For more resources and tools on how to transition your student defenses toward being completely virtual, check out our #ELPVirtualDefense Resource Page! bit.ly/2YokRD5 And don't forget to keep an eye out for our next #ELPCoachChat!
#ELPCoachChat Often math teachers feel they must create a separate set of assignments or learning opportunities that are in addition to their regular stream of studying, working and learning together.
Ideally, a system gets better -- math curriculum gets better and math teachers get better -- at creating learning experiences that are worth defending as a regular part of the work that is happening in math class. -Vinci
#ELPCoachChat A3: Another hurdle is the reluctance to put 'shy' students in the spotlight - but very often these are the students who benefit most from the experience. -Vinci
#ELPCoachChat Thanks for your question, Jason. The process of formulating the ingredients of a defense, then rehearsing, then articulating to an audience is the same process across the content areas - and has the same effects: metacognition, coherence, agency.
I’m wondering in what ways you are able to make explicit to students the connection between defense of mathematics and the overall defense of learning. #ELPCoachChat
#ELPCoachChat Tasks that are open-ended enough set students up to develop and demonstrate agency by choosing tools and representations that are most relevant to the approach that makes most sense to the student. -Vinci
When tasks are open-ended enough, students need to make decisions about what tools or representations are most useful. That decision-making develops and demonstrates agency.
#ELPCoachChat A2: Work that a student can identify as a demonstration of their own learning. If a student can name what they learned as they produced the piece of work, it's a good candidate for defending. - Vinci
#ELPCoachChat Thank you for this point - practice with articulating learning creates opportunities to deepen learning - revising and upgrading understanding so often happens when students communicate what they have learned.
Defenses allow students to practice critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in post-secondary. With defenses, students get to practice these skills before they get to college or a career opportunity. #ELPCoachChat#linkedlearning
#ELPCoachChat Learning math for so many students is a long fragmented journey through disconnected topic after topic. What Jim is saying about coherence is especially valuable for bringing coherence to a fragmented journey. -Vinci