As innovative educators settle into the new school year, it's not just new students they see. There's also a new crop of devices, apps, and games about which students are excited. That excitement shouldn't end in the classroom.  PBS LearningMedia, offers tens of thousands of free resources like videos, images, lesson plans, and professional development tools. And they’ve released some fun new ones just in time for the school year, in a collection they’re calling "Get Your Tech On." Here are just 3 ways "Get Your Tech On" can help as you prepare for a tech-filled school year.1) Get Social Overwhelmed by social media? Find free info and how-to tutorials for teachers and students on using digital tools, including how to create use Tumblr, design infographics, build a Prezi, record a Vine, and more.I want more »

If you're still talking about the digital divide, you haven't heard about Google Chromebooks. Chromebooks are not only affordable, they actually save schools, districts, and families money. Chromebooks are only about $225 and last for about three years. That's $75 a year. The devices cost less than your back to school list for the next three years and yet provide so much more.Let's take a look. Check out the basic list below. With the exception of your child's clothing, the back-to-school list is history. Pencils, paper, sticky notes, calendar, crayons, erasers, notebooks, even trading cards are a thing of the past with Chromebooks. Say "Goodbye back to school list" and "Hello Google Draw, Docs, Sheets, Calculator, and more."I want more »

Guest post by student, Keaton WadzinskiIt started with just a few students and allies connecting over Twitter. Then came the weekly #StuVoice Twitter Chats, Facebook conversations, then Google Hangouts, which all led to the first ever Student Voice Live! in April of 2013. What caught on so quickly? The Student Voice movement. Once started, the spark of student voice caught fire, igniting the drive to create Student Voice, the for-students-by-students 501 (c) 3 non-profit dedicated to revolutionizing education through the voices and actions of students. Event detailsInnovative Educators are invited to join in this exceptional work on Saturday, September 20th, at Student Voice Live! 2014 at Shootdigital Studios (23 East Fourth St. New York, NY, 10003). Come to contribute your ideas, support, and passion by registering at http://stuvoice.org/student-voice-live. If you can’t attend, you can watch via livestream here and follow our Twitter stream @Stu_Voice!I want more »

If you know the Common Core Standards you know that "The need to conduct research and to produce and consume media is embedded into every aspect of today’s curriculum. In like fashion, research and media skills and understandings are embedded throughout the Standards rather than treated in a separate section." Common Core Learning Standards for  ELA & Literacy, Key Design ConsiderationsInnovative educators know that when used in the right way, social networks and other online technologies are great tools to conduct such research and gain knowledge. Not only do they leverage resources students already know and love, but they can also encourage learning in a way that is less restrictive and more open and natural.  For example, collaboration in an online group creates relationships "in which people from often widely divergent cultures and who represent diverse experiences and perspectives learn and work together" as called for in the Common Core Standards.  Think of how access to personal learning networks created via places like Twitter, Facebook, and Google Hangout can expose students and teachers to "other perspectives and cultures through reading and listening, and they are able to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds." Think about how these groups require members to "evaluate other points of view critically and constructively," as is also called for in the Standards. Unlike when we were in school, our students have access to the internet which has democratized the ability to access, evaluate, organize, and make meaning of what is found. With all this information however, comes a new issue: I want more »

By Chris Casal + Lisa NielsenCross posted at http://thecasalos.blogspot.comInnovative educators know first hand that social media like Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Instagram can be a powerful tool for teaching, learning, leading, and strengthening the home-school connection. In many cases though, others may need to be brought on board. Especially when parents are expressing concerns and unsure of how a platform can be used successfully.It is the job of innovative educators to ensure parents, colleagues, and administrators know how to embrace the power of social media and also how to address their concerns.  Here are suggestions for parents, teachers, and administrators in schools embracing social media.  I want more »

While innovative educators know that empowering students to use their own devices for learning is necessary for student success, the conversation of cyberbullying often comes up as well. Not only are student-owned devices great learning tools, they also are great tools for helping to address cyberbullying if you’re using a tool such as Cel.ly.   Cel.ly is a powerful tool for teaching and learning as shared in my book Teaching Generation Text and on my blog. It is also a tool that can be used to set up an anonymous resource to report bullying.   Here is how schools can setup their own anonymous tip lines. I want more »

Clay Shirky author and professor of media studies at New York University, recently penned a guest article for the Washington Post sharing why he decided to ban technology in his class.  He explains how it was challenging to be more interesting than the devices. The following quote captures some of his thinking:  "The practical effects of my decision to allow technology use in class grew worse over time. The level of distraction in my classes seemed to grow, even though it was the same professor and largely the same set of topics, taught to a group of students selected using roughly the same criteria every year. The change seemed to correlate more with the rising ubiquity and utility of the devices themselves, rather than any change in me, the students, or the rest of the classroom encounter."While banning might be a good idea for the "sit, listen, discuss, repeat" style of teaching, for the rest of us, not so much.  The disengaged classroom Shirky describes brings to mind the scene from the 1985 comedy "Real Genius" where eventually most every desk had a tape recorder and eventually the professor also gives in and replaces himself with a reel to reel to deliver his lecture.I want more »

