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The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 4: How to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom

Building a culturally responsive classroom is hard. To help you along your journey, here is your guide to exploring and respecting the cultural backgrounds of your students while also using diversity as an asset. If you you listen to this episode of the podcast, and take my advice, you will have a culturally responsive classroom in no time. References Culturally responsive teaching is a theory of instruction that was developed by Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings and has been written about by many other scholars since then. To read more of her work on culturally responsive teaching and other topics, click here to …

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The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 2: How Edtech Companies Should Start the New School Year

As summer reaches its peak, and fall gears up to make its arrival, students, parents, teachers, and administrators are all preparing for the beginning of a new academic year. So many gains were made last year, and they are eager to build upon that success. When we talk about education stakeholders who are concerned with starting the school year off right, we rarely, if ever, talk about edtech companies. They too are an integral part of the school community, as they provide a valuable service. So how do edtech companies stay on their “A” games to begin the new school …

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Announcing the Winners of the 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards

Every day, technology innovations transform the way people learn and how educators teach. In the last few years, the edtech field has attracted a lot of talented people, all with excellent knowledge bases and ideas. Though the edtech industry has been around for a few decades now, the last few years, in particular, have seen a surge in investment from both school districts and investors. The education market is currently worth around $5 trillion globally, and it is forecasted that edtech investment alone will reach $252 billion by the year 2020. This growing investment into edtech start-ups has created some …

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The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 1: 8 Attributes of Successful Digital Age Teachers

Regardless of where you go in the world, teachers are the backbone of the education system. Without quality teachers, school districts cannot provide students with the skills that they need to be successful academically. Without teachers, the next generation will not be able to compete in the global economy. These are sureties, and you will find few people who would disagree. If you have been studying the field of education closely, as we have, you know that it is undergoing a metamorphosis. Students no longer respond to the teacher-centered pedagogy that our forefathers did. No, today’s students are immersed in …

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Introducing The Edvocate Podcast

For over 15 years, veteran educator Matthew Lynch has written about and researched the field of education. On “The Edvocate Podcast,” he discusses education trends, issues, and futures. To join him on this journey, click the subscribe button so you can be alerted when the first episode goes live.

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My Vision For the Future of Assistive Technology in Education

Assistive technology is a broad term encompassing everything from learning management software to eye gaze systems. While the category covers a variety of items, they all have one thing in common. Assistive technology makes education and learning more accessible to students with physical or learning disabilities. The role these products have in leveling the playing field for disabled students can be the difference between students who get by and those who embrace lifelong learning. My vision for the future of assistive technology in education will include the expansion of availability to disadvantaged students. Additionally, I believe that we are standing …

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Assistive Technology to Help Students with Aphasia Succeed Academically

Students who suffer from aphasia have a significantly impaired ability to understand or communicate with those around them. This can make the classroom setting more difficult for both the student and the teacher. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools available to help make learning and communicating easier for everyone. Assistive technology can create a more productive learning environment. Teachers and parents who work with these students will want to know what types of assistive technology could be available. These top tools could be just the thing you’ve been looking for to improve daily life. Memory Impairment Many people who suffer …

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Assistive Technology to Help Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Succeed Academically

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a frustrating problem for students who want to succeed in the classroom. They often struggle to stay focused on lessons, to perform time-consuming tasks, and to follow instructions during class. Educators can become frustrated by the amount of class time spent prompting students or redirecting them to little avail. However, assistive technology may provide students with the solutions they need to find real academic success. If you have been struggling to find solutions for a child with ADD, take a look at some of these top assistive technologies that other students have found helpful. Reminder …

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Assistive Technology to Help Students with Learning Disabilities Succeed Academically

Learning disabilities can affect students in a variety of ways, ranging from difficulty with reading to struggles with basic math problems. These issues can be difficult to sort through for students and teachers alike. With help, students can still succeed academically whether they have dyslexia, dyscalculia, or one of the other disabilities. Assistive technology can offer the support each student needs to help them become more proficient in the classroom. Educators can help students to reach their potential by implementing some of these assistive technologies in the classroom. They can help to minimize the deficits some children experience as a …

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