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Matthew Lynch published in Diversity, Trending Topics October 10, 2017

The A-Z of Education: Diversity

In this series, I hope to guide you in acquiring the vocabulary that you need to know to be considered a competent education professional. In this article, we will discuss education vocabulary centered on multicultural education.

Click here to view all of the articles in the series.

Bisexual is the term given to sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation.

Cyber Bullying refers to bullying in which the offenders use Internet service or mobile technologies — such as email, chat room discussion groups, instant messaging, web pages, or SMS (text messaging) — with the intention of harming another person.

Differentiation refers to the practice of adjusting curriculum and assessments to the abilities, learning pace and learning styles of students, offering a variety of assignment choices to maximize opportunities for success.

Dual Exceptionality A term applied to students who are identified as gifted in one or more areas but simultaneously learning-disabled and possibly low achieving as a result.

English as a Second Language (ESL) A method of language acquisition where students are placed in regular English-speaking classes for part of the school day, and pulled out for intensive small group language focus during other classes. A modified form of immersion.

FAPE, LRE Fair and Appropriate Public Education, Least Restrictive Environment. Legal terminology applied in the Public Law 94-142; The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, which requires that students with disabilities must be placed in regular classrooms with their non-disabled peers, to the extent that their abilities allow.

Giftedness Defined variously as an IQ test score over 130, and/or a high level of natural ability, motivation, and creativity in a given field or area of study. It can refer to a combination of these elements.

Globalization The inclination to integrate societies and communities at the multi-national level, including linguistic, economic, technological, and societal elements of world culture.

Homosexual Someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law specifically mandating that schools provide equitable education for the mentally and physically disabled.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) is an education plan developed specifically for each student with a disability. In Canada and the United Kingdom, an equivalent document is called an Individual Education Plan.

Inclusion The participation of students with disabilities in regular education classrooms, usually with support services.

Inclusive and Particularistic are two key terms referring to characteristics of a culturally responsive curriculum that ensures all students are welcomed and included in all aspects of the school, while acknowledging their unique differences with respect and acceptance.

Learning Disability Underdeveloped skill in one or more areas, usually related to neurological disorders. Applies to students whose intelligence level is average or above and often the result of information processing issues, psychological problems or motor dysfunction, hearing or visual problems.

Multiple Intelligences refers to a theory proposed by educational psychologist Howard Gardner, suggesting that certain areas of specialized intelligence become more developed than others. Includes 10 distinct areas of intelligence: visual/spatial, mathematical/logical, musical/rhythmic, kinesthetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalistic and existentialist.

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a three-tiered approach to identifying learning disabilities, intervening to address, accommodate, and remediate students identified with these disabilities and helping them to be successful in school.

School Climate is a collective, descriptive label for the social interactions and relationships among students — with each other and with their teachers — and teachers’ interactions with their peers and administrators. The ways students experience the school and culture: the ways teachers and administrators interact and collaborate.

School Culture refers to the values, traditions, and infrastructure in each school. These characteristics govern how the school functions as an entity.

Team Teacher is a certified special education teacher who cooperates with content teacher in a regular classroom, provide special services, additional attention, and support for students identified with learning disabilities.

Transgender A general term applied to individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from the usual gender roles.

Title IX refers to a Federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in public schools and private schools that receive federal funding.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) is the most frequently administered IQ assessment for students 6–16 years of age, developed by David Wechsler in the late 1940s. Scale ranges from 10–140. Measures a variety of skills and aptitudes, and is most frequently used as a predictive indicator of academic success.

Are there any terms that we missed?

Matthew Lynch published in Ask An Expert, Trending Topics September 25, 2017

The A-Z of Education: The History of Education

Click here to view all of the articles in the series.

American Spelling Book was the name given to the 1783 publication designed to promote nationalism following the Revolutionary War. The book included moral lessons, word lists, and guides to pronunciation, as well as the change from British to American spellings.

