Soft Skills: What Are They & Why Are They Needed In Education?
Soft Skills: What Are They & Why Are They Needed In Education? Hard skills? Soft skills? These are the two key skill sets in education. While hard skills, such as math or science, are measurable and distinct, soft skills are equally crucial but more challenging to track or measure. Soft skills are interpersonal, communication-based skills […]
Hybrid Education
Hybrid Education What is Hybrid Education? Hybrid education, a unique blend of online and in-person learning, offers students the best of both worlds. It provides hands-on learning, fosters social and emotional connections, and allows for a flexible schedule, making it a compelling choice for many. Blended or hybrid learning models are gaining traction in the […]
All About Special Education Advocates
All About Special Education Advocates We often hear the term special education advocate, but what are they, and what do they do? Special education advocates help parents ensure a child’s unique needs are met. They help parents understand available services, interpret test results, and work with schools to plan individualized education programs (IEPs). For a […]
Teachers As Frontline Workers (Part 1): Managing Mental Health + Neurodiversity Needs in Classroom with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler
Agile Video Series Teachers asFrontline Workers Part 1 Managing Mental Health + Neurodiversity Needs in Classroom with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler Watch Now In the first installment of this year’s Teachers As Frontline Workers video series, Sheryl will discuss: How the expanding demands of effectively managing mental health and neurodiversity needs in the classroom are affecting […]
2024-2025 Back to School Guide
2024-2025 Back to School Guide Back to school already?! Yes! School is in session for many classrooms right now. If not, it will be soon. Here is your essential back-to-school guide for the 2024-2025 school year. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, or an Ed-tech business, this guide is a valuable resource that will help […]
Mental Health Considerations for Educators and Students
Mental Health Considerations for Educators and Students There has been a growing concern about mental health in education over the last few years. This is not just a trend, but a pressing issue that demands our attention. We are witnessing teachers leaving the classroom and families seeking alternative schooling for their children. The culprit? Stress. […]
Understanding IEP’S and 504’s
Understanding IEP’S and 504’s Understanding the differences between individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans is crucial for parents and guardians of students with disabilities. These plans, while both designed to support students, work in different ways. They can play an active role in their child’s education by gaining this knowledge. How Are They Different? […]
The Promise of Multicultural Education
The Promise of Multicultural Education First, what is multicultural education? Multicultural education is any form of education or teaching that incorporates the histories, texts, values, beliefs, and perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds. At the classroom level, for example, teachers may modify or incorporate lessons to reflect the cultural diversity of the students in a […]
The Importance of STEM Education
The Importance of STEM Education STEM…STEAM… we’ve all heard these acronyms for years. What do they stand for? And why are they important? The education sector has identified the need to build world-class talent in science and mathematics. From K-12 to Higher Education, lawmakers, universities, and companies are now developing innovative strategies to strengthen Science, […]
Is Summer School Effective?
Is Summer School Effective? Is summer school effective? Yes or no? Summer school is often associated with bored students staring out the window, but it can be a beneficial experience. It can help students compensate for learning losses, improve their grades, take specialized classes, and prepare them for college. However, research shows that summer school […]
The Power of Collaboration in the Classroom
The Power of Collaboration in the Classroom Collaboration is a key term in the professional world. Teachers have collaborated for years. However, the idea of student collaboration is quickly gaining ground. So, what’s ideal when it comes to collaboration in the classroom? Perhaps several children gathered around a table engaged in a high-level task? Or […]
Parent Power
Parent Power When schools closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, parents suddenly became their students’ teachers or at least their learning facilitators. Many looked forward to the day when they could send their kids back to a traditional classroom setting. In contrast, others realized they enjoyed the freedom and autonomy of homeschooling. A new […]
Leaders Leave Too: The Unspoken Crisis of School Leaders Resigning
Leaders Leave Too: The Unspoken Crisis of School Leaders Resigning There’s a lot of talk about teachers leaving the classroom and the education field altogether. Many people are more or less aware that America is experiencing a teacher shortage. Although their personal reasons vary, the current teacher shortage typically falls into three categories: overworked, underpaid, […]
It’s Time To Assess Assessments
It’s Time To Assess Assessments Tests, assessments, and evaluations are hot topics in education right now, and rightfully so because they happen constantly. How much testing is too much testing? That’s a difficult question to answer. However, most educators would agree that students are currently being tested or assessed way too much. With continued state-driven […]
G.A.M.E.S. for the Classoom
G.A.M.E.S. for the Classoom I recently attended a professional development session where the presenter intentionally used the word “play” in the presentation. For years this was an unspoken no-no in our district. Yes, students used educational games but we never said that word because students were learning not playing. There has been a sudden shift […]
Gaming in Classrooms
Gaming in Classrooms As I was writing this piece, I had multiple flashbacks to the 1980s, the decade I first experienced game based learning. To this day, I attribute these gaming experiences as integral to my understanding of my favorite subject – history. However, although the games I was playing were directly related to content, […]
Gaming in Higher Education
Gaming in Higher Education Many have seen game-like exercises in K-12 classrooms, but expectations for those pedagogies typically stop at the gates of higher education. Not anymore. On many campuses across the globe, games are also becoming a learning resource at the college level. Although gaming is typically viewed as a pastime or a fun […]
The Shift Towards Non-Traditional Education Models
The Shift Towards Non-Traditional Education Models ascascascas If I was writing this article in the 20th century, “non-traditional” schooling would reference alternatives to public schools like Montessori education, charter schools, or Expeditionary Learning programs. All three represent both the historical trend to offer variety in the way schooling happen and, through their growth, the normalizing […]
Is Elementary Education Shifting Towards Non-Traditional Education Models?
Is Elementary Education Shifting Towards Non-Traditional Education Models? Last week we celebrated National School Choice Week. This is a week where parents are encouraged to learn about all educational options available for their child. Over the past several years, many parents sought other educational school settings for their children. There are a variety of factors […]
Non-Traditional Students and Their Impact on Higher Education
Non-Traditional Students and Their Impact on Higher Education What is a non-traditional student? A non-traditional student is any college student obtaining their education outside the traditional face-to-face classroom. How many college students, both undergraduate and graduate, have earned a degree or two through an online platform? Probably several. Online learning has now outpaced face-to-face instruction, […]
Is There Room for AI in Elementary School?
Is There Room for AI in Elementary School? Growing up I watched Saturday morning cartoons. Two of my favorite families were the Flintstones and the Jetsons. At the time, I enjoyed the humor and funny antics. Looking back, I marvel at the stark contrast of their time periods. They were both living their best lives […]
AI in the Classroom
AI in the Classroom I was recently asked by a member of my Professional Learning Network (PLN) how my district is addressing artificial intelligence (AI) in our school. Her school system is starting down the road of exploration of AI; specifically, the implications and applications of this game changing technology. As we have started down […]
New Year, New Trends in Higher Education
New Year, New Trends in Higher Education 2024 is here, bringing great ambitions for the new year , along with some baggage from 2023. A new year allows us to review what works and what doesn’t and effectively plan to progress in 2024. The past year was challenging for American colleges and universities. Many institutions […]
Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education
Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education The discussion of AI and its place in Higher Ed is on the table nationwide. Higher education institutions are joining other companies and organizations in several ways to embrace artificial intelligence for educators and students alike. First things first, what is AI? Thanks to media influences, consumers have varying ideas […]