Why Teach Meets ROCK!
“Teaching without Twitter is like walking around with your eyes closed” (unknown) “It’s time to realise that teachers who leverage social media for learning are at a greater advantage than those who don’t” (@gcouros) “Teaching without Twitter is like playing tennis with a golf club” (@joe_kirby) “I had no one to speak to about this stuff before Twitter. It’s a revelation to find out I’m not alone.
Google Maps 2.0 for iOS launches with support for iPads
Just a week after a revamped Google Maps for Android launched, an update for iOS devices has hit Apple's App Store. Google Maps 2.0, which began rolling out to users worldwide on Tuesday, features support for the iPad's larger touch screen. As with last week's update to the Android version, the new iOS version seems to have a cleaner design with softer colors. Also like the Android version , the iOS update sports enhanced navigational features, live traffic updates and incident reports, and indoor navigation.
Examples of Formative Assessment
When incorporated into classroom practice, the formative assessment process provides information needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are still happening. The process serves as practice for the student and a check for understanding during the learning process. The formative assessment process guides teachers in making decisions about future instruction. Here are a few examples that may be used in the classroom during the formative assessment process to collect evidence of student learning. Observations
So what is #Stickability? by @TeacherToolkit and @Head_StMarys
Stickability is a term used within the notable 5 Minute Lesson Plan. I have decided to write a short post, based on the demand for clarification. Definition: What is ‘stickability’? So, that’s the definition (above quote).
Professional Development: Four Ways to Start Changing the World This Summer
Image credit: iStockphoto Changing the world sounds like a tall order. But in reality, educators play their role to help change the world every single day. The summer is a great time to start planting seeds of change in our personal or professional practice. Here are a few quick ideas to keep in mind over the next few weeks before we gear up to go back to school. 1.
Establishing Classroom Rules
By Phil Nast, retired middle school teacher and freelance writer Found In: Classroom Management Appropriate behavior fosters a positive classroom environment. Engaging students on the first day of school in creating of a set of rules helps ensure their investment. The following professional development resources, articles, and activities offer different approaches to this common start of school task. Professional Development
#GoodinTen – Requires Improvement CPD programme, by @TeacherToolkit #SLTchat
Classroom teachers; aspiring leaders; educational experts and senior teachers come together online – most Sunday evenings – to discuss the following school leadership topics as part of #SLTchat (Sundays 8pm). You can find links to SLTchat (and this discussion) here. What I am about to share, was formulated out of discussions that took place during 2nd June 2013: Improving teaching and learning for teachers with low motivation?How do you improve ‘Requires Improvement’ teachers?
Don't Miss These 25 Digital Media Resources
Here at Mashable, we understand that it's difficult to keep up with the latest in tech news. I mean, after all, Sharknado aired this week (that's a cinematic gem that you just have to make time for). But fear not — we've got you covered. To help ensure that you're still your tech-savvy self, we've rounded up this week's 25 best digital media resources, including customizable Instagram gifts and some adorkable wedding invitations.
Ways to Evaluate Educational Apps
I am conducting a series of workshops in Florida and was asked to share a rubric to help teachers evaluate educational apps as part of the workshop. In 2010 Harry Walker developed a rubric, and I used his rubric (with some modifications by Kathy Schrock) as the basis for mine. (Read Harry Walker's paper Evaluating the Effectiveness of Apps for Mobile Devices.) I kept in mind that some apps are used to practice a discrete skill or present information just one time. Others are creative apps that a learner may use again and again, so it's a challenge to craft a rubric that can be used for a wide span of purposes.
TeachMeet East Lancs As It Happened
Last night saw the first #TMELancs at St Mary’s CHS in Astley. It was a hot one, but we still had a turn out of over 50 people who shared some amazing classroom practice. Firstly, thanks to everyone involved. One word of advice, don’t apply for internal vacancies and organise a teachmeet at the same time!
Science
The State Board of Education has adopted the more rigorous Ohio Revised Science Content Standards as part of Ohio's New Learning Standards for academic learning. The Kindergarten - Grade 12 Ohio's New Learning Standards will be fully in use in Ohio classrooms by 2014-2015, when assessments that align to the standards are in place. ODE encourages districts to start implementing these Ohio New Learning Standards in Science now to better prepare students for 2014-2015 and beyond. Achieve released April 9, 2013, the final version of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). As a lead state in the national initiative, Ohio will review the document to determine what future action should be taken.
4 Great Rubrics to Help you Select Educational Apps
As iPads are increasingly infiltrating our educational systems the question of the pedagogical implications ensuing from the use of these mobile gadgets in the classroom come to the surface. Some do look at them as an added distraction and that learning can be more focused without students having access to them during the class. Traditionalists do advocate this view and are , in fact, against the " over-digitization " of education. To these people I say what John Dewy once said " If we teach today as we thought yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow ".
5 Minute Marking Plan by @TeacherToolkit and @LeadingLearner
Marking is an occupational hazard for all teachers. Whilst the “5 Minute Marking Plan” can’t do your marking for you (sadly) it will help you focus on the job in hand and help ensure you maximise your students’ learning and your own. This planner adds to a growing number of 5 Minute Plans produced by @TeacherToolkit including the “5 Minute Lesson Plan” and the “5 Minute Assembly Plan” which are available on @TeacherToolkit’s website. The thinking that underpins the plan seeks to highlight those elements of marking that have greatest impact on learning, namely:
