Category Archives: author

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The Very Best Student Learning Experience, and Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is one of my favorite actors. He may not be your’s and that’s okay, but to me he really seems to go out of his way to make a great experience for everyone that sees his movies. He said as much in a recent public service announcement about viewing movies on a smart TV and the problem of video interpolation, which is when the TV smoothing out the picture, which actually degrades high definition action movies. You can watch him talk about it here in this PSA if you are interested, but the focus is on his closing words, though, “…on behalf of everyone who works so hard to bring you the very best motion picture experience.”

Boom! That’s really it, isn’t it? That is what we should be focused on doing in education. Our goal is to create the very best student learning experience possible for everyone. We are a team working together on a common goal, from our janitorial staff preparing the school for the day, to the bus driver picking the students up, to the administration greeting students at the doors, to the teachers welcoming them to class, to the cafeteria workers making sure they get a great meal, and every experience in their day, including the work we send home for them to complete. All of it… every single piece should be about creating the best learning experience possible.

What would the result be? I imagine students just couldn’t wait to get to school. They would love their classes, build self esteem, learn, make lasting friendships, and become life-long learners that love to read and give back to their community.

Making a movie takes a lot of work. There is a lot of editing. When you see the credits roll for literally minutes you may be surprised on just how many people there are to thank for making that movie possible. The same is true in education.

The PSA linked above shows Tom apologizing for how smart televisions have a feature that needs turned off in order to enjoy his latest movie. The feature gets in the way of the magic of the movie. As educators, let’s focus on that “best experience” and turn off some of the features that get in the way.

Thanks for all you do in education. You are awesome!

~Kelly
Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 115 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 
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Resolutions I Want Every Educator to Make in 2019

Educators are my favorite species. They not only work incredibly hard all hours of the day to make an impact in the lives of those they teach, they are also constantly working to improve themselves as well.

Each year I taught, I wanted to make my classroom, lessons, and engagement better. I was always trying to level-up. I still am. I made resolutions each school year and again at the start of the new year. I love those imaginary reset buttons! I shared my resolutions each year with my students and hung them on the classroom wall. Why? Because I knew my students would hold me accountable. And boy did they! I didn’t hit them all, but I hit more than I would have if I didn’t share them.

Which of the following resolutions are you nailing? Scared of? Challenged by?

Here are 19 resolutions I believe every educator should make:

