Why Don’t Students Like School?
Daniel T. Willingham argues that “People are naturally curious, but they are not naturally good thinkers; unless the cognitive conditions are right, people will avoid thinking.”
What Great Teachers Do Differently
Educator, author, and consultant Todd Whitaker discusses the difference between great teachers and poor teachers, including responsibility and prevention.
Preparing Creative and Critical Thinkers
Donald J. Treffinger asserts that students today must be empowered to become creative thinkers, critical thinkers, and problem solvers. He discusses the relationship between creative and critical thinking, tools for generating ideas, and tools for focusing ideas.
Ten Roles for Teacher Leaders
Cindy Harrison and Joelle Killion outline ten (of many) roles that teachers take on to contribute to their schools’ success.
College Board Advanced Placement Best Practices Course Study
The Center for Educational Policy Research (CEPR) at the University of Oregon, in partnership with the Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC), conducted the College Board Advanced Placement Best Practices Course Study, a project sponsored by the College Board. The study examined the content and structure of college courses that demonstrated “best practices” in seven subject areas tested in the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) program.
Fostering an Ethic of Excellence
Teacher Ron Berger discusses his desire for all students to be “craftsmen”–to be proud of their work, and to have work worthy of pride. He argues that craftsmanship is developed naturally within cultures of excellence, and so schools should work first on creating a culture of excellence.