Tag: virtualreality

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7 Must-Have Phonics Apps and Tools

Learning letter sounds and how to decode words is one of the first steps to becoming a fluent reader. For young children, from pre-school to 2nd grade, phonics is especially important. To keep kids interested and excited about phonics, use these 7 must-have phonics apps and tools.

  1. Oz Phonics

Oz Phonics is a bundle of apps that starts with the most basic letter sounds and helps students work their way up to learning to read. Games like word searches and letter to sound matching help kids master the basic of phonics. Each app also has printable worksheets for offline practice.

  1. Alphabet Sounds Word Study

This app is also ideal for young children just starting to learn phonics. It has four different modes for students to practice sorting letters, finding the right letter, spelling, and writing. Alphabet Sounds Word Study will get Pre-K and Kindergarten students familiar with common words and how to spell them.

  1. Phonics Genius

Phonics isn’t just for Pre-K. Phonics Genius is geared towards early elementary students and helps them learn letter sounds and blends. Unlike most other phonics apps, Phonics Genius goes beyond the most basic letter sounds to teach fluency.

  1. Hip Hop Hen: Preschool Phonics

Another fun app bundle. Hip Hop Hen: Preschool Phonics contains three apps that are geared towards Preschoolers. These apps introduce basic letter sounds and words. With three different apps, there are plenty of games to keep kids entertained. There are also fun songs to help kids memorize letters and words.

  1. Montessori Letter Sounds

Montessori Letter Sounds is a four-step program for young learners to familiarize them with letter sounds and help them practice writing letters in both print and cursive. Plus, this app features a foreign language option that allows kids to practice in Spanish, French, Italian, or German.

  1. The Joy of Reading

The Joy of Reading focuses on short words and sentences to teach kids how to read. With nine different games, this app provides hours of fun and learning. The skills taught align to Common Core State Standards for Kindergarten, making The Joy of Reading ideal for use in the classroom or as a supplemental activity.

  1. Word Wizard for Kids

Word Wizard for Kids is a fantastic app for young kids. It works like an old Speak-and-Spell toy, but updated for the 21st century. Kids can move letters around to make words and hear them pronounced correctly. There are also spelling activities and quizzes for extra practice.

Have you used these phonics apps in the classroom or at home? Tell us what you think!

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A Parent’s Guide to Handling Digital Behavior Issues

Digital technology has changed everything in our world, from how we communicate with friends to how we do our jobs. Nobody has embraced digital technology more than young people. Ask any teenager, and they’ll happily tell you how much they love their smart phone.

But technology has also created new problems for parents of tweens and teens. With new tech comes new behavior issues that parents must deal with.

First, parents must set clear guidelines for their teens when it comes to the internet. Let your child know what websites they’re allowed to go on and what they’re not allowed to do. Warn them about the dangers of giving up personal information or meeting up with strangers.

Set up rules for when your teens are allowed to use technology, too. While it’s normal for kids to be on their smart phones a lot, it can become a problem if they refuse to get offline. Not only can this be a sign that they’re doing something they shouldn’t, but it can also interfere with other activities.

Keeping communication open between you and your child will also help. Talking with your child about what websites are appropriate and how to avoid dangerous situations online can help prevent many issues before they start. Follow them on social media—not only will this help you monitor what they’re up to, but it can also allow you to share in your child’s life.

It’s also crucial, in today’s world, to talk to teens about sexting. Many teenagers post or share inappropriate photos without realizing the consequences this could have.

Unfortunately, when it comes to these kinds of digital behavior issues, teens aren’t likely to tell you everything they’re doing or sharing online. Some parents choose to monitor what their child does on the internet. There are many options for software that parents can use to track activity on their teen’s smartphones, tablets, or computers.

Finally, parents need to look out for cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is often an extension of issues that have begun at school and continued online. It can also begin online and carry over into the real world. If your teenager seems upset by something happening online, they might be experiencing cyberbullying.

Talking to your adolescents and teens about appropriate online behavior is your best weapon against digital behavior issues. Where talking doesn’t work, using technology to keep an eye on your kids is sometimes the best choice.

