Featured 7-9-2014: Global Writes

 

Global Writes works with schools and school districts to develop and implement programs integrating performing arts techniques with literacy programs.

 

Global Writes helps schools develop technology applications to share student-created work for publication and feedback. This includes the use of digital media, videoconferencing, podcasting, and blogging.

 

Schools and districts can get assistance in finding local arts partners as a classroom collaboration resource as well as in seeking local funding to sustain arts integration programs.

 

Global Writes helps schools around the world work together to foster communication and collaboration among students around literacy-based projects integrating the arts using technology as a resource.

 

 

Professional development opportunities focus on arts integration with existing literacy curriculum, providing teachers with opportunitites to develop an appreciation of the arts across the curriculum and confidence in using performing arts techniques in their classrooms.

 

 Watch a Global Writes overview

 

Global Writes provides both formative and summative evaluations to monitor student progress in their programs and supplies data to support increases in student achievement and teacher knowledge.

 

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Featured 6-5-2014: European Schoolnet Academy

 

European Schoolnet Academy is a website where you can learn about innovation in education through online professional development courses for teachers in primary and secondary schools.

 

The courses offered by European Schoolnet Academy offer you an introduction to key concepts and ideas that can help you develop your practice as an educator as well as the opportunity to share these ideas and your experiences with your peers. These courses are completely free of charge.

 

It is the hope of the European Schoolnet Academy that by participating in these courses and by engaging with your peers "you will feel empowered and inspired to try out something new in your practice."

 

 Visit the European Schoolnet Academy YouTube channel

 

The two European Schoolnet Academy pilot courses starting in 2014 cover two key areas of expertise of European Schoolnet and link into their project activities: Future Classroom Scenarios and STEM education.

 

 

European Schoolnet is the network of 30 European Ministries of Education, based in Brussels. As a not-for-profit organisation, they aim to bring innovation in teaching and learning to key stakeholders: Ministries of Education, schools, teachers, researchers, and industry partners.

 

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Featured 4-15-2014: 21Things4Teachers

 

21Things4Teachers is a free web-based professional development resource to educate teachers in the use of technology

 

The intention of 21Things4Teachers is to provide Just-in-Time training for K-12 educators through an online interface based on the ISTE Standards for Teachers, the basic technology skills every educator should possess.

 

 

21Things4Teachers covers a large variety of digital applications in the context of different educational practices, issues, considerations, and environments. The 21 modules, or things, include such topics as Cloud Initiation, Collaboration Tools, Visual Learning, Copyright and Creative Commons, Differentiated Instruction, and Flipping the Classroom.

 

 

With learning activities structured around the NETS•T, the modules provide an opportunity for participants to learn how to use various technology tools and how technology can support an educator’s professional development. Participants will broaden their own skills and discover what students need in order to meet the ISTE Standards for Students.

 

21Things4Teachers began in 2008, with four friends who were instructional technology specialists looking for a way to train teachers on technology in a timely and cost-effective manner.

 

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Featured: 2-13-2014 Buck Institute for Education

The Buck Institute for Education (BIE) is a nonprofit organization that helps teachers learn how to use Project Based Learning in all grade levels and subject areas.

 

The Buck Institute for Education creates, gathers, and shares Project Based Learning (PBL) instructional practices and products and provides services to teachers, schools, and districts.

 

BIE offers teachers professional development on how to design, assess, and manage projects that engage and motivate students. BIE helps schools bring consistency and structure to PBL practices school-wide. BIE offers districts services and expertise in creating and sustaining district-wide PBL initiatives.

 

 

BIE offers a full range of PBL-related resources organized into three broad categories: Things to read, to watch, or to interact with.

• Things to Read include blogs, books, articles, and research about PBL, and also written documents you can use, such as rubrics, project planning forms, student handouts, and other materials for planning, assessing, and managing projects.
• Things to Watch include videos that showcase particular projects and PBL schools or to explain PBL, as well as an archive of recorded webinars on various PBL topics.
• Things to Interact With include live webinars, Google Hangouts, and Twitter Chats, plus online classes to take, conferences to attend, and websites to visit.

 

 Watch an interview with representatives from BIE

The Buck Institute for Education also recommends resources for teachers, principals, and district leaders who would like to take an independent approach to learning about PBL. The featured resources include a note on how you can use that item.

 

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Extra: 1-2-2014 Sally Ride Science

Sally Ride Science provides tools for college and career readiness designed to fuel students' passion for STEM fields and careers.

 

Sally Ride Science strives to bring science to life for students ages 10-13, supporting and sustaining students' natural interests in science and technology. Books and eBooks on Cool Careers in Science and Key Concepts in Science vitalize science and show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating, and fun.

 

The Sally Ride Online Academy offers professional development, helping educators incorporate engaging career-focused approaches into their existing instruction.

 

 Watch a video about he basics and benefits of the Sally Ride Online Academy

 

The Sally Ride EarthKAM is a NASA-backed program enabling students and teachers to learn about Earth from the unique perspective of space. 

 

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Featured: 8-20-2013 MineralsEd

MineralsEd was created to assist teachers in developing educational materials to teach about minerals, mining, and Earth science in the classroom.

A partnership program between teachers and the minerals industry in British Columbia, MineralsEd's goals are to "foster a well-informed public through school education based on accurate and balanced minerals information, and to stimulate young peoples' interest in minerals industry careers."

MineralsEd offers teachers:

• A monthly email newsletter.
• A comprehensive and searchable Teacher Resources database.
• Instructional workshops for teachers' professional development.
• Classroom workshops, outreach programs, and more for your class.

MineralsEd is working towards developing the student section of the website into a more interactive and fun space to learn about Earth sciences, BC's mineral resources, the crucial role of minerals in everyday life, and the responsible use of these resources.

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