Innovative educators want students to be able to find a job after completing their education, but as reported by the Associated Press more than half of America's recent college graduates are either unemployed or working in a job that doesn't require a bachelor's degree.Anthony Cody explains that it is not that schools are failing to teach students to become skilled workers, but that schools are not providing them with enough experience doing things in the world.Innovative educators can help change that by helping teens find an internship or apprenticeship.  I share some ideas to do that with my post in Answers.com here.The post hits on the key elements for success listed below.I want more »

Schools don’t have to kill the creativity Sir Ken Robinson laments in his popular video. To follow are a few ideas that can teachers can share with parents, or use in their classrooms, to provide young people with the inspiration to be creative.  1) Create safe havensJulia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way tells the guardian that by "Creating safe havens where our children are allowed to dream, play, make a mess and, yes, clean it up, we teach them respect for themselves and others."2) Interact with your child Spend time interacting with your child while she is learning. For example when learning about historical events you can discuss questions like, "what do you think happens next?" Then you can compare what they thought would happen with the reality and talk about what outcomes might have been had events occurred in another way.  These "inbetween" lesson times are ideal for creative thinking. You can find materials for these types of activities at places like the Library of Congress Primary Source Sets or Pencil Street kids history resources.I want more »

This week I had the pleasure to speak on a panel to career-minded students at the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation's annual conference. Our panel consisted of four experts familiar with social media who shared advice about what to do when it comes to how to best use Facebook, Twitter and other digital platforms. The main message as reported in the Staten Island Advance: Think before you post, tweet ... and curse.Below are the 10 statements the Staten Island Advance selected as the best. Take a look. There are some new considerations. For example: What does it say about a person who constantly posts selfies? Does having less friends mean that you are more discerning about who you associate with and having more mean you are trying to win some silly popularity contest? See what the panelists said. What do you agree with? What ideas are new to you?  Is there anything you disagree with?I want more »

If you know and love the power of social media, then someone who doesn't get it may have sent you the "Look Up" video below. Video creator Gary Turk is a privileged white guy who features his privileged circle of buddies using the social media platform YouTube to whine that social media is making them feel lonely.Boohoo Gary and friends.  Could it be you just picked the wrong friends?You see unlike the physical world where you happen to be grouped by geography that often does not cut through barriers of poverty, race, or religion, social media breaks down those barriers and provides opportunities to connect with others regardless of where you happen to have been born. Innovative educators know that social media gives our children opportunities and experiences never before possible. Young people who can't afford to visit other countries can connect and learn with people around the world. Social media gives teachers like Courtney Woods the opportunity to bring experts into the lives of her students. Gary ends his video telling viewers to stop watching YouTube, but our students have discovered that they can teach and learn anything they can imagine on the resource that Turk and friends waste their time on. Innovative educators support and empower their students to use social media for social action like social media based and founded groups such as Student Voice are doing. The problem with Gary Turk, and those like him who share videos like this, is that they simply don't appreciate the vast opportunities and connections afforded to social media savvy students. Perhaps Gary Turk was born with these connections, but not everyone was born into Gary Turk's world. Innovative educators have students who are living in the real world, A world where we recognize that if you want to run for office, run a business, or change how things are run where you live, work, or play then it is necessary to be savvy users of social media.The Gary Turks of the world don't understand the value of having friends and followers whose minds may have connected even though they have not shared the same physical space. They don't get that you don't need to see someone face-to-face to admire and share ideas. And really Gary and friends...Is it social media's fault you're disconnected or is technology the scapegoat for how you'd be regardless?Whatever the answer, the most important thing Gary Turk is missing is this:I want more »

