...grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...
...courage to change the things I can change...
...and the wisdom to know the difference.
Vertical Non-Permanent Learning Spaces (VNPLS)
VNPLS are simply students doing their work on whiteboards, that have been mounted on the classroom walls, instead of at their desks. This idea was originally conceptualised by Peter Liljedahl, a renowned professor at SFU.
My goals for integrating VNPLS into my teaching practice are to:
Improve engagement and enthusiasm for math.
Increase communication amongst the students by facilitating the transfer of knowledge within student groups, and within the whole classroom, by creating a collaborative environment.
Decrease the fear of making mistakes through the non-permanency of the writing surface, thereby increasing the willingness of students to take risks.
Encourage struggling learners to collaborate and learn from their peers (no more hiding at their desk).
Allow more opportunities for formative assessment.
Here's a Powerpoint presentation that I did on VNPLS at the Surrey District's Ignite Session at one of the Engaging The Digital Learner - Learning By Design Dinner Series: Powerpoint
Here are some pictures and a video highlighting my first attempt at using VNPLS in several of my classes:
...courage to change the things I can change...
...and the wisdom to know the difference.
Vertical Non-Permanent Learning Spaces (VNPLS)
VNPLS are simply students doing their work on whiteboards, that have been mounted on the classroom walls, instead of at their desks. This idea was originally conceptualised by Peter Liljedahl, a renowned professor at SFU.
My goals for integrating VNPLS into my teaching practice are to:
Improve engagement and enthusiasm for math.
Increase communication amongst the students by facilitating the transfer of knowledge within student groups, and within the whole classroom, by creating a collaborative environment.
Decrease the fear of making mistakes through the non-permanency of the writing surface, thereby increasing the willingness of students to take risks.
Encourage struggling learners to collaborate and learn from their peers (no more hiding at their desk).
Allow more opportunities for formative assessment.
Here's a Powerpoint presentation that I did on VNPLS at the Surrey District's Ignite Session at one of the Engaging The Digital Learner - Learning By Design Dinner Series: Powerpoint
Here are some pictures and a video highlighting my first attempt at using VNPLS in several of my classes:
Students working on evaluating limits algebraically. What excites me most is the dramatic change in students' energy, enthusiasm, collaboration, and the amount of "math talk" that is happening when they are at the boards, compared to when they are sitting at their desks!!