Cognitive Load Theory

With increasing expectations  and new standards, it can be tempting to throw everything (including the proverbial kitchen sink) at our students. Doing so may, in fact, hinder learners’ understanding of a topic and have the opposite of the desired effect. Instead, by applying research-based strategies, we can ensure that even complex topics are presented in…

Common Core Assessment Analysis: Fourth Grade Describe Characters

  Each state that has adopted Common Core State Standards will select an assessment consortium to assess how children are progressing in school. The two options most widely chosen at this point are: Smarter Balanced and PARCC. Each assessment consortium has provided practice test questions and today we will review one of these questions and discuss its potential impact on classroom instruction.…

FAQ – English Learners

Today, we are going to focus on general questions about teaching English Learners (ELs). These are questions we regularly get from teachers. If you would like further information about teaching English Learners, feel free to contact us. We also recommend the book, Explicit Direct Instruction for English Learners by DataWORKS co-founders John Hollingsworth and Dr.…

Tech Vision 1: A National Plan

In November 2010, the U.S. Department of Education released its National Education Technology Plan.  It is called Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology.   It outlines five goals and 24 recommendations for states, districts, the federal government, and other stakeholders. According to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, “the plan’s development was led by the…