March, 2024

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What Is Educational Technology (Ed Tech), and Why Should Schools Invest in It?

EdTech Magazine

Long gone are the days of overhead projectors and handwritten papers. Today’s teachers have robust technology at their disposal, and students have grown up in an increasingly digital world. But, with so many software applications, devices and other technologies on the market, it’s easy for teachers to become overwhelmed with the array of opportunities available to them.

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11 Ideas for Primary Math Stations

A Principal's Reflections

A few weeks back, I shared ideas on ELA stations for primary students after this was brought up during a coaching cycle with one of my schools. Upon reflection, I decided to do the same with math. Creating math stations for primary students can be a fun and effective way to introduce them to basic math concepts through hands-on activities. These stations can help develop their understanding of numbers, shapes, patterns, and measurements in an interactive and engaging manner.

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Unlock the Secrets: Expert Homework Hacks for Busy Parents

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Brian Page, a former Milken National Educator of the Year with 15 years of experience in the education field. Brian is the creator of the Homework Hacks Course , designed to equip students aged 13 to 20 with research-backed homework hacks and independent learning strategies.

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9 St. Patrick’s Day Resources For Your Class

Ask a Tech Teacher

St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on March 17th to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, credited with bringing Christianity to the country. The day is marked by parades, wearing green clothing and accessories, traditional Irish music and dance, feasting, and the symbolic consumption of foods and beverages like corned beef, cabbage, and Irish stout.

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Can Brain Science Actually Help Make Your Training & Teaching Stick?

Speaker: Andrew Cohen, Founder & CEO of Brainscape

The instructor’s PPT slides are brilliant. You’ve splurged on the expensive interactive courseware. Student engagement is stellar. So… why are half of your students still forgetting everything they learned in just a matter of weeks? It's likely a matter of cognitive science! With so much material to "teach" these days, we often forget to incorporate key proven principles into our curricula — namely active recall, metacognition, spaced repetition, and interleaving practice.

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Pre-assessment is Key to Designing with Intention

Catlin Tucker

At a recent workshop, a teacher posed a compelling question about the effectiveness of small-group versus whole-group instruction. This inquiry always prompts me to reflect: How many educators gather pre-assessment data before crafting their lesson plans? Such preliminary insights, whether through pre-assessments, diagnostics, or activities aimed at accessing prior knowledge, can illuminate the diverse range of skills, abilities, and needs within a classroom.

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20 useful ways to use Padlet in class now

Ditch That Textbook

Padlet is a web app that lets users post notes on a digital wall. The uses for this site in the classroom are virtually endless!There’s a good chance you’ve done the “write on a sticky note and put it on the wall” activity — or have seen it happen before. Padlet lets those sticky notes have images, […] The post 20 useful ways to use Padlet in class now appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Cultivating Lifelong Learners: How to Support Personalized Teacher Growth

A Principal's Reflections

Imagine a classroom buzzing with engaged students, actively constructing knowledge and diving deep into topics that spark their curiosity. This vibrant learning environment does not just happen by chance. It thrives under the guidance of a passionate, skilled educator who is constantly evolving alongside their students. However, like their students, teachers need personalized growth opportunities to stay engaged, motivated, and effective.

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How to Make Every Student Feel Valued

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter I hope today's show will provoke thought and thinking about what it means to relate to our students. Relationships may not be easily measurable but have a significant impact on student achievement. Today, for Thought Leader Thursday, we are talking to Tom Hierck, 41-year educator, and author of 25 books.

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How to Automate an MLA Heading

Ask a Tech Teacher

How to Automate an MLA Heading in Word This one is quick–how to create a macro that automatically inserts an MLA-appropriate heading: Have students log in. Macros go with the profile of the user, not the local computer. Open MS Word. Decide what the keyboard shortcut will be for the macro. I use Ctrl+Alt+H. Test it to be sure it doesn’t bring up some other shortcut.

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Insights from NSF-Funded Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Digital Promise

The post Insights from NSF-Funded Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic appeared first on Digital Promise.

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Reimagining Chickering & Gamson's Principles Post-Pandemic: Technology's Central Role in Modern Edu

This white paper examines and proposes revisions to the "Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education" introduced by Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson in 1987 for today's technology-driven world.

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10 Ways To Help Newcomers In The Classroom

EdNews Daily

Did you know? According to the National Education Association, by 2025, 1 out of every 4 children in classrooms across the US will be a new English Language Learner, Multilingual or Bilingual student. New students arriving in the US are usually called newcomers in a school setting. The term ‘newcomers’ is defined as K-12 students born outside the United States who arrived in the country in the last three years and are still learning English.

