Social Media and Kids - what you should know - guest post

How Kids Are Using Mainstream Social Apps

What You Should Know About Your Child’s Social Media Platforms

The Most Popular Social Apps Among Teens and How They’re Using Them

What Are the Mainstream Social Apps and How Are Teens Using Them?

Guest Post: Hilary Bird is a digital journalist who writes about the things that fascinate her the most: relationships, technology, and how they impact each other. As more and more people become more and more reliant on their tech devices, Hilary wants to help them stay safe and understand how these devices will reshape the way we communicate.

According to new research by the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens say they have access to a smartphone, and 45% indicate that they’re online “almost constantly.” With increasingly easy access to social media via smart devices—and an hour’s worth of social media data being within reach in under two seconds as internet speeds grow—parents and teachers should stay informed and aware of what social media platforms are available to teens and how kids use them.

Read on to learn about four of the most popular social apps among teens and how parents and educators can be proactive in teaching kids to be responsible and respectful on social media.

Instagram

According to the above Pew survey, Instagram is the second most popular social platform for teens. It combines photos/videos, likes, and comments. Accounts can be public or private, and users can send direct private messages.

Caregivers and educators should be aware that some public accounts may contain inappropriate images, though the platform’s terms keep offensive content to a minimum. They should also consider how the “like” feature on Instagram can become a comparison tool for teens and a way to measure popularity or self-worth.

Snapchat

Snapchat is a messaging app that lets users post pictures or videos that vanish after an allotted time. And while most teens use Snapchat to send funny pictures, the nature of the app makes it easy for users to send or view inappropriate content.

Snapchat has recently been under scrutiny for inappropriate ads and 18+ channels. But with a proper understanding of the platform’s privacy settings (and a conversation about what shouldn’t be posted on the app), responsible teens can use this platform safely.

Twitter

Twitter allows users to post 280-character messages known as “tweets.” Teens mainly use Twitter to express opinions, share short snippets, and keep up with celebrities and other prominent figures. The platform makes it easy to engage and be engaged with.

While profiles can be private, most accounts are public. Tweets appear immediately once posted, so this platform requires a discussion about posting appropriate content.

Facebook

While Facebook seems more popular among adults, it’s still one of the more popular social platforms for teens. It’s sometimes known as the “one-stop shop” for social media. Users are able to share photos and videos, create photo albums, post thoughts or opinions, and more.

Because this app is so network-based, cyberbullying can be a real worry here, so keep communication lines open, and talk with kids who seem like they might be at risk.

What Parents and Educators Can Do

If used appropriately and in moderation, social media can be a positive way to share content and stay connected. However, it can also be a major time-waster—kids can lose hours scrolling through feeds. Social media can also be a means for already-mentioned issues like cyberbullying, self-esteem problems, and exposure to inappropriate content.

Parents and teachers should have frequent conversations with kids about the ramifications of what’s posted. Social media should be used as a platform for sharing uplifting content, not a venue for hurtful material.

As needed, monitor how often kids use social media, observe how it impacts them, and be aware of the content they’re posting. If you notice inappropriate or crude content being posted, take appropriate measures to stop the posting or viewing of such material. Consider putting proper safety measures in place, too, such as installing security software and keeping networks secure.

While adults probably can’t keep kids from feeling the influences of social media, they can empower kids to be positive influencers themselves.

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Productivity and Organizing - Resources, Tips and ideas for being more productive and organized

Productivity and Organizing -
Resources, Tips and ideas for being more productive and organized.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People-Outline, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People-Wikipedia


Great for every aspect of your life

Getting Things Done 5 Steps
I use this daily, especially with emails

Ben Franklin’s Daily Schedule
I love his philosophy and organization

Organizing Resources from this blog and some more
Get Organized - tips and resources for students, teachers, admin and more
My Workflow as CIO - includes heavy use of Evernote

Apps, Articles and Resources
Evernote
Evernote Tips and Tricks Series (updated often)
Yes, I still use Evernote. Because it’s still the best way to get s**t done.
Introducing Templates, A Better Way to Make Notes

Google Keep and more tips

Outlook Tips from Microsoft, 13 Outlook Productivity & Organization Tips

OneNote
10 Tips and Tricks That Will Make You a OneNote Ninja
11 Tips for Improving Productivity using OneNote
How to Master Microsoft Office OneNote

7-Step Prep: Make a Weekly Plan for YOU! Planning sheet under #3 is great

Project Management Guide for Beginners

Take a Moment and Assess Your Workspace for Productivity

My First Month Using A Paper Planner After A Decade Drowning In Apps
Full Focus Paper Planner
Weekly Momentum Planner (free printable download)
The Basics Notebook
Franklin Planner (I used these for years before moving to digital)

15 Habits That Will Totally Transform Your Productivity

How to be More Productive and Eliminate Time Wasting Activities by Using the “Eisenhower Box”


Find a system that works for you - paper based, digital, combination, etc.

