EdTech & Innovation

Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

How to Find a Balance Between Teaching and Technology

Not all educators are won over by the bells and whistles that come with edtech.  Many teachers feel threatened by technologies that aim to “replace them,” and cannot keep up with the training and the push that comes from within the schooling system. According to eSparks Learning, teachers regardless of age or experience level harbor doubts about their ability to successfully use classroom technology.  So, if teacher’s skills and technology are to exist in harmony, there needs to be a balance. We need teachers’ talents and at the same time encourage them to start looking to the future.

The majority of today’s student population have never known the world without high-speed internet. It acts as a source of information, a place to socialize and now, a place for them to gain a formal education. Teachers need to see technology as another way to engage with their students and not as a replacement for their talents and their jobs. So, in hopes of finding a balance between technology and teaching, here are some ways to make sure there is a balance between teaching and technology.

Give Teachers Control

One way that this balance can be achieved is by teachers being in control of the technology that makes its way into the classroom. This ensures that technology compliments current teaching methodologies and does scare teachers into thinking that their talents are no longer valid. Schools and classrooms will not spiral out of control when we allow teachers the flexibility to take calculated risks.  Not every edtech product will work, and with so many dynamic variables in every classroom, teachers need to be in making the decisions when it comes to the technology that will best suit the needs of their teaching and their students’ needs.

Technology Is Not Always the Answer

Another way that the tech and teaching balance can be met is by not believing that technology is the solution to every problem. With thousands of edtech products on the market, teachers are being told that a computer can “do it better.” While technology can help bridge gaps in content, it cannot solve problems more personal teaching problems around behavioral issues, student engagement and psychological problems that come into play. Teaching is more than just relaying content, and teachers’ talents and intuition are sometimes the best answers.

Catering to Learning Styles

Educators have always found it difficult to cater to all learning styles. As one person, it is hard to teach content at different levels in one lesson. Technology is allowing non-English speaking students and those with physical/learning disabilities to achieve comparable results to their peers.  Teachers need let their egos take a back seat and the benefits of personalized learning slide in. By balancing natural ability with the malleability of technology and you get a balance that works in everyone’s interest.

New vs. Old

Novelty is always scary and with every innovation comes training and manuals.  Information Today Inc recently put out a great article on the problems that new technology brings and why teachers are so untrusting and unhappy to learn. This is again, due to an imbalance in the technology vs. teaching problem. Educators should not be introduced to every new shiny gizmo but be given a chance to grow into the innovation. Teachers need to be allowed to find a balance between doing what they have done and incorporating the new with the old.

Overall, the most important aspect that feeds into all the above points is the control that is afforded to teachers. Every classroom is different, and teachers need to be in the driving seat when it comes to making a choice, implementation and ultimate success of the technology. Teachers should not fear that technology will take their place but that they can use it to supplement their weaknesses and elevate their talents.

 

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Matthew Lynch published in Black Boys in Crisis, Digital & Mobile Technology, Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech, EdTech & Innovation, EdTech Companies List,

Four “Not to Miss” Education Conferences for EdTech Leaders

The field of education has a plethora of conferences and assemblies where educators and industry leaders gather to learn about emerging developments, instructional trends and market disruptors. If you are interested in attending a highly beneficial education conference to share, learn, and find new solutions to current challenges, consider these four “not to miss” conferences that stand out with effective programming and networking opportunities.

  1. The EdNET Conference – September 17-19, Scottsdale, AZ

Hosted by MDR, EdNET2017 provides senior executives from PreK-12 education companies the latest information on market trends, business partnering opportunities, funding sources, new technologies, and activities for key market players.

Now in its 29th year, EdNET is a business-to-business leadership forum, with peer-to-peer interaction. The conference  attracts senior personnel responsible for marketing, sales, business development and strategic initiatives, as well as top management from all industry sectors selling products and services to U.S. schools, including nonprofits and consumer goods.

Speakers include influential voices in education, such as representatives from innovative corporate players, education-focused investment and analyst groups, education institutions, education administrators and policy makers.