Cross posted at Smartblogs for EducationHave you ever been inspired by a great conference keynote speech?  A workshop presenter that your school or district hired?  Do you want to share your ideas, be useful to others, and make some extra money?. Have you ever wondered how that could be you some day? Well, it can, but it takes time to position yourself to take your show on the road. Below are some suggestions taken from what I’ve seen work for successful speakers and professional development providers. 1 - Know what you want to be known forPick your focus. There should be just be one or two things you are known for as the go-to person.  This should guide your identity in all your profiles/bios and there should be keywords that you use that become tied to who you are and what you stand for. 2 - Engage on TwitterFind other people doing your work and who are the audience that would invite you to speak.  Know popular hashtags and chats. There is a big community of education thinkers and doers out there who might help you brainstorm. Put the topics you are passionate about in your bio using the hashtags you care about most.  This way when someone searches a hashtag, they’ll find you. For example, if #BYOD (bring your own device) ) is your thing, use that in your bio.  People can find you when they search for those knowledgeable in your area. You can see what that looks like here.I want more »

Some people think I’m lucky because I have always loved my work in education. As a result, I’m often asked for advice on how to get a job you love in education. Because this has come up so often, I decided it was time to share. Below are seven strategies that have worked for me. Perhaps some of this will be helpful for others.  I want more »

I have had the pleasure to be involved with creating partnerships between innovative educators and the companies that provide them with resources. This currently includes companies like PBS, Common Sense Media, Google, and, Microsoft, SMART, and Edmodo. Unfortunately, for some, when the word corporation comes up, there is immediate distrust. This is a big PR problem that corporations need to take seriously. Fortunately, many corporations are excited about the opportunity to provide support to those who use their products and the teachers are benefiting in many ways.  Innovative educator Chris Casal, who has participated in some of these programs, provides this insight into the value of partnering with corporations. This was initially posted in response to some members of The Innovative Educator group who were skeptical about such opportunities: I want more »

When I was a student, I had a problem staying awake in class. I felt bad and teachers were mad. Today, as a teacher myself, I discovered the blame was misplaced. I was sleeping because of boring lesson delivery. When I teach a class or an auditorium with hundreds, there is never any sleeping going on because I have an interactive and engaging delivery. Whether delivering a lesson to school children or providing professional development to adults, in today’s fast-paced, digital world, your audience deserves to have an interactive presentation where they are engaged. Incorporate some of the strategies below and leave behind the days of sit and git lectures or presentations. I want more »

As the school year begins there are numerous resources to ease and enrich the lives of innovative educators and their students that will facilitate effective teaching and learning. Here are my top picks for 2014/15.I want more »

Editor's note: If you're an innovative educator in secondary school, you are likely to have parents ask for your expert advice on teens and social media. You can give them this article directly or use it to get some ideas about how to best approach the conversation. If you are a parent of a teen, you already have a lot of experience working with your child(ren) to help them figure out how to engage safely and responsibly in the world. You've thought about which (or if) school is the best, which clubs they should join, which friends they should hang out with, which groups they should be a part of, and when and where they can go and hang out safely.When your child becomes a teen there will be some new places for you to think about your child being a part of. That is because at 13 your child legally old enough to join popular social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and more. The good news is you are prepared to do this. You have experience in making sure your child is engaging safely and responsibly in environments that are beneficial. What you've done in the physical world is exactly what you should do online. When the time comes, be prepared to "discuss" not "tell" your child how to remain safe and responsible online. It is likely they already know what to do if someone writes something that makes them, or someone they know, feel uncomfortable.  For example, you can block or report them to the space. Also discuss what to do if they find someone is making someone else uncomfortable. Here are some things to think about when, or ideally before, that day comes.I want more »

Innovative educators know that teaching and learning is shifting. Today students can watch lessons on their devices and progress at their own pace and teachers don’t have to waste time giving the same lecture multiple times a day. While watching lessons automates what is done in the traditional classroom, there is a new tool called Microsoft Office Mixwhich brings lectures and lessons to life by turning PowerPoints into interactive lessons called "Mixes" that are very simple to create. All you need to do is record lectures while you write and draw on your slides, and add audio, video, assessments or labs, and also the stuff that really makes lessons pop, like as animations, live links, or quizzes.Fitting into teacher’s lifestyle is analytics, and OfficeMix has built that in so you can track every student, quiz, and slide to see how they’re performing. OfficeMix is free if you have PowerPoint 2013 for Windows.  Or if you have a Mac, then you can run Windows on it, and still use Office Mix with PowerPoint 2013 on your Mac.I want more »

