Ask a Tech Teacher

AUGUST 13, 2021

My Secret EdTech Diary. by Al Kingsley. 4/5. Al Kingsley’s My Secret EdTech Diary (John Cott Educational 2021) is a big-goaled, meandering overview of edtech (educational technology) available and pertinent to teachers and students. It is almost stream of consciousness told in a friendly, affable voice, where the author starts with a specific topic and then addresses that and many tangential ideas, showing how they are related and interconnect.

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ED Surge

DECEMBER 29, 2021

With President Biden’s signature turning the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill into law, our nation is poised to make historic investments in its highways, public transit, railways, airports, ports, water systems, broadband networks and electric grid. Even in our hyper-polarized political climate, the bill garnered widespread bipartisan support. A key reason?

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Educators Technology

DECEMBER 4, 2021

Top teacher movies is a list I compiled based on ratings from various authority sites such as Amazon Prime Video, Show Times, Ranker, among others (see the list of sources at the bottom of this.read more.

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Cool Cat Teacher

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter. Tiffany Wycoff, the co-author of the bestselling book, Blended Learning in Action , talks about the state of blended learning today. She shares how some teachers are battling blended learning burnout but that it is necessary for learning today and how we move forward. Sponsor: Screencastify.

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Speaker: Andrew Cohen, Founder & CEO of Brainscape

The instructor’s PPT slides are brilliant. You’ve splurged on the expensive interactive courseware. Student engagement is stellar. So… why are half of your students still forgetting everything they learned in just a matter of weeks? It's likely a matter of cognitive science! With so much material to "teach" these days, we often forget to incorporate key proven principles into our curricula — namely active recall, metacognition, spaced repetition, and interleaving practice.

Teaching

Ask a Tech Teacher

MARCH 15, 2021

Getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day? Try these fun websites with activities for different grade levels, different classes: Puzzle–St. Pat’s Puzzle. Puzzle–St. Pat’s drag-and-drop puzzle. Puzzle–St. Pat’s slide puzzle. Puzzles and games. Physical Education St. Patrick’s Day Activities from Elementary PE Teacher.com.

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Elementary Physics Curriculum Professor 493

Ask a Tech Teacher

DECEMBER 11, 2021

This week, I’ll post my updated suggestions for three holiday activities that will get your computers and technology ready for the blitz of teaching that starts after the New Year. Here’s what you’ll get (the links won’t be active until the post goes live ): For regular readers of Ask a Tech Teacher, these are yearly reminders. For new readers, these are like body armor in the tech battle.

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Ask a Tech Teacher

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

Every month, we’ll share five themed posters that you can share on your website (with attribution), post on your walls, or simply be inspired. This month: Problem-solving. –for the entire collection of 65 posters, click here. If this link doesn’t work (we’re redoing the website), visit Ask a Tech Teacher’s Free Posters page or search ‘Posters’ on StructuredLearning.net.

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Problem Solving Curriculum Professor Technology 464

Ask a Tech Teacher

AUGUST 17, 2021

Ask a Tech Teacher contributor, Christian Miraglia, taught for 36 years before retiring. He has some interesting reflections on technology’s place in education: Remember the days of Oregon Trail on the old Apple IIe’s or students drawing pictures with Kid Pix. Much has changed since technology has made inroads into education, and much has not.

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Technology EdTech Curriculum Teaching 460

Ask a Tech Teacher

FEBRUARY 10, 2021

Thank you so much to Norah Colvin for inviting me as a guest on her wonderful education blog, Norah Colvin. Norah covers so many great topics, I’ve been a long-time subscriber, always coming away a little smarter and up-to-date on teaching our youngest learners. A topic dear to me–and one I get lots of questions about–is teaching Kindergartners to Tech.

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Technology Learning Curriculum Teaching 451

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Mathematics, a subject steeped in abstract concepts, often poses challenges to students, especially those in grades 5-10. But imagine a bridge that transformed this intricate maze into an interactive adventure.

Math

Ask a Tech Teacher

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

They Call Me Mom. by Pete Springer. 5/5. x. Pete Springer’s memoir They Call Me Mom (Outskirts Press 2019) about his first years teaching will delight new teachers and have experienced educators nodding along with him. As a teacher, Pete’s early experiences remind me of the joy inherent in teaching: “This job required about as much brainpower as my tree planting experience.”. “This is the story of how I fell in love with teaching and the joys and challenges that this noble prof

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Curriculum Professor Teaching Technology 446

Ask a Tech Teacher

MARCH 5, 2021

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education. Today’s tip: Create Shortkeys for Windows Tools.

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Curriculum Professor Teaching Technology 448

Ask a Tech Teacher

JANUARY 22, 2021

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education. Today’s tip: 10 Most Important Keyboard Keys. Category: Keyboarding.

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Curriculum Professor Teaching Technology 449

Ask a Tech Teacher

OCTOBER 19, 2021

Artificial Intelligence has made its way into our classrooms. Good or bad, only time will tell but some early reports say there are some real positives about using AI-powered program to boost literacy. Here’s an article from Hechinger Report , a national nonprofit newsroom that reports only on education, that’s pretty interesting: Can an AI tutor teach your child to read?

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Ask a Tech Teacher

AUGUST 5, 2021

I’ve collected a series of back-to-school tips that are suited for in-person or remote learning. Pick those that work for you: 8 Tech Tools to Get to Know Your Students for Back to School. 3 Apps to Help Brainstorm Next Year’s Lessons. 11 Back-to-school Activities for the First Month of School. Great Back to School Classroom Activities. Plan a Memorable Back to School Night.