  1. Help to Build a Positive School Culture: Your words and actions contribute to the culture of your building and school district. You are a leader and influencer even if you don’t think you are. You are. Are your words and actions improving the culture of your school district? Are you waiting for someone else to fix the problems? Are you better at pointing out the problems or leading solutions?
  2. Make Your Class Open 24 Hours a Day from Anywhere in the World: Turn your class in to a 7-Eleven. Use Google Classroom or other Learning Management Systems to help students who are absent, traveling, or need to see things for a second or third time. Kids can learn anytime from anywhere. They can even do work on snow days.
  3. Build a New Community in Your School: Look at the students in your school. Which groups of students don’t have a place to share their talents and feel like a contributor? Find them and build that community. You don’t need to be the expert. Just identify what is missing, talk to your administrator, throw a poster on the wall, make an announcement and get going. Maybe it is a group of video gamers, lego builders, robot drivers, or a book or food club. Ask your students and help them feel a contributor to their school.
  4. Add a Portion of Challenge Based Learning to Your Year: Call it what you want, Project Based Learning, SOLE, Problem Based Learning or CBL, but add a little to your school year. Students need to be making and thinking and collaborating and solving. Check out startSOLE or Apple’s Challenge Based Learning: A Classroom Guide. You don’t need to change everything, just add a little. It goes a long way. You will love it, and it is the future.
  5. Collaborate with Your Colleagues to Build Dynamic Lessons and Units: Work with the other teachers in your building to collaborate on lesson plans to increase engagement and design interdisciplinary thematic units. It’s fun for you and the students. The most memorable lessons I ever experienced were working with my colleagues. You can even plan remotely using PlanBook.com, Apple Numbers or Google Sheets.
  6. Take Less Home: Living in constant overwhelm and frustration is not normal nor admirable. Everyone is busy. Teaching is fun and noble. It’s time to get efficient, take less home, and have more pride and joy being a teacher. Design a curriculum plan for your class and change just a small percentage each year rather than constantly trying to redo everything. Take less work home. Really. What are you taking home anyway? What are you trying to assess and measure?Try to do more in class with the students in the form of labs, workshops, presentations and SOLE projects and less 19th century grading of tests and quizzes.
  7. Rethink Homework: “But students need the practice!” Really? I’m not telling you not to give homework, but I am asking you to rethink what you are sending home. Check out the book Ditch That Homework by Alice Keeler and Matt Miller for ideas. Talk with fellow teachers and admins. Rethink homework. Please.
  8. Transform the Use of Technology in Your Classroom: Technology does not need to be used the majority of the time. What a misconception, but when it is used, it should be sued to create content, and only briefly to consume. Examine how you are using tech in your classroom. Offer your students amazing ways to create and publish what they know. Create digital textbooks, videos, presentations, animations, and more! Get going. If your students are mostly on websites clicking answers, well… you’re using it poorly. Try the book 50 Things You Can Do with Google Classroom.
  9. Share Your Story: Take all of the great things you and your students are doing and share them with the world on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, a blog, YouTube or write a book. Everyone benefits. Start this, this year!
  10. Attend a Conference: It is always awesome to get out of your classroom and learn something new, get inspired, and apply it. I recommend returning and giving a presentation to your building and maybe even your board. If you don’t return and apply it, then maybe you should let someone else go in your place. Apply.
  11. Apply to Speak at a Conference: Share what you know! Don’t have anything special enough to share? Then it’s time to level-up and get after it. I’m serious.
  12. Nominate a Colleague: Yes, find someone in your district you admire and nominate them for some recognition. Why? Because they deserve it, and when one educator is looked upon positively, all educators are looked upon positively.
  13. Collaborate with a Colleague: Open the door to your classroom both figuratively and literally and find ways to collaborate with other teachers. I suggest creating an interdisciplinary thematic unit with a culminating activity with other teachers at your grade level. It’s fun, memorable, and good for students.
  14. Lead: Rather than complain about something you don’t like, create a solution and begin implementing it. That’s called leading. We are all educational leaders. Need help? Read my book Along Came a Leader, or one of my favorites, Start. Right. Now.
  15. Start a YouTube Channel for Your Classroom: Hey, it’s all about video. I found myself watching someone cook a fish dinner the other day on Facebook. I watched the whole thing. I don’t like to cook, and I hate fish. My point is… video done well can be engaging, and your class could be open to students 24/7. Do this now.
  16. Get Connected with Other Educators: Build Your Personal Learning Network (PLN) either online by using Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or reach out to educators in your building, district, or state. Share what you know. Learn from them. Show other educators how to do this.
  17. Publish Student Work: Find unique and powerful ways to share and publish the work your students do in your classroom. Give them authentic audiences and genuine purposes to create. Build a website, start a podcast, host a “fair”, publish them on a blog, YouTube, or SeeSaw. Have them create digital books as published authors using Book Creator or Apple’s Pages. Publish their work.
  18. Contact Every Family You Teach: Seriously, forget the email. Pick up the phone or send a postcard home to every family you teach. Find something positive to say about every student and offer them a personal challenge in your class. Let them know you care about them. When you do have to contact home for something less than positive it will be easier because you have already talked with them about something positive.
  19. Read an Educational Book: There are so many great educational books out there that will change your career. Grab one and see what a difference it makes. Looking for suggestions? Try Teach Like a Pirate, Lead Like a Pirate, or Empower. Also check out my podcast for links to fantastic educational books. How about my book, Along Came a Leader? It will challenge you in many ways.

