GoSoapBox: New Instant Student Feedback App

Want to know what your students are thinking during class? Now, there's an app for that!

The new web-based application GoSoapBox allows teachers to gauge student understanding or confusion levels throughout a lesson, poll students and track the data for future reference. It can be used on laptops, tablets and smart phones, which sets it apart from some other clicker/student response systems.

John Pytel, GoSoapBox’s founder, shared the inside scoop on this new ed tech tool in this exclusive TeachHUB interview.

Read GoSoapBox: New Instant Student Feedback App

Longer School Days: 49 Teacher Recommendations

Chicago Public Schools has set the scene for our local debate on longer school days. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been pushing his agenda to add 90 minutes to the school day across individual CPS schools, sparking passionate responses from teachers, union leaders, and community members.

In the smartest move yet from this campaign, CPS actually asked TEACHERS how to make the Extended School Day and other scheduling changes successful for both students and teachers. Specifically, they've enlisted VIVA Project, an online community of teachers trying to find a voice in education policy, to consult on the changes coming to CPS schools and districts.

In December, the VIVA Project published their 49 teacher-created recommendations to make the Extended School Day add value, not just minutes, and actually solve problems schools face. While this is specific to CPS< there are lessons to be learned for any schools, districts or school systems considering longer school days.

Here is a quick list published in the VIVA Project's report "Time, Teachers, & Tomorrow's Schools."

Read Longer School Days: 49 Teacher Recommendations

Use Activity Menus to Differentiate & Maximize Student Engagement

Every classroom has a wide range of student abilities – even if your class is already ability grouped. You will likely have those that finish far before the rest, and those that finish last every time. How do you combat behavior issues that may occur with this “downtime”?

Activity menus can help keep all students engaged by giving curriculum-relevant choices to fill that time, and in those choices, students are still learning (rather than perhaps pretending to be reading a book or doodling).

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What Teachers Need to Know About the Common Core State Standards

As an educator for over twenty years, I’ve witnessed numerous initiatives to improve the quality of education. With the introduction of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), I think we are finally emerging from a more “Standards Abused” era in education.

I am not naïve enough to believe that the CCSS are going to cure everything that challenges teaching and learning in our classrooms. However, I am optimistic that CCSS is a vehicle for us (educators) to go back to what we all first knew.

What we all first knew is that good and effective teaching is not rooted in multiple-choice tests. Instead, student achievement is a result of effective teaching that is based on research, sound pedagogical practices, and theory. CCSS also recognizes that teachers are the best ones to decide the most effective teaching methodologies for reaching the rigorous expectations of this new set of standards. It is time for us to get back to what we know, as educators, what are the best ways in which we can teach our students.

CCSS is a vehicle for us to get back to what we know is best for our students.

Read What Teachers Need to Know About the Common Core State Standards

Top 12 Presidents' Day Classroom Activities

Keep kids focused on the classroom – not the long weekend – with one of these fun lesson ideas and learning activities to celebrate President’s Day!

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What Teachers Make: Interview with Teacher, Poet Taylor Mali

Taylor Mali is a poet and former teacher that went viral when his poem defending teachers went viral on YouTube, getting millions of hits worldwide. In March 2012, Mali will release a book entitled What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World will add depth and breadth to his argument in support of teachers.

In this exclusive TeachHUB interview, Mali shares his experiences as a poet, internet sensation and most importantly, a teacher and advocate for all teachers.

Read What Teachers Make: Interview with Teacher, Poet Taylor Mali

Seeking Something Better Than Parent Trigger

Last summer, California’s State Board of Education passed new regulations to the Parent Empowerment Act, or “parent trigger” law, which has sparked contentious debates among education stakeholders.

As the trends grows and more states pass similar parent trigger laws, it is worthwhile to review some lessons learned from California.

Here are three objections that should be considered regarding the parent trigger law:

1. It’s wrong to assume that we can identify with enough precision which schools are underperforming.

2. Without strict regulation, it will not provide real parent empowerment.

3. The solutions don’t address the problem, or offer better chances of success.

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