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8 Essential Digital Literacy Skills That Students Need

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What was once called typing class is now known as technology class. Gone are the days where computer class was spent playing Oregon Trail and creating word processing documents. The networked world in which students exist demands an education that prepares students to produce and consume information in a variety of formats. These formats range from text to images to multimedia. Students need a broad variety of fluencies to be prepared for the 21st-century workforce. Even jobs traditionally thought of us being technology light now require someone who has basic computer skills. This article describes those digital literacy skills paramount to success in any career.

  1. Coding is a universal language and one that is useful whether a technical career is pursued or not. For example, having a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and the like creates a shared understanding and a sense of knowing what can and cannot be done with web pages.
  2. Collaboration in the online environment requires deliberate Students should be taught basic project management and group work essentials to navigate between multiple platforms. Utilizing tools such as Base Camp or Trello in addition to collaborative functionality through Google Docs allows a student to begin experimenting with effective online collaboration.
  3. Cloud Software is an essential part of document management. The cloud is used to store everything from photos to research projects to term papers and music. While students are likely used to saving their pictures, they may not have the necessary processes in place to save their academic work in a way that is discoverable and accessible.
  4. Word Processing Software is often used in conjunction with collaboration and cloud software. Google has a suite of products, but there are other options as well. Microsoft Online increasingly integrates with different storage and management solutions such as Drop Box. Each of these platforms works a little differently, and students should have the opportunity to engage with several of them.
  5. Screencasting makes it easy for the novice video creator to make simple yet effective videos. This is a useful skill for explaining a topic as well as articulating what you are thinking. Ideal tools for teaching students how to screencast include Screencast-o-Matic and Camtasia. Through screencasting, a student can learn more about making accessible content.
  6. Personal Archiving takes into consideration that we leave a massive digital footprint. Without a plan in place to archive this information, it can quickly turn into a web of unfindable and not useful information. Students should be taught concepts such as metadata, tagging, keywords, and categories succinctly and directly to help them start thinking about how they are represented online.
  7. Information Evaluation has always been necessary. However, with the ease at which all people can create content and build knowledge, this skill becomes essential. Staying abreast of developments in information literacy and software engineering will paint a holistic picture of online information trends.
  8. Social Media Savvy is important because social media serves different purposes depending on the user, the technology, and the identified need. Students need to be given instruction and an opportunity to practice using various social media. For example, students should realize that Twitter is particularly useful for staying current on the latest news in the field while Flipgrid is great at building a sense of community.

Despite the commonly held conception that students are digital natives, research has repeatedly shown that this is not the case. Focusing on the 8 skills described above will guide your students to increased digital fluency where they can act ethically, responsibly, and productively.

 

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Is Artificial Intelligence the Future of Education?

The role of artificial intelligence in education is always a hot topic. While some fear that artificial intelligence will take over education to the detriment of students and teachers, others claim that artificial intelligence will revolutionize and improve education.

While we’re far from seeing robots in the classroom, artificial intelligence is making its way into education. Certain tasks can be made easier through the use of artificial intelligence. Grading, for example, can be done quickly and easily using artificial intelligence.

In the future, we can expect to see even more artificial intelligence in the classroom. Artificial intelligence could be used to personalize the education experience for students. Programs that use artificial intelligence can act as tutors for students by determining what each student is struggling with and delivering personalized interventions, just as a teacher would. Robots could someday provide one-on-one tutoring or coaching sessions to bring struggling students up to speed.

This kind of artificial intelligence isn’t science fiction, either. Artificial intelligence is already in some classrooms. Scientists in Spain have begun testing robotic tutors that can identify students’ cognitive state and redirect them accordingly. In the United States, EdTech company Knewton recently released a program that measures students’ prior knowledge and assigns lessons based on its findings. Each activity is specially tailored to the skill level of the specific student.

All of this is good news for teachers. Rather than spending hours differentiating instruction for every student, teachers will soon be able to rely on artificial intelligence to determine the specific needs of each student and deliver needed interventions or enrichment.

