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"Inclusive education is not rocket science… I think there are two basic assumptions that you need in order support inclusion (in any context) All human beings are created equal (you know the American way) and deserve to be treated as such. All human beings have a desire to belong in a community and live, thrive and have a sense of purpose. Most people don't have a problem with number one (for goodness sake…I hope you don't). But when we think about people with disabilities (or people who are labeled as such)… phrases like "I'm not sure what they are getting out of this," or "do they even understand," are far too prevalent. The important takeaway…when you assume people want to belong. Then it is our duty as educators, parents, and advocates to figure out how we can make that happen."

"Those are all key components of what the National Council of Teachers of English feels a "literate person" should be able to do right now. You can see all six parts of the definition here. Go look. Each of the six requires a real understanding of the changes and opportunities that online social learning networks and communities are bringing about. But after a combined 12 years of formal schooling, my 13 and 11 year olds are no where near to being on the road to "literate" in those contexts."

"The learners in my class of 2017 are geniuses. For over a year now, these students have had a chance to shape the agenda of their learning, at least part of the time. Because of genius hour, my students are learning to care again about learning. They choose what they will learn based on what they wonder about, what they are good at, and what they are passionate about."

Most of us are in groups all the time. But are these groups learning groups? When does a group become a learning group? Can a group construct its own way of learning? Can documenting children's learning lead to new ways of learning? These are some of the questions addressed in the research project, Making Learning Visible (MLV). MLV draws attention to the power of the group as a learning environment and documentation as a way to see and shape how and what children are learning. MLV is based on collaborative research conducted by Project Zero researchers with teachers from the Municipal Preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and preschool through high school teachers and teacher educators in Massachusetts.

As full implementation of Common Core State Standards nears, educators are searching for answers to three questions: 1) What are the CC State Standards? 2) How will they change what I do? and 3) Why are they here? Some of the details are frustratingly elusive as various groups -- publishers, school districts, states, and universities -- jockey for positions in the first post-NCLB initiative. Here's

"Flipped School Model of Instruction Our students receive their teacher's lectures at home and do their homework in class. Our students work side-by-side with our expert staff. One-on-one time with students is up four times over years past, test scores are up and our students are more engaged. We are "flipped out" over our fabulous results and are extremely committed to ensure that all of our students and their families get the very best we have to offer"

"What do hammers have to do with iPads?  iPads are exactly like hammers, they are simply a tool.  While the screen may shine and the intuitive nature of the device impress even the most cynical user, they are little more than tools in the classroom. "

"As I think that leaders should be able to describe what they are looking for in schools I have thought of eight things that I really want to see in today's classroom. I really believe that classrooms need to be learner focused. This is not simply that students are creating but that they are also having opportunities to follow their interests and explore passions. The teacher should embody learning as well."

"Our mission in Studio 113 is to utilize students' individual gifts and talents in conjunction with the AP Language, American Literature, and World Literature curriculums. Through a diversity of teaching structures and variety of authentic assessments, students are encouraged to explore their own creativity and imaginations while demonstrating mastery of the Georgia Performance Standards.  Project assignments include movies, original music and music videos, Whose Line Is It Anyway? skits, soundtracks, commercials, pamphlets, catalogs, short stories, poetry anthologies and much more.  We also accept students' appropriate project proposals, as long as the standards are thoroughly addressed.  Instead of a traditional, sedentary classroom structure, students in Studio 113 are guided towards self-awareness and recognition of worldly realities under the umbrella of learning structures that utilize and tap into multiple intelligences.  Ultimately, we as educators seek to foster an environment that promotes freedom of thoughts and expression"

"As many schools and districts are now rushing to buy every student a digital device, I'm concerned that most one-to-one implementation strategies are based on the new tool as the focus of the program. Unless we break out of this limited vision that one-to-one computing is about the device, we are doomed to waste our resources."

QR codes, also known as Quick Response codes, are starting to pop up everywhere, and now they are finding their way into classrooms.  Here are some QR code resources and links.

"Check out the eBooks my students created using iBooks Author and published in Apple's iBookstore. We are so excited about these eBooks. All books are only available on the iPad for now. We truly believe that students will learn more when they realize that people from the global community value their work. As of today, we have had a combined total of 7500 books downloaded in 40+ different countries! Please support our efforts by downloading today and by spreading the news to your friends! We are trying to reach 10,000 downloads total!"

"As many schools and districts are now rushing to buy every student a digital device, I'm concerned that most one-to-one implementation strategies are based on the new tool as the focus of the program. Unless we break out of this limited vision that one-to-one computing is about the device, we are doomed to waste our resources."

"Mobile devices such iPads, iPods and iPhones have taken the world by storm and are increasingly used in teaching and learning, and/or in therapy, to support learners with additional support needs, as well as for personal use. We are aware that people are all at different levels of experience in their use of iPads. We hope this Guide will provide you with helpful information and resources to help you on your way. "

Mobile devices such iPads, iPods and iPhones have taken the world by storm and are increasingly used in teaching and learning, and/or in therapy, to support learners with additional support needs, as well as for personal use. We are aware that people are all at different levels of experience in their use of iPads. We hope this Guide will provide you with helpful information and resources to help you on your way.

Interesting how this relates to the 5 step process and formative assessment! "What is Flow? Csikszentmihalyi has identified three conditions necessary to achieve a state of flow: The goals are clear (i.e. design an experiment which demonstrates xyz, write a persuasive essay, paint the ceiling of the chapel) The goals are attainable and within one's skillset and ability; and the challenge level and skill level are both high You get clear and immediate feedback so you can adjust your course"

In fact, research shows that the most effective schools are more alike than they are different. In fact, there are fundamental characteristics so common among successful schools that they have come to be known as the Correlates of Effective Schools. The Correlates have served as the foundation for the transformation of many struggling schools. Dr. Larry Lezotte, one of the original researchers who identified the Correlates, has spent more than 30 years bringing his message of hope and help t

" the methods experts are using to ease the act of reading are remarkably simple and concrete. With changes in the spacing, the size, and the appearance of text, studies are showing, children with dyslexia can read more quickly and accurately, allowing them to get the reading practice they need to improve."

"In one survey of college students, 38% said they couldn't even go 10 minutes without switching on some sort of electronic device. But how students are using their devices, how technology is affecting their educational experience, and what effect it has on their well-being are questions that are harder to answer. In the infographic below, online higher education database Onlineeducation.net has summed up some of the existing research on these points."

"In a society where people publicise their status on a plethora of social media sites, US comedian Jack Vale startled individuals who had posted publically on Instagram and Twitter, sharing what he knew about them from their updates. The results of the 'prank' are clear to see, in that people are uncomfortable with others knowing about their life, and the reactions when faced with this in reality are interesting, and certainly worthy of exploration with students, who may not be aware that their information is accessible so easily on social networks."