#DITCHbook was created by Ditch That Textbook author Matt Miller. The chat focuses on innovative teaching ideas and disrupting standard textbook education.
Alex, From Nashville, TN. Might have committed #DitchBook sin this week. Student asked if they could have a book and I gave them the digital book code.
A1: With so much content readily available to students online, I think what we teach should focus on how to find, assess, and apply information to a variety of real world situations. I think teaching students 21st century skills and the 4C's is imperative. #ditchbook
A1. Ss need to learn how to think beyond what is in front of them. They need to see the world and know anything is possible and to take risks. I think the process is more important then content and therefore that should be what is learned. #DitchBook
Long time, no #ditchbook for me, 'til tonight. Evening, all. I'm Brian. I teach MS students English in CO. Friday in classes, I'll be book talking _The Girl Who Drank the Moon_, _The Moon is Down, & perhaps _Walk Two Moons_.
A1: Let kids determine content. In my room, we learn and grow skills. What do YOU want to learn about? (some structure as needed, but NEVER content standards) #DitchBook
A1: Ss need to know how to shoot for the moon, literally. They need to know how to take chances, how to think critically, how to work together, how to chase dreams and accomplish https://t.co/TVEQWrzd1w to be compassionate. Without these, content is worthless. #ditchbook
A1: I think that Ss need to be empowered to not only make their own decisions, but should have some flexibility in the content they produce. Allow Ss to be creative and showcase their knowledge. #ditchbook
A1: I heard Google's Astro Teller speak on this a few years back. They don't always know the outcome and application of something. Listen to everyone, take all input. #ditchbook
A1: Nothing in particular... Rather, letting Ss decide what they want to learn and how they want to learn it! Wouldn’t that be a dream?! Imagine the engagement💜 #ditchbook
A1: Why don't we let the industries determine the content, as they probably SHOULD already? You want to be a physicist? Learn this stuff... and so on. That is TRUE education. #DitchBook
A1: Student need 2 learn concepts that will lead them to solve real life work, career, and personal problems. And lead them to b lifelong learners. #ditchbook
A1. Ss need to learn real world value - Whether we like it or not, most Ss learning is done outside of school. How do we bring that same opportunity to school? #DitchBook
A1: fully cross curricular large scale passion projects. Something that addresses the connections between math and social science specifically. #ditchbook
A1 Students need to learn to love learning! Our lives evolve and the content we "need" to know changes, but the necessity of learning does not. #ditchbook
And probably pushing a little further to say that SOME flexibility is not enough. We think too narrowly about the role of education... and the resources that can support! #ditchbook
A1: fully cross curricular large scale passion projects. Something that addresses the connections between math and social science specifically. #ditchbook
A1: Ss need to learn to by doing. I still remember tearing down bikes and lawnmowers as a kid. Shops are gone. I also remember creating my own graphics for reports. What will Ss remember 45 years from today? #ditchbook
Yes! Students need to know that there’s different types of creativity! Just because they are not great at drawing doesn’t mean they aren’t creative. #ditchbook
A1 I can’t stand when we require Ss to learn procedural stuff. The need more time to explore & to be able to develop an understanding how they learn. Doing the graphic organizer notes a certain way might be inhibiting understanding. #ditchbook
I don't make the terms, Alex, I just follow them! :-) I love that thinking, though. I've never heard it described as such, but it definitely fits! #ditchbook
A2: Before you place a grade on something, ask yourself why am I grading this...what relevance does this have on the ss #growthmindset and where can we move from here. #ditchbook
A2 gradeless- no letters, numbers, symbols. Feedback to learn. Ss Learning bc they care. Can inform parents of progress of learning by presenting projects and updating using social media. #DitchBook
A2: No grades. Ever. Stamp of achievement (badges, anyone?) showing that I fulfilled X experience. Scores are irrelevant. I either get it or don't (super subjective, but that is also the strength of the system!) #DitchBook
A2: Ditch grading. Granted, it's important to assess, provide feedback, and communicate progress. Ts should provide Ss with info about where they are & what needs to be done to master a skill. Putting a score on the page does nothing in my opinion to help Ss learn. #ditchbook
I'll be looking for a link to the Rigor article someone shared w/ me after I made the same comment. Rigor doesn't need to mean rigid & have a negative connotation. #ditchbook
A2: No more letter grades. Holding meaningful conversations with students about goal setting and the processes of their thinking/learning would be much more valuable #ditchbook
A1: Students need to be given the tools to research, solve problems, and express their ideas in multiple ways. They shouldn't be relegated to performing specific tasks in order to get a "good grade". #DitchBook#conversechat
A2: I know I tweeted this earlier and I’m being repetitive…
Feedback > Grades.
