Promoting Active Learning with Joleen Boelter

In this episode, Craig Randal chats with Joleen Boelter, a math and science teacher from Ober Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boelter shares teaching strategies implemented in her classroom, particularly a method that emphasizes a student-centered framework grounded on trust-based observations. This involves establishing group work fostering peer evaluation, direct instruction, and individual self-assessment. She also uses tools such as a 'mild, medium, and spicy' system to motivate differentiation in problem-solving and incorporates descriptive progress feedback, primarily through inquiry-based questions. She also emphasizes the importance of developing resilience towards mistakes and fostering a nurturing yet challenging learning environment. 01:07 Joleen Boelter's Journey to Teaching02:03 The Transition to Teaching and Classroom Dynamics02:53 The Power of Trust-Based Observations04:22 The Role of Peer Assessment and Feedback04:51 Building Thinking Classrooms: A Book Review06:37 The Impact of Group Work and Student Autonomy08:50 The Importance of Student Self-Assessment28:48 The Power of Randomized Grouping33:50 Conclusion: The Value of Trust-Based Observations