Sat.Apr 20, 2019 - Fri.Apr 26, 2019

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Edtech, Equity, and Innovation: A Critical Look in the Mirror

Digital Promise

We are often reluctant to label anything facilitated through technology as a failure. Instead, we tend to excuse inadequate or unsavory outcomes as necessary growing pains in the pursuit of “innovation.” Technology has become so pervasive in our lives that we have grown reticent to question its value when its use may not support evidence-based practices.

EdTech 295
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11 Projects to Teach Digital Citizenship

Ask a Tech Teacher

Education has changed. No longer is it contained within four classroom walls or the physical site of a school building. Students aren’t confined by the eight hours between school bells or the struggling budget of an underfunded program. Now, education can be found anywhere — teaming up with students in Kenya, Skyping with an author in Sweden, or chatting with an astrophysicist on the International Space Station.

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Building an Effective EdTech Strategy - Bring together workload, collaboration, and education

ViewSonic Education

After a long wait, the Department for Education (DfE) announced its EdTech strategy in early April. The strategy laid out the government’s expectations of a closer relationship between schools and the EdTech companies who supply them. According to the DfE’s statement, the new strategy “will go further by ensuring businesses are better equipped to develop products which meet the needs of educators, enabling them to build a robust evidence base to demonstrate the impact of their

EdTech 221
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Life-Long Kindergarten: Reviving play in the classroom and beyond

Neo LMS

Dr Mitchell Resnick, MIT professor of learning research, heads up the MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten research group. He believes the greatest invention of the last 1000 years was kindergarten. An unusual and noteworthy stance that he went on to motivate at various edtech conferences, as well as in an accessible TED Talk. Resnick’s aim is to inject into formal learning some of the play, joy and abandon found when five-year olds learn, in particular when they learn and create with each othe

Classroom 256
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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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Lockbox Challenges with Google Forms

Catlin Tucker

Kids enjoy games! One way to create a collaborative challenge that feels more like a game than work is to use Google Forms to create a lockbox activity. When coaching a group of teachers this month, we created a transitional language lockbox challenge. Groups of students worked collaboratively to figure out which transitional words fit into particular sentences then entered their answers into a lockbox to see if they were correct.

Google 419
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The Point of a Lesson

A Principal's Reflections

I am not a huge fan of collecting lesson plans and have not been for years. It is my opinion that you can learn a great deal more by collecting and looking at assessments. Regardless of where you stand on the whole lesson plan debate, the intent is what really matters. For all of us who have taught or have been in a leadership position that supports teachers, I think we all agree that the point of any lesson is to help students learn.

Outcomes 416

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Alabama Leaders in Ed Tech Offer a Model for Professional Development

EdTech Magazine

Alabama Leaders in Ed Tech Offer a Model for Professional Development. eli.zimmerman_9856. Mon, 04/22/2019 - 10:58. Education is moving toward a student-centered, collaborative, creative learning environment , but without professional development in place — and the understanding of what the end results should look like — it’s difficult to ensure technology investments will succeed. .

E-rate 350
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Transforming our schools through empathy

Neo LMS

In the first part of this series, we talked about how classroom management becomes easier and more effective when viewed through an empathic lens. In the second part, we explored how teaching empathy to students helps improve the learning process. In this third and final act, we are having a look at how empathy works in schools at large. In fact, this is a call to thinking of schools as communities of learning that are dedicated to the long term success of students.

Examples 307
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11 Essential Chrome Extensions (And a New Browser)

The CoolCatTeacher

Vicki Davis on Episode 477 of the 10-Minute Teacher Extensions can be useful, helpful tools for parents and teachers. There are pitfalls and pluses from each extension and ways to use them in the classroom. In this show, I’ll share eleven essential chrome extensions and information on the new web browser, Brave, and why people are using it. In the show notes, I share the links.