EdNET provides a forum for discussion and an opportunity for senior executives to consider not only the market they are currently working in, but also where the industry is headed. It has brought together top executives of companies whose products and services for schools constitute the most important source of instructional and assessment resources available to schools in America and beyond.

This year’s programming is built from conversations with an Industry Advisory Board, and leaders from various segments of the education industry. These Board members identify critical issues in the market, from both the business and customer perspective, and help to shape the topics, speakers and presentations of highest interest. This is one of the most well-established and well-attended educational industry conferences of the year. For more information, click here to visit the conference site.

  1. The iNACOL Symposium – October 23-25, Orlando, Florida

The iNACOL Symposium is sponsored by the nonprofit organization iNACOL, and it focuses on the education of children in grades K through 12. This conference is designed for anyone within the education field, whether a teacher, professor or administrator.

In addition to the opportunity to develop your network, the symposium offers a broad range of topics to help you explore new ways of teaching. There are over 200 sessions covering a wide variety of issues that fall one of the following foci:

  • Personalized learning
  • Policies
  • Competency education
  • Blended and online learning
  • iNACOL national quality standards

It is the kind of event that you must attend to get a real understanding of the scope and breadth of knowledge that is on display. You can check out the areas being highlighted at the symposium to see if they are covering a particular field. If you are interested in setting up an exhibition, they are still accepting applications.

While there are still months before the event, there are already several hashtags associated with it. You can post some of your own ideas or look up what others are saying with the hashtags #Policymakers and #Edleaders. You can also follow details about the symposium and other news and events by iNACOL by following @nacol on Twitter.

  1. DevLearn 2017 – October 25-27, Las Vegas, Nevada

If you are actively involved in using technology to help students learn, this is a conference you need to add to your calendar. The entire event is dedicated to different learning technologies and how they can best be used to enhance the learning experience. Sponsored by the eLearning Guild, you will have three days devoted to technology in education. You can speak with some of the leaders in the industry or share ideas with others who are enthusiastic about what technology can do to help students perform better both in the classroom and outside it.

You can follow the latest news and information on Twitter @eLearningGuild.

  1. ExcelinEd’s National Summit on Education Reform – November 30-December 1, Nashville, TN

To round out the year, you can go to the National Summit hosted by ExcelinEd for a look at ways to improve and reform the American education system. The focus goes beyond the classroom and examines how state and local policymakers and advocates can keep up with the latest trends to help students get ahead in their education. Some of the conference’s primary focus include the following:

  • Holding schools accountable for learning
  • Creating incentives for students to achieve more
  • Using technology to improve and customize education based on the student
  • Expanding the options for students and parents

By focusing on these details before the holiday season, you can establish some resolutions to help improve the way you, the local government, and the state approach education. To stay current on the latest news and changes to the event, you can follow the event on Twitter @ExcelinEd.

Final Thoughts

As the field of education continues to evolve at a furious pace, the need to assemble and share our thoughts and best practices is more important than ever. The conferences that were discussed in this piece are just a sample menu of all the valuable and relevant gatherings that will take place this fall. Our hope is that it provides a starting place for educational professionals that are planning to attend a conference in the near future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

Personalized Learning Starts with Less Teacher Talk, More Student Voice

Personalized learning is becoming a big part of the 21st century classroom. It’s a new approach to teaching and learning that involves less teacher talking and more input from students, and it’s changing the way students are learning around the world.

The idea behind personalized learning is simple. Students guide their own learning, going at their own pace and, in some cases, making their own decisions about what to learn. Ideally, in a classroom using personalized learning, students choose what they’re interested in and teachers fit the curriculum and standards to the students’ interests.

This type of learning completely reverses the traditional structure of the classroom. Instead of the teacher being the center of attention and leader of the classroom, the students are in the spotlight. Personalized learning gives students a voice and allows them to take ownership of their education.

For teachers who want to bring more personalized learning into their own classrooms, it can seem intimidating. Giving up control of the classroom can be scary. Teachers might wonder, will the students really get engaged? Will they learn everything they need to know for the tests at the end of the year? Will I completely lose control over my classroom?