Set reminders in digital apps - Calendar, Keep, Evernote, etc. to make sure you don't forget things.

Focus on your priorities.

Read and learn.



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Guest Post: The Best Tech for Your Back-to-School Shopping List

The Best Tech for Your Back-to-School Shopping List

It’s back-to-school time, and for many of you that means it’s time to refresh your gear. Whether you’re buying for yourself or your children, there are plenty of deals on tech out there for students. Check out these useful gadgets to help your semester go as smoothly as possible.

1. MacBook Air
The MacBook Air remains one of the most popular Apple laptops. The lightweight, slim design makes it perfect for slipping into a backpack, and the keyboard and trackpad are comfortable and responsive, so you can use it for long study sessions with no problem. Throw in the relatively low price (starting at $999) and Apple’s education deals, like a free pair of Beats headphones, and this laptop makes a ton of sense for both students and their parents looking to get a long-lasting computer for a good price.

As a side note, don’t forget to make sure your internet connection is fast enough to keep up with schoolwork demands and match your shiny new computer. You can check your download and upload speeds with a free online tool to make sure everything is working the way it’s supposed to.


2. Vulcan Classic Backpack
The Vulcan Classic is the perfect bag for high school students that need to stay connected. This sturdy backpack can take a beating and keep on ticking, and it can also help your phone keep ticking too, thanks to a built-in USB charging port. You do have to supply your own power bank, but the built-in port allows you to keep the battery tucked away in the bag while you charge. Just plug your device in and you’re good to go. It comes in several colors, and at less than $50, the price is right too.


3. Rocketbook Everlast
If you’re used to handwriting your notes and don’t want to mess with Apple Pencils and iPads, you can try the Rocketbook. This unique notebook lets you handwrite your notes on actual paper with an actual pen. You can then scan them, upload them to various cloud storage services, and wipe the pages clean to start fresh. It works surprisingly well and offers a great bridge between analog and digital.


4. ViewSonic PA503S Projector
If you’re looking for a projector for your classroom on a budget, look no further than the ViewSonic PA503S. Having the right tech in your classroom is becoming a must, and a projector can help you share useful media with your students, like videos, websites, and apps. The ViewSonic boasts a commendable brightness and contrast for its price range ($299.99), and while it doesn’t support 1080p resolution, it will work fine for most classroom media needs.


Whether it’s freshman year and you’ve got nothing or you’re looking to outfit your classroom with useful tech that won’t break the budget, these gadgets can help start your next semester off on the right foot.

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Free Guide to support Students' Social-Emotional Health

Social Emotional Learning and Well Being is very important to students and schools. Teachers and Administrators are starting to do more with this, but free resources are always nice. 

Aperture Education has created a free guide to help schools support Social Emotional learning and well being. 

You can download it here: http://info.apertureed.com/btsg-18 

• 6 stages of a successful SEL implementation plan
• How to meet the needs of all students with SEL and MTSS
• 6 bite-size SEL activities to start today
• 3 strategies to build relationships with students

See below for more info.



Aperture Education Releases 2018 Back to School Guide to Support Students’ Social-Emotional Health

Downloadable guide provides helpful articles, strategies and activities for school and district leaders, instructors and support staff

Charlotte N.C. (Aug. 29, 2018) — It takes a village to educate students. That’s why social-emotional learning company Aperture Education has created a free, downloadable back-to-school guide to help district and school leaders, teachers, counselors, and staff at out-of-school-time organizations implement and integrate SEL programs and activities in schools and classrooms this year. The 2018 Back to School Guide: Strategies for a Successful School Year provides articles, resources, strategies and activities that support the social-emotional health of students. The guide can be downloaded at: http://info.apertureed.com/btsg-18.

