The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 7, 2012

'" I hate school, but I love learning. " That is what high school student and author of the book One Size Does Not Fit All , Nikhil Goyal, recently posted on his Facebook timeline. What followed were 99 comments. Many from peers deeply invested in and trained by the system to believe you need school to get an education. They represent those who have accepted and/or know nothing else but this new and narrow system that our corporate reformers and politicians have created for us.

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Schooling Learning Innovation Education 105

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 23, 2012

'Editor''s note: This is a living post to which I will continue adding the stories of teacher dropouts as they are brought to my attention. More than 20 years ago John Taylor Gatto wrote a letter announcing his departure from the teaching profession, titled I Quit, I Think. The letter was published in the op-ed pages of the Wall Street Journal where he said he no longer wished to "hurt kids to make a living.

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Government Publication Creativity Flexibility 105

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 18, 2012

'I have the good fortune to be able to call Deven Black a colleague and friend who has never disappointed when it comes to stretching my thinking. Deven helps me become smarter and look at things in new ways. Every time Deven and I communicate, I''m always surprised by some other amazing accomplishment of his that he mentions in passing. As I was writing my Teens Guide to Opting Out of School for Success , Deven mentioned he was one such teen and he agreed to contribute to my guide.

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The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 24, 2012

'Guest post by Ed J. Komperda, III | Originally posted and shared with hundreds on Facebook "What did you do in school today?" "Nothing." Ah….the generic response of children when confronted upon their parents arrival home from work. No need to press the issue. As a 15-year veteran public school teacher, I'll share the 411 from an insider's perspective -- with a well-deserved angle of candidness and transparency for parents and tax payers.

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Schooling Publication Physics Creativity 97

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

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 16, 2012

'Guest pos t by Alexandria Potter Is college easy? I have heard that it is not and I can believe that. So you may be interested to know why I refer to going to college as “the easy way out." Let's start with a Q&A. Question : How many people do we know that go to college and don’t know What they want to major in What they want to do in life What other options are available Answer : I want more ».

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Education Education 92

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 8, 2012

'According to a recent article in Reuters , my former boss John White is disrupting traditional schooling with a model that I like because it puts students first and gives them MANY more choices and flexibility beyond the traditional walls of the school or classroom where so many students are currently trapped today. The model is being implemented in a handful of states and allows students to build a custom curriculum by selecting from hundreds (now, maybe thousands later) of classes offered b

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Geology Flexibility Construction Publication 85

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 2, 2012

'Learning is increasingly online and mobile, anytime and anywhere. It happens by watching a video or reading an article, then sharing it, then discussing it with peers; it happens by searching, and sorting through the results to discern truth from fiction and then form your own beliefs; it happens when you pull out your mobile device to read the news while you’re waiting for your lunch.

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Mobile Learning Learning Technology Schooling 85

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 4, 2012

'Elementary school teachers Pauline Roberts and Rick Joseph know that the best place to make a real-world difference is, well, in the world. So when their students set out to do just that, they let them. Their students wanted to tackle the issue of sustainability and their strategy was to educate and encourage businesses in the community to be a part of the solution.

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Elementary Schooling Energy Accessibility 85

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 1, 2012

'When the second grade students in Courtney Woods class were studying places tourists like to visit, they wondered how they could get more people to visit their small Canadian town of Bathurst. Their teacher knew this was a great idea and discussed with the class the importance of sustainable tourism. The class decided they wanted to help Bathurst become more of a tourist attraction and do so in part by connecting to the larger world so more people would know to come to their great home.

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Primary Elementary Research Research 83

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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

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 9, 2012

'I play volleyball with a public school teacher who is the kind of teacher any parent would want for their children. She is a wonderful role model. She is passionate, dedicated, devoted, and always trying to come up with creative ways for her students to learn. For example she recently invited her students take the Myers Briggs test as an interesting way to think about the career they want for their future and she started a Facebook group to connect her alumnae students with current students to

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Personalized Learning Publication Creativity Math 80

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 30, 2012

'Here are my predictions for the five most popular technology solutions we’ll begin seeing more of in 2013. 1) Lifting the ban Policymakers will stop banning and start embracing the use of cell phones and other student-owned digital devices in school. This will help provide equity and access to students using the tools they use in life and need for success in the world. 2) Customizing learning with digital lectures and learning resources Innovative educators will realize that instruction can be

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Technology Accessibility Innovation Schooling 79

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 12, 2012

'Do you think you need consent to use a student's photo? Innovative educators use digital resources such as social media and other online spaces with students, so it’s important that they know when it is necessary to notify students and families when their information is shared and when consent is needed. “Many parents, teachers, and school personnel are convinced that the release of names, addresses, or phone numbers is “against the law,” a firmly held belief which has circulated so widel

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Publication Innovation Schooling Education 75

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 13, 2012

'I recently shared why Anthony Salcito said he didn’t support 1:1 tech. Some people didn’t read past the headline and responded with reactions like this: @ anthonysalcito As a principal in a 1:1 school, I am concerned about the message you are sending. Would love to talk more. — catherine poling (@catherinepoling) December 2, 2012 @ catherinepoling I am absolutely in favor of 1:1.

