EdTech Magazine

APRIL 25, 2016

By Eric Sheninger As districts across the country purchase technology at a feverish pace, they must ensure they have a solid implementation plan.

Technology 330

Technology Training Classroom 330

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 12, 2016

This week I had the pleasure of training a group of elementary teachers on blended learning strategies. As a group, they wanted to focus on: Differentiation. Student choice. Assessment. One of the strategies we discussed with the potential to weave these three areas of focus together is a choice board. There are several different approaches to designing a choice board, but the goal is to allow students an opportunity to select the activities they will complete to practice a skill or demonstrate

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Blended Learning Assessment Secondary Elementary 330

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 24, 2016

There has been a great deal of knocks on professional development as of late and rightfully so. More often than not, professional development is something that is done to educators as opposed to an experience that they truly value for growth. For many, district professional development is a one-size-fits-all isolated event with no follow-up or support.

Professional Learning 317

Professional Learning Case Study Strategy Study 317

Doug Levin

APRIL 30, 2016

Newly published, peer-reviewed research out of Michigan State University and the University of California, Irvine suggests that one-to-one laptop programs improve student academic achievement in K-12 classrooms. The primary author of the study ( Binbin Zheng, Ph.D. , Assistant Professor at the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education at Michigan State University) was kind enough to provide me a review copy and permission to blog about the findings.

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Laptops Study Analysis Learning 279

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.

Education

The Journal

APRIL 5, 2016

OER – Open Education Resources – are being touted by the Department of Education as the key to future of K-12 curriculum. While there is no question that OER are a component of the new digital curriculum, in this blog, we answer the question raised in the blog post’s title.

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OER Resources Education 276

The CoolCatTeacher

APRIL 26, 2016

A hard question we all must consider From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Each year I seek clarity for my teaching career. There are no easy answers here. Know this. The question is serious, “Should I teach another year?”. As I ponder my own path, let me take you on a journey of thoughts. Dancing with Snakes.

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Conference Twitter Examples Education 239

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 5, 2016

My first year teaching I remember spending the week before school setting up my new classroom. I hung pictures, organized my desk, and set up all of the desks and chairs into neat rows. I believed that putting students in rows facing the front of the room would make them easier to manage. I also believed that an effective classroom was a quiet classroom.

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Classroom Learning Company Groups 329

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 3, 2016

There is always a great deal of talk about what schools need to do now. The problem though is that most of the talk is not followed with action. Then there are those who want to act, but do not have the adequate support to do so. Herein lies the issue with all the change talk, rhetoric, and opinions. Very few people reading this post will deny that the education system has to change now or we run the risk of preparing students for a world that no longer exists.

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Future Ready Digital Divide Conference Strategy 231

Teacher Reboot Camp

APRIL 8, 2016

“The environment is where we all meet; where all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.”- Lady Bird Johnson. Earth Day is April 22nd and serves as an important reminder of how each of us needs to do our part to care for the planet we call home. Teachers can help their students begin to care about their impact on the environment and take action to minimize their impact on the Earth by making them aware of environmental issues.

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Resources Mobility Case Study eBook 230

Ditch That Textbook

APRIL 21, 2016

As a child, I remember one specific thing I always looked forward to on days when I stayed home sick from school. The Price Is Right. I may have been aching, sick to my stomach or feverish, but as I laid on the couch, I made sure the TV was tuned to that game show [.].

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Classroom Assessment EdTech Technology 217

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Learning

The CoolCatTeacher

APRIL 19, 2016

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Doing work that matters. All students should be able to be part of that. No longer working for the teacher’s wastebasket, students across the world are connecting and sharing like never before. They are led by teachers unafraid of the world but who escort their kids out to meet the future.

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Social Media Facebook Learning Twitter 191

EdTech Magazine

APRIL 26, 2016

By Mike Patterson Teachers say they lack proper technology support, but schools can turn the tables on inadequate training programs using these best practices.

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Training Technology Technology Support Education 239

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 19, 2016

In a previous blog post titled “ Create Small Learning Communities with the Station Rotation Model ,” I described many of the reasons I use the Station Rotation Model in my secondary classroom. I highlighted the benefits of working directly with small groups of students, using technology and station design to differentiate instruction, and maximizing the limited technology available in our low-tech classroom.

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Video Differentiated Instruction Common Core Secondary 326

Ask a Tech Teacher

APRIL 1, 2016

April is National Poetry Month. For thirty days, we celebrate the value and joy that poetry brings to our world. According to the Academy of American Poets , the goals are: Highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets. Introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry. Bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways.

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Android iPad Digital Citizenship Facebook 215

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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.

Personalized Learning

Teacher Reboot Camp

APRIL 12, 2016

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.” – Maya Angelo. In November, I spent the month training teachers around Venezuela to integrate technology in the classroom. One of the most practical and favorite training sessions was introducing teachers and professors to teaching with word clouds.

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Tools Android iPad Comparison 226

More Verbs

APRIL 28, 2016

We have seen it happen too often. Too many schools are selecting a device for their students based mostly on either the ease of management by the tech lead or the one-time purchase price or both. We don’t believe that ease of management or one-time cost are the right prime criteria for selecting a device in schools, especially if your goal shifts from ensuring that every child has access to a device to ensuring that every child has quality learning experiences.

