EdTech News

Education holds tremendous power in shaping the minds and futures of our younger generation. Teachers play a pivotal role in this process, impacting students’ lives in ways that are profound and often lasting. However, with great power comes great responsibility.

As educators, it is crucial to be mindful of the words we use and the messages we convey to our students. Why? Because they trust us, and what we tell them can had a long-lasting impact on their lives. This article explores the importance of being cautious with our words and recommendations for fostering a nurturing, safe, and supportive learning environment.

The Impact of Words on Students

Children are impressionable by nature. They absorb information around them, internalize ideas of right and wrong, good and bad. Teachers’ words can have an incredible impact on students’ self-image and beliefs. When children get exposed to positive feedback and messages from their teachers, they can flourish, develop self-confidence, and gain motivation to pursue their passions.

Conversely, negative feedback or careless comments can harm a student’s self-esteem, leading to long-term consequences such as anxiety or even depression. Thus, it is essential that educators guard their words carefully when interacting with students.

Tips for Creating a Positive Learning Environment

Here are some practical suggestions to help ensure every interaction between teacher and student is constructive:

1. Use positive affirmations: Regularly offer both verbal and non-verbal affirmations such as nods or smiles in response to student efforts.

2. Encourage critical thinking: Encourage students to formulate their thoughts independently rather than merely accepting whatever you say as the truth.

3. Avoid labels: Labels such as “smart” or “slow” can negatively impact students’ growth by creating limiting beliefs about their abilities.

4. Be aware of your biases: Every educator has unconscious biases that may inadvertently influence how they interact with students. Be conscious of these biases to minimize their impact.

5. Practice active listening: Give your full attention to students when they speak, encouraging openness and trust.

6. Watch your language: Eliminate sarcasm, put-downs, or any language that may be hurtful or inappropriate.

7. Provide constructive feedback: Offer specific, actionable suggestions on how students can improve rather than only focusing on their shortcomings

By keeping these tips in mind each day as an educator, you will create an empowering learning environment where students will not only internalize positive messages from you but discover their potential

In conclusion, it is crucial for teachers to recognize the power they hold in influencing a student’s life and growth. By being mindful of our words and actions, we can ensure we build positive, supportive educational environments where our students can learn and thrive – because they’ll believe us.

Introduction

As a dedicated education professional, you’re constantly looking for ways to grow and improve your skills, so you can make a bigger impact on the students entrusted to your care. One of the best ways to enhance your understanding and stay current with the latest trends in education is by earning Continuing Education (CE) Credits. As a Cognia Review Team Member, you can earn 24-32 of these valuable CE Credits and become an even more exceptional educator.

The Benefits of Earning CE Credits through Cognia

When you choose to earn your CE Credits as a Cognia Review Team Member, you’ll access a multitude of benefits. These include:

1. Expanding Your Knowledge: The Cognia accreditation process allows you to learn about the latest best practices in education and bring those valuable insights back to your own institution. You’ll also gain exposure to innovative approaches from other schools in different regions or educational settings.

2. Building Your Network: Working with fellow professionals from various educational backgrounds provides an excellent opportunity to build your network and establish new connections. These relationships can lead to potential collaboration opportunities, job prospects, or simply provide new perspectives on common challenges educators face.

3. Personal and Professional Growth: The experience itself offers an exceptional opportunity for personal and professional growth, as you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while evaluating schools against the Cognia Performance Standards.

4. Adding Value to Your Institution: Becoming a Cognia Review Team member not only enhances your professional development but also brings valuable learning opportunities back to your school or district. Your newly acquired knowledge can lead to improvements in curriculum design, teacher practices, and overall school performance.

5. Recognition for Your Expertise: Earning 24-32 CE Credits as a Cognia Review Team Member demonstrates your commitment to ongoing professional growth and showcases your expertise outside of your daily responsibilities. This achievement can strengthen your resume and serve as evidence for future career opportunities.

