All Blog Posts (9,941)

US Navy Hospital Ship Provides Humanitarian Assistance

I have to share this blog. I posted it yesterday on my blog Sizzle in Science, and it is the most-visited site of any I have ever posted. I don't understand why. Read it and let me know if you have any ideas why?

The United States military has a program called ‘Humanitarian Assistance’ whose objective is not war. It encourages peace by strengthening the health and welfare of people throughout the world through the use of American know-how. This includes all active and reserve… Continue

Added by Jacqui Murray on August 17, 2009 at 10:51am — No Comments

Teaching with Edmodo

I'd like to thank Oliver, Merle, and Matt for their helpful suggestions and responses to my previous blog! It's so great to be teaching again and have this great resource.

I decided to go with edmodo.com as recommended by Oliver. It was so easy to set up and I was able to test it opening a teacher and student accounts on Firefox and Safari without any problems. Students will probably find it as user-friendly because it resembles Facebook, and it's just as intuitive if not simpler and… Continue

Added by Antoinette Go on August 17, 2009 at 9:32am — No Comments

The Weekly Update: August 10 - August 16

Some great blogs from last week...

Added by Shawn Roner on August 17, 2009 at 9:26am — No Comments

Is it Mr. Danza or will he be, "Yo, Mr. D!"?

So I see that former TV star Tony Danza is thinking about starring in a reality show called TEACH. That's right, a reality show. Currently, according to highly placed sources at some internet tabloid drivel I ran across while mindlessly surfing the web, I came across this story.

Yep, the guy from Who's The Boss is gonna tackle the classroom. An inner city high school classroom… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on August 17, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

Back to Teaching

My bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees are all in education, and I have explored all other fields especially when I shifted to computers and information technology from mathematics, English and the humanities. ICT encompasses all other fields, and to be hooked on it means spending lots of time to refresh my knowledge and skills and ride each new wave coming.

As a teacher, I have taught at different curriculum levels and have trained many teachers in the pedagogical aspects… Continue

Added by Josephine Cacdac on August 17, 2009 at 4:36am — No Comments

When you leave teaching...

From: http://sarahbsd.wordpress.com

When you leave teaching, beware. You are more powerful, capable, and resourceful than you could have ever imagined possible. Though we endeavor every day as teachers to be the super human beings who sacrifice sleep, sustenance, and hydration, hurtling ourselves at the massive challenges facing our schools and students, we doubt our own efficacy. Suspended in the motion of moments too intense and important to be anything other than 100% present, we… Continue

Added by Sarah Benis Scheier-Dolberg on August 16, 2009 at 12:31pm — 2 Comments

Website for Students to Upload Homework

I don't want students to e-mail their assignments, so I'm looking for a site that allows me to not only post homework and share handouts, but also for students to submit/upload files. In the past I've used Edline and Turnitin, which my former school has accounts with; but the disadvantage to this arrangement is I lose access to my lessons and calendar when I leave school. So now I'm trying Google Sites and wikis like Wikispaces and Wetpaint. But I'm still not sure if I really want students to… Continue

Added by Antoinette Go on August 16, 2009 at 10:20am — 2 Comments

Mealy Hands, Anyone?

This is a Mealy Hand. It is dry corn meal and flour mixed together and poured into a vinyl glove. Once filled, the student should lightly tap the glove to pack the mixture into the fingers and to release pockets of air. A well packed glove is key to creating a realistic hand for the student to successfully master filing techniques and correctly hold the finger while filing and shaping the nail. A rubber banded is used to close the glove.… Continue

Added by Mary Jean Hernandez on August 16, 2009 at 9:59am — No Comments

Getting Away from the “Traditional Test” Format

Most teachers like to use multiple choice, T/F, and matching on tests. It may be easier for teachers to create; however, this does not really tell us if students really understood the concepts. Most look for answers that student have seen in the same section in their text/notes. The T/F questions leave students with a 50% chance of getting it right or wrong. Using short answers and essays, where students actually describe a process or how something works will show exactly what students know or… Continue

Added by Christina on August 15, 2009 at 11:47pm — 1 Comment

The Need for Change in Teaching Strategies

In past and present generations, many or most teachers have used the “traditional” teaching method. This method usually includes lectures, worksheets, and testing, which creates a passive learner. I remember how teachers have taught middle and high school classes, usually via lectures. Even some college professors do the same thing.

This leaves most teachers and students bored out of their mind.

More teachers need to put students in more active role of learning not only… Continue

Added by Christina on August 15, 2009 at 11:45pm — No Comments

feedback welcome

First week of school went well. 'would love to hear ideas for language arts 5th and 6th grade levels, how to juggle all the curriculum!