It's hard to believe that one of the top tools for learning as recognized by the Center for Learning &Performance Technologies is blocked in many schools today. Fortunately, innovative educators are resilient souls. If they can't get the learning to their students, the old fashioned way, they'll find another. In this case, the tool we're talking about is YouTube. As pointed out in Edudemic's 50 Education Tools Every Teacher Should Know About, "Not all schools allow YouTube, but they are missing out as the site contains a wealth of great learning materials for the classroom. There’s even a special education-focused channel just for teachers and students."So, what's an innovative educator to do if their school is one that blocks YouTube? Here are some ideas to access YouTube videos.I want more »

Social media has changed how vendors do business. It is no longer one way communication. Instead with social media, like never before, there is now two-way communication allowing companies to have conversations with their customers. Those who are doing so effectively. Those who are doing so effectively, grow customer loyalty and respect.  Those who are not doing it well, will be perceived as out-of-touch and will move further toward irrelevance. Those who serve our schools should be expected to engage with educators via social media. Simply providing products is no longer enough. Educators want to have relationships with the people behind the products. Some ed tech partners are doing a terrific job of this with robust online communities where the people behind the resource are there to support educators in relevant ways. What's more, educators are able to connect with others using their product.  Here are some do's and don'ts when businesses do get in the business of using social media with educators. I want more »

Today's #ThrowbackThursday brings us to a post I wrote about going paperless which I've been committed to for nearly a decade. What was fun about this post, aside from the topic, is that it was one of my first forays into figuring out SEO. I fooled all sorts of weight loss Googlers into reading my post, boosting the numbers into the hundreds, which at the time, was pretty exciting. However, I also realized from the analytics that once they arrived, they weren't interested in the content and left abruptly. This post showed me the value of quality of quantity and it also has some great ideas about going paperless.  I hope you enjoy.Written: April 6, 2008.  Topic: How and why I decided to go paperless. Who might be interested: Any educator who wants everything they'll ever need at their fingertips and doesn't want to carry that stuff around.Favorite excerpt: "I explained that in my position I had no access to a laptop or digital material and though I had access to a desktop it was shared by numerous people making it difficult to reliably access. Mr. Fischer said, "Well, I'm looking to hire someone who’s ready to change all that." Reader question: Are you paperless? Why or why not?Post: How I lost 20 lbs in a month on a paperless dietI walked into my interview for a position at the Office of Instructional Technology with a huge blue wheelie bag containing 25 lbs of necessities for my literacy coach position. Inside my bag was the balanced literacy curriculum (in what was known as the big red binder), a bunch of notebooks containing the latest reading and writing workshop units of study, binders with notes on the work I was doing with teachers, and folders containing information that supported my coaching work. I was interviewed by Troy Fischer who looked up, pointed to my wheelie bag and said, "If we are to consider you for this position you'll have to get rid of that thing." I protested explaining I am the type of person who needs to have all resources at my fingertips wherever I am so I wasn't quite sure I could agree. Read the rest at http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-i-lost-20-pounds-on-paperless-diet.html 