Software 301
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Solving Challenges for Deeper Learning in Science

Digital Promise

In traditional science classrooms, students are often presented with facts and definitions to memorize, or they are asked to follow a predetermined set of instructions to complete a lab activity. However, this model of instruction does not align with our emerging understanding of how students learn science best. In 2012, the National Research Council released A Framework for K-12 Science Education , a consensus report that outlined how research in the learning sciences should inform the developm

OER 285
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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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3 Keys to Achieve Data Center Collaboration

EdTech Magazine

3 Keys to Achieve Data Center Collaboration. eli.zimmerman_9856. Thu, 04/25/2019 - 11:21. At Henrico County Public Schools , with more than 50,000 students and 6,500 staff across 75 sites in central Virginia, IT systems faced tremendous demand every day as schools adopted new digital education tools. The school’s long-standing data center was housed in a renovated office building , a location not designed to support core technology infrastructure. .

Data 323
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NGSS Curricula Is For All Teachers: Use Our Roadmaps!

The Journal

In this week's blog post, we discuss a free, NGSS-aligned curricular unit for middle school — "Health in Our Hands: What controls my health? (HiOH)" — with a particular focus on following question: "How can middle school teachers learn how to lead their students in NGSS-style learning?" There’s a Roadmap for that, as it turns out!

How To 257
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Standards-Based Grading: How to Start the Journey

The CoolCatTeacher

Nicole Naditz on episode 478 Standards-based grading — where students are assessed by specific standards — is being discussed or implemented in many districts. Today we talk to an award-winning French teacher turned Instructional Technology Program Manager who can help us understand the pitfalls and possibilities of successful implementation.

How To 291
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An Open Letter to Teachers About Online Classes

Ask a Tech Teacher

Nearly three million students currently attend online programs and six million take at least one online class. This means learning online has become one of the most popular approaches to education. I am an adjunct profession who teaches solely online for a variety of big-name colleges and Universities. Each year, the classes grow in size. Whether you like it or not, this is the future of education, where people pursue learning without the need for a car, expensive gas, parking fees, campus-bas

Meeting 250
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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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30 activities for any Depth of Knowledge level

Ditch That Textbook

Norman Webb’s Depth of Knowledge model can help teachers create learning opportunities that hit a variety of complexity levels. It is a framework for evaluating the level of complex thinking required to complete a task. The framework consists of four levels. DOK level 1: Recall. What is the knowledge? Who? What? When? Where? DOK level […].

Learning 260
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Your Educational Digital DNA - Get Ready for EdTech Innovation

ViewSonic Education

Quick Take: Getting an accurate view of where your school is in terms of readiness for EdTech innovation is important. Understanding your school’s Digital DNA will help you identify the technology you need today and for tomorrow. Is your school ready for the EdTech revolution? Edtech promises to bring learning from chalkboards to slick computer screens and more.

EdTech 233
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5 Things to Know About Gen Z Kids

The CoolCatTeacher

Shalini Shankar or episode 480 of the 10-Minute Teacher Shalini Shankar has been studying Generation Z. From spelling bee’s to sports, this generation seems to be professionalizing their childhood. Learn more about this generation so you can be a better teacher for them. Listen to Shalini Talk About Generation Z Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher Stream by clicking here.

Company 291
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The Benefits of Mentors in Instructional Coaching

Digital Promise

Everyone deserves a coach—even coaches. The Dynamic Learning Project (DLP) utilizes coaching for classroom teachers to increase impactful use of technology in 100 middle schools across the country. These coaches help teachers tackle specific classroom challenges by brainstorming innovative, technology-based strategies and providing personalized classroom support to the teacher throughout the implementation process.

Strategy 235
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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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How AI is Changing Writing: Check out Robot Don

Ask a Tech Teacher

Ask a Tech Teacher contributor, Lisa Griffin, has an interesting AI-inspired tool to share with readers. It brings the best of today’s AI functions to classroom writing programs. See what you think: We live in a digital era where the kids are in contact in all sorts of technological solutions that help them learn, connect, and have fun. Furthermore, recent tech advancements are facilitating the inclusion of kids with different sorts of disabilities, allowing them to attend regular classes

Robotics 201
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5 ways to help tech coaches maximize their role

Ditch That Textbook

Tech Coach, Technology Integration Specialist, ecoach… No matter the title, the role of this specialist focuses on helping educators successfully integrate technology into their curriculum in a meaningful way. Having been in this role for 5 years now, I often get asked, “how do you do it?”. As I am the sole person for my […].

