The hundreds of quality STEM-related videos and materials in the Discovery Education online collection make it easy to find content to use for your lessons and units. However, take time for students to develop a solid thinking process before starting your STEM unit. STEM, with its combined focus on science, technology, engineering and math, should
February 2019: Fact, opinion, or fake news?
How can a student, searching the Web to learn something new, know if they have landed on a non-credible site? Without a knowledge-base in the topic, it may be hard for them to determine incorrect information. I have been working with critical evaluation of Web material since the inception of the graphical Web. As I
January 2019: Using listening to develop H.O.T.S.
Developing the higher order critical thinking skills, as outlined by Rasmussen College, includes multiple areas to concentrate on. The author, Will Erstad, states “critical thinking is the analysis of an issue or situation …the facts, data or evidence related to it (and) is a skill that allows you to make logical and informed decisions to
December 2018: College and career readiness activities
Helping students think about their future is one of the goals of college and career readiness. Students need time to research occupations, decide what career path they want to take, which things they are good at, and, most importantly, what they are passionate about. There are tons of sites on the Web to help students
November 2018: Technology can support social-emotional learning
One of the perks of being an instructor for the Wilkes University/ Discovery Master of Science degree in instructional media is access to the research databases at Wilkes’ Farley Library. (Students in the masters program get access to these databases, too, as well as a subscription to Discovery Education Streaming!) I conducted a research query
October 2018: Using tech to help differentiate instruction
Differentiated instruction is defined by Carol Tomlinson as “an approach to teaching that advocates active planning for and attention to student differences in classrooms, in the context of high quality curriculums”. Carol Weselby, in a 2014 blog post, breaks down the components into manageable categories, which, taken as a whole, is simply good teaching! Design
September 2018: Favorite tools for schools
If you are reading this blog post, chances are you do not need to be convinced students should be creating projects and products to showcase acquisition of content knowledge. And you probably already have a pedagogical model you use for infusing technology seamlessly into the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning. It may be SAMR,
August 2018: Plan your work, work your plan
There are many technology devices in your classroom — from computers to tablets to VR headsets. No matter what hardware and software your students are using in the classroom, I feel the planning process is most important component of infusing technology meaningfully into teaching and learning. STEP 1: Sound pedagogy Take a look the pedagogical
July 2018: Creative classroom configurations
Take a look at any kindergarten or grade one classroom. There are areas for whole class assembly, quiet reading corners, tables for small groups of students to use for collaborative activities, and carrels for students who need a place to think, write, or record. I believe all classrooms should have these same components. Besides the
June 2018: Digital storytelling PD workshop
I have addressed digital storytelling in the past for Discovery Education and on this blog. In January of 2013, I wrote about the research which supports digital storytelling and the CCSS. And, in the same month, I moderated a digital storytelling session as part of the Discovery/Wilkes Masters program in Instructional Media as seen below. WHY