Among the free resources:

· Resources for setting social and emotional goals for IEPs

· Examples of how SEL supports schools in resolving conflicts through restorative justice

· Tips for school and district leaders on implementing a district-wide SEL plan and increasing SEL buy-in through effective professional development

· Ideas to connect SEL to your local community

· Tips to connect in-school and out-of-school instruction with SEL

· Videos to help educators practice mindfulness and de-stress

· SEL activities to help students overcome back-to-school anxiety

“A strong social-emotional learning program helps create a healthy, productive school environment and there are many things that teachers and school or district leaders can do now to get the school year off to a strong start,” said Jessica Adamson, CEO of Aperture Education. “Going back to school can be stressful for both students and staff. We wanted to take “researching SEL strategies” off of their to-do lists. This guide provides some great tips and resources that they can use now, and all year long.”

The 2018 Back to School Guide is part of Aperture Education’s ongoing work to support educators, administrators and out-of-school-time providers in implementing social and emotional learning programs within their schools or programs. Aperture Education also provides a comprehensive SEL assessment and intervention system for schools and out-of-school-time providers.

About Aperture Education
Aperture Education specializes in social and emotional learning (SEL) solutions. Our flagship product, the DESSA Comprehensive SEL System, allows educators to measure, strengthen, and support social-emotional competence in youth in grades K-12. The DESSA System includes a suite of strength-based assessments, a universal screener that can be administered in less than a minute, and growth strategies and foundational practices to strengthen social and emotional competence. The DESSA System is lauded by researchers because it meets high standards for reliability and validity and is appreciated by educators for its ability to easily and quickly identify each student’s personal SEL strengths and provide practical supports that result in improved student outcomes. For more information, go to www.ApertureEd.com.

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9-11-01 Seventeen Years later and still remembered

I was in EMS for 22 years before retiring due to a back injury. One of my most memorable experiences was responding to New York City as a Paramedic in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. I will never forget that experience. What I saw and did are still with me, as is a type of asthma from breathing the dust. My Experience as a Paramedic on 9-11-01 

I still vividly remember where I was (at Sikorsky Aircraft) when it happened, responding down there as a paramedic, the sights, the smells, the people. I was at Ground Zero for the last part of my shift down there on 9/12. It was sobering to see the pile, knowing there were people in there. 

As the years have gone by, we have lost first responders to 9/11 related diseases, many struggle with PTSD or other medical issues. The current generation doesn't know this as anything but history. The worst part for many of us was not being able to save people and the many days and weeks hoping against all odds that we would find people alive. 

I went to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in NYC in 2012. It was an amazing, heartbreaking experience. I recommend that every American go there and see it, remember those who were lost, and pray something like this never happens again.

9/11 still haunts me to this day, as it does most of us who responded. But we persevere and move on, not letting the terrorists win. 

As the years have gone by, I've noticed that people are not remembering this terrible event like they did the first few years after. I know that my EMS, Fire and Police colleagues all do, as do the brave men and women of our armed forces who fight every day against terrorism.

I've also noticed less being done in schools lately. Most of today's students weren't even born when 9/11 occurred. Please teach them about it (facts only please) and make sure they understand what it means.

This photo was taken on 9/10/07 showing a rainbow leading right to the WTC site and the Freedom Tower!

United We Stood, United We Stand Today is a day Americans will never forget. It is a day of remembrance, a day of reflection and a day to be proud. It is a day we honor and remember the thousands of lives lost, the survivors, and those who rose up in service in response to the attacks on 9-11-2001. It is a day we pay tribute to and reflect on the sacrifices of the public safety workers and the men and women in our military who serve us and protect us 365 days a year. It is a day Americans can be proud of the way we came together following the attacks on 9-11. United We Stood. United We Stand.

Here are some more resources about my experience on 9/11 and 9/11 in general:

My Experience as a Paramedic on 9-11-01

Remembering 9/11 (from 2009)

Great collection of sites about Osama bin Laden, terrorism, and the wars in the Middle East from Larry Ferlazzo.

http://www.history.com/content/9-11/102-minutes

http://makehistory.national911memorial.org/

http://www.national911memorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=New_Home

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1921566_1932073,00.html

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/08/13/the-best-sites-to-help-teach-about-911/







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September is National Preparedness Month, so Be Prepared!

