As an education leader, when you start the conversation about authentic learning and authentic products you’re bound to hear some objections! Join me to hear the top 6 objections you’ll hear around authenticity and how to address them.

 

If you want to skip ahead:

0:13 Episode 24: Authentic Audience and Episode 26: Authentic Product

0:27 In today’s episode you’ll learn 6 common objections to authentic learning and how to handle them

0:50 When students know WHY they are learning something, they are more likely to be cognitively engaged

4:06 4 objections you’ll hear around the WHY of authentic learning:

1. I’ve always taught it this way. This has always worked for me.
2. This type of learning doesn’t work for Math/ELA/SS/Science
3. My kids can’t do this type of work
   • I have to cover the content
   • Kids need to learn the basics of the content before they can move on to the hard stuff
   • What about state tests?
   • I am rated on this/our school is rated on this. Enrollment will go down, we’ll lose funding, I’ll lose my job
4. Content/tests

6:03 How to respond to the WHY objections. Step 1: Recognize and validate their concern 

7:47 Daniel Kahneman and Tversky: Prospect Theory

10:41 Step 2: Help people understand the WHY more clearly

11:39 Rigor Redefined by Tony Wagner

12:33 Brain Rules by Dr. John Medina

14:45 Driving the Design of Authentic Student Tasks

21:51 Rigor Redefined by Tony Wagner

24:50 2 objections you’ll hear around the HOW of authentic learning

1. MANAGEMENT (time/classroom)
2. • I can’t manage this with 30 kids
   • It will take too long
   • I don’t have the time
   • I’ll do this at the end of the unit
3. AWARENESS: 

• • I’m already doing this
  • I don’t know how to do this

 

25:58 How to respond to the HOW objections. Step 1: Recognize and validate their concern 

26:30 Step 2: Provide freedom and support, or provide models, examples, and guides

35:25 Episode 24: Authentic Audience and Episode 26: Authentic Product

 

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