This lesson focuses on the current business trend of adapting to change and how this trend impacts the workplace. First, use the report to teach your students about this concept and to find classroom implications of this trend. Then, lead the class in a discussion and an activity. A downloadable document of the action brief can be found in the Resource Library. For more action briefs such as this one, visit mbastatesconnection.mbaresearch.org and select "Action Briefs" under "Curriculum/Instruction."

This lesson focuses on the current business trend of emerging markets and how this trend impacts the workplace. First, use the report to teach the concept to your students and to find classroom implications of this trend. Then, lead your students in discussion and activities. A downloadable document of the action brief can be found in the Resource Library. For more action briefs such as this one, visit mbastatesconnection.mbaresearch.org and select "Action Briefs" under "Curriculum/Instruction."

This lesson focuses on the current business trend of how the global economy affects domestic businesses and how this trend impacts the workplace. First, use the report to teach the concept to students and to find classroom implications. Then, lead the class in discussion and activities. A downloadable document of the action brief can be found in the Resource Library. For more action briefs such as this one, visit mbastatesconnection.mbaresearch.org and select "Action Briefs" under "Curriculum/Instruction."

Building a culture of respect while still challenging students to share their voices requires thoughtful and careful facilitation by the teacher. Urban Academy teachers discuss the roles they play across subject areas to develop this respect in their school and how consistency across disciplines helps to establish respect among students. Three guiding principles come out of the teachers' reflection that foster a culture of respect. Teachers do not allow personal attacks, asking students to instead 'attack' ideas instead of people. In facilitating discussions, teachers avoid questions with 'right/wrong' answers, recognizing the value of all students' responses, and arbitrate fairly so that students trust teachers to manage sometimes controversial subjects fairly.

In an effort to promote deeper analysis and understanding of multiple viewpoints, Urban Academy teachers discuss the conscious decisions they make to promote this type of discussion. The group reflects on how they structure discussions to highlight different perspectives and also rephrase and restate student comments to heighten differences in opinions and to draw out additional responses. In reacting and responding to these differences, students participate in a deeper analysis.

Using an inquiry based approach has a profound effect on the depth and complexity of classroom discussions. In this video, students share how this is different than what they've previously experienced and we see teacher, Avram Barlowe, use primary source documents to drive discussions about freedom as it existed during Reconstruction following the Civil War. Recognizing that these documents describe both daily life and larger political and social ideas, Avram expects that the discussion will focus on both elements but will be largely driven by student comments and reactions to each text. In preparation for this inquiry based approach, Avram shares how he develops many questions that may never be used and must be ready to use students' comments and questions to facilitate the resulting discussion. Even though he knows ahead of time that there are specific issues that should be explored, he does not come into the discussion with specific answers or outcome for these issues. Avram sees the text as a vehicle in which the students can explore ideas that interest them and requires that students use multiple documents to challenge their thinking and extend their understanding of differing perspectives. In this way, students are prepared to not only discuss these ideas in this informal setting but are also prepared to read analytically and write about these ideas, considering multiple perspectives.

Supporting participation from all students is a challenging part of every teacher's practice. Discussing the different ways in which they support and encourage quieter students, Urban Academy teachers share ideas and reflect on the different ways in which students participate in learning. They recognize that different students participate in different ways and at different times but also make conscious decisions to support those who are not actively sharing ideas with the class. We see this happen with one student, Ebony, who was reluctant to share ideas but gains confidence through one-on-one coaching with her teacher, Sheila Kosoff. To support building this confidence, teachers discuss planning discussions outside of class and organizing smaller group discussions before bringing the whole class together.

Four teachers at Urban Academy Laboratory High School talk about how they use the inquiry approach in their teaching. History teacher Adam Grumbach talks about how using the inquiry model is a helpful strategy for teaching students of mixed abilities while History teacher Avram Barlowe discusses how the inquiry model is enriched by diverse participants. As students are shown having an inquiry-based discussion, we see evidence of different points of view and the importance of having these discussions in the context of the classroom. Adam shares the significance of having discussions with students from diverse backgrounds and diverse viewpoints and points out that this has as much educational value as more traditional learning opportunities. At the close of the video, four components of the inquiry approach are identified: it promotes a diversity of voices, it creates opportunities for students to share opinions, it teaches students how to use evidence and builds students' confidence.

This lesson focuses on the current business trend of mistrust of leaders and how this trend impacts the workplace. First, use the report to teach your students about the concept and to find classroom implications of this issue. Then, administer the classroom discussion and activity. A downloadable document of the action brief can be found in the Resource Library. For more trend reports such as this one, visit mbastatesconnection.mbaresearch.org and select "Action Briefs" under "Curriculum/Instruction."

Fifth graders in Donna Migdol's class work collaboratively to create a roller coaster with the longest ride so that a marble can get to end of the roller coaster without falling off. The class begins by "chiming," talking about their design ideas and building off of each other's thoughts. After discussing their plans, students construct individual sketches of their roller coasters. The groups then come together to discuss their ideas, construct group sketches, and make computer simulations of their roller coasters. After coming up with solid plans for their roller coasters, the groups construct their roller coasters using a variety of materials, testing and redesigning as necessary.

This lesson focuses on the current business trend of salary/benefits issues and how this trend impacts the workplace. First, use the report (found in Task 1) to teach the concept and find classroom implications. Then, lead the class in discussion and activities.  A downloadable document of the action brief can be found in the Resource Library. For more action briefs such as this one, visit mbastatesconnection.mbaresearch.org and select "Action Briefs" under "Curriculum/Instruction."

A team of educators from Urban Academy Laboratory High School in New York City share their perspective about the teacher's role in an inquiry based classroom. Central to this process is the idea that a teacher is a facilitator and supports student development of ideas using evidence. Student voice is valued and used to encourage students' critical thinking. Throughout this development of ideas, teachers also play a critical role in building a culture of respect through honoring student ideas and using them to develop and inform other perspectives.