3 great tips for experiential learning
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin is often credited with this quote that resonates with teachers as…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
3 strategies to keep students engaged in STEM
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is more than just an acronym or a collection of letters. Rather, it is an instructional movement that embodies cross-curricular concepts from…
The New Librarian: How to lead a tech-integration revolution
Throughout my career, I've had the good fortune to work in various capacities as a librarian and with all levels of learners, from kindergarten through doctoral students. Presently,…
6 steps for using data to improve instruction
Research suggests that when principals work directly with teachers in explaining how and why they should use data to improve their instructional practices, the effect on student achievement is…
My best tips for coaching teachers
As the nation faces a looming teacher shortage, one of the most powerful tools we have for retaining teachers is coaching. Every district around the nation employs coaching…
5 ways to teach coding without using screens
A few years ago, computer programming for kids was a niche subject that only children of select parents were exposed to. Fast-forward to today, where coding for kids…
6 reasons why science teachers should use simulations
Simulation has been around for more than 20 years, so what is compelling more science teachers and school districts to add it to their bag of resources? Just…
How to transform problem solving
Technology has become vital to our day-to-day lives and critical in the K-12 classroom. In a tech-saturated market, parents of our students have raised questions about how artificial…
Fixing the grade passback pain point
Grade passback is a pain point for educators and school systems. Just go online and look up the help desk for popular grading platforms and you’ll notice the…
Positive reinforcement leads to school-wide change
As the largest middle school in the state of New Jersey, Lincoln Middle School has struggled at times with student discipline. Chronic tardiness and fights on campus have…
3 ways districts can use AR and AI
Artificial intelligence (AI), mixed reality, and cognitive science research sound like science fiction for today’s classrooms, but this technology is available today. Innovation and technology are as integral…
How to get students interested in STEM
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are not just important topics for school children—they are essential to our culture. These fields help the environment, revolutionize healthcare, innovate our…
App of the Week: Construct 3
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
How to design a school of the future
Several years ago, Greenville County Schools in South Carolina took an innovative approach to designing a new middle school to be named for our former superintendent, Dr. Phinnize…
5 things every K-12 employee should do to protect student data
Student data privacy and security are top priorities for edtech leaders. When asked to rate the importance of these topics, 68 percent of respondents said they were more…
3 keys to filling the STEM pipeline
Many educators are familiar with the research suggesting the demand for employees in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. For instance, the nonpartisan New American Economy…
Here’s what you missed at BPLC18, the Blended & Personalized Learning Conference
Earlier this month, the Highlander Institute, the Christensen Institute, and the Learning Accelerator held a three-day event called the 2018 Blended & Personalized Learning Conference. Attendees saw blended…
Makerspace tips and advice from the front lines
Maker culture is thriving in schools and public libraries across the United States and beyond. From challenges to success stories, no two makerspaces are alike, and maker facilitators…
How do I share something difficult with my colleague?
Something happened. Your colleague said something you found a bit harsh or inappropriate. Something inaccurate or uncalled for. She said it to you. Or to a student. Gulp.…
5 ways tech + education can change the world
Twenty years ago, Cisco recognized a shift toward a knowledge-based economy. We felt it was important that everyone have an opportunity to participate in this economy—and that education,…
How we developed a personalized PBL model for STEM
How can schools and districts prepare students for college and careers in STEM? Is it by asking them to passively read a textbook or listen to a teacher…
3 budget-friendly ways to take science learning outside
As teachers, we're always trying to find new and exciting ways to make our class content more relevant and engaging for our students. Fortunately, science offers many connections…
What research says about virtual reality in classrooms
While we've been inundated over the past few years with the promises and potentials of virtual reality (VR), it's been tough to slice through the hype to find…
How does culture impact our ability to learn?
When educators think about diversity in the classroom, culture may be one of the characteristics that crosses their mind. But as they select their curriculum and develop their…
5 ways to ensure cultural inclusivity
Have you ever wondered what goes into developing curriculum? The audience that Reading Horizons serves is diverse, and our footprint has grown significantly in the last decade as…
The best edtech PD isn’t about technology
Schools and districts spend billions on edtech, even while questions continue to swirl around whether such investments yield solid returns. Few companies can reliably ensure the educational outcomes…