Say what you will about the universality of numbers and symbols; I’d politely argue that it does not follow that mathematics is a universal language. The problem for many struggling math students is that often those “universal” numbers and symbols hide in surrounding contexts of unfamiliar vocabulary, settings, and narratives.
As math educators, we can help those students by finding ways to relate their classroom learning to more recognizable cultural frames of reference that are authentic to the range of experiences in the room. In the process, math can actually become a universal thread to connect many types of content and learners. Number sense and quantities are some of the very few things that tie us together in a common experience.
Through my own work in the classroom with students and educators, I’ve discovered a few key ways to change the narrative around math.
Math is joyful!
Math should be an exciting space to be in, one that’s connected to experiences outside of the textbook or classroom. It should be joyful. But for multilingual students like me whose native language is not English, the math classroom can be a daunting place.
I’m a first-generation Dominican American. My mother’s emphasis on speaking Spanish in our home was one of the best things to happen to me—because of her decision, I’m bilingual today. But although I was a stellar student academically, I struggled in math. The linguistic supports I received in other content areas were not as present during math, in large part because of the assumption that math is a universal language.
Despite these experiences, I found my love for math as I became an elementary teacher after earning a master’s degree in education. My years as a classroom teacher and instructional math coach showed me that math not only is fun, and can be found everywhere, but every single person is capable of learning and excelling in the subject.
Through my years in the classroom, I saw many students who reminded me of my early learning self–cautious and or apprehensive of math and their abilities to learn it. While educators provide many scaffolds to help our students learn math, we need to make sure that we integrate content and language into those frameworks. We should teach—and students should learn—them simultaneously.
Every student can be a math person
As a society we’ve considered math a gatekeeper to opportunities. Excel in math and you can pursue a wealth of STEM and other rewarding careers.
Unfortunately, we’ve also conveyed the idea that “some people are not innately math people.” This mindset and belief system could not be further from the truth. In many cases, struggling students simply have not had equitable access to math due to language barriers, underperforming schools, socio-economic issues, or other challenges. But we now have a wealth of resources and proven methodologies to ensure that every student knows and believes from the beginning that they are, in fact, a math person.
Instead of being an opportunity-killing gatekeeper, math can be the bridge builder, a pathway to choice and opportunity, and the thread that connects students to richer learning and life experiences.
Relate math to your students’ cultural frameworks
Educators can start by employing a culturally sustaining pedagogy, tapping into the unique experiences that each learner brings into the classroom. We must invite our students into the learning process as their whole selves, complete with their individuality, differences, and cultural diversity. Then we need to relate the math to each student’s cultural frame of reference, encouraging them to develop (and sustain) their own cultural and mathematical identities while seeing themselves as capable learners.
Utilizing digital learning tools to help improve and support meaningful student participation in math discussions is a key way to bridge this gap. Incorporating translanguaging during class can also encourage students to use their full linguistic repertoire to navigate the content. Language is complex, and we know that navigating it doesn’t always adhere to the silos of one or two. Students may know more or need more help than they’re able to express in any single language.
Math connects content and learners
All students benefit from storytelling and other integrating techniques; relevant and thought-provoking conversations elevate student voices and engage learners. Using storytelling during math instruction can:
Provide context and make numbers on a page come to life. Math isn’t just 2 + 2 = 4. It’s two baskets for a four-point lead at halftime.
Bridge mathematical learning to a world beyond the classroom. Teachers can help students see how math animates science, history, music, social studies, art, and sports.
Restore, affirm, and sustain positive mathematical identities.
In teaching math, we also can’t lose sight of early numeracy. We need to be aware of unfinished learning–not every student comes into class at grade level; taking the time to learn about the whole child and their unique points of view will go a long way in nurturing their joy for learning and, in particular, mathematics.
Odalis Amparo
Odalis Amparo is a former elementary school teacher and instructional math coach. She is currently a professional learning specialist at Illustrative Mathematics where she continues her passion for spreading the love of math to all students.
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Project-based learning (PBL) helps prepare students for college and beyond by actively engaging them in meaningful, relevant projects. In many situations, students will work on these projects for weeks or months at a time, which helps them develop deeper content knowledge when attempting to answer complex questions and resolve real-world problems.
With advances in digital tools, many teachers are finding that using edtech tools in PBL enhances projects by providing direct access to greater sources of information and by allowing students to collaborate more easily. Some believe that leveraging the right technology is one of the best ways to support students during PBL activities.
Using technology, students can communicate and collaborate in so many new ways. Edtech tools also enable students to learn beyond the four walls of the classroom, providing them with so many more opportunities to enhance their critical thinking skills and understand real-world situations.
Collaboration in PBL
Collaboration is an essential element in PBL. In the real world, students will often be required to collaborate with others to achieve their personal and professional goals. It’s important to teach students the art of effective collaboration when using the PBL approach.
Some refer to this as supporting a project learning community (PLC). When students work together, they foster a shared sense of responsibility that better supports their achievement. With a PLC, students can learn how to listen better, they can learn how to be a team player and share in each other’s success, and they learn how to hold themselves and others accountable. These are all important skills to have when moving beyond the classroom and into the real world.
The best way to support PLCs when using the PBL approach is to invest in the right classroom tools. This will help you maximize the effectiveness of the PBL method by enabling students to work better together in harmony.
Below are some edtech tools to use when engaging students in PBL:
PBL Project Designer
PBLWorks, one of the leaders in the development of high-quality project-based learning, has created a tool to assist teachers when planning PBL projects. The PBL Project Designer walks teachers through each step when designing a project, offering them tips, instructional ideas, and links to resources.
Collaboration Tools
Collaboration tools are perhaps the most important when utilizing PBL. These tools can significantly improve project outcomes by enhancing communication, critical thinking, and innovations. Some useful team collaboration tools include:
Asana
Slack
Wrike
Lucidspark
Microsoft Teams
InVision
These tools offer something unique, whether it’s helping with project management, communication, visual creation, or whiteboarding. These are some of the best tools available today and are already used by some of the top companies across various industries to help their teams collaborate.
Google
The Google platform also offers numerous project-based learning tools that work well in the classroom setting when students are working together on projects. For example, Google Classroom can be used to create project materials. Google Docs and the Explore feature make it easy for students to create documents for their projects and easily cite their work.
In Google Sheets, the Explore feature can also be used to analyze data for projects using machine learning technology. Google Earth and Google MyMaps are great features to help students when they are working on projects where they need to explore geographical or even environmental data.
Google Meet is an excellent collaboration tool that allows students to easily connect through secure messaging and video conferencing.
Translating PBL into real-world solutions
Another benefit of using edtech in the classroom with PBL is that it can also inspire and enable students to turn their project experiences into real-world solutions, such as coming up with their own ideas for a tech startup.
With so much technology and innovation at the tip of their fingers, many students have gone on to develop their own startups. Some of the most successful technology companies began at home or in a garage, such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
Wrapping up
PBL is a powerful teaching method that can help better prepare students for their future. With so many new tools and technologies available today, there are countless ways teachers can enhance the PBL experience, fostering greater collaboration and critical thinking skills that will be vital to success once students move beyond the classroom.
Sam Bowman
Sam Bowman writes about people, tech, wellness, and how they merge. He enjoys getting to utilize the internet for community without actually having to leave his house. In his spare time, he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore. Connect with him on Twitter @SamLBowman1.
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CHICAGO – This week, the U.S. Senate introduced a bipartisan resolution designating March 4-8, 2024 as ‘‘National Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Week’’ to recognize the critical role SEL plays in supporting the academic success and overall well-being of students, educators, and families. The resolution was introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
President Joe Biden also recognized “National SEL Week” in a letter this week underscoring the importance of SEL to support the academic, social, emotional, and mental well-being of students that were a critical part of the Biden Administration’s two signature legislative achievements—the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
This second annual “National SEL Week” comes at a critical time for students’ academic recovery and social and emotional development. With COVID-relief funds ending, education leaders are increasingly seeking sound, evidence-based investments in students’ learning and development.
A robust body of evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of SEL on academic outcomes. A 2023 meta-analysis led by Yale University reviewed more than 400 studies and found that students participating in SEL at school had higher “school functioning,” including grades, test scores, attendance, homework completion, and engagement. The research further demonstrates that SEL creates better conditions for learning as it found students saw decreases in aggression and bullying, anxiety, stress, depression, suicidality; felt safer at schools, and reported higher levels of inclusion, connectedness and healthy relationships.
Statement from U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL)
“In America, we are facing a national youth mental health crisis, with children facing trauma and significant stress at home, in the community, and in school settings. We must focus on social and emotional learning to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. That begins with providing teachers with the tools needed to help students develop life skills. I’m introducing this resolution to designate this week as National Social and Emotional Learning Week and raise awareness around the need to support students’ social and emotional well-being.”
Statement from U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
“Every child deserves a learning environment that is welcoming and enriching. By showing students how to develop their empathy skills, express themselves, and respect others, social and emotional learning can help students achieve academic success, build strong relationships, and prepare for a lifetime of success.”
Statement from CASEL President & CEO Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel
“We find ourselves in the aftermath of a global pandemic, in the wake of a youth mental health crisis and ongoing academic recovery. Social and emotional learning has never been more important to help address the challenges facing our students, and this bipartisan resolution demonstrates our nation’s shared commitment to the learning and well-being of all students. I want to thank Senators Durbin and Collins for their leadership, and call on leaders across the country to follow the evidence and support students’ academic, social and emotional needs.”
Celebrating National SEL Week 2024
Across the country, there is overwhelming support and demand for social and emotional learning (SEL). Young people, educators, families, business leaders, and others are focused on the critical skills and environments needed for academic success, healthy relationships, and brighter futures. National SEL Week is a time to come together in support of our nation’s students and showcase the powerful combination of support and evidence for SEL, culminating with International SEL Day on March 8.
This year’s celebrations for National SEL Week and International SEL Day focused on Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders. To see how some districts are celebrating, check out this video from North Carolina and this story from New Jersey.
CASEL is a nonpartisan, nonprofit that founded the field of social and emotional learning. Today, we collaborate with leading experts and districts, schools, and states nationwide to drive research, guide practice, and inform policy. https://casel.org/
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
Online learning has limitless potential for students and teachers, offering the ability to learn from any location and at all times of the day. Let’s take a look at some of the latest online learning trends:
Is online learning really effective?
The short answer: Yes. Flexible, hybrid learning is key to student success. Schools should reimagine the learning processes and leverage in-person and hybrid learning to help students achieve the best possible results. The potential for innovation and student engagement are only scratching the surface when it comes to the advantages of online learning. Having many new, effective tools in educators’ toolboxes, it’s time to cast aside conventional processes and rethink the way we provide services to, and support, our students. Take the first steps toward this innovation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of online learning?
