Learning By Choice: 10 Ways Choice and Differentiation Create An Engaged Learning Experience for Every Student

by A.J. Juliani

"As educators, we all want to do our best for the kids we serve each day. As adults, we value having choices very much; however, how often do we allow our students to have choice in their educational journey? Juliani explores this notion of choice in an in-depth study of how giving students such opportunities can lead to higher levels of achievement and quality of their overall academic experience. His "10 ways" will not only transform your classroom but also change the way you feel about teaching; they're a must have for every classroom teacher!"
-Erin Klein, MACUL Michigan Teacher of the Year, ASCD Emerging Leader, and Scholastic Top Teacher

"When it comes to student choice in the classroom, AJ Juliani is both passionate and authoritative. His practical, step-by-step instructions take the often nebulous concept of choice and turn it into something actionable and manageable for classroom teachers."
-Angela Watson, Author of Unshakeable and Awakened, Founder of The Cornerstone for Teachers

Think about the best learning experiences you've ever had. Chances are you had a choice in what you were learning, and what you wanted to get out of the experience.

Yet, in our schools it is difficult to give students choice when curriculum, standards, and expectations get in the way.

This book presents 10 simple ways to transform your classroom into a student-centered experience, through choice, easy ways to differentiate, and a focus on student engagement from the start.

Each chapter covers a specific area of teaching and learning with

-Choice in what we learn (content)

-Choice in how we learn (instruction)

-Choice in technology

-Choice in purpose

-Choice in pace and order

-Choice in assessment

There are many educational books out there on WHY we should be learning different and teaching different. This books focuses on the HOW. The 10 strategies start with a story, and end with a step-by-step guide on how to implement choice effectively in any classroom.

Genres: Education, Teaching

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[Marc Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Process for Student-Centered Learning

Juliani provides a process for using student-centered learning in your classroom. His ideas are student-tested, and they provide a base for utilizing student-centered learning to build engagement and learning.

[Mika Auramo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julianin uusin kirja lähtee oppilaskeskeisyydestä ja vapaudesta valita. Oppilas siis johtaa oppimisprosessia ja hänellä on vapaus valita, mitä oppii, miten arvioidaan, mitä teknologiaa käyttää jne. Bobbylle tekijä sanoi, ettei millekään suoritukselle anneta arvosanaa, vaan poika saa opiskella, mitä haluaa ja jakaa kokemuksenssa koko luokalla.

Kappaleet on nimetty saman kaavan mukaan, esim. "Choice in technology" jne. Kirjassa on monia käytännön ohjeita, kuinka saada oppilailta palautetta ja miten oppimisprosessi saadaan haltuun. Lisäksi on käytännön vinkkejä, kuinka oppimispäiväkirjoja voi käyttää reflektointiin.

Digitaalisten työvälineiden käyttö tulee monessa kohdin esille ja oppijan valinnan vapaus. Onpa mukaan vielä vedetty Mischelin klassinen vaahtokarkkitesti 1960-luvulta, jolloin testattiin lasten luonteenpiirteitä ja lähdettiin selvittelemään, mikä motivoi, ja oliko se vain mielihyvä, joka ohjaa menettelytapojamme.

Osaamistaan voi osoittaa niin monella tavalla eikä vain summatiivisella kokeella. Esim. historian kurssilla voi tehdä sen perinteisen esseen Napoleonista, infografiikan, poliittisen sarjakuvan, muutaman minuutin videoanimaation tai fiktiivisen podcastin Ranskan keisarista - siis ainakin yhden tai jopa useampia.

Loppupuolella vielä tuodaan hyvin esille, miten oppijoita voisi sitouttaa ja miten itsemääräytyvyyttä voisi edistää yhteistoiminnallisuutta apuna käyttäen. Intohimo ilman omistautumista ei ole Julianin mielestä mitään. Siksi olisikin tärkeää saada oppimissisällöt sellaisiksi, että oppijat kokevat ne itselleen myöhemmin ja ehkä jo opiskellessa tärkeiksi asioiksi.

Kaiken kaikkiaan teos haastaa opettajat pohtimaan ja arvioimaan uudelleen nykyistä vallitsevaa tapaa opettaa ja oppia ja onko se sittenkään enää pätevä tai oikea tapa nykyaikana.

[Joy Kirr]

I own the Kindle edition of this book. My favorite parts were the chapter that included step-by-step directions as to how to have a flipped lesson - I've never seen it laid out like that before and I really appreciated the clear steps! I also enjoyed in the last chapter how A.J. addressed the students who struggle with choice and do "nothing" in class. This is a real issue, and people need to know that it happens, and we should NOT blame the student (even if that's difficult).

[Laura Komos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Affirmed many of my beliefs and stretched my thinking in new ways.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good, specific things that I can do in my classroom to help my students be successful with 20% time

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. The ideas match my philosophy on teaching and learning.