Teachers' professional development goes high-tech Educators in school districts nationwide are taking professional development to the next level using video-conferencing technology. Such technology is allowing teachers to connect, interact and collaborate in new and exciting ways, including in a Florida district where a teacher created "video learning communities." In addition, officials in an Ohio district have designed a system that allows teachers to connect with their peers worldwide through Web conferencing technology online. T.H.E. Journal (7/31) | Students develop electronic flash cards for the classroom A group of about 10 middle- and high-school students in a Pennsylvania district have been working over the summer to design electronic flash cards that teachers at their schools can use in the classroom. The "inking ability" technology used to make the digital cards includes the use of a pen or stylus and a tablet computer. The students are designing the flash cards -- working to add audio and video -- after which the teachers will use programs such as PowerPoint to create them for their classrooms. Observer-Reporter (Washington, Pa.) (8/1) Other News  |
Teaching speaking and oral communication is more than just assigning presentations. In Digitally Speaking, expert Erik Palmer shares online tools with step-by-step tutorials, videos that show how to rehearse, and rubrics for fairly assessing students. Online, feature-packed Read & Watch PD format. Click here now for details! |
 | How school leaders should communicate with teachers It can be difficult for school administrators to facilitate change, writes Jim Dillon, who has been an educator for more than 35 years that include 20 as a school administrator. In this blog post, he offers advice for school leaders on how to take "the fork" -- presenting and packaging proposals that address the needs and desires of teachers. He suggests leaders be upfront with educators about the challenges facing schools, understand that change is an ongoing process and ensure that educators work as a team. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (8/1)
| Sequestration has varied impact on schools As the U.S. Congress gears up to discuss next year's spending, critics of the sequestration cuts are preparing to press for its repeal. It has been difficult to pinpoint the effects of sequestration on education, and in some cases, districts have reported they've largely been spared from the painful cuts because of boosts in state spending on education. Other districts have reported delaying purchases and reconfiguring budgets. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (8/2) | N.C. district taps Facebook, Twitter as communication tools A North Carolina school district that began using social media for the first time last year now is tapping Facebook and Twitter as key tools for communicating with parents, students and the community. "It's a great flow of information that we have in real time to reach people," said Jessica Swencki, spokeswoman for the district. The district's Facebook page now has 1,400 "likes," and officials say it is popular and active -- even over the summer. Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) (7/30) | Classroom use of handheld touch devices benefits children with autism The use of handheld touch devices, namely Apple's iPod Touch and iPad, in classrooms was associated with mild to substantial improvements in the communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder, a study showed. These children's levels of motivation, attention spans and social interaction increased after using the technologies, researchers reported at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (8/1) |  | If some longing goes unmet, don't be astonished. We call that Life." -- Anna Freud, Austrian psychoanalyst | | | Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions. | | Publisher, Education Group: Joe Riddle P: 202.407.7857 ext. 228 | | | | |
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