Personalized learning doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Teachers can start by talking a little less and letting students have more of a voice. Allowing students to make some choices in the classroom can have a powerful effect.

Teachers can give students different options for presenting evidence of what they’ve learned. One way to go about this is to directly give students the standards they need to know and ask them to present proof that they’ve mastered the standard. Another option is to give students choices, such as writing an essay versus creating a visual representation of their learning.

Teachers can take another route and give students different options for how they learn material. This requires a little more preparation, but teachers can allow students to choose between reading and watching a video, for example. Again, this allows students to have more choices and feel that they have a voice in the classroom.

Simple changes like these are easy for teachers to make, and they empower students. When students have just a little bit of choice in the classroom, they begin to get invested in their learning.

Personalized learning also improves student and teacher relationships. In the traditional classroom, teachers are often fighting for power. In traditional classrooms, teachers have to demand that students sit down, stop talking, and look at the teacher. This automatically creates a kind of power dynamic that can cause problems. Teachers are essentially telling students, “I am more important than you.”

When teachers give students a voice, they’re telling students, “You are important.” They are giving students control over what and how they learn. Students often respond positively to this change in the power dynamic. Students who are given choices feel valued and respected. As a result, they are actually less likely to cause problems for teachers. When teachers stop demanding that students sit down, be quiet, and respect them, students are more likely to do all three of those things.

For teachers who are looking for a way to get students engaged and excited about what they’re learning, personalized learning is the way to go. Teachers who talk less and give students a voice in the classroom are empowering students and allowing them to take ownership of, and truly enjoy, their education.

Have you seen teachers talking less in the classroom? How can teachers use the power of personalized learning to give students a voice? Tell us what you think.

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Matthew Lynch published in Adult Education, EdTech & Innovation, Education Leadership, Elementary Education, Personalized Learning

Teacher Leaders In the 21st Century

 

As we find ourselves standing on the fault lines of shifting paradigms in education question about how we lead and will be lead seem to surface with between each mini quake and aftershock. The reoccurring rumbles to develop a mindset and culture that embraces failing, thinking outside the box, and risk taking, feel shaky when they originate from a group specifically selected because of their lack of failure, ability to maneuver within the box, and their skill to mitigate risk. New pedagogies require that we follow differently as much as that we be led differently.

 

In a building or culture cultivating 21st-century teaching strong leadership will be more dependent upon open communication and honest feedback from trusted voices in the fray, lynch pins, teacher-leaders that are applying design thinking in real time, managing innovation in action, and proving the value of deep learning daily. One of the unexpected consequences of a personalized learning culture is that for the first time there are multiple paths to access the demonstrable power of teacher-leaders. Academia has grappled with how to harness the magic of master level classroom craftsmen for more than a decade now, moving them into administration, linking them to mentorships, and persuading them to present their work in various ways. While each of these routes has offered opportunity none has offered a way to capitalize effectively on the skill set that makes those classroom maestros as valuable as they are. However, in a 21st-century learning environment where the leadership is multi-directional teacher-leaders can become a celebrated conduit for what works, and testing ground for new best practices.

In a world obsessed with leadership skills and a profession built upon a limited hierarchy it can be easy to not recognize the necessarily complex infrastructure of successful schools. Educational institutions are what economist refer to as weak link systems1. A structure more dependent on the best performance of the weakest link. (ie: soccer teams rather than basketball teams, where the best player is dependent upon the skill of the lesser known players for success.)

As we explore the multitude of roles and aspects of leading a school or district in a digital age, where change is a constant theme and innovations and risks are goals then identifying, accessing and amplify those lynchpins is essential. As a district administrator explained it, “Personalized learning is a healthy virus we want to spread as systemically and infectiously as possible…” Leadership within this kind of educational system is then no longer a title it is a distributive model2.

 

 

Following that analogy through a slight modification of Malcolm Gladwell’s The Law of the Few,2 which theorizes that The success of any kind of academic epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of teacher-leaders with a particular and rare set of pedagogical gifts:

Marine: These are the first into any new challenge, idea, or program. They are the risk takers, the ones that can and will fall in the valiant effort to try new learning.

