A Myth About Students Using Technology

by Brad Flickinger

Myth #1: Students will naturally acquire tech skills.

Unfortunately some educators, especially ones with limited tech skills, mistakenly believe that today’s young students will naturally acquire 21st Century Skills. They see young students with their cell phones and iPods and think that there is no reason to teach them such skills, because after all, the students probably know more about this “stuff” than they do. ...[more]

Computer Science in High School is Critical for the 21st Century Student

It is an amazing world isn't it? We have so much technology that exceed our science fiction fantasies. The question is, who is and will be making this stuff? Will it be your students? There has been an exponential boom in the demand for electronics, and unless we are talking about your basic appliances, those electronics require programming. ... [more]

Computer science is marginalized

K–12 schools don’t teach students “the fundamental computer science knowledge and skills they need for future success,” argues Running on Empty: The Failure to Teach K-12 Computer Science in the Digital Age, a report by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). ...[more]

Fads trump effective teaching

Differentiated Instruction — grouping students by abilities, personal interests and “learning styles” — is a time-wasting fad that is backed by no evidence of effectiveness, writes education consultant Mike Schmoker in Ed Week. ...[more]

Why School ‘Reform’ Fails - Student motivation is the problem.

As 56 million children return to the nation’s 133,000 elementary and secondary schools, the promise of “reform” is again in the air.
... [more]

PowerPoint vs manipulatives

There is no one right way to teach a subject, writes cognitive scientist Dan Wilingham on Answer Sheet. ... [more]

Cheating is the norm

All of My Favorite Students Cheat, writes Christopher Doyle, who’s taught for 25 years, in Education Week. ... [more]

Left/right brain theory is bunk

Creativity isn’t a right-brain function. Logic isn’t a left-brain function. Left/right brain theory is bunk, writes cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham ... [more]

STEM Report to the President (Sept 2010)

REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT

PREPARE AND INSPIRE:

K-12 EDUCATION IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE

In the recommendations of the Executive Summary, you'll find this -

The Federal Government should vigorously support the state-led effort to develop common standards in STEM subjects, by providing ... [more]

Can exercise build bigger brains?

Can Exercise Make Kids Smarter? Several recent experiments link aerobic exercise with brain development, reports the New York Times. ... [more]

Does education research measure up?

Is there a crisis of quality in education research? In a forum Sept. 29, a team of education experts will discuss National Education Policy Center‘s new book, Think Tank Research Quality: Lessons for Policy Makers, the Media and the Public. ... [more]

School reform hasn’t lifted achievement

School reform has promised a lot and delivered little except for “intellectual dishonesty and political puffery,” writes Robert J. Samuelson in the Washington Post. ... [more]

Credit recovery’ is a cheat

‘Credit recovery’ — after-school classes for failing students — is raising graduation rates by lowering standards, writes ... [more]

Freakonomics: Paying for grades

Should students get paid to get good grades? [more]

Parallel Patterns: Teacher Attrition in Charter vs. District Schools

Recent research and media reports have raised serious concerns about teacher turnover rates in charter schools. But it isn’t exactly clear why teacher turnover rates... [more]

How Technology Will Destroy Our Future... well, maybe our past

How Technology Will Destroy Our Future...

How do you feel?

How are you?

1 - perfect

2 - good

3 - so so

4 - bad

or View Results

Create your own poll at Flisti.com

A Reason for State Exit Exams?

After finding "disturbing" evidence that some New Jersey teens who didn't possess simple math skills received passing grades in Algebra II and calculus courses, Education Department officials said ... [more]

2010 TED: Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! (17:57)

• evolution vs. REVOLUTION
  
• reform vs. TRANSFORM
  
• linear vs. ORGANIC
  
• getting people to college - some good points
  
• endure vs. ENJOY
  
• diversity of talent and ability
  
• conformity (fast-food model) vs. customized
  
• passion - spirit & energy
  

2010 TED link to full video (another window)
2006 TED link to full video (another window)

Meeting of the Minds on Education

Only 18 percent of Americans give the nation’s schools an A or a B in two new education polls, Education Next -Program on Education Policy and Governance and Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup.

Only 28 percent of teachers give ... [more]

What Happened to Studying?

They come with polished resumes and perfect SAT scores. Their grades are often impeccable. Some elite universities will deny thousands of high school seniors with 4.0 grade point averages in search of an elusive quality that one provost called “intellectual vitality.” The perception is that today’s over-achieving, college-driven kids have it — whatever it is. They’re not just groomed; they’re ready. There’s just one problem.

