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This article discusses how new trends in education have an influence on teacher dissatisfaction resulting sometimes in good teachers leaving the teaching profession. While new teaching techniques and software programs (trends in education) are listed as contributing to the problem experienced by the teacher at the focus of the article, the teacher herself could overcome these obstacles, but for her feeling unappreciated in the new teaching environment. The teacher in question has been teaching for 20+ years in an economically disadvantaged community and has recently received awards for her excellence in teaching. Discussion questions: 1. Is the desire in the educational field to embrace the latest technology and educational trends causing unnecessary stress on highly qualified and experienced teachers? 2. Is the story described in the article an anomaly or a symptom of a greater issue related to the need of administrators to meet test scores and other exterior goals for the school? 3. Given the countless lessons and student interactions represented by teachers of the length of service and caliber of the teacher in the article, should our schools make efforts to cultivate their experience into new instructional models, providing the teacher with a sense of contribution and the instructional system a grounding in historical relevance?

Perfect! Great summary and questions

This article talked about the current trend of school districts cutting PE classes, recess and intramural sports to give students more time in the class to help increase test scores. The article is of the opinion that this is the complete opposite of what research has shown works. Students need quality fitness based PE classes at least three days a week, if not every day, in order to help their brains connect to their bodies and do better. 1) How can we continue to incorporate quality PE without taking from core classes? 2) Are we considering the epidemic of childhood obesity when looking at the overall school structures in states and districts? 3) Why are we going in the complete opposite direction from 35 years ago when it comes to Physical Education?

Great article choice! Great questions!

This article highlights the affects of poverty and the implications it has on elementary children. In this longitudinal study grade levels kindergarten through third were observed on their level of technology use and understanding. The study found, that in high poverty schools the technology levels were significantly lower than that of low level poverty schools.

Closing the digital divide continues to be a topic that many discuss and worry about.

Teachers are at the forefront of kids' educational experiences, and it's now incumbent on them, as well as parents and school administrators, to provide children with the guidance and technical skills they need to succeed in their connected future. This article explains how to incorporate some great sites in your classroom to include technology to learning.

This article is about Amplify, a new online school curriculum that promises to personalize education for students. While it might appear pricey at $199 per student per year, the price tag includes a preloaded tablet for each student with curriculum content tailored to state standards. This tool is meant to make learning more interactive, as well as track student progress, including areas where the student struggles; early studies have shown positive outcomes in reading and comprehension.

In this article, the author describes why technology is extremely important when used in the classroom, because it enhances learning. Using interviews, questionnaires, and observations, the author shows the problems of teachers and students, regarding accessibility, and how we should use technology as a tool.

By the end of the school year, your second grader may be using word processing programs. They should be able to use draw and paint software. They should be able to use PowerPoint for presentation and have a wide range of technology by the end of second grade.

This article included great information for me. I'm always curious to learn when students are learning these programs.

Edudemic is a website that posts research, news, and reviews for teachers and students. "How Technology is Being Used in Special Ed" gives statistics regarding funding, services, types of disabilities, tools, and resources available to Special Education programs in schools. A very detailed and colorful Infographic is given.

Learning about how technology is being used and what tools are used the most in special education was fascinating!

This article is about the relevance of social media in today's classrooms. Facebook allows students to work collaboratively with teachers and peers, and encourages creativity and communication. Facebook can be used by teachers to post homework, create groups, communicate with parents, and to works with other teachers.

This is a great guide for schools and teachers thinking about using Facebook with students.

78% of K-12 teachers believe technology in the classroom makes a positive difference; however, 17% believe it does not make a difference. Students today spent a majority of their day using 21st century technologies and if teachers put them in a 19th century classroom settings, they will have a significant disconnect with their students. Technology can raise students enthusiasm for learning, as well as amplify a teacher's strengths or weaknesses.

If a teacher isn't invested or prepared, technology can definitely spotlight a teacher's weaknesses.

This article explores uses for the iPad in a bridge school focusing solely on English language learners. The use of iPad was hugely successful and allowed students to communicate more effectively and efficiently in their second language. Apps that were used were dictionaries, translators, kindle books, and pages.

It's amazing how quickly the iPad is changing the landscape of the classroom!

