Vicki A. Davis's Blog, page 143
November 24, 2015
Project Based Learning: Teaching Students to Be Curators
Every Classroom Matters Episode 191
What is the secret to effective online project based learning? How can we get kids excited about writing? Nancy White shares how. She reflects upon two big projects. Nancy had one that worked well. She had another one that floundered. What was the difference? Apply Nancy’s principles and have better online writing today.
Important Takeaways- Project Based Learning: Teaching Students to Be Great Curators How an army of retired educators made an enormous di...
November 23, 2015
Can You Fix Twitter Counts? (and Why They Are Broken)
Social Media Insights
Twitter counts on blog posts are broken. Can you fix Twitter counts? Why did this happen? Is Twitter in trouble? Let’s not panic, let’s analyze what has happened and how we can still find Twitter counts on a page (for now.)
Although Twitter announced some time ago their plan to get rid of the counts that show how many times a page has been tweeted, they turned off the service on November 20. Now, my blog and many others across the web just show a tweet button, but no cou...
Alec Couros’ 6 Epic Educational Truths
Every Classroom Matters Episode 193
When you see an accomplished educator like Alec Couros, it is easy to think that he’s always been this way. You might believe that he’s never made mistakes. You might think that everything was perfect from day one. In this conversation, Alec takes us through his educational journey and the truths he’s learned along each step.
As we listened to the show, Sylvia Duckworth and I jotted down six epic educational truths. (I put the epic in there, he wouldn’t,...
November 22, 2015
Top Posts for Teachers This Week
News and Trends: Sunday, November 22, 2015
This was a busy week at my school. Kids weren’t too excited to be there but we got so much done anyway. Friday was capped off with sharing with each student something that makes them special. The response was amazing from parents but it was about the students. Every student needs to know they matter. But you can only tell each student how they are unique if you KNOW THEM. You must have a relationship. That is what teaching is about anyway! Relationsh...
November 21, 2015
3 Learning Experiences You Should Give to Every Student
Every Classroom Matters Episode 192
Writable surfaces. Movable spaces. Micro environments. Never heard these terms? Our classroom design helps us create learning experiences for students. David Jakes explains modern classroom design.
Essential Questions:3 Learning Experiences You Should Give to Every Student How can classroom design improve learning? What are cutting edge trends in classroom design? Are there simple, inexpensive ways to improve the classroom? Look at your classroom. Examin...Top 10 Education Tweets of the Week: November 21, 2015
Trends and Tweets that Have People Talking
Emotions and relating to other humans is reflected in a subtle way on this week’s top education tweets. Teachers are telling kids and each other that they matter. Teachers are talking about making their own music in their classroom. Thanksgiving-themed lesson plans are being shared while many educators gear up for Hour of Code in December (may the force and Minecraft be with you). Meanwhile, I’m upgrading my Makerspace and ditching my old projector a...
November 19, 2015
Hip Hop Language Education: Using Rap to Teach, Really?
Every Classroom Matters Episode 190
Language teachers have the daunting task of helping students memorize so many words! How can it be fun? How can you help students learn them faster? Jason Levine uses hip hop in his language education classes. Surprisingly, he teaches teachers (even those, like me, with norhythm) to use hip hop in their language education classes too.
Essential Questions: Hip Hop Language Education: Using Rap to Teach, Really? Why do hip hop and language education work t...November 18, 2015
8 Great Ways to Level Up Game Based Learning in the Classroom
Play Good Games, Get Great Results
Game based learning in the classroom should not be worksheets with points. It should be engaging and exciting. Here are eight ways to level up game based learning. Because, face it, many educational “games” fall short. Chocolate on broccoli. That is what many educators call these games that fall short of what great gaming can be. Dr. Lee Graham, a creator of the literature Minecraft experience Givercraft, says,
Some games are computerized worksheets. That is...
November 17, 2015
How we can stop TEACHING TO THE TEST and start empowering learning (for a change)
Every Classroom Matters Episode 189
I’m sick and tired of excuses. Everyone makes them but the biggest, most obnoxious dumbest excuse we’ve adopted is “we have to prepare kids for THE TEST.” Sure the test has become a reality. But with so many people seeing the schools KILL THE LOVE OF LEARNING so we can help kids memorize rote facts for a TEST — why isn’t more happening to CHANGE THINGS? Schools know we can do better but why do schools still do the same old things that didn’t work last time...
November 16, 2015
How Teachers Can Self Publish Books
Every Classroom Matters Episode 188
Self publishing seems hard. But as UK-based educator David Hopkins shares on today’s episode, if you can use Microsoft Word, you can do it. David has self published three books. He explains simplyhow teachers and authors can self publish books in print and ebook format.
Essential Questions:How Teachers Can Self-Publish Books What do teachers do first when they want to self publish? How can teachers use Microsoft Word to self publish? What is the differenc...
