What school has looked like has changed substantially over the decades that public education has been in existence. What started as a way to mold citizens into good factory workers is now the gateway to the entrepreneurial systems we are living with today. As society changes, education needs to ebb and flow with the needs … Read more
Creating a dynamic and effective learning environment hinges on a teacher’s ability to foster genuine student engagement. This concept of student engagement is multifaceted, encompassing behavioral engagement (actions and active participation), cognitive engagement (critical thinking and the struggle for a correct answer), and emotional engagement (investment and connection to the subject matter). A well-considered plan … Read more
Let’s be honest, education can feel like an endless pendulum swing. But while philosophies come and go, one thing isn’t swinging back: our world’s deep dive into technology. It’s staggering to think that just ten years ago, the computer in your pocket was a futuristic dream. Now, it’s as commonplace as a pair of sneakers. … Read more
It seems to sneak up on many of us…all of a sudden it is the perfect time to be purchasing unique teacher appreciation gifts for one (or many) of the educators that are involved in our daily lives. Sometimes we get to know those teachers well and immediately have an idea of an appropriate teacher present. Other … Read more
Click above to listen to Podcast Episode 48: “What is Student Engagement (and why is it alluring now)?“ The term “student engagement” is ubiquitous in educational circles, yet its definition often remains elusive. For teachers, administrators, and parents, having a clear, actionable understanding of this concept is the foundational first step toward improving student success. … Read more
Click above to listen to Podcast Episode 56: “How to Spot Behavioral Engagement in the Classroom“ Student engagement stands as one of the most critical, yet complex, constructs in the field of education today. It is a multidimensional construct widely recognized as the cornerstone of effective learning and a primary driver of academic success. For … Read more
Click above to listen to podcast episode 58: “Classroom Management Skills Necessary for Success“ A simple Google search for “classroom management skills” reveals a landscape that is not only plentiful but overwhelmingly complex. For educators at any grade level, from high school to the purview of university teachers, the quest to find a system that … Read more
Click above to listen to podcast episode 59: “Engaging Disengaged Students“ As classroom teachers, few scenarios are more disheartening than facing a classroom where student disengagement is palpable. This silent epidemic of student disengagement can feel like a personal affront, but it is crucial to understand that a difficult student’s behavior is rarely about you … Read more
In our classrooms, character development is just as crucial as academic growth. Traditionally, reward systems have a natural focus on students who excel academically. While it is important to recognize this hard work, countless young people often get left out because academics are not their strong suit. The reasons are diverse: perhaps it has been … Read more
Educators today face a uniquely modern challenge. As they strive to ensure their students not only cover but truly comprehend the required curriculum, many feel they are approaching the end of their line. A pervasive myth suggests that the only way to capture the attention of Gen Z and the emerging Generation Alpha is through … Read more
With today’s students, it always seems like it’s the same argument: they’re hard to motivate and then even harder to keep engaged. We’ve all heard the labels…distracted, disaffected, digital natives who’d rather be on YouTube. While that can be a surface diagnosis, it is a matter of digging just a bit deeper to spark genuine … Read more
In recent years, education has undergone significant shifts in how we view the learning process. Traditional teacher-centered learning, where instructors deliver new information through lectures, is increasingly being replaced by student-centered learning, a dynamic teaching method that places the student at the center of the classroom. What is the theory of student-centered learning? This instructional … Read more