A student’s motivation in school is a key driver of their academic success. Yet, the demanding nature of high school classes, mixed with a teenager’s natural craving for independence and individual identity, can stand in the way of that motivation. COVID-19 took a toll on student motivation, and 80 percent of educators are still feeling the effects. Following the rapid and sudden shift to online learning, parents and educators remain concerned about keeping online students motivated and engaged. In fact, challenges around online student engagement remain among the most-discussed disadvantages of online learning. As we move past the pandemic and rethink the role of online education, it’s vital to education reform that teachers remain focused on fostering student motivation.
What are the challenges of online learning?
Many often wonder what happens to students’ social skills when they are enrolled in online learning programs–after all, students don’t have in-person interactions with their peers through this learning modality. But students enrolled in online learning don’t have to miss out on social opportunities–in fact, it’s easier to facilitate balanced social growth than previously believed. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for students to foster social connections during online schooling, and there are strong social online learning examples available. Kids who are enrolled in online learning can still connect with their peers in virtual breakout rooms and should be given every opportunity to meet up informally during the school day. Learn how to foster such connections.
How can online learning help you?
There are many online learning platforms for students to connect them with engaging and motivating learning experiences. Online learning can help students who are sick for long periods and not able to be physically in school. It also can connect students to learning opportunities not available in their home districts, such as specialized language learning or advanced courses with no local instructors. Online learning also can help families stay or return to their local public schools–a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. Families want options for their children’s education, and these options must be of high quality. Partnering with an experienced provider to offer high-quality online learning is one way traditional schools can give students more options—and it’s an important strategy for attracting and retaining families.
What is the future of online learning?
District virtual schools are dynamic alternatives to conventional schooling, ripe for transformation to cater to the diverse needs of 21st-century learners. It’s time to transform district virtual schools from pandemic stop-gaps into pioneering models of 21st-century learning. The sustainability of district virtual schools hinges on whether they can evolve beyond the current versions we see in most districts. Here’s how to ensure online learning is innovative, impactful, and long-lasting.
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo./PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —TouchMath, a multisensory math program that makes learning crucial mathematical concepts accessible and clear for students who struggle to understand grade-level content, announces the launch of TouchMath Extend and Dyscalculia Extension. These groundbreaking solutions aim to bridge mathematical gaps and advance dyscalculia advocacy. Coinciding with two significant milestones, International Dyscalculia Day (March 3rd) and the 50th anniversary of the term ‘Developmental Dyscalculia,’ coined in March 1974, TouchMath reaffirms its commitment to providing essential resources and support to students experiencing mathematical barriers.
“Considering TouchMath’s unwavering commitment to educational equity over nearly five decades, the launch of TouchMath Extend and Dyscalculia Extension signifies a pivotal moment in our mission,” stated Dr. Sandra Elliott, Chief Academic Officer at TouchMath. “Recognizing that approximately 75% of students with dyscalculia also experience dyslexia, it’s clear that both conditions warrant equal recognition and support. Through these innovative solutions, we aim to not only raise awareness but also provide concrete assistance, empowering students to overcome mathematical challenges. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ladislav Kosc’s pioneering work, it’s time to dispel misconceptions, deepen understanding, and champion inclusive education where every learner, regardless of their challenges, can thrive.”
Dyscalculia, estimated to affect 3-7% of the population, is a learning disability with profound impacts on academic performance and daily life. Challenges include struggles with basic math operations and understanding mathematical concepts. However, only about 15% of students have been screened for dyscalculia, while 40% of math teachers report students performing below grade level. Unlike dyslexia, dyscalculia lacks systematic tracking in the U.S. despite the urgent need for skilled STEM professionals. While more than 45 U.S. states have enacted dyslexia-related legislation, fewer than ten states have passed laws addressing math intervention and instruction since 2021.
“While dyslexia-related legislation has seen significant progress, there’s a notable gap in addressing math intervention and instruction,” notes Dr. Chelsi Brosh, Vice President, Product Innovation at TouchMath. “TouchMath Extend and Dyscalculia Extension fill this void, offering comprehensive solutions to support students struggling with math.”
Dyscalculia Extension Overview: Dyscalculia Extension offers tailored support through a multisensory program, providing comprehensive resources like 60 math games/tasks and 180 downloadable activity sheets. Aligned with Standards Edition curricula, it ensures adherence to educational standards and includes supporting tools such as graphic organizers and dyscalculia-specific strategies. With diverse activities catering to various learning styles, Dyscalculia Extension is versatile, aligns with DSM-5 standards, and integrates seamlessly into special and general education classrooms.
In addition to dyscalculia advocacy, TouchMath acknowledges the diverse challenges faced by students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mathematics education and other STEM subjects. Research supports the effectiveness of multisensory approaches in enhancing mathematical learning for students with disabilities, and TouchMath Extend aligns with these findings, offering tailored solutions to address the diverse learning needs of all students.
TouchMath Extend Overview: TouchMath Extend is an innovative multisensory extended school year, summer school, and ongoing math intervention solution designed to transform math learning. It offers a tailored 12-week curriculum focusing on skill remediation and teacher support through on-demand video training. The program combines traditional workbooks with digital math games to enhance comprehension and provides long-term value through the TouchMath digital platform. TouchMath Extend prepares students for future success while embodying TouchMath’s commitment to comprehensive math education.
“Reflecting on our founding mission nearly 50 years ago, TouchMath remains dedicated to creating intentional learning experiences for students, especially those facing vulnerabilities,” said Sean Lockwood, Chief Executive Officer at TouchMath. “We will continue championing accessibility and inclusivity in mathematics education, paving the way for a brighter future for all learners.”
TouchMath’s commitment to dyscalculia advocacy goes beyond its latest product launches. In the last year, TouchMath released the free DySc screener and an extensive whitepaper to increase awareness and understanding of dyscalculia and promote efforts to ensure that all children have access to the support they need.
To learn more about TouchMath and its research-proven solutions, visit https://touchmath.com/.
About TouchMath TouchMath provides a wide range of curriculum and tools for educators and their students who struggle to understand grade-level content. TouchMath is committed to maximizing student potential through its worldwide delivery of hands-on math programs, cultivating success with individuals of all abilities. Since 1975, TouchMath has delivered the only multi-sensory math program that uses the numeral as a manipulative, bringing students along the evidence-based Concrete-Representational-Abstract continuum for mathematics. Visit touchmath.com to learn more.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
COSTA MESA, Calif. — BenQ, an internationally renowned provider of visual display and collaboration solutions, today announced the Spring Independent School District (ISD) in Houston has selected and installed almost 1,800 BenQ Boards in K-12 classrooms across the 45 schools in the district. Purchased as part of Spring ISD’s most recent school bond, the BenQ Boards were chosen over other smart board vendors because of the rich and forward-thinking feature set the BenQ Boards offer, including ease of use and flexibility for teachers, advanced learning tools for students, and free built-in remote management solutions for IT.
“When we invited the entire district to come in and test drive different smart boards, everyone voted nearly unanimously for the BenQ Board,” said Joe Holecek, Spring ISD’s manager of campus technology support. “They hit all our needs, from those of our teachers and students to our technology department. We’ve deployed half the BenQ Boards in our classrooms so far, and it’s been so positive that the other half can’t wait because they know how much the boards offer.”
Spring ISD Teachers Benefit From BenQ Board’s Tap ‘N Teach Technology While preparing students for the future, the BenQ Boards are also designed to eliminate the steep learning curve and complicated tasks that typical smart boards can overburden teachers with. The teacher-friendly experience starts immediately at sign-in. The industry’s only germ-resistant BenQ Boards boast BenQ’s Tap ‘N Teach technology, which features one-tap NFC log-in to load lesson materials and interactive teaching apps, cloud storage, settings, and tools instantly and securely.
Teachers can use their BenQ Board as a whiteboard, display, computer, and wireless screen-sharing system thanks to BenQ’s license-free EZWrite 6 software. It’s packed with classroom tools for all subjects, including timers, rulers, protractors, compasses, and more. EZWrite 6 also lets educators save whiteboard sessions in the cloud, allowing them to continue giving lessons at a later date or allowing students to access lessons on any device and refer to them later. They can also open documents and image files directly on the whiteboard to facilitate discussions. To complement the experience, the split-screen windows function enables multiple applications to be opened side by side with no need to tap between content, making it even easier to conduct lessons and further comprehension. With the InstaShare wireless screen sharing capability, teachers can share their own laptop screens wirelessly as they move around the room or allow multiple students to share their device screens simultaneously. These built-in features provide teachers with much-needed flexibility to teach their own way.
Spring ISD Students Benefit From BenQ’s EZWrite 6 and InstaShare In addition to tools that make teachers’ lives easier, the BenQ Boards feature tools that empower all students. EZWrite is packed with whiteboard features that boost participation. This includes a scalable whiteboard that can grow to any size project, split screen capabilities, text scanning, AI-powered text-to-speech and multilanguage support, and more. With InstaShare 2, students can share their thoughts to the screen no matter what device they’re using, with up to nine users able to share simultaneously. Together, EZWrite and InstaShare provide students with the necessary skills for the future of learning and the workforce; encourage creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking; and build student agency.
Spring ISD IT Staff Benefit From License-Free Software for Central Management BenQ has long understood that IT and technology staff are instrumental in the maintenance and management of new EdTech. They need resources and tools that will help them maintain school technology and integrate with their chosen platforms without yearly fees. BenQ helps to streamline setup, maintenance, and monitoring with its subscription-free Device Management Solution (DMS), Account Management System (AMS), and Identity and Access Management (IAM). BenQ Boards also benefit from BenQ’s X-Sign Broadcast software, which turns any BenQ smart board in the school into broadcast signage and allows schools to keep everyone informed and up to date on events, safety protocols, and emergencies. As a result of these capabilities, schools can significantly reduce the time and effort it takes to register, set up, and maintain BenQ Boards across a district and use them much more flexibly and securely.
“Spring ISD’s selection of BenQ Boards underscores the robustness of our classroom solutions,” said Bob Wudeck, senior director of business development at BenQ Education. “With features like Tap ‘N Teach, EZWrite 6, InstaShare, and our IT solutions, educators and staff gain unparalleled flexibility, while students are empowered with tools for future success.”