Maven:  Especially valuable in the digital age these are information specialists that know what apps and extensions are new, where to find the best list research on STEM projects and when AI will be ready for the classroom

Media Moguls: 87% of teachers are on some kind of social media, these are the ones on all kinds of social media. To go back to the epidemic analogy these are they carriers.

McGyvers: With an inherent understanding of how to hold extract the useful elements of any lesson and modify or even redefine them with digital wonderment.

The odds are good that you have these people sitting in hard chairs reading an email from you almost daily. These qualities are not in their personnel record, Finding them and allowing them to bring a whole new skill set

 

1:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17465493-the-numbers-game

2: http://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/04/preparing-to-lead-in-a-project-based-world/

3: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2612.The_Tipping_Point?ac=1&from_search=true

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

Personalized Learning Starts with Less Teacher Talk, More Student Voice

Personalized learning is becoming a big part of the 21st century classroom. It’s a new approach to teaching and learning that involves less teacher talking and more input from students, and it’s changing the way students are learning around the world.

The idea behind personalized learning is simple. Students guide their own learning, going at their own pace and, in some cases, making their own decisions about what to learn. Ideally, in a classroom using personalized learning, students choose what they’re interested in and teachers fit the curriculum and standards to the students’ interests.

This type of learning completely reverses the traditional structure of the classroom. Instead of the teacher being the center of attention and leader of the classroom, the students are in the spotlight. Personalized learning gives students a voice and allows them to take ownership of their education.

For teachers who want to bring more personalized learning into their own classrooms, it can seem intimidating. Giving up control of the classroom can be scary. Teachers might wonder, will the students really get engaged? Will they learn everything they need to know for the tests at the end of the year? Will I completely lose control over my classroom?

Personalized learning doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Teachers can start by talking a little less and letting students have more of a voice. Allowing students to make some choices in the classroom can have a powerful effect.

Teachers can give students different options for presenting evidence of what they’ve learned. One way to go about this is to directly give students the standards they need to know and ask them to present proof that they’ve mastered the standard. Another option is to give students choices, such as writing an essay versus creating a visual representation of their learning.

Teachers can take another route and give students different options for how they learn material. This requires a little more preparation, but teachers can allow students to choose between reading and watching a video, for example. Again, this allows students to have more choices and feel that they have a voice in the classroom.

Simple changes like these are easy for teachers to make, and they empower students. When students have just a little bit of choice in the classroom, they begin to get invested in their learning.

Personalized learning also improves student and teacher relationships. In the traditional classroom, teachers are often fighting for power. In traditional classrooms, teachers have to demand that students sit down, stop talking, and look at the teacher. This automatically creates a kind of power dynamic that can cause problems. Teachers are essentially telling students, “I am more important than you.”

When teachers give students a voice, they’re telling students, “You are important.” They are giving students control over what and how they learn. Students often respond positively to this change in the power dynamic. Students who are given choices feel valued and respected. As a result, they are actually less likely to cause problems for teachers. When teachers stop demanding that students sit down, be quiet, and respect them, students are more likely to do all three of those things.

For teachers who are looking for a way to get students engaged and excited about what they’re learning, personalized learning is the way to go. Teachers who talk less and give students a voice in the classroom are empowering students and allowing them to take ownership of, and truly enjoy, their education.

Have you seen teachers talking less in the classroom? How can teachers use the power of personalized learning to give students a voice? Tell us what you think.

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Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

10 Virtual Tools for the Math Classroom

It is no secret that many students are not passionate about math. Students feel disconnected from what is taught in class, unsure of the benefits of math and reluctant to pursue careers in the field. Edtech is trying to change these attitudes by providing them with new ways to engage with numbers. Many companies have developed virtual tools for math, which allow students to learn, practice, and have fun with different math concepts. We will discuss ten of the best on the market.

