What’s hot for innovative educators around the globe

When it comes to education, it seems no matter where in the world you are from, the same innovative practices bring us together. This week at Microsoft’s Partners in Learning Global Forum hundreds of educators from more than 80 countries came together to showcase, learn, discuss and think about innovative teaching, learning, and leading practices. Take a look below to see what was hot around the globe and think about how you might tackle one or some...

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Microsoft big says stop doing 1:1 technology programs

You might be surprised that when Anthony Salcito, VP of education for Microsoft speaks with educators around the world and asks them who’s doing a 1:1 laptop program or 1:1 tablet program or 1:1 interactive whiteboard program, he tells those with their hands up :“Stop doing that.” He explains that he’s seen whole initiatives centered around various devices to the point that many other useful tools and pedagogy are thrown out the window so the device-driven...

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The Plight of the Parent Education Advocate

Guest post by David BernsteinI’m relatively new to the battle for wholesale educational change, but have fast learned that fighting for a different school model while parenting kids who go to fairly traditional schools requires a tortuous mental balancing act. On the one hand, I’m agitating for change to a badly broken education system, and on the other, I’ve  got to make sure that my own alternative-learning-style kids come out of the school system in one piece.I love the movie The Matrix, not because it’s such a fabulous piece...

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From banning to embracing - 5 steps to meet the challenge

By Lisa Nielsen and Willyn Webb | Cross posted at the Teaching Generation Text blogTalk about progress...Just a year ago Teaching Generation Text:  Using Cell Phones to Enhance Learning, hit the market during a time when most schools still viewed cell phones as the enemy. For many they were simply a device that caused discipline issues and were viewed as a distraction and a cheating tool.  Today, pioneering educators and their students...

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The hottest posts that everyone's reading

Here’s the roundup of what's been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there's something that looks of interest to you.  If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment.ArticleViewsWant to succeed in STEM? Listen to the experts!Nov 18, 2012, 1 comment2670If you think a personal learning network is an echo chamber...Nov 20, 2012, 12 comments2434 5 Reasons to “Gamify” Your Class Nov 15, 2012, 7 comments  2420A...

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Technology: Tool of Engagement or Distraction?

Editor’s note: I believe technology can be used as a tool of engagement, empowerment, and creation but there are also educators who believe that technology can get in the way of learning. In this post, guest blogger Rod Baird shares some cautions to consider when using technology. Take a look and if you are so inspired, comment with your thoughts.  Guest Post by Rod Baird At New Canaan High School students are not banned from using tech or blocked...

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Superstorm Sandy Blows innovation through NYC schools

Hurricane Katrina brought rise to charter schools in New Orleans and it looks like Superstorm Sandy is bringing rise to online learning in New York City.  Celine Azoulay, Executive Director of iLearnNYC is thrilled to be able to support New York City’s secondary school children who have been displaced from their homes or reassigned with 21st century learning opportunities. The iZone worked diligently to put a full plan...

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If you think a personal learning network is an echo chamber you’ve missed the point.

High school math teacher Crystal Kirch used her blog to ask for help with her biggest struggle this year:"My students don't know how to learn.  They don't know how to succeed.  And, it doesn't seem like they care to change any of that. "After reading about her struggle, some innovative educators and parents disagreed with her view toward students and took the time to respectfully disagree with Ms. Kirch. Unfortunately, Ms. Kirch censored...

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Want to succeed in STEM? Listen to the experts!

President Obama believes “The quality of  math and science teachers is the most important single factor influencing whether students will succeed or fail in science, technology, engineering and math.” The problem is that our “quality” teachers  and their administrators are not given the freedom to support children in ways that will produce the scientists and innovators our country needs.  This is because we are stuck in an outdated...

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The hottest posts that everyone's reading

Here’s the roundup of what's been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there's something that looks of interest to you.  If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment. 0 0 1 186 1062 NYC Department of Education 8 2 1246 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE ...

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5 Reasons to “Gamify” Your Class

Imagine if students were as motivated to do their schoolwork as they are to beat Halo 4. “Gamification” is a fancy word to describe how to achieve exactly that - bringing game-like engagement to non-game settings - and it’s beginning to pervade all aspects of life, including education. For example, Sam Webster, a 4th grade teacher, gamified her class using a teacher-created project called SuperFunner. “I’ve seen kids who aren’t normally excited become...

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Using Cell Phone Friendly Social Networks for Global Benefits! - Wednesday Morning

Start your Wednesday morning with the Global Education Conference 8:00 a.m. EST, 6:00 a.m. MTHere is the link to the session: https://sas.elluminate.com/d.jnlp?sid=2008350&password=GECPart116Learn how to set the building blocks for success with cell phones. Empower students to connect globally through the integration of social networks. See how twitter, textnovel, and celly support students with global education networks. The authors of Teaching...

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Translate Informal Learning Into PD Credit with Knowit

When it comes to innovative educators it’s not unusual to spend a lot of time on social media—reading, watching, sharing, learning, connecting, and creating. The articles you read, comments you make, and ideas you share on social platforms like Twitter tell a compelling story of your knowledge and interests. However, right now all of that work is undocumented. What if there was a way to turn all this learning into something that could be quantified?The...

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Cell Phones in the Classroom: Distraction or Undervalued Teaching Tool?

While some educators see cell phones and digital devices as distractions and sources of attention deficit, others say these are wonderful, undervalued teaching tools. Do we need to suppress the use of cell phones in classrooms or bring today's teachers up to speed on how to teach with this new tool?Listen as Rae Pica hosts a conversation on BAM Radio’s Educator’s Channel where "Cell Phones in the Classroom" author Liz Kolb and I take on Greg...

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The hottest posts that everyone's reading

Here’s the roundup of what's been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there's something that looks of interest to you.  If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment. Entry Pageviews 4 things to help your students manage their online rep...Oct 29, 2012, 1 comment 2399 Group work doesn't have to suckNov 1, 2012, 4 comments 1993 ...

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5 benefits of learning to play musical instruments

Music lessons offer children many benefits including aiding mental, physical, emotional and social development. Does your child’s school support this?  If not, you may want to share the following benefits of learning to play music.  Boosting Brain Power - Taking lessons to learn to play an instrument significantly improves brain power.  Research from the University of Kansas suggests that learning at a young age will have an impact...

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