But what will the role of teachers be in this robotic classroom of the future? Many teachers worry that artificial intelligence will either take their jobs or reduce teachers to mere robots themselves. Educators need not worry about robots taking over schools anytime soon. While artificial intelligence can teach students skills or reinforce difficult concepts for struggling students, it can’t replace a human teacher.

Human teachers will always be needed to manage the classroom environment and to give students the encouragement they need. A large part of education for children is teaching them social-emotional skills. While artificial intelligence programs have proven, they can teach students to read or do math, teaching social and emotional skills is more complex. That kind of learning needs the human touch that only teachers can provide.

How has your school used artificial intelligence? Do you think artificial intelligence is the future of education?

 

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10 Ways That Neuroscience Can Change Education

The recent focus of neuroscience on what facilitates lifelong learning has led to breakthroughs in the education world. Schools, teachers, and parents have the opportunity to approach and understand learning like never before. Here are 10 ways the research of neuroscience can change education.

1.      Better Understanding of Childhood Development

A more in-depth incorporation of child development studies for preschool and elementary school teachers can have a huge impact on later success. The Center for the Developing Child contends that many educators have misconceptions about early childhood education. Understanding what drives children to learn and how to overcome early disadvantages best can have a huge impact on learning success through the years. Embracing the information provided by neuroscience can bridge that gap in understanding.

2.      Adapting Classes to Facilitate Learning

Many schools are already changing their programs and routines to benefit student progress. One small change which the CDC recommended, in a 2015 article on Smithsonian.com, was delaying start times. Research has shown as little as 30 minutes more sleep can vastly improve cognitive function and alertness in class.

3.      Spacing Learning for Optimal Absorption

Another important change school districts can make, according to neuroscience, is allowing students to choose from a diverse course guide and spacing lessons over time. The spacing effect basically says that learning complicated ideas over time, instead of all at once, enhances understanding and the creation of new neurons. Teachers can divert to this knowledge in curriculum development and improvement.

4.      Cognitive Tutoring

The use of cognitive tutoring in students who struggle with mathematics is a huge breakthrough for educators. Since up to 20% of individuals have some form of mathematical learning disability, improving the way math is processed and understood is paramount for success.

5.      Targeting Rewarding Learning Styles

In The Social Neuroscience of Education, Louis Cozolino talks about things educators need to know about the brain. One main point is that students need repetition and varied approaches to get the most out of learning. This means games, group activities, physical lessons and unconscious learning can all have a place in the classroom. A 2016 E-teaching article focuses on varied lessons and students breaks to enhance performance. This resource suggests incorporating physical activity and peer-to-peer study in daily lessons.

6.      Incorporation of Social Activities

As discussed in Greater Good Magazine’s March 2011 article, More Friends, Bigger Brain, humans are social beings. The incorporation and focus on social activities and allowance for connections in the classroom can help enable learning. This is a small change that teachers can employ in class to help students reach their potential.

7.      Integrating Technology in the Classroom

The research of our brains and how we learn is continually providing possible technological enhancements for teachers. The options for learning apps and software to involve students, space learning properly, and develop student’s brains are growing everyday. Understanding the basics of how to use these products to influence learning positively in the classroom is essential.

8.      Increasing Brain Capacity Through Learning

In a December 2012 article, Dr. Mercola discusses the use it or lose it policy of brain plasticity. The basic idea is that continued education will slow the rate of decline for our brains as we age. This means that educational institutes should encourage continued learning, throughout life, to inform a healthy community.

9.      Improved Approach with Autistic Students

Neuroscience is helping diagnose children with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome as early as 18 months old. The Cambridge Neuroscience department has even developed an animated DVD to help young children learn about emotions. A KappanMagazine.com 2013 article noted that specialty programs driven by scientific research are helping improve the way we teach children on the autism spectrum. For example, the Fast ForWord Language product trial showed an up to 1.5-year advancement of speech in children who underwent the program.

