What’s the Buzz: Active Learning

| Posted:
Categories:
What's the Buzz
| Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Sometimes, when thinking about educational buzzwords, we only think about student applications.  As a coach, I realize that I need to apply the same concept when working with adults.  Active Learning is a concept that applies when working with adults as well as with children. As educators, we pick up and use buzzwords all the … read more »


Tech Tool of the Month: Penzu

| Posted:
Categories:
Tech Tool of the Month
| Tags: , , ,
Leave a comment

In the fall I had a chance to get reacquainted with Penzu. It’s a great tool for writing that allows you to create a free online journal. Individual entries can be public or private which allows you to share them in many ways. Using Penzu would be an excellent way to reflect or share your … read more »


Being Re-sourceful, When More Is Not Better, Part One

| Posted:
Categories:
Research
| Tags: , , , 1 Comment

In today’s world of instant information, students often are overwhelmed by the myriad of resources available to support research assignments. When teaching students to use search engines, I emphasize the importance of asking the right questions, finding the best keywords, and, most importantly, using advanced searching techniques to retrieve limited results containing the information they … read more »


TechBytes: Build Google Slides Like a Master With These Four Design Tips

| Posted:
Categories:
TechBytes
| Tags: , ,
Leave a comment

Build Google Slides like a master. Watch this episode of TechBytes for four great design tips. Participants will learn to: maximize the power of the SHIFT key to nudge, select, resize, move, and recolor objects; use design guides to align objects on the slide canvas; insert special characters as part of a text box or … read more »


Teach Bullying Prevention All Year Long

| Posted:
Categories:
Classroom Application
| Tags: , ,
Leave a comment

Last month was National Bullying Prevention Month, but educators know that bullying is an everyday issue. According to the NEA, it is the number one discipline problem in middle schools and a significant problem at all grade levels. So, how do we provide students with the safe and supportive climate for learning they deserve? Here … read more »


What’s the Buzz: Computational Thinking

| Posted:
Categories:
What's the Buzz
| Tags: , , ,
Leave a comment

When ISTE unveiled the refreshed ISTE Standards for Students in June, there were a number significant changes. The addition of “Computational Thinking” was one of them. I’ve overheard some teachers trying to understand the concept and have come to realize that we’re not all as clear on the concept as we should be.  Some have … read more »


Tech Tool of the Month: Animoto

| Posted:
Categories:
Tech Tool of the Month
| Tags: ,
Leave a comment

From time to time I learn about or rediscover a tech tool that is really versatile.  When that happens, members of the TeachersFirst team know that for at least the next month they will find the tool strategically placed in emails, mentioned in conversation, and suggested for inclusion on all types of projects that we … read more »


Getting Started with Research

| Posted:
Categories:
Research
| Tags: , , ,
Leave a comment

Now that most of us are well into the first quarter of the school year, many teachers have assigned students their first significant formal research assignment for the year. English teachers and school librarians love academic research or at least don’t dread it! Most teachers know they should be giving students an opportunity to work … read more »


Take 5: EdTech Temperature Check with Susie Highley

| Posted:
Categories:
Ed Tech Temperature Check
| Tags: , ,
Leave a comment

This month’s ‘EdTech Temperature Check’ in five questions takes us to the Crossroads of America, Indiana. Meet Susie Highley, veteran middle school educator, media specialist, former science teacher, and tireless advocate for education. A co-founder of edCampIndy, co-author of Teaching 2030 and member of the SFL K12 Advisory Council, Susie is always on the lookout … read more »