Abstraction refers to the act of taking something away, or separating something from something else, though not necessarily with a decrease in complexity.

De jure refers to an occurrence or phenomenon sanctioned and supported by formalized legislature.

De facto refers to an occurrence or phenomenon existing in reality, particularly in the absence of any formalized legislature.

Equality refers to the state of being the same or equal.

Equity refers to impartiality, or the state of being fair and free of prejudice.

McGuffey Readers One of the most popular and widely used textbooks in history. While not overtly religious, the books emphasized moral lessons and were intended to develop students into good citizens.

New England Primer was an illustrated textbook comprised of religious readings used in schools during the colonial period.

Progressive Education Movement was a reform movement in education which began in the 1880s and lasted over 60 years. The progressive movement emphasized learning by doing and the creation of curricula to suit children’s interests.

Did we miss anything?

Matthew Lynch published in Policy & Reform, Trending Topics September 19, 2017

The A-Z of Education: Education Reform

In this series, I hope to guide you in acquiring the vocabulary that you will need to know to be considered a competent education professional. In this article, we will discuss education vocabulary centered on education reform.

Click here to view all of the articles in the series.

A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Education Reform A 1983 report suggesting that student performance and other problems with the U.S. educational system placed the nation at risk of falling well behind other industrialized nations.

Decentralized System refers to an organizational structure where decision making and authority, particularly with regards to finances and policy, are transferred away from state and district administrators and progressively handed over to schools. This facilitates more efficient and relevant administration.

Diverse Educational Models refers to the various educational models, developed through successive reforms that are available for schools to adopt in an attempt to implement reform in their particular district or community.

Educational Reform refers to the changes that continually take place to address the changing needs of the national society and workforce at school level. These changes to the educational system are intended to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students in the United States.

Equity refers to policies and practices that are impartial, seeking not to favor certain groups over others. In terms of educational funding, equity relates to an equitable and balanced distribution of funds to both poor and wealthy districts.

Five-Factor Theory is a theory proposing that schools with effective leadership, ongoing monitoring, safe environments, clear vision, and high expectations of students and teachers have a higher likelihood of being more effective.

Schools-within-Schools refers to a practice based on research showing that students in smaller classes do better, particularly in higher grades. Using the same resources and staff, student groups are subdivided to allow them to receive focused or specialized training, according to their needs.

Standards-Based Education is an approach adopted on a nationwide level to create uniformity around what students are expected to gain from their school career. This is intended to ensure that all students participating in the educational system are offered the same education, regardless of their choice of school.

Virtual Schools refer to schools that are predominantly based on virtual interactions; that is, interactions mediated through the use of technology independent of student or teacher location. This is also known as eLearning.

Are there any terms that I missed?

Matthew Lynch published in Diversity, Trending Topics September 10, 2017

The A-Z of Education- Multicultural Education

Click here to view all of the articles in the series.

Assimilation refers to a process of gradual, but imposed, adjustment to and absorption of the values, attitudes, and customs of a new culture until conformity is established. This new culture is often the dominant culture in the area or country.

Culturally Responsive is the term given to the practice of respectfully accepting, acknowledging, and incorporating the students’ diverse cultural knowledge, background experiences, and values into the curriculum and all aspects of learning.

Deculturalization is a term denoting the loss of “home culture” that occurs when immigrants achieve complete assimilation. This will generally happen across a generational gap, causing difficulties for both the deculturized children and their culturally intact extended family members.

Diversity A wide range of unique individual aspects, including race, language, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political ideology, socioeconomic level, and academic ability.

English Language Learners (ELL) refers to student who are non-English speaking, or students who may have a basic grasp of English, but who have a different home language that they use more regularly.

Equity denotes the concept or idea of fairness, equal treatment, and equal opportunity.

Multiculturalism The acceptance of multiple cultures coexisting in society with equitable status accorded to distinct ethnic groups.