This summer my department partnered with technology companies (such as PBS Learning, Google, and SMART Technologies) that provide resources used and loved by NYCDOE teachers to provide an innovative professional learning experience. The goal of the program was to create and connect teachers across the district who are power-users of the same resources so they could become area experts supporting others back in their school and districts.What was terrific about the partnership is that these companies really came to life with real people building relationships with our staff to support them and help them grow. In the end it was a win, win. The participants loved this type of learning. Our partners enjoyed the new connections and communities they were able to build and they will be expanding this work to other districts as well.  Here are six tips for SMART professional development opportunities.I want more »

Guest post by Michelle LoucasNo one enjoys boredom. It is an uncomfortable state, leaving one to cast about for relief. If you Google "boredom" and "school," you will find numerous entries about the boredom "epidemic" in our schools and oodles of "boredom-busting strategies" to eradicate this outbreak.  The essence of these cures is to "surround them with wonder"-- make schooling more entertaining so that kids will stop fidgeting and absorb what the teacher is saying. Examining the "boredom epidemic" in schools and its supposed remedies, it appears that both students and policymakers believe that the curriculum is to blame for the mind-numbing ennui. Nikhil Goyal, teen author and lecturer, explains, "When I was really young, I adored reading… However, I have never enjoyed any of the books I have read in school. None. The dullness of some of the books I have been assigned by my teachers has drained the life out of me and my peers." With the curriculum to blame, it is natural for a student to resent it and spend energy ignoring or subverting it at every turn.  The number and variety of ways that students do so is, ironically, an impressive display of their ingenuity.I want more »

School has been underway for more than a month. This is when back to school seems like a distant memory and it's time to celebrate learning as units of study come to a close. If you are ready to do just that, try musical shares. It is the brainchild of myself and a colleague from Common Sense Media, Tali. It is a marriage between musical chairs and speed dating. It is an engaging and interactive activity you can use to wrap up a professional development program, class, or unit of study. We did this for Graphite Accelerated Educators in August and it was a blast!  If you're looking for a fun new way to celebrate and reflect upon learning, check it out. I want more »

If students want to run for office, run a business, or change how things are run where they live, work, or play, they need to be savvy users of social media. This starts with having a positive online reputation. I had the opportunity at Tech Forum New York to speak with four Innovative educators (see below for faces and end of article for names) from elementary, middle, and high school as well as a district administrator about how to best prepare students.  Below is their advice.  How can you ensure your students are well Googled by the time they graduate?I want more »

If you're in a school where students have access to technology they have amazing learning tools at their fingertips. While equity and access is wonderful for students, teachers must know how to harness the power of these devices. If they don't, these tools of engagement can turn into weapons of mass distraction. Check out the slides below for some ideas. Have ideas of your own? Please visit the presentation at http://tinyurl.com/textingideas and fllow the directions for sharing.

Guest Post By Matt ShufroEditor's Note: Too many schools are not smart when it comes to interactive whiteboards and other projection devices. This is a smart and insightful look into what projection device might make the most sense classrooms. Over the last ten years, smart boards have become mainstays in K-12 classrooms.   Many educators believe this interactive whiteboard technology enhances classroom learning with increased student engagement and focus.  However, one of the downsides of this technology is the cost-per-implementation, which can be thousands of dollars per installation.   Fortunately, today there are less expensive alternatives that offer similar functions.  In some cases these substitutes offer unique advantages over existing smart board technology.  Budget conscious decision-makers should evaluate all available options before moving forward with a purchase.   Comparison: SMART BoardsPromethean interactive whiteboardsApple TV/iPad combination with AirPlayDocument CamerasChromebook with ChromecastI want more »

Google has just launched their brand new redesigned education website.  You can check it out at http://www.google.com/eduHere's an overview of what you'll find.Google for Ed 101 (in 101 seconds)TestimonialsHow to go Google at Your SchoolProductsDevicesProductivity toolsClassroom, gmail, docs, etc.Class contentTeacher-approved apps, books, videosTrainingGet trainedGet CertifiedHire a trainerResourcesNews + EventsGet SocialConnect with other educatorsGoogle GroupTwitterLocal Google Educator GroupsPrograms for educators and studentsGoogle Science FairComputer Science Summer InstituteGoogle summer of CodeCode JamMaker Camp

Used effectively, social media can provide one of the most meaningful and powerful learning platforms available. Yet, in many cases, we don't have conversations about recommended practices and practices that teachers may want to reconsider. These conversations are important if we want to support others in dipping their toes (or diving) into these waters.   Below are some conversation starters about social media use. These may be helpful for educators to discuss and consider how teachers are engaging where you work. As you review this list, know that this is not the same old do's and don'ts list. Times are changing. Out with "don't talk to strangers" and in with "considering ways to help students in engage responsibly with strangers online to build their learning network." Take a look at the advice below. Do you agree? Disagree? Why? What's missing?I want more »

