Innovations That Expand Students’ Networks
Who you know matters. Depending on their socio-economic and geographic backgrounds, and availability of school resources, students possess vastly different ... Read more
Month: August 2018
7 perks of technology done right
Technology can have a dramatically positive impact on student engagement and instructional practices when implemented carefully and accompanied by extensive professional learning and management, according to a new…
3 ways to better assess soft skills
Soft skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving are an exponentially important part of students' life skills toolbox, yet assessing these skills remains a persistent challenge.…
This cool new program helps kids develop better tech habits
Dignity—it’s not a word often associated with social media and online interaction. However, as part of a new education program from Seton Hall Law School’s Institute for Privacy…
Inspiring students to become global problem solvers
Last year, my district—Roosevelt (AZ) School District—was asked by Arizona State University’s (ASU) department of innovation and entrepreneurship to pilot a new educational program for middle school students.…
Recipe for back-to-school success
Are you interested in expanding your comfort zone, building relationships with your students, and boosting the culture of your classroom in the new school year? Read on!
Video: How edtech connects
At SXSW EDU 2018, The Christensen Institute’s Director of Education Research, Julia Freeland Fisher, reveals innovative schools that are creating ... Read more
Disrupting opportunity gaps will hinge on networks
Recently, Stanford researcher Raj Chetty came out with yet another new study on the jagged landscape of opportunity facing America. ... Read more
Mapping the universe of edtech that connects
I’m excited to share a tool that my colleagues and I have been working on for the past few years: ... Read more
The other gap that schools aren’t talking about—relationships
The NAEP scores released in April set off a flurry of headlines about the sobering state of achievement gaps across ... Read more
10 steps for bringing connectivity home
This fall, Cypress-Fairbanks (TX) Independent School District is particularly excited about welcoming back 150 of our underserved elementary, middle, and high school students after they’ve enjoyed their first…
How I give my students voice & choice
When I walked into my first college computer class in 1995, the room was filled with Macs, PCs, and loads of potential. I hadn’t been exposed to computers…
Upgrade your conference
I felt like I’d just unpacked my suitcase from ISTE 2018 when Edsurge came out with 60+ K-12 Education Technology Events in 2018-2019. So instead of doing what a…
Moving from digital citizenship to digital leadership
My motto and philosophy for my school library is “expect the miraculous.” Inspired by my favorite author, Kate DiCamillo, I encourage students and educators to keep their eyes…
4 great ways to address home-school communications
The need for a strong partnership between schools and families is extremely important, but it can be challenging to figure out the best way to handle home-school communication.…
6 reasons we broke free from traditional PD
For years, professional development (PD) has been out of touch with what we as educators already know to be best practice, and how we are asking teachers to…
Science for all: How to reach English learners
Nationally, English learners (ELs) make up nearly 10 percent of PK-12 classrooms and almost 15 percent of urban classrooms, and these numbers are on the rise. Many supports…
5 tips for getting over your #edtech fears to engage and empower students
I have been lucky. I was on a computer at a young age, playing Math Blaster or Oregon Trail until my eyelids grew heavy and I had to…
Hold up: End-of-year testing doesn’t always carry weight
While end-of-year testing influences how teachers teach, experts caution against making major decisions about students around a single test. A survey from Instructure, creator of the Canvas learning…
4 simple questions school leaders should ask about cybersecurity
In today’s world where hacking and other forms of cyber-attacks abound, it isn’t enough to simply expect that the IT staff has data security under control. According to…
7 computational thinking strategies to help young innovators fail forward
Computational thinking has been trending, but what is it, really? Simply put, computational thinking is a method of reasoning that teaches students how to solve real-world, complex problems…
Making the move to standards-based grading: How we did it & what we learned
Traditional letter grades have been around since the beginning of the 20th century. Today’s parents received As, Bs, and Cs from their teachers when they were in school,…
How to champion change in your district
Change is an ongoing exercise, and in schools and districts, every year is marked by shifts. Some of those are major, some minor, but there is little doubt…
4 reasons why some children have difficulty learning to read
According to Hill for Literacy, about 66 percent of fourth-grade readers cannot read proficiently, which often translates into a growing achievement gap for these children. Why is reading…
Teacher absent? How tech can bridge the gap
The teacher-absence policy at my school was clear: The teacher isn’t coming to school? No technology for the class. The rationale is that it’s just not worth it.…
Educators report low confidence in ed-tech research
Although many educators rely on vendor-supplied reports for information on education technology tools, most educators have doubts about vendors' ability to perform reliable research, according to a new…
SEL should be an easy sell for U.S. schools and districts
In light of tragic events that have put a spotlight on school safety issues, it’s more important than ever to understand the value of students’ social and emotional…
Are you a regular principal or a New Learning Leader?
School principals recognize their unique positions as digital evangelists and are evolving to lead their schools into a new era of learning, according to new data on school…
6 key principles for a successful SEL program
A social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum adds valuable lessons to a student’s normal school day that will help propel them beyond academic success and onto success in life. No…
The 5 most important things to do in the first month of school
If the beginning of the school year feels like you’re being pulled in 12 directions at once, then you’re not alone. Student have nervous flutters about returning to…
3 reasons elementary schools should adopt an LMS—and where to begin
Is it really possible for young learners to effectively use a learning management system (LMS)? This is a common question administrators and educational practitioners ask when considering LMS…
Admins: Here’s what teachers think about professional learning
Teachers are overwhelmingly turning to social media and online resources to drive their own professional learning, according to new Speak Up Survey data released by Project Tomorrow on…
The New Librarian: How to set up a Global Citizens program
At Tudor Elementary School in Anchorage, Alaska, “show and tell” has an inspiring twist. Instead of sharing an interesting rock or a favorite toy, they are sharing messages…
12 tips to help you identify classroom-ready tools
The Common Sense Education team is constantly searching for the best tools for digital teaching and learning. Our experts have rated and reviewed more than 3,000 (and counting!)…
The growing role CTOs play in advancing K-12 education
The demand for K-12 school districts to implement technology that drives smarter decision-making for teachers and administrators has never been greater. However, given the demands facing school districts…
8 apps you should check out before school starts
Apps can be a valuable resource for educators who have access to mobile devices and who want to engage students with digital resources. While they're a fun resource,…
What’s up with Whatsapp?
In an age where students seem to be attached to tech, why not take that as an educational opportunity? With WhatsApp being such a popular messaging app, there…
2 major investments support STEM education
Schools may be out for summer, but STEM education efforts and investments are going strong. STEM investments are critical for a number of reasons. First, many of the…
3 backchanneling websites to replace TodaysMeet
If you haven’t already heard, TodaysMeet has closed its doors. While you can download transcripts of your past chats, you’re gonna need to find a replacement tool for…
8 essential qualities of a digital literacy curriculum
“Jeff. I’ve got a big challenge. Help!” That was a voicemail message I received from a friend, a principal at a local elementary school one sunny summer afternoon.…
