Selected Research Sources to be used in aid of creating definition of Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Bennett, Barrie, and Carol Rolheiser. Beyond Monet: The Artful Science of Instructional Integration. Toronto: Bookation, 2008.

We had Barrie Bennett present at our school over 10 years ago and we will use ideas and technique he presented at that workshop. This book is a gold mine of activities and research that support teaching and learning.

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: HarperCollins, 1990.

Csikszentmihalyi’s seminar work on flow states may be 28 years old, but that central concept is as poignant and relevant as ever. My takeaway: how do we create the conditions for students AND teachers to find and work in their flow state: that delicate balance of challenge and expertise. From the publisher “During flow, people typically experience deep enjoyment, creativity, and a total involvement with life.”

O’Connor, Ken. How to Grade for Learning, K-12, 3^rd. ed. Thousand Oaks: Corwnin, 2012.

Ken O’Connor is one of the leading experts on assessment, particularly in an Ontario context with Growing Success. I attended a workshop with Ken 6 years ago and immediately bought this book; it is my go-to resource for assessment practices.

Hattie, John. Visible Learning. London: Routledge, 2009.

----------. Visible Learning for Teachers. London: Routledge, 2012.

Like many administrators, I am a Hattie fan and often cite his work in my professional sphere. In particular, his meta-analysis of how professional development and the teacher-student relationship affect student achievement has profoundly shaped my thinking on these topics. About three weeks ago I participated in a webinar John Hattie gave from New Zealand and was impressed with his ability to cut through the edu-speak noise and make his newest research accessible.

Gini-Newman, Garfield, and Roland Case. Creating Thinking Classrooms. Vancouver: Critical Thinking Consortium, 2015.

We are big fans of Garfield Gini-Newman at our school and the work of the Critical Thinking Consortium. This work, along with their many member-only web resources, are go to resources when it comes to integrating critical thinking practices into the classroom.

Fullan, Michael and Amy Hargreaves. Professional Capital: Transforming Teaching in Every School Paperback. New York: Teachers College Press, 2012

Michael Fullan is a legend in Ontario educational research and this book is a gem for administrators. He explains how teachers at different stages of their career need different support to continue to perform at a high level, and how to facilitate growth in colleagues.