When implementing a blended learning model, it is important for schools to be aware of key components and steps to integrate into their plan. In “Five Tips for Getting Blended Learning Right,” hosted by edWeb.net and sponsored by Achieve3000, Julia Freeland Fisher, Director of Education at the Clayton Christensen Institute, gave schools the tips they need to successfully implement blended learning.
“If we don’t have enough time or resources to do everything we’re asked to do, or want to do in the classroom, what should we do?” Kevin Baird, Chairman of the Board at the nonprofit Center for College & Career Readiness, asked. With limited time and resources, teachers often have to prioritize what goes on in their classrooms. In “Yes They Can: The Five Highest Impact Priority Practices for Classrooms,” hosted by edWeb.net and sponsored by The Center for College & Career Readiness, Kevin delved into the top five critical classroom practices.
Rachel Langenhorst, K-12 Technology Integrationist and Instructional Coach in Rock Valley, IA, was interviewed on Education Talk Radio for edWeb.net’s monthly show by Program Host Larry Jacobs along with Lisa Schmucki, edWeb founder. Rachel, Larry, and Lisa talked about the pajama PD day that Rachel’s district held during a recent snow day. The teacher-leadership team in Rock Valley had already planned for a full day of professional development, but had to rethink their plans when the forecast called for a snowstorm.
In 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was implemented, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Due to the rapid transition from NCLB to ESSA, it is important for educators and vendors to be aware of the key differences between the two. Steve Rowley, CEO of Acumen Partners, with Michael Campbell, Vice President of Acumen Partners, presented the latest updates on ESSA in the webinar, “Making Sense of ESSA: What You Need to Know,” co-hosted by edWeb.net and MCH Strategic Data.
With personalization becoming a growing initiative in schools, the library is a valuable asset for personalizing instruction around student needs. Michelle Luhtala, Library Department Chair, New Canaan High School, CT, with guest Jackie Whiting, Librarian at New Canaan High School, CT, presented in the webinar, “Personalizing Instruction Through the Library,” hosted by edWeb.net and sponsored by Mackin Educational Resources. Michelle and Jackie discussed how the library can personalize instruction through assessing, reading, learning, and making.
edWeb.net and Free Spirit Publishing, the leading publisher of learning tools that support children’s social-emotional health, announce the launch of Social-Emotional Learning, Positive Behavior, and Student Achievement, a free professional learning community (PLC) that offers a place for educators to explore practical, effective ways to integrate social-emotional learning, inclusive teaching practice, and higher-level instruction.
Instructional Technology Specialist at Cumberland Academy of Georgia Jennifer Liang knows all about digital citizenship. But teaching the fundamentals of digital citizenship to students with High Functioning Autism is all the more important, especially as they prepare to enter college or the workforce. In “Teaching Students with Autism about Digital Citizenship,” a webinar hosted by edWeb.net and Common Sense Education and sponsored by Symantec, Jennifer discussed her teaching strategies for incorporating digital citizenship at Cumberland Academy of Georgia.
The research shows that diversity in today’s students is greater than ever before. In fact, a conservative 30-40% of students may require an alternate learning path or support during their learning. Personalized learning comes into play with such a high level of learner diversity. Superintendent of the Vista Unified School District, CA, Dr. Devin Vodicka and Chief Innovation Officer at Digital Promise Vic Vuchic made the case for personalized learning in the edWeb.net webinar, “Making Learning Personal for All: The Growing Diversity of Today’s Classroom,” sponsored by Digital Promise.
edWeb.net just completed an analysis of the 2016 webinar viewership stats for 2016. We hosted 260 professional learning webinars in 2016 that were viewed by 165,000 educators – an average of 635 educators per webinar. Thirty eight webinars (15%) were on early learning topics and had 45,000 (27%) of the viewers. Early learning webinars had an average of 1,160 viewers, almost twice the average of all webinars.
For Inclusive Schools Week, which took place from December 5th to 9th, Brookes Publishing, sponsor of the Teaching All Students: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms professional learning community (PLC) on edWeb.net, celebrated with a five-day giveaway. The giveaway began with a survey in which Brookes Publishing asked special ed educators for their opinions on webinar topics for 2017. Participants in the survey were entered into a drawing to receive a tote bag full of inclusive classroom resources. Brookes Publishing announced five lucky winners, one on each day of Inclusive Schools Week.