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5 Tips to Help Students Feel Valued in the Classroom

The CoolCatTeacher

Crystal Willis on episode 476 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast Students need to feel valued. Today’s featured educator Crystal Willis from Instagram and TpT as “SunflowersandSped” shares five important tips to help students feel valued. From noticing strengths to not making a simple mistake that makes people feel dumb — Crystal has practical tips to help all of us better make children feel loved.

Classroom 287
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Technology and Change in Pedagogy Lead to Big Gains in the Classroom

Digital Promise

When the Verizon Innovative Learning schools initiative came to Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, principals and teachers knew things were going to change as their students experienced the benefits of technology in the classroom. What they couldn’t have known was how quickly those changes would occur. In their first year as Verizon Innovative Learning schools, Lassiter Middle School and W.E.B.

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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.

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Here’s a Preview of May

Ask a Tech Teacher

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up on Ask a Tech Teacher in July: Cinco de Mayo Websites. Teacher Appreciation Week. World Password Day. I’m traveling–see you in June! Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum , K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum.

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60 tips to spark creative lesson ideas

Ditch That Textbook

If you’re like me, you want to make school a memorable experience. You want to improve on the “eat your vegetables” approach to learning. It’s hard. “But I’m not a creative person.” “But I’m not good at coming up with new ideas.” “But I’m not innovative.” Coming up with cool ideas for learning is tricky. […].

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What Happened When I Deleted All My Social Media Apps

The CoolCatTeacher

Productivity and Living an Epic Life When is the last time you watched the sunrise? It is such an amazing experience to watch the Master Artisan spray His graffiti of joy upon the sky and reveal to our heart His vast horizon of hope! How about you? Today we seem to be in such a rush as we accelerate our lives to stay ahead of the avalanche of duties and responsibilities.

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Inspiring Action through Storytelling on Earth Day 2019

Digital Promise

Each year on April 22, millions of people around the world come together to demonstrate their support for environmental protection. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, these actions have taken many forms, from advocacy to direct action to storytelling. This year, in observance of Earth Day 2019: Protect Our Species , we’re sharing a story from students at Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Advocacy 226
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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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3 Education Options To Choose From If You Dropped Out Of High School

EdNews Daily

If you did not graduate from high school, you may believe that your future employment will be forever stunted. Although it can take more effort and time to advance economically, you still have learning and employment options. With determination, research, and planning you can still achieve your educational and work goals. On-The-Job Training. If you do not have immediate plans to gain a more formal education, then becoming employed at a job that will gain you marketable skills is an option.

Education 189
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169 Tech Tip #49 The 15-second Slideshow

Ask a Tech Teacher

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education. Today’s tip: #49–The 15-second Slideshow. Category: Images. Sub-category: PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, iPads. Q: What’s an easy way Kindergartners and first graders can share a slideshow of their work?

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How Can We Help Lonely Kids and Improve School Safety?

The CoolCatTeacher

Joe Fatheree on episode 479 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast Joe Fatheree helped co-organize a recent national summit on school safety in the United States. In today’s show, Joe talks about the summit, what schools are doing nationwide on safety, and the need to help lonely children who are struggling. Listen to the Show Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher Stream by clicking here.

Twitter 263
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Information Sharing at the 2019 Nonprofit Technology Conference

Digital Promise

Like many folks in today’s workforce, I spend a significant amount of time in front of a computer screen with my smartphone close by, responding to a flurry of emails, calls, texts, and calendar invitations. I relish the opportunity for an in-person meeting or training to connect with colleagues and partners. Recently, I attended the 2019 Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) in Portland, Oregon, hosted by NTEN , to catch up on the newest trends in educational technology (edtech) and learn about

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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.