About BenQ Education BenQ Education is helping teachers shape the future of learning with interactive display solutions that maximize engagement in and out of the classroom while improving student performance. For over 10 years, BenQ has been the No. 1-selling TI DLP projector brand worldwide, according to Futuresource, and is one of the leading interactive display vendors in North America. The award-winning BenQ Board is the first and only interactive display to feature TÜV- and SIAA-certified germ-resistant screens, interfaces, and pens as part of its purpose-built ClassroomCare technologies designed for healthier classrooms. The BenQ Board RP03 Series has been recognized as the first smart board to achieve Eyesafe® Certification, the advanced blue light mitigation technology developed in concert with optometrists and ophthalmologists. Industry-recognized, BenQ’s Tap ‘N Teach technology for fast sign-on, EZWrite license-free annotation and whiteboard software, InstaShare wireless screen presentation system, and IT-friendly monitoring and management tools create exciting and intuitive active learning experiences. EZWrite 6 is also AWS Qualified, having passed Amazon Web Services (AWS) Foundational Technical Review (FTR), providing schools with assurance in security, reliability, and operational excellence. Educators can focus on giving lessons that leave an impact and give the leaders of tomorrow the tools they need to reach their maximum potential. The company’s products are available across North America through leading value-added distributors, resellers, and retailers. More information is available at www.BenQBoard.com.
All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
What does the daily life of a legendary philosopher look like? Learn about Arthur Schopenhauer’s unique routine that he consistently followed for over 27 years.
Arthur Schopenhauer was a major figure in German philosophy throughout the 19th century along with Friedrich Nietzsche and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
While he’s known for his pessimism and negative outlook on life, there’s no denying that Schopenhauer was an intellectual powerhouse of his time who influenced many great thinkers, philosophers, and artists long after his death.
His book Essays and Aphorisms is a great introduction and overview of his philosophical ideas. It explains his core metaphysical belief of “world as appearance,” continuing the legacy of other idealist philosophers like Plato, Kant, and Indian philosophy, which warn about viewing the world strictly through a materialist lens.
The beginning of the book provides a nice biography of Schopenhauer’s family background, education, and life history. There’s one interesting section on his daily routine that caught my attention and wanted to share; it’s always fascinating to gain insights into the habits and lifestyles of influential figures, especially potential role models we can emulate and borrow from.
This specific routine characterizes the last third of Schopenhauer’s life:
“From the age of 45 until his death 27 years later Schopenhauer lived in Frankfurt-am-Main. He lived alone… every day for 27 years he followed an identical routine.”
Keep in mind, I’m only sharing this for educational purposes. I don’t necessarily recommend this way of living, but there are interesting lessons to takeaway from it, including how some of these habits relate to Schopenhauer’s overall philosophy.
Arthur Schopenhauer’s Daily Routine
Here’s a breakdown of Schopenhauer’s daily routine for the last 27 years of his life:
“He rose every morning at seven and had a bath but no breakfast;
He drank a cup of strong coffee before sitting down at his desk and writing until noon.
At noon he ceased work for the day and spent half-an-hour practicing the flute, on which he became quite a skilled performer.
Then he went out to lunch at the Englischer Hof.
After lunch he returned home and read until four, when he left for his daily walk:
He walked for two hours no matter what the weather.
At six o’clock, he visited the reading room of the library and read The Times.
In the evening he attended the theatre or a concert, after which he had dinner at a hotel or restaurant.
He got back home between nine and ten and went early to bed.”
While Schopenhauer mostly kept to this strict routine unwaveringly, he was willing to make exceptions under specials circumstances such as if he had friends or visitors in town.
Key Lessons and Takeaways
This daily routine seems fitting for a solitary and introspective philosopher, but there are key lessons that fit with conventional self-improvement wisdom:
Early Rising: Schopenhauer started his day at 7 a.m., which aligns with the common advice of many successful individuals who advocate for early rising. This morning ritual is often associated with increased productivity and a sense of discipline.
No Breakfast: Skipping breakfast was part of Schopenhauer’s routine. While not everyone agrees with this approach, it resonates with intermittent fasting principles that some find beneficial for health and mental clarity.
Work Routine: Schopenhauer dedicated his mornings to work, writing until noon. This emphasizes the importance of having a focused and dedicated period for intellectual or creative work, especially early in the day.
Creative Break: Taking a break to practice the flute for half an hour after work highlights the value of incorporating creative or leisure activities into one’s routine. It can serve as a refreshing break and contribute to overall well-being.
Outdoor Exercise: Schopenhauer’s daily two-hour walk, regardless of the weather, emphasizes the significance of outdoor exercise for both physical and mental health. This practice aligns with contemporary views on the benefits of regular physical activity and spending time in nature.
Reading Habit: Schopenhauer spent time reading each day, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and intellectual stimulation.
News Consumption: Reading The Times at the library suggests Schopenhauer valued staying informed about current events. It’s worth noting that he limited his news consumption to a specific time of day (but it was easier to restrict your information diet before the internet).
Cultural Engagement: Attending the theater or a concert in the evening indicates a commitment to cultural engagement and a balanced lifestyle.
Regular Bedtime: Going to bed early reflects an understanding of the importance of sufficient sleep for overall health and well-being.
While Schopenhauer’s routine may not be suitable for everyone, there are elements of discipline, balance, and engagement with various aspects of life that individuals may find inspiring or applicable to their own lifestyles.
The Immovable Mind
Schopenhauer was known for his persistence and stubbornness – his consistent daily routine is just one manifestation of this.
He wrote his magnum opus The World as Will and Representation in 1818 when he was only 28 years old, and he never fundamentally changed his views despite continuing to write and publish until his death at 72.
Schopenhauer has been described as an “immovable mind,” never letting himself deviate from the course he was set out on.
His two hour walk routine in any weather is one of the most popular examples of this. From the biography in the book:
“Consider the daily two-hour walk. Among Schopenhauer’s disciples of the late nineteenth century this walk was celebrated fact of his biography, and it was so because of its regularity. There was speculation as to why he insisted on going out and staying out for two hours no matter what the weather. It suggests health fanaticism, but there is no other evidence that Schopenhauer was a health fanatic or crank. In my view the reason was simply obstinacy: he would go out and nothing would stop him.”
While this immovability has its disadvantages, you have to admire the monk-like discipline.
Schopenhauer was a proponent of ascetism, a life without pleasure-seeking and mindless indulgence. A lot of his philosophy centers around a type of “denouncement of the material world,” so it’s not surprising that a little rain and wind wouldn’t stop his daily walk.
This way of living is reminiscent of the documentary Into Great Silence, which follows the daily lives of Carthusian monks living in the French mountains while they eat, clean, pray, and fulfill their chores and duties in quiet solitude.
One of the hallmarks of a great routine is that it’s a sustainable system. The fact that Schopenhauer was able to follow this regimen for the rest of his life is a testament to its strength and efficacy, and something worth admiring even if it’s not a lifestyle we’d want to replicate for ourselves.
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The benefits of high-dosage tutoring can’t be ignored. Research shows that tutoring is one of the most effective ways to increase academic achievement, including among students from lower socio-economic households–one of the groups disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
High-dosage tutoring is a crucial strategy for student advancement regardless of a student’s abilities or where they may struggle academically.
In fact, high-dosage tutoring is a main component of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Improving Student Achievement Agenda for 2024, which focuses on accelerating academic performance for every child in school. The initiative will adopt three evidence-based strategies that improve student learning: increasing student attendance; providing high-dosage tutoring; and increasing summer learning and extended or after-school learning time.
Here are 5 things to know about high-dosage tutoring:
1. Since the pandemic, students have struggled markedly in math, particularly algebra. According to NAEP Mathematics Assessment data, eighth-graders’ algebra scores were eight points lower in 2022 than in 2019. According to the Nation’s Report Card, the average eighth-grade mathematics score was lower than all previous assessment years—going back to 2003. As a gateway content area, algebra prepares students to tackle advanced study in calculus, physics, and other subjects—yet it often is a sticking point for many middle and high school students. Without a solid understanding of algebra, many students find that they get stuck in their math studies. Here are 5 ways to help students struggling with algebra learning.
2. Policymakers must take action to support states and districts in implementing high-dosage tutoring to ensure opportunities for student success. The pandemic left students, on average, five months behind in math and four months behind in reading by the end of the 2021-22 school year, with even more significant losses for students in majority-Black or low-income schools. This gap shows an increased inequality in educational outcomes across racial and socioeconomic lines. Thankfully, extensive research points toward one incredibly effective option in recovering learning loss: high-dosage tutoring. Learn more about how to implement high-dosage tutoring programs in schools and districts.
3. To truly help students build deep understanding, intervention requires the right time, place, people, and curriculum. As educators continue to work to accelerate learning for students following the pandemic, many are turning to tutoring to provide support. Tutoring is one of the most effective math interventions available for students, but the quality of tutoring varies widely. Here are 6 key steps to ensure tutoring, including high-dosage tutoring, is as effective as possible for students.
4. When this North Dakota school district analyzed student achievement data from multiple measures and through the lens of student groups, district administrators saw an immediate need to provide additional reading intervention to help students recover from the effects of the pandemic. Yet, due to staffing shortages, leaders knew they could not provide the level of personalized support each student needed. Thanks to a data-driven approach to tutoring, the district has been able to help students increase their growth and confidence in reading. Here are five strategies the district implemented to create an effective high-impact tutoring program.
5. In a review of research on high-dosage tutoring as an intervention strategy, from K-12 assessment and research organization NWEA, authors looked at the evidence on high-dosage tutoring and highlighted the benefits of using this strategy, especially in supporting at-risk students. The report also noted several “non-negotiable” factors that lead to high-dosage tutoring being used effectively to accelerate academic growth. Key takeaways from the report include: At-risk students continue to need support, especially now as the share of at-risk students has increased post pandemic; high-dosage tutoring programs can produce large gains in reading and math test scores for at-risk students (if implemented appropriately); high-dosage tutoring is effective for building foundational skills in elementary grades, and can aid struggling middle and high school students; and as part of implementation planning, districts must address barriers that hinder student access to HDT by ensuring an equitable selection criteria and offering holistic supports for student learning. Read the full report here.
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
It’s 2024! Chalkboards, heavy textbooks, and other analog tools of the past have no place in today’s schools. Over the last few decades, applied technology in the classroom has grown by leaps and bounds. This dovetails nicely with the fact that today’s students are full digital natives who instinctively know their way around smart devices.
Of course, there’s more to education technology than allowing computers in the classroom. School administrators should be continually on the lookout for emerging technologies that can increase student engagement, retain knowledge, and make learning more accessible.
What new technology is out there and being tested in the classroom?
Once upon a time, the school computer lab was a mysterious room frequented by tech enthusiasts and hobbyists. Today, teachers and students have complete access to smartphones, tablets, or laptops in all classes. As a result, we’re seeing a variety of new technology being tested and used in the classroom to support different learning styles.
Cloud technology
Cloud-based software means computers take up less space than they once did. It also enables schools to trade desktop computers for more portable devices like tablets and laptops.