September is National Preparedness Month, which serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and visit.

This year will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.

Take time to learn lifesaving skills − such as CPR and first aid, check your insurance policies and coverage for the hazards you may face, such as flood, earthquakes, and tornados. Make sure to consider the costs associated with disasters and save for an emergency. Also, know how to take practical safety steps like shutting off water and gas.



The devastating hurricanes and wildfires of 2017 reminded the nation of the importance of preparing for disasters. Often, we will be the first ones in our communities to take action after a disaster strikes and before first responders arrive, so it is important to prepare in advance to help yourself and your community.
It is important to consider three scenarios when planning for an emergency: 1) an escape route and meeting point if everyone is in the house; 2) what to do during a school day; and 3) how to handle an emergency during the weekend, when family members might be scattered.

Although many people are familiar with the concept of developing a family plan for emergencies, most fail to take the time to sit down and actually come up with one. One great resource is the FEMA-sponsored website: http://www.ready.gov/. Check out their kids section too: http://www.ready.gov/kids

Schools need to be prepared themselves, as well as teach their staff and students how to be prepared. (more info for schools below)

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Emergency Management Insitute
The FEMA EMI offers free, online courses for anyone to take. The courses are well done and there are plenty of downloadable materials to help you. If you pass the test at the end, you even get a certificate.

Here are a list of the courses that I think all educators should take: (I've taken these, and more)

IS-36 Multihazard Planning for Childcare
IS-100.c Introduction to the Incident Command System
IS-362.a Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools

Education Administrators should also be involved in community emergency planning because schools are on the top of the list as emergency shelters and field hospitals and the building administrators know their buildings.

Here is another great resource for schools from the US Dept of Ed - REMS - Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools. This site includes materials, resources and training (including free, on-site training) to help schools start assessing the safety, security, accessibility, and emergency preparedness of their  buildings and grounds.

Each household, business, and school should have an emergency plan, emergency kits and people trained in emergency preparedness and response.

I started my training in emergency preparedness while on my trail to Eagle Scout. Emergency Preparedness is a required merit badge and the Boy Scouts emphasize emergency preparedness among the scouts. I am a retired Paramedic, Special Operations Paramedic and FEMA trained in Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Management. I've responded to many disasters including 9/11 in NYC, hurricanes, blizzards, and mass casualty events and been incident command or staff at many of them.

Here are some of my favorite resources for learning about Emergency Preparedness.

Ready.gov is the US Government's web site for information and resources on emergency preparedness and response. There are resources for making a plan, an emergency kit, and how to stay informed. Information is included for individuals and businesses.

The Boy Scouts of America, who train all their Scouts and Adults in Emergency Preparedness, has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to provide resources for the public on getting prepared. The site has planning resources, how to make an emergency kit, and other resources.

The American Red Cross website also has information for creating an emergency plan and how to prepare for different emergencies. They also sell emergency kits (they are very good and a decent price). You can always make your own using their lists though. There is a full section on preparing schools and students. The Preparedness Fast Facts page is an excellent, one stop resource.

You can even join your local Community Emergency Response Team. These are teams of citizens that are specially trained to help out in major emergencies, sort of like the reserves. Find out more here. Here is a list of CERT's by State: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/CertIndex.do?submitByState


Emergency Preparedness is everyone's responsibility.  Share these resources with your students, colleagues, and family.







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Welcome Back to School - Great Resources for Teachers

Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a great summer and was able to relax and recharge. Most schools around here start next week, with new teachers starting this week.

The beginning of the year is always a little crazy for all teachers. Getting your room setup, implementing new ideas into your lesson plans, getting to know your students, and just settling back in to the routine can be busy and stressful. Remember to not over do it and take time for yourself.

One thing I've done in the past that helped me is using a check list of everything I have to do when school starts, including setting up my room (computer, bulletin boards, etc), things I want to post in my room, lesson ideas and more in Evernote. I modify it each year, adding new things for the following year.

Here are some more tips, resources, and help to get your school year started on a positive note, and keep it that way.

Advice to New College Graduates about to enter the Teaching profession

Summary of new teacher tips, urban schools issues, technology resources


Google for Educators - Google has a huge number of free resources for teachers and students. Check them all out (they're all free).

