Teaching for Tomorrow : Teaching Content and Problem-Solving Skills

"McCain's insights as an educator go way beyond the classroom. He truly grasps the need for schools to prepare young people for life in an increasingly dynamic world. This book continues Ted's tradition as a writer who speaks with great insight and clarity." David Thornburg, Director Thornburg Center for Professional Development "In our current NCLB-test driven-environment, this book provides a guide for teachers who want their students to be life-long learners with real-world problem solving skills." Michael A. Burke, Director, District Media and Technology Services Edina Public Schools, MN "Ted McCain gives readers clear, detailed, and readable strategies in order to engage students in active learning. The real-world content for students is key to an authentic, sustainable ability to problem solving." Guylene Robertson, Assistant Superintendent Cleveland Independent School District, Texas Reconsider the relevancy of what you teach and discover how to get students to develop "real-world" problem-solving skills! Through first-hand experience, author and educator Ted McCain concisely lays out the argument for preparing students for their world, guiding them to become independent and successful critical thinkers. Teaching for Tomorrow brings everyday life encounters and situations as text to the classroom, challenging students to engage more deeply in their learning and teachers in their teaching. By eliminating the typical stand and deliver approach, McCain hopes educators will now focus on using instruction that allows students to create knowledge for themselves. Major components of the book include: Role-playing scenarios Mapping out 6 changes to teaching that enable teachers to use problem-solving, project- based instruction effectively Outline of the 4 D's (Define, Design, Do, and Debrief), a step-by-step process for student work and for problem solving applicable to virtually any field By gaining real-world skills rather than just "school" skills, students are engaged in thoughtful work, learning to collaborate, taking responsibility for their own time and tasks, and becoming creative problem solvers in the classroom and for life beyond.