Teaching Toward Tomorrow
Jennie Magiera is the digital-learning coordinator for the Academy for Urban School Leadership, a network of 29 Chicago Public Schools. She previously taught math to 4th and 5th graders. As an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Teacher, and Chicago Public School’s 2012 Tech Innovator of the Year, Jennie has been working to redefine education through effective technology use. You can follow her on Twitter at @MsMagiera and at TeachingLikeIt’s2999. This blog is no longer being updated.
Professional Development
Opinion
A Tale of Failure, Passion and Drive (pun intended): Meet Andrew Stillman, the Godfather of EduScripts
For Connected Educators Month, I decided to connect with some educators... through Google Hangouts. I reached out to some folks who I believe are making positive change in the world of teaching and learning and asked them to join me for a quick video chat to learn more about how they got started, what drives them and what the future holds. The first in this series is Andrew Stillman, the godfather of edu-scripts.
Professional Development
Opinion
Live From NZ: Connected Educator Month Has Gone Global!
Connected Educator Month has been going strong in the U.S. for two years already, but as this third year unfolds, we've finally gone global! In this post, I report live from ULEARN14 in Rotorua, New Zealand and share how Kiwi educators are getting connected and innovating in their classrooms.
Professional Development
Opinion
Connected Educator Month Is Coming!
Connected Educator Month (CEM)is just a little over a week away! This October marks the third year of CEM and will bring a treasure trove of virtual activities, live events and resources for educators around the globe. Originally spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Education, CEM strives to get more educators digitally connected to improve their practice. How will you be celebrating Connected Educator Month?
Professional Development
Opinion
Getting Started With Twitter Tuesday!
Twitter Tuesday is a school-wide sharing of ideas and learning. Each week, teachers give their students a prompt and each class responds. The teachers tweet out these responses throughout the day under a shared Twitter handle. Here are a few tips to get started with this idea in your school!
Classroom Technology
Opinion
3 Apps to Refresh Your iPads
Looking for some apps to refresh your iPads? Here are three free apps - two new and a refreshed oldie but goodie - that can help you jump start your school year!
Teaching
Opinion
Curiosity Based Learning to Kick Start Your Year!
You've probably heard the acronyms and versions of the name: PBL, CBL, Project Based Learning, Problem Based Learning, Challenge Based Learning. Folks argue about semantics and the purity of the ideas, but the philosophy I subscribe to is the authenticity piece. In my interpretation, all of these concepts (should) share the idea of genuine curiosity on the the part of the student. While some iterations are projects inspired by the teacher's imagination, truly powerful (fill-in-the-blank)-Based-Learning stem from a question or challenge that the students are actively wish to explore. And as much as we try, teachers can't force or fake real student curiosity.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
The Digital Buzz: Dreaming, App Building, and Explaining Everything With Reshan Richards
In this Digital Buzz Interview, Reshan Richards, creator of Explain Everything, shares the origin story for how Explain Everything came to be (3 years old today!), tips for students and teachers hoping to become app builders and does a live demo of some little known features in Explain Everything. Finally, he ends with some exciting "coming soon" features!
Teaching
Opinion
5 Engaging Digital Icebreakers for Back To School!
As we are preparing to welcome our students back to school, many teachers are dusting off well-worn "ice breakers" for that first day. From "tell us about your summer" to "set some goals for the new year" we all have our go-to toolkit of new year prompts and games. But what about those with some tech to spice up this welcome? Here are 5 back-to-school digital ice breakers to ring in the new year with gusto:
Professional Development
Opinion
How to Create Teacher IEPs: Individual EXPLORATION Plans
Recently I spoke at ISTE and wrote about how we need to take back our PD. One of the things I mentioned that has been getting quite a few follow up questions is the idea of Teacher IEPs, aka Individual EXPLORATION Plans. So here is a quick blog post about the concept, and how to make it your own!
Professional Development
Opinion
PD Is Not a 4-Letter Word: My Ignite From #ISTE14
Recently I gave an Ignite talk at ISTE. Afterward, folks wanted to know where they could review some of the ideas I had mentioned. So... I went through my slides and tried to type out basically what I said for you below! Here it is (approximately), with the slides. (Side Note: I hope to turn this into a longer presentation someday! Because... I love PD!)
Professional Development
Opinion
Announcing the Digital Innovation in Learning Awards!
EdSurge and Digital Promise have partnered to create the "Digital Innovation in Learning Awards" (DILAs if you prefer a fun acronym). This program will honor powerful examples of innovative teachers, administrators, and ed-tech organizations.
Professional Development
Opinion
Summer Conference Survival Guide
It's Summer! Hooray! Time for sun, family, fun and... conferences! Whether you're going to a huge event like ISTE or a smaller district PD, conferences can either be an amazing, inspiring experience or an overwhelming cyclone of information. Below are some tips for making the most of these events so you leave with real ideas that you will actually use.
Professional Development
Opinion
Powering Up on Ed Tech This Summer: The 7 Day Challenge
The summer is a great time for rest and relaxation. But it's also a great time for powering up and preparing for the new school year. So here is a challenge for your summer break... The Seven Day Power Up Challenge. Seven days, seven challenges, an hour each challenge. Doesn't sound so terrible in the long sunny stretch of summer, does it? So jump in and take charge of your learning...
Education
Opinion
Final Day of Teacher Appreciation Week: Educators Who Inspire Educators
Welcome to the final day of our National Teacher Appreciation Week Series: Educators Who Inspire Educators! While this may be the last day of the official week, we hope you will continue to honor and appreciate teachers every day. Since it's the last day, we have a twofer! Two teachers for one post! Woo hoo! From Singapore then back home again to the USA, let's get to know these two inspiring educators...