Cyberbullying, or the use of the internet and related technologies to harm other people, has become a very real threat to American students. Unable to simply "unplug" at the end of the day, students from across the country are experiencing relentless and often anonymous teasing and threats via social networking websites and blogs. While coverage has overwhelmingly focused on student victims, teachers are now beginning to feel the adverse affects of cyberbullying. In North Carolina, a law aimed at protecting teachers has sparked conservation about online educator harassment.   Continue Reading...

With the teaching profession growing and evolving, one theme that remains constant is the fact that effective teachers are the key to student success. In the Washington, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS), human resource personnel are videotaping potential hires to screen for effectiveness as part of a renewed effort to hire quality teachers. These classroom "auditions" allow principals and administrators to view sample lessons in front of real students in order to gauge skill level and boost hiring selectivity.   Continue Reading...

Have you experimented with Skype in the classroom?  This new educational trend is surprisingly flexible, immediately engages students, and is probably easier than you think.  With the ever-increasing role of technology in the classroom, more and more classes are experimenting with and embracing Skype.

 

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Back when I was a social studies teacher, I used to fantasize about the day when I walked into a classroom and everyone had a screen in front of them. Then, when I got blank stares after asking the name of the battle where Napoleon was defeated, I would be able to point them to any number of engaging sites, bound to pique their interest instead of their dull textbooks. I imagined lessons, where we researched a subject and discussed the webpages they used. We would look not just at the facts they found, but at how reliable their sources were, spurring discussions about distance from the source, agendas, propaganda, and persuasion techniques. I imagined playing online simulations, where the students competed against each other, using their natural desire for competition to hone their critical thinking skills. I longed for the day when my students could fact-check their peers, their textbooks, and, hopefully, me!   Continue Reading...

A QR code (short for "Quick Response Code") is a form of barcode that, when scanned, can take you to virtually any online destination of the creator's choosing. QR codes have exploded in popularity in the past couple of years as more and more individuals have begun to carry with them the mobile technology needed to scan such codes. The primary business-based use of QR codes is related to advertising: companies love placing these codes on their products as a tool designed to get prospects and current customers to their websites or to other information about their products.   Continue Reading...

Dr. David Gelernter, a professor of computer science at Yale University, recently penned an opinion editorial about expanding online education options for students across the country. He contends that big problems in education call for big solutions. By leveraging the power of the internet, all students could potentially attend emerging "Neighborhood Internet Schools." These one-classroom schools would serve students of all grades and account for all subjects through online content and parental support.   Continue Reading...

I’ll admit it: as a student, I loathed math and science.  In fact, one of the determining factors in selecting my college major was how little math and science was required to get my degree.  I also figured that I had enough trouble solving my own problems as a college freshman without having to solve x’s problems, too.  Besides, as an aspiring professional violinist, I was engrossed in practicing music, oblivious to the fact that math, science, and music significantly overlap.  In my sage adulthood, I now realize that I didn’t hate math and science – I just hated how it was taught to me.   Continue Reading...

Last week, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) released a new statement of policy principles aimed at creating effective online learning laws in states across the country. iNACOL's Principles for Model Legislation in States will give interested parties guidance in establishing policy that puts student achievement front and center via online learning.   Continue Reading...

There are many benefits to having students in a “one-to-one” classroom, where each student has access whenever needed to an Internet-connected device.  One-to-one classrooms can differ both with regard to the tools they use and the manner in which those tools are employed.  Some 1:1 classrooms, for example, have a class set of iPads at their disposal; others use laptops, netbooks, or tablet computers.  In every case, however, the key to a 1:1 classroom is that the tech devices being used are not shared with other classrooms (as is the case with a computer lab or a laptop cart that rotates from classroom to classroom) – instead, the teacher and students know that they will be able to access the devices whenever needed.   Continue Reading...

With the rise of technology, the internet, and social media, the constant stream of information has created a new global culture of information sharing. An educator in Wisconsin, for example, can easily access art resources from a museum website in Paris, or print a worksheet and textbook passage from a professional development blog hosted in California. The possibilities are endless and teachers are taking advantage of this accessibility. However, as authors and publishers come to terms with this new reality and its impact on profits, education stakeholders are sounding off on how to best share information and protect intellectual property.   Continue Reading...

According to a report released by education nonprofit Project Tomorrow, teachers are more likely to use personal mobile devices, including smartphones and tablet computers, than the general public.  While 64% of principals and 54% of teachers have regular personal access to mobile devices, only 40% of the general public has access to personal mobile devices according to the data.

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According to recent statistics, cell phone usage among American students has exploded in the last two years. Once strictly limited during school hours, cell phones are now commonly used by students throughout the school day. While some stakeholders believe cell phone technology can enrich the classroom experience or provide students a level of security, others are finding them to be a distraction, leaving administrators searching for policies that balance technology needs with a structured environment conducive to student learning.   Continue Reading...

The AAE blog often features stories on how the internet has revolutionized the teaching profession. From social networking to curriculum blogs and educator forums, tech-savvy teachers are able to connect on an entirely new level using online tools. While there are plenty of free resources available on the internet, a new website called Teachers Pay Teachers is making waves for its ability to allow teachers to sell their go-to lesson plans via an innovative online marketplace.   Continue Reading...

With the rise of social networking and personal blogs, sharing teacher tips and tricks can be easier than ever. With just a quick search, educators can connect with tech-savvy bloggers from across the country to read, share, and collaborate on new and exciting curriculum ideas. Whether you teach elementary school art, high school math, or anything in between–there is a blog that caters to YOU! Check out some of AAE's favorite teacher blogs:   Continue Reading...

AAE is pleased to announce the launch of our charter-focused website: www.AAECharters.org just in time for National Charter Schools Week. The new site is geared toward charter school administrators, leaders, teachers, and associations searching for timely updates and research on issues affecting the public charter school community.   Continue Reading...

Every teacher has found themselves spending countless hours grading papers and organizing their gradebook. While many see grading as tedious work, with the rise of the iPad and iPhone technology, apps designed to help teachers grade student work are well on their way to the mainstream. Some of these apps can even do more than just mark work. Check out the list and see if any would work for you and your students:   Continue Reading...

It's official: AAE has joined Pinterest! Described as a teacher's "new best friend," the new online bulletin board is a great way to organize ideas ranging from professional development resources, to fun quotes, and teacher tips. AAE's new Pinterest page will host boards featuring technology, professional development, classroom ideas, and fun inspirational tools.   Continue Reading...

According to a new study by the University of Akron, computer grading software is just as effective in grading essays on standardized tests as live human scoring. After testing 16,000 middle school and high school test essays graded by both humans and computers, the study found virtually identical levels of accuracy, with the software in some cases proving to be more reliable than human grading. While the results are a blow to technology naysayers, the software is still controversial among certain education advocates who claim the software is not a cure-all for grading student essays.   Continue Reading...

Funds for Early Learning Earmarked in Competitive Grant Program The Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services

announced last week that $133 million from the 2012 Race to the Top program will be available so that additional states can make investments in comprehensive early learning education reform.   Continue Reading...

For the first time in the state's history, New Jersey is set to welcome their first online public charter school this fall. The New Jersey Virtual Academy Charter School (NJVACS), operating in partnership with the online education company, K12 Inc., has already begun to spread the word about their offerings statewide and currently boasts 300 enrolled students for the fall term. The opening of the school marks New Jersey's first big step into full-time online instruction, part of a new trend that has become commonplace in states across the country.   Continue Reading...