Office Chat: Strategy Instruction

In this office chat, Dr. Norah Hooper describes two systems of visual organizers in use in her field of special education. Again, as I have mentioned before, the topics covered in these office chats have application to online instruction as well. If we listen with our minds open, Dr. Hooper is describing a deliberate and methodical approach to learning and teaching that may be leveraged as part of our teaching tool set.

The first system of graphic organizers which Hooper discusses are “Thinking Maps” as developed by David Hyerle and published in his 1995 book, Thinking Maps: Tools for Learning. She mentions that such meta-cognitive tools are helpful in working with students with learning difficulties. One thing that makes these maps work is that they are constructed by the learner rather than “hand-outs” from the teacher.

Read more

Bloom, Gardner, Gliffy & Reflection

One of the foundations of higher education is the importance of reflection. John Dewey defined reflective thought as the “active, persistent, and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in light of the grounds that supports it, and the further conclusions to which it tends” (p. 6, How We Think). As reflective practitioners, our classes should be well designed - not only informed by our expertise in our subject matter but also by a thoughtful consideration of  the organization and delivery of those methods.

Read more