15 Effective Online Learning Activities for Workforce and College Readiness

May 6, 2020

Online learning is new to most of us and may make us feel excited, challenge, worried, stressed, unsure and, really, the full range of emoji faces on our phones. Most educators are trained to teach in face-to-face environments because that may be the best way to teach. Hybrid teaching environments incorporate useful technologies to enhance the in-class experience, provide instant feedback and ease the work of grading, but even hybrid masters may have trouble connecting

Students Become Real Scientists with Citizen Science Projects

April 10, 2020

Here are two things that are still taking place normally in this extraordinary time of pandemics and social distancing: Kids still need new activities and learning opportunities to stay happy and engaged, and Scientists still need new data collected to continue their research. Why not combine these two needs for the benefit of kids AND science!? All from your own home or a visit to a nearby park or open space. April is Citizen Science

Strategies for Quickly Transitioning Courses to Online for K12 Schools

April 3, 2020

During this unprecedented time teachers, parents, and students have been challenged to continue the education process from their homes. This new distance learning challenge is one that takes time to adjust to but there are resources to help! In this virtual learning session Shawn Orr, Director of the Center for Innovation and Teaching Excellence Faculty and Communication Studies at Ashland University, and Jennifer Preising-Orr, Certified K-8 educator at Orrville City Schools in Ohio, will outline

Keep it Real, Keep it Relevant

April 1, 2020

*Access the recording of Paul Battaglia’s webinar here. Opportunities to enrich student learning are everywhere! Teachers should feel empowered to use real-life, relevant materials and experiences to show students in grades 6–12 where mathematics exists daily. WATCH author and professor Paul Battaglia as he shares some of his favorite examples, shows how to find innovative resources that go beyond the four walls of a classroom, and demonstrates how to apply them on a daily basis.

Microsoft Teams and Engagement Tools for Online Teaching – VIDEO

March 30, 2020

Communicating with students and parents has changed drastically as schools across the country have been forced to teach online for the first time this spring, but author Corinne Hoisington sees this as an opportunity to make use of the many free digital tools we have today to engage students in learning even when they can’t be in the classroom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdqR5m3ew9U Communicating with students and parents has changed drastically as schools across the country have been

Microsoft Teams and Engagement Tools for Online Teaching with Corinne Hoisington

March 27, 2020

*Access the recording of Corinne Hoisington’s webinar here. Communicating with students and parents has changed drastically as schools across the country have been forced to teach online for the first time this spring, but author Corinne Hoisington sees this as an opportunity to make use of the many free digital tools we have today to engage students in learning even when they can’t be in the classroom. WATCH author and Computer Science Professor/Teacher Corinne Hoisington

Explorers in the Classroom – Keep students engaged and learning from home

March 23, 2020

A 5th grade teacher friend told me about how she is trying to keep her students engaged as they continue their learning from home. “There’s a limit to the number of math worksheets you can give them,” she explained. “Have them read anything, the back of the cereal box, just as long as they’re reading!” She was hitting on the problem of keeping her students engaged from a distance, but also wanting real-world and authentic

A Distance Learning Lesson On—Paper Towels?

March 23, 2020

As I looked out my home office window, I noticed a piece of paper towel gently billowing along the deck on a breezy, sunny March afternoon—left over from grilling outdoors the night before. I sat up straighter—paper towel? I immediately went outside and grabbed it. I knew I’d use it for something. It had been outside, but I couldn’t see it going to waste. Paper towel—gone from all the shelves in my community grocery stores,

5 CTSO Tips for Business, Marketing and Finance Advisors

March 16, 2020

*Learn more about DECA competitions, my experience and why business professionals should volunteer their time as CTSO judges in the first post of this series and tips for role-play student competitors in the second post of this series. Enliven Role Play Prep — Apply the Butterfly Effect or try and SNL Production Week The traditional role play gives students a short period of time to read a new scenario, come up with a solution, present,

3 Tips for Role Play Student Competitors from a Volunteer DECA Judge

February 28, 2020

*Learn more about DECA competitions and my experience and why business professionals should volunteer their time as CTSO judges in the first post of this series. Know your audience Even though you may only have a short time to read through your role play scenario, you should immediately write down who YOU are in the scenario and who the JUDGE is. In many cases, the Judge is cast as a high-level position at a company.