help Archives

Bridging the language gap with AI tools every teacher can use

January 14, 2026July 22, 2025 by Nesreen El-Baz, ESL Educator

AI tools and supports could mean the difference between silent confusion and real understanding for English Learners.

AI tools aren’t a replacement for good teaching, but they offer powerful scaffolds. Teachers can differentiate, reinforce, and expand instruction, without needing to become language specialists.

Literacy

Why stories still matter in a fast-moving world

July 22, 2025 by Britten Follett

Literacy is about critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and engaging with complex ideas--and the stories in books matter for students.

The power of books goes far beyond personal nostalgia. When a major title drops, it’s not just a release date--it’s a shared experience. Readers rush to get their…

Digital Learning Tools

Digital learning is different

July 17, 2025 by Rick Cave, West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District

When students can master learning with digital learning tools and resources, they'll be prepared to navigate an increasingly digital world.

In the animated film Up, the character Dug is a talking dog with an interesting mannerism. Each time he sees a movement off to the side, he stops…

Teacher Professional Development

Using AI to reimagine teacher preparation for scale, equity, and reflective practice

July 16, 2025 by David A. Slykhuis, Ph.D., Valdosta State University

A computerized AI coaching support model lets pre-service teachers engage in scalable, self-guided reflection for teacher preparation.

With growing teacher shortages nationwide, particularly in high-need subject areas and underserved communities, educator preparation programs (EPPs) have a big task at hand.

Live @ ISTE 2025

ISTE Takeaways:What’s the Deal with Data—EdTech Research and Challenges

July 15, 2025July 15, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

While districts understand the value of data, they often lack confidence in knowing what specific data to demand from EdTech ... Read more

Digital Learning Tools

How Gimkit engages my students

July 10, 2025 by Jacob Nissen, Concordia St. Paul University

Gimkit can boost engagement, reinforce learning through interactive gameplay, and offer valuable insights into student progress in real time.

During the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, teachers needed to become resourceful in how they delivered content to students. During this time, students experienced significant change and evolved…

Digital Learning Tools

5 digital resources to engage students in meaningful learning

July 8, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Digital resources allow educators to establish meaningful learning and connect with students in a way that’s personalized and relevant.

Digital resources--interactive platforms, games, simulations, and multimedia--allow educators to bring subjects alive in ways that foster curiosity, creativity, and a deep understanding of content.

Live @ ISTE 2025

Showfloor News: PBLWorks creates PBLWorks TEACH to help scale project based learning

July 7, 2025July 2, 2025 by Laura Ascione

The Buck Institute for Education (dba PBLWorks), a national provider of professional development for high-quality Project Based Learning (PBL), is ... Read more

AI in Education

Building an educator’s AI toolbox

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Enhance engagement, personalize instruction, and streamline tasks with AI tools that support smarter, more efficient classroom learning.

It seems like everywhere you look, AI is there--and classrooms are no exception. During an ISTELive 25 session, Eric Curts, a technology integration specialist with the Stark Portage…

AI in Education

AI tools that support learning–not cheating

July 2, 2025 by Laura Ascione

The key to responsible use of AI tools lies in choosing tools designed to aid understanding, not undermine it by encouraging cheating.

As technology evolves, education is experiencing a dramatic transformation--and AI is a big part of it. From personalized practice questions to interactive explanations, many education-focused AI tools are…

Live @ ISTE 2025

Showfloor News: LG highlights new tools to help educators create, manage, and share

July 1, 2025 by Laura Ascione

LG Electronics USA, the edtech innovator behind the Google EDLA-certified LG CreateBoard interactive display, is once again raising the bar ... Read more

Live @ ISTE 2025

Showfloor News: SMART Technologies debuts premium interactive display

June 30, 2025 by Laura Ascione

SMART Technologies is raising the bar on what affordable classroom technology can deliver—the all-new SMART Board GX Plus redefines entry-level interactivity ... Read more

