievement and celebrates the support staff that provides the backbone for quality education. California Casualty’s support makes possible the following California School Recognition Programs:
- California Gold Ribbon Schools – honoring exemplary public schools which demonstrate significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap
- Teacher of the Year – recognizing exemplary teachers and their contribution to quality education
- Classified School Employee of the Year – highlighting those who symbolize the profession’s commitment to education
- California Green Ribbon School Awards – recognizing schools that accomplish great things in the areas of sustainability and health
- California Blue Ribbon Schools – celebrating schools that promote and support the improvement of education
With a relationship that spans more than 63 years, we understand that great teachers often need help to accomplish great things. They get support from fellow educators, encouraging leaders and schools that go outside the box with new ideas, new technology and thinking that allows instructors to do what they do best; stimulate young minds to reach to new heights.
California Casualty has a commitment to educators like Elizabeth. We do more than provide the CTA Auto and Home Insurance Program, we give back to the communities we serve in meaningful ways that have real impact on their lives. These include the $2,500 California Casualty Academic Award, that helps offset the money that educators spend of their own funds for classroom supplies and equipment; the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grants, given to public high schools in California that demonstrate the greatest need for their sporting programs; and the Impact Teen Drivers “Create Real Impact” contest, that awards students and schools that design the best interactive messages to prevent distracted and reckless driving – the number one killer of teens today.
Teachers and support staff do make a difference. They are committed to our children and that’s why the CDE’s School Recognition Program is so important, and why California Casualty is proud to be a sponsor.
