This post is now quite old! Check out my newer posts, my workshops, and my podcast. After a recent mindfulness training by the amazing Robyn Harwood (@rsharwood1) at the AEC Conference 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya, I started beginning the day with structured and intentional mindful breathing exercises to help my students find some inner peace … Continue reading 5 Reflection Activities to Help Students Glow and Grow
New Workshop in Kenya: Evaluating Blended Learning Classroom Design
At this year's AISA Educator's Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, I had the opportunity to present some of the models that I have used and created to evaluate blended learning classroom design. Much of this work was done alongside Brad Arnold (@leybradly), and was previously discussed in my article, That digital program your school bought will never … Continue reading New Workshop in Kenya: Evaluating Blended Learning Classroom Design
That digital program your school bought will never transform learning
It seems like most teachers and students have access to a paid-for digital learning program. You know the kind - RAZ kids, IXL, Spelling City, any one of those listed in the featured image of this article - and they all promise to raise achievement while making learning "fun". These CAI (computer assisted instruction) programs … Continue reading That digital program your school bought will never transform learning
When it Comes to PD, Teachers Need Differentiation
In a week or so, I will be presenting at AEC 2017 about blended learning design and evaluation, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to give my thoughts on the enormous responsibility that we have as trainers and presenters to differentiate for the various levels of teachers that exist in our schools. I am lucky … Continue reading When it Comes to PD, Teachers Need Differentiation
Student Inventions Face Evaluation in the Shark Tank
This week, my students will be presenting their inventions to an audience of parents and community members. Instead of doing a traditional exhibition, where students stand for an hour and answer questions next to their display, we are doing something different: A Year 5 Shark Tank. Many of us already know the reality show, "Shark … Continue reading Student Inventions Face Evaluation in the Shark Tank
Is it worth becoming recognized as an Apple Teacher?
As my husband and I have been busy recruiting for positions in the 2018-2019 school year (I know, international schools hire early!) I wanted something extra to add to my CV about integrating technology into the classroom. Although I can say that I work in a 1:1 classroom, I wanted to give schools concrete evidence … Continue reading Is it worth becoming recognized as an Apple Teacher?
In education, words matter.
Many teachers use word clouds or wordles in classroom activities to have students highlighting important words or to show students which words they've overused in their texts. One thing I've never done before is apply a wordcloud to my own practice, which is exactly what I recently did for the educationrickshaw.com blogroll. Once I made it by … Continue reading In education, words matter.
Ways to Enhance Reading and Writing Workshop with Technology
Our school recently made the switch to Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Although Stephanie and I received some surface level training on the project in our previous school, this has been the first time that we have been asked to follow the program with a high level of fidelity. Like with any … Continue reading Ways to Enhance Reading and Writing Workshop with Technology
EducationRickshaw is going to AEC 2017!
You may remember last year when both Stephanie and I went to AEC Conference 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. We took some amazing courses by Karen Boyes and Ryan Harwood, tweeted a lot, got our yoga on, and danced, feasted and mingled with some of the best minds in international education. We at educationrickshaw.com are happy to … Continue reading EducationRickshaw is going to AEC 2017!
Homework not effective? What about distance learning?
Homework is one of those contentious things that divides teachers as well as parents. John Hattie's research leads to the conclusion that homework in primary school has an effect of nearly zero. But the reality is that many schools have policies that require homework to be assigned to students on a daily or weekly basis. This … Continue reading Homework not effective? What about distance learning?
Education Rickshaw 
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