Vicki A. Davis's Blog, page 132
July 21, 2016
A Getting Started Guide to Digital Citizenship Education
How Model Teachers Model Digital Citizenship
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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A one time assembly about digital citizenship is not enough. So, Susan Bearden believes digital citizenship should be reinforced daily with kids. In light of how much work we have to do in schools, this whole-school approach brings out so many questions! How do you bring everyone together to understand digital citizenship? What is the role of schools, parents, and facul...
July 20, 2016
5 Steps for a Successful STEAM Lab
How to Mix Problems, Passion, and Projects to Excite Kids
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Implementing a STEAM Lab Program can be a challenge. (STEAM stands forScience, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.) Today’s guest,Alicia Roberts has navigated this process several times and gives us five steps to make it happen. If you’re ready to implement STEAM or if you’re doubtful, learn from someone who has successfully implemented STEAM.
Listen t...
11 Things Students Need to Know to Be Successful
Truths for Future-Holders So We Can Hold a Brighter One
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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All softwareis useless if we don’t invest in the greatest software in the world… the human brain. The software within our children is the most important software being created. We can’t program it. We can’t carve it. But what we put into their minds, determines the future for all of us. But what should that be?
Today’s Global Search for Education question fro...
July 19, 2016
11 Essential EdTech Action Steps for Back to School
Simple Updates to Your Classroom Procedures and Workflow sponsored by EdTech Software
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Technologies can transform; even simple technologies can make a significant impact. Here are eleven of the technologiesthat oftenaffect classroom procedures and workflow. Use this checklist and infographic to make sure you’ve included the edtech essentials in your workflow this year.
1. Design You...
July 16, 2016
3 Strategies for Students Who Struggle with Reading and Writing
Every Classroom Matters with Dr. Linda H. Mason
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Improve reading skills by helping students learn how to set their own goals.
Dr. Linda Mason helps us understand how to help students become better readers with goal setting, self-regulating, and self-assessment strategies.
Linda shares lots of practical research-based advice on helping struggling readers. I find her revelation about students with ED and the impact th...
July 14, 2016
GET MY NEW BOOK: Do What Matters
Learn about planning and make your own planner
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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I’m sick and tired of doing “things.” ”Things” are what happened to me when I was a young Mom on a tight budget. I kept going to WalMart to buy “things.” I bought a little thing here and a little thing there. Then, I had to buy stuff to organize my “things” and take time to clean out my closet and give away lots of those “things.” I just didn’t need them or didn’t wan...
July 11, 2016
Moving from Teaching STEM to Doing STEM
Getting kids engaged and excited about learning in the STEM Classroom
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Dr. Robin Ellwood moved from lecture to hands-on STEM with her eighth graders and shows us how. Robin’s students designed a remote underwater vehicle (ROV) that went to Antarctica. She was intimidated when she started thinking about it. But she learned it with the kids as she went.
What blows my mind is that Robin has her PhD and yet she still l...
July 7, 2016
What Makes a Good Assessment?
Assessment strategies that show what students have REALLY learned
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Assessments should cover what is taught and address important learning goals. Thomas Guskey reflects today on what makes a good assessment. He also shares the four kinds of data that are most valuable to teachers in year-end assessment. This is a must listen for any educator working with assessment.
Listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network | iTunes...
July 6, 2016
My favorite app for communicating with parents: Bloomz
A live from #iste2016 update
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Bloomz is the free tool I currently use for communicating with parents.Bloomz was one of my sponsors for ISTE 2016 this year, and I appreciate their support. So, I sat down with Bloomz and did an interview about the product and how it works. They have some cool new features including Bloomz for schools, video, and student timelines.(Timelines are a portfolio-like tool to share student...
July 5, 2016
Do Students Learn Better in Chairs or Couches?
Meet Oskar Cymerman, the science teacher on a quest to Starbucks his classroom
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Design your classroom to be intentional and inviting. Today’s guest, Oscar Cymerman, has decided to “Starbucks” his classroom.
Oskar says,
“Rowsare for compliance but Starbucks is for collaboration.”
Now, he’s reorganizing his science lecture area with Starbucks in mind.
Yes, there’s still room for experiments, but you have to listen to...