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Schooling Curriculum Professor Technology 427

Ask a Tech Teacher

JULY 26, 2021

At a time when coding careers continue to flourish – despite the Covid19 pandemic and its adverse effect on the world economy – it is not surprising to see kids learning programming at an early age. And the coding language of Python has won what can only be described as a growing following over the years. Not just among grownups but kids too.

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Ask a Tech Teacher

JANUARY 29, 2021

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up on Ask a Tech Teacher in February: Subscriber Special. 100th Day of School Activities. World Read Aloud Day. Free Posters. Why Kindergartners Must Learn Tech. Math Word Problems. Shortkeys. Great Websites for Remote Teaching. Websites to Enhance Social Studies. How Fast Schould Kids Type. Keyboarding Hints.

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Curriculum Professor Math Teaching 422

Ask a Tech Teacher

APRIL 30, 2021

Whiteboards have long been a de rigeur staple in classrooms, occupying pride-of-place at the front of the room. Despite the popularity of hi-tech Smartscreens, the simple whiteboard remains the favored method of sharing information during class time. But one change has revolutionized their use: They can now be projected from your iPad. Before introducing three amazing must-have whiteboard apps, let me note that there are dozens of options , all with varied traits and prices.

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Computer Construction Curriculum Publication 419

Ask a Tech Teacher

AUGUST 9, 2021

Often, students are expected to work independently at school and on their homework. That is a great idea for learning if you provide simple guidelines that allow them to be more effective, less frustrated. Here are tips to help your children get more out of homework time: Helping Your Child with Homework: 5 Tips to Help Kids Get Better Grades. Homework is a key part of the school experience.

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Ask a Tech Teacher

AUGUST 10, 2021

Here are a few of the popular resources teachers are using to reinforce Drivers Ed in High School courses: Crash Test Simulator. Driver Education and Training Videos. Edriving –driving simulations. Operation Lifesaver. Simulated driving (fee). Driving and Texting. It can wait — video showing simulation of driver distracted by texting. Texting etc–Chicken Road YouTube.

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Schooling Curriculum Professor Technology 409

Ask a Tech Teacher

JULY 12, 2021

Ask a Tech Teacher contributor, Christian Miraglia, taught for 36 years before retiring. He has some interesting reflections on the year that was the pandemic: A Year to Remember, A Year to Reflect: Pandemic Instruction. Feeling Overwhelmed. Over the past year teachers have been bombarded by colleagues, administrators, and social media pundits on which platforms can best serve them and their students.

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Equality EdTech Curriculum Accessibility 409

Ask a Tech Teacher

MAY 3, 2021

Teacher Appreciation Week: The First Full Week of May. There’s always been something mystically cerebral about people in technical professions like engineering, science, and mathematics. They talk animatedly about plate tectonics, debate the structure of atoms, even smile at the mention of calculus. The teaching profession has our own version of these nerdy individuals, called technology teachers.

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Calculus Computer Mathematics Curriculum 410

Ask a Tech Teacher

DECEMBER 15, 2021

Teaching the days before big holidays is challenging. Students and teachers alike are ready for a break. Both struggle to pay attention regardless of how innovative and engaging are the lesson plans. I’ve been there often. As a result, I’ve come up with fun ways to support learning while students power through the last few days of school.

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Ask a Tech Teacher

MAY 5, 2021

Here’s a great article on a topic I don’t talk about enough–proper posture at the computer. Written by “Karen Weaver a 3rd grade elementary school teacher and author of the upcoming children’s book “The Magic Pencil”, it covers all the basics. I think you’ll enjoy it: Good Sitting Posture in Front of the Computer Explored.

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Computer Elementary Curriculum Technology 408

Ask a Tech Teacher

JANUARY 27, 2021

Through the Midwest Teachers Institute , I offer four college-credit classes that teach how to blend technology with traditional lesson plans. They include all the ebooks, videos, and other resources required so you don’t spend any more than what is required to register for the class. Once you’re signed up, you prepare weekly material, chat with classmates, respond to class Discussion Boards and quizzes, and participate in a weekly video meeting.

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Ask a Tech Teacher

APRIL 26, 2021

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education. Today’s tip: 16 Spring Cleaning Steps for Computers.

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Computer Problem Solving Curriculum Professor 405

Ask a Tech Teacher

MAY 14, 2021

At the beginning of the 21st century, the definition of digital equity revolved around the provision of a digital device to every student. Usually, that meant desktop computers, iPads, and laptops, either in small groups or 1:1. As digital equity discussions matured and hyperbole became reality, educators found that those loudly-touted digital devices often became paperweights.

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Publication Elementary Accessibility Curriculum 404

Ask a Tech Teacher

JULY 20, 2021

I get a lot of questions from readers about what tech ed resources I use in my classroom so I’m taking a few days this summer to review them with you. Some are from members of the Ask a Tech Teacher crew. Others, from tech teachers who work with the same publisher I do. All of them, I’ve found well-suited to the task of scaling and differentiating tech skills for age groups, scaffolding learning year-to-year, taking into account the perspectives and norms of all stakeholders, with appropriate me

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Robotics Curriculum Professor STEM 399

Ask a Tech Teacher

AUGUST 26, 2021

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up on Ask a Tech Teacher in September: What is Genius Hour and Why Should I Love it? teacher-Authors. Free Posters. Websites to teach Chemistry. 9/11… Mouse Skills Webtools. Tech Tips. Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum , K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum.

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Chemistry Curriculum Professor Teaching 392

Ask a Tech Teacher

AUGUST 23, 2021

Ask a Tech Teacher offers a variety of classes throughout the year. These can be taught individually (through coaching or mentoring), in small groups (of at least five), as school PD, or through select colleges for grad school credit. All are online, hands-on, with an authentic use of tools you’ll want for your classroom. They start at $750 for a group of five or more.

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