- Jan 2017
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ww2.kqed.org ww2.kqed.org
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Levesque has compiled resources to help teachers design “thicker questions” that push students to use multiple sources, analyze them, develop an opinion and connect to the real world.
LOVE THIS!! I believe this is the most neglected and misunderstood practice in todays schools! In his What is the Value of a Teacher? TEDx talk Alan November elaborates on why and shows a few examples of how.
There are so many fake/false news headlines, quotes, and articles being circulated by news media, educators and politicians our students and even adults are captives in an information age rather than navigators or controllers of it.
The one critical pivot I would make to this wonderful idea would be to substitute the word teachers with students. I think teachers should be very careful not to give out too many questions, but rather teach their students how to ask their own "thicker questions"!
In the words of Neil Postman & Charles Weingartner, "Once you have learned how to ask questions—relevant and appropriate and substantial questions—you have learned how to learn and no one can keep you from learning whatever you want or need to know."
So I would focus on making just one change in your classroom and I think all of the tips, tricks and tech tools will fall in line and naturally lend itself to authentic tasks powered by students asking meaningful and relevant questions and being equipped to find the answers.
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