Encourage critical thinking by turning your class into a Socratic Seminar
Publications
eSchool News May 2011
Highlights 24 eSN Special Feature Which eReader is right for you? Our handy guide might help. 28 Education in Focus ... Read more
This easy presentation software lets students focus on content, not design
Students spend more time playing around with presentation software than you might think. Shouldn’t they be using that time on the material itself? Fortunately, there is a new…
3 ways to revamp lessons for the interactive learner
Educators who want to reach students who favor interactive communication know that integrating digital tools into their lesson plans can be an effective strategy. But to make a…
The 4 essentials of a successful Genius Hour
Genius Hour projects may be open ended, but there are still some ground rules. Here are some tips for making Genius Hour work in your school.
Teach students to communicate effectively in the Innovation Age
Communication looks different in the Innovation Age compared to the Information Age of yesteryear. Here's how to help students succeed
Deeper learning has significant impact
New research reveals that students who attend schools with a focus on deeper learning are more likely to graduate on time and demonstrate higher achievement and test scores,…
How music can inspire strong student writing
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…
Tech aids at-risk students
Interactive learning and other technology-enabled strategies can increase engagement and significantly improve achievement among at-risk students, according to a new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education (AEE)…
What keeps girls from pursuing STEM fields?
Every student who has returned to school this fall should have the opportunity to prepare for the rapidly growing job opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math–also known…
Overcoming barriers to school connectivity
Funding remains the largest and most-cited obstacle when it comes to updating schools’ infrastructure and installing high-speed broadband internet access, according to a survey from the Consortium for…
Apps for storytelling, astronomy, and more
Each week, we feature a new App of the Week on our website and in our newsletters. These apps are for students or educators and offer a range…
‘Buyer’s remorse’ dogging Common Core rollout
Millions of students will take new online tests rooted in the Common Core standards for math and reading this year, but policy makers in many states are having…
Students: We need coding skills
A new report reveals that 59 percent of students who do not know how to code would like to learn, while just 23 percent of students actually know…
Students excel with project-based learning
When it comes to classrooms today, students want more than the lectures and quiet classrooms of the past. They want technology to use as learning tools, they want…
How to boost parent-teacher communication
As we prepare for a new school year, many parents would like to know how they can better connect with teachers and stay informed with their child’s progress.
Using flipped learning to boost engagement
Supporters of flipped learning have proven that the instructional model is more than just a fad. As it spreads to classrooms across the nation, educators are leveraging the…
Top predictions for tomorrow’s classrooms
Given the fast pace with which technology evolves, it’s not entirely a huge stretch to say that a new learning tool could transform classrooms within a year.
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,…
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 do teachers, parents approach online safety?
Today, children in elementary school often have just as much, if not more, technology know-how than adults. But as children’s tech use increases, and as they spend more…
Elementary world language instruction
At Scenic Heights Elementary School in Minnetonka, Minn., students practice writing Chinese characters in their notebooks as their teacher writes these characters in broad strokes on an interactive…
10 traits of tech-savvy educators
Technology is a necessary part of formal and informal learning today. After all, students will need tech skills as they move into college and the workforce.
‘What’s your data protection policy?
Student data is a hot topic these days, and as the new school year kicks off, educators and school leaders are examining their data storage and data security…
5 emerging trends in today’s libraries
Technology and digital resources are expanding rapidly in U.S. libraries, and important tech tools that serve entire communities are available at nearly all libraries across the nation.
5 Common Core priorities for the school year
As schools gear up to dive back into learning, states that have adopted the Common Core State Standards are outlining their priorities and are identifying their top goals…
How to link Minecraft and math
As gaming gains steam and loses its stigma in the wake of educators who champion its engaging nature, more teachers are incorporating the strategy into their instruction.
Here’s how to design an iPad program
As educators and school leaders would likely agree, any technology initiative begins not with an iPad or a laptop, but with teaching and learning goals.
5 gaming dynamics that truly engage students
Gaming. It’s more than a buzzword in today’s schools, but it still sometimes carries a stigma–is gaming really an effective way for students to learn?
3 things you might not know about Google for Education
What does it mean to “go Google” as a K-12 school or district? In a recent eSchool News webinar sponsored by Google, James Leonard from the Google for…
6 reasons mobile learning is booming
Mobile technologies are increasingly gaining support among school administrators, who opt for one-to-one initiatives and BYOD programs to help deflect the costs of maintaining a mobile device initiative,…
FCC moves to modernize eRate
In a split decision along party lines, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to move ahead with a plan to modernize the eRate by increasing the amount…
Secrets of innovative schools
Today’s schools, educators, and district leaders strive to give students the best education possible. Doing that means being innovative.
Teaching, testing with tablets a key theme at ISTE ’14
This year’s conference from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) was the biggest yet, with nearly 20,000 people convening in Atlanta June 28 to July 1…
5 examples of blended learning success
As new educational models gain support among educators and students who want to learn in new and different ways, blended learning is perhaps one of the strongest among…
Six characteristics of great professional development (and great classrooms)
For nearly a dozen years I’ve traveled to various schools and districts to deliver professional development workshops and presentations. Over the years, I’ve also sat in on many…
Four favorite tools for English language learning
Here are reviews of four high-quality digital tools that can help teach English language skills, courtesy of Common Sense Media and its new Graphite service–a free database of…
Formative assessment: Strategies for success
How can formative assessment be used to support the curriculum? This was the subject of a recent webinar sponsored by SunGard K-12 Education, during which two experts revealed…
Some top ways to choose, use early ed tech
Making sure that young children benefit from technology isn’t quite as simple as handing a child a mobile device with age-appropriate apps. But using a series of questions…
Building human capacity for a digital leap
Strengthening the human technology capacity in our school systems is imperative if we are to enhance the digital learning environment and prepare students for success in college, career,…
Education practices that support innovation
Don’t let the headline mislead you: This story won’t tell you how to innovate. Still, being open and willing to take a risk or two can put your…
Resource Library:
The Complete Guide to Computer Science Education for Elementary Classrooms
Introducing computer science at the elementary level gives young learners a strong foundation for the future. By learning tech skills early, students are set up for success in school and…
Take measure of your mathematics practices
DNA Mathematics professional development empowers educators to master the mathematics being taught in classrooms. To exemplify the benefits of DNA Mathematics, download our FREE white paper now to learn a…
Enhance PreK-5 STEAM and CS Instruction with playful, screen-free robotics!
Research shows that young students learn STEAM and Computer Science best with hands-on, playful experiences. Meet KIBO, the screen-free robot, where students problem solve, engineer, collaborate, and develop their computational…