In short, they create and exhibit the characteristics of model learners. Their most powerful tools are invisible. They are quiding questions, storytelling, real life examples, collaboration strategies, encouraging statements, and brain-based learning decisions. Like the tools of any trade, new forms of technology are not determining factors in producing improved student learning. Better stories and commentaries emanate from thoughtful, active minds with compelling messages.
Appropriate tools remove barriers related to things peripheral to creation.
Over the past several years, thousands of educators worldwide, have similarly discovered that rubrics are useful tools for assessing complex student performance. Rubrics clearly focus teachers and students on critical performance indicators, often resulting in improved student performance. It is not uncommon for many educators to intuitively conclude that rubrics help them and their students. We, at Strategic Learning Technologies, Inc., creators of a very popular piece of rubric design software , The Rubricator, reached a different conclusion. Like many others, we believe it is the skill and level of understanding of the teacher or instructional designer that makes the difference, not just the tools.