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Backchanneling has a lot of promise with students in many different content areas. Here is a Social Studies teacher who shared her first experience using Today's Meet as a tool for doing formative assessment and teaching critical thinking skills during a film she showed students. Check out the learning process she shares in her reflection.

Krista Moroder, Director of Learning & Instructional Tech. (former teacher) provides some insight into these two tech. integration frameworks and their strengths & difficulties. "I'm going to preface this post by saying that I think both TPACK and SAMR are incredibly useful frameworks- and I use them a lot in my work with education technology. While I don't want to completely discount either framework in this post, I do want to start a discussion- and explain why I am currently not finding them completely effective in my work with teachers. Worth the read....

I like how the site has a set of short videos demonstrating each "teacher move" to support learning using "Accountable I think these would be helpful in training/professional development, as well. The fact that these "moves" were observed in effective classrooms (i.e. research-based) is good to know.

I like the reflective process this teacher is using to improve her teaching literacy to her students. The methods she is practicing and refining are in contrast to the "one and done" reading approach she mentions students practicing outside of class. A favorite quote in the reflection: "In my class we explore the why--the story behind history. Pace carefully and read closely, and students will discover the why--especially when they can discuss the questions they've had time to think about." Instead of the teacher "teaching" content, the students explore that content and find meaning for themselves that is relevant and connective to other learning experiences.

Whether or not you realize it, you probably have philosophical discussions with your students. But if you use the term "Philosophy", it would probably be met with blank stares. This website, developed by a college philosophy professor, provides an easy to understand, engaging introduction to philosophy for middle schoolers using FILM. I think it could also be used with high school students and used as a tool for how students could engage each other in a variety of discussions across the curriculum.

A Twitter friend, Holly Clark aka @hollyedtechdiva,(http://hollyclark.net/), shared a post she found about how Google Apps can make a difference for teachers & students. And they are making a difference, and there's so much more we can do. Just think, students and teachers in our district have created over 30,000 docs, 1,712 spreadsheets, 1,027 presentations, & 2,894 folders. There are also over 9,000 files uploaded and stored in Google Drive. And there are 10 things Google Apps teachers rarely, if ever hear. Check them out :)

Terry Heick, Curriculum Director, etc. wrote this short blog post with a nice graphic aimed at helping us look at self-talk that encourages a "Growth Mindset." I like this statement in the post: "While teachers are constantly admonished to change, there is very little dialogue as to what that kind of change looks like, exactly how to go about making that sort of change in the face of local expectations, and maybe most critically, what kind of "internal coaching" a teacher might start with to establish the kind of thinking position of mindset that promotes fluid change."

"We all have a digital tattoo, and if we do not choose how to ink it, somebody else will. Rob McTaggart discusses how we might move the fear-based cybersafety agenda forward towards a conversation about digital empowerment and supporting our students' growth in an online world."

"Will you ever just walk into class and ask, "Okay, what do you want to study today?" Of course not. Inquiry-based learning is founded on students taking the lead in their own learning, but it still requires considerable planning on your part. Projects must fit into your larger program structure, goals and plans, but the students will be actively involved in planning the projects with you and asking the questions that launch their individual inquiries." In thinking about PBL and other inquiry-based learning, this post and the graphic of the inquiry process are easy to connect with.

Everyone can see what you post on line PSA message

Based around the Adria Richards story. This, I think, is worth talking about with our students.

This made me say "yes!". I love using digital form to read for my book club, because my notes are all organized - I really can engage with the text, more than I normally would (and no lost sticky notes)

"Finland's Pasi Sahlberg is one of the world's leading experts on school reform and the author of the best-selling "Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn About Educational Change in Finland?" In this piece he writes about whether the emphasis that American school reformers put on "teacher effectiveness" is really the best approach to improving student achievement." This article brings forth some challenges to some of the things we assume in the U.S. that make for success in our schools. With the CCSS, this discussion becomes even more relevant.

This is a helpful look at the stages many go through as they begin the journey of building a PLN. I've read a couple of posts by those extending themselves into the realm of connected relationships online: Chez Vivian "Oh, what a tangled web we weave" - http://goo.gl/CFnKv & Fenella Olynick: "Staying the Course: Connections, Reciprocity, and the Web" http://goo.gl/H8UKp

So many great points by veteran teachers - one with over 50 years of teaching experience - on what makes a great teacher - not just the quality, but the process of becoming/sustaining excellence in teaching