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How Schools Can Increase Their Chances of Winning Federal Cybersecurity Funding

EdTech Magazine

In the grand scheme of things, $200 million over the course of three years to address cybersecurity in K–12 doesn’t seem like much. However, that is what the Federal Communications Commission will offer as part of its Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program. That said, this is a step up from what the FCC already provides through its E-rate program, whose cybersecurity coverage includes only basic firewalls and support services to configure them.

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Relevant Thinking and Learner Success

A Principal's Reflections

In today's rapidly changing world, where new challenges and technologies emerge at an unprecedented pace, students need to be relevant thinkers to successfully navigate the complex social, economic, and environmental issues they will face. The ability to think relevantly enables them to connect classroom learning with real-world applications, fostering deeper learning and cultivating critical life competencies such as problem-solving, adaptability, and creativity.

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How to Create Apps in the Classroom and Inspire Design Thinking

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Students can build apps and collaboration skills at the same time. Today's episode features my friend Alefiya Master, the CEO of MAD-Learn, and the sponsor of today's show. We discuss the transformative role of app-building, collaborative learning, design thinking, and the importance of authentic learning experiences.

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Behind the Bell: The Underlying Impact of Tardiness in K-12 Schools

Managing a K-12 campus with constant pressure to meet performance metrics is challenging. And tardiness can significantly limit a school from reaching these goals. Learn more about why chronic lateness matters, and key strategies to address the following impacts: Data errors caused by manual processes Low attendance and graduation rates that affect a school’s reputation Classroom disruption, which leads to poor academic performance High staff attrition and “The Teacher Exodus” Unmet LCAP goals t

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Tech Tip #165 My Program Disappeared

Ask a Tech Teacher

Today’s tip: Find a lost program Category: Problem-solving If a program disappears, here are two quick ways to find it more than half the time (on PCs ): Look around the screen Check the taskbar Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom. What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom?

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How Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Transformed My District

Digital Promise

The post How Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Transformed My District appeared first on Digital Promise.

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Rising Student Absenteeism: We Need to Change the Way We Do Things

Education Elements

Schools across the country are grappling with fewer students in classrooms, causing a ripple effect on learning, funding, and engagement. Research shows that the number of chronically absent students has nearly doubled , from about 15 percent in the 2018-2019 school year to around 30 percent in 2021-2022. Millions of students miss 10% of the school year or more—whether excused or unexcused—and substantial increases in chronic absenteeism were prevalent across every state that captures this data.

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Review: The Halo Smart Sensor 2C Snuffs Out Vaping in K–12

EdTech Magazine

With 14.5 percent of high schoolers and 3.3 percent of middle schoolers using e-cigarettes, according to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, vaping among teenagers has become an epidemic. And while the health concerns are troubling, the wider safety and security implications for K–12 schools and districts are often not discussed. At Newark Central School District in New York, student vaping led to an increase in physical altercations and property damage.

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The Battle of the Authoring Tools: A 10-Point Comparison for Picking the Right One

Speaker: Chris Paxton McMillin, President of D3 Training Solutions

There are plenty of great authoring tools for developing eLearning, but the one you select could directly impact your course's outcomes. Depending upon your learners’ needs and your organization’s performance goals, you could be overlooking considerations that impact the both effectiveness of your courses and how long it takes to finish them. From general capabilities to specific workflow structures, some aspects are critical when it comes to learning objectives and deadlines.

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Math Journals: Reflection, Documentation, and Deep Engagement

Catlin Tucker

In my last blog post, Using the Station Rotation Model in Math , I wrote about the benefits of shifting from a whole group, teacher-led lesson design to small-group differentiated instructional sessions. I make the case that the whole group, teacher-led approach to instruction limits opportunities for individual exploration and deep engagement with mathematical concepts.

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3 Ways to Be a Less Stressed Educator

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter How are you doing, educators? Are you stressed? While that can be typical, we also want to consider the habits that will help us teach long-term with a high quality of life. Today will be a refreshing encouragement for educators everywhere. Learn how to set boundaries, embrace self-care, and manage your mindset to transform stress into strength.

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What You Might Have Missed in February–What’s up in March

Ask a Tech Teacher

Here are the most-read posts for the past month: Popular iPad-iPhone Swipes Choosing the Right College: Factors to Consider Beyond Rankings Graphing–9 Lesson Plans + 6 Online Resources How to Teach Dolch Words with Graphic Art Tools 6 Must-have Skills for New Tech Teachers Plus Two Extra Engineers Week Feb. 18-24 7 President’s Day Activities 11 Valentine Sites For Students Random Acts of Kindness Day is Coming.