Added by Lois Lantz on August 15, 2009 at 9:53pm — No Comments

What are the Most Pressing Problems that Preoccupy the Thinking of Novice (First Year) Teachers?

As a mentor or mentor teacher there is a body of knowledge about learning to teach that a staff developer needs to understand in order to provide constructive assistance to their mentees. Beginning with this post, we will share some of that knowledge base.

For example, when working with novice or fist year teachers it is important to understand the kinds of instructional and classroom management problems that preoccupy their thinking.

Fortunately, *Simon Veenman (1984) did… Continue

Added by Richard D. Solomon, Ph.D. on August 15, 2009 at 5:17pm — No Comments

5 Clues You’ve been Hacked and 8 Keys to Lock Down Your Computer

How do you know if your computer has been breached, hacked, cracked or otherwise compromised? If it won’t boot up or vomits up the Blue Screen of Death, it’s pretty obvious, but what if your intruder is more devious. Doesn’t want you to know he’s been there, so leaves none of the obvious signs?

Here are some clues:

* Applications… Continue

Added by Jacqui Murray on August 15, 2009 at 1:55pm — No Comments

Teaching Students How To Read a Textbook

We need to teach students how to read a textbook - since most only know how to read a novel. There are numerous ways to review the chapter/section prior to students actually reading the text.

Introduce the topic and look for background knowledge and misconceptions. .

One option is to use a strategy known as PLAN (Predict-Locate-Add-Note). First, students scan the chapter’s title, subtitles, key words, graphs/tables, etc. Next, students create a concept map and make note on which… Continue

Added by Christina on August 15, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

You Make A Difference

Well, it is time to get another school year started. My students start Monday. I don't know about you, but my summer went by extremely fast. I wish you a productive year. When times get stressful and you wonder why you chose to become a teacher, remember that you may be the one personal that has a positive influence and made a difference in one of your student's life. All of your students will leave your class at the end of the semester or year a better person, because you cared. I know you all… Continue

Added by Donnie Smith on August 15, 2009 at 11:58am — No Comments

The Problem of Increasing Illiteracy Rates in the U.S.

I have recently completed a research paper that included the problem of illiteracy rates in the country.

As most know, across the country, literacy rates have dropped, as fewer and fewer people never learn to read or only have a basic reading level. According to an article in the USA Today (2009), U.S. Education Department has released a study, which found that 32 million adult Americans are unable to read basic text. We all know that literacy rates in the US have been dropping over… Continue

Added by Christina on August 15, 2009 at 11:57am — No Comments

Building Computers in Fifth Grade: Foundation for the next Linus Torvalds or Andy Hertzfeld

This year I am going to create a class for our after school program that shows students how to build computers from scratch using spare parts from other computers. I think working with the computer today is like rebuilding old cars of the past. Find parts for that Chevy and make it run better than it did before. No need for for new parts, go to the junk yard. Anyhow, I have been experimenting this year building thin clients and servers from computers that people throw away and thought this… Continue

Added by Joel Garcia on August 15, 2009 at 11:05am — No Comments

Web 2.0 Accessibility

As Ed Tech leaders promoting Web 2.0 in the educational environment, it is incumbent upon us to adopt an inclusive approach so that physically impaired learners have an equal opportunity to derive the same benefits from 21st Century technologies as non-impaired students. We need to raise awareness of this issue so that Web 2.0 developers and social networking sites begin to incorporate design elements that allow access to all learners regardless of physical ability.

Start by… Continue

Added by David Ligon on August 15, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

How I Dislike Agreeing with Someone With Whom I Usually Do Not Agree

Look, I am a small, petty person prone to grudges and outbursts against the follies of people who I believe are negatively affecting the quality of life for others -- especially when I believe they could be doing better (if only their intention was to do so).

Therefore, as a teacher, it's hard to like the job Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing as the governor of California in terms of the way he is captaining our educational agenda. It just doesn't seem to me as if he values… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on August 15, 2009 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

Social Learning Buzz Masks Deeper Dimensions Mitigating the confusion surrounding “Social Learning”

Article by Frank Ganis. distributed via White paper by the Gilfus Education Group

Foreword

It is our hope that by leveraging socially based technologies the education industry can shape a new educational technology paradigm that realizes the promises of true “Social Learning”.

By understanding its applications we can create a unique opportunity to improve student engagement, student retention, academic success and overall educational outcomes.

–… Continue

Added by Stephen Gilfus on August 14, 2009 at 1:14pm — No Comments