March, 2024

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What Is Educational Technology (Ed Tech), and Why Should Schools Invest in It?

EdTech Magazine

Long gone are the days of overhead projectors and handwritten papers. Today’s teachers have robust technology at their disposal, and students have grown up in an increasingly digital world. But, with so many software applications, devices and other technologies on the market, it’s easy for teachers to become overwhelmed with the array of opportunities available to them.

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3 Reasons Teachers Should Use the Playlist Model

Catlin Tucker

Let’s start with a quick review of the playlist, or individual rotation, model for those who have not heard of it. A playlist is a sequence of learning activities designed to move students toward a desired result. Most playlists culminate in a performance task or artifact intended to demonstrate students’ ability to transfer or apply what they learned working through the playlist.

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How to Build a Sustainable, High-Tech School District Where Chromebooks Are Key to Learning

EdTech Magazine

Students at DeKalb County School District, a large, Atlanta-area K–12 district, never have to worry about having their high-tech learning environment interrupted. As a one-to-one district, the community is committed to supporting digital equity where students, known as Digital Dreamers, are constantly building their technology skill sets. This is due to a sustainable device ecosystem strategy that involves outsourcing configuration, deployment and break/fix services that keep student Chromebooks

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Cloud Technologies Drive Change at K–12 Schools

EdTech Magazine

As technology becomes smarter and proliferates in schools, many K–12 IT leaders are turning to the cloud. Known for its storage and processing capabilities, cloud technology allows schools to operate more efficiently and implement more advanced hardware and software solutions. Adoption is expected to grow. Technavio predicts that K–12 education’s cloud computing market will have increased by $1.74 billion by 2026.

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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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AI in the Classroom: A Teacher's Toolkit for Transformation

A Principal's Reflections

The landscape of education is constantly evolving, and artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool for educators. While it won't replace the irreplaceable human touch in the classroom, AI can significantly enhance teaching and learning by offering personalization, efficiency, and insightful data analysis. Below are some ways educators can leverage AI to create a more dynamic and effective learning environment while also getting professional learning support from Five Star Technol

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How to Make Every Student Feel Valued

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter I hope today's show will provoke thought and thinking about what it means to relate to our students. Relationships may not be easily measurable but have a significant impact on student achievement. Today, for Thought Leader Thursday, we are talking to Tom Hierck, 41-year educator, and author of 25 books.

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Vocabulary Haiku: A Creative Approach to Deeping Understanding of Academic Vocabulary

Catlin Tucker

Written by Noelle Gutierrez Educators know the importance of academic vocabulary instruction. Student knowledge of academic words and phrases has a direct impact on their ability to acquire and comprehend information, which is why it should be a part of every subject area and class. As an instructional coach and administrator, I regularly observed teachers providing direct instruction using explicit vocabulary routines.

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8 New Districts Join the League of Innovative Schools

Digital Promise

From Pennsylvania to California, these eight districts are the latest to join the network of 150 forward-thinking education leaders.

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Computer Science: What Schools Need to Know to Teach It Today

EdTech Magazine

Students can build many skills when learning computer science, beyond the ones typically taught in traditional computer science classes. They can learn pattern recognition, problem-solving through debugging, and even project management as they break down a problem into its requisite parts and test and implement solutions. All of these skills can benefit students in a wide variety of jobs, whether related directly to technology or not.

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11 Ideas for Primary Math Stations

A Principal's Reflections

A few weeks back, I shared ideas on ELA stations for primary students after this was brought up during a coaching cycle with one of my schools. Upon reflection, I decided to do the same with math. Creating math stations for primary students can be a fun and effective way to introduce them to basic math concepts through hands-on activities. These stations can help develop their understanding of numbers, shapes, patterns, and measurements in an interactive and engaging manner.

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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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Unlock the Secrets: Expert Homework Hacks for Busy Parents

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Brian Page, a former Milken National Educator of the Year with 15 years of experience in the education field. Brian is the creator of the Homework Hacks Course , designed to equip students aged 13 to 20 with research-backed homework hacks and independent learning strategies.

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Invention Convention 2024 is coming

Ask a Tech Teacher

Invention Convention Worldwide is a global K-12 invention education curricular program mapped to national and state educational standards that teaches students problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship and creativity skills and builds confidence in invention, innovation and entrepreneurship for life. Signups for the annual Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention US Nationals start March 29, 2024 (that’s today–publication day for this article).

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Pre-assessment is Key to Designing with Intention

Catlin Tucker

At a recent workshop, a teacher posed a compelling question about the effectiveness of small-group versus whole-group instruction. This inquiry always prompts me to reflect: How many educators gather pre-assessment data before crafting their lesson plans? Such preliminary insights, whether through pre-assessments, diagnostics, or activities aimed at accessing prior knowledge, can illuminate the diverse range of skills, abilities, and needs within a classroom.

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How Can Educational Leaders Strengthen Digital Equity in an Age of AI?

Digital Promise

The post How Can Educational Leaders Strengthen Digital Equity in an Age of AI? appeared first on Digital Promise.

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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 More K–12 Schools are Modernizing Their IT Procurement Process

EdTech Magazine

In Silicon Valley, tech execs brag about moving fast and breaking things. But in the neighboring Mt. Diablo Unified School District, IT officials need to be more careful and deliberate as they deploy new technologies. “We’re supporting teachers and kids,” says Robert Sidford, director of technology and innovation for the 29,000-student district. “We don’t want to be out there making a bunch of mistakes.