Today's #ThrowbackThursday brings us to a post I wrote about Community Intermediate School 339 in Bronx, New York. What I like about this post is watching where an innovative staff from 2008 is today. The principal became a leader in integrating Google into education practice. You can watch this for more on that. He then assumed a leadership position helping other schools set the stage for the environment today's staff and students need for success.  Many of the staff at that school also moved on to other environments where they were able to share and spread innovative practices.  Written: April 20, 2008Topic: Setting the foundation for a successful tech-integrated school. Who might be interested: Anyone interested in seeing how to develop leaders in ed tech innovation. Favorite excerpt:  "C.I.S. 339 has spent a lot of time this year ensuring teachers are comfortable with embedding technology tools into their work. The more they are embedded in the day to day of how they do business, the easier it becomes for teachers to make connections as to how they can enhance student learning with technology."Reader question: Post: CIS 339 Brings Professional Learning Communities Into The 21st CenturyI'm always on the lookout for schools that are effectively putting smart teaching and learning 2.0 practices in place. CIS 339 is one of those schools that has become a pioneer in embedding 21st Century tools into the way they do business to enhance education. To start, as leadership expert Michael Fullan says, you need to get the right people in the right seats on the bus. The school’s committed leader, Jason Levy did just that by hiring Dan Ackerman, a former technology coach, as his assistant principal. Because of his background, Dan was prepared to support this effort. He also put Christina Jenkins in place as a full-time technology coach who among other accomplishments put a strong online infrastructure in place in addition to providing ongoing coaching and PD support. Additionally he retained Patrick Wagner an ed tech consultant. He also purchased a 21st Century literacy and social studies curriculum from Teaching Matters that includes onsite support from staff developers to support the program. Finally, he worked to secure teachers that were enthusiastic about using 21st Century tools in the classroom and excited to be teaching in a school where every teacher had a laptop, projector and internet access to support instruction. Read the rest at: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/04/cis-339-does-21st-century-professional.html 

As Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) becomes and option for more and more schools, it is important to get the right pieces in place. A good place to start is the BYOD Toolkit which is part of the K-12 Blueprint for implementing successful technology initiatives.  The Toolkit includes case studies, checklists, step-by-steps, program frameworks, forms, and presentations to help in planning and implementing a BYOD program at the school or district level.The Toolkit allows schools to learn from others with resources such as the sample acceptable use policies below:I want more »

Today's #ThrowbackThursday brings us to a post I wrote after my first visit to The Science Leadership Academy. It was my first experience into the underbelly of what a "school gone right" looks like. I had the opportunity to spend an amazing day with the school's founder, Chris Lehmann, and his staff and students. Want to find out what makes a successful school? Read this article.Written: May 30, 2008Topic: Best practices at SLAWho might be interested: Educators interested in learning about and using ideas that lead to school success.Favorite excerpt:  When parents ask if SLA will prepare their children to do as well on standardized test as some other schools Mr. Lehman explains that the school is not about test scores. Instead he explains this is a place where students are not judged simply by test scores, but rather it is a place where they consider the students' head, heart, and hands. This was evident during my visit. Something I noticed early was there were no disturbing, ear piercing bells or announcements. When I asked Mr. Lehman to speak about this, he said it was because they were educating humans, not animals being trained to respond to a bell.Reader question: Which of the practices outlined in this article take place (or you wish took place) where you work? Post: Science Leadership Academy - Lessons LearnedI had the opportunity to join my colleagues for a visit to Chris Lehman’s much lauded (recently to me by Will Richardson and Jason Levy) Science Leadership Academy (SLA). Some of the best professional development I have engaged in is visits to schools that have the kind of reputation and stand for what I believe in. Then I watch, discuss, write, read about, implement, and share the best of what I discover. Chris Lehman, SLA's founding principal, has distinct views about what he believes schools should be doing for their students as he shared with us and in an Edutopia interview. "When I hear people say it's our job to create the twenty-first-century workforce, it scares the hell out of me. Our job is to create twenty-first-century citizens. We need workers, yes, but we also need scholars, activists, parents -- compassionate, engaged people. We're not reinventing schools to create a new version of a trade school. We're reinventing schools to help kids be adaptable in a world that is changing at a blinding rate."Read the rest at: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/05/science-leadership-academy-lessons.html 