Once on campus, the students aren’t studying. ... [more]

Schools Fall Behind in Offering Computer Science Efforts Under Way on Many Fronts to Raise Status

Given the ways computer technology—from the iPhone and YouTube to uses in medical research and national security—is changing so many facets of life, you might imagine that schools have been stepping up students' exposure to computer science to help drive the digital revolution.

But recent data suggest otherwise. ... [more]

The Right Way to Access Teachers

Is it as simple as attendance and behavior? ... [more]

Is motivation the job of a teacher?

"To be blunt, a teacher is not responsible for motivating students; a great teacher models self-motivation." ... [more]

Engineering Starts Early

Engineering is catching on in elementary schools, reports the New York Times.

Supporters say that engineering reinforces math and science skills, promotes critical thinking and creativity, and teaches students not to be afraid of taking intellectual risks.

“We still hear ... [more]

Why Cosines?

Why Do We Learn About Cosine Functions? asks Forrest Hinton on The Quick and the Ed. I’ve waited more than 40 years for the answer — which he has not got. Hinton flashes back to his Algebra III classroom in ... [more]

Research about principals

The Kinds Of Knowledge Principals Use

School principals are a contributing factor to school success, so it's important to understand the kinds of knowledge that principals need and how they use that knowledge. A recent issue of the International Journal of Education Policy & Leadership highlights a study of how principals think through challenges. The study analyzes the types of knowledge principals use when problem-solving and suggests how preparation programs might be adjusted to better help principals meet the demands of their work.
* Read this issue

Who's Teaching Our Children

Researchers found a few surprises when they went through the past 20 years of demographic data from the Schools and Staffing Survey. Surprisingly, some of the most dramatic changes in the teaching force have gone largely unnoticed by policymakers and the public. ... [more]

The Ten No Nos of Teaching with a Projector or Interactive Whiteboard by Lisa Nielsen

Permanent link
Cross posted at The Innovative Educator

I spend a lot of time visiting innovative classrooms in New York City. As I do, there is something that I've noticed in many classes I've visited - there are still some educators that don't seem to know the no nos for teaching with a projector or interactive whiteboard (IWB). Perhaps it's ... [more]

I guess you would not have this problem if you do not have a projector and do not have an Interactive White Board (IWB).

Multitasking - not good

A cognitive scientist reports on his findings on multitasking.This generation is NOT unique.

Data shows kids should not multitask -- Willingham
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/guest-bloggers/data-shows-kids-shouldnt-multi.html?referrer=emaillink

The Creator

From: hemispheresmagazine.com | April 30, 2010

On a still, sunny day early this spring, Kamen—the wonky and chatty inventor of the Segway—hops Bond-like from his Enstrom helicopter and strides across the roof of his 1840s textile factory headquarters in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. Read more at hemispheresmagazine.com »

The Key to Changing the Teaching Profession

How are schools helping both new and veteran teachers flourish and grow in their careers? What kinds of incentives spur teachers to improve? What new abilities and expectations does the younger generation of teachers bring to the profession? This issue explores how teachers can use action research to improve learning and teaching, offers tips to assist administrators in gaining buy-in for instructional changes that will improve student learning, and suggests many ways that veteran and novice educators can teach and learn from one another.

The May issue of Educational Leadership features "Who's Teaching Our Children?" (PDF) a look at the changing workforce; "No More Valentines," three ways to change evaluation systems; and "Preparing to Teach Digitally," tips for turning into a techie teacher.

What Teachers Do

Andrew B. Watt's blog is great, but "What Teachers Do" particularly caught my interest.

School Administrators Need to Stop Worrying About Data

In this interview, NJ Principal Eric Sheninger gives tips and advice for administrators and teachers on incorporating social media in the classroom. With his passion for technology and social media, he strives to incorporate these into schools and education. ... [more]

5 Essential Traits of 21st Century School Administrators and Leaders

5 Essential Traits of 21st Century School Administrators and Leaders - Mr. Keenan, a high school English teacher from Airdrie, Alberta, and author of Adventures in Teaching and Learning - a blog for 21^st educators, teaches his high school English students using a class set of iPod touches. He discusses some of the traits 21st century school administrators and educational leaders should encompass.