10.  Overcoming Learning Difficulties

In the field of Special Education, neuroscience has especially interesting lessons. In the July 2011 inForum paper, Neuroscience and Special Education, the link is examined. The paper suggests different approaches will benefit a dyslexic child versus a child with ADHD. Educators who take the time to apply scientific findings in class may see a marked difference in the way their students develop.

These 10 influences of neuroscience on the classroom and educators will continue to influence students for years to come. The research suggests this is a positive connection which can benefit the educational system and society as a whole. There are still questions to be answered and trials to undertake before some ideas can become more widely accepted. However, keeping abreast of the developments is suggested for any educator.

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5 Ways That Gamification Can Boost Math Skills

Gamification is a new trend in education that’s making learning fun. Gamification uses elements of video games to inspire students to learn. Students play games and earn badges or awards for accomplishing tasks. Gamification is also perfect for teaching students math. Here are 5 ways that gamification can boost math skills:

  1. Gamification makes math fun

The first, and possibly biggest, benefit of gamification is the fun. Getting students to do math work or practice their math skills can be difficult. And while uninspired, bored students might eventually complete their work, they don’t give their best effort. On the other hand, when students are having fun, they won’t even notice they’re practicing math skills.

  1. Students are motivated by virtual rewards

It doesn’t take a big reward to motivate students. Most of the time, students just want to be recognized for their efforts—even a simple, “Good job!” makes a big difference. However, in a full classroom, teachers don’t always have time to praise each student individually.

That’s where gamification comes in. Gamification programs give students simple rewards, like a virtual badge. These rewards are easy (and free) and keep students motivated.

  1. Gamification inspires students to practice more

Usually, students don’t want to practice math. Most students will only do the bare minimum that’s required of them. But with gamification, practice is fun, and students can be inspired to practice more. Extra practice naturally helps to improve their math skills.

  1. Gamification takes the stress out of math

For many students, math is difficult and stressful. This is especially true for students who already feel like they’re not good at math. They go into it expecting to fail and are frustrated before they even begin. Gamification can take the stress out of math by “tricking” students. Instead of thinking of it as math skills practice, students think of it like playing a video game.

  1. Students know and love gaming

Most of the time at school, we’re asking students to step into our world and learn what we know. Gaming is something familiar to students. Many students play video games at home for fun. When they’re playing a game, they’re comfortable and feel in control. This makes it easier for students to learn.

Have you used gamification in the classroom? What benefits have you seen by using gamification to teach math? Tell us your thoughts on gamification and math!

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Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It?

If you’re looking for a high-paying job in the tech world, learning how to code is a great way to get your foot in the door. Programmers can make close to six figures, and there are plenty of opportunities available for anyone who knows how to code.

Traditionally, learning how to code meant attending a college or university and earning a bachelor’s degree. But the rise of a new phenomenon means that’s no longer necessary. Coding boot camps allow students to learn to code in a much shorter period of time. Most coding boot camps only take about 3 months.

But are these coding boot camps really worth it? Some have questioned whether it’s possible to condense everything you’d learn in a four-year college program in just a few months.

The truth is, some coding boot camps are basically scams. They charge students hundreds or thousands of dollars and don’t offer real training or job opportunities. However, other coding boot camps can help students learn useful skills in a short amount of time.

In choosing a coding boot camp, students must be careful and do their research. The most important thing to look for is job placement statistics. Do students who graduate from this coding boot camp end up with jobs in the tech field? Programs with low job placement numbers are most likely not worth it. After all, the purpose of attending a coding boot camp is to land a job.

It’s also important to look at the types of classes offered at the boot camp. Are they keeping up with current trends in the tech world? Compare what you’ll be learning to the skills that employers in your desired field are looking for.

Finally, students who want to attend coding boot camp should be prepared for exactly what these programs will do for them. Coding Bootcamp is certainly worth it if you just want to get a job as a programmer, web developer, or software engineer. But to advance in the tech field, it may be necessary to earn a college degree.