Nativism is an academic term denoting the ethnocentric belief that the established inhabitants of a nation should have favored status over immigrants or other newcomers.

RaceUsually refers to the categorization of humans into populations or ancestral groups on the basis of various sets of heritable characteristics.

School Climate is a collective, descriptive label for the social interactions and relationships among and between students, teachers, and administrators. The ways students experience the school and culture: the ways teachers and administrators interact and collaborate.

School Culture The values, traditions, safety practices, and organizational structures within a school that cause it to function and react in particular ways.

Segregation refers to the unjust separation of different kinds of humans into racial groups in daily life that may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a washroom, attending school, and going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home.

Are there any terms that we missed?

Matthew Lynch published in Education Leadership, Teachers, Trending Topics August 15, 2017

The A-Z of Education: School Finance and Organization

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Adequate Yearly Progress is a No Child Left Behind requirement that schools make annual incremental progress toward 100 percent of students reaching the proficient level on state reading and mathematics assessments by the 2013–2014 school year.

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is a nationally organized association, intended to represent the interests of all affiliated classroom teachers. It is comprised of professional teachers who advocate for teachers’ concerns, educational reforms, as well as for changes to current legislation.

American Recovery and Revitalization Act (ARRA) refers to a law passed in 2009 regarding the provision of a stimulus package to assist, among other things, in the creation and retention of teachers and school staff.

Authentic Assessment refers to the testing of students which measure accomplishment and mastery in a more holistic manner than standardized testing. The outcomes of these assessments are sometimes considered being more representative of a teacher’s effectiveness than the results of standardized testing.

Block Grant is a means for educational funding where federal government monies are paid to the state in a “block,” rather than being specifically designated to particular programs or purchases.

Categorical Aid refers to the means of federal funding for education where monies are targeted to specific federal programs or services and must only be used for those purposes. These monies are required to be accounted for and reported on periodically.

Chief State School Officer is the title given to the head of education for the state. This position may be elected, but is often appointed by the governor.

Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) was passed in 1965 in regards to various aspects of educational policy. This includes the funding of education up until the end of high school, and aims to promote the removal of achievement gaps between students of differing socioeconomic backgrounds.

Local School Board is the term used to describe the governing body for educational policy and funding at the local level. Members are usually elected by the community.

Local School District refers to the organization that channels funding and policies at the local level.

Local Superintendent is the head of education at the local school district. They are hired by the local school board.

National Education Association (NEA) is the largest professional organization and labor union, representing not only public school teachers and related personnel, but also retired educators and college students who wish to become teachers.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act is an act which promotes the setting of high standards, as well as the setting and conducting of standardized testing, with a view to develop certain fundamental and core skills, such as basic literacy. Schools are rated in terms of performance, with sanctions imposed against schools that are not performing adequately.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) refers to a formally organized association of parents, who work in conjunction with the school teachers in bringing about changes within the school. PTAs can receive federal funds.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) refers to a locally organized group of parents who work in conjunction with teachers in bringing about changes in a school. PTOs do not receive federal funds.

Privatization refers to the movement away from management by local or state-level government structures, and the move towards management by private individuals or corporations.

Site-based Management/Decision-Making is the process by which all school-related decisions are made at the school level with input from all interested stakeholders. As these decisions are taken by parties who are based at the school, they generally more accurately represent the true needs of the school.

State Board of Education is presided over by the Chief State School Officer and responsible for upholding the state educational legislation is observed.

State Department of Education is the department that channels funds and policy decisions from the governor and the legislature, to local educational authorities.

Title I Federal legislation that makes funds available to improve the educational experiences of children from low income families.

Are there any terms that we missed?

Matthew Lynch published in Education Leadership, Teachers, Trending Topics August 1, 2017

The A-Z of Education: Education Law

Click here to view all of the articles in the series.

Code of Ethics refers to an individual’s chosen ethical behavior guidelines, providing direction in the daily activities of his or her chosen profession. This code of ethics assists an individual to make self-satisfactory decisions quickly.