Microsoft Education Resources - resources for admin, IT and teachers

Evernote for Education Resources - the ultimate note taking, web clipping, lesson planning resource

Create a Personal Learning Network - a PLN is an excellent resource for help, advice, and sharing ideas.

Overview of some free technology that can help you be more organized and efficient.




Related:

List of What Makes a Good Teacher - created by students

Great resources for New Teachers - advice, support, and training

Advice to New College Graduates about to enter the Teaching profession

Making School Relevant for Students

10 Important Skills Students need for the Future

10 Tech Skills Every Student Should Have

Getting Students and Teachers Organized - tips and resources


Good luck and I hope everyone has a great school year!!




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Back to School can be stressful - here are some tips to make it easier

Back to School can be a stressful time for everyone, especially children. Here are some tips for coping with new year stress:

And find some more Back to School Resources Here

Going Back to School? R.E.L.A.X.

AmeriHealth Caritas offers tips for coping with new school year stress

Philadelphia, Pa. — Going back to school can be both exciting and stressful for children. There is the excitement of a new year and the new opportunities presented by advancing a grade level. But this annual occasion also marks the return of homework, exams, social pressure to compete with their classmates, and other challenges. This can lead to stress, which can take a physical and mental toll on children.

“You may notice that your child is avoiding responsibilities, having trouble sleeping, acting angry, or just feeling sad or depressed. While you shouldn’t let these symptoms linger, you also don’t need to take drastic steps to relieve them,” says Dr. Andrea Gelzer, senior vice president of medical affairs for AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need. “Some simple activities can help your children cope with the stress that often comes with the return of classes, homework, and other school-related pressures.”

It can also be a stressful time for parents, particularly those with lesser financial means or parents of children with disabilities. In addition to helping their children cope with their stress, they must find money to pay for school supplies, school lunches, and after school care.

Income, education, and food access are some of the social determinants of health, or factors in people’s lives that can influence their health. As a national managed care company committed to addressing social determinants of health, AmeriHealth Caritas’ Medicaid health plans hold or participate in back to school events in a number of states. These programs include backpack giveaways, health screenings, and/or other activities that can help children start the school year on a healthy and happy note. In other states, similar events are often organized by churches, community health centers, and other local organizations during August.

AmeriHealth Caritas offers the following additional tips for parents to help their children start the school year on a happy note:[i]

Rest: Make sure your children gets enough of it

Children need plenty of sleep under normal circumstances (nine hours per night is recommended), but especially during stressful times. To help their children sleep soundly, parents should reduce their children’s television time and have them avoid caffeinated drinks late in the day. Quieter activities, such as reading, will help them wind down.

Emphasize your children’s strengths

You should encourage your children to use their strengths in a positive way. Spending time with friends also helps lessen stress.

Look for healthy outlets for stress

Physical activity is not only an important component of physical health. It also can help you cope with mental stress. You can also encourage your children to listen to music or find hobbies that make them happy.

Axe your bad mood by getting outside

The weather is often still summer-like when the school year begins. Being outside can boost your childrens’ mood. Taking a few extra minutes to spend time outdoors each day can make a big difference in their state of mind.

About AmeriHealth Caritas 

AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 15 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves approximately 5.3 million Medicaid, Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services, and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 35 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visitwww.amerihealthcaritas.com.

 

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[i] “Back to school: Exciting and stressful!” Healthy Now (Select Health of South Carolina member newsletter) Summer 2017: p. 5.

Guest Post - How Artificial Intelligence will Empower Future Classrooms

While formal education in several parts of the world is still associated with the widely-accepted traditional brick and mortar schools, the global education fraternity has opened up to e-learning.

E-learning equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) has an immense potential to revolutionize education.

The advent of AI has furthered the automation of cognitive activities. Along with gauging a student’s learning style and pre-existing knowledge, AI systems can meticulously design courses catering to the specific needs of the students.

To keep pace with the upcoming time, the education system needs to reinvent itself by integrating AI across subjects. AI can empower classrooms in diverse ways, contributing massively towards education.

The rise of AI-powered intelligent tutoring systems
According to Technavio, the global artificial intelligence market in the education sector 2016-2020 will grow at a CAGR of more than 39% by 2020. One of the primary factors fuelling this market growth is the adoption of intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) in the learning process.