How to Become a Cognia Review Team Member

To join the ranks of dedicated Cognia Review Team Members, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Cognia website and complete the online application to participate as a Review Team Member.

2. Attend the required orientation and training sessions provided by Cognia. These sessions will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct a comprehensive review of educational institutions effectively.

3. Get matched with a review team, where you’ll work together to assess schools against the Cognia Performance Standards.

4. Participate in on-site or virtual visits, collaborate with fellow team members, analyze data, and provide feedback for continuous improvement to the schools you’re evaluating.

5. Complete your assigned reviews within the designated time frame and submit all required documentation.

Conclusion

As the education landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential for educators to stay at the forefront of their profession by participating in meaningful professional development activities. Earning 24-32 CE Credits as a Cognia Review Team Member is an unparalleled opportunity to enhance your knowledge, network with like-minded professionals, and boost your career growth.

Join this influential group of educators today and begin reaping the many rewards that come from contributing to accreditation evaluations for schools around the world.

In recent years, the concept of snow days has come under fire as some educational institutions and policymakers argue for their elimination. Detractors claim that snow days are an unnecessary disruption to the academic calendar and that remote learning offers a viable alternative. However, getting rid of snow days altogether is a big mistake, primarily due to their role in promoting mental, emotional, and physical health for students and staff, as well as their contribution to the overall school experience.

Firstly, snow days offer a break for students who might be stressed or overwhelmed by the intensive pace of modern education. While remote learning seems like an ideal solution for maintaining continuity when schools are closed due to snowstorms, it fails to take into account that students still need occasional breaks from the routine. A day off from classes allows them to recharge their minds, catch up on rest, and enjoy some unstructured fun outside in the snow. This mental rest is crucial for maintaining optimal performance levels.

Secondly, snow days contribute positively to a child’s emotional well-being. They offer spontaneity and excitement that can help combat the monotony of daily school life. Waking up to find out that you have an unexpected day off offers a sense of freedom that few other experiences can compare with. Indeed, some of the most enduring memories children have about their school years may revolve around those unexpected days when they could make a snowman or have a spontaneous snowball fight with friends.

Moreover, snow days promote physical health and active play in an era where screen time dominates many young lives. With increasing numbers of children glued to screens for most of their free time, snow days give them a compelling reason to venture outside and engage in healthy outdoor activities like building snow forts or going sledding. These types of physical exercise not only help develop motor skills but also contribute significantly to cognitive development.

Additionally, eliminating snow days could negatively impact teachers and staff as well. They too experience the pressures of planning, grading, and meeting rigid deadlines. A snow day affords them an opportunity to unwind and attend to other responsibilities that might have been put on the back burner.

Finally, getting rid of snow days erodes a component of shared educational experiences that bind communities together. Snow days have become a part of the fabric of many educational systems in colder regions and often contribute to school spirit and camaraderie among students, staff, and families.

In conclusion, the evidence supports the idea that maintaining snow days is essential for preserving mental health, emotional well-being, physical health, and overall school experiences. As discussions surrounding snow days continue, it is crucial to remember what we stand to lose if this cherished tradition is pushed aside in favor of an unrelenting academic calendar.

Pop-up books have been a favorite among young readers for their ability to engage the senses, stimulate imagination, and make learning fun. With advancements in illustration and paper engineering, educational pop-up books are becoming increasingly interactive and visually appealing. Here is a curated list of 16 must-have educational pop-up books that will surprise and delight students of all ages.

1. Encyclopaedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs by Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart

This captivating pop-up book brings prehistoric creatures to life with intricate illustrations and fascinating facts, perfect for budding paleontologists.

2. How Animals Build by Moira Butterfield & Tim Hutchinson

Explore the amazing world of animal architecture, from beaver lodges to termite mounds, with engaging pop-up scenes and interactive elements.

