Here’s how we made data usable for our teachers
In today’s digital classroom, teachers have access to more data than ever. With a few clicks, we can view detailed reports on student test scores, formative assessments, progress…
Month: May 2018
8 classroom grants for STEM and literacy
School leaders consistently identify high costs and shrinking budgets as a top barrier to implementing new technology tools and programs. Budget challenges won’t improve right away, but school…
Putting the SEL into PBL
In project-based learning (PBL), teachers present students with a real-world problem and challenge them to solve the problem through research and inquiry, often collaborating with each another and…
It’s time to develop an anti-cyberbullying policy; here’s how
As technology continues to permeate our lives inside and outside the classroom, educators, administrators, and students should work together to prevent the development of a cyberbullying culture. Research…
Do you make these common classroom-management mistakes?
The dunce cap, a ruler on the knuckles, kneeling on rice: Modern teachers wouldn’t think of using these methods to correct students’ behavior. But for all the progress…
7 tips to better define personalized learning
Personalized learning is a pretty well-known term, but educators have different definitions for personalized learning, making for a sometimes-confusing approach to its implementation. Now, a new report seeks…
8 informal assessments to pinpoint what your students need
The great thing about informal assessments is they help us gauge students’ understanding during the learning process instead of after. Informal assessment also changes teachers’ relationship to student…
3 ways our district avoids data overload
Schools give many tests throughout the year to identify students’ skills and gaps in their learning, including universal screening, diagnostic, formative, interim, and summative assessments. These tests generate…
The New Librarian: How I use tech to build relationships
My role as a librarian at George Washington Carver Elementary in Maryland, a Title I school, started five years ago. I have watched the title “librarian” and the…
5 TED-Ed Lessons to help you teach critical-thinking skills
We all know that critical thinking is a very important skill, but how do you teach students to go beyond the obvious response and use reason? In a…
App of the Week: Anti-Defamation League
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators ... Read more
6 reasons why district-wide tech implementations are the right choice
In any given K-12 district, you’ll find at least some teachers choosing their own edtech products. Why? If their district hasn’t shown tech leadership, there are no shortage…
What role does personalization play in college and career readiness?
College and career readiness has grown to be a hot topic that is on the mind of every educational leader in the nation. But being college and career…
8 ways to help students grow their grit
For a relatively new buzzword, grit certainly has a lot of supporters. It is grit, and not necessarily IQ or talent, that can predict students' academic success. And…
Digital footprint? Try digital tattoo, experts say
In digital citizenship education, the idea of a digital footprint--the "tracks" students leave behind online as they interact on social media and put information online--is nothing new. But…
3 lessons on innovating in PBL
After 28 years as a classroom teacher, administrator, and superintendent in rural, southwestern Pennsylvania school districts, I left the traditional ... Read more
Why DIY videos are easier than you think
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for my students to learn from video.” —Me (until a month ago) I’ve been afraid to have my class learn from video for…
What is your school doing to teach financial literacy?
I believe personal finance should be part of every American’s lifelong learning plan, from elementary school through and into adulthood. It’s that important. In December, our center issued…
Blending My Practice
In April 2018, eSchool News launched a new column, “Blending My Practice.” Our columnist, Raymond Steinmetz, teaches seventh-grade math at Portsmouth ... Read more
One-to-one: Overcoming financial and other obstacles
Today the Lake Park Audubon School District in Minnesota is known for its technology, but it didn’t earn this reputation overnight. Six years ago, the 700-student district carefully…