Author: Jolene Zywica, PhD

Transforming Your Classroom with Effective Feedback

I recently re-read an article from 2016 by Dylan William called “The Secret of Effective Feedback.” Over the past several years we’ve consistently found that feedback is one of the best ways teachers can improve students’... Read More

Infographic: Engaging Students with Effective Feedback Loops

Teachers know that students learn best when they’re actively engaged in their learning. While there are many different ways to engage students, one strategy we’re focused on is establishing effective feedback loops between... Read More

Mindset’s Impact On Learning

Great learning has the power to change how we think about ourselves, our relationships, and our role in the world. For both students and teachers, one of the most significant impacts on a person’s learning is their mindset, or... Read More

5 Learning Principles We Rely On to Improve Student Engagement

The research backs up what every teacher intuitively knows: students learn best when they’re actively engaged in their learning. Engaged students perform better across nearly all metrics, and leave high school prepared for the... Read More

Learning Theories & Design Frameworks: The Research Driving Our Tools & Resources

We’ve come to believe that the single most important factor in a students’ learning is their level of engagement in their learning. Engaged students show up prepared, participate in class activities and projects, dedicate time and... Read More

Engagement is More than Participation

Earlier this spring I was able to visit with students at Quest Forward Academy Santa Rosa. In passing, I heard a student mention their “participation” in class. I was reminded of my own experiences in school, which mostly centered... Read More

Teacher Spotlight: Catherine Dempsey

Last week, Catherine Dempsey, one of the exceptional teachers at Quest Forward Academy Omaha, shared some of the ways she engages students in active, skills-forward learning.  As a science teacher and coach since 2021, Catherine... Read More

10 Strategies for Developing Work Skills

In my last post, I described four essential work skills to help your students work smartly, efficiently and successfully. Those skills are:   Focus   Plan   Make an Effort   Document Today I’m going to focus on... Read More