3. The Human Body: A Popup Guide to Anatomy by Richard Walker & Rachel Caldwell

A stunning visual journey through the human body featuring three-dimensional models of organs, skeletons, and muscular systems that help students understand anatomy.

4. The Pop-Up Solar System by Doro Globus & Doubleday Books

Launch into space with this informative book detailing facts about our solar system. The pop-up planets add an interactive element to learning about each celestial body.

5. A Tree Grows Up by Nathalie Gontier & Annie Harrower-Gray

Discover the wonders of a tree’s life cycle as each page unfolds to reveal its growth from seedling to a towering wonder, complete with pop-up ecosystems.

6. My First Pop-Up Mythological Creatures by Owen Davey

Introduce young readers to mythical beasts like dragons and unicorns through engaging pop-up illustrations that capture their attention.

7. The Ultimate Book of Vehicles by Anne-Sophie Baumann & Didier Balicevic

Perfect for curious kids who love machines, this book offers an in-depth look at various vehicles, from trucks and tractors to helicopters and submarines, accompanied by movable pop-ups.

8. Explore the World by Gemma Giraud & Alice Mazzilli

A colorful pop-up book showcasing the world’s continents, oceans, and landmarks, beautifully blending education with adventure.

9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book by Eric Carle

An iconic tale about a hungry caterpillar’s journey towards transformation, this pop-up version offers a more interactive experience for children.

10. Pop-Up 123: A Book of Numbers by Ingela P Arrhenius

Introduce young learners to counting and numbers through this charming pop-up book featuring vivid colors and cute illustrations.

11. The Pop-Up Art of Paper Folding: Amazing Origami by Michael G. LaFosse & Richard L. Alexander

Teach students the art of origami through this beautifully illustrated pop-up guide that showcases various folded-paper creations coming to life.

12. Flowers: The Popup Fieldguide by Good Wives and Warriors

Learn all about different flowers, their habitats, and growth stages through this beautifully crafted pop-up field guide that feels like a stroll through nature.

13. ABC Animals!: A Pop-Up Book by Marion Bataille

This creative alphabet book introduces children to animals through playful typography, stunning graphics, and impressive pop-ups for each letter.

14. Wild Oceans: A Popup Book with Revolutionary Technology by Lucio Santoro & Meera Lee Patel

Explore the depths of the ocean from coral reefs to sea turtles in this breathtaking pop-up book with eye-catching illustrations and interesting facts about marine life.

15. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-Up by L. Frank Baum & Robert Sabuda

Rediscover the classic story as you’ve never seen it before with gorgeous pop.

As a teacher, it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter moments of frustration with your students. One of the most challenging situations to handle is when your students refuse to listen. Despite your best efforts, you can’t help but wonder if there’s some mysterious “outbreak” preventing effective communication.

In this article, we will explore why students may not be listening in class and various strategies for regaining control and promoting active involvement.

Why Students Don’t Listen

1. Lack of interest: If the subject matter doesn’t intrigue the student, they are less likely to pay attention.

2. Distractions: With the ever-increasing influx of smartphones, social media, and other distractions, it’s no surprise that keeping a student’s focus can be difficult.

3. Peer influence: Sometimes, students may refuse to listen because of peer pressure or a desire to impress their classmates.

4. Fatigue: Exhaustion from lack of sleep or overscheduling might make paying attention a struggle.

5. Classroom environment: An overcrowded or chaotic atmosphere can negatively impact concentration and attentiveness.

Strategies for Regaining Students’ Attention

1. Make lessons engaging: Use different teaching methods and incorporate multimedia elements like videos and images to hold their interest.

2. Set expectations: Clearly define expectations for behavior at the beginning of the school year to establish rules and consequences for not following them.

3. Utilize technology: Instead of trying to eliminate smartphones from the classroom altogether, consider integrating them into lessons as learning tools (e.g., via educational apps or websites).

4. Foster positive relationships: Cultivating mutual respect between teachers and students makes it more likely they will listen better in class.