In addition, students can open cloud-based apps on any school computer and retrieve their saved files by logging into their accounts. If permitted by the school IT administrator, students can even work on their projects at home via remote web logins.
Finally, cloud technology fuels remote learning, which helped save education during the shutdown days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It continues to reduce missed days and downtime due to inclement weather or other disruptions. Instead, students and teachers can meet online and continue their work through files available on the cloud.
Hybrid classes
Before COVID, remote learning was an option for college students who couldn’t attend classes in person. Online and offline learning were two distinct systems: one was entirely remote, while the other was in-person and attendance-based.
However, advances in computer and network technology have enabled educational systems to adopt a hybrid learning model. Those who are able will meet in person, while others attend virtually through the class videoconference portal.
Hybrid classes offer numerous benefits. For instance, it gives teachers the flexibility to create a customized approach to learning. Both teachers and students who have health issues can safely attend class. And for students, it makes school more accessible and affordable and reduces absenteeism.
Active learning
Lectures and memorization are taking a back seat to active learning. Classroom technology such as tablets, virtual reality (VR), and interactive whiteboards make learning more engaging.
For instance, VR headsets offer unique hands-on training without the cost or risk. By modeling real-world scenarios, students can get in hours of practice time under strict supervision. The virtual environment also gives them unlimited opportunities to get a procedure right.
Tablets and interactive smartboards also encourage active learning through games, competitions, and role playing. To be successful, active learning depends heavily on the student’s participation. New technology enables students to participate in the way that’s most comfortable for them.
What existing tried-and-true technology delivers the best learning experience?
A critical part of the modern learning process relies on the hardware used in the classroom. Chalkboards and dry-erase markers are alien to preschoolers who already know how to use touchscreens. Similarly, a bulb projector and a VHS player are far more distracting than the HD-quality video screens kids have at home.
Students need classroom devices that reflect what they see in the real world, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Modern technology in the classroom demands advanced equipment that digital natives are familiar with.
The continued drop in prices for LED and touchscreen technologies has led to the popularity of smart TVs and interactive whiteboards in the classroom. Aside from their relative affordability, interactive touchscreens offer the best learning experiences for students who grew up using smartphones and tablets at home.
Touchscreen technology lets teachers and students engage in active learning to the fullest. Multi-touch capabilities allow the entire class to participate in group activities that promote collaboration and cooperation while fostering competition. More importantly, students are far more attentive when they use touchscreen technology. Better engagement means they’ll learn more and retain the knowledge longer.
Considerations for managing technology in the classroom
Interactive touchscreens and other edtech hardware are significant investments for school districts. As such, they require care and maintenance like any other piece of equipment. At the same time, smart devices are prone to hacking attempts by both bored students and outside parties. Acquire reliable device management software to safeguard this investment and secure your classroom technology.
Software-driven devices require constant updates to the operating system (OS), firmware, and installed applications. But updating and maintaining every device in every classroom can prove inefficient and time-consuming. Instead, device management software can perform updates and maintenance remotely to just one or two devices or the entire fleet. It can also schedule updates after class hours to minimize disruptions. This means units are always updated and ready to serve.
In addition, a robust device manager can secure each device from unauthorized users by assigning varying access levels to end users. For instance, students can only run and operate official learning apps and will have no access to the OS and student files. Instructors can access the content management system and edit student performance reports. Meanwhile, administrators can check student and teacher profiles, monitor learning modules, and gather data on device use. These are valuable sources of insights that can help improve school performance in the future.
More importantly, device management software can protect devices from unwanted attention. Reports of unauthorized attempts to log in will be met with bans and device shutdowns. When threatened with data theft, admins can simply shut down devices remotely or initiate data wipe procedures. If devices go missing, admins can use geolocation services to find them.
Education technology in the classroom is here to stay
Today’s students deserve modern technologies that suit their learning styles and tendencies. Digital natives in particular need an educational system that uses their natural medium of instruction. This means using smart devices like tablets, laptops, and interactive whiteboards to encourage participation and boost engagement.
For schools and school districts, upgrading learning facilities and equipment is a matter of making wise investment choices. When acquiring smart education technology equipment, make room in the budget for proper device managers to keep everything in order. Doing so will ensure that teachers and students alike get the most out of the classroom technology.
Nadav Avni
Nadav Avni is Chief Marketing Officer at Radix Technologies. Nadav has been at Radix Technologies for the past four years, originally joining as a marketing director. He has extensive experience in marketing from technology and advertising companies, having previously held roles at VBox Communications, Leverate and Nokia.
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NAPERVILLE, Illinois and BARBERTON, Ohio (PRNewswire-PRWeb) —Metrasens, a leading provider of advanced detection systems for security and safety applications, is pleased to announce its partnership with Barberton High School (BHS), the primary high school within the Barberton City School District. BHS selected Metrasens as part of its proactive approach to fortify campus security measures and uphold a safe learning environment.
With recent incidents of bomb threats targeting schools across the United States, concerns about safety in educational institutions have heightened. Recognizing the evolving challenges in maintaining a secure environment, Henry Muren, Principal of Barberton High School, emphasized the need for increased security measures. In response, BHS took proactive steps partnering with Metrasens to enhance existing security protocols and identify potential threats.
“While no bomb threats were directed at BHS during recent incidents, the administration acknowledges the rising threat and the necessity to stay ahead of potential risks,” stated Henry Muren, Principal of Barberton High School. “We are not living in the world of comfort and security, as we once did.”
The school successfully trialed Metrasens Ultra, an advanced metal detection technology with touchless and radiation-free screening. Metrasens demonstrated its capabilities at a BHS football game, followed by deployments at a basketball home game, with plans for further expansion to other events.
BHS Principal Muren emphasized the significance of student participation in security measures, highlighting the school’s commitment to the Sandy Hook Promise and fostering a culture where everyone contributes to ensuring safety. Recognizing the growing prevalence of metal detectors in public spaces, Muren stressed the imperative to adapt to the evolving security landscape.
“Our collective efforts to enhance the safety of our students, staff, and community members are crucial, and Metrasens plays an important role in providing advanced security solutions that align with our commitment to a secure and proactive environment,” Muren remarked.
Metrasens has earned acclaim for providing a mobile and efficient security solution, receiving positive feedback from BHS administrators and the community. The district commends Metrasens for exemplary customer service during implementation. In line with their commitment to enhancing security measures without financial strain, the school actively seeks grant opportunities to acquire additional Metrasens detection systems.
“We believe having another layer of security that is nonintrusive and is safe to use is a logical step forward,” said Jeff Ramnytz, Superintendent of Barberton City Schools. “We will highly recommend Metrasens to other school districts seeking to enhance their security measures as well.”
Metrasens Ultra is designed to be safe for all individuals, including pregnant women and those with medical conditions, operating with a passive search method. The technology allows for efficient and respectful screening, ensuring a secure environment without hindering access.
“We are thrilled to play an integral part in helping BHS achieve its objectives,” said Chris Arbeitman, Vice President of Market and Business Development at Metrasens. “We are aligned with BHS’s proactive approach and remain committed to supporting all of their security initiatives to ensure a safe and positive experience today and into the future.”
About Metrasens Metrasens is the world’s leading provider of advanced magnetic detection technologies. With a technology center and manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom, a North American sales and customer service hub in Chicago and a global network of distributors, the company’s innovative products are designed to address deficiencies in conventional screening methods and make the world safer and more secure. Metrasens’ mission is to take cutting-edge science from the laboratory and use it to create revolutionary, award-winning products that meet the distinct and diverse security needs of its customers. Metrasens’ core technologies have a wide range of real-world applications, embodied by solutions that are easy to adopt and simple to use. For more information, visit http://www.metrasens.com.
About Barberton High School
Barberton High School (BHS), is the primary high school within the Barberton City School District in Barberton, Ohio, serving 1,421 students in grades 9-12. The Barberton City School District offers academic, athletic and arts programs that give each student the opportunity to grow in knowledge, confidence and integrity. Barberton City School’s vision is building a better Barberton, one student at a time with the mission of meeting each child where they are at and growing them year-to-year until they are on one of three pathways – Enrolled, Enlisted, Employed.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
One of the biggest announcements out of FETC24 this year involved Lightspeed, the leading provider of instructional audio solutions that create equal access to learning, and their launch of Cascadia—a networked instructional audio platform that not only projects the teacher’s voice within the classroom but also empowers teachers to call for help and communicate outside of the classroom directly from their lanyard microphone.
I had a conversation with Tony Zeikle, Senior Vice President of Revenue at Lightspeed Technologies, Inc. about the features of the new product, its integration with existing school systems like phone networks and paging solutions, and its potential benefits for teachers and students, especially in light of challenges posed by the pandemic. We also touch upon the evolving landscape of educational technology, including the role of audio in augmented reality, virtual reality, and language learning. Have a listen:
More details about the launch:
Cascadia delivers all the benefits of instructional audio and integrates with existing life-safety and building communication systems, providing the ability to initiate mobile, silent emergency alerts and make two-way calls to the office from anywhere in the building.
“The need for teachers to communicate with resources outside of the classroom continues to grow, whether in an emergency or simply when help is needed,” said Shaun Fagan, Senior Vice President of Product and Lightspeed. “With Cascadia, schools can now meet this need by providing teachers with a communication tool that offers mobility, simplicity, and immediacy.”
Cascadia connects to a school’s network, providing centralized monitoring and control, along with key integrations to critical building-wide communications. The Cascadia platform provides:
Timely alerts from anywhere in the building
Communication to the office with two-way calling
Real-time teacher location during an active alert
Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) to leverage network infrastructure
Integration with classroom multimedia
Student sharing with Sharemike
“By integrating with leading life-safety and building communication providers, our solutions provide schools with the flexibility to leverage their existing investments and build the best systems to meet their needs,” said Fagan.
This networked communication system can enhance existing safety protocols and procedures, which is vital for students and parents. Students (87%), parents (96%), and educators (98%) all agree that school safety is extremely important to them, according to the 2022 State of School Safety Report by Safe and Sound Schools.
Below is a machine-generated transcript:
00:00:05 Speaker 1
OK, Tony. Thanks so much for joining me today. I really appreciate it. Looking forward to off, etc in a couple weeks and I know lightspeed’s going to be down there. Maybe we could just get right into it, talk a little bit about the news and any announcements that that you guys might be promoting on the show floor.
00:00:22 Speaker 2
Absolutely. You know, we go to FTC every year. We love the opportunity to be able to interact with a lot of school districts and just across the entire industry of the Ed tech space. And you know, we are well respected and known for what we do in the classroom with instructional audio, putting a microphone on a teacher and providing a low volume, highly intelligible speech through speakers.
00:00:42 Speaker 2
So that every student in the classroom can effectively hear the instruction.