  1. Stepping Stones 2.0: Comprehensive Mathematics– from ORIGO Education integrates print and digital resources to give teachers flexibility in how they teach K-6 math. SS 2.0 is loaded with additional practice, effective strategies, visual models, and teacher supports. Slatecast lets the teacher broadcast a resource onto the class whiteboard to emphasize or reteach a concept. Kathy Beach, a teacher in North Thurston Public Schools, says about State cast, “What a great way to practice facts and have everyone on the computer.”
  2. Geometry Pad– This virtual graph paper allows students to draw shapes, charts, and other geometric features.  Students can change the properties of shapes, zoom in, save their work and add written notes on the side. Geometry Pad is a great application that can be used with students of any age and across mathematical disciplines.
  3. Pattern Shapes– Understanding the properties of shapes, fractions and creating precise figures is easy with Pattern Shapes. Students can use the virtual protractor to measure angles, change the dimensions and color of forms and annotate answers. It is ideal for elementary and middle school students, and the bright colored shapes can inspire creative design.
  4. Globaloria– Learning math through games is a great educational tool. Globaloria allows students to create games that test STEM subjects. With a gallery full of games, students can explore creations that were made by their peers. This application aims to promote STEM subjects on a global level through games and social networking.
  5. MathsPlayground– This collection of math-based games is perfect for younger students. Aligned with Common Core standards the games are separated by grade and topic. Students will enjoy learning while playing interesting games. The games test timetables, fractions, and other mathematical concepts. Combining education with easy to play games is what makes MathsPlayground ideal for young students.
  6. FluidMath– FluidMath is the first “pen-centric “platform that works on iPads and interactive whiteboards. Students and teachers can write, in their own handwriting, as they solve problems and engage with difficult concepts. FluidMath has won many awards, and its many features make it a great tool for both teachers and students in any math classroom.
  7. GetTheMath– The aim of this tool is to relate algebra to the real world. Through topics like “Math in Music” and “Math in Fashion,” students can learn how math is an integral part of everyday life. There are videos, exercises and other ways that students can engage with algebra in its real world setting. GetTheMath is an excellent way to combine theory with application.
  8. Dragon Box– This learner-based approach to math claims that 83% of children learn the basics of algebra in an hour. Through interactive games and explanations, students as young as five are introduced to algebra and how variables work. Students have no idea they are engaging with academic content, and the graphics are colorful and cute.
  9. Academy of Math– Aimed at children struggling with math in school, Academy of Math is a comprehensive tool that helps students get results. Videos and ongoing assessments tools put students in the driver’s seat of their own education. There are various topics to choose from, and educators can implement the resources on this platform into their teaching.
  10. Studygeek– Mathematical vocabulary is fundamental to understanding math. Study Geek is a great learning tool that has an alphabetical glossary of thousands of math vocabulary words. There is also a selection of informative videos that cover everything from geometry to algebra. The games aim is to test math vocabulary retention, and students will enjoy playing a game and learning at the same time.

So, there you have it. All of these tools push students towards self-exploration and allow them to see how math is an integral part of the world they live in. Through the use of these tools, students can also take control of their academic achievement, and foster a positive relationship with a subject that previously felt ambivalent about.

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Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Higher Education, Trending Topics

Why Professors Shouldn’t Ban Smartphones

As smartphones have become more common, educators have struggled with the question of what to do with smartphones in the classroom. For K-12 educators, the answer has been to ban smartphones from the classroom completely. College professors have also banned smartphones in increasing numbers. But now there’s some evidence to suggest that banning smartphones in the college classroom isn’t such a good idea.

A study conducted by researchers in Singapore found that undergraduate students who were allowed to keep their phones with them actually scored better on tasks that measured their cognitive functioning. Even when they weren’t allowed to use their phones, students who were allowed to keep their phones in their pockets performed better than students whose phones were confiscated.

In this case, researchers theorized that the poor performance by students without phones was due to a kind of smartphone withdrawal. When students had their phones taken away, they may have been anxious about missing out on something—a text message or friend request, for example. This anxiety could take students’ minds off of what they should be learning.

Smartphones could have academic uses

While professors may be quick to ban smartphones, it’s rare to find a professor who doesn’t allow laptops in the classroom. Most professors who allow laptops but not smartphones would likely argue that laptops can be used to take notes or for other academic purposes. However, as smartphones have become more powerful, they can do many of the same things.

