Why Schools Need A Powerful Physical Education Policy

By Katie Lepi on February 16, 2014

Books and homework alone don’t make an education. Learning need to be well-rounded –  students learn pick up all sorts of life skills and habits in school, even from a very young age. Required curriculum elements have, in many cases, forced districts and schools to cut some of the extras that help to make our students more well-rounded individuals. No one wants to see art, music, or even food education cut out of their school’s curriculum, but did you know how important a strong PE curriculum can be?

The handy infographic below  (created by UNESCO) takes a look at why a quality physical education program is so important for students. It does more than get students up off their tookusfor an hour in the middle of the school day. Keep reading to learn more.

The Power of Physical Education

Physical education provides a gateway to:

• Physical well-being
• Social and emotional well-being
• Culture and the arts
• Literacy and communication
• Learning approaches and cognition
• Numeracy and mathematics
• Science and technology

Physical Education….

• Values and communication skills are a critical complement to cognitive knowledge
• Quality physical education drives inclusion
• Develop knowledge and confidence to drive academic achievement
• Breaks down barriers
• Challenges stigma
• Encourages dialogue and understanding between all groups
• Drives socioeconomic improvement – fewer health issues, obesity, longer life span, etc

Because of all these benefits, 97% of countries have made physical education compulsory, but:

• Only 79% of countries have prescribed curricula
• Physical Education is considered less important than other subjects in 54% of countries
• Only 53% of primary schools have suitably trained Physical Education teachers

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/physical-education-policy/

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How To Teach?

By Katie Lepi 

Educators today often use a variety of pedagogical styles. Some are old, some are new(er), and some folks are out there innovating and trying new stuff of their own creation. While most teachers out there are probably piecing together a little bit of something with a touch of something else – different strokes for different folks, right? – There are some folks out there that we have to thank for some of the more common concrete pedagogical styles.

So who are these folks? Many of us are familiar with the pedagogical concepts, but the people behind them are often less well-known. Take a look at the handy infographic below – it highlights six individuals that have made major contributions to what we modern folks know as pedagogy. Keep reading to learn more.

The People of Pedagogy

You’ve probably heard of their work, but you may not know about the person behind the pedagogy. Here’s a quick bit of information on six contributors to pedagogy.

Lev Vygotsky

The Zone of Proximal Development distinguishes what a learner can do with and without help, eventually leading to the notion of scaffolding.

Jean Piaget

The Theory Of Cognitive Development articulates the mind’s typical stages of growth. It helps to understand student’s perspectives and understand what is needed to advance their learning.

Jerome Bruner

Bruner coined the term ‘scaffolding‘ as he conducted cognitive and developmental studies in psychology. Understanding how the mind works helps guide instructional design.

Benjamin Bloom

Although he didn’t create the now-famous Bloom’s Taxonomy, he did the vital work of studying and classifying stages in pursuit of mastery learning.

Howard Gardner

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences describes various forms of mental capacity (not to be confused with the ever-polarizing topic of learning styles!). Its a framework that describes patterns of how information is processed (not how it is initially acquired).

Erik Erikson

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development serves as a roadmap of the eight stages a typical person follows as they develop. These stages give insight into student’s driving impulses at each stage of their education.

Source: http://www.edudemic.com/how-to-teach/

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Check Out These 10 Supercomputers

Technology is pretty much exploding these days. As a pretty average person who has a job and a life, it can be hard to keep up with all the cool stuff happening out there. Computers are getting faster and faster – that we all know. Our desktops and laptops do so much more today than they did just a couple of years ago.

The handy infographic below takes a look at the top 10 fastest supercomputers in the world. The amount of data that these computers can handle is absolutely mind boggling. So whether you’re speeding through your computer based work on a shiny new, super speedy machine or cursing a slow-as-molasses laptop that takes ten minutes to do anything, check out these awesome machines that will definitely put your computer to shame!

