Here are some excellent themed video collections to use in your classroom (click here for updates on the list): (more…)

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education.

Today’s tip: Email Phishing

Category: Parents

Q:  I got an email that looks legitimate, but I’m not sure. How do I check?

A: You’re right to take a step back. Email has become the most popular method of hacking individual computers—because most people use email and usually aren’t as vigilant as they need to be.

‘Phishing’ is an attempt to steal your personal information by posing as a trusted source (a friend, your bank–like that). Why is it so popular with crooks? Because it works.

As an educator, you want to teach students how to protect themselves as soon as they start using open email networks. Here are six suggestions:

1. Don’t open attachments.
2. Don’t click links in emails.
3. Check the email address of the sender. Does it match the name? Does it fit the sender?
4. Check for misspellings and mis-phrasings.
5. If you know the sender, does the email sound like their communication style?
6. Hover over the link to see the address. If it doesn’t match the text or look legitimate, don’t click.
7. Don’t hesitate to email the sender and ask if they sent you the email.

Got those? Here are a few more:

1. Slow Down: Phishing often pushes you to act fast—“Your account’s locked, fix it now!” Take a second to think. If it’s urgent, contact the company directly using a number or site you already know.
2. Don’t Share Sensitive Info: No legit company will ask for your password or full credit card number over email or text. If they do, it’s a scam.
3. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra step (like a code sent to your phone) to logins. Even if they get your password, they can’t get in without the second piece.
4. Keep Software Updated: Hackers exploit old systems. Update your phone, apps, and computer regularly to stay protected.

Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom.

What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom? Share it in the comments below.

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If you haven’t heard of Bini Games, you’re not alone. When they contacted me about sharing their website with my readers, I checked it out and agreed it was a great idea. Their offerings are designed to support multiple facets of child development through engaging, interactive, and fun gameplay. Here’s a more detailed peek into how they assist cognitive growth, critical thinking, and creativity:

Unlocking Learning Fun: How Educational Bini Games Foster Child Development

Parents and caregivers help children learn and grow by actively engaging and promoting their growth. In this regard, a similar kids learning game is an excellent choice because they provide a fun-focused opportunity to observe a child’s development.

While games may appear easy on the surface, they provide a variety of educational benefits that can help a child develop cognitive flexibility, reactivity, coordination, and numeracy. As a result, in this blog, we will look at the intrinsic values of learning games and how they might help with cognitive growth.

Engaging Young Minds: The Power of Educational Bini Games for Cognitive Growth

Cognitive development develops at a surprising rate during a child’s early years. Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at how these activities affect specific cognitive skills:

Enhancing Memory and Attention

During play, children frequently have to memorize details, sequences, and rules. This improves their memory and attention span, which are both necessary for academic performance and daily life.

Promoting Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Play inherently includes challenges and impediments, which allow youngsters to solve problems and think critically. Whether they’re figuring out how to build a stable tower of blocks or how to outwit an opponent in a game, youngsters learn critical problem-solving abilities that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Supporting Language Development

Whether they are discussing their thoughts, describing their acts, or conversing with their playmates, children frequently use language to communicate during play. They get better grammar, increase their vocabulary, and strengthen their ability to express themselves clearly as a result.

Fostering Creativity and Imagination

Play is a creative expression that comes naturally. Children are encouraged to think creatively and experiment with new concepts via activities like role-playing, painting, and building buildings. Children can experiment with many roles and situations through imaginative play in particular, which fosters the development of a flexible thinking and a rich inner world.

Conclusion: How to Pick the Game That Enhances Creativity, Problem-Solving, and More!

Play is essential to children’s learning and development; it is not only a respite from education. Since each child is unique, what interests one may not interest another. Because of this, it’s fantastic to have a wide variety of educational Bini Games to pick from, allowing you to find the ideal one for your child’s particular interests. Children who participate in various forms of play acquire cognitive abilities that are critical to their success in the future. We have the ability to encourage and support these activities as adults, giving kids a strong basis for learning and growth.

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“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

This is a topic dear to my heart–non-college options for high school grads. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has a good summary of why students should consider journeyman trades and vocational schools over college:

From Play to Profession: Why Kids Should Discover Skilled Trades

For years, the dominant message to young people has been that college is the only pathway to success. However, a growing number of educators, industry leaders, and parents are recognizing the immense value of skilled trades. Not everyone needs to attend a four-year university to build a successful and fulfilling career. By introducing kids to trades early, we open up opportunities for them to explore careers that match their skills, interests, and personalities while also addressing critical workforce shortages. (more…)

I’m off to visit my two military children and then help my son move before deploying overseas. As a result, I won’t be around much–a bit, but forgive me if I seem to be ignoring everyone! 

