Maximizing Productivity for Educators with Side Hustles

Jeff GargasBlog, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: The Eisenhower Matrix is a time management tool that helps prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. It categorizes tasks into four quadrants: Important and Urgent, Important but Not Urgent, Not Important but Urgent, and Not Important and Not Urgent. By focusing on Quadrant II activities (Important but Not Urgent), educators can work proactively on tasks that contribute to … Read More

Learner Agency: Teaching The Art of Agility

Steven WeberBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Reflect Better, Teach Further

TL;DR: Learner agency empowers students through student voice, choice, innovation, and authentic tasks, allowing them to take ownership of their learning. Teachers can create opportunities for learner agency by implementing strategies such as project-based learning, arts education, communication, problem-solving, and reflection. Learner agency enables students to set goals, reflect on their progress, and transfer their understanding in new situations, developing … Read More

Connecting Your Class with Authors

Mason NicholsBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better

TL;DR: Virtual learning led to decreased student motivation, prompting the need for engaging and meaningful activities. Using picture books and connecting with authors proved effective in fostering social-emotional learning and motivation. Strategies such as utilizing social media, attending author book signings, and exploring author websites facilitated connections and sparked students’ interest in writing and reading. After several weeks of virtual … Read More

Enhancing Learning with Ed Tech

Dan ThomasBlog, Differentiate Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL:DR: Common sense is an important aspect of human intelligence that allows us to navigate everyday situations using reasoning and logic. Teaching and cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills, rather than relying solely on memorization, promotes understanding and the application of knowledge to real-world situations. Integrating educational technology (ed tech) in the classroom should be done with common sense, considering … Read More

The Gods of Education. Are They Worth It?

Brian MillerBlog, Connect Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Schools, like cathedrals, have gods that they worship, which shape their values, priorities, and practices. The gods of education can be both burdensome and dangerous, demanding sacrifices and affecting the unintended consequences of serving them. Identifying the gods in education allows for a critical examination of their impact and whether they are worth prioritizing, as they are tools that … Read More