An ITS is an AI-based learning software capable of imitating the methods and dialog of human tutors to impart knowledge in real time and on demand. It has the capability to analyze complex human responses while imparting knowledge at the same time on subjects like science, mathematics, languages, medicine, and law.

Moreover, the learning system is the application of AI to the education that tracks students' work and offers a tailored feedback, comprehending their strengths and weaknesses and suggesting additional work.

AI in classrooms: Next giant leap in education
Understand this, how a computerized chess program defeats a grandmaster. Just imagine what goes into making such a software and what AI is capable of doing. It can do data-driven analysis and make decisions faster than the humans.

Artificial Intelligence has already made its presence felt in the transportation and medicine industries and is all set to make a big impact in the education sector too. Let’s look at what it will offer.

● AI will offer a personalized approach
Every student has a different pace and style to process information; every teacher understands that. In the traditional classroom model, a teacher with finite resources has to teach the whole class at once. Therefore, personalizing content to meet the diverse needs of each student is impracticable.

However, such personalization is possible with e-learning supported by advanced artificial intelligence. AI can easily identify students’ strengths and weaknesses and advise apposite methods based on their level of mastery and comprehension of concepts, resulting in a more worthwhile learning experience for students.

● AI will bring down the cost of education
While college fees continue to rise, getting a basic, quality education and then a recognized degree at a brick and mortar institution can be crippling for students and families. For higher education students, the costs of attaining a quality education without obtaining a scholarship are often seen to be prohibitive.

AI will not replace teachers anytime soon. However, it will do away with the mundane teaching work such as the maintenance of classrooms, staff perks, and administrative hassles. Academic institutions can employ fewer teachers to cater to the same number of students or even more and hence making education less expensive for students.

● AI will create an immersive learning experience
Learning through hands-on activities is way different than just passively listening to a lecture. Hence, hands-on activities are important and count as a form of experiential learning. They are fun yet time-consuming and sometimes unmanageable especially with a large group of students. How do we overcome that challenge?

Immersive technology with new wearable devices like Microsoft HoloLens and augmented reality can be the solution. With the support of AI providing tangible, customized learning, it makes learning more exciting, fun and practical. Concepts can become characters and activities can be storylines.

Students can explore and ‘immerse’ themselves in the topics they are learning. They will engage more when they see and interact with dinosaurs or stomata instead of just reading about them in a textbook.

● AI will assist in concept building
AI-enabled virtual tutors understand the questions asked and instantly provide easy-to-understand answers to the students. This aids students to have strong basics with correct know-how, to not cumulate confusions and to save time.

Earlier, e-learning was focused on sterile problem-solving approaches for reaching correct answers. But with AI, the method used to derive the right answer is as important as the right answer. It is necessary to adapt to abstract concepts and practicality.

● AI will support adaptive learning
Apart from answering questions on demand, the latest AI teaching systems are capable of spotting topics where students are lagging behind and helping them to focus on them. They assist teachers to recognize weak students and implement a more efficient way of teaching.

AI provides updated a courseware and more inclusive pedagogy, transforming how students engage with the material. With millions of students using the adaptive learning approach, it seems to have a bright future.

Scope of artificial intelligence in education
Excessive dependence on technology in classrooms may be a reason of concern for many but the fact is that the AI’s ability to offer flexibility in teaching is unmatchable.

With EdTech industry developing a range of products and services to supplement classroom learning, there is no doubt that the future of AI is promising. Being in the nascent stage, AI has to make a lot of progress.

Nevertheless, AI will become more and more integrated into the education system, becoming vital in classrooms as students and educators will reap benefits from a fastidious, effective, and more individualized approach to education.

Author Bio

Ashmita Tamta writes academic content for Collegedunia, a college information and review site. She is an avid follower of the trends in educational technology. Her articles have appeared on the portals of Southwest Londoner, Indian Express, Business World, Afternoon DC, among others. 

Related Resources:

• 7 Roles for Artificial Intelligence in Education 
• How AI Impacts Education 
• A Blended Environment: The Future of AI and Education
• Artificial Intelligence: Implications for the Future of Education
• 10 Roles For Artificial Intelligence In Education

 

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Visme - online visual communication tool - create stunning visuals

Visme is a relatively new service that just came out of Beta. It is visual communication tool that is easy to use and creates a great finished product. It has been described as a "PowerPoint disruptor".

