professorlevin

[professorlevin]

Understanding No-Zero Grading Policies

Most educators have moved towards no-zero grading policies. These decisions are in line with a larger goal of asset-based learning. After all, students never bring NOTHING to the table. Their thoughts, emotions, and backgrounds can all potentially become the basis of long-term growth in the courses’ knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA). Nevertheless, where it gets less clear is what is the…

[professorlevin]

DeepSeek vs. Google Gemini: AI in Education

You may have heard in the news about a relatively new generative AI software out of China known as DeepSeek. Even if you haven’t, the stock market sure did yesterday. So, what’s the big deal? In short, DeepSeek’s quick rise occurred with less advanced hardware and far less investment. Whether or not this is an incremental change in the industry, or a “Sputnik” moment remains to be seen.…

[professorlevin]

Jerome Bruner, Constructivist Psychology: Perception, Spiraling and Intuition

Author’s Note: This year I took the plunge into the final frontier of education, a doctorate at Northern Illinois University. This post is for a final presentation on a groundbreaking theorist in Curriculum and Instructional Design. I was assigned Dr. Jerome Bruner. The more I researched, the more I saw how extraordinary Bruner was. His insights fuel our modern education system today. Given my…

[professorlevin]

Adding an AI Policy to Your Spring Syllabus

As Spring semester begins in the next few weeks, it may be time to address the growing use of AI in the classroom. Like many of you, my first taste of consumer-facing generative Artificial Intelligence was after the release of ChatGPT in late 2022. In just the past year, the technology has grown in prominence filling in more areas relevant to education. While I have up to now simply used the…

[professorlevin]

Education Policy and Artificial Intelligence

Few technological innovations have redefined education as quickly as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Within weeks of release, cheating had taken on a whole new meaning. Within months AI had developed a more nuanced role creating opportunities for instructors to be more efficient and for students to think in new ways or isolate specific skills. While I knew that technology companies had long valued our data, I…

[professorlevin]

Updates

Last summer, I rose from VP to President to the Illinois Council for the Social Studies. As part of this exciting role, I was an introductory speaker at the Fall Conference for the wonderful, Mary Ellen Daneels. Mary Ellen explained about all of the efforts to promote civics education. For more information, check out the Illinois Civics Hub. Also, consider attending our spring conference on March…

[professorlevin]

Korea, Culture, and COVID

Korea, Culture, and COVID

Ironically, even as sociology is being eliminated at college campuses, the subject is more relevant than ever as a tool for understanding our changing times. So when the World History Digital Educaiton Foundation announced its Spring 2020 Lesson Plan Contest, I made sure to submit my lesson on the impact of culture on early responses to COVID-19…and it won!

So without further ado, check out my…

[professorlevin]

Into the Unknown: Lessons learned so far

Like most every other educator in America, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed our method of teaching. Practivally overnight, we have been forced to become tech-savvy gurus. Having received training from Harper College and taught online classes there, I was in a bit of a better position when it came time for distance learning with my high school students. After reflecting on the first…

[professorlevin]

NCSS Annual Conference: An incredible opportunity for inspiration and information

NCSS Annual Conference: An incredible opportunity for inspiration and information

Along with thousands of other social studies educators and professionals, I went to the 2018 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Annual Conference in Chicago. Like ICSS Conferences, NCSS brought together experts in the social studies and history to lead sessions for educators. The big difference is the size and, as a result, the number of options.

“Even Clarence agreed with me.”

–…

[professorlevin]

Presenting at the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies

Presenting at the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies

Sorry for the radio silence. Since I last wrote, I have moved to Wisconsin and now teach at Starbuck Middle School in Racine. Here I teach geography and world cultures. My job is exceptionally important as I am the first social teacher that most of these students have ever had. What hasn’t changed are my efforts to promote student engagement. Whether its Breakout Boxes or social studies museums,…

[professorlevin]

Creating "Museums" to Promote Student Research & Analysis Skills

Creating “Museums” to Promote Student Research & Analysis Skills

I have the privilege of speaking at tomorrow’s conference of the Illinois Council for the Social Studies (ICSS). The topic is the (Social) Science Fair. Growing up, we almost all took part in at least one science fair. You choose a question and then you research the subject and determine an answer to it based on your evidence. My thought was that my US History classes could apply many of the same…

[professorlevin]

Creating Engaged Citizens at Willowbrook

Creating Engaged Citizens at Willowbrook

Since August, I have been teaching at Willowbrook High School in the Western suburbs. It is a dream job. Not only do I get to teach US History, Economics, and US Government at a great school, but also I get to teach these subjects at the third most diverse school districtin the entire state. This diversity presents many opportunities to engage the…

[professorlevin]

Mais, Oui: Adding French to My License I am excited to announce the addition of French to my teaching license, which means I am now able to teach the language in the state of Illinois.

[professorlevin]

Mind Mapping "No Pity"

Mind Mapping “No Pity”

If you decide to read “No Pity”, then these mind maps of chapters will come in very handy.

From Claudia A. is the Mind Map for Chapter 2

From Xenia R. is the Mind Map for Chapter 7:

[professorlevin]

"No Pity" Bookmark

“No Pity” Bookmark

Serafina N. had the wonderful idea of a bookmark for “No Pity”. It is a Word file so that you can add or change it for your class’ needs and interests.

SPE 506- _No Pity_ Representation

[professorlevin]

"No Pity" Helpful Links

“No Pity” Helpful Links

Riley H. Recommends:

Nightlife Interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxLC0_qTYVw

Deaf Mosaic – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtsYVeRuBuw

[professorlevin]

Celebrating Deaf Culture and Civil Rights

Celebrating Deaf Culture and Civil Rights

As the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) reaches its 25th anniversary, my group in special education read “No Pity” by Joseph Shapiro. The book charts the course of the Disability Civil Rights movement at its height. It also inspired us to create a series of important projects that we would like to share with the general public. While no replacement for the book, it is a great resource. Below…