Educational Resources, Learning and Professional Development

Evelyn Gould, MS | 10/06/2011

The dramatic increase in the incidence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) among children and the current economic climate presents an increasing challenge to both families and schools. Budget cuts mean schools are faced with larger class sizes, decreased access to training and resources, and fewer staff at a time when they are seeing more children with autism in their classrooms. With states scrambling to save more money in coming months and years, the situation in education is set to worsen. Essentially, schools are finding themselves increasingly “on their own” when it comes to accessing the training and tools they need to provide an effec... Read More...

Relevant Tags: autism spectrum disorder, ASD, training, classroom, education, schools, teachers, applied behavior analysis, ABA, nonprofit, Autism Care and Treatment Today, The center for Autism and related disorders, CARD, skills 4 america, elearning, online toolk

Beth Wolfe | 08/09/2011

This fall, thousands of students will begin their college careers at institutions across the country. The educators and school personnel who played a key role in these students’ journeys to college have already turned their focus to a new class of students and will have little time to consider the fate of the college freshmen who were students in their school just a year ago. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Preparing Students for College, students, college, education, school, high school, about college, students understood, incoming students

Doug Savde and Kate Blosveren | 08/09/2011

During the 2014-15 school year, schools across the nation will be giving a new set of K-12 tests in a new era of standardized testing. These “next-generation” assessments — developed collaboratively by the state-led Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) — will move beyond the tests that currently drive our education system and provide K-12 educators, postsecondary faculty, students and parents with the information and tools they need to improve teaching and learning across the U.S., and ensure all students graduate ready for college and careers. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Student Testing, parcc, assessments, assessment, education, states, system, testing, assessment system, parcc assessments, standardized testing, common core, college career, status quo, parcc states, high school

BY BART A. ASLIN and JOHN HELFEN | 08/09/2011

While experts debate about everyone needing some college education – the workplace is linking middle-class employability to postsecondary education and training. Are parents, teachers and students on the right track? Every time we turn on the television, media outlets seem to be commenting on the failing education system in this country. At least the word “education” is making the nightly news. We think unparalleled attention being paid to the topic of education and the importance of STEM is long overdue. It’s time for all of us to consider more collaboration for more immediate solutions. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Technology/STEM, education, students, programs, technology, stem, autodesk, engineering, product, education foundation, sme education, engineers technologists, generation engineers, next generation, stem education, higher education

Julie Smith | 08/09/2011

It’s no secret that educators, administrators and IT staff have a tough job. They are balancing resources and responding to state and national mandates, all while trying to focus on helping students learn and become successful outside of the classroom. Accomplishing these goals requires prioritization – and that job is not an enviable one. During the last year, school districts have made important strides in adopting technologies to help engage students in the classroom and convey important lessons. The second annual CDW-G 21st-Century Classroom Report ( www.cdwg.com/21stCenturyClassroomReport ) asked 1,000 high school students, faculty and I... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Technology, technology, students, districts, classroom, education, technologies, faculty, classroom technology, digital content, technology hands, new technologies, faculty professionals

Olivia Sellke | 08/09/2011

It is no secret that technology-based careers are on the rise. A job candidate who has a strong background in electronics is a valuable commodity in today’s workplace and will be in even more demand as technology becomes absolutely essential to everything we do in our lives. Finding a technology program that feeds into a defined career can prove to be difficult. Do you know where to direct those students who want to pursue technology as a profession? A survey of seasoned Electronic Systems Technicians (ESTs), conducted by Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA), asked participants about their career and training experience and found ... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Technology, espa, technology, career, systems, students, training, education, program, electronic, industry, electronic systems, espa curriculum, technology careers, entry level, students pursue, espa certification, systems industry, pursue technolog

Vicki Cerda and Michael Williams | 08/09/2011

According to the NCREL Synthesis of New Research on K-12 Online Learning, online learning is rapidly growing, expands educational options and provides equal opportunities for all learners. But just as important, the study proves that online learning is effective and that online learning can actually improve teaching. (“On average, students seem to perform equally well or better academically in online learning.”) Read More...

