NMSD Teaching and Learning
ACT INITIATIVES
Technology Enhanced Learning
North Marion School District is committed to holding "ourselves accountable to global standards." We know that this means preparing our students for the future by providing the access to a technology-enhanced education. North Marion has invested in the systems necessary to get technology into the hands of its students through either our EmPowered Up initiatives in third through eighth grades; or by providing teachers to access to smart boards, mobile labs, and other devices and software to enhance the learning environment for our students.
Active Engagement Strategies
Active engagement strategies are not one specific thing that we expect all teachers to be implementing. Instead they are a mindset that we want teachers to adopt. They are the belief that "the person doing the talking is doing the learning." They are the knowledge that when students are actively engaged with their learning process, they are more likely to have ownership of the knowledge and skills they gain. As we identify different strategies, practice, and evaluate their effectiveness, we will begin to hone in on what works best for our students and our content areas.
Project Based Learning
North Marion School District has made a commitment to train all staff on the fundamentals of Project Based Learning. We know that project based learning is a research based instructional strategy that can have a dramatic impact on student learning. Project based learning is active, and provides opportunity to high levels of engagement. Students are asked to apply their knowledge and skills to new situations, which forces them to explore questions at the 3 and 4 level of Depth of Knowledge. This application-based practice is well aligned to both the Common Cores State Standards, as well as the Next Generation Science Standards. And on top of it all, it is a fun and authentic way for students to demonstrate their learning!
Student Questioning Strategies
One of the simplest ways to engage or learners is by asking good questions. Often, the teacher is seen as the all powerful knower of all the answers. But this mentality takes the power away from the students. By instead asking higher order questions, we are asking students to become the experts. The right question can spark a student's imagination, and encourage active engagement with the information being presented.