As the weekend draws to a close, it's time for another weekend Round Up! We'll start today at GettingSmart with a post about "Making Tech Work for Kids & Teachers." The article discusses the challenges and benefits that arise from integrating technology into our curricula.
Getting Smart also has a post entitled, "It's Time for the Next Big Advance: Comparable Growth Measures." The article discusses how "the most important next step in the shift to personal digital learning is the need for comparable growth measures for individual students."
In other words, by using technology we can more accurately begin to measure the growth each student achieves, not just their test and assignment scores. We can build an accurate understanding of each individual student is learning and growing through a course. The article discusses some specifics on what this would look like within the classroom.
Getting Smart also has a post entitled, "It's Time for the Next Big Advance: Comparable Growth Measures." The article discusses how "the most important next step in the shift to personal digital learning is the need for comparable growth measures for individual students."
In other words, by using technology we can more accurately begin to measure the growth each student achieves, not just their test and assignment scores. We can build an accurate understanding of each individual student is learning and growing through a course. The article discusses some specifics on what this would look like within the classroom.
EdCetera has a new post about "The Success of Quest-Based Learning at Boise State University." The article is about Chris Haskell's teacher training classes in which students embark on "quests" to earn "experience points" towards achieving certain classroom goals and objectives. The students complete their quests using 3D GameLab; software which creates a virtual environment to learn, research, collaborate and create work.
Over at EdTech Magazine we've got a new post discussing the
"5 Must-Have Elements for Every Online Class." The article offers tips on creating and running a successful online class. The post covers how teachers can:
"5 Must-Have Elements for Every Online Class." The article offers tips on creating and running a successful online class. The post covers how teachers can:
- Get Organized
- Build a Community
- Integrate & Collaborate
- Encourage Self-Assessment
- Provide Professional Development
Free Technology for Teachers has some new resources up from the weekend, starting with a review of "Study Jams - Elementary Math & Science with Music." Study Jams is designed by Scholastic and uses songs and videos to help students learn math and science content. Each song also has an associated video or tutorial to help students understand the basics of the concept.
Free Tech also has a write-up on the "Saylor Foundation Launches Independent 'Courses' for K-12." And while these online classes are not complete courses in the traditional sense, they are an excellent resource for independent study or to help students with material outside of class, plus they're aligned with the common core standards. Currently they have courses in geometry, calculus, algebra, American Lit, and SAT prep.
Also, if you're interested in language learning, Free Tech has a review of"10 Good Sites & Apps for Learning a New Language." These apps would be great for use within a language classroom, or just for personal use for those who are interested in new languages. The article also covers Duolingo which is one of my personal favorites for language learning.
Free Tech also has a write-up on the "Saylor Foundation Launches Independent 'Courses' for K-12." And while these online classes are not complete courses in the traditional sense, they are an excellent resource for independent study or to help students with material outside of class, plus they're aligned with the common core standards. Currently they have courses in geometry, calculus, algebra, American Lit, and SAT prep.
Also, if you're interested in language learning, Free Tech has a review of"10 Good Sites & Apps for Learning a New Language." These apps would be great for use within a language classroom, or just for personal use for those who are interested in new languages. The article also covers Duolingo which is one of my personal favorites for language learning.
Edudemic has an excellent article on "iPads in the Classroom: The Right Questions you Should Ask." For any school that is utilizing, or considering, iPads in the classroom, you should check this article out. It raises some important points for discussion such as the necessity of educators to focus on the "why" and not the "how" of using iPads, in other words making sure that iPads are being used for truly beneficial reasons, not just being used because they're new tech.
And on a similar note, they also have a new post on "3 Reasons Apps Put our Kids' Education at Risk." The post addresses some serious concerns that educators should consider before jumping in the deep-end of iPad integration. The article discusses how apps can lead to less physical activity, reduced social skills, and the question of "who is going to create future technologies?"
Edudemic also has a post on "How Social Media Improved an Entire School District." The article covers the Eudora School District (just outside my home town in Kansas) and how they began using blogs, YouTube and other social media tools to improve communication and collaboration between teachers and students across the district. It's a great read and something every district should consider.
Finally, Edudemic has a post on "46 Education App Review Sites for Teachers and Students." It's a list of the best and most popular education app review sites. You can link to list below:
And on a similar note, they also have a new post on "3 Reasons Apps Put our Kids' Education at Risk." The post addresses some serious concerns that educators should consider before jumping in the deep-end of iPad integration. The article discusses how apps can lead to less physical activity, reduced social skills, and the question of "who is going to create future technologies?"
Edudemic also has a post on "How Social Media Improved an Entire School District." The article covers the Eudora School District (just outside my home town in Kansas) and how they began using blogs, YouTube and other social media tools to improve communication and collaboration between teachers and students across the district. It's a great read and something every district should consider.
Finally, Edudemic has a post on "46 Education App Review Sites for Teachers and Students." It's a list of the best and most popular education app review sites. You can link to list below:
Emerging Ed Tech has a post discussing "Salman Khan's Inspiring One World Schoolhouse." The post is a review and reflection of Salman Khan's (of the Khan Academy) book. It's a great post and delves into the benefit of online learning and using technology to provide top-notch, global education to anyone with an internet connection.
Education Week has an article on the "Proper Role of Ed-Tech in Pre-K a Rising Issue." The post discusses the concern with implementing technology at the preschool level. Students are using technology more often and at younger ages which can lead to some serious developmental problems. On the other hand, technology isn't going anywhere and students need to learn how to use it. The article goes further into depth discussing both sides.
Teach Thought has a post on smartphones and BYOD (bring your own device) strategies entitled, "Smartphones in the Classroom: Working Smarter, Not Harder." The post discusses benefits and strategies for using smartphones within the classroom.
The Lightning Round
- Educational Technology has a post covering 7 Wonderful Google Docs Tutorials for Teachers
- Ed Tech also has an article on 8 Awesome Educational Infographics for Teachers
- Plus, they have posts covering Apps for iPad Video Projects and for Creating Documentaries
- The Ed Tech Review has a great infographic on The Benefits of Going BYOD
- Teach Thought has a breakdown of the 6 Channels of 21st Century Learning
And that about does it for our weekend Round Up! In closing, below you'll find an excellent infographic from Open Colleges discussing 18 Common Myths of Education and a collection of beneficial apps for the Algebra 1 classroom.
I hope everyone had a great weekend and if you're enjoying the Round Up, make sure to follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter!
I hope everyone had a great weekend and if you're enjoying the Round Up, make sure to follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter!
Courtesy of: Open Colleges
RSS Feed