Corporal Punishment is a form of discipline where physical pain is deliberately inflicted to punish, reform, and/or deter unacceptable attitudes or behaviors.

Due Process, in education, refers to laws pertaining specifically to education and mean that fairness should be rendered in all arenas and that teachers’ rights or students’ rights, as individuals, should under no circumstances be violated.

“Free Exercise” Clause is a clause in the U.S. Constitution that reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Liability is the state of being legally obliged and responsible to perform certain actions, whether instructed to or not by an official of a judiciary court.

Procedural Due Process Rights includes the appropriation of specific legal procedures to ensure fair treatment of students.

Religious Freedom is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or religious belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or to follow any religion.

Sexual Harassment, in the context of the school environment, involves unwelcome sexual advances, including sexual remarks, and harassment that is sexual in nature.

Substantive Due Process Rights means that any restrictions imposed on student’s rights must be demonstrated by a valid reason.

Tort Laws are bodies of rights, obligations, and actions applied by courts in civil proceedings during which individuals are found to have been victims of the wrongful actions of others.

Are there any terms that we missed?

Matthew Lynch published in Ask An Expert, Trending Topics July 10, 2017

The A-Z of Education: Curriculum and Instruction

Click here to view all of the articles in this series.

Convergent Questions allow students a chance to provide simple, single answer to questions, which can even be narrowed down to yes or no responses.

Curriculum refers to a predetermined set of courses, as well as the course content, that is offered at an educational institution.

Curriculum Mapping describes the process through which schools detect gaps in learning between curricula, by analyzing a database where teachers enter course planning, content, skills, and assessment information. Any gaps detected are managed appropriately to ensure that the standard of learning provided at the institution meets district or state requirements.

Differentiated Instruction refers to the concept that defines the fact that students learn differently and have to receive instruction according to those differences.

Direct Teaching Methods refer to instances where the teacher is primarily regarded as the provider of information. The teacher is in full control of the pace, content, and structure of the lesson at all times, and students are required to follow.

Divergent Questions are questions that could have more than one answer. These require students to analyze responses before selecting.

Indirect Teaching Methods refer to instances where students take the primary responsibility and the teacher acts as a facilitator. The students are responsible for the direction and pace of their learning, as well as the content to variable degrees.

Integrated Teaching Methods combine direct and indirect teaching methods. The teacher begins with an instructive session and gradually engages the students to take the lead.

Learning Style refers to the various methods by which students are able to learn information presented to them, and which style suits them best.

Pedagogical Content refers to what binds subject knowledge with pedagogy. Pedagogical content knowledge might be viewed as a profound understanding, interpretation, and adaptation of the curriculum, which may only be achieved by a profound knowledge of the subject, the curriculum, and the students. It refers to the way that the teachers organize the topics and choose the clearest analogies and metaphors in order to leave an impact on their students.

Standardized System is an education system that has the same characteristics for all individuals and all institutions.

Student-Centered Curriculum refers to a non-authoritative, participation-focused model that reflects the necessity of a focus on both learners and learning.

Subject-Centered Curriculum is divided into strict subject areas, where there is little flexibility for cross-curricula activity. Subjects are taught in isolation, and there is an emphasis on acquisition and memorization of information and knowledge regarding each specific content area.

Theories-in-Use are theories that we take for truths, often without consciously analyzing, evaluating, or questioning them in any way.

Are there any terms that I missed?

Matthew Lynch published in Policy & Reform, Retention & Social Promotion Series, Trending Topics June 24, 2017

Pass or Fail: How to Choose an Alternative Strategy to Social Promotion and Retention

In this multi-part series, I provide a dissection of the phenomenon of retention and social promotion. Also, I describe the many different methods that would improve student instruction in classrooms and eliminate the need for retention and social promotion if combined effectively.

