Through post-observation and general discussions our preservice teachers thought they were asking good questions by asking "why?". While these questions are important, "why?" questions are not always effective, especially when a student responds with "I don't know". Such questioning techniques must be explicitly…

Mistakes can be a source of frustration for teachers and students in mathematics classrooms because they reveal potential misunderstandings or a lack of learning. However, increasing evidence shows that making mistakes creates productive pathways for learning new ideas and building new concepts (Boaler 2016; Borasi 1996). Learning through…

Research has shown that once a potential solution to a problem has settled into one's mind, it can be difficult to break from the original idea and move in a different direction (Cardoso & BadkeSchaub, 2009; Jansson & Smith, 1991). When designers are given examples (whether as models, photographs, sketches, or drawings), they often fixate…

The goal of this paper is to illustrate different ways that cardsorting activities (or "card stacks") can be implemented in the introductory physics classroom, along with various tips and resources for getting started. My first attempt at developing a card stack came about from simply wanting to try out a fun way to change student…

Students often struggle in AP Physics 1 because they have not been previously trained to develop qualitative arguments. Extensive literature on multiple representations and qualitative reasoning provides strategies to address this challenge. Table I presents three examples, including SiQuENC, which I adapted from a strategy promoted by Etkina et…

Mathematics has been taught throughout history without much more than a straightedge, a compass, and an abacus. So there is little question that all the major concepts of mathematics can be delivered without the aid of modern technology. But clearly, just the time-saving aspect of using technology can greatly enhance the art of teaching. In this…

"Developing Creativity in the Classroom" applies the most current theory and research on creativity to support the design of teaching and learning. Creative thinking and problem solving are at the heart of learning and application as students prepare for innovation-driven careers. This text debunks myths about creativity and teaching…

Team-based learning (TBL) is a non-traditional method of instruction that utilizes permanent teams working together to solve problems and make decisions. The authors extend the prior TBL criminal justice literature through a detailed explanation of the use of application-focused activities in the classroom. Specifically, application-focused…

To learn with data, students need "data" to explore. This can be deceptive--data-rich experiences typically involve much more than a straightforward science lab. Solving real problems with data means identifying authentic questions that are meaningful to students and provide a foundation for deep inquiry. Such situations often lend…

Mathematical paradoxes often produce awe and wonder in the mathematics classroom. In this classroom episode, I share a paradoxical task, based on Simpson's Paradox, and its power as an intervention for a child diagnosed with ADHD. The Paradox leveraged his strengths to help him build understandings in proportional reasoning.

Learning outcomes can structure and enhance the undergraduate research experience, building skills such as critical thinking/problem solving, communication, and teamwork/collaboration. These skills often correspond to what employers desire in their recruitment of recent college graduates: students possess career competencies that result from…

Many secondary students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) struggle with mathematics problem solving. When students with SLD are taught to use effective problem-solving strategies, their ability to solve mathematics word problems improves. The purpose of this article is to provide a guide for secondary teachers to implement self-regulated…

One of the most fundamental strategies in mathematics instruction is practice problems because teachers know that practicing a skill improves performance. At the same time, teachers also know that just because students can correctly answer practice problems does not mean they fully understand the concept or how to apply a formula--especially not…

The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) is an evidence-based model of instruction implemented by a facilitator (e.g., general or special education teacher, family member, related service professional, transition professional) to enable students to learn to self-regulate problem solving in service to a goal. Students learn how to…

The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) is an evidence-based model of instruction implemented by a facilitator (e.g., general or special education teacher, family member, related service professional, transition professional) to enable students to learn to self-regulate problem solving in service to a goal. Students learn how to…