Today's #ThrowbackThursday brings us to a post I wrote in 2008 about using cell phones for learning even if they are banned where you work. Little did I know back then, that this post would receive more than 20,000 views and also be the basis for my book, "Teaching Generation Text." At the time, it was considered rather scandalous (see this coverage in the local paper) that I was teaching teachers how to harness their cell phones for learning when schools across the city in which these teachers work banned the devices. Since then, things have changed. Most of those cool texting services I wrote about in this post any others such as Google SMS, Wiffiti, ChaCha and more, no longer provide such services in an age where most phones are smart. Also, more and more districts are lifting the ban and embracing the power of student devices for learning. Written: May 12, 2008Topic: Using cell phones for learningWho might be interested: Anyone teaching in an environment that doesn't ban cell phones. Favorite excerpt / Reader Questions:Ponderings…Should we teach educators and students ways to unleash the educational value of technologies even if they may not be accessible in schools?How will schools be impacted that are a part of Bloomberg’s pilot program that provides every student at certain schools with cell phones in an effort to increase student achievement? Should those phones just be seen as a reward and a tool to use after school or should those teachers and students have an opportunity to learn about, model, and implement ways to use these devices as powerful learning tools?Should the decision of use of cell phones and other technologies be at the discretion of the mayor or should informed educators and building leaders be empowered to determine if they want to employ such a policy?Should educators and students be encouraged to make an educational case for allowing various technologies to be used acceptably, appropriately, and educationally in schools?Post: The Value of Using Cell Phones to Enhance Education and Some Concrete Ways to Do SoI am offering a class through the Office of Instructional Technology this Friday that among other things shows educators how to use Google SMS to enhance teaching and learning. When participants ask questions and colleagues (in this case the class facilitators) send emails like this one or this one that inquire why I offer a class informing educators how to use sms texting as an educational tool even though cell phones are banned in NYC schools, my answer is easy. I am fortunate to work in an office that believes in being leaders rather than followers in providing innovative support to educators. With technology changing at lightening speed, many of our educators don't yet know what it is they need to know in this vast and ever-changing 21st Century landscape and it is the responsibility of our office to help inform the educational community. Read the rest at: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/05/value-of-using-cell-phones-to-enhance.html 

Today's #ThrowbackThursday brings us to what may have been my most viewed post of all time at 32, 552 views. The post that got all the attention told people five steps they can take to develop their personal learning network.  While the steps still work, many of the resources listed (i.e. Google Reader) in each step have changed (used Feed.ly instead). Written: October 12, 2008Topic: Developing a PLNWho might be interested: Any teacher or student who enjoys learning from experts and others who share their passion. Favorite excerpt:  PLNs provide individuals with learning and access to leaders and experts around the world bringing together communities, resources and information impossible to access solely from within school walls.Reader question: Do you have a personal learning network? If so, how has it helped you learn?Post: 5 Things You Can Do to Begin Developing Your Personal Learning NetworkMany educators in successful schools are involved in their school's professional learning community and perhaps they even collaborate with other schools in the district, city, state, country or beyond, but Innovative Educators also have personal learning networks (PLNs) enabling them to connect with other learners around the globe. If you're new to this world, personal learning networks are created by an individual learner, specific to the learner’s needs extending relevant learning connections to like-interested people around the globe. Read the rest at: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/04/5-things-you-can-do-to-begin-developing.html 

I love checking out new tech. I've used tablets before there were iPads, iTouches, Nanos, and Macs, PCs, Chromebooks, and more. One thing I've discovered despite those who try to make a case otherwise, tablets are better for consuming than producing. Laptops with real, not touchscreen, keyboards are better for producing, but while you can certainly read on them, it's not as pleasant an experience. Now I'm checking out a Windows 8 Surface Pro 3. The best of both worlds. The consumption benefits of a tablet, with the full power of a laptop.  I like it a lot. I may even like better than the other devices. It has a sleek and beautiful design (Though it isn't that sturdy on it's feet. The kick stand collapses unexpectedly if you move around while typing which apparently I do as it's collapsed three times during the writing of this post). It’s fast. It's light. It has a long battery life (around 7 hours) and comes with a stylus. For about $7 bucks a month you can get Office 365 too. But no need to pay that when you can use Google docs for free. While rumor had it that Google Apps for Ed didn't run on earlier Surfaces, that isn't the case with the Pro 3. Google Apps work fine. What's more, unlike with the Chromebook, you can run multiple profiles and browsers simultaneously. This is also a big plus for someone like me who uses more than one browser and profile. The ability to use and install my remote usb wireless, is a big deal for someone like me who travels between locations and is not possible with devices like Chromebooks.It's a great professional device but at a list price of about $900, is it worth the cost when you can get similar functionality for so much less? I want more »

