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1. How to recognize signs of teacher burnout
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Rutgers University professor Maurice Elias in this blog post describes the likely causes and warning signs of teacher burnout. He discusses causes, which include a lack of support and preparation, as well as difficult students and boredom. He writes that teachers likely are suffering from burnout if they feel run down, think negatively about their job, experience too much pressure and feel frustrated. Edutopia.org (05/23)
2. Understanding how students who are introverted learn
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Research shows that students who are introverted may perform better in school if educators ease pressure to be more outgoing and give students more time to reflect before speaking in class. Students who are introverted often need additional time before responding than other students. Separate studies also show that students who are introverted may perform better on tests because they are accustomed to working alone. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (05/23)
3. The right and the wrong approach to education technology
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Education technology can be used to develop "creative agency" classrooms in which students use devices to collaborate and innovate, or they can further the traditional "factory" approach to education, offers Justin Reich, a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. In this opinion piece, he writes about the successful integration of technology, which he says upends traditional learning and moves away from the assembly-line approach to education. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (05/23)
4. 3 things that engaging classroom activities have in common
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Rebecca Alber in this blog post offers six end-of-year projects that include her three essential elements of engaging classroom activities: choices, creativity and constructing. The projects she suggests include writing commercials, on-campus field trips and students teaching other students a favorite topic or skill. Edutopia.org (05/21)
5. What teachers need to make common core successful
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Teachers will be able to successfully implement Common Core State Standards if they are given the resources any learner needs to acquire new knowledge, high-school social sciences teacher Mark Sass writes in this commentary. Those resources, Sass writes, include ample time for learning and collaboration, sufficient feedback, and the opportunity to struggle with the standards -- to take risks and make mistakes. Education News Colorado (05/21)
6. Online cultural exchange connects students virtually
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
Middle-school students in New York are communicating with students in China as part of an online cultural exchange program. Through the Schoolwires Greenleaf Virtual Cultural Exchange Program, students also are working on virtual group projects. Educators say the program provides lessons with a global focus and helps prepare students to be part of the global society. T.H.E. Journal (05/22)
7. Summer break does not mean relaxation time for teachers
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
Many educators say their summer breaks are increasingly consumed by professional training, lesson planning and other work-related obligations. Many teachers also say they won't get much of a break as they will be working second jobs during the summer months. "People always say, 'Wow, you get the whole summer,' " teacher Theresa Carson said. "But there are literally just three weeks when I don't have something to do related to school." Washington Post, The (05/24)
8. Social studies teacher encourages students to make a difference
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
Sixth-graders at Long Valley Middle School in Long Valley, N.J., are learning the concept of "paying it forward" by participating in what social studies teacher Matt Marciano calls a "Change the World" project. Student projects include a soccer clinic for students with cerebral palsy, a local recycling program and a pet-therapy program. This year, for the first time, parents of Marciano's students also created their own "Change the World" projects. NJ.com (Hackensack, N.J.) (05/26)
9. Race to the Top competition opens to school districts
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The U.S. Department of Education opened its Race to the Top grant competition to school districts on Tuesday -- a shift for the program, which until now has been targeted at states. Under this year's $400 million grant program, districts with student enrollment of 2,500 or more and at least 40% eligibility for free and reduced-price meals will be asked to demonstrate ways in which they would close the achievement gap among students. "We need to take classroom learning beyond a one-size-fits-all model and bring it into the 21st century," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Washington Post, The (05/22)
10. What lessons have teachers learned this year?
Accomplished Teacher® by SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Teachers reveal in this blog post lessons they have learned. Among these lessons are the importance of student-centered learning and persistence. Teachers also offered details on their shifting mindset, including one teacher who realized the importance of being positive and another who benefited from missing school days to seek enrichment elsewhere. Teachers also found value in taking risks and reflecting on their successes, as well as their failures. Education Week Teacher (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (05/23)
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