00:00:46 Speaker 2
The new product that we’re launching this month and it’s just gone on to our website this week is called Cascade, Cascadia and it’s an instructional networked platform. It’s our first foray into being a networked system, so that our our technology directors can have visibility into all of their instructional audio solutions.
00:01:05 Speaker 2
Across an entire school.
00:01:07 Speaker 2
And also adding some additional features. You know, the thing that we really realized was as we put microphones on, teachers and teachers are wearing a microphone, you know, both in their classroom and around the school is that that microphone can have some additional features and abilities beyond just that. We have an important piece of real estate.
00:01:27 Speaker 2
So to speak, by having that microphone right here at a, you know, hands distance away.
00:01:33 Speaker 2
For the teachers, So what we’re doing is adding some components of being able to integrate our microphone for safety and security purposes and that can be incorporating it in as a discrete silent alert that can notify the office that there’s something wrong in a classroom or somewhere else in the school. And we’re also integrating it with the school’s phone system so that the.
00:01:55 Speaker 2
Teacher is actually able to make a teacher initiated call to the office.
00:02:00 Speaker 2
Sometimes a little bit more information is required. You know with that discrete alert or something like that, and the teacher being able to have a quick conversation with the office and it could be something as minor as a student needs help in the hallway. It could be just instruction, maybe a teacher or a student’s heading to the office just so that quick information can provide a little bit more.
00:02:20 Speaker 2
Information for the teacher and staff to be able to communicate the thing we really realized coming out of the pandemic.
00:02:27 Speaker 2
Was that gone? Are the days that a teacher just walks into their classroom at the beginning of the day doesn’t interact with any other adults the rest of the day? And you know, they’re just with their students in that classroom. The dynamic has changed and teachers need support, whether it’s for behavioral purposes, whether it’s just standard communication across the school campus.
00:02:48 Speaker 2
And we realized that we could add some value there by adding some additional buttons and additional features onto our microphone.
00:02:56 Speaker 1
You know, it sounds like a pretty significant upgrade. And when you talk about significant, you’re also talking about sophisticated and and and complicated especially I guess when you’re tying in phone systems or IP based, if any of our readers or listeners here are responsible for those sort of IT systems. Can you give us some of the the?
00:03:16 Speaker 1
Weak speak when it comes to how those are being integrated.
00:03:19 Speaker 2
Yeah, absolutely. What we really desire to do is stay in our space from an instructional audio standpoint. That’s what we’re known for. That’s what we’re respected for. So we’re really staying there. But what we have done is identified that we can integrate with existing paging and intercom solutions through our network system. So that from a wireless standpoint, we use deck technology for our wireless.
00:03:41 Speaker 2
Transmission, but from the amp we’re now connected through the through the network and integrate with that paging system so that we’re integrating with what the school is already used to using.
00:03:52 Speaker 2
And being able to navigate and then those buttons can do different things based upon what the school desires it to do based upon their safety and security protocols and those kinds of things. One of the things that we really wanted to make sure that we did through this process is there can be complexity on the back end for sure, but how do we keep it simple for the teacher? How do we make it so that it’s very easy and intuitive?
00:04:14 Speaker 2
For them to use, you know, one of the things that we realized was when it comes to school wide communication, there’s different ways that teachers were interacting, whether it be, you know, maybe a walkie.
00:04:24 Speaker 2
Bucky and those are kind of bulky and they might be taking them to recess or different places across the school. They’re not very wearable, so to speak, but they serve their purpose. You think about other things that they’re using sometimes they’re using their own cell phone, which sometimes isn’t on the school’s network, isn’t a school.
00:04:45 Speaker 2
Piece of property.
00:04:47 Speaker 2
And there’s some challenges tied to apps and things like that. On their own personal device that can be challenging for a school to navigate, and then, you know, they have their phone system maybe or their, you know, in the school and it’s fixed. And it’s not a wearable technology, so to speak. So we felt like there was a little bit of a gap in terms of just communication that we can make a little bit simpler.
00:05:07 Speaker 1
Yeah. And you mentioned the pandemic in in some of the the changing behaviors.
00:05:12 Speaker 1
Is that something that that as as a company as as a technology company who’s emphasizing these technologies as being an enhancement, has there, has there been a change in terms of maybe convincing faculty members who maybe were resistant? Like why do I need a microphone? I’ve always, I’ve always taught my algebra class for for 30 years and never seem to have necessary like.
00:05:34 Speaker 1
And always felt awkward about. So maybe now that they’re more comfortable and see those benefits.
00:05:39 Speaker 2
Yeah, really kind of two purposes that the pandemic really highlighted the need for this technology. One was when teachers were wearing masks in their classroom, you know, that mask was at 10 decibel drop in their voice. And also you had the loss of the visual cues of the mouth through that mask. And so I think that necessity of audio and the challenge of communication through the pandemic.
00:06:02 Speaker 2
Just heightened teachers awareness of why this technology is important. One of the first responses we’ve gotten for years when teachers put a microphone on and they hear that low volume, highly intelligible speech coming through, is that they didn’t have to repeat their instructions nearly.
00:06:17 Speaker 2
This much students were more attentive and at the end of the day the teacher had more energy. They realized I don’t have to raise my voice all day, every day for my students to be able to hear me, you know another, you know, we talked a little bit about maybe the rise in behavioral issues in a school. You know, I I went to a lot of Superintendent conferences towards the tail end.
00:06:37 Speaker 2
Of the pandemic and.
00:06:38 Speaker 2
After the pandemic and a lot of superintendents would just say we are just seeing an A significant increase in behavioral issues tied to all of the challenges that the pandemic had for students, their home life and all the things that they were going through. And, you know, there was an increase in room clears just.
00:06:55 Speaker 2
You know things that are every day in a school that you know a lot of people maybe don’t hear about, but they’re the challenges that teachers are facing every day and they’re very aware of it. So increased communication across the school campus was one thing that we just wanted to really focus on. And, you know, one of the things that I’m sure that you’ve thought about too, and you’re hearing from other companies.
00:07:16 Speaker 2
As well.
00:07:16 Speaker 2
Well, is how technology needs to evolve. You know, we talked about AI and ChatGPT and how that’s being incorporated into the classroom. And there’s a lot of different things. And I think coming out of the pandemic and in the next few years, we’re gonna continue to see a lot of really innovative technologies that are going to change the way that the classroom is shaped and the way teaching and learning.
00:07:38 Speaker 1
Yeah, because especially we’re talking about the future of education technology conference, right. And I’m I’m looking forward to getting down there and now that we’re.
00:07:45 Speaker 1
Kind of finally free to a certain degree from the pandemic and kind of start to look forward on some of these technologies, the augmented reality, the virtual reality audio is a big part of all of those things, right? So I mean you can, are you anticipating other new kind of applications where?
00:08:06 Speaker 1
Audio will be part of that.
00:08:09 Speaker 2
Yeah, absolutely. You know, the other component is just making sure you have clear audio for extended learning. You know, students that are outside of the classroom. How do you make sure that audio is clear on both ends? You know, if you have a group of students that are in another classroom across the school campus or, you know, in a different part, or if you have a teacher that’s remote.
00:08:29 Speaker 2
How do you make sure audio is clear through that whole process and we continue to think through that and we have a lot of various innovative solutions that we provide to be able to make sure that that can happen. One of the things that.
00:08:42 Speaker 2
Provided during the pandemic was our T3 solution, which is basically being able to provide a student with every a microphone. Every student in the classroom, and that became really applicable for remote learning where you might have a teacher that’s remote because if a student has a question that teacher needs to be able to hear it and.
00:09:01 Speaker 2
Being able to interact that way and really making the classroom setting different than what it has been in the past, and I think we’ll continue to see that evolve and change. But audio is at the heart of a lot of.
00:09:12 Speaker 1
Things one especially too. I I’ve noticed that when you look at various AI applications, various transcription applications, I mean specifically just Microsoft Word, the character recognition.
00:09:28 Speaker 1
It’s kind of across the Rubicon, right? I mean, it used to be like it was pretty good, but you’d have to spend a lot of time kind of cleaning.
00:09:36 Speaker 1
I notice now that just I mean the the character recognition when it comes to audio transcriptions, it’s just really spectacular. But the key comes down to.
00:09:47 Speaker 1
The microphone and what that technology can capture, right? I mean, so that’s kind of like the the front lines of any of this stuff working at all.
00:09:56 Speaker 2
Yeah. And you think also even about, you know, English language learning and the way that’s evolving in in K12 right now, I think over 10% of our student population.
00:10:05 Speaker 2
And now is falling into that category. So how can we do translation services through that process as well? So there’s a lot of exciting things that are happening through all of that.
00:10:17 Speaker 1
And the one piece of the the audience here that I don’t think needs much convincing are the students themselves.
00:10:26 Speaker 1
Right. I mean this is just.
00:10:27 Speaker 1
This is the technology is not a novelty to them. I mean, of course we’re all going to be speaking into microphones.
00:10:34 Speaker 2
Absolutely. And you know, I think students, especially now with, you know, headphones and everything else, they’re used to a more immersive experience when it comes to audio. So how can we deliver that to them, whether they’re in the classroom, whether they’re at home or whatever medium that they’re doing in the learning environment? We need to be thoughtful of that and engage them where they are.
00:10:53 Speaker 1
Well, lots of exciting stuff. Uh, I look forward to seeing you in person, not just on the on the zoom platform where we can kind of go more in depth. But thanks for your time to kind of.
00:11:04 Speaker 1
Let our listeners and let our readers kind of know what’s on the on the forefront here when it comes to audio.
00:11:09 Speaker 2
Absolutely. And what you know will be on the showroom floor, but we’ll also have a demonstration room where we can show Cascadia and demonstrate it on a first hand level in an enclosed space. So we look forward to being able to meet with many people at FTC.
00:11:23 Speaker 1
Excellent, Tony. Thanks again. Appreciate it.
00:11:25 Speaker 2
Thank you.
Kevin is a forward-thinking media executive with more than 25 years of experience building brands and audiences online, in print, and face to face. He is an acclaimed writer, editor, and commentator covering the intersection of society and technology, especially education technology. You can reach Kevin at KevinHogan@eschoolnews.com
PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY — Savvas Learning Company, a next-generation K-12 learning solutions leader, today announced that it has acquired Outlier.org, an edtech startup that has created a portfolio of high-quality, turnkey, online college-level courses that enable high school students to earn dual credit while never having to leave their school building.
Outlier.org combines cinematic video and charismatic professors with the best in modern, evidence-based teaching techniques to virtually transport the student to a college lecture hall. Its diverse catalog of award-winning courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences are taught by hand-picked, world-class instructors from NASA, MIT, Harvard, Yale, and other top institutions.
