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…
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
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…
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,…
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…
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…
How one organization is changing the STEM education landscape
Six years ago, I founded 100Kin10, a national network focused on training and retaining excellent K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers. Originally inspired by Barack Obama’s…
How podcasts can improve literacy
I’m going to confess, I did not bring podcasts into my English classroom with any intention of improving my students’ literacy skills. The idea came from a more…
Is STEM getting ‘IT’ right for female students?
March 8th was memorable for many reasons. Not only was it International Women’s Day, but Meghan Markle made one of her first official public appearances with her future…
3 tenets for developing cultural competency in schools
Although educational equity is a fundamental pillar of the American education system, school districts are struggling to ensure their students feel included, safe, and supported. This is in…
App of the Week: Bear
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
4 reasons teaching coding improves SEL instruction
Being able to recall facts may help you look good in front of your friends during trivia night, but memorizing content of the past has become largely irrelevant…
Picture this! 4 steps to understanding copyright issues
Schools are using digital content more than ever before. They are relying on digital resources, open educational resources, and teacher-created content to support curricular goals. As more of…
Finding the money for SEL
Effective social emotional learning (SEL) requires a thorough understanding of the student population’s needs, training to integrate SEL into everyday lessons, and the instructional resources. Although educators and…
4 takeaways from the IMS Global Learning Impact Leadership Institute
For K-12 education leaders working to create a more integrated, interoperable digital ecosystem, Learning Impact Leadership Institute was the place to be! This year’s conference attracted nearly 600 attendees…
6 questions (and answers!) to ask before moving to PBL
Don’t jump into project-based learning (PBL) too quickly. But at some point you’ve got to just jump. Does that sound like conflicting advice? Let me explain. Some teachers…
7 lessons for surviving 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…
5 easy, low-cost ways to do AR & VR in your classroom
Our classrooms are transforming—not just with new technology or furniture—but by completely transporting students to new places and experiences. Location, funding, and even reality are no longer limiting…
Measuring the hidden costs of OER
Open educational resources (OER) have been promoted as a solution to the rising costs and scalability needs in education. The idea that free content can solve curriculum needs…
App of the Week: Kiddom
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators ... Read more
Designing a school for next-century learning
Sartell-St. Stephen Independent School District, located in central Minnesota, is one of many school districts across the country that recognized a need to dramatically evolve traditional classrooms to…
How team teaching (and other innovations) can impact blended learning
Personalized learning’s rationale has strong intuitive appeal: We can all remember feeling bored, confused, frustrated, or lost in school when our classes didn’t spark our interests or address…
Now is the time to redefine readiness
Today’s working adults have seen a lot of change in the employment landscape. But that change is likely to be modest compared to the changes coming between now…
How I intregrate coding across subjects
As educators, it’s our job to figure out how to equip students with the skills they need to be well-prepared for college and careers. At Amana Academy, a…
How to have true inclusion
Too often, an “inclusive education” for students with complex support needs means helping them take part in a single class activity before they go off to a different…
Being influential: What does it take?
I coach many a teacher who shares with me that they are frustrated with the system in which they work. They have ideas to make things better but…
Here’s how to make your digital strategy seamless
When a district goes digital, it is doing everything necessary so that students can seamlessly access and use all of the digital learning tools available and teachers can…