Think you “just teach” history and you have no time to integrate STEM into your lessons?

Maybe you are a math teacher and need some interesting activities that tie into what students are learning about Tibet in another classroom…

A great way to integrate technology into the classroom and incorporate STEM lessons can be found here.  No matter the subject, there are everyday links to STEM areas you can use within your curriculum.  This website has videos, interactive simulations and the like.

Let’s get students’ minds to critically think about common situations and at the same time increase student interest in STEM!

Having problems getting your student to understand spend and save?

How might we integrate technology into our mandatory Economics and Personal Finance course in high school?

Well…

There is a new FREE app from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis that one can download for the iPad, iPhone and iTouch.  The app aids teaching students through investigating the cost of goods and services purchased in one year compared with another year; using interactive graphs to compare inflation rates at various points in our nation’s history; examining how interest rates, monthly payments and time can affect the overall cost of using credit; and playing two challenge games to see how well they can estimate the cost of credit and the price of goods and services over time.

Take a look at more information on this app http://www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/mobile-learning-app.cfm

The Governor signed a bill that will require students entering the 9th grade starting the 2013-14 SY to take one class online. This class will be a requirement for a diploma.

The term has taken off in the past few years.  It is everywhere, in the media, at home, and within the school.  I have not been in a school that did not have some sort of “picking” or “bullying” occurring.  As a former scientist, I firmly believe that the road to all answers is making mistakes and gaining as much information as possible.  With this in mind, if you are curious about bullying, a definition and/or would like some resources, there is a website that might just help you… http://www.stopbullying.gov/

This week, our IT department shared information with the community regarding teenagers using technology appropriately.  To continue that line of discussion, MTV has created A Thin Line which is a digital safety resource.  This site includes resources that will help students identify inappropriate use and how to protect their digital identity. The site is accessible in both English and Spanish.

Google+ is the latest effort from Google toward social media.  It incorporates several tools that can be used within (and outside) the classroom allowing streaming (similar to Facebook’s news feed), a Skype-like Hangout area, and a public messaging system that resembles Twitter.

Some ideas of how you might be able to use Google+ in your classroom can be found in a blog by Terry Heick.

So much emphasis is being placed on “increasing rigor” within schools.  I am concerned about this emphasis.  Don’t get me wrong, our students need to be exposed to more complex and real-world issues, however, I am not sure everyone has the same definition of “rigor.”  The lens I look through sees students that need to be challenged so that they learn more critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills.  Currently, I am not so sure that is what is being produced throughout the country.  Talking with recent graduates and others, their main concerns are having problem solving skills and interview/communication skills.  When our teachers are tasked with standardized testing of minimum standards and worry about the number of failing students; little time can be spent increasing appropriate rigor successfully.

I happened upon this article from ASCD that I feel is an interesting read.  http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct08/vool66/num02/Rigor-Redefined.aspx

The issue with one-to-one environments lately has been monetary issues for some school districts.  They can afford to purchase some laptops but certainly not for every student in this economy to date.  Therefore, some school districts are contemplating the possibility of allowing students to Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT).  For lower income students, the school would issue a laptop while those that already have one at home many bring theirs.  I see this as a potential for many issues from the social side to the technical side.  What are your thoughts?  Here is a blog that talks about the issue… http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/duaXDQvvtQelvnkgfDcXhEfCxViq?format=standard

As I complete my dissertation on the reasons teachers do not use the technology they are provided, I am drawn to technology integration articles such as this one http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-57363113-243/ipads-in-classroom-provide-20-percent-jump-in-math-scores-study-says/.

Although the sponsors of the year long pilot of studying students that used the digital text via the iPad vs. standard textbooks is a textbook publisher, this study does open the doors to further discussion.

Many divisions nationwide are increasing, or at least trying to increase, the use of technology within the classroom.  Many of the same divisions are doing so without making data driven decisions; merely on the assumption that students will learn better/more while using some piece of technology.

What are your views, thoughts?

For as long as I can remember, I have always read through the Parade listing of who they elected as the country’s best players to make their All-American football team.  I have recognized towns and cities close to where I have lived, but until now, I have never been able to say I knew anyone on the list.  Congratulations to Colby Cooke, Senior – Goochland High, for making the list!