Coding: I recently read on Twitter an idea that learning coding should replace learning Algebra I. While I’m sure the person wasn’t implying that math is not an important skill, I am also positive that he/she was trying to show the critical nature that deep computer skills have for the current generations of students. Here are a few of the sites that were shared where students can learn/practice coding skills.

Tynker

Scratch

Code Academy

Digital Citizenship: End of the year projects are a great time to reinforce the digital citizenship skills and expectations that you have been teaching all year. Many of our students are left “to their own devices” through the summer, and they need to be reminded of the things that will keep them safe.

Celebrating Accomplishments: Use digital content creation tools to share about your students’ learning and accomplishments throughout the year. Teachers shared ideas about making videos to share with new classes of students, writing extended blog posts, and finding new ways to share with parents and classmates.

Passion Challenge: Many teachers lately have been talking about different ways to help students find their passion for learning. Some people have adopted Google’s 20% time, while others dedicate one hour per week to “Genius Hour.” All of these are based on the idea that people will work hardest and longest at the things that most interest them. Challenge your students to learn something new, figure out how to do something, or research a topic that they’ve been wanting to know more about. The key idea is to get them sharing!

Connect: Find ways to connect your classroom with others. Check out the DEN Connects page for ideas! Use Google Hangouts, Skype, Edmod0 – anything. Just connect! The free resources from DE and corporate partners also offer a large variety of learning ideas, even for those who are not subscribers. There is fun and learning for everyone!

These are just a few of the great ideas shared at #denchat. Check out the archive for more!

As a follow up to DENvice member Tracy Carpenter’s post on finding the perfect desktop wallpaper, I would like to continue the geeky conversation on the treatment of your desktop.

The desktop is the first thing you see light up your screen after the initial boot up. It is the place you can save when you have run out of server space. For me it is my current project work area, the place to dump files while working in multiple applications. It is a great area that deserves to be cleaned up every now and again. Here are some basic tips:

1. Refile or Trash: After a project or maybe once a week, take a look at your desktop. Decide if the file can be trashed, refiled to another area, or saved to the cloud. When doing this over time, you find that many files can be trashed and it will keep your computer running smoothly.

2. Is it important? Then create a folder. We all have parts of our lives that require us to save files in the hopes of not having to redo work. Whether on a Mac or PC, it is easy to create folders to keep those files organized. The mega organized will create sub folders, which is awesome but not necessary.

3. Ongoing vs. Completed: Ongoing work might deserve space on the desktop in a folder, but completed work that needs to saved has to find a new space. If it is already in a folder on your desktop, then it is easy to move. Google Drive and Dropbox both let you upload entire folders to keep your organization.

4. Avoid the one Black Hole Folder! We have all done it at some point, a presentation or a meeting was coming up where others would see your desktop. In a moment of panic you create one folder and dump the contents of your desktop into it to appear to be organized to others. It is a quick, easy method but it creates a bigger problem later when searching for files.

It is Spring, take a moment to do some desktop cleaning!

The Six Secrets of Change 

Michael Fullan

978-1-118-15260-7

Rating: 5: DEN Finger Worthy

This is a great read for leaders in education. Not only are the six secrets easy to incorporate, but Fullan writes the book in an easy to follow and practical manner. He uses real world examples and explanations to show the secrets in action and for that this book gets a five!

My favorite line/quote: “When peers interact purposefully, their expectations of one another create positive pressure to accomplish goals important to the group.”

My idea shift: Fullan says that leaders should establish their own theories based on the six secrets. He also writes that “a good theory travels when constituent parts are cohesive.” This leads to one his six secrets. Peer interaction must be purposeful. Without purpose there is no road map. Theories can’t drive themselves. Theories need action.

My take-away: “We must learn to manage change.” There’s no one answer on how to best handle it, but Fullan says “there are some good approximations” in existence.

What’s next for me: My next read is Education Nation by Milton Chen and then I plan to reread Understanding the Framework of Poverty by Ruby Payne.

Reviewed by Delsia E. in Alabama

Fall Down 7 times get up 8 

Debbie Silver

9781412998772

Rating: 5: DEN Finger Worthy

This book is an easy, yet informative read. It gives us a common sense approach to “teaching kids to succeed” without the former shielding from adversity.

My favorite line/quote: We need to shift our focus from doling out unmetered praise in hopes of raising their self-esteem to helping them understand the power they have in making positive choices and sustained efforts.

My shift in thinking: This book validated my views and gave me concrete strategies in facilitating learning in the classroom.

My take-away: “Okay, you seem to be having trouble making up your mind. In 15 seconds, you choose or I choose for you.”

Norma R. from South Carolina

Whole Brain Teaching for Challenging Kids

Chris Biffle

978-0-9848167-1-2

Rating: 5: DEN Finger Worthy

For two years, I read everything I could find on how the brain makes memories and how I could use that information in my classroom. All the books I read gave me lists of things I should remember to try to do. Finally, I found Whole Brain Teaching. This is a complete framework that gives step-by-step directions on applying the latest in brain-based learning research in a real-world classroom. In fact, this teaching system has been practiced by thousands of educators throughout the world.

I began using Whole Brain Teaching in my classroom this year. My students love it. They are totally engaged. I love it. My English Language Learners are thriving. Everyone who visits my classroom makes positive comments like, “Wow, I wish every teacher taught like this.” and “This is so interesting.”

This book is a wonderful foundation for anyone interested in learning about Whole Brain Teaching.

Favorite line/quote: The more you practice our strategies, the more power you will have as an instructor to change your students’ lives, and the more power your students will have to master the learning tasks you set before them.

My take-away: In 12 years of experimenting in classrooms across the country, we have found nothing that motivates students more intensely than setting and breaking their own records. Brains seem to be nourished by their own growth. Exhilarated by its sprouting dendrites, the brain sprouts more dendrites…So let’s focus on student improvement as our educational target.

Ruby A. from Texas

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking
• Creativity/Innovation

Were you aware that the Common Core ELA standards call for publishing, communicating, creating and commenting ONLINE ? Did you know these actually apply to ALL content areas, not just ELA? Students are expected to be able to collaborate, comment and publish posts and comments effectively and properly. GlogsterEDU, GoogleApps, Storybird, Backchanneling, Blogs, Wikis, and so many other web 2.0 tools incorporate these key elements.  As educators, it is our responsibility to teach and support students as they learn how to be model digital citizens.

I found these great tips regarding ‘commenting’ and thought you might find them helpful in your teaching: