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STEM LEARNING INITIATIVE IN ILLINOIS

University of Aurora
More state educational systems are realizing the importance of STEM learning.
Some of them also realize they have shortcoming that must be overcome.
Illinois appears to be one of those states that understands this and is taking the initiative in these matters.
Aurora Illinois, home of the University of Aurora, is the leader of this STEM initiative.
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EDTECH ISN'T OPTIONAL, IT'S ESSENTIAL

An overwhelming majority of teachers (86%) and administrators (93%) think it's "important" or "absolutely essential" to use products (such as apps, computer games, websites, digital planning tools, or digitally delivered curricula) designed to help students or teachers.

Almost all teachers (between 87% and 96%) agree the use of educational technologies increases student engagement in learning, enables personalized learning, improves student outcomes, and helps students collaborate.

And 9 out of 10 teachers agree they would like to use more edtech in the classroom.

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AN ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF CRITICAL THINKING

Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
 
Years ago in graduate school one of my favorite professors, a top man in his profession with many published articles to his credit, stated his classroom philosophy thus (paraphrased): I am going to do most of the talking, because I’ve been at this a lot longer than any of you.
He was a wonderful old guy and I honor his name, but even back then--the late Sixties--many of us in the class questioned his teaching method.
He gave a fine lecture, both illuminating and entertaining, but those of us with a real interest in the subject had to grab moments with him after class to satisfy our curiosity--which, being the fine educator that he was, he was more than happy to provide.
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MOTION MATH GAMES HELPS MAKE MATH FUN

If making the subject seem relevant is one of the toughest things for a math teacher to accomplish, then certainly the next most difficult task is making math enjoyable. 
Or is it the other way around? Maybe! And in an earlier post, Eight ways Kindergarten Hold the Key to 21St Century Instruction, we discussed one educator’s view that only kindergarten provided children the eight essential elements (he refers to them as “ways”) needed for educational excellence. 
One of those ways was play and play by its very nature is relevant to children!

 

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DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT ANSWER TO THE WRONG QUESTION?

Shari Stockero is assistant professor of mathematics education at Michigan Technological University and a former high school math and science teacher.

Stockero is studying teacher education experiences and designing new programs for beginning mathematics teachers in middle and high school.

Her research is funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award.

The award is worth almost half-million dollars over five years.

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DON'T MISS THESE STEM LEARNING ORIENTED EDUCATION GRANTS

There isn’t nearly as much money out there for educational endeavors as there once was, and the noose is getting tighter every day. 
That’s why it is alarming to think that the failure to take advantage of educational grants may leave money on the table that could have been put to a much better use enabling students and teachers in STEM learning. 
In order to avoid this waste, every first-of-the month the online blog eschoolnews.com lists those very grants about to expire in hopes that educators reading the blog will take action.
 
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SPREADSHEETS CAN HELP STUDENTS GET FROM ARITHMETIC TO ALGEBRA

Ever wonder why so few students seem to survive the jump from learning arithmetic to math, or algebra? 
Many of us found ourselves in exactly that situation. 
We wonder what happened to the bright, eager kids that learned so quickly to multiply and divide but stumbled and almost crashed when brought face to face with the simplest of equations. 
Was it simply because they had plateaued intellectually with division and were never meant to fly higher? 
Was it the fault of their teachers? 
Or, as suggested by educator John Barnes, did the fault lie in the tools used by those teachers to try to bridge the gap?
 
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MATH LESSONS IN NEW CURRICULUM

STEM learning just gained a powerful adherent in the UK. According to the UK online daily The Telegraph, the government there recently changed the technology and design curriculum to place more emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math, as it was believed that Britain would need  more than 100,000 graduates in those fields in the next few years to stay competitive.
 
 
The Telegraph claims that “The new curriculum is in sharp contrast to the original draft published by the Coalition in February, which expected children to receive lessons in sewing and knitting, cultivating plants for "decorative displays", bike maintenance and extensive cookery classes.”
Is this claim for real? Seriously? Sewing, knitting, cookery classes and bike maintenance? Could any government in recent years actually have emphasized homemaking courses in view of the global fixation on science?
 
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HOW 21ST CENTURY THINKING IS JUST DIFFERENT.

How 21st Century Thinking Is Just Different. This was the title of a recent post on the blog, TEACHTHOUGHT. My first reaction was negative as I am a great believer in the old adage that “there is nothing new under the sun.”

The writer’s argument is that information overload coupled with the human instinct toward socializing forces us to interpret this onrush of data and “spin” it to fit our own world view. “As a result,” says the post’s author, “the tone of thinking can end up uncertain or whimsical, timid or arrogant, sycophant or idolizing--and so, devoid of connections and interdependence.” In order to overcome these shortcomings he feels the following Habits of Mind are important to inculcate in youth:
  • Persisting.
  • Managing impulsivity.
  • Responding with awe.
  • Questioning.
  • Innovating.
  • Thinking interdependently.
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EIGHT WAYS KINDERGARTEN HOLDS THE KEY TO 21ST-CENTURY INSTRUCTION

Robert Fulghum’s #1 New York Times bestseller, written twenty-five years ago,All I Really Need To Know I learned in Kindergarten, was way-less depressing than the article I read last night, Eight Ways Kindergarten Holds The Key to 21St-Century Instruction by educator Sam Gliksman.  This newer, insightful view of the education process in this century left me hoping that it would be read by educators that matter, because something obviously has to be done.

Gliksman, as you might take from the title, discusses eight ways in which a child’s first introduction to the educational system, Kindergarten, makes for a positive experience.  Then he proceeds to show us what happens to that same way or aspect as the child proceeds through the grades.

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