This article is about a secondary education language arts university class that paired with a 6th grade class. The 6th graders would submit their papers to the college student, who would then edit it and return it electronically. The purpose of this pairing was to use technology to make the 6th graders better writers and the future English teachers better at revising papers. Both teachers involved believed that it was a success and all of the students improved as a result.

This is a great activity for middle school kids.

This article focuses on the future of the 2007 law that created the Learning Community. Recent reports have failed to show a connection between the Open Enrollment policy and student performance on Nebraska Assessments. Another area that the policy fell short on, was achieving the blended socioeconomic of students that the lawmakers wanted to see. Decisions will be made about the future of the policy at the next legislative session and these reports could drive big changes to be made. 1. What is your personal opinion on the Open Enrollment policy? 2.What changes could be made to improve the policy? 3. What ideas to you have that could improve the socioeconomic diversity of our students in our city schools?

So glad someone posted this. Interesting.

Studies are finding that when teachers and parents agree with kids that STEM subjects are not their best, students do not pursue those subjects. IT also says we should focus our praise on the process and not necessarily what comes natural. This encourages our children to embrace the process of learning instead of only the things that come natural. What are some other reasons you think kids quit STEM subjects? Do you think we validate our students/children too often? Why or why not? How else can we engage or encourage our students without the typical element of praise?

This article is TOTALLY speaking to me :) Wish I could re-do science in high school and believe more in myself. (Got good grades, but never "got" it.)

Don't let the title fool you, this is a very interesting article with good points. At the root of many American problems lies an ineffective and outdated education system that is failing our students. Inequality and education have always been continually linked, and if we don't fix education, we don't fix inequality. Simply put, our students are not being prepared to compete in today's global, hyper-connected economy, and, for low-income students, the outlook is especially grim. DISCUSSION: 1.) Are massive online open courses going to be effective? 2.) The authors want to create adaptive optimized learning environments. How will low-income schools be able to afford this luxury? 3.) Is using "gaming" an effective way to intrigue student learning?

Great article to consider. Excellent questions!

I think that this article does a straight forward job of addressing the need to bring social studies back into the core curriculum. The article says, although some may not agree, social sciences help to teach kids about who they are, where they've come from, and how to interact in public. Social sciences also teach our students how to be good citizens and what their rights are. Taking this away or diminishing its importance leads to apathy and illiteracy in terms of social and political economics. Lastly, the article states that a lot of kids may actually like social science and that there are jobs out their in the social science and economic fields and that turning away from social science in school could strongly deter those kids from pursuing those fields.

Love this article! You know I agree! Make sure to add three questions.

This article is about the gender inequality in those high school students who chose not to pursue PE classes once they are no longer compulsory. It states that a very high number of girls chose to not continue with physical education classes. This leads to less physical activity as they get older and an increased likelihood of obesity as an adult.

Interesting! Please make sure to include three questions.

This article talks about reading with the common core standards of reading more difficult and non-fiction texts in schools. In one particular classroom, the teacher asks intelligent questions about a non-fiction piece of work and the students find the answers within the text, a non-fiction piece of reading. Students read the required texts together and illustrate the research that children gain the most from reading difficult texts rather than easy ones. Instead, children read texts under their reading level for fun. The required reading is both interesting and challenging enough for the higher level students. Choosing reading below level for entertainment allows the students to get a sort of brain break, and still be able to engage with a difficult text during class with a fresh perspective. I think this article demonstrates another positive view of the common core in reading and how it can improve children's reading scores. 1. What elements of common core are Nebraska teachers not benefiting from because the state has not adopted common core? 2. How can secondary language arts teachers a common core standard of reading more non-fiction into their classrooms? 3. Who is more responsible for introducing non-fiction texts? Language Arts? History? Social Sciences? Science?

Interesting article! Great questions!

How do we get students invested in the learning material? This article gives us some ideas. A list of ideas include: use technology, personalize lessons, and make your lessons social (collaborate) or use social networking to share and access information. * Should social networking be included in the lesson plan? * Should all of our lessons be personalized to each student in our class? *How much technology should I incorporate into lessons? Could the whole lesson be taught and assessed using only technology? Laurie Hoepner

Wonderful! Great summary and questions!