From the New York Times– Great Ideas from Brilliant Teachers!
By KATHERINE SCHULTEN
Stacy BrownErin Olson, an English teacher in Iowa who is featured in our post, uses Twitter-like technology to enhance classroom discussion. Go to related 2011 article »The U.S. Department of Education has declared August Connected Educator Month, and since we’d be nothing without the teachers we’ve connected with over the years, we’re enthusiastically on board.
To celebrate, we asked every educator who has written a guest post for us, been featured in a Reader Idea, or collaborated on one of our features to answer two simple questions:
- What is one important thing you’ve learned from someone in yourPersonal Learning Network (P.L.N.), however you define that network?
- What one person, group or organization would you recommend every educator add to his or her P.L.N.?
Reading their responses, below, is a crash course in how to be a “connected educator.” By our count, together they’ve recommended more than 100 people, organizations, sites and other resources you can learn from right now, as well as shared insights on how to learn from them.
So read what they have to say, follow the links to their work both within and outside The Learning Network, and, when you’re done, tell us how you’d answer those two questions yourself. Like the connected educators we are, we’ll then share some of our favorite responses on Twitter, via@NYTimesLearning.
Update | Aug. 2: We accidentally left two people off our list, below. Pam Moran and Ira Socol have now been added (making this, technically, “Tips From 35 Educators We Admire”).
Aliza Aufrichtig | Flocabulary
1. Having participated in Twitter educator chats like #engchat and #sschat, I’m constantly impressed (and amused) by participants’ creative lesson ideas that leverage Internet culture to make curricular objectives more engaging and fun. Two such ideas that stand out: An activity that teaches code-switching by translating “LOLcats” English into Standard English, and a lesson that usesspam e-mails to teach persuasive writing.
2. Professor Hung-Hsi Wu has written extensively on how the Common Core can transform the way that students learn mathematical thinking. (According to him, it isn’t just a new name for the same old way to memorize some formulas.) When “Common Core” is said so frequently that it can sometimes feel like little more than a buzz word, Wu’s thoughtful and thorough articles on math instruction reform in the United States are inspiring — even for non-mathy folks.
Heather Barikmo | LaGuardia Community College
Reader Idea | ‘One in Eight Million’ for English Language Learners
1. Tumblr, as a whole, has been invaluable to me as an educator. The platform really lends itself to visual communication, and I believe language educators in the digital age can really benefit from bringing infographics and similar multimodal texts into their teaching.
2. I get so many ideas from ReadWriteThink.
Maggie Epstein | Primary Source
Guest Post | Teaching About Japan, One Year After the Disaster
1. Fourth-grade teacher Kathleen Morris said in her presentation at I.S.T.E. 2012, “Students are never too young to get started with blogging and global collaboration.” A great reminder that children of all ages should be given opportunities to learn about the world.
2. The Library of Congress — an amazing resource for finding high-quality primary sources to infuse classroom learning with the “real stuff” of history.
Grant Faulkner | Office of Letters and Light
Why I Write: A Celebration of the National Day on Writing
1. In discussing the current trend of gamification in education and its pros and cons, Paul Oh made the astute point that the best teachers have always made learning into a game, a pursuit and rewarded levels of mastery, so technology is merely mirroring and riffing on an age-old best practice.
2. I’ve recently become quite taken by Annie Murphy Paul, a science writer who writes about “the science of smart” for publications such as Time, Psychology Today and Mind Shift, and is coming out with a book called “Brilliant” in 2014. She provides insightful takes on the latest neuroscience or education trends and research and communicates them in a way that I can easily peruse on Facebook, Twitter and her blog.
Larry Ferlazzo | Luther Burbank High School
Ideas for English Language Learners series
1. I learned about an incredible lesson of having students create “What if?” projects that examine what would have happened in history if one event had been changed. Thanks to Carla Federman and Diana Laufenberg for their great ideas and willingness to share examples.
2. John Norton at Middleweb shares great resources for all grade levels and is one of the nicest and most helpful people in the education part of the social media world.
Kristin Gecan | Poetry Foundation
1. I find myself bobbing somewhere in the vast sea of media and pop culture every day, not sure which way it is to shore or where to drop anchor, but there’s at least one person writing about pop culture, reminding us about the culture part — and reminding us that it’s our culture. I make a point to read everything Roxane Gay writes, including, most recently, her thoughts on“Three Coming Out Stories,” Daniel Tosh’s rape joke, and one of my favorites, her ideas on what it means to be strong, by way of “The Hunger Games.”