While reading this series, periodically ask yourself this question: Why are educators, parents and the American public complicit in a practice that does demonstrable harm to children and the competitive future of the country?

Research shows us that social promotion isn’t effective and ultimately hurts the student long-term. We know retention can do a lot of damage, too. So what, then, is the answer? The answer is nuanced and based on individual factors.

Factors for choosing an alternative strategy to retention or social promotion include all of the resources available to students and other stakeholders in their education. These stakeholders include teachers, school administrators, school counselors, parents or guardians. The social factors impacting students include emotional challenges, the strength and stability of the student’s family dynamic, and the level of the individual student’s motivation towards academic success.

Each of these factors plays an important role in determining the type of strategy that may help a student improve his or her academic performance. A child with specific learning abilities may benefit from having access to specific learning resources. Similarly, parents may benefit from having information on resources made available to them, as may children who struggle academically due to social or economic disadvantages.

In some respects, the need for alternative support strategies is as much about establishing a better process for identifying and analyzing the needs of struggling students as it is about finding alternative strategies to facilitate academic success. The Education Trust, for example, has identified key differences in the ways in which schools with “high” and “average” impact on the progress of struggling students used assessment data. The research demonstrated the advantage of using analytical data.

It showed that high-impact schools had “early warning systems” to identify struggling students or at-risk students. Some schools even went so far as to create “intervention teams,” groups of teachers and administrators specifically charged with developing learning plans for individual students. These individual learning plans, in fact, resemble individualized education plans, or IEPs, used for students with exceptionalities and GIEPs – the gifted individualized education plans used for students with above-average academic ability and performance.

Because of the necessary focus on educational strategies, teachers and administrators will likely remain key players, along with administrators in the development of alternative education strategies. There can be no progress in the education system unless key professionals agree on the target objectives and the best way to use available resources.

Finally, we must also consider ways to reestablish trust between educators, parents, and students. As most system stakeholders know, students who excel or even just perform adequately in school are likely to be relatively neutral in how they perceive the whole public school experience. Not so for those on the other end of the spectrum. Inevitably, it is the struggling, their families and sometimes even their teachers, who have the hardest time trusting the system as it presently exists.

The current system of public education is clearly undermining students who struggle the most. Efforts like Common Core and No Child Left Behind have only worsened an already bad situation, doing little but widen the achievement gaps between those students who struggle and those who excel. The approach to managing academic challenges and poor academic performance is also, at the end of the day, about reinforcing retention or social promotion, with the minimal functional application of resources to support the growth of students’ academic potential.

Click here to read all my suggestions for alternatives to social promotion and retention.

Matthew Lynch published in Policy & Reform, Trending Topics May 18, 2017

4 Things That Educators Should Know About Education Reform

The United States educational system has undergone several reforms in response to the ever-changing needs of society. As high school graduates are expected to become a part of the national workforce, the output of schools needs to be in line with the expectations conferred on the national workforce as a whole. In this article, you will be guided through the major reforms that have taken place in the United States.

Reform refers to rectifying something that is unfit for its purpose. It is an ongoing process. Your educational experience was likely influenced by reform, and no doubt you too will be required to make certain adjustments or changes in your style of teaching on the basis of new reforms. Reform initiatives are also powerful sociopolitical agendas, which may determine the education you receive to become a teacher, the structure of the school in which you will teach, or the perception of what constitutes “effective teaching” as you begin your work as a new teacher.

To understand actions to change today’s education environment, you must have an understanding of reforms of the past. This will not only help you to become a better teacher; it will also allow you to use this knowledge when you become involved in the making and shaping of educational policy. Developments in technology, growing concerns around sustainability and increasing globalization, and the diverse multicultural society that has developed all put pressure on the educational system to change and undergo reforms. You never know what challenges the future will hold in this regard, or when you will be called upon to comment on or participate in reform initiatives.

