How much time on devices is too long? Should kids put up their smartphones and talk to each other and parents sometimes? Are we using technology too much as parents?  Today, for Thought Leader Thursday, Weston Kieschnick @wes_kieschnick and I have a conversation about digital parenting. There aren't easy answers, but one thing is sure, we won't find answers without having the hard conversations.  In today's show, Weston and I discuss:  Digital overuse and digital deserts and the need for balance

Empowering special needs students with technologies is one of the greatest ways to motivate and ignite their learning. Jennifer Cronk @jenniferacronk shares two tearful but joyful stories of people with special needs unleashed (including her own.) Let's start this Monday motivation remembering the joyful opportunity we have to help every child with technology!  In today's show, Jennifer shares  How to empower special needs students to champion themselves  Examples of alternative assessment and

Dr. Tim Green, Instructional Design Expert, talks today about augmented reality. Specifically he shares his favorite Augmented Reality (AR) instructional tool, Aurasma. Tim also shares a vision for the future of where augmented reality is probably taking us in education.  Today, Tim shares:  How teachers and students are using Aurasma  His wildest dreams for the future of augmented reality in education  Applying technology like IBM Watson and natural language to augmented reality  Simple principles

Monica Burns @ClassTechTips gives us the tips and tools for successful formative assessment. Get results by knowing what your students know. Formative assessment is a powerful use of education technology if you know how. Today's episode is a must listen for teachers. In today's show, Monica talks about formative assessment: What is successful formative assessment What are some of Monica's favorite tools for formative assessment How should teachers select their formative assessment tool belt What is

On the very first episode of Best of the WWEST, host Danniele talks to Cole Brown, lead front-end web developer at iamota, about how she got into web development, some of the challenges she faced breaking into the tech industry, and her secret superpowers (which include sewing, cat training, and swimming)! Cole is the lead front-end web developer at iamota, a full service digital agency recognized as one of BC’s fastest growing companies. She has worked in the industry for over 15 years, and is

Candace Hisey @MissHisey talks about true STEM and Language Arts Integration. With both extended and daily projects, students watch science, technology, engineering, and math come alive in all of their classes. Hear how Candace does it in today's Wonderful Wednesday classroom tour and why she'll never go back to the "old" way of teaching. Today, Candace will teach us about: The incredible element "museum" project where students integrate all subjects and their work in chemistry during tenth grade

Kids can learn to make music with iPads and technology. This isn't just child's play - some serious music learning can happen. On today's show, K3-6th grade teacher Justin Kamp @kampmiltonmusic from Wisconsin unleashes his favorite apps, strategies, and tools for making music with kids of all ages. Justin will discuss: Age appropriate uses of edtech Some of his favorite apps and techniques  Some of his favorite apps and techniques Technotunes and how to use them Showcasing musical ability and

Chante Westmoreland (JD Candidate ’18) interviews Jamie Williams of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Jamie discusses how the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) interacts with the “Internet of Things,” and why the CFAA needs to be reformed.

Our guest provides powerful examples of how she uses play as an engaging, effective teaching tool in science, literature. math and history. Follow: @coolcatteacher @bloomzapp #edtechchat #edchat #edtech Leanna Prater, M.A. Ed., is a District Technology Resource Teacher for Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, KY where she conducts professional development and provides supports to educators in instructional technology. She is also a doctoral candidate in Instructional Systems

Perla Zamora @pzamoraats from Tampico, Mexico is tearing down walls. For thought leader Thursday, today, ask yourself how you're connecting your classroom to the world. In today's show, we'll discuss: Ways Perla is connecting her classroom to other classrooms Overcoming fears of connecting with other classrooms The most important thing she's learned as she connects her students to other classrooms Ms. Perla Zamora @pzamoraats is a passionate teacher and Technology advisor in the American School of

