Ed Tech Chatter

In Britain, more than half of 12- to 15-year-olds are on Instagram, according to OfCom (pdf), the country's communications regulator. So are 43% of 8- to 11-year-olds. But how many of them understand what they signed when they joined? Pretty much 0%, according to “Growing Up Digital”, a report released Jan. 5 (pdf) by the UK Children’s Commissioner

The state overestimated the number of students who would participate in the standardized tests.

'I tell parents all the time kids aren’t hard-wired to sit still all day, so we believe in essence we are giving children back their childhood.' And there are academic benefits.

After 12 years at the helm of Onalaska’s Northern Hills Elementary, Principal Curt Rees has made the jump to La Crosse.

The textbook is meant to accompany a course on Mexican-American studies, but opponents say it is offensive and full of factual inaccuracies.

Pupils choose their own subjects and motivate themselves, an approach some say should be rolled out across Germany

Educator Christopher Emdin shares his philosophy for educating urban kids and makes the case that being "culturally responsive" goes

Neuroscience News has recent neuroscience research articles, brain research news, neurology studies and neuroscience resources for neuroscientists, students, and science fans and is always free to join. Our neuroscience social network has science groups, discussion forums, free books, resources, science videos and more.

A CityLab analysis finds that some charter schools disproportionately suspend and expel students, especially in black neighborhoods.

The popular "teachable moment" happened yesterday

The "Big Game" provided us with a real world opportunity to share with
students today. I love NFL football. I have spent many years talking about
it with 4th and 5th graders over my years of teaching. One of our most
popular math games was "fantasy football math." That would all end today
with the final act known as "Big Game." Tomorrow we would go on with dreary
old "regular" math for a while. 

Last night I saw something interesting in the postgame press conference.
Cam Newton, who I really like, could not get himself through his press
conference. He wore his hood over his head, (BTW I LOVE hoodies) and could
barely answer questions. This goes against how we have seen him act all
year. He acted very child-like and not like a grown man that had to answer
some tough questions. It made me think, what did Russell Wilson say last
year after his terrible defeat? Luckily I have Google, and I could see
video of how he reacted last year. I think you could keep going on down the
list of losing QB's and see what the results are. I only looked at Russell
Wilson and Peyton Manning from the last two years. 

I think this is a great opportunity to teach students a life lesson using
people that many elementary students idolize. I think it would be
interesting to have students look up the videos on their own and compare
and contrast the actions of both quarterbacks. If it were me, I would give
them the assignment in Google Classroom, put students in groups, and let
them research and discuss the differences in a Google Doc before bringing
the class back for a discussion. 

There is a lot of information that would be good for students to process
and reflect on. I would continue to go back to this example throughout the
rest of the school year. 

I am not indicting Cam Newton. No one is perfect. I can't even begin to
imagine how it would feel to be on the losing end of a game of that
magnitude. I love how he gives footballs to kids in the crowd and all the
other things he does for the community and the Play 60 campaign. However, I
think the interview is a great talking point for students. I have provided
the links for Cam Newton's interview, as well as Russell Wilson's from last
year. There will be commercials. You have been warned. 

Cam Newton's Press Conference Link

Russell Wilson's Press Conference Link

America continues to drop in worldwide education rankings. But don't blame Massachusetts for that.

The historian and public education advocate has updated her 2010 best-selling book, which helped launch the movement against corporate school reform. Here's what's different, what she would tell Obama if he would listen, her thoughts on Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and more.

Life, Animated is a heartwarming documentary about family.​