STEM & STEAM Trends

Why math hints matter–and how AI can help

June 26, 2025 by Dr. Steve Ritter, Carnegie Learning

$AI-driven math hints do more than nudge students toward a correct answer--they help students develop confidence and persistence.$

Research shows that productive struggle in math leads to better learning. But there’s a fine line between productive and unproductive struggle. When tasks are too difficult, frustration takes…

AI in Education

You’re using ChatGPT? A true story about why AI literacy starts with us

February 19, 2026June 24, 2025 by Nesreen El-Baz, ESL Educator

Responsible AI use and AI literacy are not just about the technology--they're about curiosity, judgment, integrity, and communication.

Math isn’t my strongest subject, and when a student asked me to help solve an equation involving angles as I covered for a fellow teacher, I hesitated. Rather…

AI in Education

Ensuring academic integrity in the AI age

June 19, 2025 by Max Spero, Pangram Labs

AI detection is a great way to flag assignments, but detection of AI use warrants further investigation before punitive measures on students.

Students' AI usage can range from summarizing content to full-scale writing support, which begs the question: What can educators do if they suspect an assignment is authored by…

CoSN Corner

Whose call: A student-driven approach to school cell phone policies

June 17, 2025 by Megan Pacheco, Challenge Success

Including students in designing solutions helps establish school cell phone policies that are more likely to be successful and sustained.

Over the last few years we have had the pleasure of working with several school partners to address the growing concern around cell phones in schools. Using a…

STEM & STEAM Trends

5 fun STEM learning resources for summer engagement

June 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Online STEM learning resources help students students explore, experiment, and grow intellectually over the summer.

While this summer slide affects all subject areas, STEM learning is particularly vulnerable, especially when students lack access to hands-on experiences or engaging resources.

Newsline

Ignite Reading Again Approved as 1:1 High-Dosage Early Literacy Tutoring Provider in Massachusetts

September 4, 2025June 13, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

BOSTON — Ignite Reading — a Science of Reading-based virtual tutoring program serving students in 18 states nationwide — today ... Read more

Teacher Professional Development

5 strategies to refine recruitment and help solve the teacher shortage

June 12, 2025 by Jason Odom, FlexPoint Virtual School

Research consistently shows that teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor influencing student achievement--more impactful than race, socioeconomic status, or prior academic performance.

Teaching Trends

4 ways to help students disagree without being disagreeable

June 11, 2025 by Ben Talsma, Van Andel Institute for Education

Students must learn to handle disagreements with curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking--teachers can help them learn to disagree.

As an educator, I believe that for students to truly develop a healthy and flexible learning mindset, they must first learn how to disagree without being disagreeable.

Classroom Management

How we designed a space where our students connect, collaborate, and flourish

June 6, 2025 by Jade Stevens, LA Promise Fund and Westbrook Academy

Our charter school, Westbrook Academy, has been serving middle and high school students in the South Los Angeles area for the past six years and stands as a…

How Students Are Really Using AI and What Schools Should Know

September 24, 2025June 5, 2025 by Jeff Festa

Learn how students are using AI tools and what your district can do in response. This guide shares trends, ... Read more

AI in Education

3 ways to rethink reading intervention with AI

January 14, 2026June 4, 2025 by Nesreen El-Baz, ESL Educator

AI can offer a powerful layer of literacy support for students struggling with reading, especially those who feel left behind.

Many teachers are aware of both the problem and the potential solution, yet feel uncertain about taking the next step. AI, when used thoughtfully, can support reading growth--especially…

AI in Education

Study: AI detection software varies in effectiveness

June 3, 2025 by Dennis Pierce

People who frequently use AI for writing tasks were quite effective at AI detection, even without any specialized training.

The emergence of generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT has challenged educators to find effective ways to identify whether the work their students submit is original or AI-generated.

