Always learning

Note: this is the first in a series around my professional learning goal at YIS (more below) At most international schools (and probably most schools in general), each year teachers are asked to create one (or several) goals for the year. In some cases, I’ve had to create three: a personal goal, a team or department goal, and a goal related to a school-wide initiative. Although I always have many ideas for things I want to improve or explore each year, I often find the creation of these types of goals a little artificial. For starters, I pretty much always select a goal I know I will be able to accomplish – something that’s basically part of my job, but maybe a little bit above and beyond. If it’s not something I know I’m going to do anyway, then it often ends up being something practical that I know I should be doing, but can’t always force myself to make time for it. In the end, I always meet my documented goals, and certainly make progress on my own (vaguely formed) individual goals.

Teachers Teaching Teachers 59:39 minutes (40.96 MB) We were planning a "Welcome Back" episode on Teachers Teaching Teachers, something about how to launch connected learning with Youth Voices in our classrooms and how to be more planful about connecting our curriculum. #connectedlearning. How do we do that after Michael Brown's killing and the Ferguson protests? In addition to this webcast, we offer a small contribution with a #FergusonSyllabus or using Gooru, NowComment, Crocodoc, and Vialogues. Start with your own questions, then deepen your inquiry into Michael Brown's shooting, and the protests and confrontations in Ferguson by choosing from these articles, songs, interviews, photographs, blog posts, podcasts, reviews, videos, reports and surveys. I am first and foremost an educator. Dr. #FergusonSyllabus is a great way to connect with others who are thinking about when and how to bring the Michael Brown shooting into the curriculum.

Saving Socrates coronado.patch Retired teacher Kris McClung has brought attention to local programs in arts and education circles, but there appears to be a ways to go as advocates push for more creativity in classrooms. Update 1:25 p.m. Wednesday: The state took exception to any assertion that officials aren't aware of Coronado's STEAM program and offered more information Wednesday. According to Jim Greco, manager of the California Department of Education office responsible for the coordination of such efforts, other areas are getting on board, including districts in Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Orange and San Diego counties. The department itself is involved in promoting arts education, Greco said, enlisting a consultant who advises on the visual and performing arts. When the California Arts Council held its in Coronado last month, STEAM was the word. It came up in breakout workshops. All this brought smiles to Coronado school officials at the conference, because the district adopted , a year ago.

Free Technology for Teachers e-Learning Evangelist Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator Our iPad’s Case: Griffin Survivor The question that always comes up when I am discussing iPad implementation with districts is “What case did you buy?” or “How did you protect the iPad?” Well, when we started investigating iPads, we asked the same thing. Students generally respect devices that they ‘connect’ with and care about.The Griffin Survivor is one strong and durable case! Here is one of our iPads with the case: iPad 2 – Griffin Survivor Case The Survivor case has a clip that doubles as a stand and a little bit of a handle. Overall, I highly recommend this case if you will be deploying iPads to students, or if you are particularly rough on your iPad yourself. Tags: Griffin Survivor, iPad Case About the Author

Kathy Schrock's Kaffeeklatsch Educational Technology and Change Journal Best of the Best: Top 100 Web Resources for Educators Best of the Best: Top 100 Web Resources for EducatorsAn Internet Hotlist on Educator Websites created by Deborah B. Ford, Director of Library OutreachJunior Library Guild Introduction | Content Resources | Collaboration | Global Education | Time and Money Savers | Digital Resources | Worth the Money Introduction Especially for teachers and librarians, award winning author, librarian, teacher and speaker, Deborah B. The Internet ResourcesContent ResourcesA+ Click - Students grades K-12 can take online math practice tests at this site.

Kindles fire up students’ desire for learning by Randy Moomaw, Ashland City Times Students at two Cheatham County elementary schools and one middle school are taking part in a pilot program designed to not only help improve their reading skills, but also radically change textbook distribution. The myON reader from Capstone Digital engages students at all reading levels by providing a personalized reader-friendly environment that includes a list of over 2,000 enhanced digital books. “It is wonderful to see these children so excited over learning,” said Dianne Williams, the district’s chief academic officer.