“There’s a growing demand for dual-enrollment and dual-credit opportunities for high school students across the country,” said Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company, noting, however, that school administrators have long faced challenges when considering these programs for their students, such as limited course offerings, along with costly transportation and other logistical issues.
“With Outlier, we are seeking to change that,” Forsa continued. “This acquisition will allow us to create an exciting new opportunity for the millions of high school students served by Savvas.”
In addition to providing students a path toward their college degree, the Outlier offerings also give those looking for valuable career and workforce training the opportunity to earn credit-bearing professional certificates from leading technology companies like Google, Meta, and Salesforce.
Many high school administrators recognize the value of dual-credit courses because they prepare their students for the rigor of college while also enabling them to earn both high school and college credits at the same time. Dual-enrollment and dual-credit programs have also been proven to lead to increased rates of high school graduation and college enrollment, particularly for students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education.
Students who successfully complete Outlier courses earn transferable college credits from Outlier’s university partners, the University of Pittsburgh, a top 50 global university, and Golden Gate University. Currently, 48 states and the District of Columbia have adopted state-level, dual-enrollment policies, including 28 states that have established multiple dual-enrollment programs, according to the Education Commission of the States.
Outlier’s asynchronous 14- and 15-week (semester) and 39-week (full-year) general-education courses offer high school students an introduction to the fundamental ideas typically taught on college campuses in STEM, humanities, economics, business, and other classes. The courses are designed to fit within a standard 45-minute period. Any high school teacher can support any course, aided by easy-to-use dashboards that provide faculty real-time visibility into student progress.
“We are proud of our students’ success and excited to join Savvas to bring our proven classes to more students,” said Aaron Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Outlier.org. “We are thankful to our university partners, our educators, our students, and our team members who have helped us to accomplish our mission to provide access to college and career learning to students, regardless of geography or socioeconomic background.”
High school administrators interested in the Outlier dual-enrollment and dual-credit offerings provided by Savvas can learn more about them here.
ABOUT SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY
At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design engaging, next-generation K-12 learning solutions that give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline, from evidence-based, standards-aligned core curricula to supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the art assessment tools — all designed to meet the needs of every learner. Savvas products are used by millions of students and educators in more than 90 percent of the 13,000+ public school districts across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as globally in more than 125 countries. To learn more, visit Savvas Learning Company.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
The LRE ensures that students under IDEA are offered equitable access to education alongside their non-disabled peers. Under these requirements, special education students should be in the same classrooms as their peers to the maximum appropriate extent. The goal isn’t to make sure that special education students are in the mainstream classroom as much as possible, but to allow students to engage in a classroom setting that is the most beneficial to their academic success and development and to have equal opportunities to their peers. This requires some training for educators on how to create more inclusive classrooms.
Strategies for educators to support inclusive learning
Inclusive classrooms are classrooms where students with diverse abilities and backgrounds learn together in a mainstream classroom setting. To maintain an inclusive learning environment, it is critical that educators have effective strategies to ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities, are given the opportunity to thrive academically.
Here are three strategies for educators to support inclusive learning:
1. Foster a collaborative classroom culture
A collaborative classroom culture encourages students to work together and appreciate the unique perspectives that their peers bring to the table. Educators can create this culture through tactics such as group projects or peer tutoring programs. Other activities like circle time, where students have the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences, can also help foster mutual understanding and respect. Collaboration not only helps to create a sense of community and belonging inside the classroom, it also prepares students for the real world that values teamwork.
2. Professional development
To enhance educators’ capacity to support diverse learners and inclusive classrooms, they need ongoing training and professional development opportunities. Having regular professional development training helps educators to learn more ways to best serve their students.
3. Differentiated instruction
Offering tailored teaching methods, materials and assessment strategies can help students to better understand the curriculum. Students learn in various ways, and offering materials at different difficulty levels, providing visuals or offering kinesthetic activities ensures that all students can engage in the classroom.
Why special educators are essential
Expertise
Special educators play an important role in ensuring the effectiveness of inclusive classrooms. They have the expertise, training, and resources to address the diverse needs of students, especially those with special needs.
Teaching methods and materials
In an inclusive classroom, special educators can tailor their teaching methods and materials to meet the abilities and preferred learning styles of students. This ensures that every student has access to individualized support that suits their unique needs.
IEP familiarity
Special educators are also trained to create Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students who have special needs. IEPs describe how a student learns, how they demonstrate what they are learning, and what educators can do to help a student learn more effectively. They are tailored using input from general and special education teachers, parents, school administrators, and the students themselves. Having an IEP can also help to determine if a fully inclusive classroom environment is the right fit for a specific student.
Behavior management
Behavioral difficulties are often a challenge in inclusive classrooms. Special educators have the necessary training to manage students with behavioral issues and can help maintain a productive learning environment in the classroom.
While special educators are important in driving the success of inclusive classrooms, they also face challenges such as being responsible for too many students.
Pros and cons of inclusive classrooms
The pros and cons of inclusive classrooms have been heavily debated and can vary with each individual circumstance or classroom.
Inclusive education has benefits for both students with disabilities and for their peers as it promotes social integration, cultivates empathy, and exposes students to those with diverse abilities. Studies have shown that inclusive education can lead to improved academic outcomes for both students with disabilities and their peers.
While inclusive classrooms have many benefits, there are also drawbacks that often dissuade schools and classrooms from adopting an inclusive classroom environment. Meeting the needs of students with varying abilities and offering individualized support can be challenging for teachers, especially in larger class sizes. Resource allocation can also be a concern because special education students often need support staff, specialized teaching materials or technology.
Inclusive classrooms are not a one-size-fits-all environment. By working with special education students alongside their peers, with an appropriate IEP in place, educators can tailor their teaching to better serve each student. While an inclusive classroom might not be the best fit for every student, every student should have the opportunity to participate in the learning environment that allows them to gain the most from their education.
Lesley Slaughter
Lesley Slaughter is the SVP of Soliant, and she has worked in the education staffing and recruiting industry for more than 18 years.
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In 2024, career and technical education (CTE) is not simply an alternative for students whose future plans don’t include college. It’s a fundamental part of the K-12 experience and a viable career pathway for many students.
CTE lets students understand the relevance of what they’re learning in school. It exposes them to career pathways they might not have known about otherwise. It prepares them for rich and rewarding careers in high-paying, high-demand jobs, whether they go on to attend college or not.
For K-12 leaders to succeed in creating high-quality CTE programming, here are five key trends and challenges I believe will affect this important field in 2024 and beyond.
Administrators (and parents) need to understand that CTE career pathways are highly attractive.
A generation ago, CTE career pathways (aka vocational schools) were widely considered to be appropriate only for students with few other options. This created a vacuum over time and a huge shortage of workers for lucrative, life-long careers. Take manufacturing, for instance: Many jobs were moving overseas, the workplace environment was noisy and dirty, and the opportunities for advancement were seen as very limited.
But that’s all changing now. Aided by advancements in technology, manufacturing has made a huge comeback in the United States, and skilled workers are now in high demand. Today’s manufacturing facilities are clean, modern workplaces that offer many exciting opportunities for students to work with cutting-edge technologies, such as cloud computing, robotics, programmable logic controllers, or PLCs and simulation software
CTE training gives students a head start in preparing for high-growth, high-wage jobs, even those students whose plans after high school include a college education. It’s no longer a dumping ground for students, but an opportunity for everyone to thrive.
Students are benefiting from learning about careers at an earlier age.
High schools often hold career days to help students understand various career options, but waiting until high school is too late: Many students have already eliminated entire career paths from their minds by then.
By exposing children to possible career pathways at an earlier age, we can open up many more worlds of possibilities for them. This is why a growing number of school systems are introducing students to career pathways at younger ages. That is why STEM education is so important in elementary and middle school.
Giving students early exposure to career options is a critical strategy for closing economic gaps and putting them on a path toward college or directly to ahigh-paying career, the nonprofit Center for American Progress (CAP) argues—especially those from low-income communities.
Connecting what students are learning to possible career pathways not only helps them make more informed choices about their future, but it also deepens their engagement in school, as many educators have found. When students can see how the skills they’re learning in the classroom apply to various careers, this helps them answer the all-important question: “Why do I have to learn this?” It also helps them become more confident in their abilities, because every child learns in a different way. For example, think about learning about X, Y, and Z in math classes. If students have the opportunity to learn about robotics, they will be able to directly apply the math learning with a real-world robotic application.
Schools need to find alternative paths for recruiting CTE instructors.
Recruiting and retaining CTE instructors was already challenging for many districts—and the pandemic has only exacerbated the situation. According to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), 28 states and territories have reported CTE teaching shortages to the U.S. Department of Education for the 2023-24 school year.
With school systems competing with industry employers for talent, many schools already struggled to hire enough CTE teachers to meet their needs. Somebody who can teach about PLCs and robotics can easily make six figures applying those skills within a manufacturing facility, instead of making $50,000 a year teaching those skills to students.
After the pandemic, the shortage of qualified CTE instructors has only grown. COVID placed enormous stress on educators, and especially CTE teachers who were trying to teach historically hands-on courses in a completely new way, using technologies they weren’t comfortable with. In the wake of COVID, many teachers have taken early retirement or left the classroom for the private sector.
School systems need to be creative in finding new ways to recruit CTE instructors. For instance, they might consider establishing programs for pulling future CTE teachers from their current student pool. K-12 leaders also must work with policy makers to establish flexible credentialing options for CTE instructors. It’s bad enough that districts face a pay gap when competing with the private sector for talent—but if employees also have to go back to school to earn a master’s degree and a teaching certificate if they’re leaving an industry position to become a CTE instructor, that’s just not realistic.
Virtual tools that can support effective CTE instruction are emerging.
One positive trend to emerge from the pandemic is that tremendous strides have been made in the development of augmented and virtual reality software, simulation tools, and online learning platforms.
These technologies can help bridge the gap between theory and application of career-based skills. They don’t completely replace the need for hands-on learning within CTE programs, but they can give students a solid foundation at an earlier age, while reducing the amount of time that students need in a lab setting to get the kinetic, hands-on experience of actually performing a task for real—such as programming a robot or repairing a motor.
Online simulations can also supplement a teacher’s capability, which can reduce the challenges associated with hiring CTE instructors. For instance, a gamified computer science environment can help good math or science teachers to be confident in teaching coding skills to students even if they aren’t a coding expert for themselves.
Policy makers must understand the need for more CTE funding.
The main source of federal funding for CTE is the Perkins Basic State Program from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. In the 2023 fiscal year, Perkins grants were funded at $1.44 billion. However, this funding source has remained relatively flat since the 1990s. During that time, the practical impact of Perkins grants has fallen by more than $900 million in inflation-adjusted dollars—amounting to a 45-percent reduction in the program’s purchasing power.
