When we think of innovative educators, we often think of classrooms and teachers, but we sometimes forget parents are employing innovative strategies to support learning outside of school.  For home educators this is just a way of life, but parents who choose school can also play a key role in helping their children learn. When they do, I am happy to know that The Innovative Educator was named a top five ed tech blog for homeschoolers by WizIQ who provides an online learning platform on which to deliver classes. Other blogs named were Free Technology for Teachers, Get Me Geeky, and The Wired Homeschool.  Check out the article and these other great blogs at http://blog.wiziq.com/top-5-ed-tech-blogs-help-integrate-technology-homeschool 

To engage or not to engage? That is the question when it comes to figuring out the best platform for strengthening the home-school connection with texting. Schools know that texting is a great way to reach out to families. It’s better than the "robo-calling" that is only one-way, is overwhelmingly reported as an annoyance to the Better Business Bureau, can disturb parents at work, or set off all the school staff phones ringing at the same time. They also know texting works well if you have a population that is less likely to have reliable, ongoing access to the internet. It’s also one of the best ways to get information right from your school and into the pockets of those who care about students.   But with so many choices out there, which is the best one to choose? Twitter and Remind 101 are two of the most popular free services available to text parents. But how do you know which one is best for you? I want more »

I was stoked this week when I learned Google Drive now has these cool add-ons which you can get to right from the menu bar.There are a number to choose from.I want more »

In his recent article, "14 things that are obsolete in 21st century schools," Ingvi Hrannar Ómarsson, gives innovative educators, students, and parents some food for thought in their own schools. When I read the article, I couldn't help but think that an excellent activity would be to turn the article into a quiz for school staff, students, and parents. After taking the quiz, they could compare results, see where they are, discuss what is working well, and also figure out some ways to update practice.The quiz is at the end of this post. Once you take it, share how you did in the below poll. Results from first poll: In the comments, please share any tips, ideas, suggestions for how you've successfully updated outdated practices in your school. Hopefully we'll learn some good ideas from one another.     

Me and my motherI was at a large conference in the fall when the presenter asked the audience of more than 1000 educators to say the first word that comes to mind when thinking of high school. As if rehearsed for church choir, the audience responded.Their answer? BORED!I was thinking, wow! We all know this truth yet seem to accept it as just the way things are. When I tell this to other educators, some push back sharing all sorts of positive memories they had of high school. Still that doesn't negate the fact that a room full of pedagogical strangers came up with one answer to describe their high school experience. This hit home for me. When I was just three years old, my mother was called into my pre-school because they were concerned that there was something seriously wrong with me. In fact among other things they thought I might be "retarded." The conclusion was made based on warning signs they observed such as my not paying attention in class.  Fortunately, my mother got a second opinion and found the cause behind my lack of focus wasn't a mental condition, but in short, it was simply that I was bored. You can hear the story from my mother here: I want more »

You may have come across Cris Rowan's popular HuffPost piece explaining 10 reasons handheld devices should be banned for children under 12. You may also haveread the rebuttal from a librarian mom who explains why she will continue to give her children handheld devices. While the pro-device author explains the benefits of handhelds, what she doesn't uncover is that the research cited by the original author doesn't support her claims. In fact, the research cited in the Rowan piece is so unsupportive of her claims, it seems possible that the real motive behind the article was to test the reader's gullibility. If readers had dug a little deeper, they'd find the truth.The research focuses mainly on passive television consumption and video games that are either simple or for mature audiences. Much of it also is focused, not on pre-teens, but rather on teens and adults. The research shows a dearth of findings around the type of technology use in which the overwhelming majority of children engage.I want more »

This week a relative of mine, who is a senior citizen, friend-requested me on Facebook. Not only do I love to see more and more seniors connecting online, I also love that this provides further opportunity for generations to share their lives. Especially these days when families tend to have busy lives and be spread out. The relative was a cousin who I don’t see much beyond big family gatherings like weddings and funerals. The next day she messaged me. Nice! She was catching on quickly. We had the usual pleasantries. She asked how the family was in Vegas and said she had been there recently but unfortunately hadn't had time to visit. I gave her the update on my Dad's birthday party and also shared that things at work and home were very well and shared a couple pictures of my pups. I was impressed at how she jumped right in. Bravo! Then she said she had been trying to reach me about something.I want more »

Guest post by Connor WoodI had never heard of a Personal Learning Network (PLN) before Lisa Nielsen asked me to write about mine. I did not originally set out to make a PLN. It just sort of happened as I started asking around for interviews for my education blog, Trismegistus Nab-tu-we. I also contacted author  Henry Olsen and entrepreneur William Peregoy. They were both helpful in giving me the tools and ideas I needed to start my blog and autodidactism. There are a couple of other student groups I have turned to for advice including Students for Education Reform and The Providence Student Union. I have a little secret. Aside from my blog, the only social networking site I belong to is Google+ which is only because of my blog. I use Google+ for major posts, but not much besides that. I guess I am kind of old school in using my email for most of my networking. When I started going around looking for people to interview, I used only email. This allowed me to connect to progressive educators and reform activists like John Robinson, James Bach, Lisa Nielsen, and Jerry Mintz, all of whom have been extremely helpful in networking ideas and suggestions. Jerry and Lisa, for example, both recommended I get in touch with Nikhil Goyal. Additional help in getting my voice heard has come from Diane Ravitch and Mercedes Schneider. Lisa too has helped me a lot. Allowing me to contribute this guest post is an example of that.I want more »

Join me for a BYOD Google Hangout on Monday, April 7th at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. TopicManaging the BYOD classroomGuests will discuss the followingGetting started with byod management.Preventing distraction. Fostering trust in students who are using their own devices.The role of students in classroom management.Explaining this will work to administrators.Getting parents to support responsible use.  Our special guests includeJill Hobson @hobsonjillMichelle Luhtala @mluhtala Jason Suter @JKsuter Connect with them on Twitter!BackchannelJoin our backchannel conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #BYODEquity. See all the backchannel hashtags on our Tagboard at http://tagboard.com/byodmanagementJoin the hangout at this linkhttps://plus.google.com/events/cnb6l98874hjdvh0ec92r289ktk 

Carly Fleischmann hadn't communicated with many people before she started using social media. That is because Carly doesn't speak. Today however, social media has opened the door to give this very social young lady access to connecting with tens of thousands of people around the world. In the video below, Carly shares, "The moment when I typed on social media for the first time a sense of belonging and a feeling of being heard came over me. I was surprised how I was now a part of society in a social way. It has brought me out of my shell and allowed me to help people learn about autism straight from the horse's mouth."Social media is an amazing tool to give us a voice, allow us to share our stories, and connect to others.  How are using using social media to open up doors to the students with whom you work?________________________________________Get social!-->Follow Carly on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CarlysVoice -->Like her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/carlysvoice Consider this...How can you use Carly's social media presence as a model for the students with whom you work?