The Managing Complex Change model puts language to that which makes some schools successful while others struggle. The model looks at five components necessary to create a desired environment. These include vision, skills, incentives, resources, action plan. If any one piece is missing the model indicates results schools will experience including change, confusion, anxiety, gradual change, frustration, and a false start. When thinking of successful schools such as Science Leadership Academy, The MET, The Island School, The iSchool, you will find they have all those components in place. On the other hand, when I hear teachers lamenting about their school failures, the model brings clarity to the fact that one or more of these components are missing.  Below is the chart that lays this out. Following the chart, I'll take a look at what each missing component might look like in a school environment. As you read, consider which, if any are components, are missing at your school.I want more »

Today's #ThrowbackThursday brings us to a post I wrote about why it's time to ditch the pen and embrace the keyboard. This post came to mind when drafting this week's look at iPads vs Chromebooks vs Surface. In it I made the point that a stylus for the purposes we think of in education (writing in a notebook or math equations) is a thing of the past.  On a personal note, with the exception of having to fill out forms because of various outdated practices at places like doctor's offices, I haven't used or carried a pen in several years.Written: September 3, 2010 Topic: Why it's time to ditch the pen and embrace the keyboard.Who might be interested: Anyone who is keeping students stuck as prisoners of their teacher's past by using pens instead of keyboards. Favorite excerpt:  Get over it and join the 21st century so you can be relevant to yourself, your colleagues, and most importantly your students.Reader question: Are you still keeping your student's tethered to the quill? What are your fears in moving forward?Post: I want to tackle the death of the pen which is quickly being replaced with digital writing tools like laptops, cell phones, iTouches, iPads, Smartpens etc. etc. etc. The same rumblings happen when it comes to the passing of the pen.But I love the feel of the pen on the page.Taking notes (an outdated skill) with a pen helps me understand what I’m hearing.I need an ink pen to be able to capture my thoughts, the keyboard just isn’t the same.Read the rest at: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2010/09/pen-is-no-longer-weapon-of-choice.html 

When students can bring or access devices for learning, teachers want to figure out the best resources. To do that they have Graphite™. Graphite is a free service from Common Sense Education designed to help preK-12 educators discover, use, and share the best apps, games, websites, and digital curricula for their students by providing unbiased, rigorous ratings and practical insights from our active community of teachers.This is what a collection of boards looks like. Teachers can get on Graphite and create boards of the best learning resources for any subject. They can start by checking out the boards created by Common Sense Media for Elementary, Secondary, and K-12 in the chart below.   Elementary Secondary K-12 ELA ELA Special Needs & Learning Differences Math Math Research Science Science Formative Assessment STEAM Parent Communication Classroom Management Want to share your favorite online resources? Sign up for Graphite.org and get started!

The Americas Society and Council of the Americas invited me to discuss the role of social media in education with experts and leaders dedicated to advancing and shaping the political, economic, social and cultural agendas of the Western Hemisphere. The purpose was to take what works in New York City and bring it to other education systems. To follow are some ideas I shared that global leaders can bring back to their countries. Why embrace social media for students and staff?If we want to run for office, run a business, or change how things are run where we work, live, or play we must be savvy in the use of social media. It is crucial for college, career, and life success. It can also save time at work for teachers. Here’s how.The Stats - College, Career, and Citizenship Success Look who’s watching:1/4 of college admissions officers consider digital footprint3/4 of human resource managers1/3 of employers reject candidates based on something found in profiles More stats and info at https://magic.piktochart.com/output/1328944-nycdoe_create-the-digital-image- Ensuring Students Are Well Googled We need to be smart about ensuring we are preparing students to be well-Googled by the time they graduate high school. We must support them in creating an online presence that will lead help them get into that school, land that job, and attract the right people into their worlds for powerful global connections. Here are some ways to get started. I want more »