KORCOS 2017

Scored Discussions provide a model for evaluating student participation in structured classroom discussions.  They are also a form of alternative assessment and can be used to facilitate a wide range of learning outcomes while, at the same time, reducing the number of papers a teacher needs to grade.  Scored Discussions can be used in any content area and are applicable for grades K-12.

John Zola spent 32 years as a high school social studies teacher; most recently at New Vista High School, a “break the mold” public high school in Boulder, Colorado.  He also was Director of School and University Partnerships at the University of Colorado School of Education.  Throughout his career, John developed interactive teaching materials and trained colleagues in active learning strategies and Socratic seminars.  He has presented keynote addresses on topics such as critical thinking and numerous workshops that help teachers make the work and voice of students central in the classroom.  John’s sessions are interactive and participatory with a strong focus on practical classroom applications.