You can create presentations, infographics and more, while gathering resources and images, all in one place. You can create stunning visual products all in your browser.

It is easy to use, with hundreds of templates and millions of photos and icons that you can use. You can make your designs interactive as well, with charts, maps, video, audio, links and more.

You can then easily share your design, publish it to the web, or download it.

There is also an Education version that lets educators and students create beautiful interactive presentations, infographics and reports.

Visme is the only platform you need to any type of visual content for use within the classroom. Create virtually any type of visual content for use within the classroom.

Choose from hundreds of beautifully made templates, millions of professional images, and thousands of icons. Access Visme's easy-to-use, drag-and-drop features to create eye-catching infographics, presentations, reports, social graphics, and more.

Here is a 2-minute explainer video (what Visme is): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxAroxawE0U

You can try it out here for free: https://www.visme.co/







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CK-12 and Google Classroom - great resources that are better together

Assign CK-12 Content Direct to Google Classroom

Did you know you can assign content from CK-12 directly to Google Classroom?

CK-12 has some amazing and diverse resources to help students learn and explore. It is one of my single most favorite resources to share with teachers and students.

You can assign reading material, adaptive practice, videos, simulations, and more from CK-12's standards-aligned content library directly to your students in Google Classroom.

• Reads
• Videos
• Real World Applications (RWAs)
• Adaptive practice
• Quizzes
• Simulations (SIMs)
• PLIX

Grades are automatically reported to your GradeBook in Google Classroom saving time and effort.

You can connect your existing CK-12 account by signing in, going to account settings and connecting your Google account under "Connected Social Accounts" section.

Find, Assign, Connect...Success!

Related:

CK-12 information and resources

Google for Education Resources

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School is almost out - reflecting on the past year as a teacher

We are quickly approaching the end of the school year.

The weather is getting warmer, students are getting excited, and teachers are exhausted. It is a time for celebration and reflection.

One thing I always did around this time of the year when I was a teacher was to reflect on the past year. What worked? What went right? What went wrong? How did I handle classroom management issues? How well did my students learn? Lots of questions to answer and get ready for next year. I did this throughout the year too, but this is the point where I really felt I could get some good information and feedback to plan and make changes for the following year.

One thing I did as an evaluation of the year was to have my students fill out a survey about the class and their experience. It asked them to rate things such as was the classroom and equipment (labs and projects) adequate, was enough time given for demonstrations and review, how well did the teacher answer student questions, and their thoughts on assignments and work given. It also asked about me: did I set a climate that was conducive to learning, did I effectively communicate with students, did I address their needs and issues, and were the teaching methods effective. I also have space for them to write comments about what they liked about the class and what they think should be improved. They can put their name on it or it can be anonymous.

I did take the surveys with a grain of salt. Some students wrote all "4" (highest score) and some complain that everything was too hard. But I did get a lot of great feedback and ideas. Some times I was surprised by the level of sophistication that I my students had and how insightful they were about their classes. (I've also used this model with pre-service teachers).

After I had read through all of the surveys and taken notes, I sat and thougt about the whole year. I tried to be critical of things so that I could really evaluate how things went. I would then implement some of the things I'd come up with and some of the things my students noted, but I also kept my lessons flexible so that I can modify them once I've met my students the following year and saw what they are like and what they need. I believed in constantly assessing how I was doing as an educator and how well my students were learning and changing and modifying things as needed throughout the year. The end of the year and summer are great times to come up with lots of different ideas so that I have a collection of ideas to use next year.

I used Google Forms for the survey to get more feedback from the students throughout the year. It was easy to use and easy to analyze the data.

What do you do in your classroom at the end of the year to keep students focused and engaged?

How do you evaluate teaching and learning in your classroom?

What do you do at the end of the year and summer to prep for the next year?






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PDF Candy - free online PDF editor and converter - lots of great features

PDF Candy is a site I just found out about from a colleague from up in Canada. It is an amazing collection of free, online tools to edit and manage PDF files.

PDFs are one of the most common file formats used to share data and documents. Being able to edit and manipulate them is important. PDF Candy provides a robust, free, online tool set for working with PDFs. There is even a Windows download app.

It is available in 15 different languages and is very easy to use.

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Check it out and see if it is useful to you. More PDF resources can be found here.



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PDF tools, resources, and much more






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