Will Richardson once wrote, “I’ve learned more in my four-plus years as a blogger than I have in all my years of formal education.” Surprisingly, he wasn’t referring to blogging as a teaching tool but as a resource for personal and professional growth. For him—and for many others—blogging has become an unparalleled platform for meaningful conversations, deep reflection, and a […]
Social Networking as a Pathway to Professional Development
A 14-Year-Old’s Perspective on Educational Technology: Lessons for the Future
Meet “Arthus,” a 14-year-old student from Vermont who has become a notable voice in online discussions about educational technology. While not representative of most teenagers, Arthus exemplifies the independent, proactive, and self-directed learners we envision thriving in today’s interconnected, tech-driven world. His insights highlight both the potential and challenges of integrating technology into education, offering an important perspective for educators […]
Tech-Savvy Learning Communities: A Moodle Approach
Over the past decade, technology has transformed the way teachers collaborate, plan, and reflect, helping to alleviate the isolation many educators face. In her article “Professional Development Through Learning Communities,” Kathleen Fulton highlights how the same technological tools that create learning communities for students can be applied to foster professional growth for teachers. These learning communities, supported by both human […]
Clipmarks – Skim the Best from Blogs
In an age where information is readily available at our fingertips, you might think we already have enough tools to access the content we need. Tools like RSS feed readers, such as Pageflakes, are widely used, but how often do you actually get the time to sit down and read through all those feeds? If you’re not doing it as […]
Social Networking as Professional Development
Will Richardson once shared, “I’ve learned more in my four-plus years as a blogger than I have in all my years of formal education.” He wasn’t referring to blogging as a classroom tool, but rather as a personal and professional development resource. And he argues that it has been a more effective learning tool than his traditional schooling. But how […]
Change “Music” to “Schools” and…
The music industry has long been at odds with file-sharing networks, fighting to maintain control over how music is distributed. For years, industry leaders turned a blind eye to the fact that those sharing files via platforms like BitTorrent were also among the biggest music buyers. However, it seems the tide may be turning. Edgar Bronfman, head of Warner Music, […]
Social Networking in Education: Transforming the Classroom
The landscape of social networking in education is undergoing a fascinating shift, and the possibilities it brings are far more impactful than many realize. While platforms like MySpace and Facebook have often been associated with recreational use, their early dominance has led to a stigma that has overshadowed the transformative potential these tools can have in educational settings. The Power […]
Socrative: A Simple, Powerful Tool for Formative Feedback
In Episode 32 of Innovative Teaching Moments, we take a closer look at Socrative, the web and mobile app that’s making formative assessment easier, faster, and more engaging for educators and students alike. Spoiler alert: we’re big fans—and not just because it’s free! What is Socrative? Socrative is a user-friendly platform designed to help teachers gather real-time feedback from their […]
Game On: Unlocking the Power of Gaming in Education
Welcome to an exciting exploration of gaming’s transformative role in the classroom! In Season 3, Episode 21 of Innovative Teaching Moments, we dive into how games are redefining learning, blending creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking into educational experiences. Whether you call it “gamification” or just plain “serious fun,” one thing is certain—this trend is changing the way we teach and […]
Closing the Gender Gap: Encouraging Girls to Embrace Technology
For nearly a decade, the computer programming class next door had a glaring absence—girls. In all those years, only one female student ever stepped into that classroom. A deeper look revealed this wasn’t an isolated issue; it reflected a national trend. According to a New York Times article, “Where The Girls Aren’t,” in 2001, over 19,000 boys took the Advanced […]