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

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The Power of Collaborative Learning at The College Preparatory School

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Quiet Transformation at an Embattled School

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How to Thank a Teacher

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Using Farmville to Teach Standards

Linda DeneherFebruary 24, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Game-Based Learning, Lesson Plans, , Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades, English Language Arts, Geography, History, Math, Science

Today's guest blogger is Linda Deneher, a one-on-one tutor and student at an online Master of Educational Technology program.

The Votes Are In: Edutopia’s Tech Integration Lesson Contest

Mary Beth HertzJanuary 20, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Lesson Plans, Primary (K-2), Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), English Language Arts, History, Visual Arts

We had some wonderful submissions for the first-ever lesson contest and the votes are in. First of all, I want to thank the 7 wonderful teachers who submitted lessons. Educators are always looking for inspiration, and I'm sure your lessons have inspired Edutopia readers around the globe.

Here are the results of the contest voting:

1st Place (22 votes)
Lesson 5: Surreal Animation - submitted by Janine Campbell

Seven Tech Integration Lesson Plans: Let the Voting Begin!

Mary Beth HertzJanuary 6, 2011

Tags Lesson Plans, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), English Language Arts, History, Visual Arts

Last week I asked for readers to submit lessons that integrate technology for a chance to win a copy of Steven Johnson's new book, Digital Tools for Teaching. We had seven entries, and now it is up to you to choose the winning lesson.

Simply read over the lessons and vote for the one using the Google Form. Votes will be tallied this week and the winner will be announced in my next post on January 20th.

Teaching War

Todd FinleyNovember 11, 2010

Tags Curriculum, Lesson Plans, Literacy, Media Literacy, Professional Development, Teacher Development, High (9-12), English Language Arts, Geography, History

My town borders a military base. Almost all my students have a father or brother or sister serving. In meeting these soldiers, I find they have the dignity of redwoods. To question the premise of our foreign engagements would be like shredding their bark. Yet, teaching war must go beyond the "good-evil" rhetoric of politicians and spin doctors and focus instead on the nuances: How and why do we get into wars? Is war working as a means to resolve our conflicts?

Snapshots of Innovation: Travels With Chen (After Steinbeck's Travels with Charley)

Milton ChenNovember 3, 2010

One of my favorite books in high school was John Steinbeck's Travels With Charley, his account of his road trip around the U. S., late in his career, accompanied only by his French poodle Charley. Not having traveled much as a boy beyond my home state of Illinois, into Wisconsin and Indiana, I was mesmerized by his stories of the vastness and diversity of our country.

Let's Bring Civic Education to the Front Burner

Anne OBrienOctober 22, 2010

Tags Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), History, Missouri

The importance of education cannot be overstated. Without a good education, one cannot get a good job, earn a good living, and provide for oneself and one's family. Education is the key to individual prosperity.

A Web 2.0 Class: Students Learn 21st Century Skills, Collaboration, and Digital Citizenship

Andrew MarcinekOctober 11, 2010

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Digital Citizenship, Global Education, Integrated Studies, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Student Work Examples, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, High (9-12), English Language Arts, History

Christopher Columbus was wrong when he reported to the King and Queen that the world is round. In fact, the world is flat and so are many of our classrooms in this great nation.

For years, students learned within the parameters of a building, which then separated them into rooms. Students would attend class daily and the teacher would present the daily lesson. This is how a school day has progressed for years. And in many US classrooms, it still does. However, this not the case in three high schools in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

Elementary Educator Asks: Does Merit Pay Turn Kids into Zombies?

Gaetan PappalardoAugust 17, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Primary (K-2), Professional Learning Network (PLN), Student Engagement, Teacher Compensation, Upper Elementary (3-5), English Language Arts, History, Physical Education, Visual Arts

Tap, tap, tap---tap, tap--tap. I'm sending a signal from down here in the muck, down here where the boogers are hard and the shoelaces are eternally untied. HELLO up there? In the 80's words of Def Leopard, "Is anybody out there? Is anybody there?" Call me crazy, but how come I don't see or hear serious discussion about what's going to happen to elementary school students and teachers when teacher evaluation is tied to test scores?

Integrating Technology with Limited Resources

Mary Beth HertzAugust 11, 2010

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Curriculum, Digital Divide, Funding, Online Learning, Primary (K-2), Professional Development, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, History, World Language Learning

OK, so you know about all of these great tools out there that can transform teaching and learning in your classroom but all you have is an ancient PC in the corner of your room. How can you effectively integrate technology with this dinosaur?

Hopefully this post will help.