What you need to know about Kaplan’s new SAT survey
Kaplan Test Prep, one of the leading SAT tutoring and college prep companies, believes that the SAT is still relevant in the CCSS era.
How one school set up 600 iPad Air tablets in 2.5 hours
Many people think of iPads in education as devices that need to be locked down. But at Immaculata-La Salle, we're doing things a bit differently.
Can we change the PD culture of communication?
One of my first activities as an Outstanding Educator in Residence with the Academy of Singapore Teachers two winters ago was to observe elementary school students using laptops…
How to avoid eRate rule violations
This summer, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created a Universal Service Fund (USF) Strike Force, which is tasked with combating waste, fraud, and abuse in various USF programs,…
The MaKey MaKey might change the game
Tell me if this sounds familiar... You want to increase student buy-in on a project by designing a challenge with a connection to the "real world." You want…
What to look for in a cloud provider of Microsoft Exchange
Microsoft Exchange provides a rich feature set for email, which has made it a popular option among schools and colleges. And the latest version, Exchange 2013, is a…
Empowering superintendents in the digital age
Superintendents lead. They are charged with preparing students to be college-, career-, and life-ready, and with enabling a 21st-century learning environment. Increasingly, this means leveraging digital technologies to…
Empowering superintendents in the digital age
Superintendents lead. They are charged with preparing students to be college-, career-, and life-ready, and with enabling a 21st-century learning environment. Increasingly, this means leveraging digital technologies to…
How music can inspire strong student writing and discussion
On the first day of school, I give my students a pep talk. My goals for the year are laid out. I tell them I expect them to…
What students really think about learning online
After recently posting two blog pieces about being an online teacher, I realized something was missing from the conversation: the voice of the students actually taking the digital…
Wi-Fi in schools: Security vs. accessibility
The very benefit of Wi-Fi in schools—easy, open access—is also the biggest threat. Is the FCC helping school administrators understand the risks, or simply doling out cash without…
10 ways to pursue digital equity with collaborative leadership
Despite all of the impact of technology in our schools, there is an unfortunate reality: not all students have the same access to digital technologies – especially at…
6 ways to improve dropout prevention efforts
Bob Darby, a former educator and district superintendent, shares six critical dropout prevention strategies.
Seven keys to deploying tablets successfully
Marc Fanaroff, a special education administrator for more than 30 years, shares his advice on successfully deploying tablets in schools.
5 key steps to safeguarding student data
As uses of student data continue to expand, districts must be prepared to protect this information and ensure it's only used for its indented purpose: to help students…
Why BYOT should begin in elementary school
Usually, districts adopting BYOT programs initiate them at the high school level and allow them to trickle down to the junior high or middle school level. But why…
5 must-have tools to hire and develop effective teachers
David Schuler, superintendent of High School District 214, shares five must-have tools to hire and develop effective teachers.
How can we engage all learners? Let students play
When students are put in an environment in which they can learn their own way without fear, they become lifelong independent learners.
5 things you can do right now to prepare for Common Core assessments
Helping your students become ready for deeper skills assessment isn't as hard as you think; here are five places to start.
How ‘productive struggle’ can lead to deeper learning
Students can experience "productive struggle" when given a task slightly beyond their abilities. As educators provide support for tackling a challenging problem through different approaches, they can help…
Why a flexible SIS is a key to mobile learning success
When we started planning the Mobile Minds initiative, a majority of our time was spent discussing and evaluating learning management systems and mobile device managers. Ultimately, we could…
6 ways texting can improve school communications
Students touch their cell phones 43 times a day and send about 60 texts, showing that mobile technology is the best way to reach them. And with 91…
Vocational education is making a comeback
Vocational education often was deemed a second-tier educational choice for those who could not go to college. Today, however, vocational education is making a comeback.
How to avoid eRate rule violations
The FCC is investing millions of dollars to remove eRate waste, fraud, and abuse. Here's how to make sure you're not caught in its net.
4 tech tools that met a district’s top goals
The Napa County Office of Education (NCOE) is on a mission to use technology to prepare all students for academic and career success. We have implemented several initiatives…
Effectiveness of teacher preparation under scrutiny
Current attempts to measure teacher quality have resulted in controversy, and a ranking of teacher preparation programs by the National Council on Teacher Quality is one example.
Digital storytelling enhances K-12 classrooms
With initiatives like the Common Core emphasizing creative thinking, many teachers are looking at unique ways to deliver information. Bernard Robin, Ph.D., saw that an age-old technique could…
5 stimulating web apps that will engage K-5 students
Sheree Schulson, a second and third grade teacher at Parkside Elementary School in Coral Springs, Fla., shares five interactive apps for K-5 students.
10 privacy steps for every district
It would be hard to name an issue that has taken the education technology world by storm as has student data privacy over the past year. To address…
5 ways to create a performance-based school climate
Students’ learning is affected by academic as well as nonacademic factors. Enabling them to achieve their full potential requires integrating learning outcome data with information about special needs,…
Trying to change teacher practice? Enlist ‘Bob’
Perhaps the most frequent question I get from school administrators is: How can I get my teachers to use technology? It’s often voiced by a school principal, ed-tech…
How to minimize digital classroom distractions
Using technology in the classroom can also bring multiple distractions to students. As an educator, how can you confront this dilemma?
What should we make of the South Korean tutoring boom?
To say that South Korea takes its private tutoring seriously would be an understatement. In fact, spending on private tutoring in South Korea has surpassed spending on public…