How can I best explain the Modern Classroom model to stakeholders?
What is the Modern Classrooms Project?
What is the Modern Classrooms Project?
The Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) is a nonprofit organization, founded by teachers, that helps educators use technology to meet every student's needs. MCP trains teachers to record their own instructional videos, which students can watch at their own paces in class and at home. This approach helps students achieve true understanding and makes class time more productive for students and educators alike. MCP's work is backed by academic research and has helped to transform thousands of classrooms worldwide.
Additional Resources:
Watch the model in action in Edutopia videos: Elementary + Secondary
Animated short “What is a Modern Classroom?”
How do I explain this model to caregivers or classroom visitors?
How do I explain this model to caregivers or classroom visitors?
Our animated short, “What is a Modern Classroom?” offers the student perspective on experiencing the model and is a great resource to share with caregivers, classroom visitors, and other stakeholders.
You can help your child succeed in a Modern Classroom by:
Encouraging perseverance.
Checking in about progress frequently.
Working through the teacher's online course resources together.
If your student feels like the teacher isn't providing enough support, encourage your child to raise it directly with the teacher. One of the main purposes of the Modern Classroom model is to free up teachers to provide individualized support to students who need it!
Additional Resources:
Christensen Institute's Report on student-centered learning (MCP featured)
How do teachers train in the instructional model?
How do teachers train in the instructional model?
The Modern Classrooms Project offers two professional development options. Educators can take our blended, self-paced Free Course, which takes about 5 hours to complete, or enroll in the more personalized Virtual Mentorship Program (VMP), which takes most learners 25-30 hours to complete. In the VMP, educators are partnered with an Expert Mentor–an educator currently using the model in their practice–who gives personalized feedback on assignments for each of the five learning modules. Educators complete the course having created classroom-ready materials to begin implementing the MCP instructional model.
Does self-pacing conflict with school or district pacing calendars?
Does self-pacing conflict with school or district pacing calendars?
No! MCP units allow for a flexible pace with firm deadlines. This means the unit should have a common start and end date along with a common summative assessment date. Many educators include common mid-unit assessment dates as well. MCP units also allow for planned events, including guest speakers, seminars, and unit celebrations. Therefore, flexible pacing allows students to self-pace within school or district pacing calendars.
Are students just in front of the computer all day in a Modern Classroom?
Are students just in front of the computer all day in a Modern Classroom?
In a Modern Classroom, educators design class time that is intentional and varied. This may include: a cycle of instructional videos/guided practice/mastery checks, station rotations, planned collaboration activities, and whole-class discussions.
Evaluators at Johns Hopkins University found that, compared to students in traditional classrooms, students in Modern Classrooms were significantly more likely to:
Enjoy learning.
Understand what they are learning.
Engage in learning new content and skills.
Complete challenging assignments without giving up.
Do educators execute whole-class activities when using this model?
Do educators execute whole-class activities when using this model?
Whole-class activities are regular parts of MCP units. This may include: inquiry activities, See-Think-Wonder exercises, Chalk Talks, labs, exploratory exercises, debates or Socratic seminars, labs, and mini-lessons.
Additional Resources:
Is the teacher really teaching if students are watching videos?
Is the teacher really teaching if students are watching videos?
In a Modern Classroom, the teacher replaces lectures by recording short videos, based on research-supported practices. Now students can:
Fast-forward through things they already know.
Pause to take notes or ask questions.
Rewind when they miss something.
Learn in school and at home.
Rewatch old videos in preparation for year-end assessments.
It's still the teacher who teaches! Plus, parents can now watch these videos too, and support learning at home.
Additional Resource:
How do educators use class time in a Modern Classroom?
How do educators use class time in a Modern Classroom?
Fostering Collaboration
In the most effective Modern Classrooms, educators implement daily opening routines to build collaboration, to nurture goal-setting, and to foster classroom community. A daily closing routine can also round out a Modern Classrooms class period with reflections or other directed prompts or activities. Modern Classrooms educators also lift student expertise by creating peer support structures, TAs, “lesson superstars,” and leveraging strategic, data-based flexible grouping to support further collaboration.
Delivering Individual & Small Group Instruction
In Modern Classrooms, it is common to see educators giving mini-lessons to multiple students, engaging in 1-1 reteaching, and meeting with targeted small groups based on unit data.
Giving Feedback & Assessing
Modern Classrooms educators schedule class time in intentional ways. For example, many educators create a flow that includes a warm-up/SEL check-in and opening routine, designated small group and individual meeting times, designated feedback-giving time, and a closing routine.