Recent articles
Don't ban social media teach students how to be digital citizens!
08/14/2017
Topics: Digital Citizenship
Alarming headlines about social media can leave the impression there's an evil monster eagerly waiting to steal away our innocent children and devour them one click at a time.
While some of the fears about social media and our students are certainly valid, the response of some school…
9 ways real students use social media for good
10/02/2019
Topics: Digital Citizenship, Social media
Think nothing good can come from encouraging students to use social media? Consider what these former students from Minarets and Design Science high schools in Central California are doing. I asked these students how they use social media as an academic tool and how that shaped both their high…
Use images to kick off digital citizenship conversations
07/27/2017
Topics: Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship conversations can be intimidating for students and educators alike. Students might worry their teacher or peers won’t understand their experiences. Educators may feel some trepidation over coming off as uninformed or out of the loop if they’re not using the same digital…
Virtual afterschool program helps build STEM skills
07/18/2017
Topics: Coding & robotics, Digital Citizenship
When kids come home from school unattended day after day, chances are they’ll end up clocking quite a bit of screen time — whether on a video game, computer or other device.
But what if parents could harness that time to help their kids develop stronger STEM skills?…
Engaging parents as school tech leaders
06/24/2017
Topics: Digital Citizenship, ISTE Conference & Expo
When students don't have technology access at home, they miss out on a lot of benefits — a crucial one being tech-savvy parents who can support their digital learning journey.
Schools can send kids home with technology, but where can they turn for help with their online…
Learning happens in a zigzag and that's OK
06/24/2017
Topics: Assistive and adaptive technologies, Augmented reality, Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Gamification, Gaming, ISTE Conference & Expo, Literacies, Makerspaces, Personalized Learning, professional learning, Project-based learning, Robotics, STEM & STEAM
Jad Abumrad is quick to say he doesn’t feel comfortable giving educators advice, and yet his career in radio touches on many topics educators are familiar with.
Tinkering. Curiosity. Messy experiences. Failing forward. Transformation.
Abumrad, host and creator…
Minecraft + creative passion = innovative learning
06/20/2017
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Gaming, ISTE Conference & Expo, Literacies, Makerspaces, professional learning
It’s no secret that Minecraft taps into students’ passions. What better way to learn than by playing your favorite game?
But Minecraft doesn’t just fuel their passion for video games. Its design-oriented gameplay allows kids to explore a wide variety of interests within the…
5 mini-keynotes (and student performers) provide a dose of inspiration
06/14/2017
Topics: 1:1, Assessment, Augmented reality, BYOD, Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Flipped learning, Gamification, Gaming, ISTE Conference & Expo, Makerspaces, professional learning, Technology infrastructure, Tools
This year’s EdTekTalks at ISTE 2017 will feature edtech thought leaders who will share their creativity and insights in a series of mini-keynotes.
Add student presenters from…
ISTE CEO shares his vision for ISTE
06/14/2017
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Literacies, Makerspaces, Personalized Learning, professional learning
ISTE CEO Richard Culatta’s passion for innovation goes back to one of his first jobs when he was putting his degrees in Spanish teaching and educational psychology to work as the director of operations for a school in rural Guatemala.
Seeking new ways to bridge generations-old…
Just a click away! Use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for PD
06/05/2017
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Literacies, Makerspaces, professional learning
Many educators extol the benefits of Twitter as a tool for developing a professional learning network and engaging in professional development. But Twitter isn’t the only social media platform that educators can use to share with and learn from one another. Facebook and Instagram…