The Best Class You Never Taught ― How Spider Web Discussion Can Turn Students into Learning Leaders

Wiggins, an educator, instructional coach, and consultant, explains the implementation of spider web discussion, a technique that teaches K-12 students to work collaboratively in solving problems and self-assess that process. The method is team-oriented, ongoing, student-centered, and involves discussion-based exploration and self-assessment, documenting the discussion in real time through a web-like graph. She describes the importance and usefulness of the method, including the underlying research; its applications; the first few weeks of using it; typical challenges, such as shyness or behavioral problems in students; assessment; benefits; and a year of spider web discussion from the teacher's perspective. Each chapter includes a vignette detailing a typical scenario, key research, practical and advanced applications, and testimonials. Annotation ©2017 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)