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Get support and guidance from change makers who are organizing and implementing real improvements to our educational system.

Breaking the Mold: How Do We Reform Schools?

Diane Demee-BenoitMay 16, 2007

Tags After-School Learning, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, All Grades

Year after year, we debate numerous reforms to improve our educational system. Yet we are continually hampered by the conventions of our thinking about -- well, everything. We fall into the same old trap of tinkering around the margins and trying to reform an education system with an ever-increasing number of policies, programs, and regulations piled on top of each other. Even the words we use to talk about improving schools -- school reform -- seem worn and out-of-date.

Any-Century Skills: Basic Abilities Are Building Blocks

Jim MoultonMay 16, 2007

Tags Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, All Grades

Last summer, during a conference session I was doing in Tennessee, we were discussing those kids who come into schools without book sense -- five-year-olds who, sadly, don't know how to operate a book. A participant spoke up and said, "Jim, I'm a kindergarten teacher, and I'm getting worried about the number of kids coming into my classroom who don't know how scissors work."

Learning and Teaching This Summer?: The Professional-Development Season Is Upon Us

Chris O'NealMay 15, 2007

Tags Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, All Grades

As summer approaches, many of us plan to attend educational conferences of all kinds. Some of the best ones are in our own backyards. Others are international in nature, and, because of budget or travel constraints, are available to us only every once in a while.

TeacherTube Is a YouTube for Educators

Chris O'NealMay 11, 2007

Tags Classroom Technology, Professional Development, Teacher Development, Technology Integration

A while back, I posted a blog entry titled "Online Interactivity for Educators: A Teacher's Tour of YouTube." Many people replied with comments, questions, suggestions, and so on.

Preservice Technology Field Experience: A Call for Suggestions

Ken MessersmithApril 25, 2007

Tags Pre-Service Teachers, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades

Many people believe that a high-quality teacher-education program must include field experience for teacher candidates in all education courses. Organizations such as the National Network for Educational Renewal and the Association of Teacher Educators strongly support this concept.

Many people believe that a high-quality teacher-education program must include field experience for teacher candidates in all education courses. Organizations such as the National Network for Educational Renewal and the Association of Teacher Educators strongly support this concept. Read More

Wiki, Don't Lose That Number: The World of Wiki

Chris O'NealApril 24, 2007

Tags Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades

Several of us have chatted here before about wikis. As an educational-technology person who spends lots of time online, I can tell you it really does take a lot to win me over as far as new technology and its worthiness in education are concerned. Wikis, however, have done just that.

A Fairy Tale in the Making: One Woman's Quest to Connect Children of the World

Dr. Katie KlingerApril 19, 2007

Tags Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), California

Once upon a time . . . sound familiar? Remind you of a fairy tale? And don't we learn valuable lessons from fairy tales? Of course! The story I am about to share with you is a real-life fairy tale about a Harvard-educated woman who wanted children to learn to speak to each other around the world.

A Learning Lab on Wheels: Science Is on a Roll

Bonnie Bracey SuttonApril 19, 2007

Tags Digital Divide, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Pennsylvania

Imagine a high tech, state-of-the-art science lab on wheels, one that provides teachers with tools for coordinating school programs and projects and allows them to share with kids the fun and mystery of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Open Educational Resources: Sharing Tips Among Teachers

Chris O'NealApril 19, 2007

Tags Open Education Resources, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades

Have you seen Open Educational Resources? It's an interesting Web site designed to take advantage of Web 2.0 functionality while providing a warehouse of sorts for open educational resources.

Encouraging Innovation in Our Schools: The Nation's Governors Step Up for Education

Diane Demee-BenoitApril 19, 2007

Tags Teacher Development, All Grades

The nation's governors, who met in Washington, DC, in February, voiced their support for educating our students for a globally competitive world. Here's what the recent National Governors Association newsletter reported.