UAE Educators Speak Out!

The world wide web! You name it and you can find it in a click.  This has been quite beneficial for the field of education. Recently, KDSL was asked by Bon Education for a favorite educational technology tool and website. To find out the KDSL response, please visit this website:

 

 http://literacyispriceless.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/uae-educators-speak-out/

“One Size Does Not Fit All”

I remember when I first read this statement above as an educator attending a Dr. Carol Tomlinson Differentiation Workshop in Fairfax County Public Schools.  Years later I did not know that I would become an educator who naturally differentiates instruction for ALL learners. It is easier said than done. When I reflect on the current grade 4 classroom I teach, I am able to pinpoint many examples daily of differentiation. So what is differentiating instruction? It is:

 

“The idea of differentiating instruction to accommodate the different ways that students learn involves a hefty dose of common sense, as well as sturdy support in the theory and research of education (Tomlinson & Allan, 2000). It is an approach to teaching that advocates active planning for student differences in classrooms” (Tomlinson, C. (2000) Carol Tomlinson, ED.d. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from http://www.caroltomlinson.com/).

 

Educators can differentiate instruction based on the content, process, and product. Differentiation can occurs based on readiness, interest, and learning profile. After reflecting across content areas differentiation at work in my current context includes:

• Readiness: Flexible math groups, flexible guided reading groups, and flexible word study groups. These are all based on diagnostic and pre assessment data.

 

• Interest: Self selecting just right books in reading workshop during independent reading, selecting writing topics based on interest during writing workshop

 

• Learning Profile: Projects where students select how to show their learning based on how they learn best

 

So how are you differentiating instruction for ALL of your learners?

KDSL Blogging and Tweeting at TEDxDubai

http://twitter.com/tedxdubai

http://tedxdubai.com/blog/

Check out KDSL blogging and tweeting at the sites above from the  TEDxDubai Conference in the United Arab Emirates on 10.10.09.

TED – Ideas Worth Spreading

Dream/Do/Be

These are three short, but inspirational words. How many of us can say our lives daily are focused on these words? Are you excited by the power of ideas? Seeking ways to learn and grow? On Saturday 10 October 500 delegates will attend TEDxDubai in the United Arab Emirates. This independently organized event brings leaders together from a variety of industries. TED is comprised of thinkers, doers, and visionaries. Sample talks at TEDxDubai will focus on: Biophotonics, Is Technology Democratizing Our Perspective?, and Sharing Economy. I am looking forward to the 8-Day Academy Talk by Masarat Daud and how to reach 100% literacy.

What ideas do you have worth spreading?

KDSL at TEDxDubai

Bon Education and KDSL will partner up to blog and tweet at the 2009 TEDxDubai Conference held on 10 October. For more information please visit http://www.ted.com/pages/view/id/5 and http://www.tedxdubai.com/

Bon Education founder Anna Batchelder appointed official blogger/tweeter for TEDxDubai 2009… Will be tweeting from @tedxdubai on Saturday! If you are interested in ideas worth spreading from the Gulf, make sure to follow http://twitter.com/@tedxdubai!…. So excited to provide viral fan coverage with my co-pilot Kevin Simpson!

KDSL on Twitter

http://twitter.com/KDSL07

Dubai Education Meet Up Group

KDSL has joined a new Dubai Education Meet-Up Group. More information about recent and upcoming events is below.

Education Round Tables and Meet-Ups 

Network, collaborate, and brainstorm with other passionate education professionals in the Middle East region.

Location: Dubai, UAE

Place-Based Education @ The Shelter. This first meet-up included networking and featured TEDxDubai speaker Ernst van der Poll of Tawasul (04/10/09)

 Learning English in the UAE-Whose English? @ The Shelter (25/10/09)

The Alliance for Excellent Education

KDSL will attend The Alliance for Excellent Education….

A Panel Discussion on Economic Imperative: Turning Around the Nation’s Lowest-Performing High Schools

Friday, September 25, 2009 9:30 – 11:30 am

 Hyatt Regency Regency A Ballroom 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036

 

For more information please visit http://www.all4ed.org/events/economic_imperative_turning_around_nation_s_lowest_performing_high_schools

Districts harness the expertise of classroom teachers

“School leadership isn’t just for principals anymore.  Research is bearing out that prinicipals who share leadership create stronger school cultures and improve teaching and learning” (Copland, 2003; Lord  & Miller, 2000).

http://www.nsdc.org/news/articleDetails.cfm?articleID=1918 - National Staff Development Council

Can teachers’ talent translate elsewhere?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6627308.html