See you-all in a few weeks!

–Comments are closed because I will be completely unreliable!

This week, February 16-22, 2025 is DiscoverE’s Engineers Week. Their tagline:

“A week-long event, a year-long commitment”

Do you wonder why anyone would be passionate about engineering? Overall, engineering offers a combination of intellectual challenge, real-world impact, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. By pursuing a career in engineering, students can contribute to meaningful projects, solve complex problems, and make a positive difference in the world.

What is Engineers Week?

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With the disturbing news about plummeting math scores here in the US, it’s good to review math teaching in your classroom and consider better ways to deliver lessons to students. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has ideas for you:

How to Make Learning Math More Interactive and Engaging

Math has a reputation—either you love it or avoid it like a pop quiz you forgot to study for. For many students, the struggle isn’t about intelligence but how math is taught. Endless drills, repetitive problem sets, and old-school memorization techniques can make even the most curious minds switch off.

But here is the thing: math does not have to be boring. It’s hidden in video games, sports stats, music beats, and even how your favorite social media app recommends content. The problem is that most teaching methods do not expose these fascinating aspects of mathematics.

Thankfully, technology, video games, and interactive hobbies may alter the story in the modern day. Here are some strategies to make arithmetic interesting and remembered, whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just a kid looking to transform math from a chore into something fun. (more…)

Integrating Technology in Education for Modern Classrooms

Embracing technology is crucial for modern educators aiming to enhance their teaching methodologies and foster student engagement. In today’s classrooms, technology serves not just as a tool but as an essential part of the learning environment. Understanding its role and potential can transform traditional teaching into an interactive and efficient experience.

The integration of technology into education is not merely a trend but a necessity in our rapidly advancing world. As an educator, leveraging technological tools can significantly enrich your teaching methods and student interactions. Various platforms such as Canvas, AI-driven applications, and PowerPoint have become staples in classrooms, facilitating diverse and dynamic learning experiences. By understanding and utilizing these resources, you can create a more engaging educational environment that caters to various learning styles. An online electrical and computer engineering degree can equip educators with the necessary skills to effectively implement these technologies in their teaching practices. (more…)

A friend of mine told me this story:

“On a chilly winter evening in New York City, Sarah (not her real name) was struggling with the cold and the cost of her subway ride home when an elderly man noticed her plight. Without hesitation, he gave her a fully loaded subway card, explaining he had more than he needed. He also offered her a homemade sandwich, insisting it was no good to waste food. This unexpected kindness brought tears to Sarah’s eyes, warming her not just with the promise of a meal and a ride home, but with the profound reminder of human compassion in an often indifferent world.”

That was one of many Random Acts of Kindness experienced in a world known for just the opposite. Now, February 9-15, 2025 in America is Random Acts of Kindness Week and is when everyone encourages acts of kindness without any expectation of consideration in return.

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” — Mark Twain

What is Random Acts of Kindness Day?

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Day is twenty-four hours when anyone who chooses to participate agrees to perform unexpected acts of kindness to pay it forward for that time they need a little bit of unexpected care.  We flaunt our altruistic side by doing something nice for another without a thought for the consequences.

Why is Kindness important?

Why kindness is important seems obvious, but really, it isn’t. I can name a whole lot of people who have succeeded despite being, well, jerks so why should we think there’s merit in a gentler approach?

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News sources for kids (click for updates to this list):

1. C News for kids
2. Kids News – Current Events
3. KidsPost https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/
4. KiwiKids News https://kiwikidsnews.co.nz/ excellent articles on world events as well as general interest topics.
5. News For Kids  https://newsforkids.net
6. News-o-matic for kids (app)
7. Newsela https://newsela.com each article written at five different reading levels
8. NewseumEd
9. Reach Out Reporter — science news for elementary students
10. Science News for Students https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org
11. Student Daily News https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/
12. Teaching Kids News http://teachingkidsnews.com/
13. TweenTribune http://tweentribune.com written at four different reading levels so the content can be used K-12.

–image credit Deposit Photo (more…)