CALL_IS_VSL

Peer Helper program has students work with autistic peers. The results are amazing for both sides of the partnership.

Online resources are a great way to individualize/personalize reading habits: "Teachers trying to motivate or teach students to read can find lots of reading resources online. This includes printable worksheets, lesson plans, reading diaries for students, reading certificates for encouragement, fun activities, audio-visual aids, and tons of other resources that teachers can use in the classroom. Some teachers like to use audio hooks - audio extracts that stop just where the story gets interesting. The teacher can then hand out copies of the book, since students are much more likely to want to read the book after hearing the hook. For students who can read on their own, it is important to have the type of books they like to read. In some classes, this may amount to a very large collection of books. It is also important to ensure that the language of the books matches the reading abilities of the students. An alternative to stocking up on a large collection of books that meet these criteria is to use e-libraries to encourage reading."

Remarkable pictures and descriptions by teachers of K-6 classrooms. Really gives a good visual picture of the ways a traditional space can be re-invented for a more creative learning environment, on a tiny budget. Lots of DIY ideas, and some concepts for student self-management.

This article suggest activities to review (Br. revise) vocabulary. Each is a communicative activity using groups or pairs, and requires only minimal tools. K-adult -- can be adapted to any level.

"Formative assessment is a planned process in which teachers or students use assessment-based evidence to adjust what they're currently doing. "In other words, if teachers or students are not leveraging results/data (from Socrative, Kahoot!, Plickers, etc.) to then differentiate instruction or learning, the app inspired dog and pony show does not qualify as a formative assessment. "Formative assessment is a process…not an event, questions on a piece of paper, or even an app. What makes an assessment formative depends on the context in which it is used." Based on a blog/book co-authored by Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy. You can sign up for more chapters free on the site. The articles represent a measured discussion of how apps and "cool tools" can be used successfully, without hype.

"What if a project mattered outside the classroom? What if we did something real?" An important example of how project-based learning can create something "real" and useful to others. Very fully described so that it could be a model for similar types of real projects.

"Description: A very useful tool to capture videos of your computer screen, webcam and audio as a shareable upload which can be downloaded for offline use and editing." I like the looks of this, and hope it stays around for a bit. The idea of adding sound directly to a screencast is appealing.

"Description: Amazing augmented reality map-based app where users pin images to specific geo-locations for others to discover. Upload photos, clues for a virtually trail, or virtually displaying work around your school. Default set to share to contacts only for pupils to use safely, but teachers can share publicly." This look like a great idea for creative projects -- students can make trails for each other/other groups to follow.

A browser-based audio editor

TwistedWave is a browser-based audio editor. You only need a web browser to access it, and you can use it to record or edit any audio file.

All the audio is stored and processed on the server, so you don't need to download anything, or save your work when you are done. Close your browser window and your work is saved. Open TwistedWave somewhere else, and all your audio files, with the complete undo history, are still available.

With a free account, you can edit mono files up to 5 minutes in length. Once you have an account, you can purchase a subscription to increase this limit.

"Online learning resources are great for differentiated learning styles. The flipped aspect allows anyone to learn anywhere, anytime and at their own pace. So where can we go to learn not only academic lessons, but practical skills that help us lead enhanced lives? "If you haven't already, you've got to check out the Solution Fluency Activity Planner. Professional development, top-notch lesson planning, and plenty of resources for building practical skills are all waiting for you there." Note -- some of these resources are not free, but most include some free areas. Includes Khan Academy, EdEx, SchoolTube, Instructables, Hack Design, GCF Learn Free, E-Learing for Kids, Memrise.

"Many parents can probably relate. With technology, we feel like we are in the dark and sometimes choose to turn a blind eye to the interactions of our kids online. But just like driving a car or eating a healthy diet, we need to be there to coach and guide our kids through this world. "Here are six tips for fostering those good habits with your kids."

classrooms join to learn technology skills while collaborating online; reading comprehension; writing/composition; and social/emotion skills. A techn approach to a long-standing concept. STUDENTS: JOIN YOUR CLASS ADMINISTRATORS: START HERE Picture What will your students learn with their PenPals? CHOOSE A PROJECT All projects promote language, technology, and social-emotional skills."

"EDUCATOR TOOLKIT News & Media Literacy In today's 24/7 digital world, we have instant access to all kinds of information online. Educators need strategies to equip students with the core skills they need to think critically about today's media. We teach foundational skills in news and media literacy through our Digital Citizenship program, specifically through our Creative Credit & Copyright and Information Literacy topics. Built on more than 10 years of expertise and classroom testing, these lessons and related teaching materials give students the essential skills to be smart, savvy media consumers and creators. From lesson plans about fact-checking to clickbait headlines and fake news, we've covered everything. To learn more about our approach, read the Topic Backgrounder on news and media literacy."

Good definitions and explanation of why blended learning is of significance. Touches on content resources and the importance of understanding teacher concerns.

"Here's what I do when a student refuses to work: "I'm going to assume that your first step is always identifying and addressing the root cause of the student's refusal to work. I'm also assuming you've already modified and/or clarified the assignment and considered the obvious interventions." Lots of good advice for classroom management here.

I am still totally unconvinced that Twitter is good for schools. The gross confusion, chaos, and distraction on any Twitter feed is just anithetical to learning and to social interactions.

A full "course" to look at students and social media in a variety of ways. Ideas to try out with your classes.

"his is a truly amazing iPad app which replaces a whole TV crew and studio. Capture your video and audio use like adjusting the sound levels, an in-build teleprompter and green screen effects to make spectacular footage. Edit your video directly in the app and add images, websites and Twitter feed as cutaways sections of the screen."

Third-graders built a Lego-Space. The various steps to creating the budget, presenting a proposal, etc., are outlined in detail in this article. A practical example as an intro to the Maker concept. "The impact the students have had within the school is real. They identified a need for a makerspace and took the steps to make it a reality. The countless lessons learned throughout the process and the life experiences the students gained are certain be ones the kids will never forget."

A beautiful ode to the earth, our blue marble in the midst of vast nothingness. A group of young men set up the orbits of the planet s in the solar system on a Nevada desert. Unmentioned: students in Aroostook Co. Maine set up a scale model in the countryside there as a school project.