Online Classroom Adapting Mobile Generation

Education is a crucial component to success in the modern world. With the ever-progressing forms of communication and technology, we have seen an explosion of online tools and options that have become available to the mobile and tech savvy generation of today.

Enhanced Models and Simulations

Image via Flickr by possbeth

In the past, teachers used tools from the environment to demonstrate concepts that were difficult for students to fully comprehend. A tuning fork, for example, illustrated how vibrations create sound.

Today, teachers have more refined resources they can appeal to in order to demonstrate concepts that are extremely difficult to understand. For example, digital simulations are used to model complex systems: weather patterns, chemical bonding, Fluid mechanics, and other complicated concepts — particularly those which unfold over time or through a convoluted series of reactions.

Similar tools are now used in helping develop new technologies in science, engineering, and mathematics.

Virtual Manipulatives

Manipulatives allow students to move objects around in various combinations that represent complicated mathematical concepts. Virtual manipulatives now allow for a greater range of object lessons. Teachers can let students create a series of graphs changing individual factors from one to the next with a visual demonstration that illustrates how the two interact. Students can now visit sites where they can experiment with the idea of numbers and what they mean by changing the values and viewing what happens to virtual models in the process.

Global Opportunities

Learning foreign language and culture is a much more immediate experience as students can actually set up language lessons with native speakers from the country where the language is spoken. They can access resources from colleges and libraries in other countries, and speak directly using videoconferencing tools. They can directly discuss topics which are of interest to both parties, share insights to language and cultures, and even visually illustrate surroundings and cultural identifiers.

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Tips For Facilitating Online Discussion

Tips For Facilitating Online Discussion

By Katie Lepi

Facilitating discussions between students is one of those things that is infinitely easier when you’re teaching in a physical classroom rather than online. When the students are all in one room, discussions happen more naturally. Facilitating the same type of productive, useful discussion when teaching online is more of a challenge.

The handy infographic below from Mia MacMeekin takes a look at some tips and best practices for facilitating discussions when you’re teaching online.  If you teach online and have any favorite tips and tricks, leave us a message in the comments!

15 Tips For Facilitating Online Discussion

• Start reading posts early
• Give constructive feedback, public and private
• Identify writing issues early
• Participate frequently
• Follow the rubric
• Stimulate conversation
• Make it real
• Empower the students to share
• Keep it alive
• Praise well written arguments
• Never criticize publicly
• Never wait too long to stimulate discussion
• Never take one side
• Never discount someone’s experience
• Never let inaccurate information go unnoticed

10 Prompts to Stimulate Conversation

• Can you clarify?
• Do you need anything else to answer this?
• Do you think?
• Do you agree with?
• So are you saying?
• Have you seen?
• So on the news, I noticed something similar
• What do your friends think?
• Is there someone else you can ask?
• Where did you hear that?
• Do you have a reference for that?

Post Source : http://www.edudemic.com/online-discussion-tips/

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The Busy Teacher’s Quick Guide To Blended Learning

By Katie Lepi

Blended learning is a combination of some face-to-face teaching and some online teaching. It is a great way for teachers to bring online components into the forefront, rather than just using digital materials as supplemental (often at home) course materials. Blended learning has a huge advantage – it doesn’t prescribe that particular activities must be online or in person. There isn’t a particular percentage of teaching and learning that has to happen in the classroom or not. You can tailor it to your needs, and do some experimentation. It is so flexible, and can be something different for each teacher, each class, or each student. One class may lean heavily on the online component and another may not, depending on the availability and appropriateness of materials available.

The handy infographic below takes a look at the details on blended learning. What is it? Why do teachers like it? How does it work? Keep reading to learn more!

Learning About Blended Learning

• Blended learning refers to any time that a student is learning in a mixed environment of brick-and-mortar, supervised learning, and learning via online delivery methods.
• It is estimated that by 2019, 50% of all high school classes will be delivered online.
• Tight budgets, teacher shortages, and a greater demand for results are some of the biggest factors accelerating the growth of blended learning.
• By the end of 2014, 50% of all post-secondary students will be taking at least one class online.
• Because blended learning is so customizable, it really pushes personalized learning and moves education away from the one size fits all model.

