Recent articles
Supporting school leaders through video coaching
09/07/2017
Topics: professional learning
Strong leadership contributes greatly to the achievement of both educators and students and, ultimately, the overall success of a school. IDEA Public Schools is committed to ensuring transformational leadership across our schools in the San Antonio, Austin, and Rio Grande Valley regions of…
Educator Standards make their way into Texas law
07/26/2017
Topics: Advocacy, professional learning
In the same month the new ISTE Standards for Educators were launched, the governor of Texas signed a bill requiring that preservice teachers be evaluated on their ability to teach in a digital environment,…
What's missing from mobile learning
07/15/2017
Topics: 1:1, Mobile learning, professional learning
They had the infrastructure: a schoolwide Wi-Fi network backed by robust high-speed broadband. They had the devices: 1:1 iPads for seventh-grade students. They even had an evaluation process to ensure their…
It's like yoga for your educational practice
06/24/2017
Topics: Assessment, BYOD, Computational Thinking, Curriculum, Flipped learning, ISTE Conference & Expo, Learning spaces, Mobile learning, Online learning, Parent engagement, professional learning, Technology infrastructure, Tools
Being an educator is a lot like practicing yoga.
Yogis strive to develop stronger, more flexible bodies. Educators work to develop stronger, more flexible minds.
Yogis form communities and seek out training to deepen their practice. Educators build professional learning networks…
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…
Getting at the heart of the empowered learner
06/23/2017
Topics: 1:1, BYOD, Computational Thinking, Curriculum, Flipped learning, Gaming, ISTE Conference & Expo, Learning spaces, Mobile learning, Online learning, professional learning, Standards, Technology infrastructure, Tools
The ultimate goal of our educational system is to develop students as college-, career- and life-ready individuals who can thrive in a global, high-tech world. This goal can be supported or discouraged based on the learning environment, materials and instructional choices that are made for…
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…
Here's what the ISTE Standards for Students look like in 5 #RemakeLearning projects
06/19/2017
Topics: 1:1, BYOD, Computational Thinking, Curriculum, Flipped learning, Gaming, ISTE Conference & Expo, Learning spaces, Mobile learning, Online learning, professional learning, Project-based learning, STEM & STEAM, Technology infrastructure, Tools
The new ISTE Standards for Students, released in 2016, were developed to empower student voice and ensure that learning is a student-driven process of exploration, creativity and discovery no matter…
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, Online learning, 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…
Artificial intelligence has infiltrated our lives. Can it improve learning?
06/14/2017
Topics: 1:1, Assessment, Assistive and adaptive technologies, Augmented reality, BYOD, Computational Thinking, Curriculum, Gamification, Gaming, Makerspaces, Mobile learning, Personalized Learning, professional learning, Project-based learning, Robotics, STEM & STEAM, Technology infrastructure, Tools
When third grade teacher Brad Upshaw brought an Amazon Echo into his classroom, students spotted it immediately. Like reporters at a press conference, they swarmed the device and began shouting out questions.
“It was plugged in behind my interactive…