2. Open Culture is a great site to add to your RSS or Twitter feed — the site mines the Internet for uniquely delicious pieces of our cultural past and present, offering up everything from a video of Monet at work in Giverny, toStephen Fry reading Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 on a new iPad app, to a flash mob celebrating Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”
James Paul Gee | Arizona State University
Answers to Questions About Video Games and Learning
1. One of the most important things I learned was the power of video games as learning engines after I lost all my hair learning to learn to play them as an “old man.” I learned both of things from my then 6-year-old son, Sam (now 17). He and other young people are crucial to my learning network and are often my teachers; culture changes so quickly today that it is impossible for us old people to be experts all by ourselves.
2. Our society is a highly unequal, evidence-denying mess. It is pointless to reform schools without also reforming society, so I think everyone’s learning network should include both good people on learning and good people on society. Lately, I have learned a lot from Christopher Hayes and his important book, “Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy.”
Sarah Gross | High Technology High School
Guest Blog | ‘Taking a Dip in the Nonfiction Pool’
1. I have learned that professional development doesn’t have to take place between four walls. I can talk to first-year composition teachers about what they expect my high schoolers to know when they arrive at college, or to other high school teachers about the books that get their students excited about reading. My Twitter P.L.N. lets me connect with experts like Carol Jago andDonalyn Miller, and I can also share ideas with fabulous teachers like Paul Hankins and Jen Ansbach.
2. #engchat is a weekly Twitter chat that brings together a network of English teachers. Hosted by a different person each week, topics have included reading workshop in secondary classrooms, digital writing workshop, creating cross-curricular projects, the Common Core Standards and performance pedagogy. Hosts have included Kelly Gallagher, Donalyn Miller, Paul Hankins, Carol Jago and many authors. Each week I learn something new, and I always expand my P.L.N.
Vlad Gutkovich | Flocabulary
1. All the technology, software, tools and other “innovations” out there don’t go very far unless they’re implemented with dedication by hard-working, passionate teachers in supportive environments.
2. Audrey Watters and her blog represent an excellent, well-written and often amusing source for the latest ed tech news, from a die-hard skeptic of hype, fads and easy fixes.
Rey Junco | Lock Haven University
Q. and A. | How Facebook Use Correlates With Student Outcomes
1. My network has been a fantastic support in my career development. Those in my network have supported my work and helped answer my questions. One of my favorite things has been finding others researching similar topics and then collaborating with them on a mutual research question. One specific example was when my P.L.N. spread the word that I was looking for graphic designers to help me create infographics based on my research. Ed Cabellonsaw this and connected me with a graphic designer who created an infographic about my paper examining the links between Facebook use and student engagement.
2. The Youth and Media lab at the Berkman Center for Internet & Societyshares information about how youth use digital media.
Jessica Lahey | Crossroads Academy
Test Yourself Critical Thinking Questions
1. The Latinteach Listserv has been invaluable to me in these early years of my education as a Latin teacher. I’ve been teaching English for a long while now, and have plenty of friends and colleagues to rely on for advice, but as Latin teachers are not exactly thick on the ground, I’ve had to go virtual in order to find advice.
2. Good ol’ PBS Teachers has rescued, inspired and educated me more times than I can count.
Diana Laufenberg | Science Leadership Academy
Teaching With Infographics | A Student Project Model
1. I leaned heavily on the sage advice of master teacher, Luann Lee, when I was applying for National Board Certification, even though I was in Pennsylvania and she was in Oregon. Without her encouragement, advice and guidance, I do not think I would have successfully achieved that goal.
2. #sschat has been an integral part of my professional learning, and I would highly recommend locating a Twitter chat that relates to your professional learning. Sharing and reflecting with a wide range of professionals is a fantastic. One of my faves in the world of social studies is Meredith Stewart.
Elana Leoni | Edutopia
Join the Conversation About Summer Reading
1. Where would I even be without my P.L.N.? I asked myself that question recently when I realized how it has dramatically changed me. I now have experts around the world that I can turn to in times of need and friends that can support and inspire me daily.
2. Honestly, you can’t recommend just one person to follow on Twitter — there’s just too many great people and organizations to follow! Here’s a list of educational-focused organizations that share great resources, and follow this list of Edutopia bloggers if you want daily inspiration and fantastic education-focused resources.
Shelly McAninch | Saint Jo High School
Reader Idea | ‘Current Events Friday’ Brings the World to a Texas Town
1. My P.L.N. helped me to realize that I did not need to reinvent the wheel, but learn how to use technology, including social media, to help me improve my wheel and what works best for my student’s needs.
