In a demanding era, using new tools and sharpening old ones
The Hechinger Report
OCTOBER 6, 2022
A sampling of Hechinger reporting for The New York Times’s Learning section
2022
133 
One of my favourite digital tools – Quizizz
Pedagogy to Share
JULY 26, 2022
Skip to content New Start: Saying Goodbye Pedagogy to Share Writing and learning: Exploring my teacher-educator practice Digital tools , Online Education One of my favourite digital tools – Quizizz July 26, 2022 digital tools online By nikkiaharonian No Comments Related Posts Meet Nearpod: A game-changing tool for student engagement – EARLI 2023 August 21, 2023 Stay on top of online learning: A game April 19, 2023 Giving students a choice: A win-win situation January 6, 2022 Leave a
Join 5,000+
educators
Sign Up for our Newsletter
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Trending Sources
E-Ped in GI
Geography Teacher Sharing
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Geography teacher sharing Friday, September 30, 2022 E-Ped in GI Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest Labels: 2021 new syllabus , e-ped , GI No comments: Post a Comment Newer Post Older Post Home Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Total Pageviews About me This blog is a sharing of the workshops and seminars which I have attended for Geography as well as some of the practices which I have adopted.
Top Posts of 2022
A Principal's Reflections
DECEMBER 18, 2022
With each passing year, I am always amazed that I continue to blog with consistency. It has become much more challenging, which is why I made the decision to move to a bi-monthly writing schedule. In a recent post , I shared my rationale. Basically, I am running out of unique topics and angles to explore so I don’t want to run the risk of becoming redundant.
18 Inconvenient Truths About Assessment Of Learning
TeachThought
NOVEMBER 26, 2022
It's an extraordinary amount of work to design precise and personalized assessments that illuminate pathways forward for individual students. The post 18 Inconvenient Truths About Assessment Of Learning appeared first on TeachThought.
The Best-Led Schools Put Communication First
My AP Life
DECEMBER 14, 2022
Creating a dynamic communication model so that information flows effectively among the leadership team, faculty and staff, and parents and stakeholders helps nurture a culture and climate of shared leadership where all voices are heard and appreciated, writes AP DeAnna Miller. The post The Best-Led Schools Put Communication First first appeared on MiddleWeb.
Playlists vs. Choice Boards: What is the difference?
Catlin Tucker
FEBRUARY 3, 2022
This week, I received a comment to my blog asking: What do you feel is the biggest difference between playlists and choice boards? Would you say a playlist is more data-driven and a choice board gives more variety in learning modalities? These are great questions! I have heard teachers use these terms interchangeably, yet there is a distinct difference between these the playlist model and choice boards.
Sign up to get articles personalized to your interests!
Social Studies Network brings together the best content for social studies educators from the widest variety of thought leaders.
More Trending
Guest Post: The Papert Test: A Filter for Picking Powerful Edtech
Digital Promise
MAY 31, 2022
The post Guest Post: The Papert Test: A Filter for Picking Powerful Edtech appeared first on Digital Promise.
The 4 Shifts Protocol in Kentucky
Dangerously Irrelevant
NOVEMBER 8, 2022
The Commonwealth of Kentucky has leaned hard into the 4 Shifts Protocol to support its schools’ technology integration and instructional redesign work. Over 650(!) Digital Learning Coaches (DLCs) across the state have received a copy of Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning and are working with their local educators to use the protocol to redesign lessons and units for deeper learning, greater student agency, more authentic work, and rich technology infusion.
MIT Professors Propose a New Kind of University for Post-COVID Era
ED Surge
SEPTEMBER 29, 2022
College in the U.S. mainly comes in a few fixed shapes and sizes: the research university, the liberal arts college, the community college, the technical college. And except for relatively new options by for-profit upstarts, the options haven’t changed much in decades, despite the rise of the internet and a knowledge economy. Oh, and there’s the COVID pandemic, which jolted all professors into using more online tools, and has brought further changes to the job market.
PROOF POINTS: Third graders struggling the most to recover in reading after the pandemic
The Hechinger Report
DECEMBER 12, 2022
As the coronavirus pandemic ravaged communities and shuttered schools, many educators and parents worried about kindergarteners who were learning online. That concern now appears well-founded as we’re starting to see evidence that remote school and socially distanced instruction were profoundly detrimental to their reading development. This story also appeared in Mind/Shift.
What Example Do You Set?
A Principal's Reflections
NOVEMBER 27, 2022
While there are some exceptions, most people do not like to be told what to do, especially when it comes to change. Not only does this often lead to resentment, but it can also inhibit people from doing their best work. I am sure many of us can recount numerous instances during our careers when directives have been leveled down by a leader(s). We end up following through with them in many cases because we are subordinate instead of empowered.