Blended learning models can be mostly online, mostly in person, half and half, or some combination thereof. There are six distinct models:

• Face-to-Face Driver
• Rotation
• Flex
• Online Lab
• Self-Blend
• Online Driver

More technology solutions are needed to support blended learning models. These include:

• Integrated systems
• High quality, dynamic content
• Analytics
• Automation
• Applications that enhance student motivation

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/blended-learning-infographic-2/

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Resources For Teaching About Drugs, Alcohol, and Addiction

By Katie Lepi 

Over the past few days, I’ve seen so much buzz on the internet about the death of Philip Seymour Hoffmann. His untimely death is very sad, though not nearly unusual enough for stars, but there is something about the whole situation that strikes me as worth bringing up here.

In 2006, he publicly discussed his history of drug abuse. In May of 2013, he completed a detox program after relapsing after 23 years of sobriety. 23 years sober and addiction still took his life.

Addiction is real.

Addiction can kill.

Addiction is not something that just goes away with some quick treatment.

Addiction is happening in your communities, in your schools, maybe even in your own home. Your students or colleagues may be affected even if they are not the addict. If you know someone who is battling addiction or is affected by addiction, be compassionate. They may need help or already be getting it, but they need support and compassion and not judgement. We know that you probably already know this, but your students may not.

There are many, many resources and services out there. AA, NA, and SAMHSA all offer a variety of resources, and are a great place to start. Earlier in 2013, the lovely Dawn Casey Rowe put together this fabulous list of Learnist resources for teaching about drug and alcohol abuse.  We’re reposting it now in case you haven’t seen it yet. If you have a bookmarked folder of ‘just in case’ resources, this might be a good thing to save.

Drunk Driving

Mercyhurst Prep Health has put together one of the most extensive collections on on Learnist. This board is tough to get through, because it shows the human toll of drunk driving, as well as the cost to society. With learnings about teenage drunk driving, drunk driving after the prom and the extremely emotional “Faces of Drunk Driving,” this board shows the learner, “This could be you.” Hopefully, with continued education and awareness, it never will be.

Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education in Schools

Jeff Wolfsberg is a national expert in alcohol and drug addiction. This board discusses some of the issues in schools, and how experts, students, and families can recognize problems in order provide help as soon as possible.

A Guide to Staying Healthy in College

Erica Jackson acknowledges that there are challenges to staying healthy in college. Avoiding the “freshman 15,” and keeping a workout regimen helps develop good habits, but avoiding alcohol and drugs is also critical. Many college students struggle with this very serious problem.

Generation Rx

Carly Wick knows that Generation X is exceeding previous levels in alcohol and drug abuse, including prescription meds and binge drinking. This is a very large problem and growing, spreading all across the nation.

Tobacco/Alcohol/Drug Education

Erica Pavlovich is using this in her classroom to teach about the dangers of addiction. This board helps students in health class access the material they need to understand the seriousness of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use and abuse.

Alcohol Awareness Month: The Basics

Kate Garklavs discusses the basics behind alcohol addiction, including the way alcohol is processed by the body. These are important facts to know–the short term and long-term effects of alcohol are often very striking.

Addiction

Dick Dillon teaches about addiction, cautioning not to substitute one addiction for another. This is often a challenge for those trying to recover from addiction–addictions are often personality traits. It’s very easy to swap them out.

Drive Hammered. Get Slammered

Drunk Driving is never acceptable. Each state has different laws on this subject, but they are all severe. People die as a result of drinking and driving. Sometimes the driver doesn’t realize he or she has had one too many. The best course of action is not to drive–this board brings the severity of drinking and driving to light.

Emerging Drug Trends

One of the biggest issues for parents, families, and schools is keeping up on the drug trends and vocabulary. This board helps everyone to do this–this is a good board to add to if you are an in-field expert, educator, or member of law enforcement, because the more information that is added to this board, the more help it will continue to be.

Source: http://www.edudemic.com/teaching-about-drugs-alcohol-and-addiction/

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Why Should Teachers Use Infographics?

By Katie Lepi

The Power of the Educational Infographic

What is an infographic, anyway? 

An infographic is a visual display of information, data, and knowledge. It makes information simple.

Why use an infographic?

Research on Bloom’s Taxonomy, the brain, connected learning, and Gagne’s events supports the use of infographics.

What are the benefits of using infographics?

It gives solutions at your fingertips. Infographics are simple, clickable, printable, collaborative, and shareable, among many other qualities.

Can infographics change education?

Infographics bring the educational world together, and help share experiences and encourage innovation and collaboration.

What is the reach of a typical infographic?

If sharing on just one social media outlet, an infographic from Mia MacMeekin’s site (the creator of the infographic below) reaches about 200,000 views in 5 months.