Bonus: Subscribe and listen to an educational podcast. Here is a great list from Monica Burns the creator of Class Tech Tips. >>> Click here for Monica’s list. <<<

What did I miss? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 115 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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25+ Podcast Interviews of Dave Burgess Consulting Authors and Speakers

Listen to 25 individual interviews with Dave Burgess Consulting Educational Authors

Dave and Shelley Burgess are the co-owners of Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc., which specializes in transforming education through dynamic professional development programs and the publishing of books that have sparked an educational revolution all over the world.

Here it is! Twenty-Five podcast interviews with DBC authors on one page! Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. has disrupted the educational publishing market and redefined what it means to be an educational author. Dave has assembled a collection of passionate, innovative and caring educators on a variety of cutting-edge pedagogies that truly distill what I believe being a wired educator is all about: leveling-up as an educator and making a difference in the lives of students.

I am proud to have interviewed twenty-five educational authors from Dave Burgess Consulting, including the legend himself, Dave Burgess. My hope, plan, and goal is to interview them all.

These are amazing interviews. Each interview is typically around 45 minutes in length, and we go into fun but deep discussions on every educational topic imaginable.

I hope you will listen to them all. These were fun to record. This is close to 25 hours of recored audio below. If you like what you hear, I encourage you to check out the show notes, or purchase their book and go even deeper.

You can Learn more about Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. by listening to Dave’s podcast interview and Shelley’s podcast interview below, or by visiting their website DaveBurgessConsulting.com.

Enjoy!

Kelly

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In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly interviews: Jeffrey Zoul

Click here to order your copy of the educational book: Stop Right Now by Jeffrey Zoul and Jimmy Casas

Here’s the interview with: Jeffery Zoul

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In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly interviews: Julie Hasson

Click here to order your copy of the educational book: Unmapped Potential: An Educator’s Guide to Lasting Change by Julie Hasson & Missy Lennard

Here’s the interview with: Julie Hasson

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In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly interviews: Paul Solarz

Click here to order your copy of the educational book: Learn Like a Pirate: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Learn and Succeed by Paul Solarz.

Here’s the interview with: Paul Solarz

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In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly interviews: Rich Czyz

Click here to order your copy of the educational book: The Four O’Clock Faculty: A Rogue Guide to Revolutionize Professional Development by Rich Czyz

Here’s the interview with: Rich Czyz

Here is the link to my blog post and show notes with Rich.

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The Worst Teaching Advice I Ever Received, and The Best Advice I Can Give a New Teacher

My first year of teaching was 1991. I was fresh out of college and excited to make a difference in the lives of students.

I may have not known a lot about teaching that first year, but I did have a couple of things going for me: I was extremely passionate about being a teacher, and I knew bad advice when I heard it.

I remember being told by a veteran teacher, “Don’t let them see you smile until after Christmas.”

I know the intention was meant well and to be helpful. Apparently this was to help me with my classroom management. The teacher cautioned me about “having fun” in class with the students. Whoa!

I looked really young and there really wasn’t much of an age difference with the students, and the teacher thought if I was tough in the class the students would behave.

Luckily, I knew this wasn’t going to work for me. I liked to have fun and wanted the students to like my class. Through conversations, journal entries, writing assignments, and even surveys, I learned the interests of my students and created a good rapport with the kids. They liked coming to my class, and I believe because they liked the class, they worked hard, had some fun, and learned a lot.

I had a lot to learn as a teacher, but ‘not smiling’ to Christmas was really bad advice for me that I’m glad I did not follow.

More often than not, I found that my students mirrored my attitude in my class. How I acted in the classroom really set the tone for most of the class. My smiles were most often mirrored by smiles. If I was excited with a lesson, so seemingly was the majority of my class. My attitude was seemingly contagious.

Not only was ‘not smiling until Christmas’ bad advice, I believe smiling is probably one of the best things a teacher can do:

  • Smiling can improve attendance. Smiling welcomes student to the building, your classroom, and to the day.
  • Smiling can increase participation. “I can trust this teacher. This teacher is kind and nonjudgmental.
  • Smiling can improve performance. I like this class; I want to work hard in here.
  • Smiling makes you a better teacher. Smiling is the first step to being a kind teacher, and if you can be nothing else as a teacher, be kind. Being kind is the most important quality a teacher can possess.
  • Smiling can reduce discipline problems. Smiling is contagious and sets the tone for a positive learning environment. Smiling in times of discipline says, “this is not personal; these are simply the rules we must follow.”
  • Smiling can increase rapport and engagement.
  • Smiling has many health benefits including reducing stress and anxiety.
  • Smiling builds self esteem. 