2. Pinterest. As silly as it sounds, Pinterest is full of great ideas from educators around the globe. Teachers are known for “begging, borrowing and stealing,” and Pinterest is a great place to start, especially for new teachers or those stuck in a rut who need fresh ideas.
Stephanie L. Meyer | Wisconsin Public Schools
Reflections on the Third Annual Found Poem Contest
1. One thing I’ve learned from the authors of novels that I’ve taught, including Laila Lalami (“Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits”), Sarah McCoy (“The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico”) and Brando Skyhorse (“The Madonnas of Echo Park”) is that they really do want to hear high school students’ reactions to and questions about their books. They will usually write the students back whether by snail mail or e-mail.
2. All educators should be familiar with Toondoo.com, a Web site that allows students to create comic strips. I usually assign students different scenes from a particular book, print the scenes out and have the kids try to put them in chronological order, among other things.
Mark Moran | FindingDulcinea
1. In a conference session, Eric Sheninger made a simple, yet insightful, declaration: When we put the interests of our students first, then the answers to our most vexing questions about education become clear. Politicians, school administrators, teachers and parents should hold this truth to be self-evident.
2. It’s been humbling and exhilarating to learn that a well-developed P.L.N. is far more astute than any of us, and my P.L.N. helps shape everything I say, write and create. One of the most valuable members of my network isShannon Miller, who has a peerless ability to connect members of her vast network for their mutual benefit.
Pam Moran | Albemarle County Public Schools
1. After following @colonelb on Twitter two years ago, I invited Dave Britten, Michigan superintendent, to Skype into my Virginia district’s Leadership Gathering to share why and how his staff had implemented a Bring Your Own Device for learning model. He helped our principals consider why and how to implement B.Y.O.D., and last winter I observed the results of our connected community work: a teenager kicked back on a sofa in a high school library “e-reading” on her own personal device.
2. Mike Thornton, elementary teacher, facilitates children in his class to teach educators around the world, communicating as a connected community through Twitter, Skype, and Webinar sessions. He teaches using all the principles of a choice-based classroom: a space where children help set up class; rearrange learning spaces as needed; and construct and share their own learning resources as they learn together and individually.
Paul Oh | National Writing Project
1. My Twitter P.L.N. has given me insight into the local: why BART is running late, for instance; the national: what digital composing looks like in schools around the country; and the global: following Andy Carvin’s tweets and retweets from the Middle East. And those are just a small slice.
2. If I had to pick just one follow, I would say Bud Hunt is the person. Bud has been at the epicenter of my own infatuation with social media and is someone who is as likely to tweet about operating systems as about poetry or his daughter’s first day of kindergarten.
Jonathan Olsen | High Technology High School
Guest Blog: ‘Taking a Dip in the Nonfiction Pool’
1. This 2008 article by Nicholas Carr from The Atlantic, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” motivated me to restructure my classroom around longer reading assignments, sustained topical discussions and in-class writing assignments. Carr’s recent book, “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains,” is also required reading for anyone interested in technology and its impact on education.
2. The Khan Academy, and flipped classrooms in general, are both something that should be included in every course of study.
Erin Olson | Sioux Central High School
Three Teachers’ Answers to Questions on Classroom Microblogging
1. Stacy Brown, friend and fellow teacher, convinced me to enter Twitter. I was skeptical. Shaelynn Farnsworth through social media, guided me through student blogging. Angela Maiers challenged my understanding of digital footprint and reinforced the importance of students understanding and owning their digital footprint. I share, “Just as you are what you eat, you are what you tweet!” Twitter denies the confines of time, place and space. I am challenged, supported, questioned and answered.
2. There are too many people to name just one. I have found the chats to be helpful in my Twitter journey whether I am lurking or contributing. Twitter is meaningful and powerful professional development filled with passionate educators sharing and continuing their learning. A few of my favorite hashtags: #sschat #edchat #engchat #iaedfuture #choose2matter #ntchat
Nihal Parthasarathi | Course Horse
Reader Idea: Developing Critical Thinking and Writing Skills for Test Prep
1. Had a great conversation with one of our mentors, Harold Levy, former chancellor of N.Y.C. Schools, where he made the point that every country with a stellar educational system started with two things: a long-term (20 year) perspective with regards to education transformation, and a focus on empowering educators with tools, resources, support and respect.