Humble Leadership
A Principal's Reflections
OCTOBER 2, 2022
Suppose you were to research or Google the qualities of effective leaders. In that case, all you would come up with are the typical characteristics such as good communication, ability to make difficult decisions, having a vision, models, and listening intently, to name a few. What doesn’t show up in routine searches is humility. There is a strong link between this trait and effective leadership.
Rethinking Normal
A Principal's Reflections
SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
It always amazes me that we possess such vivid memories of some experiences yet tend to forget others. As the years' pass, I am always trying to retain as many as possible from my childhood. One that sticks out goes way back to my pre-school years. Now I can’t remember if my twin brother and I were actually in a year-long program or just a set number of days where high school students worked with us.
Identifying the Best Supports for Personalization
A Principal's Reflections
AUGUST 7, 2022
We know for a fact that everyone learns differently. While a one-size-fits-all approach served its purpose for some of us, it doesn’t meet the diverse needs of kids today. It also doesn’t provide teachers and administrators with valuable insight on how to best support learners no matter where they are in relation to standards and critical competencies.
Leading Difficult Personalities
A Principal's Reflections
JUNE 19, 2022
While there are many challenging aspects when it comes to leadership, one that typically rises to the top is dealing with difficult personalities. As the saying goes, it’s typically the 1% that gives you 99% of the problems. Some people might take offense to the previous statement. Still, if you read it carefully, it sends a powerful message that most people possess a personality that is open to aspects we hold dear, such as collaboration, communication, innovation, and other elements essential
The Siri and Alexa Test
A Principal's Reflections
SEPTEMBER 4, 2022
I absolutely love being at home. Having an intense travel schedule makes you cherish the little things that help alleviate stress and relax. One of my favorite pastimes is taking advantage of being outside any chance I get. Moving to Texas seven years ago meant the weather would stay warmer longer, making this more realistic. There is almost always music, whether in the pool, doing yard work, or hanging out with family and friends.
Moving Beyond SAMR with the Rigor Relevance Framework
A Principal's Reflections
JUNE 5, 2022
While there are many different frameworks to choose from when it comes to the effective integration of technology, SAMR is typically the one that most people and schools leverage. At face value, it is relatively straightforward while conveying how the use of technology can move from enhancement to transformation. The SAMR Model has provided us with a good lens to observe firsthand the need for proper planning prior to investing large amounts of money on technology.
Transitioning to a Transformational Mindset
A Principal's Reflections
JULY 10, 2022
The concept of how one’s mindset plays a crucial role in growth and change is nothing new. However, there are different ways to look beyond just fixed vs. growth. I shared the following in Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms : A mindset is an attitude, disposition, or mood with which a person approaches a situation. In short, it’s a belief that determines the decisions we make, actions that are undertaken, and how situations are handled.
Strategies to Empower Reluctant Staff
A Principal's Reflections
OCTOBER 30, 2022
As a leader, have you ever been so excited about a new initiative or innovative idea only to learn that some of your staff weren’t as equally thrilled? Early in my career, this was more the norm than the exception. I vividly remember getting excited about improving parent communication with, at the time, a state-of-the-art app. Since I saw the inherent value that it would have in the hands of my teachers to get information out readily while building relationships in the process, I couldn’t wait
Developing Resilience in Learners
A Principal's Reflections
NOVEMBER 20, 2022
The pandemic leveled down an array of lessons that should pave the way for future success. One that sticks out to me as the most critical is how resilience got us through one of the most disruptive events we have ever experienced. Adversity, like never before, compelled us to not only change but also to persevere in the face of countless unknowns. While the path was fraught with obstacles, we learned to overcome them together through innovative means.
The Everlasting Influence of a Great Teacher
A Principal's Reflections
JUNE 26, 2022
Over the years, I have made the point of highlighting some of the many teachers who not only had a positive impact on me as a student but also have a tremendous amount of influence on me today. In Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms , the stories of Mrs. Williams (kindergarten), Mr. South (middle school science), and Dr. Hynoski (high school science) were shared.
Shifting Our Practice
A Principal's Reflections
APRIL 10, 2022
In my previous post , I dove into the concept of shifting our focus from “what” to “who” in order to set the stage for personalization. The premise is as simple as it is powerful, with the goal being to provide all learners with what they need, when and where they need it, to become life ready. While having a focus and knowledge of pertinent strategies is a good start, there needs to be an emphasis on changing practice.
3 Strategies for Impactful Communication
A Principal's Reflections
JULY 3, 2022
“T he single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” - George Bernard Shaw It is hard to deny how important communication is for any leader, no matter their profession. In many cases, it will make or break their success. All too often, we have seen headlines where leaders have come under fire for hiccups or missteps in their area, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Get Students into the Learning Pit
A Principal's Reflections
JULY 24, 2022
In life, I would wager that the majority of us prefer the path of least resistance. After all, this is human nature. While we avoid challenges for many reasons, our mindset often keeps us from pushing ourselves if we are comfortable where we are at or we see a more straightforward path forward. Through an inherent fear of failure, mental blocks materialize to keep us in a safe place – free from dealing with potential adversity.
