December, 2021

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Unlocking the Potential of Students

A Principal's Reflections

What are you good at and why? I am sure a list of things comes to mind. Now think about how this list of items plays out in your daily life. We all have strengths, and a common reaction is to leverage these as much as possible. I see this a great deal in my work coaching leaders. While there are many approaches that have varying value depending on the situation, there is a natural tendency to stick with what one believes they are particularly strong.

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12 Tools to explore during Computer Science Week

Neo LMS

The Hour of Code takes place annually during Computer Science Education Week. The week is in recognition of the birthday of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, a computing pioneer. The purpose of participating in Hour of Code is to show that anyone can code and highlight how vital computer science knowledge is for today’s students. Data provided on Code.Org supports the growing need for students to have opportunities to learn about and develop skills in coding and computer science.

Tools 540
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5 Major Predictions for 2022

Education Elements

In 2021 we navigated a lot of change and ambiguity. Life felt at times, hectic and unpredictable, but there was also a slowing down. There were shortages; so we waited longer for everything from household supplies to PCR tests. We saw inflation creep up, and so we waited to buy things; and, we changed our purchasing habits. Stores and restaurants reduced hours due to staffing issues and lowered demand.

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Teacher Engagement Part I: Understanging Cognitive Engagement in Blended Learning Environments

Catlin Tucker

What do teachers find mentally stimulating about their work? What causes teachers to invest their mental energy and time resources in a task? What aspects of a teacher’s work lead them to engage in problem-solving, critical thinking, and reflection? A teacher’s cognitive engagement is the degree of attention to and investment in their work (Klassen, Yerdelen & Durksen, 2013).

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Enhancing Higher Education with Generative AI: A Responsible Guide

Generative AI holds tremendous promise for all stakeholders in higher education. But guardrails are needed. Strong governance that empower instructors are at the core of a responsible approach to using generative AI in academia.

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5 K–12 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2022

EdTech Magazine

Educational technology trends for 2022 look a bit different. In 2020 and 2021, educators pioneered ed tech tools for their classrooms at an overwhelming pace. Districts with more than 1,000 students accessed an average 1,449 ed tech products online each month during the 2020-2021 school year, according to research conducted by LearnPlatform. In response, they are now seeing an increase in teachers and students who are burned out on technology.

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11 Ways to Update Your Online Presence (copy)

Ask a Tech Teacher

This week, I’ll post my updated suggestions for three holiday activities that will get your computers and technology ready for the blitz of teaching that starts after the New Year. Here’s what you’ll get (the links won’t be active until the post goes live ): For regular readers of Ask a Tech Teacher, these are yearly reminders. For new readers, these are like body armor in the tech battle.

More Trending

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5 Strategies to make your classes more inclusive

Neo LMS

As a teacher of the 21st century, there are many factors that you need to consider when it comes to your classes. You might remember your time in school and those teachers who managed to create a welcoming environment where everyone would feel comfortable and willing to partake in discussions. Creating an inclusive environment requires some planning that can later contribute to the retention and success of your students.

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Rebound: How Do Schools Bounce Back after the Pandemic?

The CoolCatTeacher

Acceleration Research with Dr. Douglas Fisher From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Acceleration research can teach us how to accelerate learning. Dr. Douglas Fisher, co-author of the best-selling book Rebound, Grades K-12: A Playbook for Rebuilding Agency, Accelerating Learning Recovery, and Rethinking Schools.

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Understanding Teacher Engagement in Blended Learning Environments

Catlin Tucker

We talk a lot about student engagement in education. Most educators got into this profession for the students, and, as a result, we want their experience to be as engaging and positive as possible. There is far less written about teacher engagement, even though teacher engagement and student engagement are reciprocal. When teacher engagement dips, it has a negative effect on student engagement.

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3 AI Trends to Watch in K–12 Educational Technology for 2022

EdTech Magazine

Editor’s note: To help IT leaders prepare for the year ahead, EdTech is pulling together the biggest tech trends for K–12 districts in 2022. You can find our overall top trends here, and be sure to check out our trends in cloud technology and asynchronous learning. There’s no question the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to everyday life.

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Enhancing School Device Management for Improved Learning

Schools face increasing challenges as technology becomes integral to education. Efficient device management is essential for maximizing technology use and safeguarding investments. Our article discusses the importance of tracking devices, outlines current challenges, and suggests modern solutions that go beyond traditional methods like Excel. Learn how advanced tracking systems can streamline operations, improve maintenance, and offer real-time updates for better resource allocation.

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Holiday Activities To Keep the Learning Going

Ask a Tech Teacher

Teaching the days before big holidays is challenging. Students and teachers alike are ready for a break. Both struggle to pay attention regardless of how innovative and engaging are the lesson plans. I’ve been there often. As a result, I’ve come up with fun ways to support learning while students power through the last few days of school.