Coding boot camps are designed to teach the skills needed for very specific jobs quickly. However, they can’t give students all the knowledge that comes with a four-year or even two-year degree. Graduates from boot camp programs may find that they later decide to go back to school. But for job seekers who are short on time and money, coding boot camp can be the perfect solution.

Do you have any experience with coding boot camp? Did it help you find a job? Tell us your thoughts!

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Why Librarians are the Key to Future Ready Schools

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While sometimes overlooked, librarians are the key to making future ready schools successful. According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, “If properly prepared and supported, school librarians are well-positioned to be at the leading edge of the digital transformation of learning.” Recognizing the strength of librarians in fostering digital resources and teaching digital responsibility, Future Ready Schools have placed school librarians at the forefront of this movement for good reason.

Librarians Curate Appropriate Digital Resources

School librarians are responsible for developing not only the library’s collection of books but also its collection of digital resources. Librarians, therefore, have the unique task of selecting the most appropriate educational technology to enhance student learning. They research, select, and purchase educational technology that best supports their school’s academic needs.

Additionally, librarians are the first ones to learn to use the new technologies and are often tasked with teaching others how to use it effectively. This is key because librarians have expertise in the areas of digital content strategies; therefore, they should be involved in the planning and implementation of digital resources.

Librarians Teach Digital Responsibility

An alarming study by Stanford recently found that students in middle school through college “failed to effectively evaluate the credibility of that information” in online resources. This is another reason why librarians are essential for future ready schools. Future ready schools aim to help students learn and master digital learning, which includes distinguishing between real and fake online content. Librarians are skilled at teaching students how to evaluate content and online sources for credibility.

Along these same lines, librarians are also the key to teaching students how to be digitally and ethically responsible. For instance, librarians are the ones battling for student privacy in a world where people can gain access to a student’s private data and use it maliciously. Their understanding of both privacy laws and digital resources allows them to help teachers and students become savvy digital citizens.

Librarians Provide Space for Creative and Collaborative Learning

With a dedicated space for students to gather, learn and work together, libraries should be the principal place of creative and collaborative learning in a school. It has space for students to work collaboratively on projects and often includes technology not found in the classrooms.

Furthermore, librarians amass digital resources that allow students to be creators – one of the goals of future-ready schools. Within a library, students have access to digital resources and technologies that they will use beyond the classroom and into the future.

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What is Media Literacy and Why Does it Matter?

Everyone from the President of the United States to a posh toddler can carry an iPhone and send off mass messages to hundreds and thousands of online influencers. We connect at the touch of a button and make decisions with the flick of a wrist. As a result, it’s especially important for employees, students, influencers, and everyday users to have media literacy and understand the consequences that follow online actions.

Educators have adapted to the times and incorporated media literacy skills into the educational standards of every state through a variety of subjects. From language arts to mathematics, humanities, and social sciences, every curriculum can touch on digital messaging.

No matter how media literacy is introduced, it’s important that educators help learners develop critical thinking skills, and understand the impact media messaging has on society. Teachers should also teach students to evaluate the validity of words, produce original content and use their voice to improve the media landscape and all those affected by a SEND, UPLOAD, or TWEET button.

What is Media Literacy

According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education, media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication. Media literacy means anything from interpreting emojis to understanding underlying messages in online advertisements to producing viral video content and recognizing native advertising.

While media literacy sounds like a practical skill understood by everyone with internet access, it’s astounding how many online users are unaware of their impact on others and their own susceptibility to media manipulation.

We’re breaking down three reasons why it’s important for young users and plugged-in professionals alike to be fluent in media mayhem.

Critical Thinking

Media literacy is all about finding the untold story beneath film clips, radio spots, and newspaper articles. Even corporate sponsored content has hidden messages that challenge us to think beyond what we hear and see.

For instance, teaching students to deconstruct messages in a pen advertisement that demeans the intelligence of female consumers, challenges them to expand their level of thinking and refuse to accept questionable content.

Understanding why a company markets pink pens to girls and what that means for society, forces students to take a mental leap: advertisement to real world application.

