Cues and Questions

1. Cues and questions should focus on what is important rather than what is unusual.
2. "Higher level" questions produce deeper learning then "lower level" questions.
3. Wait time has the effect of increasing the depth of student answers.
4. Questions are effective learning tools even when asked before a learning experience.

On your blog OR Delicious account, post three web sites that you can use as a resouce for creating lessons that have the four generalizations about cues and questions as stated above.

Creating a Google Account

You'll need to create a Google account in order to establish a blog, this is easily done from the Blogger.com. If you happen to have a blog already then you can use that one for class assignments and you won't have to create another. If you've created a website that too can be utilized for the class. We will be posting various things to the web and establishing a social network with other members of the class as well as other teachers from around the world. In order to comment on the posts you will eventually need a google account.

Follow these instructions for setting up a blog and a google account at the same time:

• Log into blogger.com ---you can click on the link above if you wish.
• Click on the (CREATE A BLOG) button
• Complete the online instructions and be sure to record your password.

Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback

Setting objectives establishes a direction for learning. Once students understand the parameters of an objective, they should brainstorm to determine what they know and what they want to learn. Specific, timely, and regular feedback to students enhances their learning. Also, feedback should include an explanation of why an item is correct or incorrect and be criterion referenced. In other words, students should understand where they stand relative to a specific target of knowledge or skill.

Look over an objective you've written for next week, have your students create a KWL or contract with them about the learning you wish for them to do as well as what they would like to become more knowledgeable about during the lesson. You may wish to utilize the links that are provided to help you develop a rubric for students as they self-assess their learning and/or a graphic organizer.