Re-Engaging Boys In Learning

Ali Carr-Chellman 

http://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/in-sys/research/ali-carr-chellman

A former third-grade teacher, Ali Carr-Chellman realized that traditional elementary classrooms weren't for her, in part because she was frustrated by the lack of innovation, agility, and readiness to change in traditional schools. She's now an instructional designer, author and educator, working on how to change and innovate within schools to make education work better for more kids. She teaches at Penn State University in the College of Education, working primarily with doctoral-level students to help produce the next generation of faculty with inspired research ideas and methods. Carr-Chellman also teaches online courses focused on helping practicing teachers learn how to improve their own instructional design practices and how to improve their classrooms.

Her recent research projects include "Bring Back the Boys," looking at ways gaming can be used to re-engage boys in their elementary education. Another projects asks prisoners and homeless people to think about how to reform schools, bringing new voices to the policy-making table.



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We are deep in the home stretch of school with the kiddies.  It's been a particular challenging year for the 10 y.o.  4th grade has not exactly gone his way. The transition of moving from being younger to stepping into a more mature part of boyhood has not been easy.  

The learning style of boys is a consistent topic at our household.  It was good to hear that we are not the only one feeling that boys do learn differently.  Current expectations and teaching methods may or may not be promoting successes in boys.  As we continue our search to help our son excel and succeed, the road feel just a bit less lonely.

Do One Thing To Help Our Boys Feel Successful Today