More Than 40 New Things We Saw at ISTE 2018
Creativity, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital competencies were just a few of the many trends at ISTE 2018. This year’s ... Read more
Month: June 2018
Is your district on track with these classroom tech trends?
Although they're touted as game-changers for classroom learning, virtual reality and augmented reality have yet to catch on in schools, according to a new survey of 1,500 teachers.…
Great podcast episodes for students and teachers
There are lots of teachers who love listening to podcasts and want to share that passion with their students. But many aren’t sure how to justify using podcasts…
25 things to try in your classroom next year
As schools across the country close for summer, teachers are, understandably, breathing a sigh of relief. But the learning doesn't stop just because students leave classrooms. Summer is…
Calling all leaders: Hope is not a strategy
Hope is critical to greatness but not the strategy to achieve it. Hope is not wishful thinking—as in “I hope I win the lottery.” It is the core…
5 modern education myths debunked
In the industrial setting, Industry 4.0 is a term that analysts use to describe the automation and data exchange that are used in manufacturing technologies, and this involves…
Sneak peak at 3 new product launches at ISTE 2018
I had the opportunity to get a sneak peak look at some ISTE 2018 vendor launches before the ropes were dropped at the expo. STEAM “The price of…
4 awesome videos to check out over the summer
Videos can be used in many ways in the classroom and in professional learning, and they can greatly benefit students if they’re engaging and thought-provoking. They’re also valuable…
Most teachers say tech tools improve teaching and learning
Eighty-two percent of teachers in a recent survey say they believe tech tools have enhanced teaching and learning, and most say they have access to the tools they…
How can we make personalized learning work?
Educators around the country are excited about the potential of personalized learning, but before we can make it an everyday reality, we first need to agree on what…
App of the Week: Mentimeter
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
Beware: Your SIS might not be protecting student data
When FERPA was signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1974, “accessibility” meant “the key to the filing cabinet,” and an “information request” was either an in-person…
Teacher stress could cost your schools more than you think
Teachers need the right support to deliver high-quality instruction, and a new study finds that teachers who do not have access to the proper resources have higher job-related…
How I found more satisfaction in teaching
Early in my career, I got upset and disappointed when students made mistakes in class. I couldn’t understand why they weren’t understanding when I was teaching everything so…
Are you an AR innovator?
My library is not quiet. As much as I can, I strive to have my students engaged and excited about learning and exploring new things. One of those…
How I found more satisfaction in teaching
Early in my career, I got upset and disappointed when students made mistakes in class. I couldn’t understand why they weren’t understanding when I was teaching everything so…
Are you a Future Ready Librarian?
For 20 years, I was a teacher librarian and worked in elementary, middle, and high school libraries. In 2012, I was selected as Washington State Teacher of the…
Study: Teacher expertise increases students’ college success
Teacher expertise in subject matter has a big influence on students' postsecondary success, according to a new report. A University of Missouri researcher found that high school students…
Can we design learning environments geared for maximum motivation?
What can we learn from human psychology about designing learning environments geared for maximum motivation? Let’s start by identifying core human motivations using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs.…
7 steps to success in work and life for all students
As educators, we have a responsibility to all students to not only help them achieve academically, but to also prepare them for life as productive, contributing, global citizens.…
What’s on the horizon at ISTE 2018?
For almost 40 years, the ISTE Conference and Expo has brought the best and brightest in edtech front and center. This year in Chicago (June 24-27) will be…
3 ways to promote grit via literacy instruction
J.K. Rowling. Bill Gates. Oprah Winfrey. These are no doubt names that most students recognize as successful. But what often goes overlooked is the perseverance needed to achieve…
App of the Week: Stack the States 2
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
9 resources to prevent summer learning loss
As the school year comes to a close in districts across the nation, many parents and educators look for resources to prevent summer learning loss in students. Sixty-four…
8 reasons why we should combine art + math
With declining U.S. student math scores, our schools would be wise to adopt a new formula that is sure to paint a prettier picture for the country’s STEM…
The New Librarian: I started a digital badging movement for my students
They said it was boring and it broke my heart. How could something I felt so passionate about be boring to my students? Creating citations is where it’s…
10 ISTE 2018 events you can’t miss
If you're heading to ISTE 2018 at the end of June, you'll want to plan your conference schedule so you can take advantage of all the show has…
What NOT to do if you want to be more influential
In last month’s column, I wrote about being of influence and key reminders if we want to increase our scope of influence, no matter our role. I mentioned…
20 ideas for teaching coding in math, science, social studies, and ELA
You might think coding is a novel trend that doesn’t have other applications beyond programming, but coding offers many connections to multiple subjects, with the added benefit of…
Using single sign-on to streamline edtech access
Digital educational materials have provided many benefits for K-12 educators and students, including computer adaptive assessments to tools that allow students to collaborate and communicate 24/7. At the…
Here’s how to foster creative problem solving
Last year, Adobe conducted a study of Generation Z students (ages 11-17) that found students and teachers believe creativity is critical for success in the future workforce. Based on…
App of the Week: Google Applied Digital Skills
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
More than robots: Inspiring STEM education and life skills via robotics
Nearly 70,000 people cheering for their favorite teams, bleachers filled with signs and costumes, and fans gushing over game highlights and strategic execution. This was the scene in…
Why creative thinking might be our strongest asset
Developing a creative mindset is more important than ever before, not just for our students, but for educators as well. The advancement of technology, the connectedness of society,…
6 teacher recommendations to help students with math
Poor performance in previous math classes and low confidence are some of students’ biggest stumbling blocks when it comes to math success, according to a new survey about…
How to avoid a cyber attack
From credit card hacks to social security breaches, cyber attacks are more common with each passing day. Organizations in every industry are on high alert to ensure networks…
5 best practices for starting a successful cybersecurity program
While there’s no question technology adoption creates powerful learning environments, it can also present significant security risks to teachers, staff, and students. According to Verizon’s 2017 Data Breach…
10 ways we made our school happier
After the recession hit in 2013, it was evident that something was off at Mashburn Elementary School (part of Forsyth County Schools in Georgia). I watched teachers being…
How well do you collaborate with fellow teachers?
A majority of teachers say they don't have sufficient time to collaborate with other teachers, according to a new report from the RAND Corporation. Collaborative activities such as…
The New Librarian: Building confidence through coding
When reading became more digital with the introduction of tablets and e-readers, libraries became pressured to innovate and remain relevant. As a former classroom teacher and current literacy…