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Learning Accessibility Education 212

The CoolCatTeacher

APRIL 7, 2016

The Innovator's Mindset with George Couros From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Many teachers say they don’t have time to connect. I live and breathe that feeling. However, when I’m down, sometimes an idea on Twitter or a suggestion on Facebook turns my day around. I get tons of ideas from the many education superstars I write about and interview on my show and blog.

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Social Media Education Facebook Twitter 191

EdTech Magazine

APRIL 14, 2016

By D. Frank Smith Classroom is the Windows giant’s cloud-based hub for the class experience, integrated into Office 365.

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Microsoft Classroom Online Learning Software 239

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.

Training

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 25, 2016

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Kids are repeatedly asked this question by adults. In kindergarten, my son’s class was asked to draw a picture of what they wanted to be when they grew up. They created the self-portraits pictured below. As my son worked on his self-portrait, I reflected on how little exposure most students have to the work world.

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iPhone Video Android Google 325

Ditch That Textbook

APRIL 4, 2016

Students and teachers toe a very fuzzy ethical line every day — many without even realizing it. Some end up on the safe side of the line, but others cross the line and cross ethical boundaries — and sometimes costly legal ones. That line is the copyright line, deciding how teachers and students can respect [.].

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Video EdTech Technology Education 212

Teacher Reboot Camp

APRIL 25, 2016

Welcome to Cycle 7 of The 30 Goals Challenge: Make it Meaningful ! “The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.” – Ferdinand Foch. Goal: Introduce a project or event you created based on your passion and vision. Accomplish this goal: Create a short video or graphic introducing us to a project you are passionate about.

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Social Media Video Twitter Facebook 210

The Journal

APRIL 18, 2016

The term “blended learning” accurately describes the pedagogical practices that are taking place in 1-to-1 classrooms. This week’s screed (aka blog post) describes the following unfortunate fact: the term “blended learning” is being used by some to mean “adaptive, personalized learning.” Grrr! Join us in keeping “blended learning” to mean the teacher-friendly, common-sense definition.

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Blended Learning Learning Personalized Learning Classroom 207

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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

Classroom

The CoolCatTeacher

APRIL 6, 2016

Make Your School A Better Place From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Perhaps meanness in school happens because we don’t teach students what to do. The #tbk ( to be kind) movement is spreading like wildfire among many schools. The Schmucker Middle School National Junior Honor Society is encouraging the entire school to be kind.

How To 237

How To Twitter Video Classroom 237

EdTech Magazine

APRIL 21, 2016

By Meg Conlan, D. Frank Smith When Phillip the duck lost his feet to frostbite, a middle school teacher used his 3D printer to save the day.

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STEM Classroom 237

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 17, 2016

“ If you’re not blogging, you’re selling yourself short; you’re selling your school short. ” - Eric Sheninger During my typical digital leadership keynote or workshop, I consistently talk about the importance of blogging in relation to the pillars of communication, public relations, branding, and professional growth. When I ask attendees how many of them blog, usually ten or less hands go up.

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Social Media Strategy Twitter Meeting 203

Ditch That Textbook

APRIL 11, 2016

Companies are starting to flock to Snapchat. McDonald’s and Taco Bell are using it to get Snapchatters interested in their products. The NBA and MLS are giving behind-the-scenes footage from their sports worlds. CNN is reporting news content, and The Food Network is providing an extension to its programming. They’re providing content that’s interesting.

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Company Report Digital Citizenship Student Engagement 203

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.

Comparison

Teacher Reboot Camp

APRIL 29, 2016

Welcome to Cycle 7 of The 30 Goals Challenge: Make it Meaningful ! If your actions in the classroom inspire children to achieve more, question more, and dream more, you are indeed worthy of the title “Teacher.” – Robert John Meehan. Goal: Share with a community of teachers why you teach. Accomplish this goal: We are revisiting this goal from 2013 , due to a new project by Teacher 2 Teacher where teachers share why they teach, using the hashtag, #WhyITeach.

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Facebook Twitter Classroom Learning 200

The Journal

APRIL 25, 2016

On the one hand, the role of the teacher in a 1-to-1 classroom is relatively unchanged from what a teacher has always done. Now for “the but”: but on the other hand, 1-to-1 introduces a huge change in what teachers have always done! This week’s blog post discusses this critically important and timely dilemma.

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Classroom 199

The CoolCatTeacher

APRIL 23, 2016

Practical Tips for Rigor, Fun, and Retention From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Sometimes small changes can take a lesson plan from “OK” to “Yeah!” By improving the rigor and fun in each lesson, you can improve student learning and make your classroom more exciting. Learn practical tips from super-teacher Laura Candler that will help you make your lessons more engaging and memorable.

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BYOD Elementary Twitter Classroom 233

EdTech Magazine

APRIL 13, 2016

By EdTech Staff STEM is top of mind among educators and parents for good reason. .

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STEM Technology Classroom EdTech 235

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.

Technology