Of fundamental importance to any discussion of educational reform is the role played by major stakeholders in the U.S. educational enterprise. As result, throughout this article we address the roles played by school districts, the states, and the federal government, and the impact of each on education reform. We also look at your calling to be a teacher, and the role you will play in enacting and participating in educational reform.

What education reforms in the United States have influenced how education is viewed and practiced today? The Commission of the Reorganization of Secondary Education’s 1918 report recommended that high schools offer a more diverse array of material than purely academic subjects. Subsequent reforms bolstered the provision of electives, and introduced guidance counselors and vocational training. The 1983 A Nation at Risk report suggested that the United States was failing to provide an adequate education. This report led to reforms in standardizing academic content and to a focus on standardized testing. In the 1980s and 1990s, teachers reacted against the confines of the standardized testing model. Growing awareness of poverty led to “full-service” schools, which provided health care, parent instruction, and more. In the 2000s, more diverse opportunities were on offer, including a rise in homeschooling, charter schools, and virtual schools. With the school voucher system, magnet schools, and open enrollment, strictures on attending public schools loosened somewhat.

What role (current and historical) has the school district, state, and federal government played in educational reform in the United States? District involvement in educational reform has traditionally been heavy, but recently districts are becoming more decentralized, giving more power to school boards and principals. States were initially interested in results-based reforms, focusing on grades and test scores. In the late 1980s, states moved toward more deregulation, which lasted about a decade. In the 1990s, states restructured schools in ways that fostered student development and empowered teachers. The No Child Left Behind Act in the early 2000s returned to a focus on standards-based education, though it has been heavily criticized and is viewed as being in need of reform. In the early 2010s, the federal government created the Common Core Standards, which provide teachers with insights into the skills and knowledge students require to excel.

At the end of December 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law, effectively sweeping away NCLB (Nelson 2015). The new bill made major changes to federal education policy. One thing that changed with the ESSA was how teacher performance is evaluated. States now have the ability to individually appraise how well its teachers are doing performance wise. Another alteration under the new law will allow states “to come up with their own way to determine the quality of their local schools.” This means that test scores are no longer the sole deciding factor for school performance.

ESSA lists music as a component of a well-rounded education and gives it more support than previous policies when it comes to access and funding. The law also means federal grant funding is opened for states and local school districts to support music education programs and further train music teachers. ESSA has been a long time coming. Considering that NCLB had needed an update since 2007, it is shocking how long it took to sign this new law.

What are the most significant trends and developments in educational reform in the United States today? Alternative teacher education programs are growing, though there have been criticisms that they focus on quantity rather than quality. The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) are in the process of merging into a single body called the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). NCLB has expanded parental rights by giving them more public school options. More collaboration between educational bodies at the state and district levels are helping to improve policy coordination. The idea of year-round schools is gaining ground among some reformers. Value-added assessment, which focuses on individual improvement rather than comparative scores, is another idea on the rise.

What factors promote successful reform? The creation of a “road map” is key to sustaining reform. Schools need commitment; ongoing improvement and development; adequate time to accomplish reform; effective, sustained leadership; and adequate funding. Accurate and effective evaluation of the reforms is also crucial.

Did we miss anything?

Click here to read all of the articles from this series.

Matthew Lynch published in Higher Education, K-12 May 3, 2017

The A-Z of Education Blogs: Letters D-E

In this multi-part series, we are profiling the best of the best education blogs, in alphabetical order. In the previous article, I introduced the letter C and in this one, I will discuss letters D-E.

Click here to access all of the articles in this series.

Daily Edventures

Anthony Salcito is the Vice President of Education for Microsoft Corporation’s Worldwide Public Sector and he’s the man behind Daily Edventures – a 365-day look at global heroes in education. You will find thoughts about education and technology from teachers all over the world on this blog, which is a unique and interesting concept. Possibly a bit biased in favor of Microsoft, but an all-round amazing blog.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 25, Helpfulness 23.5, Authority 25

Total Score: 98.5

Twitter: @MicrosoftEDU

Dangerously Irrelevant

This blog addresses issues of social and ethical concern as they relate to the use of technology in the classroom. Frequent topics include the development of self-actualization and leadership.

