Student Centered

My student centered lesson is one that I'm currently working on, which deals with the topic of religion.  It has been an interesting experience this year in that it is a bit of a change from the way I worked this topic in the past.  I like that the students are able to get to know all the religions at a basic level and have opportunities to follow their interests.  My issue with my current unit is that many of my students have "filled" their organizers with basics and see that as an opportunity to be finished.  I have had difficulty with some students trying to find specific niches that they can delve deeper into.  For each religion I've picked out and demonstrated my own interest for the religion, but I have had only limited success in translating that to the students.  For the last few days we've been discussing the assessment that will be used and tomorrow I'll show them the rubric for it.  I'm hoping that they'll see to be successful in the assessment according to the rubric they will need a well rounded understanding, but will also benefit from areas of greater depth of knowledge. 

On another note, next week I'll be presenting my synchronous discussion topic to the class.  My topic will be professional development for virtual teachers.  Our primary discussion will try and connect the data found in the study and the responses in the asynchronous discussion.  In addition we will discuss ways in which the lessons of this research can also be applied to our current brick and mortar institutions.  I thought the two leaders I worked with last week did a great job and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to take the lead.