 

Source: http://www.edudemic.com/educational-infographics/

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How Technology Can Improve Student Writing

13 Ways Technology Can Improve Student Writing

By Mike Hanski on January 29, 2014

As an Edudemic reader, you are well versed in the importance of technology in education. But are you aware of the specific role it can play in writing? Take a look at the findings of a recent study:

• 96% of participants agreed technology allows students to share their writing with a wider, more diverse audience.
• 79% of participants claimed digital tools encourage greater collaboration.
• 50% of participants said it was easier to improve student writing with the use of technology.

Let’s take a look at 13 specific technological tools that can enhance students’ learning, performance, and efficiency in writing. If you’re lucky, you might even get them to enjoy the process too!

Utilizing Scoring Engines

Free up valuable time in the classroom by using a scoring engine for writing. These programs automatically grade compositions and provide instantaneous feedback.

1. Criterion Online Writing Evaluation – This web-based writing tool is instructor-led. It will help students plan, organize, and write their essays. With immediate, detailed feedback, students can easily revise their work too.
2. GradeMark – This program allows instructors to provide five different types of feedback:
   • a. The originality check reduces plagiarism and copied content.
   • b. The QuickMark Sets allow teachers to quickly drag comments (both pre-loaded and custom-made) to the appropriate place on the paper.
   • c. The voice comments allow for personalized audio feedback.
   • d. The grading rubrics help students understand clear expectations. Teachers can utilize pre-loaded rubrics or design their own.
   • e. The general comments section encourages instructors to provide broad, general feedback on the overall quality of the composition.
3. My Access! – This award-winning cloud-based program includes over 1,500 writing topics in math, science, language arts, and social studies. After creating a composition, the program provides instant feedback in five categories: Focus and Meaning; Content and Development; Organization; Language Use, Voice, and Style; and Mechanics and Conventions.

Incorporating Writing Aids

Sometimes, all students need is a little guidance and encouragement. Here are two writing aids that can help make the process more efficient and entertaining.

1. Odyssey Writer – Teachers will appreciate the fact that Odyssey Writer makes the composition process more efficient. Students will appreciate that it makes writing fun! Odyssey Writer uses popular techniques (like stream of consciousness writing, outlines, note cards and graphic organizers) to navigate the student through the four phases of writing.
2. StoryBird – This program is a great way for creative students to express their thoughts more efficiently. It helps students create short, art-inspired stories that can be published and shared with others.

Appreciating Apps

In this day and age, technology is all about the apps. Fortunately, there is a beautiful relationship happening in the app stores; it involves education, writing, students, and technology.

1. Evernote – Evernote is one of the most versatile apps ever created. It can be used by just about anyone in just about any situation – and students in a classroom are no exception. This mind-mapping app is a great tool for successfully navigating the writing process. Students can use it to take notes, store audio files and photos, track the progress of assignments, sort research findings and much more. Once all this information is amassed, students can easily find what they are looking for with a keyword or tag search.
2. Day! – The Best Story of Mine – Like Evernote, Day! helps students track their thoughts and observations as they proceed through the writing process. It will appeal to a student’s creative side with personalized photo calendars, mood expression, and more.
3. Popplet – This app can be introduced at a young age and help student throughout the course of their educational career. This mind mapping and story planning app helps students visualize where their composition is going. They can document their ideas, sort them visually and then collaborate with others.
4. Dragon Dictation – Help students understand that writing is nothing more than communicating. Encourage young writers to speak their text into this audio transcribing app. As they speak, students can see their text. Not only is this process faster than typing, it also helps students overcome the fear of a blank page.
5. Toontastic – Toontastic is like putting on a puppet show – only way cooler! Elementary and middle school students can draw and animate cartoons. Then, they can set their creations into motion and include an audio soundtrack. This visual creation is a great addition to written compositions.
6. ABC Cursive – It is important to remember that mastering the writing process starts early. The most basic skills, like learning cursive writing, are essential for laying a solid foundation. Even the youngest students can benefit from technology with this app. It helps youngsters practice writing their letters, numbers, words and eventually sentences.
7. iCanWrite – Again, writing fundamentals begin at an early age. If students can’t write their letters, they can’t write their essay! Kindergarten and first grade teachers can use this app to help their students learn to write letters. When one letter has been successfully traced, the next will appear.
8. Sentence Builder – After mastering the ability to create letters, students will quickly need to learn to create sentences. This app helps students build grammatically correct sentences. With 3 different levels and 100 pictures to build sentences around, students will quickly catch on to essential grammar lessons. The learning process is enhanced with audio reinforcement and progress statistics.

