Cognitive assessment leaps into the digital age
Digitized cognitive assessments can enhance diagnostic accuracy, while enabling the integration of new knowledge of cognitive processes into assessments Cognitive ... Read more
Best Practices
Best Practices
How online collaboration transformed instruction at two schools
While teachers know that collaborating with colleagues to develop multi-class or cross-curricular projects can be incredibly beneficial for students, most never get a collaborative project off the ground.…
Viewpoint: Time to reimagine virtual learning
Just over a decade ago, the idea of virtual learning carried with it the potential to revolutionize the education industry. It was a beautiful concept. It offered the…
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.
Three ways to help administrators embrace technology
Much of the conversation taking place about technology in education today focuses on digital tools that are meant to help educators teach and students learn. But technology can,…
Blended learning and the paradox of the experienced teacher
Assuming a good teacher in the traditional classroom will be a good teacher in a blended learning environment is wrong. The terminology alone provides a clue; after all,…
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…
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…
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…
8 simple tools for creating engaging infographics
Human beings are visual and adept at identifying patterns and trends quickly. Infographics can aid our understanding of otherwise dense, multifaceted, or complicated material.
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…
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…
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.
Using your LMS to provide powerful support for teacher intuition
A well-designed blended learning course can provide a teacher with greater insights to support his or her intuition. Here's how.
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…
8 educators share back-to-school priorities
Common Core, technology use and integration are among back-to-school goals for the new school year A new school year brings ... Read more
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,…
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?
Increasing student participation with Google Drive
It’s no secret that recent technological changes have altered the face of childhood education. Walk into a classroom these days and you will see laptops, tablets, and even…
Poverty and the perception of poverty–how both matter for schooling outcomes
Compensating for students’ socio-economic disadvantage is one of the greatest challenges facing teachers,school leaders and education systems as a whole. However, data from PISA show that some countries…
Five tips to find the right ed-tech partner for your school district
When choosing ed-tech partners for your district, you must look beyond the cost, features and functionality of the products you ... Read more
27 academic writing resources for students
All teachers and educators are familiar with such a problem of every student as writing. Often, it appears to be very difficult for them to write an essay,…
Commit yourself to action by investing in success
The title you just read is something to make people look at an article. The actual article you are about to read is not nearly as wishy-washy or…
Classroom audio system makes personalized learning ‘magic’
When my school unveiled our new 1,600-square-foot STEM lab in October, I was very excited—and just a little overwhelmed. After all, we combined two existing classrooms to create…
Top software that will make every teacher’s life easier
If you ask any teacher, most of them will tell you that most of their time and effort goes towards planning lessons, arranging tests and creating effective and…
Two benefits of eBooks for early readers
The future of eBooks opens up opportunities for teachers and students alike. eBooks provide fluent readings and other engaging tools that help early readers achieve academic success. And,…
Little-known ways to find every student’s hidden potential
I was walking down the halls of our school recently when a little girl approached me. “Mrs. Rogers, what do I have to do to get into your…
3 secrets to a successful digital transformation
During the 2013-2014 school year, Archbishop Stepinac High School became the first all-digital high school in the United States, with each of our 700 students utilizing a fully…
Classroom security: What you should (not) do
Safe School Week will be a national observation during the third week in October (19-25). One study, “On the Importance of a Safe School and Classroom Climate for…
7 ed-tech summer workshops worth exploring
School may last a little longer for some districts than others, depending on how many snow days some parts of the country experienced. But as schools close for…
7 online tools to improve students’ writing
Some students struggle in doing their writing assignments in school. Sometimes they experience a mental block or struggle to find inspiration. Academic writing is indeed a difficult activity…
How web-based journalism reveals Common Core’s relevance
In order to give students purpose to engage deeply in the Common Core, District 21 in Wheeling, Ill. has partnered with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a…
Stopping the bully in your classroom
While bullying has long existed, it has only recently been recognized as a pervasive problem in schools across the nation. According to recent studies, up to 30 percent…
Why a writing workshop framework works for young authors
We all have stories to tell. Regardless if our stories are told orally, through body language, or written composition, students need to feel ownership and validation in their…
Dude, you’re getting a tablet! Now what?
You’ve heard this story… A generous individual or group donates a number of tablets to a school with the aim of helping students get on board with the…
7 PD tips for your instructional technology integration plan
The role of instructional technology in the classroom has steadily increased over the past decade. These advances include the use of computers and tablets in classrooms, over 300,000…