Personalized learning for struggling readers can be timesaving and easy to execute. Finding patterns and honing in on students’ reading skill deficits will quickly point educators to the appropriate intervention. In “Timesaving Strategies for Selecting Interventions for Struggling Readers,” Cindy Kanuch, Reading Specialist at Calhan Elementary School, presented tips on working to address skill deficits in the most efficient and effective manner, which in some situations can help students improve in as soon as one to two weeks.
A successful school makerspace needs an enthusiastic maker community, school-wide participation, and staff support. Challenge-based learning projects in the makerspace have many benefits for students, and can engage and get them excited about new projects. In “Challenge-Based Learning in the School Library Makerspace,” Diana Rendina, Media Specialist and Writer, Tampa Preparatory School, Tampa, FL, presented tips for design challenges and shared experiences from working in the makerspace during her time at Stewart Middle Magnet School in Tampa, FL.
We are delighted to post this article by Brittany Fowler, a Freed-Hardeman University student in the M.Ed. in Instructional Technology Program: “edWeb.net is your one stop shop for professional development opportunities. I enjoy becoming a part of the various online communities. By doing so, I am able to increase my technology tool box as well as collaborate with fellow teachers.”
edWeb.net, a free professional learning network, has been recognized by the New York State Education Department as an approved sponsor of CTLE for Professional Classroom Teachers, School Leaders, and Level III Teaching Assistants. Teachers in New York State can now use edWeb.net’s free professional learning edWebinars and CE certificates towards their professional development. edWeb is listed as an approved sponsor on the New York State Education Department’s website.
Parents today want more information from their children’s teachers and schools, but they also want that information to be timely, targeted, and personalized to their children or their interest areas. The latest data from Speak Up Research Project gives insights on school to home communications. In “Text, Twitter, Email, Call—What Do Parents Say About School Communications?” Dr. Julie Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Project Tomorrow, shared these insights from parents, educators, and administrators, and discussed takeaways from the research.
Math can be made accessible to all students using lessons that start at a low level and finish at a much higher level. Teachers can provide different kinds of math tasks on a monthly, weekly and daily basis for varied levels of challenges for their students, including those who struggle. In “Low-Entry, High-Exit Math Tasks that Keep Every Student Engaged,” Arjan Khalsa, CEO of Conceptua Math, discussed the kinds of lessons that can be used to challenge and engage all students.
edWeb.net and Digital Promise are working together to help all stakeholders in education—educators, researchers, and product/service providers—move forward faster with new tools and technologies, but also to ensure that there is solid evidence to support these innovations.
edWeb.net would like to give special thanks to teachers around the world on World Teachers’ Day. Teachers are so important in the lives of our students, and we see every day how passionate they are about learning new ways to engage students in learning and prepare them for the future.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 80% of students with learning disabilities have dyslexia. In order to create a learning environment that feels safe, comfortable and empowering for students, schools need to adhere to basic guiding principles. In “Creating a Dyslexia-Friendly School,” Terrie Noland, National Director, Educator Engagement for Learning Ally, presented on early intervention for dyslexic students, using the right AT (assistive technology) tools and accommodations for each learner, and creating environments in which students can thrive.
Apps bring technology, functionality, and creativity into your school library program. Since apps are a part of our everyday lives, especially those of students, they have the power to totally change the way students and teachers think about learning. In “Virtual Library Program Development,” Michelle Luhtala, Library Department Chair, New Canaan High School, CT, reviewed an A to Z list of 50 apps to virtualize your school library program.