5. Re-energize your students: Offer short breaks for stretching or allow time to discuss topics unrelated to the lesson as appropriate; this can help refocus and boost energy levels for better overall concentration.

In Summary

Dealing with students who won’t listen can be a daunting task. However, by understanding the underlying reasons behind their behavior and employing strategies to facilitate their engagement, you can regain their attention and foster a more productive learning environment. Remember, successful communication is key to promoting active participation in the classroom.

Introduction:

Educators are continually seeking innovative ways to engage students in the classroom, and one method gaining traction is incorporating pop culture into lesson plans. In an era of social media and constant content consumption, students have become enamored with the entertainment world. The Achievery, an educational platform, has tapped into this fascination by incorporating pop culture references that not only grab the students’ attention but also creates a more enjoyable learning experience. Let’s take a closer look at some of the engaging lessons from The Achievery that are infused with pop culture.

1. Social Studies Meets Reality TV

Taking inspiration from reality TV shows like Survivor and Big Brother, this unique lesson plan covers essential topics such as decision-making and collaboration. Students work together in teams, competing through various challenges that help them understand different perspectives on historical events and voting systems.

2. Math Gets a Marvel Makeover

Who doesn’t love superheroes? When math concepts are tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, suddenly algebra becomes more exciting! The Achievery uses examples from movies like Iron Man and Thor to explain math concepts like equations and geometry, making it easier for students to relate.

3. A Grammar Lesson Straight Out of Westeros

With Game of Thrones as one of the most popular TV series in recent history, it only makes sense to use it as a teaching tool. This creative grammar lesson uses characters, locations, and events from Westeros to teach grammar rules in a captivating manner.

4. Unlocking Science Mysteries with Escape Rooms

With their intricate puzzles built on riddles and trivia, escape rooms are a natural fit for science-based lessons. By tying in scientific concepts into entertaining escape rooms experiences, many students find the hands-on activities wildly engaging.

5. Memes Make Learning Vocabulary Vibrant

When vocabulary words are illustrated with relatable memes and gifs, students are more likely to recall these words in the future. The Achievery takes advantage of this memorable teaching tool by using popular internet memes to drive home the meaning and use of new vocabulary.

Conclusion:

The Achievery’s use of pop culture-themed lessons has unlocked a treasure trove of educational opportunities for today’s students. By making learning fun and engaging, these innovative lesson plans ensure that students become passionate about their education and look forward to discovering more in the classroom. Whether it’s tackling math problems with Marvel superheroes or exploring scientific concepts through escape rooms, students are guaranteed to flip for these unforgettable lessons from The Achievery.

As the world shifts towards a more digital landscape, it’s essential for educators, students, and professionals alike to keep pace with emerging trends and key learnings. That is precisely why we are excited to mark our calendars for LearnOn, EVERFI’s free summer conference this year!

LearnOn is a virtual learning experience that offers a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable insights into educational technology and stay ahead of the curve. Here, we share some compelling reasons to why you should also consider adding LearnOn to your calendar this summer:

1. Cutting-Edge Topics: LearnOn curates a diverse range of topics centered around digital learning and innovation for a comprehensive understanding of the evolving edtech landscape. This allows you to explore new methodologies, technologies, and approaches that can help elevate your skill set and enrich your perspective on education.

2. Industry Experts & Insightful Discussions: At LearnOn, you have a unique chance to learn from leading experts in the field of education technology. The conference hosts interactive panel discussions that encourage knowledge-sharing and participation from all attendees, ensuring you gain first-hand insights from thought leaders.

3. Networking Opportunities: Despite its virtual format, LearnOn enables attendees to branch out within their professional circles and meet like-minded peers from different industries in an engaging environment. Networking opportunities provide chances for collaboration, mentorship, and mutual learning.

4. Flexible Schedule & Accessibility: As a free virtual conference, EVERFI’s LearnOn brings high-quality content right at your fingertips without any costs or travel limitations. With sessions scheduled over several days to fit different time zones and preferences, you can attend sessions that best align with your schedule.

