Tips for Art Teachers!

Art Teachers can incorporate technology in the classroom too!
Monet it just one example of an app you could use in your classroom. Do some exploring and check it out! 

Phones in the classroom! The way of the future!

We use phones everyday in every situation in life. It is a critical skill for developing connections and effectively communication skills, desires, interests, etc. We use our cell phones everyday at work and it is important for our students to develop those skills as well.
I am a firm believer in cell phones in the classrooms as means to enhance learning.
Check out these examples of teachers incorporating that same idea into their own classrooms! 

Schools Begin to Develop a Fix

See the Details

Recent research has shown that today's student are not prepared for the work world. Some schools are starting to create course work that better prepares students for college and careers. This is being accomplished through different types of media resources, connection to big businesses, and creation of internet profiles to develop "marketable students." While some schools are beginning to recognize these important skills that our students need to learn, many many more need to jump on the train and help prepare their students for success. The unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds has increased to 13.1% because businesses are complaining that there are not enough skilled workers to fill their positions (Tech&Learning, 2013). This problem needs to be fixed! Let's help our young educators succeed. 

Recent Graduates Out in the Real World... Where do I start?

Graduation from college is just the beginning of your learning. But as a new professional in a world of competition, how do you know where to begin? How do you know what passions to follow? LinkedIns Billionaire Founder Reid Hoffman describes the three secrets to highly successful graduates:
1. Competition: For anything desirable there is competition. You need to develop a competitive advantage. The best career is comprised of three things; the best career has you pursuing worthy aspirations (where you might like to go in the future), using your assets (what you have going for you now), while navigating the market realities (what people will actually pay for you).
2. Networks: People control resources, opportunities, and information. Proactively build your network.
3. Risk: Take intelligent risks (actions help you discover where you want to go and how to get there). In college he most successful students rarely fail. In the real world it is okay to fail and learn from those experiences.

Learn more here!

Ideas for Classroom

tools students can use on their own when on a computer or iPad
-lumonosity- brain game
-duolingo- learning new languages
-study island- content practice

STEM

"Embracing technology is critically important, as 21st-century jobs will increasingly require an educated and highly skilled workforce. Over the next 10 years, 5 out of 8 new jobs and 8 out of 10 of the highest paying positions in the United States will be in careers related to science, technology, education, and math (STEM) subjects."  - Mohammad Qayoumi

Technology is so important! Read this great article for more information. 

Flipping your classroom is great.... how about your faculty meetings!

The new teaching strategy of flipping your classroom (lessons completed through an online video and viewed outside of class before class time) is becoming increasingly popular. Many students and teachers enjoy this approach because more learning, discussion, questioning, and exploration can be accomplished during the physical meeting time once every team member comes together. So why don't we do this for faculty meetings as well? Many times faculty meetings can be all day with little time for discussions and questions. The idea of flipping faculty meetings seems pretty great to me! I could prep before the meeting and possibly even complete further research with more questions to make the topic more engaging before the actual meeting. Think about how much more work could get accomplished!

Learn more about the Flipped Faculty Meeting Strategy here! 

2013 is well on its way!

Hello Hello! As the new year is well on it's way everyone begins to talk about their new years resolutions and their new goals. As a current Educator I strongly believe in developing goals and dreams, but never seem to write them down! Here is a new plan to start off the new year with a bang! (This technique would be great to use in a classroom.)

1. Write it down!!! Write down your goals so that they are physical and present in your life.
2. Find a box where you can keep your goals and dreams. Write each goal/dream on it's own piece of paper and put it in that box. Write the date on the bottom.
3. Believe in yourself, stay educated, and make time to achieve your goals!
4. With the proper preparation and mentality you WILL achieve your goals and dreams.
5. Once you have completed one, take it out of the box and write on it the date that it was completed. Post it somewhere in your living space where you can see it (or in a classroom; a wall of goals and dreams achieved). Your wall of dreams will expand which help you gain confidence to achieve more and more.

Last suggestion... while making these goals and dreams do not be afraid to DREAM BIG, but be careful to DREAM SMART. CIO Advisor Jon Castelhano describes a great acrynom that anyone can use when developing their goals and aspirations.

S - Specific (or Significant).
M - Measurable (or Meaningful).
A - Attainable (or Action-Oriented). 
R - Relevant (or Rewarding).
T - Time-bound (or Trackable). 

Do this now while you are thinking about it and good luck with the new year. Happy 2013!

Uh-Oh

As current educators entering the world of new employment... the supply and demand for teachers are a bit frightening. The competition is growing larger every year, every day! New teachers are told you need to do this, and this, and this to even be considered as a new teacher. Talk about stressful! Besides that, if you even want to consider teaching in another state it is important to look at that states requirements because there is rarely reciprocity, so that can sometimes set your plans even further back. There are many things to consider when entering the field of education and all you can do at this point is stay involved, active, and do your best to follow your dreams. Good luck everybody!

Colleges Overproducing Elementary Teachers, Data Find

Critical Thinking

It is critical as a learner to push your thinking out of the box and beyond standard knowledge. One challenge teachers can have is getting students to apply their learned knowledge to real world problems and situations. Well some teacher have done just that. Through the development of social studies content, teachers had students analyze and decipher the truth from fictional aspects of current oscar winning movies. Such a great way to get students involved!
Read the article from The New York Times Here!