The most arduous day of my education career was a day centered on Facebook. I was completing my principal practicum, and just before my hours were finished, a student made a death threat on that social medium. I spent the day calling an array of high school students to my principal’s office, where I took […]
Technology
Posted inEducational Apps, High School, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Outdated Practices With Google Docs
It is a relief to find a few digital tools that continuously serve learners despite the accelerated nature of change in technology. Google Docs allows me to meet the varied needs and writing levels of almost all students.  It gives me wings, allowing me to reach past classroom walls and time constraints, to converse and edit […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, English Language Learners, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Flipped Learning: My Apology to Veteran Teachers
Eight years ago, I walked into my first classroom armed with my English Education degree, an American Literature book, and the state Comprehensive Curriculum. The only experience I had was my student teaching, but I wasn’t worried thanks to a mentor teacher and my state comprehensive curriculum which I thought was the greatest thing since […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Educational Apps, Featured, Technology, Uncategorized
Net Neutrality and Educational Technology
On February 26th, 2015, the FCC approved new rules involving net neutrality. This means that the neither government nor Internet service providers can inhibit access to and/or creation of online content. According to NPR, “the Open Internet Order helps to decide an essential question about how the Internet works, requiring service providers to be a […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Middle School, Technology
The Instructional Techie: Interview with James Sanders of the Ed Tech Team
This article was edited for length from the original interview. To see the whole interview, please view the video embedded at the end of the article. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] On February 16th, I sat […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Technology
Teaching for Mastery in the 21st Century: a Conversation with Utah State Sen. Howard Stephenson
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear Utah state Senator Howard Stephenson (R, Salt Lake) speak about the success of Computer Assisted Instructional Software (CAIS) and its hugely successful […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, School Improvement, Technology
Keep Digital Devices in the Hands of Youngsters
Just as 1:1 technology gains ubiquity in classroom education the movement against its success is populating social media, straining to establish evidence that digital devices are harmful. There is an irony to the viral backlash that circulates discussion boards and the social media tools that are the very target. I for one remain unconvinced that digital technologies are […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Differentiating your Formative Assessments
The point of teaching is to learn.  Each student comes to us with different experiences and this impacts how and when they master the various concepts and skills presented in the classroom.  Part of teaching is understanding where students are in a lesson, skill, and unit.  Exit tickets have become the buzz, but there are many […]