Rachelle Dene Poth @rdene915 teaches Spanish and STEAM with technology, student choice, and project based learning. For Wonderful Wednesday, take a trip inside her classroom to learn how she does it all. As we discuss language learning and STEAM, Rachelle shares: How her language classroom is full of choice Her favorite tech tools for language learning instruction Some fantastic new tools and features she's using this week in her classroom Rachelle Dene Poth @rdene915 is a Spanish and STEAM

Aaron Sams @chemicalsams helps give us ways to master technology. Aaron Sams is an Instructor of Education at Saint Vincent College, is an advisor to TED-Ed, and was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2009. Aaron is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and author and has trained thousands of educators to integrate technology with sound pedagogy. He holds both a B.S. in Biochemistry, an M.A.Ed. from Biola University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. at Texas

Our guest is committed to teaching beyond the textbook. In this segment, we explore how he engages and effectively teaches using other resources. Follow: @coolcatteacher @jmattmiller @bamradionetwork #edtechchat #edchat #edtech Matt Miller is a Spanish teacher at Turkey Run High School. He has infused technology and innovative teaching methods in his classes for more than 10 years. Matt is a Google Certified Teacher, PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator and Bammy! Awards nominee. He

Augmented reality and virtual reality. Are these buzzwords or are they things that can be used to improve learning? Today Steven Anderson @web20classroom pulls back the veil and helps us learn about these emerging technologies. In today's show, we discuss: What is augmented reality? What is virtual reality? What are examples of how each are being used in the classroom? Are these technologies expensive to use? Which technology does Steven think will be the most helpful to classrooms? Are there

Kyle Taylor @kyletaylor13 and his school have implemented iPads with Google Classroom and are saving half (yes, half) of what it previously cost to set up a classroom with technology. For Wonderful Wednesday we learn all about their decision making process and how teachers are using iPads and Google classroom to teach. Today we discuss: How to create an optimal learning environment with Google Classroom Why the Ipads are well suited for creation How the work flows from creation to Google Classroom

Josh Harris, an elementary edtech director from California, talks about an attitude of innovation. He talks about how to empower ourselves with an attitude of fearlessness and trying new things. In this show we discuss: How to adopt an attitude of trying new things Confronting the fear of "breaking" something Learning new technology doesn't have to be hard. In his 18th year in public education, Josh Harris find himself in the position of Educational Technology Director for an elementary school

Jennifer Gonzalez shares her favorite tools to try in 2017. Technology moves so quickly! Do you know what to try next? Well, today's guest and edtech expert Jennifer Gonzalez gives us some amazing tools to try for Five Idea Friday. In today's show, we'll discuss: Peergrade Common Lit My Simple Show Adobe Spark eLink We also discuss how to keep from getting overwhelmed and common mistakes teachers make with technology. I hope you enjoy this episode with Jennifer Gonzalez! A full transcript of this

When I called Principal Ryan Kaczmark, he bubbled over with excitement from the Lemonade Wars experience. This elementary school-wide reading project is a sizzling combination of reading, parent relations, community service, school spirit, communications, and social media savvy. We were going to talk about technology or school design or something else. But I'm happy that he talked about the Lemonade Wars and raising money for Mike's Lemonade stand to help childhood cancer and everything that had

Dr. David Guerin, (@DavidGeurin) is the 2017 NASSP Digital Principal of the year. Davide believes that excellence is not the same as success. True excellence is a mindset, a desire to serve, a belief that helping others leads to the best outcomes. SMART Learning Suite is today's sponsor. Register for my free Differentiating Instruction with Technology webinar sponsored by SMART Learning Suite next Thursday, February 9 at 4pm.One of the hardest things about teaching is not knowing where we're falling

Great teachers are constantly innovating, but where can busy teachers find time to try new things? Follow: @coolcatteacher @msalang @bloomzapp #edtechchat #edchat #edtech Leanna Prater, M.A. Ed., is a District Technology Resource Teacher for Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, KY where she conducts professional development and provides supports to educators in instructional technology. She is also a doctoral candidate in Instructional Systems Design in the Department of Curriculum