Microsoft and FFA help students use smart sensors and AI to learn about the future of farming and technology

May 30, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Microsoft Corp. and the National FFA Organization on Tuesday announced the national expansion of FarmBeats for Students, a cutting-edge educational program ... Read more

AI in Education

How students are really using AI tools: What schools need to know

May 29, 2025 by Teodora Pavkovic, Linewize

It's time for schools and districts to craft AI usage policies to guide their students in the expected and appropriate use of these tools.

AI is fast becoming the tool that we soon won’t be able to do without. And yet, only a quarter of districts in the U.S. have released a formal…

Innovation Insights

Alliant Credit Union Foundation Grants $108K to Boost AI and Digital Programs at Ridgewood High School

May 26, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

The Alliant Credit Union Foundation has awarded a $108,000 grant to Digital Leaders Now, the nonprofit that powers the Digital Leaders Academy ... Read more

Newsline

Ohio District Awarded CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seal for Student Data Privacy Practices

May 16, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Washington, D.C. – CoSN today awarded Delaware Area Career Center in Delaware, Ohio, the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Mini Seal ... Read more

Emergency Planning & Response

Empowering school staff with emergency response protocols

May 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

The right safety platform can help schools plan for emergencies, respond to crises, and accelerate emergency response protocols.

Safety response protocols are foundational to creating a culture of safety in schools. District leaders should adopt and implement response protocols that cover all types of emergencies.

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

The pros and cons of DEI in education

May 13, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School and William Howard Taft University

Positive DEI efforts in education include thoughtful and inclusive implementation strategies that promote equity and inclusion for all.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become integral to educational institutions across the United States. DEI aims to foster environments where all students can thrive regardless of…

Innovation Insights

InstructureCon 2025: Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Academic Strategy, Brings the Skinny

May 8, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

When the developers of Canvas, the world’s leading web-based learning management system (LMS) software, invite you to a party—July 22-24 ... Read more

AI in Education

How 4 districts use AI tools to transform education

April 25, 2025 by Laura Ascione

When it comes to innovative education, AI tools are helping teachers and students take teaching and learning to a new level.

Simply put, AI can do a lot--it can personalize learning, help students expand on ideas for assignments, and reduce time spent on administrative tasks, freeing up educators to…

AI in Education

Can AI help reduce math anxiety?

April 24, 2025 by Laura Ascione

$A majority of students said they think math students may worry less about feeling lost in a crowded classroom with the help of AI.$

As AI becomes more widespread in education, more than half of high school students (56 percent) polled think it can go a long way in reducing math anxiety,…

ISTE+ASCD and Pinterest Partner to Transform Digital Culture in Schools

April 22, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Today, ISTE+ASCD announced a $1 million grant from Pinterest to help school leaders create healthy digital cultures. The initiative will ... Read more

STEM & STEAM Trends

Strategies to help girls stay engaged in STEM learning

April 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Role models, mentorship, and resources help bridge the gender gap and ensure that girls have opportunities to succeed in STEM learning fields.

Ensuring that girls feel supported and empowered in STEM from an early age can lead to more balanced workplaces, economic growth, and groundbreaking discoveries.

Student Well-Being

The importance of teacher-student relationships

April 15, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School & William Howard Taft University

Students are motivated by teacher-student relationships when they know teachers genuinely care about their academics and personal growth.

Middle school marks the transition from late childhood to early adolescence. Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson describes the transition as a shift from the Industry vs. Inferiority stage into…

Digital Learning Tools

Rethinking student assessment: Tools and strategies for meaningful evaluation

April 10, 2025 by Jessica Campos, M. Ed, Mesquite Independent School District

Digital tools help educators move beyond one-size-fits-all tests to assessments that capture student growth in meaningful ways.

In today’s evolving educational landscape, effective student assessment goes beyond multiple-choice tests and letter grades. According to a recent study, over 60 percent of educators believe traditional assessments…

District Management

Preparing for the interview season

April 9, 2025 by Steven M. Baule, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Readying for an interview for a new education position involves several key steps that can significantly impact the outcome.

Spring brings not only showers and flowers, but it also brings the opportunity to interview for new education positions. Preparing for an interview involves several key steps that…