Leading With a Swiss Army Knife Approach
A Principal's Reflections
FEBRUARY 20, 2022
How would one define great leadership? What are the characteristics of influential leaders? Each of these questions leads to various responses. I am sure that each of you reading this post can develop a quick list of critical characteristics or behaviors that one must utilize to help move people to where they need to be to improve culture and performance.
Leading Through Windows and Mirrors
A Principal's Reflections
AUGUST 28, 2022
There is no shortage of ways to reflect on how we lead in an effort to initiate and sustain change. Culture is everything. Establishing and maintaining relationships is paramount, which Is why I detailed research-based ways to improve morale in a previous post and in Digital Leadership. Another way to help ensure success in this area is to hold ourselves accountable through a self-efficacy lens.
Core Elements of Personalization
A Principal's Reflections
OCTOBER 9, 2022
Many concepts are looked upon negatively as they are associated with buzzwords, fads, or a lack of substance. You won’t get much of an argument from me as to the validity of this view because it is true in many cases. Educators want proven strategies that can be implemented readily that will address diverse learner needs while leading to an improvement in outcomes.
Embracing an Evolved Thought Process
A Principal's Reflections
MAY 15, 2022
It is quite hard to keep up with all the exponential changes we are experiencing. Take technology for example. We get used to a device or app and before we know it there has been a huge update that alters the experience or it’s gone and replaced by something else. I think we can all agree that disruptive change is not the standard in society, but the question becomes how is this impacting education?
Supporting and Rewarding Teachers with Time
A Principal's Reflections
JANUARY 23, 2022
If it’s true that life is a test, then the COVID-19 pandemic represents the most challenging one education and everyone in the field has ever faced. The impacts are far and wide. Not a single person is unaffected, and everyone needs help in some form or another. However, one group, in particular, stands out as they are on the front lines every day working with kids – our teachers.
Efficacy-Based Practices
A Principal's Reflections
MAY 1, 2022
The pursuit of improvement is a never-ending journey. With all the disruption we have and will continue to see, changes to how we educate kids must be considered. We often see a great deal of investment in an array of ideas, strategies, and solutions with the goal of improving learning for all kids. I am all for anything that can benefit all students.
Your Ticket to More Effective Lessons
A Principal's Reflections
OCTOBER 16, 2022
During my training to become a teacher, I was immersed in the work of Madeline Hunter when it came to lesson plan design. Her Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model helped me identify the strategies I would use on a daily basis to help my students learn. These included the anticipatory set (hook), reviewing prior learning, checking for understanding, forms of practice, and closure.
Disrupting Your Practice
A Principal's Reflections
APRIL 24, 2022
Last week I shared the news that Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms: Preparing Learners for Their Future was published a year ago. While I am proud of all the books that I have been honored to write, this one was a bit more special. For starters, it represented my first major publication that veered away from a leadership focus. Since a great deal of my time as of late has been in the role of a coach, I wanted to share insight that has been gleaned through visits to numerous schools and count
The Role of a Leader in Building Capacity
A Principal's Reflections
FEBRUARY 27, 2022
When it comes to leadership, there is no one right way or quick fix. Just like with learning, it's a process, not an event. Another given is that no matter where your practice lies, or that of your staff, there are always areas to improve. Herein is why I stated the following in Disruptive Thinking : Chase growth, not perfection. While honesty and vulnerability are necessities to get the ball rolling, action must follow to advance practice.
Taking Learners Deeper with Reflection
A Principal's Reflections
SEPTEMBER 25, 2022
“ We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” – John Dewey The quote above from Dewey has always resonated with me, especially when I am outside doing yardwork in Texas. In the past, I used to often get stung by bees and wasps. There is a difference between the two species and how they sting. Some of them actually bite.
Model What You Expect
A Principal's Reflections
JANUARY 30, 2022
One of the most powerful teaching and leadership strategies is the act of modeling. It goes beyond just telling people what to do by instead showing them how to do it as a means to either support learning or change. In the classroom, modeling aids in making concepts clear where students learn by observing. I shared the following in Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms : Modeling is a pedagogical strategy whereby the teacher or student(s) demonstrates how to complete tasks and activities related
Tips for an Abrupt Shift to Remote or Hybrid Learning
A Principal's Reflections
JANUARY 9, 2022
The other day I was with one of my partner districts as part of ongoing longitudinal work that will last at least two years. As I was facilitating a model lesson near the end of the school day with a group of teachers and administrators, a staff member came by the room to inform everyone that the district would be going remote the rest of the week. An email was also sent informing all educators to plan for an asynchronous day of learning on Thursday and synchronous on Friday.
Let's personalize your content