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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Blogs on Classroom Technology

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Four Musts in Redesigning K-12 Education

Bob LenzJanuary 19, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Primary (K-2), Professional Development, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades

"How do I assess 170 students deeply?" -- Middle School Teacher

"We love project-based learning but when will we get time to plan with our colleagues?" -- Union Leader

"We want to have our students participate in rigorous project learning but our teachers need to learn how to do it -- it's challenging." -- Middle School Principal

Doing Internet Research at the Elementary Level

Mary Beth HertzJanuary 13, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Media Literacy, Primary (K-2), Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5)

One of the hardest things to teach, in my opinion, is research. I have been teaching in a computer lab for going on five years and I have never taught research the same way twice. This is partially because I never teach anything the same way twice, but it's also because each year I learn something new. Sometimes I learn the hard way when things don't pan out the way I planned in the classroom, sometimes I learn because something I didn't plan arose and worked out well, and sometimes its due to my own self-education as I prepare to teach my annual research unit.

Tech People: Don't Forget the Admins!

Nicholas ProvenzanoJanuary 9, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Leadership, Principals, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

One of the easiest things for any tech person to forget is the presence of non-instructional types in the building. There's so much great technology out there for school administrators, but tech support often overlooks them because their job focus is helping classroom instruction. There is tremendous value in reaching out to on-site administrators and seeing what they need. Here are some of the benefits to thinking about your administrators when it comes to tech support.

Four Tips for Finding the Right Resources

Nicholas ProvenzanoDecember 20, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades

One of my jobs as a tech integration specialist is helping teachers find resources for their content area. This can be very difficult because I am not certified in every area of education. I developed a plan of action that helps me help teachers of all content areas. Here are 4 tips that you can use to help any teacher find what they need.

Building Your Own Textbook

Audrey WattersDecember 19, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Free School Supplies, Open Education Resources, Technology Integration, All Grades

Textbooks are a multi-billion dollar industry -- an estimated $3.5 billion for the K-12 market alone. But the growing availability of digital content and open educational resources (OER) is giving schools the opportunity to bypass some of the traditional expenses of textbook purchasing. It's also giving teachers the opportunities to build their own textbooks.

Embracing Continuous Improvement with EdTech

Mary Beth HertzDecember 12, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, New Teachers, Professional Development, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades

If you are a connected, networked educator (or even if you're not), it's easy to begin comparing yourself to all those online examples of excellence in ed tech. "Look at the way so-and-so is using blogging with his or her second graders!" or "I love how this person uses Skype to bring experts into their classroom!"

Top 10 Benefits of Using Free Software

Shahzad SaeedDecember 8, 2011

Tags Career and Technical Education, Classroom Technology, Free School Supplies, Technology Integration, All Grades

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. --Lao Tzu

We are living in a world which encourages a culture of proprietary software. Most of us have always used only proprietary software on our computers. Our children are being taught to use it, too, but they are partially or completely unaware of free software and the benefits it provides.

As the Ed-Tech Market Grows, What Voice Do Educators Have?

Audrey WattersDecember 6, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Technology Integration, All Grades

It's that time of the year when tech journalists like myself start to review everything that's happened over the last twelve months so we can write our obligatory "this year in tech news" stories.

Twelve Ideas for Teaching with QR Codes

Andrew MillerDecember 5, 2011

Tags Biology, Classroom Technology, Lesson Plans, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Science, World Language Learning

As mobile learning becomes more and more prevalent, we must find effective ways to leverage mobile tools in the classroom.

Greetings from India: PBL Gaining a Foothold

Suzie BossDecember 2, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Global Education, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades

I'm here as a guest of The Achievers Programme (TAP), an India-based organization that aspires to help students prepare for the future by becoming more critical thinkers and self-directed learners.