Grades kill growth. It gives students a closed mindset! — “My grade’s on there, I suck, I can’t do it, I won’t fix it.” #ditchbook
#DitchGrades, Going to try to do grade conferences this semester with some of my classes.
Parents need to be educated on the value of grades #DitchBook
Q1: I teach bio and Earth sciences. I am less concerned with content and want students to gain a love of science and an appreciation of the process that we use to understand the universe. Facts are forgotten, Wonder is forever. :) #ditchbook
A2: Self graded... by that not meaning Ss assign letter or number but they are aware and can communicate how they are learning/where they are in convo with T #ditchbook
I agree. I really believe grades promote a fixed mindset. When I was in high school, I got "B" tracked. They held me at a particular standard and no higher. Just think if they held higher expectations for me #ditchbook
A2: I'd like grades to reflect my ability to teach a student. The Ss & We keep at it until they get the 'A'. Not a judgement on either of us but simply a marker of competence. You don't care if a surgeon get's an A, you want it done right. #ditchbook
A2: Moonshot idea for grading: Ss demonstrate mastery or keep trying until they do. The value is in the end product, not the worksheet or chapter review questions.
#DitchBook
A2: I'd like grades to reflect my ability to teach a student. The Ss & I keep at it until they get the 'A'. Not a judgement on either of us but simply a marker of competence. You don't care if a surgeon get's an A, you want it done right. #ditchbook
A3: The students should own the space. Let them decorate the room, give them seating options, let them think! Build a positive rapport and play good music. #ditchbook
The problem with grading, as we now know it, is that no one knows what you are measuring anymore. Mastery? Ability? Homelife? Responsibility? Character? Memorization? #ditchbook#MOedchat
I believe progress does need to be reported and worked on with the Ss. How do they show growth- Ss noticed their reading letters were more about their thinking and using the strategies vs. regurgitating text and books they were reading were getting more challenging #ditchbook
A2 Ss have to know where their grade comes from. WHAT THEY LEARN! Maybe even how they grow! Ss need to develop skills for self reflection & more #meta
For too many Ss its a games of pts. #ditchbook
Whenever I chat with former students many years later, I always ask them what they remember from my class. What will students remember 45 years from today is a great question. #ditchbook
I think why I don't like it is because when other teachers here "We Need more Rigor" I think they think it just means MORE. They hear they are not rigorous enough and then they assign 2 hrs of HW a night and feel good about themselves #DitchBook
YES! And then you have teachers who do not want to gamify their classes because it creates “competition” but those same teachers are all for giving grades? Um. What’s wrong with that picture? #ditchbook
A3: Flexible seating in my HS classroom has won my heart. Will be moving out the final desks tomorrow. Flexible scheduling is next. A S should be allowed to take a course at whatever time.There are ways to work around current scheduling and make it a better fit for Ss. #DitchBook
A3: It has to be a student-centered developed environment that leads to collaboration, independence, and creativity. Clustered desks, large spaces for projects, etc. #ditchbook
Oh, wow! That's really well stated. Perhaps we could then interest them in a copy of @jmattmiller's #DitchHW to hopefully change their thinking! #ditchbook
A3: I wish they were more transparent & connected to the real world outside of 4 walls. I wish classrooms were flexible, fluid spaces where Ss collaborate & communicate w/ others on real problems. Having a variety of learning spaces: diff. sizes, locations, resources. #ditchbook
A2: As a special educator, I will be more interested in gathering data as a student works toward an IEP goal. Finding a system that will help me easily organize data for analysis would be incredibly helpful. #DitchBook#conversechat
A3. That the four walls are removed and Ss do not feel like the classroom is the only place of learning #ditchbook They need to see they can connect to authors, artists, scientists, etc. BC they are those things too!
A3 Teachers should be flexible with their classroom spaces. If students are engaged, I don't care if they sit under their desk, in my chair, or stand somewhere else they're comfortable. #ditchbook
A3: Let's go all the way to the moon: no classrooms, no schools. Localized centers with resources, but all learning experiences determined by those providing experience. Anywhere. Anytime. Digital/virtual, local/geographical. Class like we do work. #DitchBook
IDK. The 24hr access to grades doesn’t help.
