I wanted to share a few lesson ideas with a Groundhog Day theme in my weekly newsletter to teachers, but I also wanted to include some deeper learning competencies in those lesson ideas. So, I ran over to ChatGPT, gave it a prompt, and got these ideas. No, they’re not full lesson plans, but they … Continue reading “Groundhog Day Lesson Ideas”
Yes, it’s almost 2024, and schools are still fighting the losing battle against student cell phones in class. Sigh. Some schools have partnered with companies to implement the use of pouches that students are required to put their phones into at the beginning of the day and that don’t unlock until the final bell rings, while … Continue reading “Until We Fix This, We’ll Always Fight Against Student Cell Phones”
There, I said it. That’s my hot take. We need to get rid of AP courses. Why? Because they’ve been pushed down the throat of our education system for the past twenty years, pitched as an equity solution because we should be offering the best content to everyone. I agree 100% with that statement. Every … Continue reading “Yes, We Need to Get Rid of AP Courses”
As the new school year begins, it’s essential for teachers to equip themselves with the right tools to navigate the challenges ahead. Among these tools, books can be a great source of inspiration, guidance, and self-care. Here are ten books that every teacher should consider reading as they embark on a new academic year. The … Continue reading “Top 10 Books for Teachers to Kickstart the New School Year”
In a recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University, a prototype AI writing-support tool named Scraft has been developed. This tool is designed to aid writing education by using recursive feedback mechanisms to encourage critical thinking. Scraft is not just a simple text-generating AI; it’s a sophisticated tool that asks Socratic questions to users … Continue reading “Scraft – An AI Writing Tutor for Language Learners”
Building a Second Brain The Zettelkasten: The Heart of the System The Zettelkasten method is a knowledge management and note-taking system developed by the German sociologist Niklas Luhmann. The term “Zettelkasten” translates to “slip box” or “note box” in English. Luhmann credited this system for his prolific output in his academic career, which included more … Continue reading “TeachMeet KY 2023”
The Innovating Pedagogy 2023 report, published by The Open University, explores ten innovations that have the potential to provoke major shifts in educational practice. The report is designed to guide teachers, policymakers, and educational technologists in making informed decisions about new forms of teaching, learning, and assessment. The report (available here) emphasizes that these innovations … Continue reading “Innovating Pedagogy 2023: Exploring New Forms of Teaching, Learning and Assessment”
When it comes to personal growth and learning, the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset is huge. In simplest terms, a growth mindset is when you believe that you can improve your skills with practice and hard work. A fixed mindset is when you think that your abilities are set in stone … Continue reading “Unleashing Potential: Understanding the Power of Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset in Education”
To become an expert at something, you have to practice that something. Doctors and lawyers often use the term “practice” to describe their daily work. Educators are the same. We practice every day. And we get a little better every day. So do our students. Provided we allow them to practice. This idea is at … Continue reading “It Takes Practice to Become an Expert”
We’re wrapping up the 2022-2023 school year, and several teachers in my district are continuing their journeys into deeper learning. Rather than freaking out and focusing on end-of-year testing that means nothing (you know I’m right), I’m working with several 8th-grade classes on worthwhile projects. One class is designing tourism resources for Bardstown. If you’re … Continue reading “Using Multiple Tools for Content Creation in the Classroom”