Score: Activity 24, Originality 21, Helpfulness 21, Authority 22

Total Score: 88

Twitter: @mcleod

Email: [email protected]

Discovery Education

As the name implies this blog covers various topics about educational development, including practices to implement in the classroom and digital content. As with so many other blogs there’s a strong focus on edtech and STEM. A big plus is that they have free teacher resources – from lesson plans to brain boosters.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 24.5, Helpfulness 25, Authority 25

Total Score: 99.5

Twitter: @DiscoveryEd

Ditch That Textbook

Ditch That Textbook is Google certified innovator and teacher Matt Miller’s take on how to implement tech in the classroom. The focus seems to be on high school and up.

Score: Activity 22, Originality 20, Helpfulness 20, Authority 24

Total Score: 86

Twitter: @mattmiller

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

This blog provides a look at diversity in higher education from many different angles. As the name suggests, it highlights the issues of concern to minorities in education.

Score: Active 24, Original 25, Helpfulness 24, Authority 24

Total: 97

Twitter: @DiverseIssues

Dr. Doug Green

After over 30 years in education Dr. Doug Green left his job as an elementary principal to care for his ailing wife. After her death he decided to do something to help parents and educators and started scouring the net and reading books, which he then summarized in bite sized nuggets.

Score: Activity 16, Originality 17, Helpfulness 17, Authority 17

Total Score: 67

Twitter: @DrDougGreen

EdTech for Beginners

This blog by Neil Jarrett, a Google certified teacher who teaches at an international school in Thailand, does what it says on the label: teaches edtech for beginners. It also offers tools and updates for teachers already well versed in edtech however and is worth a visit if you’re looking for new edtech tools for your classroom.

Score: Activity 16, Originality 17, Helpfulness 18, Authority 18

Total Score: 69

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @edtechneil

Ed Tech Review

The EdTechReview, not surprisingly, reviews anything to do with edtech. They also offer reports, studies, insights, webinars, etc. It’s one of the best resources for all things edtech and how to incorporate it in your classroom. However, not all content is for K-12 as they also cater to higher ed.

Score: Activity 20, Originality 20, Helpfulness 20, Authority 21

Total Score:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @etr_in

EdTech Roundup

Just as its name implies, this is a weekly “roundup” of all the latest edtech news and developments. This blog is ideal simply for staying informed about breakthroughs and trends.

Score: Activity 24, Originality 17.5, Helpfulness 16.5, Authority 17.5

Total Score: 75%

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @ETRoundup

Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

This blog covers everything and some when it comes to teaching using technology. It doesn’t follow some sort of set how to guide focusing on one thing, but rather anything covering educational technology and how to incorporate it in the classroom.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 23, Helpfulness 21, Authority 18

Total Score: 87

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @medkh8

Ed Tech Strategies

Doug Levin blogs about the current legal and political scene, and how policy affects the availability of technology in the classroom. Most recently, he discussed possible FCC changes and how schools will be affected.

Score: Activity 15, Originality 20, Helpfulness 21, Authority 21

Total Score: 77

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @douglevin

EdSurge

This blog is updated daily with the current edtech news. Recent articles explored the role of teachers in the evaluation of technology and the role of edtech in educational research.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 24, Helpfulness 25, Authority 25

Total Score: 99

Twitter: @EdSurge

Email: [email protected]

Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

Med Kharbach shares free tutorials and reviews of apps and tools. Topics include how to convert PDFs to editable text and basic Google Classroom tips.

Score: Activity 24, Originality 18, Helpfulness 21, Authority 21.5

Total Score: 84.5

Twitter: @medkh9

Educational Technology Guy

David Andrade shows teachers a variety of options to access free tools and resources for effective technology use in the classroom. Recently he shared a framework to help education leaders pilot new technology.