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How These Teachers Have Fostered Design Thinking, Creativity, and Innovation

Digital Promise

The post How These Teachers Have Fostered Design Thinking, Creativity, and Innovation appeared first on Digital Promise.

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The Roses and Thorns of an LMS Strategy: How to Flourish with the Right LMS

Speaker: Amanda Davis, Chief Experience Officer and Liam O'Malley, VP of Association Solutions

The "new normal" is now a little less new, a little more normal. Does that mean your current LMS strategy is in need of a refresh? Is your organization or association leaning into the always-evolving eLearning environment to ensure you have the tools and content to remain relevant through all this change? There are many complex decision-making processes within your learning & development strategy and LMS lifecycle management, including: Selection.

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What Brings Gen Z to the Library?

Edsurge

Gen Zers, born between 1997 and 2012, spend a lot of time online, consuming and creating digital content. Ninety-two percent check social media daily. But they still like print, and they still like to go to the library, according to a survey of Gen Z and Millennial public library use and media consumption released by the American Library Association last fall.

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Three Keys for Creating Massive Change in K–12, Even with Small Tech Teams

EdTech Magazine

Although K–12 education is not known for being a major disrupter, we are making profound changes that will have a ripple effect for years to come. When I joined Mt. Diablo Unified School District as director of technology and innovation during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had a lot of needs. But our most immediate priority was getting devices to students to ensure learning continuity.

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35+ engaging lessons you can use in class tomorrow

Ditch That Textbook

The LEGO Movie. Scooby Doo. Wonder Woman.If we could package THAT into a lesson, it'd probably make it more engaging, right?How about free pre-made lesson plans that incorporate those movies and TV shows? (And they're not illegal to show in class???)You have to check out The Achievery, a free digital learning platform designed to spark curiosity […] The post 35+ engaging lessons you can use in class tomorrow appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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A New Essential Formative Feedback Tool for Project Based Learning

The CoolCatTeacher

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Last March I made my first custom GPT to assess project-based learning activities. Since then, I've developed these for each of my major projects. So, on today's show, I talk about how I introduce this tool (as an “app” in a way that doesn't anthropomorphize the tool in any way).

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Building the Foundation for a Modern K-12 Classroom

K-12 looks different these days. But one thing remains the same: you need a reliable learning platform that serves as the foundation for teaching and learning––for all students, in a variety of learning experiences. Discover how the Instructure Learning Platform supports today's K-12 classroom through: A central, consistent, connected hub of the digital learning environment.

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Starlink–What is it? Why use it?

Ask a Tech Teacher

I’ve had a lot of trouble with my email the last few months. My newsletter is falling apart. My home email is changing servers–who knows what that will require on my part. My spam folder has had a mental breakdown and never (ever) works correctly. And, my internet services are suffering more than their usual annoying level of quirks and breaks.

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How to Ensure Your School District is Data Ready

Digital Promise

The post How to Ensure Your School District is Data Ready appeared first on Digital Promise.

Data 316
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Reimagining Education to be Responsive, Representative, and Data-Informed: 3 Phases to Rochester’s Transformation

Education Elements

Picture this: sunrise in Rochester, NH, where the promise of a fantastic day starts with the aroma of fresh coffee and the delightful sight of pastries from the local gem, Potter's House. If you haven’t visited, you're missing out on a slice of Rochester's personality—hard working, welcoming, curious, and determined. During a recent trip, while gearing up for one of our sessions, we made sure to kickstart the day with something sweet.

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How to Choose and Integrate New Technology Vendors in Education

EdTech Magazine

As the CIO of a private K–12 school in Florida, Omar Valerio likes to lead by example. He dedicates two hours a day to continued learning to stay up to date on new technology trends, he told host and CDW Education Strategist Victoria Thompson on a recent episode of Focus on Edu. This not only drives the way he leads his team of IT professionals and tech-savvy teachers at Westminster Christian School but also informs his process for evaluating and purchasing new educational technology.

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Transform Your Classroom with Apple

Speaker: Aaron Webb, Jamf

Apple empowers educators and students by design. Whether using Macs, iPads, or Apple TV, Apple devices encourage creativity and can simplify teaching with apps to make the classroom more flexible, collaborative and personalized for each student. To unleash the full potential of the technology and create the best learning environment, you need to understand the tools and resources available, and develop an education-focused, comprehensive plan, from equipment purchase to deployment, management an