2. I’ve been tremendously impressed by the ongoing transformation of theNew York Public Library, particularly by their recent push to innovate and discover the future of the library; also a huge fan of the incredible number of free classes they offer!
Nicholas Provenzano | Grosse Pointe South High School
Three Teachers’ Answers to Questions on Classroom Microblogging
1. I learned that expert opinions are not only found in books. My P.L.N. is filled with experts in the field that teach me something valuable daily.
2. Kelly Tenkely and Shelly Terrell are two of the hardest-working people in education, and they are also among the most supportive. They helped me when I was just starting my P.L.N., and I know they have done the same for many more. A P.L.N. is not complete without these two amazing educators.
Alex Rappaport | Flocabulary
1. At a recent event, I heard 2009 California Teacher of the Year (and educational rap enthusiast) Alex Kajitani talk about how educators need to feel more comfortable talking about race and other difficult subjects in the classroom. While we adults might live in a P.C. world, students grapple with these issues every day, and it’s important to guide and facilitate meaningful discussions – not run and hide – when tricky topics arise.
2. Just have to list two! The Edible Schoolyard from Alice Waters and 826 National from Dave Eggers and friends.
Meenoo Rami | Science Leadership Academy
Teachers Teaching Teachers, on Twitter: Q. and A. on ‘Edchats’
1. One specific idea that I plan on trying out in September is engaging students in seat-selection activities that set a positive collaborative tone for the class. Thank you to Sandy Merz for sharing this great tip.
2. Carol Jago on Twitter. She shares great recommendations for books, teaching tips and wider perspective on literacy instruction.
Carolyn Ross | Hightstown High School
Reader Idea: Personal Inquiry Projects With The Learning Network
1. My first year as a high school English teacher, I had a colleague who encouraged me to consider daily dilemmas and stressors through a simple lens: “Is this the hill you want to die on?” I owe my propensity to pick my battles (with students, colleagues, administrators and my inner demons) to this mantra.
2. The newest addition to my Google Reader is the NCLE SmartBrief. Twice a week, NCLE compiles an education brief: news stories, resources, blog posts I would otherwise have missed and fresh teaching ideas (like using e-mail spam to teach persuasive writing). For further resources from the NCLE, visitliteracyinlearningexchange.org
Leslie Ryan | Leslie Street Language School
Reader Idea: English Language Learners Discuss Love and Happiness
1. As a T.E.F.L. teacher in Europe, I appreciate Scott Thornbury’s blog called An A-Z of ELT. Scott is a professor at the New School and held in high regard. His forum is followed by thousands, and they enrich the forum with their input.
2. I rely on too many people and pages to mention here, but I will give a shout-out to Macmillan Education apps, a company whose books are consistent with my style of guided discovery methods.
Ira Socol | Educology Partners
1. When I began to use Twitter to connect with educators, the combination of reducing ideas down to a telegraphic 140 characters and the worldwide reach made for too much conflict — more heat than light. A few early followers, who agreed or disagreed — @endaguinan, @paulawhite, @csratliff, @lasic — helped me learn to engage effectively, reminding me that the rules of human engagement don’t really change just because the technology does.
2. Melissa Techman, whom I met in my work with school librarians, was an educator ready for radical change but in need of a shove off the edge of the “its always been this way” cliff. Since then her elementary school library has been transformed – without high costs — into a “Learning Commons” at the conceptual center of the school — a self-directed, interactive, “maker space” breaking all of the boundaries, and she has been transformed into the one who pushes others.
Georgia Scurletis | Visual Thesaurus and Vocabulary.com
1. I learned from Heidi Hayes Jacobs’s book, “Active Literacy Across the Curriculum,” the idea that English teachers should take cues from foreign language teachers when it comes to teaching vocabulary in a more “active way.” A quote from the book: “Think of how absurd it would be if Mr. Mendez said: ‘Watch me. Listen to me speak Spanish, but don’t say anything out loud.’”
2. One resource I couldn’t live without is OneLook.com. OneLook helps word nerds like myself look up a word in a bunch of dictionaries at the same time. And I can always manage to learn something new about words when I visitSusan Ebbers’s Vocabulogic blog.
Jinnie Spiegler | TeachableMoment.org
Guest Post | 10 Ways to Talk to Students About Sensitive Issues in the News
1. I learned how social media can bring about social change. The revolution in Egypt, delay of the SOPA/PIPA anti-piracy legislation, Susan Komen Foundation reversing their stance on Planned Parenthood, national attention of the Trayvon Martin case, and spreading of the opposition to high-stakes testing all used this powerful tool to connect us to one another in order to literally change the world.
