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Blogs on Technology Integration

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High-Impact Professional Development for Rural Schools

David MarkusJuly 25, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Lesson Plans, Rural Schools, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Missouri

I talk with a lot of teachers about how they become fulfilled or, in too many cases, frustrated in their profession. It isn't long in these conversations before the words "professional development" come up. You can practically set your watch to it. And I've discovered that where you find enthusiastic teachers enjoying persistent classroom success, you will find sustained, collaborative, educator-directed PD programs.

Ten Ideas for Teaching Teachers Technology

Monique FlickingerJuly 25, 2012

Tags Best Practices, Classroom Technology, Leadership, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Technology Integration

I had never been to an "unconference" before, but when I heard the organizer of SocialEdCon Unconference introduce the event, I knew I was in for something new:

"Write your ideas that you want to discuss on the top of the poster board. Each of you can look at all of the ideas and put check marks beside the ones that interest you, and then that will drive the topics that we discuss today."

Live Stream School Events to Boost Community Outreach

Joe MazzaJuly 20, 2012

Tags Community Partnerships, Media Literacy, Parental Involvement, Technology Integration

We exist in a world where almost everything in real time is streaming online -- from concerts and sporting events to breaking world news eight time zones away. Technology has truly made the world a smaller place. Yet schools are slow to catch the technologies available for streaming, due to shrinking budgets, personnel cutbacks and training voids.

Summer School for Teachers

Nicholas ProvenzanoJuly 19, 2012

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

While we all know there is no such thing as having a "summer off" as a teacher, the summer does afford us the time to do some exploring. I wanted to share some things with you that I think are worth exploring while school is out.

Five-Minute Film Festival: Flipped Classrooms

Amy Erin Borovoy (aka VideoAmy)July 13, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Differentiated Instruction, Education Reform, Flipped Classroom, Technology Integration

I really enjoyed Mary Beth Hertz's excellent blog published earlier this week, "The Flipped Classroom: Pro and Con" -- one of the most concise and balanced views I've read on the buzz-wordy concept of flipping the classroom. Advocates say that "flipped classrooms" help overburdened teachers differentiate their instruction to reach more learners, provide an avenue into more hands-on and student-driven learning during classtime, and shift the teacher's role from "sage on the stage" to learning coach and facilitator. Critics say it's just a fad, relies too heavily on rote instruction, and doesn't go far enough in making the needed changes for teaching and learning reform. I've rounded up this list of videos so you can learn more about the challenges and benefits of flipped classrooms.

Is the Cell Phone the New Pencil?

Jeff GrabillJuly 12, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Literacy, Mobile Learning, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts

It is commonplace to bemoan the poor writing skills of students today. Yes, there is no question that writing effectively is difficult. Yes, it is true that we don't provide enough high quality writing instruction (writing is known as the "forgotten R"). And yes, the demands of a knowledge economy require excellent writing abilities. But the students we teach today write more than any generation in human history, and one reason for that is the pervasiveness of writing technologies in their lives.

Facilitating Social and Emotional Skills Through Tech

Joan YoungJuly 11, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, , , Student Engagement, Technology Integration, All Grades

It all begins with relationship. We hear educators say this over and over, but do we really believe it? Do our actions support our words? After an unbelievable, engaging conversation I had with others at ISTE12 SocialedCon, I know that there are many passionate educators ready to go forth and make the changes we so desperately need in education.

The Flipped Classroom: Pro and Con

Mary Beth HertzJuly 10, 2012

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

I recently attended the ISTE conference in San Diego, CA. While I was only there for about 36 hours, it was easy for me to pick up on one of the hottest topics for the three-day event. The "flipped classroom" was being discussed in social lounges, in conference sessions, on the exhibit floor, on the hashtag and even at dinner. People wanted to know what it was, what it wasn't, how it's done and why it works. Others wanted to sing its praises and often included a vignette about how it works in their classroom and how it transformed learning for their students. Still others railed that the model is nothing transformative at all and that it still emphasizes sage-on-the-stage direct instruction rather than student-centered learning. I engaged in a few of these discussions offline and online, and while I'm still on the fence about my feelings toward the model, I can offer some insight and interpretation.

How the iPad Can Transform Classroom Learning

Ben JohnsonJuly 9, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Mobile Learning, Technology Integration, All Grades, Math, Science

The micro-computer revolution of the 80's radically improved how teachers and schools carry on the business of learning. We now have iPads in classrooms that will not only improve it, but it has the potential to change the business of learning in schools. The question is, "Are teachers ready to adjust their teaching for this new learning revolution?"

21st-Century PLNs for School Leaders

George CourosJuly 6, 2012

Tags Leadership, Principals, Professional Learning Network (PLN), , Technology Integration

As many school administrators are enjoying their summer break, we all tend to think of ways that we can make our school better in the upcoming year. Often, I point school principals and district leaders to a powerful post by Will Richardson that helps us point the finger right at ourselves when we are looking to push our school ahead. Richardson states:

"Meaningful change ain't gonna happen for our kids if we're not willing to invest in it for ourselves first. At the heart, it's not about schools . . . it's about us."