Lessons from the Beach: How to Keep Students Enthusiastic About Learning

Jeremy RinkelBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Reflect Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Engage students by incorporating hands-on activities and integrating technology with purpose. Build a supportive classroom environment to foster excitement and investment in learning. Focus on creating impactful educational experiences for the upcoming school year. I go to the beach every summer to help me relax and recharge for the next school year. This year I was sitting in my … Read More

AI 101: Tips and Tools for Teachers

Mason NicholsBlog, Differentiate Better, Grade Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: This post explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. AI tools that can be used in education include MagicSchool, Diffit, Eduaide, SchoolAI, and Brisk Teaching. Some features of AI that can be used in education are email assistance, curated educational content, gamification, AI “assistants,” and reading level adjustments. AI in Education Over the past year, we have … 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

Using Tech to Connect

Darcy BakkegardBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Personalize Student Learning Better

TL;DR: It’s so great to be together in person with students. How can we use tech to support in-person learning? Consider using audio journals. Turn research papers into podcasts! Back to School It’s great to be back to school in person. There’s magic in a classroom, an excitement that grows when students and teachers are in the same place at … Read More

One Icon at a Time – Digital Learning Environments

Debbie TannenbaumBlog, Tech Better

TL;DR: We need to teach our students icons so that they can better navigate digital learning environments. It doesn’t matter what our students call an icon, but they need to know what its function is. Digital Learning Environments: Why Icons? “My students are digital natives—they just know how to use technology.” I hear these statements often when I work with … Read More