July, 2024

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How the Internet Neighborhood is Like Any Other Community

Ask a Tech Teacher

Education has changed. Teachers no longer lecture from a dais with student learning contained within the schoolhouse walls. Thanks to the pervasiveness of easy-to-use and free web-based tools, most teachers have one or more computers in the classroom with internet access. Because of this, educators have come to expect students to participate actively in the learning process and transfer their knowledge from the classroom to life.

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Maximizing Time with Data and Evidence-Enhanced Rotations at All Grade Levels

A Principal's Reflections

One of the most significant challenges educators face is time. While the focus is typically on getting more of it, the emphasis should be maximizing what is already available. When it comes to student learning and success, how time is used when students are in class is pivotal. While sound instruction will always be needed in some form, meeting the needs of learners relies on other pedagogical pathways that veer away from all students consistently doing the same thing, at the same time, the same

Data 396
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Preventing Learning Loss Over Summer Break: How to Prevent the “Summer Slide” in Science

ViewSonic Education

Summer break is a time for relaxation and fun, but for students, it can also be a period of significant learning loss. As a middle school science teacher, I have seen firsthand how the “summer slide” can impact students’ academic progress. While we want students to enjoy their summer break, it is important to find engaging and creative ways to keep them connected to learning.

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Build meaningful reflection into class in minutes with Mirror Talk

Ditch That Textbook

This post is sponsored by Swivl.Imagine that a student finishes up a science lab. Or a book. Or even learning about a new subject. What if they don’t think about what they’ve learned – and how it fits in the big picture and what to do with it? A lot of the power and promise of […] The post Build meaningful reflection into class in minutes with Mirror Talk appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

Learning 348
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Make Tuition Agreements Work Smarter—for Your School and Families

A well-crafted tuition agreement is more than paperwork—it’s a powerful tool for protecting your school and building family confidence. This guide helps private and independent K–12 schools reduce legal risk, improve collections, and foster long-term trust with families. Learn best practices for drafting enforceable agreements, communicating clear expectations, and navigating challenges like payment disputes, custody conflicts, and continuous enrollment.

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Building a Sustainable Future City

User Generated Education

A group of gifted students, who I have in my classroom for several years, have been building sustainable cities for a number of years as part of their SDGs education, see: Building a Sustainable City [link] Creating a Sustainable City (#SDG 11): A Collaboration Between NM Gifted Elementary Students and PA 10th Graders [link] Future City Competition I knew about the Future City Competition for a while, and was waiting until my students reached 6th grade, the minimum age/grade allowed, to enter.

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The Case for Why Handwriting is Still an Essential Skill for Students

Ask a Tech Teacher

An article on NPR caught my eye. First, because it was on a topic many consider settled science–haven’t we moved on from handwriting to keyboarding ? Audio even? If you poll schools, you’ll find that many continue to teach handwriting, partly because without it, how can adults sign checks and contracts? But also, because there are undeniable cognitive benefits students experience through the process of learning to write: Enhanced memory and learning : Handwriting improves reten

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Small Steps, Big Shifts: How Consistency and Continuity Unlock Lasting Change

A Principal's Reflections

We all have that nagging voice, whispering about what we "should" be doing. Maybe it's a call to eat healthier, exercise more, or finally tackle that neglected hobby. But how often does that voice translate into sustained action? The truth is that achieving lasting change is rarely about grand gestures or dramatic overhauls. It's about the power of consistency and continuity – small, steady shifts that build momentum and pave the way for a transformed you.

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Announcing New White Paper: Access to Powerful Technology as a Catalyst for Career Pathway Engagement

Digital Promise

The post Announcing New White Paper: Access to Powerful Technology as a Catalyst for Career Pathway Engagement appeared first on Digital Promise.

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Mastering Gaming Monitor Response Times: A UFO Test Guide

ViewSonic Education

Ever heard of the UFO Test? If you’re imagining secret government missions or alien sightings, think again. This handy tool checks out how fast your monitor reacts, which is key to snagging that silky-smooth, lag-free gaming experience. Curious why it matters and how it can transform your monitor setup? Read on as we uncover the details and find out how the UFO Test can be your ace in the hole for gaming greatness.

