ABSTRACT

There is one common thread that the "stand-out" classrooms share: they take risks. Not only do these students and teachers take learning risks, but they also take them together. They are partners in the learning process, where the teacher is the "lead learner". Teachers often get a ton of information about our students before they walk in the door: past test scores, socio-economic background, behavior issues in other classes, etc. Some of this information is very important but none of this information should make us start our relationship with our students based on assumptions. Some of this information is very important but none of this information should make us start our relationship with our students based on assumptions. Teachers also need to allow the students to motivate their own learning. When teachers blog with students they take the interaction from class and put it into a forum where anyone can participate.