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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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Five Future Technologies That Will Shape Our Classrooms

Nick GranthamApril 10, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Game-Based Learning, Media Literacy, Primary (K-2), Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Teleporting, flying cars and Back To The Future style hover-boards. These have all been promised to us within the next few years, but there is little hope of seeing them any time soon. These far-fetched technologies fill us with excitement about what the future may hold, inspiring generations of dreamers to learn math, science and engineering.

21st-Century Learning Creates New Roles for Students -- and Parents

Suzie BossApril 3, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Global Education, Parental Involvement, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, All Grades

How do you remember the classrooms where you spent your formative years? If you're picturing a teacher writing on a chalkboard while kids sit in neat rows, it's time for a refresher course. Not only is that chalkboard a relic from yesteryear, but so are many of the old-school approaches to teaching and learning. Even parents are taking on new roles in today's changing classrooms.

Digital Poetry

Terry HeickApril 2, 2012

Tags Arts Education, Classroom Technology, Integrated Studies, Media Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Visual Arts

The best definition I've heard for poetry is that it's "the extraordinary perception of the ordinary."

Being a kind of art, poetry eludes strict definitions. The very nature of art is to challenge thinking. Trying to define something artistic simply opens up new ground for exploration by those hoping to challenge convention.

A New Community and Resources for Games for Learning

Andrew MillerMarch 30, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Game-Based Learning, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

You knew it was coming, didn't you? Edutopia has officially launched its new Games for Learning Community, and I am honored to be its facilitator. I'm excited to have a space where teachers can share best practices, ask questions around implementation and nerd out on gaming in the classroom.

One-to-One Technology Integration in the Upper Elementary Classroom

Mark PullenMarch 26, 2012

Tags 1:1 Implementation, Classroom Technology, Media Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5)

As a third grade teacher who has been fortunate enough to work in a 1:1 classroom for the past three years, I believe that the upper elementary grades are the ideal time to integrate 1:1 technology into the classroom. Because students at that age level often spend extended parts of the school day with one homeroom teacher, integrating technology smoothly across multiple subjects is easier than it would be if students had different teachers for each individual class period.

Pinterest for Educators?

Eric SheningerMarch 19, 2012

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

After hearing about all the hoopla surrounding Pinterest, I decided to check it out and see if it had any value to me as an educator. Up until this point I really didn't have a clue as to what it was all about except that it was a social media tool that functioned like an electronic bulletin board. After requesting an invite, I was all set to go a day later and began to create my first pin board. The tutorial video that you are directed to upon signing up was short, to the point, and made it incredibly simple to dive in and start creating. I dragged the "pin it" bookmarklet into Google Chrome and off I went.

Three Ideas for 21st Century Global Curriculum

Terry HeickMarch 12, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Global Education, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, All Grades, Geography, World Language Learning

Now over a decade into the 21st century, there is tremendous pressure for education to "globalize." What this means exactly isn't universally agreed upon.

In major world markets, the business world globalized decades ago, expanding beyond domestic markets in pursuit of more diverse audiences and stronger profits. And while major players in business continue to experiment and find their way in markets whose culture and buying practices diverge from those domestic, the "field" of education has been slow to follow suit.

Apps in the Elementary Classroom

Mary Beth HertzMarch 7, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Mobile Learning, Primary (K-2), Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5)

One area that I have not written much about on this blog is educational apps. This is mostly due to the fact that my school has one first generation iPad and two iPod Touches for the entire school. We also ban cell phones and other electronic devices, so these are not available for use in the classroom unless the teachers specifically plan for the kids to use them for a lesson or activity, hand them out to the kids and collect them at the end of the lesson. I won't pretend to be an expert on apps in the classroom, which is why I haven't covered their use here.

Blended Learning: Adding Asynchronous Discussions to Your F2F Classrooms

Eric BrunsellMarch 2, 2012

Tags Blended Learning, Classroom Technology, Project-Based Learning, , Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

This post was co-authored with Elizabeth Alderton, Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
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We have all done it: "participated" in a face-to-face discussion, nodding along in agreement, but not really present. Many of us have sat in discussions, afraid to throw in our two cents because we might sound silly. On other occasions, we have had a fantastic idea to share, but the conversation passed by before we had a chance to contribute.

Classroom Champions Inspire Students

Alissa WrightFebruary 28, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Integrated Studies, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), English Language Arts

As teachers, we must be able to think on our feet and have creativity constantly flowing to make our classroom inviting and interesting, while also making sure our students leave with more knowledge and insight than when they started with us.