I have received a lot of recognition for my work as a teacher, and I am thankful for that, but the most meaningful measure of my work is when I reconnect with a former student and they thank me for my kindness in how I worked with them. That is what I am most proud.

The best advice I can offer any educator is: be kind. Be kind to your students, your colleagues, your administrators, and to yourself. Your smile, attitude and kindness is contagious and a gift to all. And… they’re free.

Wishing all listeners of the Wired Educator Podcast and readers of the Wired Educator Blog, Happy Holidays.

Kelly

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Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 115 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

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WEP 118: STOP. RIGHT. NOW. An interview with Dr. Jeffrey Zoul

An Interview with the co-author of STOP. RIGHT. NOW.

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview the author of the the hot, new educational book titled STOP. RIGHT. NOW, co authored with Jimmy Casas. This is an amazing interview on many levels, but I love our discussion on coaching teachers and educational leaders. You are going to love it, as Jeff is brilliant.

Dr. Jeffrey Zoul is a lifelong teacher, learner, and leader. During Jeff’s distinguished career in education he has served in a variety of roles, most recently as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Deerfield Public Schools District 109 in Deerfield, Illinois. Jeff also served as a teacher and coach in the State of Georgia for many years before moving into school administration. Zoul has taught graduate courses at the university level in the areas of assessment, research, and program evaluation. He is the author/co-author of many books, including: What Connected Educators Do Differently,​ ​Start. Right. Now. – Teach and Lead for Excellence,​ ​Improving Your School One Week at a Time​, and ​Leading Professional Learning: Tools to Connect and Empower Teachers​. Jeff has earned several degrees, including his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts and his doctoral degree from the University of Alabama. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys running and has completed over a dozen marathons. ​​You can follow Jeff’s blog at ​jeffreyzoul@blogspot.com​ or connect with him on Twitter ​@jeff_zoul

Mentioned in this episode:

Planbook.com: The best way to design and organize your lesson plans. Planbook is the sponsor for this episode, and I love this amazing tool they have made for educators.

Jeff’s new book: STOP. RIGHT NOW: 39 Stops to Making Schools Better by Jeffrey Zoul and Jimmy Casas.

Jeff’s blog: http://jeffreyzoul.blogspot.com

Books written by Jeff:

Jeff’s favorite book: The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.

Jeff’s second favorite book: The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

Jeff’s favorite app: Voxer

Join my Future Focused Team on Facebook. This is closed group, limited to a small number of people who want to improve as leaders and design a dynamic life. I hope to see you inside this group to connect. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.

Join the launch team of my new book: Unthink Before Bed. This is an illustrated children’s book (and for adults who love children’s book) focused on how simple yet powerful actions to apply mindfulness to eliminate anxiety and get to sleep. This launch team will access that no one else has and will offer advice on the final stages of publication, and help promote the book on social media. Thanks for considering. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.

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Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 115 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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WEP 117: Metacognition & Instruction, an Interview with Dr. Matthew Stoltzfus from The Ohio State University

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly interviews Dr. Matthew W. Stoltzfus, a professor of Chemistry at The Ohio State University.  Matthew and Kelly talk about a wide range of topics including: metacognition and instruction, the Digital Flagship Initiative at OSU, the importance of students learning how to use a textbook, higher standards, culture, Focus 3, helping students become elite, the silo effect, and so much more! You are going to love it. This is a great interview. 

Matthew W. Stoltzfus, or “Dr. Fus” to his students, is an accomplished chemistry Lecturer at The Ohio State University, where he teaches large lecture sections of general chemistry. His flipped classroom approach, which has evolved over the years to focus on peer instruction, has been featured on ESPN and NPR mainly due to his iTunesU General Chemistry course, which has an enrollment of over 210,000 students.

