Educational Links of the Day 8/15/14

Students up and about cooperating on art project.

General Education Links

Why Students (And Teachers) Need To Be Physically Active In The Classroom

http://www.edudemic.com/active-in-the-classroom/ 

Despite more time in the classroom sounding like something that would drive academic performance, research shows a strong connection that reduced physical activity limits a student’s ability to learn. 

We need oxygen in our frontal cordex to think--that's pretty simple. But kids, in particular, need socialization, sensory stimulation, and break time to assimilate what they are learning.

Relationship Building Through Culturally Responsive Classroom Management

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/relationship-building-culturally-responsive-classroom-todd-finley#comment-134616 

 Culturally Responsive Classroom Management (CRCM) seeks to provide “all students with equitable opportunities for learning” by minimizing discriminatory school discipline practices that occur when the behaviors of nondominant populations are misinterpreted.

Bias is sometimes subtle, not just between students but even in the teacher's mind. We need to examine and adjust our responses to students and their families constantly to maintain a fair balance of service.

Robo-readers aren’t as good as human readers — they’re better

http://hechingerreport.org/content/robo-readers-arent-good-human-readers-theyre-better_17021/#comment-14518 

First, the feedback from a computer program like Criterion is immediate and highly individualized — something not usually possible in big classes like those at Alexandria University, the site of the study by El Ebyary and Windeatt. Second, the researchers observed that for many students in the study, the process of improving their writing appeared to take on a game-like quality, boosting their motivation to get better. Third, and most interesting, the students’ reactions to feedback seemed to be influenced by the impersonal, automated nature of the software.

All writers are very sensitive to criticism and suggestions. A computer program, being totally neutral emotionally, would be a good sounding board in the early stages of rough drafts, Most English teachers don't have time for that. I would be interested to know if it hampers the development of individual style, though.

Also check these websites for more interesting articles: Edutopia,  TeachHUB,  TeachThought,  MindShift KQED.

Ed Tech and STEM Links

How to minimize digital classroom distractions

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/08/14/digital-classroom-distraction-043/ 

Using technology in the classroom can also bring multiple distractions to students. Without your proactive supervision, students might access games, web pages, and social networking sites as you deliver instruction. 

Ah, yes, supervision. Getting up from the computer chair and motoring about the classroom. Nothing like the use of proximity to raise the level of classroom management.

10 Social Media Mistakes You’re Probably Making

http://www.edudemic.com/10-social-media-mistakes-youre-probably-making/ 

This is #10--read the other nine! 

Keep Learning: Different types of social media and social media tools do different things and connect different types of groups. If you only use one, you may be missing out! Check things out, and don’t be shy!

I won't relate the online social blunders I've committed and maybe unknowingly still be guilty of, but I'm learning. 

How to Get the Most Out of Student-Owned Devices in Any Classroom

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/08/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-student-owned-devices-in-any-classroom/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

The best way to build equitable classroom technology use is to create a culture of trust. That takes time, but Mills said teachers need to give students a chance to prove themselves before displaying mistrust. “Instead of automatically saying, ‘I don’t trust you,’ why not create opportunities where you can trust them,” he said. To do that, Mills recommends developing engaging lessons that use technology in collaborative and creative ways.

Run an efficient classroom with limits, supervision, and interest. Keeping the personally owned devises secure should be the first order of business schoolwide.

Check out these websites for more interesting articles: Edudemic, eSchoolNews , and  EdTechReview.

Special Needs Links 

The Power of the Parent-Teacher Conference

http://special-ism.com/the-power-of-the-parent-teacher-conference/   

Remind teachers of your child’s strengths and weaknesses.  Share strategies that are working in other classes or that have worked before.  Discuss solutions that are not just focused on what the teacher can do, but on what everyone can do to make the situation better.

Teachers, in return, should keep good communication with parents about the student's progress and interests. Parents and teachers daily lay a foundation for the student's happiness and productivity. 

Autism Spectrum: Are You On It?

http://nymag.com/news/features/autism-spectrum-2012-11/ 

If so, you're in good company. From Asperger’s to “Asperger’s,” how the spectrum became quite so all-inclusive.

What ever happened to kindness? Recently, the 'r' word was retired from use do to inappropriate, insulting language. It seems with terminology associated with autism and Asperger's syndrome are going through the same cycle. When will we, as a society, grow up?

Be an LD Advocate

http://www.ncld.org/disability-advocacy/be-an-ld-advocate 

Do learning disabilities (LD) affect your life? Whether you are a parent of a child with LD, an adult with LD, an educator or an LD professional, there's a place for you in the world of LD advocacy. 

The more knowledge, the more success and support. Parent, educator, friend--keep learning about learning disabilities to see our students thrive.

Check out these websites for more interesting articles. 

National Center for Learning Disabilities , Special_Ism, Special Needs Digest