The Obituary of the Student Desk

Photo credit: toonslips.com

Carl Hooker, educational technologist extraordinaire, wrote a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek article about the death of the student desk that we know today - The Obituary of the Student Desk - 1887 -2013. 

Carl's blog, Hooked on Innovation, has been part of my staple blog diet for a while now. I really like his writing style and innovative ideas. You can follow him on his blog Hooked on Innovation. 

Mobile Technology

Hi everyone,

Some of you may already know, but I am researching for my Masters thesis on the motivating effects of technology in the classroom, and so I jump at any research I can get my hands on with regards to technology used in education. One of my students posted this fabulous link on her blog, UmzanziEduPad, that details much information on technology in Africa - research that is sorely lacking. Rudi de Waele is founder and CEO at Nyota Media, and the website is a host of wonderful information regarding techno-trends.
Have a look. Once again, thank you, Marina!

How Mobile Technology is Transforming Africa from Rudy De Waele

I found another great slideshow on mobile technology from Tony Vincent's website Learning in Hand. 35 educational specialists addressed the question: "What are the most effective uses of technology in mobile and online education?" and each of their answers were included in the slide show below. How awesome?!

Mobile Education - Lessons from 35 Education Experts on Improving Learning with Mobile Technology from Studio B Productions, Inc.

ePortfolios

What are your views regarding ePortfolios? I found an interesting infographic on Stephen Downes' blog 

Half an Hour that made quite a bit of sense to me. Thoughts?

Dyslexia

I found a really great article on teaching children with Dyslexia, from Reading Horizons. It describes various accommodations that can be made for the child within the classroom. A good read! 

Countries and Schools Getting It Right!

FINLAND

Image: Iconarchive.com

In an article written by LynNel Hancock for Smithsonian.com, Finland's schooling strategies are discussed. Why is Finland considered on of the top educational success stories? Read here to find out!

MailOnline addressed the issue of marking in  recent article: The dreaded Red Pen raises its ugly head again! Does the Red Pen Shout at Students?

                                                                                      Image: Teachertoolkit.com

The Race Discussion

I watched the most amazing video of a 3rd grade teacher in America. Jane Elliott = wonder teacher! Watch the YouTube video of her Brown Eyes/Blue Eyes Racism Experiment.

Student Teachers' Blogs!

I am so proud of my student teachers' blogs they have been working on for their Semester Project!
Have a look at some of them below:

Candée Space

Class Blog Spot

Day to Day Education

Discovering Grade 4

Easom Education

Educational Challenges

Educational Resource for Teachers, Learners and Parents

Education Awakening

Education-How-To

Edu Voyager

Indulge In Learning

Mr. André De Klerk

Smartie Artie Pants

Teachers Now

Techno Teach

The Internet as a Resource for School Children

UmzansiEduPad

5 Ways to Get Students to Listen!

An article by Rebecca Alber on Edutopia: 5 Ways to Get Students to Listen. Interesting! I LOVE this site!

Building Digital Texts on iPads - Dan Callahan

Digital Book Workshop

What Teachers Make

A cartoon by Taylor Mali and Zen Pencils! Amazing!

Why we teach...

This post by C.S. Stone The reason why I teach reminds me of why I so enjoyed my teaching days, and how my visit to my school is so long overdue! Sometimes we just need that reminder! Enjoy x

Flipped Classroom!

I love this accessible introductory article about Flipped Classrooms written by Chuck Cohn. This is the way of the future!

PedagoguesPet provides a great example of HOW to go about implementing flipped learning in the classroom! Check it out!

Project-based learning

Interesting video on Project-based learning by Tony Vincent!

How does Project-based Learning differ from using projects in a classroom? Good question: Projects vs. Project-based Learning posed by Amy Mayer.

What are the conditions needed for Project-based learning? Another Edutopia great by Jane Krauss and Suzie Boss. 

Educators are responsible for change

A very interesting local news story by  NONTOBEKO MTSHALI ~ Educators are responsible for change!~

How then can teachers cause change? Have a look at the 5 tips to continue to grow as an educator written by Isaac Pineda.

ADHD

Hi there!

I've found a very interesting website that carefully explains ADHD, its causes, neurobiology and stimulant effects.

It's called ADHD.Org.NZ:New Zealand's ADHD Online Support Group

Here are the links to the aforementioned interests:

• Possible causes of ADHD
• Neurobiology of ADHD
• How Ritalin Works

How to study

How to study  - a great infographic by Rasmussen College -

School projects

Excellent idea for useful school projects!

The Bully Project

The Bully Project 

Very interesting ... a must see!

Entertaining blog post - Nick Nafpliotis

Check out the amusing blog post by Nick Nafpliotis. I'm sure many of us can identify!

Flipping classrooms

I am so fascinated by the concept of Flipped Education, and my research has taken me to some great resources:

Great information on FLIPPING CLASSROOMS by Jackie Gerstein!

And more by Jennifer Nicholson!