Score: Activity 23, Originality 18, Helpfulness 16.8, Authority 17.5

Total Score: 75.3

Twitter: @daveandcori

EDUCAUSE Blogs

This blog has a focus on legal and administrative concerns. There is a hefty dose of privacy related information posted on a regular basis, which is great as it is one of the fastest changing areas of technology. There is also a considerable amount of policy issues addressed, making it a great site for admin and staff.

Score: Active 22, Original 21, Helpfulness 15, Authority 23
Total: 81

Twitter: @EDUCAUSEreview

Edudemic

This blog contains topics both for teachers and students and is an awesome resource when it comes for anything related to technology and teaching. There are also certain other topics discussed on the blog from time to time. There are several “teacher guides” also available, such as The Teacher’s Guide to Twitter, the Teacher’s Guide to Flipped Classrooms, etc.

Score: Activity 23.5, Originality 24.5, Helpfulness 25, Authority 25

Total Score: 98

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @Edudemic

Edutopia

In their own words: “You’ll find practical classroom strategies and tips from real educators, as well as lesson ideas, personal stories, and innovative approaches to improving your teaching practice.” And those words are accurate indeed – if you’re looking for interesting articles raging from helping students improve their mindset to high school book recommendations, this is an excellent blog to visit. What’s more, it’s well designed.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 25, Helpfulness 25, Authority 25

Total Score: 100

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @edutopia

edX Blog

The blog provides free courses and other professional development resources for technology leaders. Recent topics include the future of artificial intelligence and the use of social media in job searches.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 24, Helpfulness 24.5, Authority 25

Total Score: 98.5

Twitter: @edXOnline

E-learning Provocateur

Australian e-learning manager Ryan Tracy blogs about e-learning as a route to deeper thinking. He frequently ponders “cognitive reality” and the influence and potential of Virtual and Augmented Reality.

Score: Activity 18, Originality 20.5, Helpfulness 20, Authority 20.5

Total Score: 79%

Twitter: @ryantracey

e-Literate

For the latest in initiatives, news, edtech, and other concerns in higher education, this is a great blog to visit often. With daily posts, there is a wealth of information on this site. When you have some extra time, dig into the archives for some additional learning.

Score: Active 22, Original 18, Help 19, Authority 17.5
Total: 76.5

Twitter: @mfeldstein67

Emerging Ed Tech

Daily posts include thoughts on how to use technology to improve reading. Articles focus on edtech as a vehicle to drive meaningful learning.

Score: Activity 24, Originality 18.5, Helpfulness 19, Authority 18.5

Total Score: 80

Twitter: @EmergingEdTech

EricStoller.com

This blog highlights many different conferences, technologies, and methods that are instrumental to being successful in the academic world. As it is managed by a consultant in the UK, you can also find some wisdom and words about how to successful work for others around the globe. There is a nice dovetail between the two areas, making it a blog that is great for educators and business professionals.

Score: Active 18, Original 25, Helpfulness 18, Authority 23
Total: 84

Twitter: @EricStoller

Erin Klein

Whilst the blog isn’t terribly prolific, it’s terribly well known and there’s a live streaming every first Tuesday of the month. The focus of the blog is the power of student voice, how technology can positively influence teaching and how classroom design impacts teaching.

Score: Activity 20, Originality 24, Helpfulness 24, Authority 25

Total Score: 93

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @KleinErin

eSchool News

Their slogan reads “daily tech news and innovation” and that pretty much sums it up, though not all articles are related to tech and innovation, but simply education in general. Definitively a great news feed for interesting articles/blog posts about education and various tools to implement in the classroom.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 23, Helpfulness 23, Authority 23

Total Score: 94

Twitter: @eschoolnews

Well, that’s it for letters D-E. Did we miss any?

The A-Z of Education Blogs: Letters D-E

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