Microsoft Office has long been the standard for productivity, and for years it was only available on PCs. Today, many smartphones can run Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Smartphone users can also find a wide variety of apps that replace old paper-and-pencil methods. There are apps for note-taking and calendar apps that students can download for free.

In some cases, smartphones are even better than laptops. In addition to being easier to carry around, smartphones have features that laptops lack. Smartphones enable students to instantly snap photos of anything the professor presents, such as charts, pictures, and diagrams that may help them understand concepts when they study.

Smartphones are also a great tool for student who like to record lectures. Students no longer have to carry around a recording device—they already have one in their pocket. Listening to those recorded lectures is a lot easier with a smartphone, too, since students are never far from their phone.

Smartphones are always handy

The fact that students always have their smartphones with them actually makes their phones a better tool. Anything that students save on their phone, whether it’s a recorded lecture, class notes, or pictures, is accessible anytime.

Cloud-based apps, like Google Drive, have made it even easier for students to access information on their phone. Students can store anything they want on the cloud using their phone, then go home and review what they saved on a laptop or tablet.

Banning smartphones might be impossible

Any professor who’s tried to ban smartphones can attest to the fact that it isn’t easy to get students to give up their phones. There will inevitably be students who try to sneak their phones in anyway or refuse to hand them over. This can lead to wasted class time, as professors are forced to argue with students or impose consequences on those who refuse to comply.

Ultimately, trying to ban smartphones is nearly impossible. When it is possible, it can end up taking up more time and effort than it’s really worth. After all, if college-aged students are so distracted by their smartphones that they aren’t learning, it may be time for them to learn a lesson about using technology appropriately in the form of a lower grade. Smartphones, like laptops, are a tool—they can be used for academic purposes or can be a detriment to learning. It’s up to students to find ways to use them correctly.

Can professors make smartphones a useful classroom tool, or are they too much of a distraction? Tell us what you think!

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Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

The Ultimate Guide to Using Open Educational Resources

The idea that knowledge is power is not a new concept, however the idea that knowledge, resources, and information should be widely available and also free might be a slightly newer concept. Before the advancement of the internet and today’s technology, the idea of access to free information, teaching resources, and even online books was unheard of. If you wanted to learn about a topic, you could pay for the materials and or books to learn about your topic of interest. If you want to teach about a specific area, you needed to develop the materials yourself or pay for them. Many educators now believe that teaching materials and other information should be free. As we begin to share our resources as copyright free materials, we also open the idea globally that teaching, learning, and research materials should be accessible to everyone.  Edutopia notes that open educational resources can also save teachers significant time, planning, energy, and resources.

Why Use Open Educational Resources (OER)?:

  1. Save time and energy – One of the most obvious reasons for using OER is to save time, energy, and also money! Teachers can search for OER on the internet, and share resources that they discovered with each other in person, on social media sites, in school meetings, and in professional development workshops.
  2. Increases flexibility – As noted by Nicole Comforto on Edudemic.com, using OER also allows teachers to be more flexible and creative with their resources. For example, a game with a map that was developed for one area or region could be easily adapted for the area in which the teacher lives, states Nicole Comforto.
  3. Adds to our existing materials and knowledge – Of course, it never hurts to expand our own resources and knowledge as teachers and also as learners! The more materials we can access for free, the more both our students and ourselves can benefit!

Our Top Recommended Resource for Educational Materials:

  1. Sharemylesson: https://sharemylesson.com/ offers abundant resources for teachers to use for students of all ages, and also offers free webinars for teacher use.
  2. OER Commons: https://www.oercommons.org/ is described on the website as being a “digital library and network.” OER Commons, as recommended by Andrew Marcinek in his article on Edutopia, states that OER Commons is the ideal database for free teacher-developed resources.
  3. Math Solutions: Looking for great free math lessons? Try checking out this website: http://mathsolutions.com/books-resources/classroom-lessons-old/ where you can find math materials for varied level learners.
  4. MIT OpenCourseWare: is a website that shares full courses and materials offered by MIT professors. View what resources are available at https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
  5. UNESCO As recommended by Nicole Comforto, UNESCO found at http://en.unesco.org/womeninafrica/, provides reading materials, comic books, and histories of African American women for middle-level learners.

