Thursday, April 23, 2009

Must reads

Here are two articles that anyone who wants to make a difference in students lives should read.

The first one is about making sure methodology doesn't get overshadowed by technology.

The second addresses the faulty assumptions we make when talking about school reform.

As you reflect on these articles, how will they inform or change what you do in the classroom?

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Digital Projector Fun

Looking for ways to integrate technology into your classroom without  having to create some complex lesson plan on a technological piece of equipment you are not comfortable with?  Here's a list of things you can do with digital projector.  There's something for every content area teacher.

More tools for Twitter-ers

Here's a list of Top 100 Tools for Teachers on Twitter.  You find some of these helpful especially if Twitter is blocked at your school (check out EmailTwitter)

If you don't use Twitter and/or just want to know what the heck it is, check out this handbook for teachers.

No homework before middle school?

Adding to the homework controversy, here's an article that says brain research indicates that homework is not beneficial before middle school.  What do you think?

Monday, April 13, 2009

Top Ten Necessities for Education Reform

Here is a great article, written by a middle school teacher who is also a NEUROLOGIST!  In it she gives her top ten necessities for education reform.  What I hope that policy makers and teachers who find change hard to implement recognize is the research basis for what she is saying, especially the basis of how the brain itself functions.  Shouldn't that guide our methods?