Developing critical thinking skills through media messaging also strengthens observational skills.

Why does this matter?

Observation and interpretation are skills that extend beyond the realm of resisting faulty advertising. Questioning the norm and reinterpreting layers of everyday messaging gives students everything they need to become smart-decision makers in real-world scenarios. 

Self-Expression

Film students watch classic films to understand how directors capture an emotion effectively and artistically. Aspiring designers analyze successful advertisements to determine how color, proximity, font, imagery, and text contribute to reliable messaging. Writers read novels, scripts and magazine articles to understand sentence structure and powerful imagery.

Studying how others relay media to communicate a particular message or emotion,

helps students effectively conceptualize and produce their own content.

Thanks to fierce competition and market saturation, media today is more out-of-the-box than ever before, and watching the best of the best is enough to inspire creativity in anyone.

Even hedge fund owners and top lawyers and financial accountants rely on their creative muscles to solve problems. So work them early and implement media literacy into every lesson plan!

Civic Responsibility

Current issues are expressed between the curtains of late night comedy shows, magazine covers, and back-to-back thirty-second political ads.

In a few education-filled years, pupils will be the masterminds behind these viral videos, presidential campaigns, and glossy publications. And when content is fair and just, knowledge of media literacy is always the ethical blueprint behind it.

Without studying the ins-and-outs of media mayhem, we miss the unspoken moral guidelines that lead every digital decision. So why not do everything possible to ensure that tomorrow’s campaign managers reject spite and hate speech?

Not to mention, it’s impossible to decipher falsity from fact without successfully distinguishing between campaign satire and political truth, propaganda and fair advertising.

In a world where media spreads faster than air, media literacy is the key to keeping communities well-informed and well-represented.

In Conclusion…

Every day, we find ourselves watching a televised advertisement, listening to a radio broadcast, looking at a film, reading a magazine and interpreting complex messages sent through a variety of different digital channels.

If you’re an educator searching for ways to spice up a lesson plan or boost engaged learning, consider tying your typical curriculum to media literacy.

The next generation of smart consumers will thank you.

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8 Must-Have Emotional Intelligence Apps and Tools

Emotional intelligence is just as important as any other type of intelligence. For kids and teenagers especially, learning to recognize and deal with their feelings is an important skill. Luckily, there are plenty of apps and tools available to help teach students about emotional intelligence. Here are 8 must-have emotional intelligence apps and tools.

  1. Smiling Mind

This app helps students learn to meditate. Smiling Mind contains guided meditations that increase in length as students practice more. Before and after each session, users track their emotions. There are also offline activities that can be used in or out of the classroom.

  1. Mood Meter

A simple app that helps students recognize their emotions. Mood Meter allows users to choose how they’re feeling, then helps guide them to figure out why they feel that way. It also helps students learn to control their mood and feel more positive overall.

  1. Mitra

Mitra is another app to help students track their emotions and values. Students record and rate their emotions and values each day, measuring how they feel and what’s important to them. This helps them measure changes in emotions and reflect on their feelings.

  1. Stop, Breathe & Think

Another option for guided meditations. Stop, Breathe & Think allows users to choose how they’re feeling, then provides them with a meditation. It also allows students to track their progress with graphs that show trends in their emotional state.

  1. Discovering Emotions with Zeely

For young students or students on the autism spectrum, learning to decipher emotions is difficult. Discovering Emotions with Zeely helps users learn to read facial expressions and recognize feelings. Cute cartoon characters make this app perfect for young learners.

  1. Social Adventures

Another great app for younger students who need help with social skills. Social Adventures has a wide variety of games and activities to help students learn social skills. Though an adult is needed to guide students through the app, Social Adventures is a useful tool for children who need social skills interventions.

  1. Character Playbook

For middle and high school students, this app helps navigate the world of relationships. Comic book-style stories guide students through common social situations. Modules with quizzes help students assess their progress.

  1. Calm

An app that works for students from Kindergarten all the way through college. Calm has features like breathing exercises, meditations, and modes to help with falling asleep.

Did we forget any?