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Cultivating Lifelong Learners: How to Support Personalized Teacher Growth

A Principal's Reflections

Imagine a classroom buzzing with engaged students, actively constructing knowledge and diving deep into topics that spark their curiosity. This vibrant learning environment does not just happen by chance. It thrives under the guidance of a passionate, skilled educator who is constantly evolving alongside their students. However, like their students, teachers need personalized growth opportunities to stay engaged, motivated, and effective.

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5 Simple Ways to Give a Genuine Compliment

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter In today's episode, we're celebrating World Compliment Day; I find myself reflecting on the profound impact that giving compliments can have—not just on the recipients but on us as givers. It's a journey of noticing the beauty in everyday interactions, whether the strength we see in others, like the resilience Johnny Cash found through June Carter's encouragement or the wisdom in Martin Luther King Jr.

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World Backup Day

Ask a Tech Teacher

World Backup Day–March 31st Every Year March 31st is called World Backup Day. At least once a year, I remind you to backup your data files to an external drive (like a flash drive). This is one that isn’t connected to your local computer so can’t be compromised if you get a virus. It’s good to always backup data to cloud drives or a different drive on your computer but once a year, do the entire collection of data files to what is called an ‘air gap’ drive–one that is separated from any interne

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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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AI and Education: What are the Goals?

EdNews Daily

By Kiran Kodithala In our lifetimes, the most important technological advancements may arguably include cellular phones, the internet, and digital payments, each revolutionizing how we communicate, access information, and conduct transactions. The advent of smartphones has further intensified these effects, making these technologies indispensable in daily life.

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20 useful ways to use Padlet in class now

Ditch That Textbook

Padlet is a web app that lets users post notes on a digital wall. The uses for this site in the classroom are virtually endless!There’s a good chance you’ve done the “write on a sticky note and put it on the wall” activity — or have seen it happen before. Padlet lets those sticky notes have images, […] The post 20 useful ways to use Padlet in class now appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Flexible Furniture Gives Teachers and Students More Opportunities for Collaboration

EdTech Magazine

This is not an old-fashioned library: In the Sebastian River High School Media Center, food and drink are allowed. So is chatting with friends and playing video games. The space is open and bright, with the school’s mascot shark emblazoned prominently throughout. Officially opened in fall 2023, the new media center is a far cry from the old library space, which hadn’t been updated in 25 years.

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Relevant Thinking and Learner Success

A Principal's Reflections

In today's rapidly changing world, where new challenges and technologies emerge at an unprecedented pace, students need to be relevant thinkers to successfully navigate the complex social, economic, and environmental issues they will face. The ability to think relevantly enables them to connect classroom learning with real-world applications, fostering deeper learning and cultivating critical life competencies such as problem-solving, adaptability, and creativity.

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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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How to Create Apps in the Classroom and Inspire Design Thinking

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Students can build apps and collaboration skills at the same time. Today's episode features my friend Alefiya Master, the CEO of MAD-Learn, and the sponsor of today's show. We discuss the transformative role of app-building, collaborative learning, design thinking, and the importance of authentic learning experiences.

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How to Automate an MLA Heading

Ask a Tech Teacher

How to Automate an MLA Heading in Word This one is quick–how to create a macro that automatically inserts an MLA-appropriate heading: Have students log in. Macros go with the profile of the user, not the local computer. Open MS Word. Decide what the keyboard shortcut will be for the macro. I use Ctrl+Alt+H. Test it to be sure it doesn’t bring up some other shortcut.

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10 Ways To Help Newcomers In The Classroom

EdNews Daily

Did you know? According to the National Education Association, by 2025, 1 out of every 4 children in classrooms across the US will be a new English Language Learner, Multilingual or Bilingual student. New students arriving in the US are usually called newcomers in a school setting. The term ‘newcomers’ is defined as K-12 students born outside the United States who arrived in the country in the last three years and are still learning English.

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How Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Transformed My District

Digital Promise

The post How Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Transformed My District appeared first on Digital Promise.

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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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What Does the National Educational Technology Plan Say About the Digital Divides?

EdTech Magazine

Over the past few years, schools and policymakers were focused on one digital divide in K–12 education: unequal access to technology. However, the Office of Educational Technology, a team within the U.S. Department of Education, recently updated its National Educational Technology Plan, and this year’s NETP goes deeper. It defines not one but three digital divides.

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Retaining Teachers Requires a Belonging Strategy

Education Elements

Post-pandemic data shows that teachers are leaving the profession in higher numbers than they were before the pandemic and for reasons other than retirement or inadequate performance. These high turnover rates have many impacts on the school community , not the least of which is a detrimental effect on student growth and achievement. Why are teachers quitting, and what can be done to stop this troubling trend?

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AI Webinar: Artificial Intelligence in the Educational and the Learning Landscape

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Artificial Intelligence is the topic of conversation for anyone who cares about learning, scholarship, and the future of our world, and rightly so. The job losses are supposed to be staggering. The World Economic Forum predicted in 2020 that AI would take away 85 million jobs ; however, this powerful phenomenon would create 97 million new jobs.

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Tech Tip #165 My Program Disappeared

Ask a Tech Teacher

Today’s tip: Find a lost program Category: Problem-solving If a program disappears, here are two quick ways to find it more than half the time (on PCs ): Look around the screen Check the taskbar Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom. What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom?

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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.