How Can You Be Confident the Resource is Copyright Free?

If you are still concerned about using materials you find on the internet, look for resources using a “Creative Commons” license. Nicole Comforto states that if you find any resources on https://creativecommons.org/ you can be certain that you can use the resources. Creative Commons is well known for being the best guide for finding OER and materials in the world of learning. Save yourself a few of hours of searching, and start your search at Creative Commons!

Where Can You Start?

If you are still unsure about where to start searching for copyright free lesson plans, materials, and ideas, speak with your colleagues and other educators. Swap ideas with people that you know! Other teachers may already know a perfect resource or website that they use for many lesson plans. You don’t have to struggle and spread hours upon hours making the perfect lesson plan thanks to the availability of OER.  Edwige Simon, also on Edutopia, recommends looking for trustworthy resources by searching for websites that end in “.org,” or are produced by the government, or the Department of Education.

PBS and National Geographic are also excellent, reliable resources for online educational resources, states Edwige Simon. Whether you are just looking for one lesson plan, or are also interested in sharing your ideas with other educators, teachers, and students, the internet is now full of free and accurate resources. You should never have to pay for another lesson plan again if you search for OER on  Creative Commons or even on https://sharemylesson.com/! Happy searching and have fun!

 

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Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

The Edvocate’s List of 24 Must-Follow STEM Education Twitter Feeds

*The Edvocate is pleased to produce its “Best of the Best” resource lists. These lists provide our readers with rankings for education blogs, twitter accounts, influencers, products, etc. These lists are meant to be fluid, and for that reason, they are regularly updated to provide up to the moment information.*

It’s become a well-known fact that most students are woefully unprepared for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (otherwise known as STEM). Students in the United States regularly score low on math and science tests, lagging behind other developed nations.

This is despite the fact that STEM careers pay exceptionally well—college students who graduate with STEM degrees earn quite a bit more than their counterparts with degrees in other fields. Not to mention, the demand for workers with STEM degrees is huge and continues to grow.

These facts should leave no question about the importance of preparing students for careers in STEM. The real question is, how can we get students ready for STEM careers? Well, the first step is for educators to keep abreast of what is happening in the STEM education field. This way they can be sure that they are preparing students for what’s to come.

Whatever method you use, making sure your are using reliable resources can be a daunting task. The best way of learning what to do (and what not to do) is through seeing what others have done before you. That is where Twitter can be immensely helpful – if you know where to go. The following are 24 of the best Twitter Feeds about STEM Education. Some of these are inspirational, (because that is required on tough days), infomational, and many are a combination of both.

Two things are taken into account for all entries on this list.

  • The feed must be relevant, at least some of the time. Most of these focus on STEM education, but a few of these have a slightly broader view of education, and these have a lot of other great information for those in the education field
  • They sites must be active. In other words, they should have someone posting to them on a regular basis, not just once a month or less.
  1. @TeachingSTEM: Provides readers with articles on science, tech, engineering, and math.
  2. @stemschools: Gives readers great tips on promoting STEM education.
  3. @STEMschool: Disseminates excellent tips on how to teach a STEM subject.
  4. @SciAfterSchool: A great place to find STEM resources.
  5. @crsscience: Want to liven up your curriculum? This Twitter feed can help.
  6. @STEMAhead: Follow this feed to learn about STEM Ahead, and their beautiful programming.
  7. @stemnetwork: Educator schools twitter about STEM resources and initiatives.
  8. @NSTA: The NSTA is the go-to place for resources related teaching STEM in the classroom
  9. @STEM_Works: Ran by SMU, this resource helps teachers to find information on STEM instruction.
  10. @leache: Edward Leach shares STEM-related news.
  11. @STEMConnector: Tweets out STEM-related updates, articles, and resources.
  12. @MITK12STEM: MIT-backed Twitter feed that will keep you up to date on all things STEM.
  13. @changeequation: This feed is all about encouraging STEM literacy while providing you up to date STEM resources.
  14. @ConnectMinds: A Wonderful community whose mission is to get more kids involved in STEM.
  15. @almostrocketsci: Encourages kids to consider careers in the STEM fields, and provides them the resources to do just that.
  16. @exploratorium: Allows children to explore a career in STEM, and provides educators with up to date news and resources.
  17. @STEMChallenge: Uses video games to get kids involved in STEM.
  18. @egfi: Allows children to explore a career in STEM, while providing them with information about careers in STEM.
  19. @ScienceCenters: Tweets out pertinent information about science and technology centers across the nation.
  20. @OppEquation: Ensures that kids underrepresented groups are exposed to STEM careers.
  21. @SciGirls: Helps girls explore a career in STEM.
  22. @cstemorg: Helps minority groups learn more about careers in STEM.
  23. @NCWIT: Devoted to helping more girls and women to choose STEM careers.
  24. @womenintech: Showcases women in tech careers, offers advice to women interested in tech careers and encourages young girls to become involved in tech.