Relevant Tags: Online Learning, learning, online, children, teacher, education, example, courses, online learning, subject areas, teachers learning, learning courses

Daniel R. Venables | 08/09/2011

(Adapted from “The Practice of Authentic PLCs: A Guide to Effective Teacher Teams,” Corwin Press, 2011) In the early 1980s, as a third-year teacher, I was asked to teach math in a rigorous summer program at one of the nation’s leading private schools in Connecticut. There, I was struck by many things, not the least of which was the prevalence of visits by colleagues to my classroom. Nary a day went by in which someone wasn’t observing my teaching. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Professional Development, teachers, plc, plcs, peer observations, authentic plcs, professional development, observe classes, school year, effective teacher

Juliet Marie Crowell and Cyndi Trang | 08/09/2011

Teachers will be the first to tell you how valuable professional development opportunities are to them. Many educators take advantage of the training workshops offered exclusively to teachers, in the hope of gaining new content knowledge and resources they can take back to their students. School budget cuts have substantially decreased the opportunity for teachers to attend professional development workshops. Some believe that online teacher training is a solution and a good alternative for teachers who cannot get classroom release time. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Professional Development,teachers, smithsonian, science, development, national, professional, museum, education, professional development, smithsonian institution, national museum, science resources, resources center, national science

Matt Poe | 08/09/2011

Today, many new educators and even some experienced ones are having second thoughts taking students on trips due to the potential safety and security risks associated with group travel. As the leader of a student group, safety and security is an overwhelming consideration throughout the planning stages, as well as on the trip. Advance preparation can help prevent any unpleasant experiences and ensure a smooth and productive trip for everyone involved. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Education Travel, travel, safety, student, education, educators, travel planner, group travel, student group, safety security, travel safety, risks associated

Richard Lewis | 08/09/2011

When it comes to Civil War history Virginia is unquestioned “hallowed ground.” More Civil War battles were fought in Virginia, by far, than in any other state. It follows that Virginia has a bounty of preserved and interpreted battlefields, museums, historic sites and history trails which are enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. Read More...

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CHRISTINE LEWIS | 08/09/2011

“Wow! That ancient shark must have been as big as school bus!” exclaimed an excited sixth grader as he held up a seven inch long, five million year old fossil shark tooth with serrated edges as sharp as a steak knife. On the table in front of him were the full upper and lower jaws of a modern bull shark whose teeth looked like miniatures by comparison. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Museum Destination, science, students, museum, education, virginia, programs, school, virginia living, living museum, museum programs, science virginia, science education

| 08/09/2011

Learning takes on a whole new meaning at Busch Gardens. Here, kids can discover the importance of animal preservation and conservation when they come face-to-face with a bald eagle. They can learn more about architecture and 17th century Europe as they wander through park villages, or explore foreign culture through shows like Celtic Fyre. Kids and teachers looking for a way to bring the concepts of physics to life can take a jaw-dropping ride on one of the park’s incredible roller coasters. At Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA, there is something for every youth group and school group. Read More...

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| 08/09/2011

Located conveniently along the Mid-Atlantic coast between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, Norfolk, VA is the ideal destination for action-packed and affordable, educational tours. With an abundance of outdoor activities, historical and cultural attractions, this riverside city offers exciting choices for new learning. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Field Trip Destination, norfolk, virginia, education, product, students, animals, art, historical cultural, outdoor activities, virginia zoo, trip destination

| 08/09/2011

It was 400 years ago, in September of 1611, when 350 men and boys moved west up Virginia’s James River to settle on an area of land near today’s city of Richmond. Having come from James-town, the first successful English settlement in North America, these people, under the leadership of Sir Thomas Dale, began to erect palisades near a bend in the river. This first settlement, named “Henryco” — later known as “Henricus” — was chartered by King James of England and named for his eldest son, Prince Henry. This site was originally intended to become the new capital or “principal seat of the County.” Read More...

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