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Educators Highlight Small Teaching Moves to Boost Student Engagement

Educators Highlight Small Teaching Moves to Boost Student Engagement

A recent article discusses the impact of small teaching strategies that can significantly enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. The focus is on simple actions such as greeting students at the door, which has been shown to increase engagement by 20 percentage points and reduce problematic behavior by 9 percentage points in middle school classrooms. Other strategies include personalized feedback, quick reviews of previously learned material, and the use of 'wait time' to allow students to think critically before responding. These methods are designed to be easily integrated into daily teaching routines, requiring minimal preparation while fostering a positive learning environment.

Schools Implement Smartphone Locking to Enhance Student Focus

Schools Implement Smartphone Locking to Enhance Student Focus

The Heartwood Learning Trust has implemented a policy across its six secondary schools to lock away students' smartphones in pouches during school hours. This initiative, affecting 5,000 students aged 11-16, aims to reduce classroom distractions and improve student engagement. The policy follows guidance from the Department for Education, which allows schools to prohibit phone use during lessons. The use of Yondr pouches, costing £75,000, has reportedly led to better concentration among students and fewer disruptions. Students like Charlie and Daniel from Vale of York Academy have noted increased engagement and reduced distractions. However, the cost of these pouches poses a challenge for some schools, with alternatives like phone confiscation still in use at institutions like Kettlethorpe High School.

‘Some kids don’t really have anyone to talk to or trust.’ Chill rooms fill that gap.

‘Some kids don’t really have anyone to talk to or trust.’ Chill rooms fill that gap.

Fifty schools across Western Pennsylvania are partnering with the Allegheny Health Network’s Chill Project to give students a mental health resource

Educational Consultant Advocates for Alternative Discipline Methods in Schools

Educational Consultant Advocates for Alternative Discipline Methods in Schools

A recent article discusses the approach of Scott Ervin, an educational consultant and former teacher, who advocates for alternative methods of handling serious student behaviors without resorting to traditional disciplinary actions like suspension. The article highlights a case where a fifth-grader threatened another student and was suspended, only to return to school without any apparent change in behavior. Ervin criticizes the current disciplinary policies as outdated and ineffective, likening them to 'Dark Ages thinking.' He suggests that schools should empower teachers to take proactive steps in behavior management, such as requiring students to develop plans to rectify their actions and make amends with affected peers. This approach aims to teach students responsibility and the consequences of their actions, rather than simply punishing them.

Education Experts Critique Groupthink in Reform Efforts

Education Experts Critique Groupthink in Reform Efforts

In a recent opinion piece, education experts Rick and Jal Mehta discuss the prevalence of groupthink in educational reform. They highlight the challenges of standing up for unpopular truths in a field dominated by buzzwords and ideological conformity. The authors critique past and present educational policies, such as the No Child Left Behind Act and value-added teacher evaluations, for their flawed designs and the social pressures that discourage open criticism. They emphasize the importance of truth-telling in education to ensure policies genuinely benefit students and teachers.

Cedar Grove High School Robotics Team Advances in Global Competition After Cleveland Victory

Cedar Grove High School Robotics Team Advances in Global Competition After Cleveland Victory

The robotics team from Cedar Grove High School in New Jersey has successfully advanced in a global competition following a significant victory at an event held in Cleveland. This achievement marks a notable milestone for the team, showcasing their skills and dedication in the field of robotics. The competition in Cleveland served as a qualifying event, where teams from various regions competed to secure a spot in the global stage. Cedar Grove's team demonstrated exceptional performance, which has now positioned them to compete against other top teams from around the world. This advancement not only highlights the team's technical prowess but also underscores the growing emphasis on STEM education in high schools.

Taylor University's 'Silent Night' Tradition Brings Unique Atmosphere to College Basketball Game

Taylor University's 'Silent Night' Tradition Brings Unique Atmosphere to College Basketball Game

Taylor University's 'Silent Night' Tradition Brings Unique Atmosphere to College Basketball Game

Guernsey's New Post-16 Campus Construction Progresses Amid Challenges

Guernsey's New Post-16 Campus Construction Progresses Amid Challenges

Construction of the new post-16 campus at Les Ozouets in Guernsey is progressing well, according to Ash Dupre, head of education capital projects for the States of Guernsey. The project, which involves redeveloping the former St Peter Port School site, has reached a key milestone with the completion of intensive groundwork and the erection of steel frames. The campus, which will include a sixth form center and sports facilities, is expected to cost around £50 million, double the initial estimate. Despite potential weather-related delays, the project remains on track for completion by early 2027.

CoSN Unveils 2026 Key Topics in K-12 Innovation, Highlighting Cybersecurity and AI

CoSN Unveils 2026 Key Topics in K-12 Innovation, Highlighting Cybersecurity and AI

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) has announced its 2026 top topics for innovation in K-12 education. This initiative, part of CoSN's Driving K-12 Innovation project, identifies key hurdles, accelerators, and technology enablers that will shape the future of education. The hurdles include attracting and retaining educators and IT professionals, ensuring cybersecurity and safety online, and promoting critical media literacy. Accelerators focus on building leadership capacity, changing attitudes towards learning demonstrations, and enhancing learner agency. Tech enablers identified are generative artificial intelligence, data visualization, and tools for online privacy and safety. CoSN CEO Keith Krueger emphasized the importance of collective intelligence in shaping educational innovation. The organization plans to explore these topics further at its annual virtual summit on February 4 and in its upcoming Driving K-12 Innovation Report.

Ministry of E-Governance in Belize Launches Robotics Training to Enhance Workforce Skills

Ministry of E-Governance in Belize Launches Robotics Training to Enhance Workforce Skills

The Ministry of E-Governance in Belize, in partnership with the Belize Robotics Federation, has initiated a robotics training program aimed at enhancing workforce-ready skills among students. The program, which took place at the Fort George Digital Connect Center, involved students from Belize High School and Saint Catherine Academy. They engaged in building and testing VEX robotics systems, which are designed to bolster skills in engineering, automation, and problem-solving. The initiative is part of a broader effort to support Belize's workforce pipeline and is aligned with the national Plan Belize 2.0 strategy. The program is supported by local leaders and technical partners, and it aims to roll out nationally across Digital Connect Centers, with local champions being trained to lead ongoing student training.

Top Engineering Firms Support STEM Competition to Inspire Young Innovators

Top Engineering Firms Support STEM Competition to Inspire Young Innovators

EngineeringUK has announced that Thales and Siemens will support the UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition, a prestigious event aimed at inspiring young people in STEM fields. The competition invites students aged 11 to 18 to develop projects in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with a focus on ethical implications and community impact. Participants receive feedback from STEM professionals, and winners are recognized at The Big Bang Fair. The initiative aims to foster a passion for STEM among young people and is supported by industry leaders like Thales and Siemens, who are committed to inspiring future innovators.

High School Teams Compete in KD Quiz Showdown

High School Teams Compete in KD Quiz Showdown

The KD Quiz, a competitive quiz show, featured teams from Franklin Regional, Hopewell, and Sharpsville high schools. The event showcased the students' knowledge across various subjects, providing an engaging platform for academic competition. The quiz is part of a series that aims to promote educational excellence and foster a spirit of friendly rivalry among participating schools. The competition was broadcasted, allowing a wider audience to witness the intellectual prowess of the students and the dynamic interaction between the teams.