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The Case for Game Design as an Innovative STEAM Teaching Tool

Speaker: Speakers:

Searching for innovative ways to deliver integrated STEAM education that also help students attain industry-ready skills? Then this punchy 30-minute thought leadership webinar is for you. Join fellow education leaders as we share: National data on STEAM performance and student engagement that indicates post-pandemic learners are craving inspired intervention 10 research-backed reasons why game design is the leading method for practically teaching integrated STEAM education An inside look at live

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AI detection software doesn’t work. Do this instead.

Ditch That Textbook

Adam Sparks is a Nebraska-based educator that taught English and Social Studies for 7 years before recently finishing his master's in Learning Design and Technology at Stanford. Adam now works full-time on Short Answer, a gamified K12 writing product and professional development service that began as his master's capstone project. When we lead our writing […] The post AI detection software doesn’t work.

Software 359
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Educators Wrestle with the Real-Life Applications of New K–12 Federal Policy Document

EdTech Magazine

In January, the U.S. Department of Education released the nation’s signature educational technology policy document — “2024 National Educational Technology Plan: A Call to Action for Closing the Digital Access, Design and Use Divides.” Much has changed since the NETP’s 2016 update, but many issues persist; namely, gaps in how students and teachers access and leverage technology for teaching and learning.

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13 AI Detectors and 11 Plagiarism Detectors

Ask a Tech Teacher

Here are popular online resources to teach about AI detection and Plagiarism detection: AI Detector Click here for updates to this list: AI Content Detector –from Crossplag AI Text Classifier –from the creators of ChatGPT to identify writing from an AI ChatGPT –has developed their own tool to find AI-generated writing Content at Scale AI Content Detector Contentdetector.org Copyleaks AI Content Detector Crossplag –detect AI content GPTZero –to find text generated by an AI Plagiarismchecker.ai T

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Collaboration is the Lifeblood of Change

A Principal's Reflections

We are all familiar with the saying that there is no "I" in team. Collaboration is the lifeblood of successful change initiatives. It harnesses the power of diverse perspectives, fostering a rich environment for idea generation and problem-solving. When individuals from different backgrounds and expertise come together, they can identify blind spots, challenge assumptions, and develop more comprehensive and effective solutions.

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Enhancing Higher Education with Generative AI: A Responsible Guide

Generative AI holds tremendous promise for all stakeholders in higher education. But guardrails are needed. Strong governance that empower instructors are at the core of a responsible approach to using generative AI in academia.

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Digital Promise Reflections: 5 EdTech Insights from ISTELive 24

Digital Promise

Digital Promise leaders reflect on top insights and learnings around education technology from the ISTELive 2024 conference.

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TEDx Talk – Education Reimagined: Student-led Learning

Catlin Tucker

Do you feel like our current approach to teaching and learning is working for either teachers or students? If you answered, “no,” we are on the same page. This belief is what drove me to develop my TEDx Talk titled “ Education Reimagined: Student-Led Learning.” Right now, we are facing an educational crisis with more teachers leaving the profession than new teachers are entering the field.

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12 engaging activities to rock your back to school PD

Ditch That Textbook

Those first few days back at school before the students arrive are precious. We need time to collaborate with our colleagues and get back in gear. We also have required trainings and meetings we must attend. For some, these days are filled with dread. Boring meetings that “could have been an email” or trainings that don’t […] The post 12 engaging activities to rock your back to school PD appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

Training 329
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Students Collect Data from Apiaries for Project-Based Learning

EdTech Magazine

Nationwide, pollinators are in trouble. After years of steady decline, 2022 to 2023 marked a 37 percent loss of managed bee colonies in the United States, according to the nonprofit Bee Informed Partnership. At Fulton County Schools’ Innovation Academy in Georgia, high school biotechnology teacher Bob Kuhn helps students in grades 10 through 12 to understand the bee situation.

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Enhancing School Device Management for Improved Learning

Schools face increasing challenges as technology becomes integral to education. Efficient device management is essential for maximizing technology use and safeguarding investments. Our article discusses the importance of tracking devices, outlines current challenges, and suggests modern solutions that go beyond traditional methods like Excel. Learn how advanced tracking systems can streamline operations, improve maintenance, and offer real-time updates for better resource allocation.

