Michael Niehoff

Project-based learning has been touted as the pedagogical cure-all for many things. Indeed, I have long argued it’s the ultimate instructional...

In his latest post, Michael Niehoff explores six ways that one could infuse creativity into a project-based learning environment.

One of the Four C’s that is particularly routinely referenced and seen as foundational to our students’ future success is creativity. This post shares some strategies for building a culture that supports students as they develop this essential trait.

If we focus on anything but academics to start the school year - such as culture, opportunity, creativity, relationships and the “why” - we may actually produce a more academically successful student and school year. This post explores how to make that happen.

Making learning more “real” has long been a goal of those who have promoted everything from project-based learning to career technical education. Both learners and learning facilitators want learning where the ‘why’ is an integral part of the process. It’s this desire to be “real” that has now found its way into our vernacular as “authenticity”.

If you ask teachers, most will indicate that they want appreciation and recognition for their hard work. However, they will also often say that they would rather have that appreciation and recognition be an ongoing, sincere and cultural acknowledgment than an official event or days on a calendar.

If school leaders and classroom teachers recognize the collective power of their students, then it makes sense for them to give their students the chance to identify needs, challenges, and issues within their school's culture, and develop potential means of addressing them.