Listen in on a working session Larry Geni had with Ryan Murphy, a mathematics teacher at Niles North High School. The conversation wanders through a range of topics, including: Fixed vs growth mindset, a refrigerator analogy for the learning process, long term vs short term memory, finding the optimal seating arrangement and other decor issues, and the need for being nonjudgmental when confronted with problematic behavior.
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In this episode, Larry is joined by Joan Gallagher, the director of the science department at Niles North High School, and the co-author of "Whole-Class Inquiry: Creating Student-Centered Science Communities". This conversation explores what it takes to keep your balance, and even thrive, while living with the relentless pace and the ever-increasing pressures placed on teachers. Topics discussed include liberating oneself from day-to-day stresses, the nature of good management, living honestly while working in institutions, and teaching students how to speak truth to power.
Larry is joined by Ryan Murphy, a math teacher at Niles North High School to discuss how to reframe the purpose of tests so that they become an integral part of the learning process. We talk about how we can help students see the mistakes they have made on a test as information about what they haven't learned yet, and how we can design a test remediation process that is truly responsive to the individual needs of every student.
The thorny problem of dealing with a student who cheats is discussed in this work session with Amy Koning, a math teacher at Niles North High School. In particular, we explore specific strategies to replace the common punitive reaction with a response that helps the student grow into a more responsible and trustworthy posture.
In this episode, Larry Geni describes the ideas that form the foundation of this educational approach. He then joins a conversation with three teachers who have implemented that approach over the past two years in their classrooms.