A Conversation Presented by Karen Lirenman, Connected Ed, May 2013
The Power of Providing Choice
Karen Lirenman
@klirenman
about.me/karen.lirenman
WHY?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31167076@N07/5471047557/
Excite
Empower
Engage
Inspire
What does choice look like
in my grade one class?
Choice with how to practice word work.
Choice with writing topics and tools for writing.
Choice with how to learn math concepts.
Choice with what and where to read.
• Choice with where to
work in the classroom
• Choice with who to
work with
• Choice on topic of
study
• Choice on how to show
learning
Other Choices Include
How?
• Mind set 
• Relinquishing
control
• Figuring out the
learning
objectives and
being okay with
how they are met
How has
increased
choice
impacted my
student’s
learning?
•Increased engagement
•Increased problem solving
•Increased ownership of learning
•Increased authenticity of learning
•Increased collaboration
•Increased cooperation
•Increased peer assessment
•Increased pride with
accomplishments
Choice ...
• Shows we care about students and value
their decisions
• Creates a supportive classroom
environment
• Helps develop life long learning
• Increases collaboration amongst students
• Puts the student at the centre of their
learning
What are some ways that you are proving your students with choices
with their learning?

What are others ways you can provide your students with choice?

How do you manage and support the choices your students make with
their learning?

Is it possible to provide your students with too much choice?

What do you see as the stumbling blocks to providing choice for you
students?

How can we over come those stumbling blocks?

What benefits have you seen with providing choice with respect to you,
and/or your students?

If you could remove all perceived barriers to choice how would your
classroom run?
Questions to Ponder and Discuss
Karen Lirenman
about.me/karen.lirenman
@klirenman

Why choice?