Author: TeachThought Staff

Using Goal Setting and Data Tracking to Enhance Student Agency and Achievement contributed by Samantha Lopez As educators, we are often referred to as ‘data-driven decision-makers.’ Even in an upper elementary classroom, students can access their grades and keep track of their assignments. Instead of only using data, how can educators show students how to use their own data to make their own decisions about their learning? The Need for Student Agency Student agency is students taking ownership of their learning. Often, students from  low socioeconomic backgrounds are held to low expectations as an attempt to show compassion from their…

What Is Life About? The Best Quotes We Could Find by TeachThought Staff What Is Life About? The Best Quotes We Could Find “People use drugs, legal and illegal, because their lives are intolerably painful or dull. They hate their work and find no rest in their leisure. They are estranged from their families and their neighbors. It should tell us something that in healthy societies drug use is celebrative, convivial, and occasional, whereas among us it is lonely, shameful, and addictive. We need drugs, apparently, because we have lost each other.” — Wendell Berry 40 Quotes About Living “The…

contributed by Samantha Saumell, I Have, Not I Am All teachers want to help students become successful readers and writers. Whether students like reading or writing, they are readers and writers, whether they know it or not. Students sometimes think that they only ‘write’ in school. But the truth is they write every time they text a friend, write a list, write a card, or even message a friend on a video game. Students don’t just ‘read’ at school; they constantly read everything around them. As teachers, it is our job to help students become successful at spelling.  Word Walls   Everybody…

Education has gone beyond acquiring knowledge to acquiring skills using EdTech tools; students learn digital literacy, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Using technology in learning also enhances the student’s ability to appreciate and ponder on issues in a previously deemed impossible manner. Thus, tech serves as an additional tool for navigation, similar to how tutors and experts at a professional coursework writing service assist with developing writing skills. Here are some strategies teachers may apply to enhance the interactivity of their lessons through technology.  Set Clear Objectives  Before introducing any digital tools to students, it is best first to establish…

Address Common Project-Based Learning Challenges Through Culture-Building contributed by Sara Segar, Experit Learning Depot I would never claim to be the world’s best project-based educator. There have been ups and downs, some duds, and big mistakes. I have encountered every PBL challenge imaginable, but I’ve used them as opportunities to do better. I’ve learned that every PBL struggle is preventable with a solid PBL culture.  What is a PBL culture?  Project-based learning (PBL) is sustained inquiry that emphasizes authenticity, community, and real-world problems. PBL culture is the shared values, expectations, goals, and norms built around those PBL principles. When your students…

by TeachThought Staff In ‘Shifts For The Classroom of the Future,’ Terrell Heick said, “It’s challenging enough to manage a traditional learning environment where the curriculum is handed to you, and meetings are set, and you’re simply there to manage; adding more ingredients to the mix seems like asking for trouble. But the truth is, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to educate children in the face of such radical technological and pedagogical progression.” Compared to the tools we have today, advanced learning technology is beyond the consideration and reach of most practicing teachers. And we are at least a decade away…

by TeachThought Staff As learning becomes increasingly digital, access becomes increasingly important. The Flipped Classroom, for example, requires technology that would have been considered dramatic only a few years ago. Broadband access, CPU speed, graphics processing, multi-media production in terms of sound, image, film, and other innovations have placed significant demands on the technology industry. Of course, it has been too eager to respond as an industry grounded in business principles. Among those most under-appreciated of those responses has been the ‘cloud.’ Examples of Cloud-Based Learning Google Classroom Function: It enables teachers to create, distribute, and grade assignments paperlessly, fostering…

by TeachThought Staff Team-building activities are great–especially for the first day of school or early in the school year, Not only can they help establish routines, tone, and expectations, they’re also fun, and can help learners feel comfortable. Though many older students in high school and college may groan at their thought, they’re usually fun, and great ways to help students feel at ease. Before you dismiss them as too juvenile, try one. You might be surprised. Note that which game you choose, your rules for the game, and any revisions to the rules depend on the nature of the…

by TeachThought Staff Welcome to a new school year! While most teachers and students have so much to look forward to as the new school year begins, at times the groans you will hear from the students are almost as loud as the more subtle groans of the teachers. The end of summer is always seen as a tragic end to freedom and fun. Like on Mondays, when the whole long week seems to loom threateningly in front of you, new school years can sometimes fill you with the same sort of dread. The good news is that dread is…

by TeachThought Staff Life can be crushingly busy–especially if you’re an educator or any other profession where deadlines are constant and the pressure is, unfortunately, unrelenting. With that in mind, keeping your schedule organized and managing your time efficiently is more important than ever. With so many calendar apps available for iOS, it can be tough to find the one that really fits your needs. Whether you’re balancing work meetings, personal appointments, or family activities, the right calendar app can make life much easier. Below is a together a list of the best calendar apps for iOS to help you…