He is also a contributing author to the “Chemistry the Central Science” textbook, is a recent recipient of The Ohio State University Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer and is an Apple Distinguished Educator (Class of 2013). Follow him on Twitter: @Dr_Fus

Mentioned in this episode: 

Matt’s favorite books:

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Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 115 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

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WEP 115: Future Ready, An Interview with Tom Murray

Tom Murray has served in education as a teacher, a principal, a technology director, and now a leader in educational thinking and transformation as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools.

In this episode Tom and Kelly talk about: Are You Future Ready, Transforming Your School, Good Technology Use, Equity, Compliance, Finances, Redesigning the Learning Experience, Return on Instruction, and so much more with a passion and focus on education that will leave you inspired and ready to take action. This episode is dynamic.

Tom Murray serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools, a Project of the Alliance for Excellent Education, located in Washington, D.C. He has testified before the United States Congress and has worked alongside that body and the US Senate, the White House, the US Department of Education and state departments of education, corporations, and school districts throughout the country to implement student-centered, personalized learning while helping to lead Future Ready Schools and Digital Learning Day.

Murray serves as a regular conference keynote, was named the “2017 Education Thought Leader of the Year,” one of “20 to Watch” by NSBA, the “Education Policy Person of the Year” by the Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2015. His best selling book, Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow’s Schools, Today, was published by ASCD in 2017. Connect with him on Twitter @thomascmurray or visit his website: www.thomascmurray.com. 

Tom’s book. (Affiliate Link)


Mentioned in this podcast:

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 115 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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WEP 112: Everyone Can Create Podcasts

My ADE Worldwide Institute #EveryoneCanCreate Project 2018

This episode of the Wired Educator Podcast is my ADE Worldwide Institute #EveryoneCanCreate Project 2018.

A podcast teaching you how to podcast.

I want to show the world that everyone can create podcasts.

I will provide you with the WHY of Podcasting and HOW to do it.

Podcasting is the most personal and intimate form of social media. It lends itself well to multi-tasking. It is essentially just growing your classroom a little bigger and gives you to make the world your classroom.

I will show you the tools you need and how to start making your first podcast today!

Mentioned in this podcast: 

  • The microphone you need: I use the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone; it is only$69.
  • Anchor App for iOS devices to record podcasts on your iPhone and iPad. The easiest way to make a podcast. www.anchor.fm
  • Martin Coutts, a Scottish ADE’s ibook: Podcasting: A Quick Guide. A free iBook on how to create a podcast with an iOS device.
  • GarageBand: a free app for iOS devices and Macs to record podcasts.
  • Skype: a video conferencing tool that is great for recording interviews over the internet.
  • Ecamm Call Recorder App: An app that works with Skype to record Skype interviews.
  • Auphonic: a web-based service that levels the sound of your podcast and boosts the volume. $5 a month
  • Libsyn: The pioneer of podcasting that allows you to host your podcast for $5 a month.
  • Dave Burgess Consulting Books.
  • Learn Like a Pirate audio book: written by Paul Solarz and ready by Kelly Croy.
  • Start. Right. Now audio book: written by Todd Whitaker, Jeffrey Zoul, and Jimmy Casas and read by Kelly Croy.

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Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email.

Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe.
Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 106 episodes of interviews and professional development.
Visit the Wired Educator blog at www.WiredEducator.com
Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com
Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. 
Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.   •   Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.   •   Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 
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WEP 107: If I Were a Wizard, An Interview with Paul Hamilton

Paul is the Head of Learning Technologies (Primary) at Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. He is a leader and innovator in the Edtech world, renowned for his work in AR, AI and iBeacon technology. Paul is a best selling Children’s Picture Book Author, App Developer and sought after Keynote Speaker. Paul is the Author of the best selling children’s book, “If I Were a Wizard…”

