Brighter Students

Access to Learning While many think of assistive technology as voice boxes for individuals with limited speech,  or speech to text devices for those who have difficulty typing,  I believe assistive technology expands to a far greater population of our students.   What is personalization?  It means that each and every student was tailored to, or considered in the learning design.  Similar to the concept of Universal Design , I believe each and every student deserves the highest quality education their collective environment can offer to them.  This means that specialized tools should be introduced and offered to all. 💗💗   Students have unique needs.   Students learn in unique ways.   Each student's needs should be considered  and each student should be offered  appropriate tools to help them succeed. 💗💗 When a student lags behind, it should not go unnoticed.  Teachers should take the initiative to meet the student where they are at, and offer tools for climbing to success.  In s

Video-Conferencing Across the Grade-Levels Attending class in your pajamas?   Muting yourself to answer a phone call?   Commenting in the chat to avoid "voicing" your opinion?   These relatable experiences are common now,  but what direction will video-conferencing take in the future of education?     The way I see it, post-pandemic educational changes will play out differently across the grade-levels.  Likely, you can agree that it will remain a more common practice for older students, and be retained as a vital supplement in the education of younger students.        It just doesn't feel right to put young students in front of a screen all day.  "Longitudinal research concerning the impacts of teacher-child relationships on children’s social, emotional, and behavioral concerns has demonstrated positive effects of a healthy teacher–child relationship on child’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors, academic success, social skill acquisition, self-regulation, and

  Google Maps proved itself to be a useful tool in the classroom.   Like most people, I have set a destination and relied on google maps to get me where I need to go.   I have had the usual frustrations, when there is a discrepancy between the actual road and the virtual one.   I have been relieved, when I can set the rout to avoid crowded freeways, or use the option to take the scenic route.   There have even been times when I actually pre-printed the maps as an itinerary for a bigger trip.   Yet, through all of these experiences, I had never thought of bringing google maps into the classroom. It all started when I was introduced to the concept of a “Lit Trip” by my professor (Logan, Project 3.6.1).   I thought this was an interesting idea and I was eager to try it.   So eager, that I somehow accidentally created this experience in google maps instead of google earth.   In the back of my mind, I was thinking that once I typed in the addresses and information, the views would switc

On the topic of digital parent communication in schools,  I decided to share my experience on the other side, as a parent.   There have been drastic differences between pre and mid pandemic connections.   While our family is blessed to have both of our children in amazing schools, this year feels fragmented and disconnected. The other day another parent asked me on the phone, “Is it different this year?   Did you feel like you knew what was going on last year?”   “It was SO much different!” I replied.   I went on to explain how I knew other parents in my son’s preschool.   I shared how you could see the activity choices each mooring, and at the end of the day, the teachers would proudly display the daily creations of the students.   However, current Covid laws prevent parents from even entering the building where the kids spend their day, parents must take turns approaching the drop off point, preventing any interaction, and the only sight of teachers is when they open the door to ta

       While the adorable Kindergarteners in my class may not yet be able to read this blog, they will still reap the benefits.  As growing individuals, these young students need to be surrounded by as much guidance and support as possible.   Rather than leaving their success to chance or trying to put all of the weight on one person's shoulders, w e can come together!  We can work as a team for each student, discovering their skills, admiring their achievements, and encouraging their future growth.     💗💗 This blog is intended to  connect  the important people  in each student's life.   We hope that the resources  and information  will be  useful and inspire  fun learning  outside of school.💗💗      Here in  one convenient place, will be  updates, ideas, and photos of this amazing journey.  The journey that will set the stage for a life of learning.  The time when academic abilities like reading and writing emerge.  A path where collaboration and friendship become an import