Many educators are using technology in a general way to guide learning in their classroom. However, it can also be used to instruct specific skills – like writing. Use these technological tools to enhance the students’ interest, understanding and involvement with the writing process.

Do you know of any tech tools we left off the list? Let us know! We want to hear how you are using technology to improve students’ writing!

Mike is a blogger and a paper writing expert at Bid4papers, an online service that helps students with editing and writing of essays and research papers. He likes to write about education technology, college life and survival.

Source: http://www.edudemic.com/student-writing-technology/

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11 Signs That Technology Is A Key Part Of Education

By Jeff Dunn on February 3, 2014

The current trend of education technology is nothing to sneeze at. There are iPads and Android devices popping up in classrooms around the world. From BYOD to 1:1 to flipped classrooms, there are a lot of trends that leveraging the power of technology in education.

Aside from these few popular trends, there are other signs that technology is truly a key part of education. For example, technology makes it easy for teachers to create visually engaging images that illustrate a key concept. This would not normally be possible unless the teacher had a talent for art and design. Now, a teacher can head over to their favorite infographic-maker like Piktochart or Visual.ly or Easel.ly and whip up a fun little design that inspires a student. According to the visual below from JESS3, using visuals is beneficial as they increase retention from 14% to 38%. Take that random stat with a huge grain of salt but it’s something to ponder.

That’s the idea behind this handy chart below. It spells out just under a dozen (couldn’t have added 12th to hit the lucky dozen, huh?!) ways that technology is playing an increasingly important role in and out of the classroom.

What other key factors do you see in education right now? How is technology expanding and improving (or not improving) the classroom experience?

Do you ever wonder how schools, universities, colleges, and large groups in general should use social media? Students are often early adopters, frequent users, and overall lovers of technology and social media. Want to help? I'm always looking for fun, creative, and exciting writers to get featured. Get in touch with me at edudemic@gmail.com!

Source: http://www.edudemic.com/technoogy-education-signs/

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Why Food Education Matters

By Katie Lepi on February 4, 2014

Every teacher knows that education reaches beyond the material contained in books and lecture materials. Students learn all sorts of things in school – from study habits to social skills. With many required elements in today’s curricula and a heavy focus on standardized testing, many schools are finding that the ‘extras’ are being marginalized, or even cut entirely. Art, music, and sports all have pretty vocal advocates fighting to keep them integrated into schools, one of the things that often gets looked over is food education. 

When I was little, my mom made everything fresh. We picked fruits in the summer, and she grew so many of her own vegetables. I knew, secondhand, that pasta sauce also came out of a jar, but I had no idea why you’d want to eat it. When I was about nine, I insisted that I wanted to eat Chef Boyardee Spaghetti-Os because my friends always got to eat them. I longed for this particular forbidden fruit, without really having any reason to want it besides the fact that other kids got to eat it. Eventually, my mother agreed, but I couldn’t even manage to choke down the Spaghetti-Os I had longed for – I thought they were so gross!

The handy infographic below takes a look at how important it is to educate kids about food choices and eating healthy. So many kids don’t know that real food doesn’t come out of a box. Keep reading to learn more.

Bring Back Food Education!

• 96% of school children in the UK don’t eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables
• In Australia, 20% of children thinks pasta comes from animals and 27% believe that yogurt comes from plants
• The average American elementary student receives 3.4 hours of food education per year – less time than most kids spend watching TV each day!
• 1 in 4 Americans visits a fast food restaurant every day
• 50% of meals are eaten outside the home as of 2010
• Americans spend more than $110 Billion on fast food each year
• This is the third generation that won’t really know how to cook
• In the last three decades obesity rates have doubled for adults and tripled for children
• Obese individuals die, on average, about 10 years earlier than non-obese individuals
• Teenagers who eat with their families at least five times per week are 40% more likely to get all As and Bs
• Children who ate nutritious lunches improved their test scores and absence rates by 15%
• People with healthy diets spend about $1429 less per year on medical expenses

Katie was a teacher, graduate student, and is now the lady who makes sure Edudemic is as useful as possible. She oversees the editorial process and is basically a Swiss Army Knife of solutions.

Source: http://www.edudemic.com/why-food-education-matters/

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