Monday, September 29, 2014

Systems for Responsive Teaching and Learning

What systems support responsive teaching and learning well.

What is responsive teaching and learning?

Responsive teaching and learning is a regular process of teaching, learning, observing, listening, and responding.

For example, a teacher may study the standards and survey the students. Student surveys demonstrate specific interests, abilities, and needs. Then the teacher seeks "best fit" processes, tools, and learning experiences to meet the students' needs.

In today's tech age, that could mean a quick look to the apps available. A teacher may choose an app that fits the need, employ the app, and assess the result. If the app appears to have value beyond a day or two, the educator may employ the app to more students for more time, if not, the app may remain on the teacher's response list for similar, specific learning needs.

Responsive teaching and learning is at its best when the systems are ready to go, streamlined, and efficient as we know good learning happens when students are curious, ready, and open to the experience.

Best learning is responsive and takes on a life of its own with one connection leading to the next. Learning that is too scheduled, overly cumbersome, and one-size-fits-all often loses the strength, meaning, and potential possible.

Responsive teaching and learning challenges us to know our students well, differentiate the learning, provide menus, and coach students forward with the best of our ability.
Do you agree? If not, why not?  If so, how do you keep the steady streams of learning and teaching open, responsive, and meaningful?