Did we miss any?

 

 

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Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Elementary Education, Trending Topics

Why Digital Learning is Reshaping Education

Technology has changed just about every field, including education. Digital learning is reshaping education in unprecedented ways. The ways in which students learn are changing rapidly thanks to technology, and both students and teachers will benefit from it.

There are several specific changes that we can expect to see as digital learning takes over education. For one, the way teachers present information and how students work with that information has changed. Students are asked to be more hands-on and collaborative than ever before. There are also new skills that students must learn, such as digital literacy.

The Flipped Classroom

The traditional model of teachers lecturing in the classroom and students completing practice and homework on their own is changing. Instead, students are learning on their own and using the classroom as a place to dig more deeply into what they’ve learned. This model, known as the flipped classroom, is gaining popularity thanks to the rise of EdTech.

How does the flipped classroom work? Students watch lecture videos or complete readings at home. The following day in class, the teacher clarifies anything students didn’t understand. Students then work with the information to answer questions, complete projects, and do other activities that used to be reserved for homework.

The flipped classroom provides benefits for students and teachers alike. Teachers spend more time helping students with the content they don’t understand. This means more one-on-one help for students and less time listening to boring lectures in class.

Emphasis on Collaboration

Another change brought about by digital learning is a new emphasis on collaboration. Thanks to increased technology in the classroom, students able to collaborate online and work on projects together. With a flipped classroom model, teachers can spend less time lecturing and devote more time to collaborative activities and projects.

Technology has also created a more connected world, where everyone is reachable almost any time of day. Cloud-based apps, like Google’s Drive, allow students to share work and collaborate outside of school. Many teachers are already using social media or education apps to encourage students to communicate about class content or ask questions from home. As digital learning becomes more popular, this kind of after-hours collaboration will only increase.

More Higher-Order Thinking

Thanks to technology, students have instant access to all the information they could ever want or need. There’s no longer a need for students to memorize facts or dates. Today, there is much more emphasis placed on higher-order thinking.

Higher-order thinking occurs when students are asked not just to know a piece of information but to do something with that information. At the most basic level, this can mean analyzing information—comparing and contrasting, for example. At the highest level, students are asked to create something on their own that shows their understanding.

In nearly every classroom today, students are asked to do these types of higher-order thinking tasks. Gone are the days when teachers lectured and students regurgitated information for a quiz or test. Today’s students are learning how to be critical thinkers, a skill that is in-demand in today’s job market.

New Skills

There are other skills that students will need to stay competitive in the 21st century. Digital literacy, the ability to use the internet and other digital technologies, is increasingly important for a wide variety of jobs. As technology becomes a bigger part of education, teachers will devote more time to teaching digital literacy.

In some states, digital literacy is already a part of the curriculum. More states are creating standards for digital literacy just as they would for reading or math.

These are just some of the ways that digital learning is reshaping education. As digital learning becomes a bigger part of the world of education, you can expect to see more changes in classrooms around the world.

How do you envison technology changing education?

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