2. Everyone should add Peter DeWitt to their P.L.N. Peter is a regular blogger at Education Week’s Finding Common Ground, a smart and thoughtful school leader who participates in and promotes social media, and an advocate for social and emotional learning in the schools.
Shelly Terrell | Teacher Reboot Camp
Teachers Teaching Teachers, on Twitter: Q. and A. on ‘Edchats’
1. Ruth Cohenson once tweeted during an #edchat, “The power we have through networking is humbling, frightening and exciting. Use it well.” I keep that in mind as I share resources, ideas and links. I want to make sure my P.L.N. is enriched by my resources. I also hope they will be inspired to question, explore and implement some ideas along their continuous journey as life-long learners.
2. Just following the #edchat Twitter stream will highlight great educators to follow and is filled daily with so many great resources. There is also a wiki page of all the transcripts full of thousands of resources, tips and ideas.
Samantha Western | Livingston High School
Reader Idea | From 19th-Century Factories to 21st-Century Sweatshops
1. This year, one of the teacher assignments at the school where I teach was to join or create a “P.L.N.” At first I was unsure about the idea — just what was a personal learning network? The more I learned about the idea, the more freeing the concept became. A personal learning network can be anything and because of technological advancements include anyone!
2. A resource that every teacher should have in his or her personal learning network is BetterLesson. This wonderful resource was started by teachers from Atlanta and Boston and has grown to include lessons from teachers all over the country. Teachers can also share lesson plans for feedback and gain multiple perspectives on their subject matter. It is a vital part of my P.L.N.!
Kate Weber | Exira Elementary School
Three Teachers’ Answers to Questions on Classroom Microblogging
1. I’ve learned that social media is more powerful and educational than anyone can imagine. Using it as a way to connect with other teachers is invaluable! My P.L.N. has given me multiple ways for students to use social media to expand their thinking and comprehension in a dynamic way, i.e. blogging,backchanneling, virtual bookshelves, etc.
2. Twitter hashtag #4thchat has given me some fabulous ideas to use in the classroom; I would encourage anyone to follow the Twitter hashtag aligned with their grade level/content area, i.e. #3rdchat, #5thchat, #mschat and#daily5. Also, Pinterest is a favorite of mine to find creative new ideas for the classroom and teaching. Educators from all over the world are pinning and sharing some amazing things!
Grace White | Eisenhower Middle School
Open Note to Student Commenters and Your Teachers: Thank You!
1. Our insightful staff developer, Gravity Goldberg, has changed my teaching life for the better. She thinks alongside teachers, guiding our P.L.N. to create learning spaces where students are comfortable making choices about their work, making mistakes and learning by doing.
2. Hmmmm… Twitter? I was hesitant — maybe even resistant to the idea, until my now favorite tweep, Chris Iasiello, energized our district by his example, sharing its potential for colleagues to learn from one another (@richkuder,@fuller0727, @stephenraimo, @patjlee, @loriebz). And, for the first time this fall, new teachers will have a Twitter handle as part of their mentorship.
Esther Wojcicki | Palo Alto High School
Student Journalism | Three Benefits of Newspaper Programs
1. One specific thing I have learned: no matter how much professional development teachers get, there will be no change unless it is followed up by coaching. Teachers need support.
2. One person or organization you’d recommend: Google Education is the most helpful site of all on the web.
Ben Zimmer | Visual Thesaurus and Vocabulary.com
1. Working on the Visual Thesaurus and Vocabulary.com, I’m glad to sit across from an old hand at the education game, our curriculum developer Georgia Scurletis. For instance, when I was ruminating on the origins of the adjective meta, Georgia helpfully pointed out that educators have been “going meta”(that is, “metacognitive”) for quite a long time. I’d also like to thank my son Blake, who has just turned 6, for encouraging me to think more seriously about questions of language acquisition, like how we learn language in chunks.
2. For my writing about the history of words and phrases, I would be completely lost without the online Oxford English Dictionary. The cost for an individual subscription might be prohibitive, but if you’re affiliated with a university — or even if you have a membership in a public library — you may very well have free access without even realizing it. Its recent incorporation of a historical thesaurus makes it even more valuable: how else would I learn that early 17th-century terms for a contemptible person include wormling and shag-rag?
Inspired? Now answer the same two questions yourself, and post your responses below. We’ll share our favorites from @NYTimesLearning on Twitter.