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A Systematic Approach to Social and Emotional Support

A Principal's Reflections

It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on youth across the world. While learning recovery remains a needed area of focus, virtually every educator I come in contact with explains that students are a year or two behind socially. In some cases, the extended time at home during remote or hybrid learning has led to the development of concerning behaviors that weren’t prevalent at scale in the past.

Strategy 496
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How edtech supports teacher work-life balance and wellbeing

Neo LMS

One of the greatest lessons I learned as a former educator turned e-learning company leader is that an organization is only as successful as its employees. Teachers work best when they have the time to build teacher-student relationships, manage their workload, and have the time to recharge in their personal lives. . In reality, teachers have always had many responsibilities, with burnout being a major issue before, during, and even after the pandemic.

EdTech 371
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10 Ways to Use Defined Learning for Project-Based Learning Excellence

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Defined Learning is a fantastic way to bring project-based learning to every grade level and subject area. Some teachers (and students) are great at coming up with meaningful project ideas that align with standards and learning objectives. Defined Learning makes using project-based content easy to bring into any subject.

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Quickly Create Personalized Learning Experiences that Work

How can we actively engage learners 24/7, on their level and according to their interests, while respecting their learning styles? It’s not impossible. In this guide: Explore how to transform traditional, one-way videos into two-way interactive learning experiences Understand different types of artificial intelligence (AI), including - Generative vs.

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Why school might look a little different these days

Dangerously Irrelevant

Below is a 15-minute video that I made for a school district’s families and community members. The first 3.5 minutes will sound familiar to those of you who’ve watched my TEDxDesMoines talk. After that, I branch into some new directions… Hope this is useful to you. Happy viewing! Related Posts. Holding back our children. Education in a digital world [VIDEO]. rethink. redesign. go.

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Building a Culture of Digital Innovation in Education with Student Devices

EdTech Magazine

In a world where digital natives are now sending their own children to school, technology in the classroom should no longer be optional. I’ve spent the past few years as an instructional coach showing teachers how to integrate technology into the curriculum. During that time, I’ve learned that for teachers to truly embrace digital innovation in the classroom, they will need to be supported by a culture that fully embraces educational technology.

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15 Unusual Projects for Hour of Code

Ask a Tech Teacher

Over the next week, I’ll share ideas that will get you ready for Hour of Code. This includes (links won’t work until the articles are posted) : Hour of Code? Here’s why you should participate. Long list of websites by grade. 15 Unusual Projects. The Easiest No-coding Way to Build an Education App. Here are ten unusual projects (each, about one hour in length) you can use in your classroom to participate in this wildly popular event: Alt Codes.

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Time is the Best Resource You Have

A Principal's Reflections

These are challenging times, and I cannot express my gratitude enough to dedicated and resilient educators who continue to show up for kids and each other. As someone who is in schools and classrooms on a weekly basis, I am tasked with validating the excellent practices taking place while also providing practical feedback for growth. During my coaching work, I almost always recommend to administrators that they poll their staff to see what support they need.

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Can Brain Science Actually Help Make Your Training & Teaching Stick?

Speaker: Andrew Cohen, Founder & CEO of Brainscape

The instructor’s PPT slides are brilliant. You’ve splurged on the expensive interactive courseware. Student engagement is stellar. So… why are half of your students still forgetting everything they learned in just a matter of weeks? It's likely a matter of cognitive science! With so much material to "teach" these days, we often forget to incorporate key proven principles into our curricula — namely active recall, metacognition, spaced repetition, and interleaving practice.

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Best practices for a great school-community collaboration

Neo LMS

Previously, we discussed why building school-community partnerships is important and how it benefits students and teachers alike. . In a nutshell, the most significant advantage is providing real-life examples, so students have a better idea of what they are learning. This type of collaboration also makes lessons more relevant for students. Additionally, it’s an excellent way for teachers to develop professionally by keeping in touch with like-minded collaborators. .

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2021 Reflections: Looking Back and Harnessing Powerful Possibilities

Digital Promise

In the report “Healing, Community, and Humanity: How Students and Teachers Want to Reinvent Schools Post-COVID,” Justin Reich and Jal Mehta consider that one of education’s biggest challenges in the years ahead will be to harness “the experience and urgency for change” and apply that energy to the sustained improvement of schools. In other words, how do we take the energy and creativity that we found in moments of crisis and maintain that momentum in humane and sustainable ways?

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24 of the Best Children’s Books by Age

Waterford

Knowing a book’s recommended grade level can help you find books that best fit children where they are in their literacy development. Not all children in a classroom will read at the same level. But suggested grade levels can help you find books that will strengthen specific reading skills. Then, you can assign books that fit individual or group needs.

