Choices

So many students are just trying to get through school. I want to engage mine. Turn them on to learning. I also want to tailor my online courses to my students' needs. (Aka differentiation!)

Best Practices: The Miracle of Choices by Mary Tedrow focuses on the value of offering students choices. When students have a choice, they are more likely to "buy into" an assignment. It can be as simple as saying do A or B, choose ten out of fifteen problems to answer, or as open as having students propose their final project. Students discover the application of what they're being taught/learning to their lives and interests. And, as Tedrow suggests, you (the teacher) may find your reading much more interesting.