My HA Ss struggled w/ 1st assign after returning from break. Entered the grade, was immediately flooded with requesta for extra credit by Ss. Told them no & opportunities will come to improve #ditchbook
A3: It’s got to be flexible and allow for dynamic daily changes in class and individual needs. Flex seating, flex desks (sit or stand) I’d love to see spaces move this way #ditchbook
A3: Space to attempt/try/fail and resources always at the ready for whatever idea or plan takes shape. I think the space matters less than the experiences provided... so the classroom needs to be resource and opportunity rich #ditchbook
Absolutely! Create a global learning environment. My students had Brazilian penpals and it enhanced their writing, reading, research, and citizenship skills. #ditchbook
A3. That the four walls are removed and Ss do not feel like the classroom is the only place of learning #ditchbook They need to see they can connect to authors, artists, scientists, etc. BC they are those things too!
A3. I genuinely believe most learning takes place outside of school. Compare what you learned in school to what you learned when you could pursue what you were interested in. We have to bridge that divide #ditchbook
A2: Grades, like rank, are good in theory but don't equate to much. Being #1 doesn't ensure you'll be successful, being #50 doesn't mean you won't get a job. I have plenty who can get an "A" but have no real understanding. I'd move away from grades if I could. #DitchBook
A3: moved to tables this year and allows for more open and free classrooms. Want to get office chairs next. Want students to feel that they are trusted and respected like any professional. #DitchBook
Hang on to your hats! The sea may be rough in the winds of change, but it will be worth it in the long run! #tlap#DitchBook#KidsDeserveIt
This is the start of something BIG!
I have two fit desks (Thanks @donorschoose), 10 yoga balls ( $5 each from @flivebelow), 3 yoga mats, floor 2 stools, and a standing desk. Sit where you feel comfy! #ditchbook
Jumping in...A3: Flexible seating! Also, make the spaces feel like home. We spend so much time there, we ALL need to feel at home - teachers too! #ditchbook
A4. My Ss do discovery quests each month (think genius hour but discovering a concept of interest and teach the class), blog every other week on their choice, read what they want and we are pen pals about what they are reading- Choice and voice! #ditchbook
A3 each piece of the space serves a purpose. Like @ideaguy42 says in @SpaceTheBook, let Ss be involved in the creation of the space. The selections for the furniture m. #DitchBook
A4: This is my fav part! HW is irrelevant (here is what we will do and when we will need to be done); show your knowledge is whatever we decide together that makes the most sense and achieves our goal (S and T collab, S and S collab) #DitchBook
A4 Too humble to qualify as moonshot, yet menus & choice boards offer astronomical variety when it comes to demonstrating knowledge or skills. #ditchbook
A4: Homework should be meaningful and in a form that makes sense for the S. They need freedom to choose what they want/need to work on and have Tchr/Parent support of their plans #ditchbook
A4: Homework is not traditional. Ss can opt to work on their passions after school ends; passions that are encouraged in school. Ss work during school w/T guidance and do home things at home. ;) #DitchBook
A3: My moonshot is a virtual class. Whiteboard, Vid chat. Shortcuts, GDrive. Sort of like Open Sankore but with all the Google stuff build in. I've seen this type of tech work with my Ss who have learning differences. Location and setting won't matter. #ditchbook
A4: We have 2 face it Parents want it to feel secure, BUT as educators...we can create meaningful homework. Utilized the flipped classroom model and utilize home for intro. of concepts w/ parents learning too #ditchbook
A3 this would probably work@best for MS/HS but...
M, W, F school days. T & TH elearning days. Ts still report to school work M-F & available on elearning days to assist if needed in person or digitally. #ditchbook
A3: I feel like both I and the students need to be moving around the classroom as much as possible. I don't want to disrupt their learning with too much movement but, at the same time, I don't want the students to feel stuck in their seats. #DitchBook#conversechat
A4 my moonshot would be that Ts are so effective they wouldn’t feel the need to push HW. Hopefully, they read #ditchhw and think about meaningful ways to use class time. #DitchBook#jr2proud
A4: HW should be optional or extensions of learning. We get the students for 8 hours of a day. Let them have their own time to be with family and explore their own passions #DitchBook
A4. the nature of homework is to be counterproductive. The concept of doing more of what is boring you in school, at home, is ridiculous. When an environment is created where Ss are curious and enjoy the process of learning, h/w happens naturally and is more effective #DitchBook
A1-4 moonshot thought: I don't think we are stretching enough. If we really could do anything, are we sure we still want 25 Ss about the same age learning the same kinds of things at the same time and place with structured scoring/reporting? There must be better way. #DitchBook
A4: Homework needs to be relevant & necessary to support learning and/or take Ss further. I only give HW once a week or so & it's never graded - only practice. #DitchBook