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IoT in Education: Tech Makes Gains in K–12 Schools

EdTech Magazine

The Internet of Things is the connection of devices — beyond tools such as computers — to the internet. IoT refers to technology, such as fitness wearables and smart home devices, that have sensors and software for exchanging data with other devices or systems via a network connection. Schools increasingly are using IoT technologies to support classroom learning, as well as on- and offsite operations, says Michael Flood, senior vice president and general manager of Kajeet.

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Behind the Bell: The Underlying Impact of Tardiness in K-12 Schools

Managing a K-12 campus with constant pressure to meet performance metrics is challenging. And tardiness can significantly limit a school from reaching these goals. Learn more about why chronic lateness matters, and key strategies to address the following impacts: Data errors caused by manual processes Low attendance and graduation rates that affect a school’s reputation Classroom disruption, which leads to poor academic performance High staff attrition and “The Teacher Exodus” Unmet LCAP goals t

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Hour of Code? Here’s why to participate

Ask a Tech Teacher

December 6-12th, 2021, Computer Science Education will host the Hour Of Code–a one-hour introduction to students on coding, programming, and why they should love it, designed to demystify “code” and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a maker, a creator, and an innovator. Coding is that mystical geeky subject that confounds students and teachers alike.

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The Best Learning Strategies for Teaching Online

EdTech4Beginners

In the wake of the coronavirus, remote working and distance learning are concepts that are undoubtedly here to stay. However, the pandemic merely accelerated these tech-led trends, which have been driven by innovation and advancement throughout the digital age. In the case of distance learning, this also helps to meet a number of students’ and school districts’ needs in the current climate, particularly in terms of accessibility.

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6 Digital tools that encourage computational thinking

Neo LMS

Computational thinking is an innovative approach to teaching that redesigns the STEM and ELA curriculums on a new framework. This framework focuses on turning students from consumers to content creators through game-based learning and computational thinking (CT) skills while developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Teachers all over the world have embraced the use of coding and programming in their classrooms, adapting the online materials for various subjects that stretch

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Books I read in November 2021

Dangerously Irrelevant

Books I finished reading (or rereading) in November 2021… The Eye of the World , Robert Jordan (fantasy). The Great Hunt , Robert Jordan (fantasy). The Apollo Murders , Chris Hadfield (sci fi). The Peacemaker’s Code , Deepak Malhotra (sci fi). Ballistic , Marko Kloos (sci fi). Citadel , Marko Kloos (sci fi). Terms of Enlistment , Marko Kloos (sci fi).

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The Battle of the Authoring Tools: A 10-Point Comparison for Picking the Right One

Speaker: Chris Paxton McMillin, President of D3 Training Solutions

There are plenty of great authoring tools for developing eLearning, but the one you select could directly impact your course's outcomes. Depending upon your learners’ needs and your organization’s performance goals, you could be overlooking considerations that impact the both effectiveness of your courses and how long it takes to finish them. From general capabilities to specific workflow structures, some aspects are critical when it comes to learning objectives and deadlines.

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Gamification and Game-Based Learning in EdTech: How to Start Designing a Great Product

EdNews Daily

By Krista-Lotta Ojanen and Saila Juuti There are many ways to start designing a game. You may have your mind set on a cool mechanic, like pinning teams against each other in a fun multiplayer environment. Or you wish to share a captivating story with memorable characters – or design an entire game world that’s different from our own. However, when you want to create an educational game, you need to look at what you want to achieve with it; how will it improve learning and what is learned when

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Roundtable: Is Digital Equity Attainable in K–12 Education?

EdTech Magazine

Families throughout the nation faced digital inequities before the pandemic became a factor in the spring of 2020. However, with the shift to remote learning, the conversation around the digital divide became impossible to ignore. There was a push, in tandem with these conversations, to bring connectivity and the meaningful integration of technology to students who lacked it.

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How to Teach Phonics and Decoding Skills to Elementary Students

Waterford

Want More Science of Reading? Check out our seven-part Science of Reading webinar series. Explore how the brain learns to read and get tips for effective, researched-based classroom instruction. Download previous recordings or register for our next session here. We’d love to see you there! Let’s explore phonics! Phonics refers to the ability to match letters and letter-sounds, which can help your students “break the reading code.

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Schools Use Trial and Error for Choosing Edtech, But They Don’t Have to

Edsurge

With President Biden’s signature turning the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill into law, our nation is poised to make historic investments in its highways, public transit, railways, airports, ports, water systems, broadband networks and electric grid. Even in our hyper-polarized political climate, the bill garnered widespread bipartisan support. A key reason?

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Reimagining Chickering & Gamson's Principles Post-Pandemic: Technology's Central Role in Modern Edu

This white paper examines and proposes revisions to the "Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education" introduced by Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson in 1987 for today's technology-driven world.