At the same time, technology is evolving rapidly, and schools don’t have the budgets to keep up with these changes. In addition, the gap between the skills that students are graduating with and the skills that employers require is widening.
CTE programs are pivotal in helping to close this skills gap, but that can only happen if lawmakers make the necessary investments in CTE instruction. ACTE is calling for a $400 million increase in Perkins grants to address this funding deficit.
To summarize these thoughts: Despite millions of job openings around the country, nearly three out of four employers in this ACTE report note a persistent mismatch between the skills they require and the skills their workers possess. CTE in schools can help prepare students more effectively for the jobs of the future, provided that administrators, parents, and students see the value of CTE pathways and students are exposed to career options earlier in their education. Schools must find creative ways to increase the pipeline of CTE instructors and integrate new technology tools into CTE courses, and policymakers must invest more in CTE programs.
Tony Oran
Tony Oran is the CEO of CoderZ and Intelitek, which offers scalable and equitable learning experiences to support schools implementing STEM and CTE education programs from Kindergarten to Career.
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The new edition of myView Literacy comes at a time when the Science of Reading movement has gained national momentum, with many states now requiring the use of evidence-based strategies for teaching students to read. More and more school districts today are making it a priority to use high-quality instructional materials that not only demonstrate both efficacy and a positive impact on student achievement but also provide teachers the training and support they need to successfully implement the curriculum.
Firmly grounded in the Science of Reading, myView’s daily foundational-skills instruction follows an easy-to-teach sequence that’s proven to increase reading achievement and close skills gaps. Adding to the program’s exciting authentic literature and interactive resources, the new edition of myView Literacy now features an increased focus on foundational writing instruction, more student practice opportunities, and new enhancements and improved navigation for a more seamless digital teaching and learning experience.
“With its integrated design that makes Science of Reading-based instruction simple, easy, and engaging to teach, myView Literacy is just what K-5 educators are looking for today,” said Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company. “Our myView program ensures that every student, from struggling readers to advanced learners, receives the support and challenge they need for reading and writing growth.”
Incorporating the latest evidence-based research and best practices, myView Literacy features explicit and systematic instruction in foundational skills that’s proven to boost student achievement. The program covers each of the key concepts that national standards require to qualify as an effective reading program: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Designed by leading literacy scholars and authors, the program’s evidence-based pedagogy from prior editions has been determined to meet ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Level 2 Evidence for its positive impact on learning outcomes. It also received EdReports “All-Green” ratings, the highest tier within EdReports’ ratings scale for evaluating high-quality, standards-aligned instructional material. Read the full review of myView Literacy on EdReports.org.
Delivered on the award-winning Savvas Realize learning management system, the interactive learning solution provides a set of connected digital and print resources that help educators establish instructional routines, save planning time, and prioritize student achievement. The new edition of myView Literacy now includes:
An Integrated Approach to Reading and Writing offers educators a comprehensive system for explicit foundational skills-instruction and meaningful practice activities that help students showcase their learning.
A Student-Centered Experience increases engagement and learning with new digital resources, like articulation videos, games, a Building Knowledge Library, and a greater focus on multi-sensory practice in every lesson.
Built-in Teacher Training and Support provides integrated professional learning, robust planning tools, and differentiated instruction for multilingual learners to give educators what they need to help all students achieve.
Data-Driven Insights and Progress Monitoring, provided by a suite of dynamic assessment tools, empower teachers to monitor student growth, identify skills gaps, and transform data into engaging instruction.
Laura Looney, an elementary ELA content specialist who coaches teachers in Las Cruces (NM) Public Schools, appreciates the “high-quality teaching materials, aligned with the proven Science of Reading, that myView Literacy offers teachers and students in their educational journey.”
“In our classrooms, where diverse learning needs abound, myView Literacy stands out as an invaluable resource, especially for students who require additional assistance in honing their foundational skills,” Looney said. “The well-crafted content not only facilitates engagement but also plays a pivotal role in cultivating a strong foundation in literacy while the targeted support recommendations are excellent in helping accelerate the language needs of our emergent bilingual students. The program’s commitment to aligning with evidence-based practices ensures that our students receive the targeted support they need, making the teaching and learning experience richer and more effective.”
For educators looking for even more powerful literacy assessments, Momentum Assessment Suite works seamlessly with myView Literacy by identifying each student’s greatest opportunities for growth and pairing that data with aligned instructional resources. The screeners and diagnostics can also be used with SuccessMaker, a proven-effective, continuously adaptive personalized reading program. Together, the combined solution delivers cutting-edge assessments, high-quality core curriculum, and adaptive personalized learning all on one platform, providing an individualized pathway to success for each student.
ABOUT SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY
At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design engaging, next-generation K-12 learning solutions that give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline, from evidence-based, standards-aligned core curricula to supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the art assessment tools — all designed to meet the needs of every learner. Savvas products are used by millions of students and educators in more than 90 percent of the 13,000+ public school districts across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as globally in more than 125 countries. To learn more, visit Savvas Learning Company. Savvas Learning Company’s products are also available for sale in Canada through its subsidiary, Rubicon.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
Learn from past love to improve future love. This worksheet will guide you step-by-step so that you can take away the most important lessons from your past relationships.
BURLINGTON, NC — Carolina Biological, the leading school science supplier and the Smithsonian Science Education Center announced Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™, Phenomenon and Problem-Driven Edition, for grades K to 5. The print, digital and hands-on program raises the bar in student-driven 3D learning and 3D assessment. All modules in the updated core science curriculum are rolling out for the 2024-25 school year. The program still takes students on a journeyof hands-on experiences, observation, and collaboration, but added many more new opportunities for students to drive their own learning and: build reading, writing, and speaking skills; make sense of phenomena and real-world problems;drive learning with their own ideas and experiences. The new program features a robust and integrated assessment system, including a new assessment map. Accessibility for students is emphasized. Students cultivate scientific skills and knowledge through student-centric investigations as they figure out compelling phenomena and solve real-world problems. Teacher support is included. The new 2nd Edition was extensively field tested by educators and will be available for purchase through Carolina for the 2024-25 school year. Teachers can contact Carolina now to implement in classrooms next fall.
Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, 2nd Edition, is a high-quality comprehensive science program with life science, earth and space science, physical science and engineering modules developed to meet the *Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This elementary curriculum engages, inspires, and connects students firsthand to the world around them through a total of 24 student-driven modules. It helps teachers keep classes fresh and interesting to young students and integrate science, technology, math and engineering throughengaging and hands-on lessons. Smithsonian Science for the Classroom includes print and digital components, as well as hands-on materials.
Student Agency
A strong theme in the new Edition is the power of student agency, a personalized learning concept that gives students a choice and voice in learning. When each new phenomenon or problem is introduced, students have the opportunity to access their prior knowledge, share initial ideas, and ask questions based on gaps in their understanding. These ideas and questions drive the next steps. They offer more opportunities for students to ask questions and rely upon their prior knowledge to drive their understanding and learning. Students work as scientists, doing hands-on investigations, collaborating with peers, testing models, and developing explanations as they explain a phenomenon or solve a problem. A family letter is included for every module that creates opportunities for teachers to gain knowledge about students’ prior experiences and for parents and caregivers to know what to ask students about in-class experiences.
“Students come to the classroom with an understanding of the world based on their previous experiences,” said Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Senior Executive and Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. “When students have an opportunity to access their prior knowledge, use it to make initial explanations of a phenomenon, and integrate that prior knowledge with classroom investigations, they will gain a deeper understanding of how the natural world works. The new Edition gives students more opportunities to explain phenomena and solve problems by integrating their knowledge from past experiences with carefully chosen investigations, digital interactives, and informational text.”
During field testing of the version, many educators provided feedback and enjoyed the student-driven emphasis of the investigations. Here is one of the helpful comments from 2nd Edition beta testers about the grade 4 engineering unit: “I have never had the students come up with goals for a successful solution,” said Michele Hayes, 4th grade teacher at St. John’s School in Houston, TX. “This was difficult for them, but they came up with great ideas. I will definitely use this when doing future STEM projects.”
Every lesson provides opportunities for students to practice and reinforce foundational reading and math skills. Explaining phenomena and solving problems provides motivation for students to read, write, and discuss for purpose. Students read for purpose to find evidence that explains what is confusing or surprising to them. Notebooking in science gives students opportunities to engage with the writing process, write for a purpose and a place to record and organize their design and testing plans, collected data, ideas and explanations of phenomena, and claims based on evidence.
Students talk to each other to design a solution together, brainstorm how to test it, and plan how to make it better. Students speak to each other and to the class as they ask and answer their own questions and communicate the results of their investigations through presentations.
Developers at theSmithsonian Science Education Center leveraged their incredible curiosity about the amazing things the researchers and curators are investigating at the Smithsonian and wove that into a student-driven grades K to 5 curriculum. So the students who use Smithsonian Science for the Classroom and its accompanying literacy series, Smithsonian Science Stories, aren’t just getting a cohesive, engaging, NGSS-aligned curriculum, they are getting a chance to “visit” the Smithsonian and peer into the art, culture and history through the readings. The curriculum was voted the most culturally relevant science program by the National Science Teaching Association in BEST of STEM 2023 awards.
3D Assessment
The modules integrate science and engineering seamlessly, as intended by NGSS. Guidance is provided through call-out boxes on where, when and how students are applying the three dimensions of NGSS (e.g., disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and cross-cutting concepts). This is especially useful for teachers who are relatively new to NGSS and also ensures that students are engaged in 3D learning. A new comprehensive Assessment Map in the Teacher’s Guide for each module illustrates how students progress in building skills and knowledge throughout the module. Formative and checkpoint assessments build to the module summative performance assessment, which is a science or engineering design challenge. The assessment table format makes it fast and easy for teachers to use “in the moment” assessment guidance.3D assessment assists teachers in gauging how well students are progressing in all three dimensions through a variety of assessed performance tasks and written assessments. Three-dimensional assessments required by the latest standards are performance based. Students apply their content knowledge to complete a task and answer open-ended questions about phenomena. Understanding is demonstrated in a variety of ways where students apply their knowledge and skills to a scenario. Teachers need to provide evidence that students can apply their knowledge appropriately and are building on their existing knowledge and skills in ways that lead to deeper understanding of the scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas.
“The new edition of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom drives the powerful, three-dimensional learning and assessment intended by NGSS,” said Jim Parrish, President and CEO at Carolina Biological Supply Company. “It builds upon the original research foundation to 1) develop scientific literacy while reinforcing foundational skills in reading and math, 2) emphasize experiential learning; and 3) provide access to culturally relevant content only available through the Smithsonian Institution. The 2nd Edition provides more opportunities for all students’ ideas to drive investigation of phenomena and problems and to make sense of their natural world.”