5. An Emphasis on Diversity & Inclusion: LearnOn values diversity in its programming by prioritizing diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the conference. This ensures that participants understand how to create more inclusive educational environments and better support diverse learners.

In conclusion, EVERFI’s free summer conference, LearnOn, is an event that should not be missed by anyone interested in educational technology or staying at the forefront of innovation in the digital era. It offers a wealth of knowledge and opportunities that can positively impact your professional growth and enable you to contribute meaningfully to the education landscape. Mark your calendars today and get ready for an enriching experience at LearnOn!

Introduction:

The global pandemic has catapulted parents and educators into the world of remote learning. With limited time to prepare, many parents have been left with questions on how to best support their children’s education from home. To address these concerns, several organizations have provided free guides to help navigate this new educational landscape. In this article, we’ll explore some of these invaluable resources which are designed to answer the most common parent questions about remote learning and provide practical solutions.

1. Common Sense Media’s Remote Learning Resources

Designed for parents new to remote learning, Common Sense Media offers numerous articles and videos addressing topics like setting up a conducive home environment, creating daily routines, balancing screen-time, and facilitating social interactions for children. They also provide quick tips, app lists, and guidance on selecting the right educational tools based on age and grade levels.

Link: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-parents-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

2. Wide Open School

Wide Open School is a collaboration between leading educational organizations like National Geographic, Scholastic, and Khan Academy. This site consolidates remote learning resources by grade level and includes fun activities, engaging videos, lesson plans, and worksheets for students. Parents can also find useful guides to support their child’s emotional well-being and learning style.

Link: https://wideopenschool.org/

3. Understood.org’s Remote Learning Guide for Parents

Understood’s comprehensive guide is targeted at families with children who have learning disabilities or attention issues. Alongside general remote learning advice, they provide specialized resources that cater to individual challenges like ADHD or dyslexia. Their extensive list of support tools includes suggestions for setting up accommodations for remote learning, behavioral checklists for parents, sample schedules, and webinars with experts.

Link: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/coronavirus-latest-updates#wgu

4. Edutopia’s Remote Learning Guide

Edutopia offers insightful articles and videos focusing on various aspects of remote education, such as ways to support marginalized students, monitoring student progress, the role of parental engagement, and communication tactics. They also emphasize the importance of meaningful relationships with students, regardless of the distance involved in remote learning.

Link: https://www.edutopia.org/remote-learning/articles-and-downloads

5. Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Remote Parenting Resource

The Harvard Graduate School of Education has compiled a range of resources to support parents facing the challenges of remote learning. By providing research-backed advice on managing emotions, conversations, and routines, they aim to empower families to make the most of this uncertain time while maintaining their child’s educational progress and mental well-being.

Link: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/uk/remote-parenting_RESOURCE_CENTER

Conclusion:

As parents around the world continue to adapt to remote learning, these free resources offer essential guidance and support to ensure children receive the quality education they deserve. By utilizing these guides, families can confidently tackle any challenges that arise during this unprecedented time and help promote academic success for their children.

In literature, one of the most compelling aspects of storytelling is the point of view from which the story is told. It allows readers to engage with the material and teaches them an essential component of critical thinking: empathy. By incorporating villains – or “bad guys” – into the teaching process, educators and parents can offer an exciting new way to introduce the concept of point of view. Here’s how you can effectively use these villainous characters to teach your students or children about perspective-taking.

1. Introduction through Fairy Tales

Fairy tales are a great way to introduce the concept of point-of-view. During a class discussion, encourage children to consider the story from a different character’s perspective, including that of the antagonist. For example, in Cinderella, ask your students what might motivate her stepsisters or stepmother to act so poorly towards her.