Well into the 21st century, most schools acknowledge that for students to be prepared for college and career, they must have equity and access to technology. Providing technology resources is more than purchasing equipment and delivering it to a school. As we've learned from numerous other districts who've gotten this wrong (east coast and west), district-wide technology purchases can be a godsend or a disaster.  Here are some recommendations for schools or districts that are allocating dollars toward technology.I want more »

The good news is that more and more often students are presenting at education conferences. The bad news is that they’re doing a poor job and it’s their teacher’s fault. Don’t be a teacher who let’s your students give a bad presentation. Before you have your students present make sure you’ve prepared them with these tips.I want more »

Looking for a terrific Thanksgiving week activity that teens will love? Facebook brings us their "Say Thank you" video tool. Students can let Facebook auto generate the video, or they can put some thought into selecting meaningful pictures and posts to customize the video. This is a great activity because it opens up the conversation about digital citizenship. Conversations like:What makes a good friend?Do you like how your portraying your friendships online?What kind of friend are you?What do you like about how you share your friendships?What might you do differently after thinking about this?Why is important to say thank you and express kindness in social media?What are some other ways we can let people know they are appreciated?Here's a sample of what a video looks like:    Not only is this a fun conversation starter, it's a great way to look back on those in our lives and how we share these memories with others. Want to give it a try?  Visit https://www.facebook.com/thanks then pick a friend and give it whirl!_______________________________________________________________________________Want to do an activity for preteens or use a tool that's not blocked in many schools? Check out the Thanksgiving template from +PowToon http://ow.ly/EK3Id. It provides a fun way for students of all ages to share what they are thankful for this week.

Thanksgiving is a great time to think about and celebrate giving. The best teachers are the best givers, but not all teachers believe in giving. In fact some teachers think it is unfair to be expected to share their hard work. I was reminded of this recently during a conversation among innovative educators who were discussing how much they enjoy the opportunity to share best practices and materials across schools. They shared stories of going to other schools where they learned from other teachers with an area of expertise that they wanted to get smarter about. They discussed stories of teachers coming to their school to learn from their teachers.They shared all sorts of great things that result from sharing. Because our district has developed and identified expert teachers in a number of areas (i.e. Digital Literacy, PBS resources, Google Apps for Ed, etc) the ingredients for this to occur are plentiful. Fortunately, teachers in many schools are reaping the rewards and students are benefiting. Unfortunately, at other schools, great ingredients don't always find their way to such favorable outcomes. This happens when you work in a culture where teachers don’t want to share.I want more »

Innovative educators are sharers of their craft. As such they present a lot. When they do, they’re asked to share their tech requirements. It’s surprising that this is still a question as needs are standard. If you present or if you arrange for presenters, below is your list.  ComputerHigh speed and less than three years oldA place to projectA modern projector and then make sure you have…AdaptersHDMI, Apple and or whatever new device comes along. Find out what the presenting device needs (if they are not using the one at the facility) and get it. ORA flatscreen television that can connect to a deviceWiDi, Apple TV, Chromecast, AirTameI want more »

Whether workshops, panels, keynotes, or classes there is one mistake presenters should never make. It is a mistake I learned to never ever do from a wise lady early in my career. I've heeded this advice and seen the negative ramifications of those who do not. Ramifications such as a frustrated, unsatisfied, and anxious audience as well as less than favorable reviews and feedback. Additionally, when presenters, don't heed this advice, the chances of their audience incorporating what they've learned into their work, decreases.Fortunately, if you remember this one piece of advice, your future presentations will be brighter and your audience will leave more satisfied. The advice is…I want more »

The best way to control your digital footprint is to purchase a domain for your site.  Doing so is cheap (only about $15 a year) and easy, but which site should you use?Don’t drive yourself crazy.  Just pick one of the suggestions below and get on your way to taking control of the digital identity you want.  I want more »

The next time someone shares with you another piece of shock journalism with claims that research says if kids use tech they'll get fat and stupid, arm yourself with this piece (10 Points Where the Research Behind Banning Handheld Devices for Children Is Flawed) which debunks that research. If you don't feel like reading it, it says this: The research cited against technology use for youth focuses on passive television viewing or addiction to video games that are usually of violent nature. Of course video game addiction and passively intaking information for hours on end is bad for anyone. In those cases the problem is usually not the technology, but rather the lack of a responsible adult guiding these young people.However, when young people have responsible parents and teachers in their lives, this does not describe what most young people do with technology. When responsible adults are involved in and understand the digital lives of young people, great things happen. Below is an arsenal of material that explains how today's youth are using technology effectively.  Pick a few of your favorites. Then share, and shift the conversation from lamenting about "kids today" to celebrating the wonderful things young people are doing when given proper support and access technology.  I want more »

Innovative educator Samantha Stouber uses the NYCDOE student-friendly social media guidelines as part of her efforts to teach digital literacy to her students. The guidelines provide a roadmap for to use digital media effectively.  For parents and staff there are guides. For students, the guidelines are in infographic format. As a reminder, Stouber printed out the guidelines and infographic to create this great visually teen-pleasing bulletin board.  Need some attractive reminders for your class? Visit the social media guidelines infographics and print them out for your classroom.Here are some close up pictures of the board:I want more »