Availability
All modules from Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, 2nd Edition, will be available for schools to purchase in the 2024-2025 school year through Carolina. It includes print and digital components, as well as hands-on materials. The program includes 24 modules for grades K to 5. Each module includes a print-format Teacher Guide, a set of 16 Smithsonian Science Stories readers, a set of 10 Student Activity Guides (grades 3-5), a class kit of hands-on materials to supply 32 students, and digital access to the Teacher Guide and student literacy materials. Prices start at $650 for one grade-level module through Carolina. Refurbishment sets are also available starting at $200 to refill the hands-on consumables for subsequent use of the module. An upgrade kit for current users will be available for purchase. Below-grade and Spanish versions of the readers are also available for purchase. For information, visit Carolina’s website, call (800) 334-5551, or e-mail curriculum@carolina.com.
Smithsonian Science Education Center
The mission of the Smithsonian Science Education Center is to transform and improve the teaching and learning of science for PreK-12 students in the United States and throughout the world. Established in 1985 as the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) under the sponsorship of two prestigious institutions – the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academy of Sciences – the Center is dedicated to the establishment of effective science programs for all students. The Smithsonian Science Education Center works to build awareness for PreK-12 science education reform among global, state, and district leaders; conducts programs that support the professional growth of PreK-12 teachers and school leaders; and engages in research and curriculum development in partnership with it is publisher, Carolina Biological Supply Company, the sole source provider of STC™, STCMS™, and Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™.
Carolina Biological Supply Company
From its beginnings in 1927, Carolina ( www.carolina.com) has grown to become the leading supplier of biological and other science teaching materials in the world. Headquartered in Burlington, NC, Carolina serves customers worldwide, including teachers, students, and professionals in science and health-related fields. The company is still privately owned by descendants of the founder, geology and biology professor Dr. Thomas E. Powell Jr.
* NGSS is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
Boston – Although reports reveal that U.S. students’ general academic performance still trails behind pre-pandemic rates, students taking VHS Learning’s high-quality, teacher-led online classes have maintained a consistent high level of achievement before, during, and after the pandemic. During the 2022-23 academic year, 91% of students who completed their VHS Learning’s online course did so with a passing grade. This is the fourth consecutive year that VHS Learning students have attained an average pass rate of 91%.
Students who took VHS Learning courses in the summer for credit recovery surpassed last year’s performance. In 2023, those students who previously failed a course and retook it in the summer with VHS Learning had an average pass rate of 80%, up from 75% in 2022. Students must achieve a final grade of 60 or higher to pass their courses.
In the 27 years that VHS Learning has been providing supplemental online high school classes, it has earned a reputation for its high standard of educational quality that keeps schools and students coming back. In the 2022-2023 academic year, VHS Learning had 16,927 course enrollments by students from more than 520 partner schools. Last year, 92% of schools previously utilizing the program continued their participation into the 2022-2023 school year. Further,90% of administrators and 90% of site coordinators who manage the VHS Learning program at their schoolsaid they were satisfied or very satisfied with their school’s VHS Learning experience.
“Our pass rates and retention and satisfaction rates reflect the quality of our program and our high standards for teaching. All VHS Learning teachers must successfully complete our graduate-level Online Teaching Methodologies (OTM) training program prior to teaching a VHS Learning online course. This comprehensive training helps teachers learn the best practices for online teaching and learning,” said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. “Our teachers are also high school certified in their subject areas, with 81% possessing a master’s degree or higher. Our teachers and staff are dedicated to helping students succeed and have opportunities that would otherwise be unable to them.”
VHS Learning partners with schools and districts to help them expand their course offerings, and also works directly with families who want to enroll students in classes individually. With more than 200 unique online courses, including 29 Advanced Placement® (AP) courses, the helps schools give students additional course and scheduling choices.
About VHS Learning
VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with almost 30 years of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. More than 500 schools around the world take advantage of VHS Learning’s 200+ online high school courses — including 29 AP® courses, credit recovery, and enrichment courses — to expand their programs of study. VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information about VHS Learning please visit https://www.vhslearning.org/ and follow on Twitter at @VHSLearning.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
COSTA MESA, Calif. —BenQ, an internationally renowned provider of visual display and collaboration solutions, today announced its new “Teach Your Way” Projector Program. Committed to partnering with schools to enable greater positive outcomes for all students by transforming classrooms, BenQ’s program offers planning, pricing, and customer support benefits for BenQ’s latest lineup of maintenance-free LED and laser projectors and InstaShow Wireless Presentation System (WPS).
“Schools have had to purchase outdated, low-resolution projectors in order to save money, but these fail to meet the standards for the future of learning and provide all students with access to state-of-the-art technology,” said Bob Wudeck, senior director of business development at BenQ Education. “The BenQ Education ‘Teach Your Way’ Projector Program offers an easy and affordable pathway to projector upgrades. Plus, our latest solutions offer exclusive features and benefits that align with modern teaching pedagogies and IT standards while adding immense value and reducing TCO.”
The BenQ Education “Teach Your Way” Projector Program is available exclusively to educational institutions. It offers schools special discounted pricing on BenQ projectors — aligning with the company’s pledge to provide top-tier service and product accessibility to today’s evolving education community. As a result, education partners can create richer classroom settings enabled by the sector’s most advanced AV projection solutions.
BenQ Education’s portfolio of classroom solutions is designed to provide not only intuitive use but also greater collaboration and engagement opportunities. BenQ’s lineup of projectors include solutions with 100% solid state and maintenance-free technology, high resolution and brightness, and lower power usage and greater energy quality with unmatched affordability for a substantially lower TCO. This includes the new BenQ LH650 4,000-lumen 1080p laser projector perfectly suited for today’s classrooms. This maintenance-free projector sets a new course in the classroom projector category, delivering twice the pixel density (PPI2) of an average WXGA classroom projector and over 2 million total pixels on a 100” screen. With 90% Rec. 709 coverage for color accuracy, HDR10 for video, lower power consumption, centralized software management, a three-year unrestricted warranty, and special education-only pricing of just $977, the LH650 is designed with sustainability in mind, featuring recycled plastic, a small form factor, and less e-waste.
The new InstaShow VS20 wireless hybrid classroom presentation solution is also available under the “Teach Your Way” Projector Program. The latest in the WPS Series, the InstaShow VS20 facilitates seamless collaboration with up to four devices displayed simultaneously. It integrates wireless presentation, conferencing, and advanced microphone technology into an intuitive, all-in-one button system. Perfect for hybrid classrooms, it connects within six seconds to various devices, supporting USB-C or HDMI connections, and ensures crisp, secure content delivery with 4K UHD presentation. The system enhances audio with an omnidirectional wireless microphone and prioritizes data and network security with robust cybersecurity measures.
About BenQ Education BenQ Education is helping teachers shape the future of learning with interactive display solutions that maximize engagement in and out of the classroom while improving student performance. For over 10 years, BenQ has been the No. 1-selling TI DLP projector brand worldwide, according to Futuresource, and is one of the leading interactive display vendors in North America. The award-winning BenQ Board is the first and only interactive display to feature TÜV- and SIAA-certified germ-resistant screens, interfaces, and pens as part of its purpose-built ClassroomCare technologies designed for healthier classrooms. The BenQ Board RP03 Series has been recognized as the first smart board to achieve Eyesafe® Certification, the advanced blue light mitigation technology developed in concert with optometrists and ophthalmologists. Industry-recognized, BenQ’s Tap ‘N Teach technology for fast sign-on, EZWrite license-free annotation and whiteboard software, InstaShare wireless screen presentation system, and IT-friendly monitoring and management tools create exciting and intuitive active learning experiences. EZWrite 6 is also AWS Qualified, having passed Amazon Web Services (AWS) Foundational Technical Review (FTR), providing schools with assurance in security, reliability, and operational excellence. Educators can focus on giving lessons that leave an impact and give the leaders of tomorrow the tools they need to reach their maximum potential. The company’s products are available across North America through leading value-added distributors, resellers, and retailers. More information is available at www.BenQBoard.com.
All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
There’s no denying it: Classroom learning is changing. Classrooms today could be in person, online, or hybrid. Classrooms may be student-driven, might focus on project-based learning, or may offer learning through a specialized topic such as STEM.
And while today’s classrooms look different, students and teachers remain at the heart of classroom learning.
Let’s take a look at a few trends in classroom learning and how these trends are impacting the future of education.
What is a learning activity in a classroom?
Project-based learning is one of the most sensible solutions to the variety of needs teachers must try to meet for each student because it allows student autonomy and targets specific areas. The concept hinges on the idea that students complete a project on a single topic–ideally, they choose their own topics to promote interest and motivation–and, in doing so, dive deeply into that topic, ultimately becoming an expert on it. Projects can be individually completed or a collaborative effort, promoting group work and social skills. Because students control their learning in the PBL approach, differentiation is simple, if needed at all, as students conduct their own learning at their own pace and present their learning in a mode that makes sense to them. One of the most significant benefits of PBL is that it addresses students’ questions as they learn, fostering curiosity and perseverance in learning as opposed to having to stick to a specific curriculum. Here’s how one educator is advocating for more PBL in classrooms through effective teaching strategies.
What is an example of learning by doing in the classroom?
Classroom learning is much more successful when students are engaged in that learning via interactive classroom activities. Whether students take the bus to school or run downstairs to the computer room, keeping them engaged in their classwork throughout the day is the best way for them to master content and progress to the next level of their education. But not all students do this, or at least, do it well. So how can teachers and principals up their game to keep students engaged and make sure each child stays focused and ready to learn? A teacher with more than 20 years of experience offers 6 tips to help keep students engaged throughout the day, whether they are in a traditional or a virtual classroom.
What class activities help you learn the most?
Edtech tools are invaluable when implemented correctly by trained educators–and they can help reluctant students come out of their shell. Engaging shy students in K-12 classrooms can be a rewarding challenge, and edtech is a valuable tool in creating inclusive and interactive learning environments. Many educators are merging one with the other, discovering strategies to use edtech to engage shy students. By leveraging edtech tools and educational activities for students, teachers can foster participation, build confidence, and provide tailored learning experiences for excellent classroom learning. Explore these five strategies to use edtech to engage shy students.
Classroom learning is most impactful when students feel safe and can be their true selves in their classrooms. Every educator knows that weirdness is what makes our students grow. After all, curiosity, creativity, and critical thought don’t bloom in a stagnant mind. So instead of wringing our hands over the social ecosystem, let’s encourage our students to think weirder through fun activities for students in the classroom. Here are just three benefits to letting students embrace their inner weirdness.
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