10 Awesome Supercomputers

Tianhe-1A

• Speed: 2.566 petaflop/s
• Created: 2010

SuperMUC

• Speed: 2.897 petaflop/s
• Created: 2012

Vulcan

• Speed: 4.293 petaflop/s
• Created: 2013

Juqueen

• Speed: 5.008 petaflop/s
• Created: 2012

Stampede

• Speed: 5.168 petaflop/s
• Created: 2013

Mira

• Speed: 8.586 petaflop/s
• Created: 2013

K Computer

• Speed: 5.168 petaflop/s
• Created: 2013

IBM Sequoia

• Speed: 17.173 petaflop/s
• Created: 2013

Titan

• Speed: 17.59 petaflop/s
• Created: 2012

Tianhe 2

• Speed: 33.86 petaflop/s
• Created: 2013

post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/supercomputers/

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Powerful Tools Teachers And Students Should Try Out

By 2018 the market for education technology is all set to reach a mammoth $60 billion. Our need for ‘smarter’ classrooms is the reason behind our increasing reliance on technology to make learning more interactive and engaging for students. New tools that help improve the learning environment are being released regularly, and while some of them are really good, there are others that don’t quite make the cut.

In this article, we are focusing on tools that are of great help to both students and teachers and go a considerable way in improving the learning environment at different levels. So, let’s take a look at six such tools.

Skitch

Visual Communication For Everyone

Evernote’s Skitch is a visual communication tool that helps leverage the immense potential ofBYOD classrooms. Teachers and students can visually communicate ideas with each other about a particular subject to understand it better. A teacher can either use an existing image or capture a new image and explain it better with visual cues like arrows, shapes and even write on it with the use of highlighter tools. These can be shared with the students.

This tool can also be used to improve collaboration between students who can mark-up existing images with their thoughts, and pass it on amongst themselves to understand a particular project/subject better.

Basecamp

A convenient collaboration tool

Collaborative tools don’t get more popular than Basecamp. It’s extremely easy to use and allows users to create and manage projects. As a teacher, you will have complete control over which students are able to see which projects and can keep an eagle eye on project progress; you can divide your class into various groups and assign a different project for each group or you can create an individual projects for each student and monitor progress. You can even create a project calendar allowing you to assign and track projects, keeping in mind the holidays, meetings etc. which essentially simplifies coordination.

It’s not just teachers; even students within a group can create their own projects (provided they are allowed to) and manage all files and documents that have been created as a part of the project.

Ease.ly

Infographics Simplified

Easel.ly is a data visualization tool that helps visualize information in an easy to understand form. This helps you impart learning in a way that is more engaging and better suited to understanding a particular topic. All you need to do is select a theme, use the set of boxes and tools on offer and create an infographic that is not visual stunner but definitely passable.

The key to this tool is that it helps you visually represent data without having any knowledge of designing whatsoever. You could even ask students to create infographics about a particular project that you’ve just taught them, to assess whether they’ve really understood it or not.

Padlet

Your Own Project Wall

Padlet allows you to create an online bulletin board that can be used to explain a subject better. The user can add images, links, videos and a whole lot more to improve the engagement quotient. A teacher can create a public or private project; in the former, teachers can allow students to contribute to the wall and monitor their activity on the wall instantly.

This tool can actually be used an interactive assessment tool, where teachers can gauge the understanding of students vis-à-vis a particular subject. All you do is click on ‘build a wall’ and start expressing your thoughts on a common topic. As is the case with all tools, it’s important to use this one well to leverage its potential. The fact that it can work on desktops, and is also available in the form a free app for iOS and Android is another point in its favor.

WeVideo

Learn and Be Entertained

WeVideo is a video creation tool and again something that up’s the engagement ante in classrooms. There is nothing better than videos to get students involved in classroom learning and this is where WeVideo scores over many other tools available on the market. It enables Project-Based Learning (PBL) enabling students to collaborate on a video project and create topical presentations that showcase their understanding of a particular subject.

Creation of videos fosters deep knowledge about a particular subject, and is one of the more interactive learning methodologies that can be used to explore topics in depth.

VoiceThread

Fun with Conversations

VoiceThread is a tool that offers different versions that cater to the needs of K-12 schools and Higher Education. This tool allows a user to record audio text and comments about uploaded images, documents and videos. As a teacher, you can import a video or create your own, upload it, and ask students to discuss it. You could even describe an experiment or showcase an example of good writing and explain why the written piece is so good.

