Something that's been getting some buzz on Twitter has been Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos's request for ideas for where he should put his money. On behalf of educationrickshaw.com, I wrote him a letter that includes discussion about the teacher turnover crisis and the importance of the maintaining a strong teaching profession. Enjoy! https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/875418348598603776 Dear Mr. … Continue reading A Plea for Education: A Response to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos
3 Fun Inquiry Math Activities for the Last Week of School
One of the most endearing that my students are is when they are helping younger children. Preparing the classroom at the end of the year for the next group of students is considered a critical job for them, whether they are sharpening pencils or throwing out markers that no longer work. This year I decided … Continue reading 3 Fun Inquiry Math Activities for the Last Week of School
3 Old School Elementary Events That Still Have Value (but Need to Change)
In a never-ending quest to innovate in the classroom, it can be easy to shun the traditional elements of Western education in favor of those that feel more trendy. Try posting a photo of a Science Fair on Twitter and you'll get far fewer likes than if you post about students coding video games for a … Continue reading 3 Old School Elementary Events That Still Have Value (but Need to Change)
Why Students Need HelpDesk Too.
Most schools have a HelpDesk system for faculty to get help in a number of ways. My school has one such system, and I am constantly using when I need assistance with maintenance or our school's IT systems. The reasons for using these HelpDesk systems are obvious: They are a way to organize and timestamp … Continue reading Why Students Need HelpDesk Too.
The Couch Potato Approach to Educational Technology
Don't wait for your school to develop your tech skills. Settle into your couch and educate yourself! I've talked before about how teachers need to be given the opportunity to play around with edtech tools in order to be able to envision how they could be used in a classroom. The same goes with students. This … Continue reading The Couch Potato Approach to Educational Technology
5 Quick Projects That Make Use of Green Screen
It might come as a surprise to some teachers that all it takes to replicate the green screen effects that we all see in the movies and on the news is a free green screen app and some green butcher paper. Once I put up my own DIY green screen in my classroom, my students … Continue reading 5 Quick Projects That Make Use of Green Screen
5 Easy Ways to Share Learning Experiences with Students
This post is now quite old! Check out my newer posts, my workshops, and my podcast. We've talked before about how to give your class back to your students. Today, I want to look at a similar idea of how we can create a shared learning environment where the teacher and students are partners in … Continue reading 5 Easy Ways to Share Learning Experiences with Students
A Different Kind of Student-Led Conference
Student-led conferences are all the rage right now, and rightfully so. They provide another opportunity for students to take control of their learning. The thing is, before public, shared, nonlinear digital portfolios, it made a ton of sense to bring parents into the classroom just so they could flip through the pages of their child's … Continue reading A Different Kind of Student-Led Conference
“The What” vs. “The How” of Education
After reading the above tweet, I've been thinking a lot about this idea that we may very well spend too much time talking about what we should teach rather than how we should teach. And the more I think about it, the more I crave conversations that concern the how of education. Learning-focused conversation is learner and … Continue reading “The What” vs. “The How” of Education
How to Set Up a Week of Free Inquiry for Anywhere, Anytime Learning
When I was just a first year teacher, I placed a lot of value on my ability to control student behaviors. While students were quiet and well-behaved to the passing observer, I could sense that I was not facilitating the kind of learning experiences that I wanted from my teachers during my own education. The … Continue reading How to Set Up a Week of Free Inquiry for Anywhere, Anytime Learning
Education Rickshaw 
You must be logged in to post a comment.