10 Best Blog Posts of 2013

Looking back on 2013, there were a number of blogs that I enjoyed and helped me professionally.  I wanted to share with you some of my favorites during this past year:

The What & Why of a Professional Learning Network – Tom Whitby

I enjoyed this post because of the value of having a professional learning network.  I have learned a great deal from all of the educators in my network.  The learning has made me a better educator and has allowed NLHS to benefit as well.

Bucket List of Online Educational Resources – David Kapuler

Great list of resources for administrators, staff, students, and parents.  There is something for everybody in this list of technology resources.

Ten Tips for Teaching Critical Thinking – Ian Jukes

It is critical for teachers to instruct in a way that develops and encourages critical thinking skills.  This post gives teachers ideas on how to make this happen in class.

Creating a Risk-Taking Classroom – Reed Gillespie

As schools develop more students who can solve problems and use critical thinking skills in and out of the classroom, taking risks in the classroom is vital for teachers.  Teachers have to be given the freedom to try different methods and instructional strategies.  Sometimes things don't work and/or not successful.  It is important that teachers and students learn from their mistakes to allow both parties to grow.

7 Must Have Tools for the Flipped Classroom  - Erin Palmer

I think the flipped classroom creates a well-rounded student who can manage their time and use different methods of instruction to his/her advantage.  I enjoyed this post because it lets teachers know what types of tools they need before they go into transforming their instruction to a flipped environment.

Initiating and Sustaining Change – Eric Sheninger

Eric does a great job of explaining why change doesn't always come easy.  This post illustrates different ways to tackle change in different environments.

Early College High School Shows Promise – Caralee Adams

I am a firm believer in Early College High School.  It allows our students the opportunity to stretch and challenge themselves starting out in elementary school.  

What If You Only Had 5 Minutes to Inspire a Student – Peter DeWitt

I found this post by Peter interesting and so true.  I believe this type of instruction is the basis of student-lead learning.

10 Apps & Sites That Spark Creativity – Ellen Holderman

Great post that feeds hand-in-hand with STEM concepts and creating learners who can problem solve and think for themselves.  Excellent resources for teachers to use.

100 STEM iPad Apps for Learning – Randy Yerrick

Much like the post above, this post lists apps that can benefit teachers and students for STEM projects and/or courses.  I know some of these apps are used by the students in our engineering courses and in our FabLab.

What were some of your favorite blog posts, lists, and/or articles from this past year?

Early College High School - Data Tracking

Earlier this week, the Rural Ohio College High School (ROCHS) administrative team held a meeting with the data team from the Muskingum Valley Education Service Center (MVESC).  The meeting was very beneficial for the ROCHS collaborative because we were able to take the first steps in collecting data for our students involved in Early College High School (ECHS).

We discussed ways that we can streamline the data process for our students and our ROCHS faculty. This includes the application process for students when they enroll in the ROCHS program, student data that has been accumulated from over the years (standardized test scores, attendance, etc.) transcripts that are produced when students complete ECHS classes in our schools, ROCHS faculty members teaching status with our partner colleges, and how we can track all of our students who have taken ECHS classes.

The MVESC staff did a great job of walking us through what we wanted our database to look like.  Being able to discuss what we were looking for to a group of people who have not seen our ROCHS program was actually more beneficial than if they were familiar with our program.  As an administrative team, we were able to fully explain what our program looks like, how things are perceived by our students & communities regarding ROCHS, and what we need it to look like so we can help our students and parents become more comfortable with ECHS and the benefits it can have for our students.

We are excited about the future of ROCHS and what it means to the students of our school districts.  Allowing students the opportunity to earn a great deal of college credits while they are in high school is a great way to transcend our school cultures.  We are not only preparing our students for college, but we are preparing them for life.  We are creating life-ready learners who are the future of our communities.  Having the data to help their transitions from grade school, middle school, and high schools will benefit the students as much as it will help the schools.