Van Andel Institute for Education 21st century skills Archives

21 Jan 2022

The Essential Questions of STEM Learning

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Tags21st century skills, assessment, classroom culture, critical thinking, education, Growth Mindset, lesson planning, Ryan Duncan, standards-based learning, STEM

We do a lot of work with STEM learning at VAI. Nearly every day, groups of students join us virtually or in-person...

19 Jan 2022

Gaming: The Universal Language

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Tags21st century skills, classroom culture, connection, education, innovation, lesson planning, math, strategies, student choice, student engagement

*Today’s blog is a guest post by Emily Gillain. “Ms. Gillain, what are we doing for math today?” a student asks on...

17 Jan 2022

Essential Assessment in Student Learning

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Tags21st century skills, assessment, classroom management, curriculum, education, feedback, grading, Jamie MacPherson, strategies, teaching profession

Assessment can be such an overwhelming process. When it comes to giving assessments, not only do we wonder if our students hit...

14 Jan 2022

Growing Students through Fast Feedback

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Tags21st century skills, classroom management, critical thinking, education, innovation, lesson planning, relevance, strategies, student engagement, Terra Tarango

Have you ever watched a student’s face after you’ve given them positive feedback on their performance or behavior? I have. Their reactions...

12 Jan 2022

Helping Students Embrace Curiosity and Creativity

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Tags21st century skills, Blue Apple, classroom management, curiosity, curriculum, education, instruction, Ryan Duncan, strategies, student choice

Every teacher knows that curiosity is one of the pillars of education. The desire to know, to explore, to understand what makes...

10 Dec 2021

Reflections on Student Engagement

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Tags21st century skills, classroom culture, connection, curiosity, education, Growth Mindset, inspiration, Ryan Duncan, student engagement, teaching profession

Recently, Van Andel Institute for Education began welcoming students back to in-person learning at our main building. We’ve all been cautious; masks...

8 Dec 2021

Learning from the Webb

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Tags21st century skills, authenticity, Ben Talsma, Blue Apple, relevance, science education, STEM, strategies, teaching profession, technology

The countdown has begun; we’re two weeks away. It could all go wrong, of course. What might have been a time full...

1 Dec 2021

Making Math Memorable

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Tags21st century skills, critical thinking, curriculum, education, Jamie MacPherson, lesson planning, math, STEM, strategies, student choice

I never liked math growing up. As a student, I can remember sitting in math classes and wondering, “When am I ever...