Archive: 2012
Review: The Networked Teacher
The Networked Teacher: How New Teachers Build Social Networks for Professional Support by Kira J. Baker-Doyle evaluates the ways online social networks are reshaping culture around personal learning networks and digital learning networks among educators today. Baker-Doyle delivers a strategic approach to utilize crowdsourcing to its fullest capabilities to deliver ongoing learning, answers, and advocacy for the classroom.
Q&A: How Can We Increase STEM Opportunities for Special Needs Students?
The upcoming ABC Family movie, "A Smile as Big as the Moon," brings teacher Mike Kersjes and Joe Layden's moving memoir about one special education class to life. Mr. Kersjes, a special education teacher for more than 10 years, shares the compelling story of how his class was the first group of special-ed students to attend Space Camp, a prestigious and competitive program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.
Carrots, Sticks & the Bully Pulpit
Carrots, Sticks & The Bully Pulpit reviews the federal role is largely discouraging for those of us interested in advancing educational equity and achievement. The was some consensus among the bipartisan authors that “federal policy makers have trouble holding a steady course amid all the interests and politics,” and that the “federal government lacks the authority and tools to effectively play an active role in school improvement.” On a more positive note, there was also some consensus that the feds had an important and doable role in promoting transparency and that the president and secretary had a valuable bully pulpit role.
10 Innovative & Practical Applications of SMART Tech
The SMART Board and SMART Notebook software collaborative learning software are tools that can be used for whole class, small group and individual learning. The below list includes creative ways I have seen the SMART Board used.
All About Relationships: CRM in EDU
There are a handful of big companies that really understand customer relationships in a deep way. A couple of them sell this expertise in the form of customer relationship management (CRM) software and related consulting. Wikipedia says:
Secretary Duncan & Chairman Genachowski Join Digital Learning Day Town Hall
The first-ever Digital Learning Day, February 1, 2012, will feature a National Town Hall meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, former governor and president of the Alliance for Excellent Education Bob Wise, Emmy Award-sinning journalist Leon Harris.
CER Lunchtime Lessons – Blended Learning
Tom Vander Ark discusses the models of blended learning and how its capabilities can benefit students, educators, and schools at the Center for Education Reform Lunchtime Lessons for School Choice.
MIND Launches ST Math Touch for Tablets at FETC
MIND Research Institute launched today its new ST Math® Touch, which combines touch-screen animations with the interactive and visual math game, at the Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando, Fla.
SmartTech Roundup: eTexts, Smart Tutors, & Venture Funding
After a long drumroll, Apple launched an authoring tool. Some claimed revolution but we were a bit underwhelmed. After writing a book, authors will find they are trapped in the iPad universe (Audrey Watters was really bummed).
Edcamp: Innovation In Professional Development
Professional development (PD) opportunities for educators today are still relatively limited to seasonal workshops and conferences. While this can be the preferred model for district administrators when looking at continuing education requirements, teachers are finding ways shake up the idea of traditional ongoing professional learning opportunities.