Authentic

Adaptive

Innovative

Lifelong Learner

Dynamic

Student-Centered

Risk-Taker

Teachers are "Different" (1944)

Sure, being a teacher isn't always the easiest path, and one must deal with a host of stereotypes and assumptions—but at least today's new teachers don't face the same personal regulations as teachers once did. Some former educators ... [more]

Quality of a Principal

Research Says

The quality of a principal affects teachers' satisfaction, parents' perceptions about the school, and the academic performance of the school.

Leaders in Education: Five Essential Characteristics

Power and title does not a leader make. By having the power as ‘supervisor’ or boss does not automatically place you on a pedestal as a leader. Leaders motivate ... [more]

Siemens STEM Resources

Check out the Siemens STEM Academy site, where you'll find a calendar of upcoming webinars, blogs, and other STEM resources.

Principals' Leadership Sets the Tone for Success

Healthy School Communities [article]

Principal leadership matters. In fact, the recent evaluation of the Healthy School Communities (HSC) pilot project showed that the role of the principal was the most critical piece of the puzzle in implementing meaningful school change and school improvement. Other elements were crucial—such as an understanding that health improvement supports school improvement, authentic community collaboration, and the ability to make systemic rather than merely programmatic change—but these pieces more often than not arose via the influence and role the principal took in the implementation of HSC.

Study: U.S. needs better-trained math teachers to compete globally (April 15, 2010)

US Math Teachers Unprepared for the Core Math Standards‏:
“A weak K-12 mathematics curriculum in the U.S., taught by teachers with an inadequate mathematics background, produces high school graduates who are at a disadvantage. When some of these students become future teachers and are not given a strong background in mathematics during teacher preparation, the cycle continues.”
http://news.msu.edu/story/7714/

Student Opportunities and Teacher Opportunities

There are amazing summer opportunities that are cheap, free, and some that even pay the participant a stipend. Check out these links that change often.

STUDENT:

1. Mr. Bujak's delicious links for "StudentOpportunities"
2. Mr. Bujak's diigo links for "StudentOpportunities"
3. Use the "Search this Blog" search box and enter "STUDENT:" without the quotes
4. photos/videos of some student camps, workshops

TEACHERS:

1. Mr. Bujak's delicious links for "TeacherOpportunities"
2. Mr. Bujak's diigo links for "TeacherOpportunities"
3. Use the "Search this Blog" search box and enter "TEACHER:" without the quotes
4. photos/videos of some teacher camps, workshops

-- Mr. Bujak

Ten Big Ideas Of School Leadership | Edutopia

Ten Big Ideas Of School Leadership | Edutopia

Principal Mike McCarthy shares 30 years of wisdom on how to run a school well.

Survey: Educators aren’t discussing STEM careers with students

Survey: Educators aren't discussing STEM careers with students

Google Fusion Tables - Nice!

Google Fusion Tables - great data analysis, display tool from Google. Implications in helping students organize/display/analyze/evaluate data is incredible. You import a CSV file and you can visualize you data in a: map, intensity map, line, bar, pie, scatter, motion, time line. Imported CSV can be multi-line, multi-row, non-numeric, text, images. Also has nice filtering capabilities.

% of Population on FaceBook by State
Fatalities by State

f(t): Soldiers in the War on Innumeracy (innumeracy and place value)

From The Function of Time blog - f(t) - A Math Teacher's Reflections and Guerrilla Professional Development

The f(t): Soldiers in the War on Innumeracy Tuesday, January 5, 2010, blog entry is great! Soldiers of math onward; especially against those who take pride in "not knowing math" or "not ever being good at math." Wait ... place value is hopefully learned by 3rd grade. The difference between varying units of measure is hopefully acquired around 4th grade. The recorded conversation with Verizon representatives is hilarious or maybe depressing.

Virtual Manipulatives screencasts

Virtual Manipulatives (3 parts)

Scribblar virtual whiteboard

Songhai - Bujak

Education Week: Attention, Gates: Here's What Makes a Great Teacher

Education Week: Attention, Gates: Here's What Makes a Great Teacher

"The Class" - Satire on Technology in the Classroom

This video is posted on Professor Michael Wesch's blog.
If you're a fan of The Office, you will definitely appreciate this video. If you're not a fan of The Office, you will still notice that unfortunately too much of this video is an accurate reflection of what goes on in a lot of classrooms today.

Arthur Benjamin's formula for changing math education | Video on TED.com

Arthur Benjamin's formula for changing math education | Video on TED.com