Technology allows us to record and reflect on the writing process in ways that pencil and paper could not, says digital writing expert Troy Hicks. The MS teacher turned college prof demonstrates with a video demo’ing how we might teach sentence combining.
S.T.E.M. or STEM? STEM or STEAM? STEM for a selected few or STEM for all? What about STEM’s specific technology needs? MiddleWeb’s STEM by Design blogger Anne Jolly shares five hot STEM issues facing educators as schools across the USA begin a new year.
In their book Engaged, Connected, Empowered, Ben Curran and Neil Wetherbee examine five major shifts needed in education to provide students with 21st century skills. Reviewer Laura Von Staden found their work easy to follow with lots teachers can use right away.
The topic of dictionaries came up in assorted conversations in the past few weeks, reminding Kevin Hodgson both of the power of those esteemed books of words as symbols of thought and scholarship, and the ways in which technology is completely altering the ease and means of how we find information when we need it.
With its emphasis on building teachers’ confidence and capacity, Technology Together is a terrific resource for school & district technology and administrative leaders, as well as central office curriculum and PD staff, says reviewer and deputy superintendent Marilyn King.
Math Know-How: Answers to Your Most Persistent Teaching Issues (Grades 3-5) takes on topics of critical importance: the CCSS, teaching decisions, pacing guides, instruction, manipulatives, technology and reflection, says reviewer Sarah Parker.
Reviewer and middle grades teacher Judi Holst strongly recommends Troy Hicks’ Crafting Digital Writing to any teacher who uses writing in their classroom and is ready to more deeply engage today’s digital-savvy students. It’s easy to read and full of ideas, she says.
Mark Gerl, a school-based technology coordinator in Atlanta GA, reflects on the key role of language arts & storytelling in successful video games — something he & his students have learned in chats with a team of Canadian adventure game designers.
Book Reviews / Project Learning / Student Engagement
by MiddleWeb · Published 07/20/2013 · Last modified 11/24/2019
Reviewer Joy Kirr says Mark Barnes’ Role Reversal: Achieving Uncommonly Excellent Results in the Student-Centered Classroom can help willing teachers increase student ownership of learning.
Kevin Hodgson recommends The Global School: Connecting Classrooms and Students Around the World, William Kist’s how-to & why-to approach to connected global learning & praises its broad focus.
