Nocking the Arrow

When it comes to learning, sharing, and connecting with communities and networks, few activities can match the energy and effectiveness of EdCamp. From all accounts EdCamp Chicago 2014 was a rousing success. With 260 educators present, and countless others following the sessions on Twitter , it proved to be an enjoyable day of personalized professional development. I had the pleasure of co-organizing and co-hosting the event that took place Saturday May 10th, at Palatine High School . My original intent of this post was to provide advice on how to host an EdCamp, but I soon discovered the topic has been effectively documented, several times. Instead, I am reinforcing the message that EdCamps provide awesome opportunities for learning, personal networking, and professional development. Here are a few terrific resources for gaining a better understanding of what EdCamp is, as well as, how to effectively host an EdCamp. Resources for Hosting an EdCamp - Edutopia, Kristen Swanso...

Our household is made up entirely of teachers and students. The six of us tend to accumulate more than our share of papers, books, and other learning paraphernalia during the work week. It's the weekend, so that means it's time for dad to organize and recycle the week's accumulated reading material. It was during this cleaning process that I came across a book that my wife had brought home from her school, Duct Tape Parenting . The book is part of a joint summer reading program for teachers and parents in an effort to reduce a recent increase in helicopter parenting . "Well, that's an interesting title.", I said aloud, as I began flipping through the pages. The premise of Duct Tape Parenting , written by Vicki Hoefle , is the emphasis of a new set of 3Rs in preparing kids for life " in the real world ". Instead of reading, writing, and arithmetic , the challenge becomes helping young people develop skills in the areas of being more... Respectful...

This post is cross-published at Fractus Learning . The Internet has made news readily available, virtually instantaneous, and interactive. On the plus side, news via the web can provide diverse and global perspective. However, on the negative side, in the rush to be first with a breaking story, there are frequently inaccuracies. Web connected classrooms provide opportunities for students and teachers to read original material, discuss current events, and analyze multiple perspectives in search of truth. There are numerous ways in which readers can access news. Here are five free apps that can bring a steady stream of news, and information to the connected learner. CNN Flipboard News-360 YouTube TuneIn Radio For details, read the complete post;   Five Newsworthy Apps for the Connected Learner photo credit: Ines Njers via photopin cc

This week's post comes courtesy of good friend and colleague,  Theresa Christensen , a.k.a. " Grading Girl ". A shining example of what it means to be a connected educator, Theresa uses this post to share her passion, and her experience with blogging as an authentic expression of learning. " RATIONALE FOR BLOGGING : Exuberantly experiencing my own blogging adventures led me to begin blogging with my students over the past three years. Both the Common Core and my school district’s Critical Learning Standards emphasize the need for students to read a variety of text for understanding, write clear, supported arguments and apply knowledge and skills to real-world problems.  I believe writing blogs can fulfill those expectations. "Blogging provides students with digital writing experiences to pursue understandings in the real world, not just within a classroom."   It’s no longer a matter of earning a grade – it’s a matter of voicing views to a re...