6 reasons we’re using a student safety platform
When we started talking about a 1:1 computing initiative, one of the biggest concerns we heard from administrators, community members, and parents was, how were we going to…
Month: July 2019
These 2 things can guide your change management
There are a number of old sayings about learning to understand another by walking in their shoes, moccasins, or sandals. Since those sayings cross quite a few cultures…
How educator micro-credentials support PL
All educators are lifelong learners, whether they’re figuring out how to incorporate the latest edtech device into their lessons or researching bios on NBA players to help a…
4 reasons to unleash your math resources
Today’s supplemental solutions don’t allow district leaders or teachers much flexibility. Much like “one size fits all” training is no longer relevant to the world’s workforce, today’s static…
5 new strategies to integrate digital content into classroom instruction
For the past decade of my career, I’ve worked to empower and inspire educators in their use of digital content and technology. From teaching educators in graduate level…
Getting the most from collaboration tools
Communication and collaboration are not the same thing. There are many tools that allow educators and administrators to talk to each other, but to take advantage of edtech’s…
Here’s how to put coding and robotics programs in K-8 classrooms
Coding and robotics programs in classrooms reflect how integral technology is in our lives. Educators like Angie Kalthoff, a technology integrationist in St. Cloud, MN, and Ann Bartel,…
7 strategies to navigate a tech upgrade
Several school district officials have told us they want to embrace our philosophy of empowering students and teachers through technology innovation, but lack the right infrastructure to support…
6 reasons to support K-5 coding
In many districts, students still get their first introduction to computer science and coding in middle school or high school. That timing, argues John Pearce, is all wrong.…
Learn how school districts gain spending transparency and boost morale
School districts face urgent issues, from student safety to teacher evaluations, but perhaps the most critical problem involves mismanaged spending. ... Read more
6 things to know about school internet needs
Education leaders expect school internet needs to increase over the next several years, highlighting the need for increased bandwidth and resources to support the growing demands on school…
4 steps to creating a PLC lifestyle
In my work as a district effectiveness specialist, I commonly see educators struggling with the structure and the process of the professional learning community (PLC). According to The…
3 creative ways to connect global learning and SEL
There’s a lot of conversation these days around the concepts of global learning and SEL (social-emotional learning). Both are vital approaches to helping students grow into fully engaged…
5 strategies for developing digital literacy in a generation that takes tech for granted
It’s commonplace to be impressed when we hear of excellent test scores and educational backgrounds from top institutes, no matter the type of degree or accolades. However, preparing…
So, you want to evaluate a tech tool?
In the world of instructional technology, evaluating a tech tool is widely misunderstood. School districts are under pressure to quantify the impact of technology integration on student achievement.…
Creating meaningful science experiences with data collection
The science team at North Kansas City Schools (NKC Schools) is always looking for innovative ways to engage students in hands-on, real-world learning opportunities. So, when our district…
5 strategies to navigate the future of learning
Advances in smart technologies and the knowledge needed to power them are paving the way for new kinds of educational opportunities--and a new guide offers a look at…
3 keys to cultivating the maker mindset
When we dreamed of starting construction on a space where teachers and students alike could cultivate a maker mindset, our goals went beyond creating a dedicated makerspace. We…
Why cybersecurity training programs are critical
As more and more schools are implementing cybersecurity training programs, the role of IT leaders in the K-12 environment is changing from a technology focus to a more…
30+ new tools and services we saw at ISTE 2019
Another ISTE has come and gone–were you in Philadelphia for ISTE 2019? If not, don’t worry–we’re highlighting some of the ... Read more
Modernizing student evaluation in 3 steps
The Algoma District School Board (ADSB), located in Ontario, Canada, serves a diverse group of 9,400 students across 39 elementary and 10 secondary schools. Through our strategic priorities…
How we turned around our disciplinary infraction rate
Demographics Cordata Elementary School is a 400-student public school serving grades PreK-5 in the Bellingham School District in Washington. The school has the highest percentage of English Language…
3 ways to combine trauma-informed teaching with SEL
When trauma goes unacknowledged by caring adults, students can feel suffocated by the burden of their experience. Research shows that traumatic experiences can drastically hinder students’ academic development,…
5 evidence-based literacy strategies for bilingual learners
The opportunity of bilingualism is an important gift to give to our students. The cognitive, cultural, and professional benefits of bilingualism have the potential to broaden learners' experiences…
5 steps to closing the homework gap
Schools are facing new challenges now that most learning involves the web—chiefly, the ability to do work at home or anywhere away from school grounds. While many are…
The push to put robotics in rural schools
Rural schools in the United States face challenges many of their suburban counterparts couldn’t fathom. For example, access to challenging and engaging STEM courses such as robotics and…
The coolest K-12 robotics programs we saw at ISTE
Efforts to get kids coding have exploded in recent years, but sometimes kids need a push to discover the "why" behind learning how to code. At ISTE 2019,…
6 tips to host high-impact district tours for VIP guests
As the director of communications for northwest New York’s East Irondequoit Central School District, I am proud to play a central role in sharing with various stakeholders the…
5 ways our centralized LMS supports UDL
Applicable to every student in every classroom, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles of offering multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement help teachers leverage…
5 ways to stay connected with your teachers this summer
Teachers are dedicated, passionate people, so as a principal I encourage my teachers to recharge their batteries over the summer. At the same time, I try to stay…
How we reinvented our district’s reading program
Demographics: Located in northern Oakland County, about 40 miles northwest of Detroit, Oxford Community Schools (OCS) serves a suburban community that extends across five townships and two villages.…
Is summer learning loss real?
Every summer, the news is filled with stories about summer learning loss. The warnings sound dire: two months of math learning lost for most students every summer, and…
2 ways educators are using data to solve problems
The chorus singing the praises of data in education has been ever-present for years now, but it’s not always clear how educators can effectively put that data to…