The options are seemingly limitless. How you as a teacher or a student can use this tool to improve the learning experience is your call.

Picking the Right Tool 

This is just a small sampling of the many wonderful education tools available on the market. Some of them have not been specifically designed for education per say, but can be used to improve the collaborative environment of classrooms and promote better learning.

Whether you’re a student or a teacher, you need to make an informed decision with respect to the tool you choose. The basis of choice should always be how well you can put the tools to use and whether you can keep using them over the long term. So understand the features and functionalities offered by a particular tool before you put them to use. This will ensure you’re able to experience all the benefits they bring to the table.

That was about tools in general. Then there are whole sites targeted at education in particular. Subscription-based services such as RankJunction can prepare students for various aptitude and entrance exams by conducting mock tests in a competitive environment. Sites such as Khan Academy have whole series of videos aimed at educating anyone who’s interested. This means the options for students, academics and educators are immense and incalculable when it comes to tools and platforms. All you need to do is choose the right one!

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/powerful-tools/

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4 Powerful Ways To Inspire Student Creativity

By jperrier on February 10, 2014

Are you looking for a way to bring creativity into your classroom?

When you help your students be creative they will feel good about themselves as well as do better in the classroom. Studies have shown that students that show off their creativity do better on standardized tests along with coming into a classroom motivated and have a more positive attitude towards learning. Even as a teacher you will also be rewarded. Your performance as a teacher will increase and you will come to work every day feeling positive and eager to teach.

Working Within Restrictive Curricula

Even if the school you’re teaching at has a strict curriculum that you have to follow, you can still find ways to be creative. Use your imagination there are no limitations when it comes to being creative. You can use any materials and there are absolutely no limitations. You can use anything that is handy and there is a plethora of different websites and books out there that can help you find new and exciting ways to help promote creativity in the classroom.

Promoting Creativity

Make your classroom more appealing. Spruce up your classroom with posters and finished crafts that your students have made. Don’t hesitate to get your students involved. Take a few minutes every day to hear from your students. It can be about anything pertaining to the class. Let them make suggestions on what their learning and the things that they would like to do.

Get to Know Your Students

Don’t use the same lessons that you used last year. Just because it worked last year doesn’t mean that it will have the same results the following year. Each child learns differently. So, at the beginning of the year take the time to get to know each and every one of your students. After, you have gotten to know them you can then make your lessons based on what you have learned about your students. By making up custom lessons that are tailored for your classroom you will be able to let your students grow and learn to the best of their ability.

Learn With Your Students

When it comes time to work on projects or the class is doing anything that involves creativity, learn with the class. Sit with them and do brainstorming with them. Sit with them and participate with the session. Call out answers just as they do. Participate is if you’re a student not an instructor. You will encourage the students to get more creative and it will also allow you to open up to let your creativity flow as well.

We all know how hard it can be to be creative every day; some days are going to be harder than others.

About the author:

Jay Perrier is a skillful and dedicated writer. Widely known among students who searched for “write my essay for me”  for his dedication and professional approach to every tasks.

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/student-creativity/

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Why Ineffective Teachers Matter

By Katie Lepi on February 10, 2014

One thing that every teacher strives for – regardless of the age, subject matter, or grade level they teach – is effectiveness. I don’t know any teacher who wouldn’t agree that they want to be an effective teacher. Not only does an effective teacher help their students learn more, want to learn more, and learn more efficiently, they often save their own sanity in the process  (right?!). 

Often, when we’re evaluating our own effectiveness, a quick reminder of some basics and a bit of self reflection is key. Seeing what other teachers are doing can also be helpful. We may all admit at some point or another that we aren’t always being as effective as we’d like to be, but what happens when teachers really are ineffective?

The handy infographic below takes a look at what the effects of ineffective teachers can be. Using the state of California as an example, the graphic extrapolates some numbers to show just how important effective teachers in the classroom are. Keep reading to learn more.

What Happens When Teachers Are Ineffective?

• If just 3% of CA’s teachers are ineffective,  about 270,000 students are impacted in just one year
• After 30 years, that number climbs to 8,100,000 students impacted
• Students taught by ineffective teachers miss about 2.5-3.5 months of school per year, or about 39%!

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/ineffective-teachers/

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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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