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Preparing Students for Future Careers with Soft Skills Training on Financial Decisions

Ask a Tech Teacher

Last summer, I helped my niece create a cookie stand. She learned not only about baking but how to budget for supplies, manage earnings, and communicate with customers, which taught her money management while boosting her confidence in handling real-life business scenarios. These are the soft skills associated with financial literacy. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has put them together into an article to remind students–and teachers what students should know when they leave high school: Pre

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Beyond the Comfort Zone: Why Calculated Risks are the Key to Unlocking Student Potential

A Principal's Reflections

Taking a leap of faith can be daunting, but it is often needed to grow. Stagnation is the enemy of progress. In education, sticking solely to what's comfortable hinders growth. Calculated risk-taking becomes crucial for improving practice. Sticking to the familiar routine feels safe, even if it means being perpetually stuck in neutral. Self-doubt creeps in, making us question our capabilities to navigate the unknown.

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How Text-to-Speech Technology is Breaking Barriers for Math Learners

Digital Promise

The post How Text-to-Speech Technology is Breaking Barriers for Math Learners appeared first on Digital Promise.

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It’s Here! Educate AI Magazine is Now Available

EdNews Daily

It is here. Educate AI Magazine, an online magazine and website, is designed especially for K-12 educators, higher education instructors and administrators, workforce development and corporate training and re-skilling personnel. Now everyone can subscribe and have every issue delivered directly to their inbox. According to Joel Backon, editor in chief at Educate AI, “The Educate AI magazine and media platform are designed to support those who want to enhance learning through AI.

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Quickly Create Personalized Learning Experiences that Work

How can we actively engage learners 24/7, on their level and according to their interests, while respecting their learning styles? It’s not impossible. In this guide: Explore how to transform traditional, one-way videos into two-way interactive learning experiences Understand different types of artificial intelligence (AI), including - Generative vs.

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20 AI “first steps” for teachers

Ditch That Textbook

Is it time to get started with artificial intelligence? These 20 AI "first steps" for teachers will catch you up to speed. If you've heard the buzz about artificial intelligence (AI) and want to better understand it -- and its implications on the classroom, guess what?You're in the right place.Generative AI (AI that generates, or […] The post 20 AI “first steps” for teachers appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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What K–12 Technology Leaders Need to Know About Reducing Data Exposure

EdTech Magazine

For hackers, K–12 student data is some of the most valuable information in the world, which means that data privacy plays a central role in any cybersecurity strategy. In CDW’s recent webinar “Building Cyber Resilience: Strategies for Strengthening Cybersecurity in K-12,” a panel of experts shared thoughtful approaches to helping schools harden their networks against bad actors.

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Grade Assignments with PDF Tools

Ask a Tech Teacher

I didn’t think PDF annotation grading tools would work, not even a little but, so when my colleague, George, introduced them in his online history class, I watched amazed at how seamlessly George could highlight key points, strike through errors, and add personalized feedback on student assignments. These PDF-based digital grading tools not only streamlined his evaluation process but also enabled him to provide timely, detailed feedback that greatly enhanced his students’ learning ex

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The Importance of Staying Active While Pursuing an Online Degree

EdTech4Beginners

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be easy to let physical activity fall by the wayside. Many jobs or schooling programs require staying seated and still for hours at a time. Despite there being plenty of research out there to show that this is counterintuitive to maintaining good physical and mental health, most jobs out there simply don’t have environments that accommodate a healthy balance.

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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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Our Researchers Share Their Recommended Resources for the Back-to-School Season

Digital Promise

The post Our Researchers Share Their Recommended Resources for the Back-to-School Season appeared first on Digital Promise.

Resources 367
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Investing In The Right Initiatives and Resources To Create Meaningful Change

Education Elements

Have you ever taken up a hobby with enthusiasm, only to abandon it because life got in the way? Maybe you started knitting with dreams of creating beautiful scarves, but now the yarn sits untouched in a box tucked away somewhere. Or maybe you once eagerly hiked every weekend, but now your hiking boots sit in the back of your closet, gathering dust. What obstacles got in your way?

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Virtual Coaching Videos: Answering Your Questions

Catlin Tucker

I am excited to announce the launch of a new video series on YouTube called “Virtual Coaching.” I have the privilege of working with thousands of educators every year who are expanding their teaching toolboxes to include blended learning models , UDL , and student-led instructional strategies. I understand how challenging it can be to shift practice.

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