2. Analyzing Motivations

Have students explore the reasons behind a villain’s actions and how their past experiences may have forced them into the conflicts they currently face. Whether it’s Scar from The Lion King or Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter, encourage students to dive deep into their backstories to understand what has led them down this dark path.

3. Writing from a Villain’s Perspective

Assign a creative writing exercise that requires students to rewrite a scene or chapter from a book, but this time, through the eyes of the antagonist. This will challenge their understanding of the character and require them to justify motivations and actions based on that character’s perspective.

4. Comparing Points of View

Present your students with various versions of popular stories that feature different perspectives (e.g., Gregory Maguire’s ‘Wicked’ versus L. Frank Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’) as an in-class discussion or group project. Have them compare and contrast how these alternate accounts could lead both protagonists and antagonists to perceive events in radically different ways.

5. Exploring Moral Ambiguity

Initiate discussions about the concept of moral ambiguity and how it can offer a more nuanced understanding of characters’ motives. Pose the question: “What makes a character truly evil? Are their actions justified, given their personal experiences?” This will encourage your students to see characters as more than just “good” or “evil,” promoting understanding and reinforcing empathy.

6. Role-playing Exercises

Conduct classroom role-playing activities in which students are tasked with defending or arguing for the villain’s actions. This exercise will force them to put themselves in the antagonist’s shoes and understand why they may believe their actions are justifiable.

In conclusion, using villains from literature and popular culture offers an engaging way to teach point of view to young readers and writers. By analyzing motivations, exploring alternate perspectives, and even embodying these characters through role-playing exercises, your students or children will develop a well-rounded understanding of different perspectives, ultimately enriching their ability to empathize and appreciate the complexities of human behavior.

In recent years, educators have faced unprecedented challenges in the classroom. Increasing demands, lack of resources, and a rapidly changing education landscape have pressured many teachers to the brink – and some have chosen to make their exits known through very public resignation letters. Here, we highlight four teachers whose viral resignation letters struck a chord with the world.

1. Gerald J. Conti

In 2013, Gerald J. Conti, a social studies teacher from Westhill High School in New York, submitted a letter that criticized the rise of standardized testing, data-driven instructional practices, and bureaucratic oversight in education. Conti lamented that teaching had become increasingly less about fostering critical thinking and creativity, and more about meeting arbitrary test scores. His heartfelt letter resonated with thousands of educators around the nation who felt similarly stifled by administrative policies.

2. Wendy Bradshaw

Special education teacher Wendy Bradshaw gained attention in 2015 for her poignant resignation letter addressing how the educational system failed her students with disabilities. Building on Conti’s arguments against standardized test-driven pedagogy, Bradshaw explained that strict academic benchmarks disproportionately harmed children with special needs, prompting educators to compromise their ethical obligations to these vulnerable students. Her sentiments echoed across social media platforms as advocates called for more inclusive and empathetic approaches to special education.

3. Jessica Gentry

Former kindergarten teacher Jessica Gentry’s resignation went viral in 2019 for shedding light on the systemic issues plaguing early childhood education. Gentry listed five significant factors that contributed to her decision to leave teaching: inadequate school funding, insufficient parental involvement in children’s learning experiences, an overemphasis on technology in classrooms, excessive documentation demands on educators, and managerial expectations ill-suited for young learners’ development. Her candid reflections sparked widespread conversations about improving early education experiences for both teachers and students.

4. Jake Miller

The most recent viral resignation comes from Jake Miller, a Pennsylvania teacher whose 2021 letter condemned the politicization of education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Miller argued that schools had become battlegrounds for conflicting ideologies instead of safe havens for learning and growth. He implored stakeholders to refocus on students’ needs and depoliticize education, ultimately prioritizing their well-being over partisan interests.

In all, these four educators highlighted critical aspects of the education system that are currently in need of reform. Each resignation letter sparked vital conversations about the state of education in various areas, from special needs to early childhood and beyond. It’s important to take these influencers’ accounts seriously; the future of our children and teachers may depend on it.