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Innovation Education Education Schooling 74

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These easy-to-use design briefs outline student objectives, challenges, and materials needed to complete each 30-minute to 4-hour lesson. ITEEA’s Integrative STEM curriculum, Engineering byDesign, includes many more standards driven hands-on activities just like these!

STEM

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 14, 2012

'My recent attendance at the Global Forum in Prague, made it abundantly clear that technological development, ease of transportation and communication, and more have all led to the creation of today’s interdependent global community. As I moved throughout the forum I could hear hundreds of educators from around the world speaking English with various accents.

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Transportation Innovation Communications Schooling 73

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 20, 2012

'I was recently asked 8 questions about education for The Daily Journalist. Here are the questions: Is there something wrong with the system and education in the U.S.? Are high school students in the U.S. unprepared and surprisingly unaware of the hardness college presents to them, once they decide to get a higher education? Is the transition from high school to college to harsh?

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Education Education Government Publication 72

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 28, 2012

'Diane Ravitch has a gift this holiday season that I hope innovative educators and parents will reject. Here it is: "This article is a Christmas gift from me to you. Leon Wieseltier of The New Republic has written one of the most eloquent explanations of why we need teachers, schools, and universities. At a time when we hear hosannas to online learning, home-schooling, inexperienced teachers, the business model of schooling, for-profit schools, and the commodification of education, this is braci

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Learning Innovation Publication Schooling 72

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 31, 2012

'A well formed quote, like a picture, is a great method for painting detailed concepts. Each year I capture quotes that had meaning to me that year. In 2011 I shared 20 Quotes About Learning That Inspired Me From My PLN In 2010 I shared My Top 10 Quotes for Teaching Generation Text I n 2009 I shared My Top 20 Education Quotes In 2008 I shared these Ten 21st Century Education Quotes I Carry With Me This year, I've collected a hodge podge of quotes that made their way into the "Quotes I

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The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 10, 2012

'Here’s an innovative way to help students learn while managing stress and maintaining focus. Meditation! While most innovative educators know there are better ways to assess students than tests, for many it has become an inescapable reality. As those who meditate know, it can help reduce feelings of stress and live happier and more balanced lives.

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Innovation Technology Education Education 71

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 22, 2012

'Here’s the roundup of what''s been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there''s something that looks of interest to you. If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment. Article Page Views A Real Alternative: Degree AND Credentials Without.

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Innovation Schooling Education Education 68

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 9, 2012

'Editor’s Note: My favorite new blog was nominated for an Edublog Award. I voted for it and am sharing the guest post below with my readers not only for your consideration but also because I think it is a blog to which you and your students might consider subscribing and contributing. Guest post by Zak Malamed , Founder & Student Organizer of Student Voice Educators have transformed my life.

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Education Education 68

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 15, 2012

'Here’s the roundup of what''s been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there''s something that looks of interest to you. If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment. Article Views Why the flip’s a flop ( With new addendum!!!

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Innovation Schooling Education Education 67

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 29, 2012

'Here’s the roundup of what''s been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there''s something that looks of interest to you. If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment. Entry Pageviews School Today.What they don''t tell you.

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Innovation Schooling Education Education 67

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 1, 2012

'Here’s the roundup of what''s been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there''s something that looks of interest to you. If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment. Post Views Microsoft big says stop doing 1:1 technology progr.

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Innovation STEM Technology Teaching 64

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 8, 2012

'Here’s the roundup of what''s been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there''s something that looks of interest to you. If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment. POST Views Microsoft big says stop doing 1:1 technology programs … Nov 29, 2012, 11 comments 2406 Elementary school students leave school to make a.

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Elementary Innovation Schooling Technology 62

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 26, 2012

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The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 6, 2012

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The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 3, 2012

'Teacher showcase | Microsoft PIL photostream Teachers who were finalists from more than 80 countries came together at Microsoft's Partner's in Learning Global Forum to showcase and celebrate the innovative work their students were doing. I was pleasantly surprised to see the results as I met with many of the teachers. This appears to be a great framework for fostering innovation.

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Innovation Education Education Construction 107

The Innovative Educator

DECEMBER 19, 2012

'Guest post by Lisa Cooley - Cross posted at The Minds of Kids The blog of the Institute for Democratic Education in America now features an autobiographical post by John Dubie , a senior at the Big Picture South Burlington school in Vermont. Dubie writes, "When I got to high school, I was a particularly snarky and jaded student. Every teacher I saw was an enemy and every classmate was a douche.

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