Educators at all levels want their students to develop habits of self-directed learning and critical problem-solving skills that encourage ownership and growth. In The Learner-Directed Classroom, practicing art educators (PreK–16) offer both a comprehensive framework for understanding student-directed learning and concrete pedagogical strategies to implement student-direct learning activities in school. In addition, research-based assessment strategies provide educators with evidence of student mastery and achievement. Teachers who structure self-directed learning activities can facilitate effective differentiation as students engage in the curriculum at their level. This book provides evidence-based, practical examples of how to transform the classroom into a creative and highly focused learning environment. Book Features: Guidance for implementing a learner-directed program, including advocacy, management, differentiated instruction, and resources.Attention to the needs of specific groups of students, including preadolescents, gifted and talented learners, boys, and those with learning differences.Insights into reflective practice and strategies for assessment of learning. Contributors: Catherine Adelman, Marvin Bartel, Katherine Douglas, Ellyn Gaspardi, Clyde Gaw, Lois Hetland, Pauline Joseph, Tannis Longmore, Linda Papanicolaou, Cameron Sesto, George Szekely, Ilona Szekely, Dale Zalmstra “In the present standards-based learning environment, this book is a welcome addition because it presents an alternative pedagogy that puts learners’ needs and interests at the core. Experienced and novice art teachers at all levels who read this book will be motivated to teach in open-ended environments where their choices can make a difference in their students’ lives.” —Enid Zimmerman, Professor Emerita of Art Education and High Ability Programs, Indiana University “From the comfortable couch of the foreword to the exhortative poem at the book’s conclusion, the reader journeys through remarkable classrooms with insightful educators. Practical AND inspirational, the educational principles and points so deftly illustrated herein apply across the disciplines and age spans. An important read for all teachers. A timeless and necessary pedagogy for all classrooms.” —Jacqueline Grennon Brooks, Professor, School of Education, Hofstra University “It is easy to proclaim creativity important and criticize current practices and then offer no actual solutions. This volume is filled with practical tips and hands-on advice aimed at improving self-directed student learning. Any classroom teacher interested in helping students learn, discover, and create will want to read and reread this book.” —James C. Kaufman, Professor of Psychology, California State University, San Bernardino, and Editor, International Journal of Creativity and Problem Solving “Here at last is a meaningful, practical, and hands-on textbook giving guidance to the classroom teacher about beginning or enriching a choice-based program for students, rather than the traditional regimented art curricula meant to please adults. I highly recommend this book to all who are involved in pedagogy, including parents” —Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Artist Diane B. Jaquith is a K–5 art teacher in Newton, MA and a co-founder of Teaching for Artistic Behavior, Inc., a choice-based art education advocacy organization. She is the co-author of Engaging Learners Through Artmaking: Choice-Based Art Education in the Classroom. Nan E. Hathaway is a middle school art teacher in Duxbury, Vermont. She is a gifted education specialist and is on the board of directors for Teaching for Artistic Behavior, Inc.

Publisher description

This book comes at the right time with answers for teachers, principals, and schools who want to be on the cutting edge of the effective use of technology, the internet, and teacher pedagogy.

The book elucidates the fundamental importance of high-quality assessment to student academic well-being and promotes the development of student self-assessment as a critically important life skill.Provides a clear, common sense description of all assessment methods (selected response, essay, performance, and personal communication) and how to align them with relevant achievement targets (knowledge, reasoning, skills, products, and dispositions). Easy-to-read and free of technical jargon, this book focuses squarely on what teachers need to know in order to make assessment work in classrooms.

The authors who introduced the concepts of Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) and choice-based art education have completely revised and updated their original, groundbreaking bestseller that was designed to facilitate independent learning and support student choices in subject matter and media. The Second Edition of Engaging Learners Through Artmaking will support those who are new to choice-based authentic art education, as well as experienced teachers looking to go deeper with this curriculum. This dynamic, user-friendly resource includes sample lesson plans and demonstrations, assessment criteria, curricular mapping, room planning, photos of classroom set-ups, media exploration, and many other concrete and open-ended strategies for implementing TAB in kindergarten–grade 8. “This book invites art teachers to share their reservations, their interests, and their experiences with opening up their classrooms to accommodate student choices.” —From the Foreword by Christine Marmé Thompson, Penn State University “This book suggests the essence of art teaching, which is to inquire: What do we need to provide young artists that will allow them to take full advantage of their artistic behavior?” —Foreword from the first edition by George Szekely, University of Kentucky “This is a powerful tool for keeping student agency at the center of artistic learning. Emerging and veteran teachers alike will treasure this book.” —Laura K. Reeder, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

This volume focuses on assessing students' abilities as self-directed learners. The authors use 'triangulation' to ensure that the assessment system is balanced and complete.

The widely used STEM education book, updated Teaching and Learning STEM: A Practical Guide covers teaching and learning issues unique to teaching in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. Secondary and postsecondary instructors in STEM areas need to master specific skills, such as teaching problem-solving, which are not regularly addressed in other teaching and learning books. This book fills the gap, addressing, topics like learning objectives, course design, choosing a text, effective instruction, active learning, teaching with technology, and assessment—all from a STEM perspective. You’ll also gain the knowledge to implement learner-centered instruction, which has been shown to improve learning outcomes across disciplines. For this edition, chapters have been updated to reflect recent cognitive science and empirical educational research findings that inform STEM pedagogy. You’ll also find a new section on actively engaging students in synchronous and asynchronous online courses, and content has been substantially revised to reflect recent developments in instructional technology and online course development and delivery. Plan and deliver lessons that actively engage students—in person or online Assess students’ progress and help ensure retention of all concepts learned Help students develop skills in problem-solving, self-directed learning, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication Meet the learning needs of STEM students with diverse backgrounds and identities The strategies presented in Teaching and Learning STEM don’t require revolutionary time-intensive changes in your teaching, but rather a gradual integration of traditional and new methods. The result will be a marked improvement in your teaching and your students’ learning.