Paul has been featured in ‘The Age, ‘Sydney Morning Herald’​, ‘Canberra Times’​ as a leading pioneer in the edtech field. He is the visionary of the EduBeacons App – One of the first creators/users of iBeacon technology in the Educational field in the World. Paul is the creator of “Edtech Synchronicity”​, a reflection framework for integrating tech in education. He says, “Teaching is in my blood. Transforming education through innovation is at the heart of what I do. Helping others make a connection, is what I love.” He is also the author of ‘iPad Monthly.’ Paul is also a member of the Canva Education Advisory Board, Explain Everything Advisory Boar, and a Book Creator Ambassador, an Apple Distinguished Educator, 2013 Finalist, International EdTech Digest Awards Recognition Program honoring tools, trendsetters and leaders in the education and technology sector. The distinguished awards program recognizes outstanding solutions―and the best and brightest minds―in education and technology. 2013 Finalist – EduBlogs Life Time achievement award.

About Paul’s book, If I Were a Wizard: 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE A WIZARD?

In a quiet corner of a distant forest, a young mouse dares to dream of what might be. While her fellow classmates aspire to become football players, architects and doctors, Hazel begins an adventure of a lifetime. With the power of magic, Hazel journeys through her day, helping friends and family, solving problems and making the world a better place.

If I Were A Wizard…

Introduces coding concepts through the imagination of a young mouse. From Repeats and Loops to Algorithms, If I Were A Wizard prompts discussions and helps build conceptual understanding of coding concepts.

Paul’s website: http://www.appsbypaulhamilton.com/
Follow Paul on Twitter.

Mentioned in this podcast:

If I were a Wizard by Paul Hamilton

Paul recommends the book Drive by Daniel Pink

Win a a copy of John Couch’s book, Rewiring Education by clicking here & subscribing to the Wired Educator Newsletter. One winner will be announced. Or Tweet why you follow @WiredEducator on Twitter or other social media for a chance to win.

www.RewiringEducation.com

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Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email.

Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe.
Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 106 episodes of interviews and professional development.
Visit the Wired Educator blog at www.WiredEducator.com
Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com
Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. 
Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.   •   Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.   •   Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

 

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New Book: Mindset Mathematics by Jo Boaler , Jen Munson, and Cathy Williams

Visualizing and Investigating Big Ideas

Jo Boaler has a new book out! She is brilliant, and I know her work will help many educators and students. I am so excited that she has a new book out.

Mindset Mathematic: Visualizing and Investigating Big Ideas by Jo Boaler is now available for Grade 3, adding to the series where Grades 4, and 5 have already been published, and Grade 6 is available for pre-order.

See the whole series, order your copy for whatever grade you teach today! 

Engage students in mathematics using growth mindset techniques

The most challenging parts of teaching mathematics are engaging students and helping them understand the connections between mathematics concepts. In this volume, you’ll find a collection of low floor, high ceiling tasks that will help you do just that, by looking at the big ideas at the third-grade level through visualization, play, and investigation.

During their work with tens of thousands of teachers, authors Jo Boaler, Jen Munson, and Cathy Williams heard the same message—that they want to incorporate more brain science into their math instruction, but they need guidance in the techniques that work best to get across the concepts they needed to teach. So the authors designed Mindset Mathematics around the principle of active student engagement, with tasks that reflect the latest brain science on learning. Open, creative, and visual math tasks have been shown to improve student test scores, and more importantly change their relationship with mathematics and start believing in their own potential. The tasks in Mindset Mathematics reflect the lessons from brain science that:

  • There is no such thing as a math person – anyone can learn mathematics to high levels.
  • Mistakes, struggle and challenge are the most important times for brain growth.
  • Speed is unimportant in mathematics.
  • Mathematics is a visual and beautiful subject, and our brains want to think visually about mathematics.

With engaging questions, open-ended tasks, and four-color visuals that will help kids get excited about mathematics, Mindset Mathematics is organized around nine big ideas which emphasize the connections within the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and can be used with any current curriculum.

The series is listed below, just click to order:

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

For all grades!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is my podcast interview with Jo Boaler:

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Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email.

Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe.
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Visit the Wired Educator blog at www.WiredEducator.com
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