Harnessing the Power of AI Tools for Teachers
By: Teacher.org Staff | Apr 11, 2024
For most teachers, the initial reaction to artificial intelligence was horror. After all, if AI was able to write assignments in an instant, or pass standardized exams, the possibilities for students cheating skyrocketed.
But on reflection, AI has more to offer to teachers and students through legitimate educational uses than illicit ones.
The key challenge for teachers today is to identify those uses and ...
11 Total Participation Techniques That Involve Movement
By: Amy Konen | Nov 8, 2017
“Simple biology supports the obvious link between movement and learning” (Jensen, 2005).
Jensen explains that oxygen is necessary for brain function, more blood flow equals more oxygen and physical activity increases blood flow (2005). Other outcomes of increased movement are: more cortical mass, greater number of connections among neurons, and gene ...
The Benefits Of Learning a New Language and Being Bilingual
By: Kylie Hall | Oct 30, 2017
If you’re like most people, your experience with learning a second language came in high school. You took French or Spanish because it was required of you. You learned a few random phrases like, “Where is the library?” and, “I don’t speak French.”
Once you were done with the class, you ...
Establishing a Culture for Learning (Danielson Domain 2B)
By: Jon Konen | Oct 30, 2017
Establishing a culture for learning is Domain 2, Component B in the 2013 edition of Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching: it measures whether students, not just the teacher, treat learning as the point of the classroom. An exemplary classroom shows shared high expectations, student-led revision of weak work, precise academic ...
50 Amazing Field Trip Spots in the U.S.
By: Kylie Hall | Oct 26, 2017
Field Trips. They are children’s favorite part of elementary school and probably high school too. But field trips don’t have to just be about getting a day off from class. Savvy teachers who understand their students need something that will hold their attention understand there are plenty of events and ...
6 Questions to Tackle in Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
By: Jon Konen | Oct 24, 2017
Have you seen the magic between the best teachers and the most difficult students? It seems these teachers know how to connect and correct behavior through positive and meaningful conversations. As an administrator, you want to video these interactions and hit “play” for others to see the subtleness, yet effective ...
5 Questions That Help Build Our Reflective Capacity
By: Amy Konen | Oct 23, 2017
Two nights before kicking off the 2017-18 school year, I am overwhelmed at the daily schedules, curriculums, management plans, procedures, passion projects, spelling programs, grading, testing, homework, positive incentives, etc. While these are the “things” of teaching that take up so much time to prep and organize, it is the ...
11 Ways to Make Every Student an Engaged Learner
By: Amy Konen | Oct 23, 2017
When I went back into the classroom, I found myself having an easier time with behaviors, creating my learning environment, and keeping myself and my students organized. As a first year teacher 24 years ago, these were the areas that kept me up at nights and became objects of my ...
Individual Education Plan Goals: The Heart of It All
By: Mary McLaughlin | Oct 20, 2017
A few weekends ago, my beloved and I decided to take a road trip west of our humble little east Arkansas town. We were both worn out from a long span of various and sundry things—broken fences needing mended, dogs needing trips to the vet, setting up a classroom, meeting ...
Parent Participation in IEP Meetings: What IDEA Requires
By: Mary McLaughlin | Oct 18, 2017
IDEA includes one or both parents as required members of the IEP team, and 34 CFR §300.322 places responsibility on the public agency to take steps to ensure parents are present or have an opportunity to participate. That means adequate notice, a mutually agreed-on time and place, and conference calls ...
8 Questions to Tackle in Designing Student Assessments
By: Jon Konen | Oct 10, 2017
One of the most controversial educational topics in the past two decades… a four-letter word… is “TEST!” If you ask an educator, they may have more four-letter words to accompany it! Many of us do not shirk our responsibilities to assess our students….we know it needs to be done. What ...