Issues and Trends

This blog post is about creating home-to-school connections through the use of various social media platforms. I hope my school utilizes the different types of technology discussed in this article so that I have an efficient means through which I can reach my students' families.

List of technology resources that can be applied in the CTE areas.

The term 21st century skills refers to a broad set of knowledge, skills, work habits, and character traits that are believed-by educators, school reformers, college professors, employers, and others-to be critically important to success in today's world, particularly in collegiate programs and contemporary careers and workplaces. Generally speaking, 21st century skills can be applied in all … This website inspired me to plan lessons that encourage creativity, curiosity, imagination, personal expression, and innovation. I want my students to be able to process and use information and have adaptable skills in many different areas!!

Educational Reform. Defining 21st century skills. Debate on worth of skills.

Good class openers. Brain teasers. Entry Ticket.

gives examples of how students can tie a map in to a story. Good for history classes, maybe for showing where different battles took place?

brief explanation for how to create and use dice blocks in class when app-smashing. This would be nice for those kids who want you to just tell them what to do rather than feel like they have too many choices.

interesting article about "problem-based learning" and why it is important for kids to struggle when learning

Sarah I think this article is well written, and a lot of parents need to read this, long with teachers. I am not sure when our society switched over to make everyone a winner. Making everyone a winner is not reality, and as a teacher that is so frustrating. I think about the scientiests who have made dramatic breakthroughs in their careers, and I would love to know how many times they failed? I am sure it was more times than they have found success, but that makes the success that much better! I do agree that this article is going to be benefical for future classrooms. I take it into this: Students might not find the "right book" on the very first try, and that is ok. If they can't read it because it is too challaning, that is ok. They can try again. I think this is an article that both teachers and students need to read because teachers need to let students fail more and students need to know that it is OK to fail! Life is full of failures...but the failure does not define you, how you handle the failure does! As far as the last question, am I aware of any other resources similar, this question does not really apply. The article focuses on the concept of failure and challanging projects and that is ok so that students know how to respond the next time.

great point about "When did everyone become winners?" Students need to struggle sometimes in order to fully understand the assignment, the concept, etc. It drives me crazy when a kid doesn't get something so they just want me to spoonfeed it to them.

This articles from earlier this year explains why ebooks are going to do very well in the classroom according to a study that was condusted

This articles is from Today.com where the pros and cons of ebooks are examined

How to use the social media Facebook, generally perceived as a distraction, as tool for education

Really great step by step information on how to safely use FB in the classroom. Bold statement by the author of the article: We have an obligation as educators to model appropriate online behavior and learn right along our students.

I think this is a great resource for using Facebook safely in the classroom. The article is definitely directed towards teachers. It provides nice step-by-step instructions for locking down the privacy of what you post to maintain that professional relationship with students and their parents.

This article presents both sides of pro's and cons for using ebooks in the classroom (with citations)

Social media can enhance differentiated instruction if the tools are selected with a careful eye on individual students' readiness, interests, and learning profiles. In my classroom, I plan to try out "Kaizena" which is introduced on this website. I will use "Kaizena" to give feedback to my students' writing pieces.

This site is full of innovative ideas and resources to "spice up math class." I personally am excited to try out "Teacher TV" which provides videos of math lessons. I want to watch these lessons to see how other teachers may teach a lesson differently than I would. I may be able to reach more students this way.

This gives 58 different suggestions for marketing ebooks with social media

This will explain about the AASL and their views on ebooks in school libraries

Why e-books are taking off slowly

How e-book usage is changing in school libraries over the next few years

A site with teacher-rated apps for the music classroom. Apps are grouped by function and ranked within functional categories.

A resource for apps that are appropriate for the elementary music classroom. I particularly like the idea of PhotonEDU that allows flash sites to run on ipads.

Compilation of online resources for the elementary general music classroom I can use these as activities in my music classroom.

Compilation of online resources for the elementary general music classroom I can use these as activities in my music classroom.