On the Trails

a. How do you arrange for and track student time on the computers to guarantee equal access?

Teachers in my school have access to multiple wireless computer carts.  Although in the K- 2 world there are still clusters.  In order to ensure equal access, teachers should NOT think of using the computer as an extra – [...]

In June of 2005, I wrote a blog post called “Shouldn’t we Start Teaching Keyboarding as Often as Handwriting“.  I really believe that keyboarding can really improve student learning. Using a word processor to write is completely different writing than using a pen/pencil and paper.  I think we should get kids as early as 5 [...]

Use the summer to plan units/lessons/projects
Stop using workbooks
Put kids in groups (use tables or arrange their desks)
Use more jigsaw activities
Stop thinking that grades are more important than LEARNED concepts
Showcase student work on your classroom web page
Use the ideas from Marzano and Bloom to help design lessons
Encourage your school district to create and PUBLISH a curriculum [...]

I could write a post about how my kids and I watched the space shuttle Endeavor launch yesterday on the web, but that would just be another blog post about it. I believe that writing is different in this day and age. I really believe teachers can create better learning experiences with a [...]

The Universal Design for Learning, a concept developed at CAST (the Center for Applied Special Technology) was designed to provide:

Multiple means of representation, to give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge,
Multiple means of expression, to provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know, [...]

I have been looking for reading strategies to teach to kids for a long time. I have found some at: CAST UDL Book Builder’s web site
These are not my words – they are the words from the web site that I would like to remember.  I give full credit to the inspirational folks at CAST.

Reading [...]

The Monster Exchange Project is an Internet project that has been around for a few years.  I am in the middle of creating a Unit Plan on a PBWiki (so I can add teacher collaborators later). I would like to use this project in the with the district I currently work for and with my [...]

I conducted a workshop this past week for seven teachers who wanted to build an online learning center out of their classroom web site. Here is the result of their work:

K Teacher, Speech/Language Teacher, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, & HS Foreign Language

Prior to us populating their learning centers, I showed them the revised Did You [...]

This post will be completed when I meet with my seven teachers later this morning. I am going to ask them to do three things:

Use my message board to brainstorm teaching with technology concerns
Use my message board to brainstorm solutions to those concerns
Use this blog to create a Gameplan of ideas from teachers – not [...]

On my web site, I have a slogan that says:
Teach People HOW to Learn and not What to Learn
Those words are core to my teaching philosophy and are synonymous with the mission statement and core values of many schools.  Three ideas are central to this statement: self-directed, empowerment, and high expectations. I would like to [...]

I have been thinking of naming the two integration strategies that I use with my undergraduate and graduate students and teachers.  They are:

Project Based Learning – using these tools:

webquests – webquest.org
collaborative projects – e.g. Technospuds Projects, Monster Exchange, Flat Stanley, The National Math Trail

Teaching Every Subject with Technology (TEST) – this means that teachers will [...]

For years I have been a proponent of teachers creating the products they wish their students to make.  This has the following benefits:

Trouble spots can be identified – whenever you create something, there is a clearer picture of what “unintended” adventures might take place.  For example, creating a word document may reveal that kids do [...]

ISTE’s next generation of student technology standards are available on their web site. They address:

creativity and innovation;
communication and collaboration;
research and information fluency;
critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making;
digital citizenship; and
technology operations and concepts

Students must be able to

Create Original Products
Generate Ideas
Develop Processes
Learn Using Simulations and Models
Understand Trends
Make Predictions
Use Collaborative Web Resources like blogs, wikis, forums, message boards
Connect with [...]

I work with teachers for a school district in Buffalo, NY. I also work at Buffalo State College teaching undergraduates and graduates how to effectively use technology. This entry will explain how technology is integrated during a computer lab session at my K – 5 school.
For the past seven years, I have been [...]

Teachers need to differentiate between teaching search and teaching content. 
If a teacher is teaching search, than one must teach about the consequences of what is on the web – which means teaching little Suzy that the web is one of the greatest “places” and can be a scary place.  Kind of like New York [...]

“Find your voice to inspire others to find theirs.”
- Stephen Covey
Technorati Tags: covey,btcactus, inspiration
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The table below is the property of Intel – and the Intel Teach to Learn Academy

Purpose of Assessment
Why It Is Important

Formative Assessment
Gauge student needs
Students bring a wide variety of experiences, abilities, and interests to any new topic. Assessing and understanding students’ background knowledge helps teachers design instruction to address misconceptions, differentiate, and [...]

Good Instructional Design
“Without a focus on the big ideas that have lasting value, students are too easily left with forgettable fragments of knowledge” (Wiggins & McTighe).
“In the assessment-centered classroom environment, formative assessments help both teachers and students monitor progress” (Bransford et al.)
“Learners of all ages are more motivated when they can see the usefulness of [...]

Comprehensive Reform Model for Schools – Notes from class

Comprehensive Reform Model has to be researched based
Part of Dr. Elm’s Research – “Conditions for Literacy Learning” – The Reading Teacher – by Brian Cambourne
Model was brought about because of low standardized test scores – the state told them to do it
Madeline Hunter and Brian Cambourne – [...]

Beginning

Intermediate

Advanced

Working [...]

Dr. David Rose recorded a podcast regarding the book, “Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age, Universal Design for Learning”.

The book is available here – http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/
The podcast with captions is available here – http://snow.utoronto.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=384&Itemid=348

My notes regarding the podcast are below:Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age, Universal Design for LearningBy David Rose
What will education be [...]

The Internet is becoming THE WAY to integrate technology into the classroom. Many of you might have ONLY used a web browser to do research, but there are so many more ways. Try some out:

Word Search

Mapping
The Human Body
Videos
Internet Safety

Now that you have looked at a few ideas, post one educational objective as a comment and [...]

I use a rubric to assess you. I do this because you are able to see what the criteria is for your success. There is not any mysteries here. You are not going to hand in work and never know how you did. You can self-assess prior to you giving me work.
I also provide 3 [...]