Generative AI is an exploding influence in education with lots of potential but unknown outcomes. Most people focus on its impact on school research, lesson plans–that sort–but another piece isn’t considered often enough: its impact on student mental health. This next article from but we’ll do in this article from Education Week does

Educators, teens differ on AI’s mental health effects

Teens and educators hold divergent views on its mental health effects of AI, with educators expressing more concern about negative impacts, including cyberbullying and the ability of algorithms to create addictive virtual worlds. Meanwhile, students are more optimistic about AI’s potential benefits.

Full Story: Education Week (3/25) (more…)

High School collects a diverse group of students into a large learning community, but it also prepares teenagers for a future as variable as any we can imagine. How is it possible to accomplish that? The Ask a Tech Teacher team has some ideas on balancing varied learning styles with needs to provide students their best chance at success in college or career–whichever they choose:

Engaging All Learners: Expanding High School Options for Success

Think about Albert Einstein, who, despite his genius, struggled in traditional school settings. Today, as education leaders, you’re faced with an increasingly diverse student population, each with unique learning styles, abilities, and aspirations.

Yet, the one-size-fits-all model persists in many high schools. You might be wondering if there’s a better way to engage all learners. Could we expand high school options to guarantee every student’s success?

Let’s explore this, considering some innovative strategies and how they are transforming education as we understand it.

Understanding Different Learning Styles

Your journey to success begins with comprehending the different learning styles and how they impact your educational experience. You see, not everyone assimilates information the same way. Some students are visual learners, digesting information better when they see it in graphs, charts, and pictures. Others are auditory learners, absorbing information more efficiently when they hear it. Still others are kinesthetic learners, who understand better through physical activity or hands-on experience.

Recognizing your learning style isn’t just about understanding how you learn. It’s about maximizing your educational opportunities, tailoring your study habits to your unique style, and ensuring you’re able to absorb and retain information effectively.

You might find you’re not confined to one style. Many people are multimodal learners, integrating two or more styles. By understanding these varying styles, you’re able to adopt a more flexible approach to your education.

Understanding your learning style isn’t just beneficial, it’s crucial. It’s your key to revealing your full potential, optimizing your learning experience, and ensuring your journey to academic success is as efficient and enjoyable as possible.

The Limitations of Traditional High Schools

While understanding your learning style can greatly enhance your educational journey, it’s also worth examining the constraints that traditional high schools may impose on your learning process. These institutions typically adhere to a one-size-fits-all approach, offering a rigid curriculum that doesn’t necessarily cater to the diverse learning needs and styles of all students. You might find that the pace is too fast or too slow for you, or that the teaching methods don’t resonate with your style of learning.

Traditional high schools often prioritize rote learning and standardized testing, which can limit your ability to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also tend to focus heavily on academic achievement, often neglecting other important facets of education like social skills, emotional intelligence, and practical life skills.

In addition to traditional high schools, online schools in Arizona have emerged as an alternative education option, providing flexibility and personalized learning experiences for students. These virtual institutions offer a range of courses and programs tailored to individual learning styles and needs.

The Rise of Alternative Education Options

In response to these limitations, alternative education options have surged in popularity, offering more flexible and personalized approaches to learning. These alternatives, ranging from charter schools to homeschooling, provide opportunities to cater to individual learning styles and interests that aren’t always met in traditional high school settings.

You’ll find that charter schools, for instance, are publicly funded but independently run, offering unique educational philosophies or specialized curricula. They provide a choice for parents and students dissatisfied with their assigned public schools. Homeschooling, on the other hand, offers the utmost flexibility, allowing learning to be fully individualized and paced to a student’s specific needs.

Online and distance learning programs have also gained traction. These platforms often combine self-paced study with live, interactive instruction, balancing independence with support. Ultimately, vocational and technical education programs equip students with practical skills for direct entry into the workforce.

Keep in mind, however, that while these alternatives can offer flexibility and personalization, they also come with their own challenges. It’s important to weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks to determine the best fit for each learner’s educational journey.

The Role of Technology in Personalized Learning

Building on the trend of diverse educational approaches, we must also consider the significant impact that technology has on personalized learning. As an educator, you’re at the front lines of this digital revolution. Technology, when used correctly, can facilitate tailored instruction that addresses individual learning styles, aptitudes, and pace of learning.

Consider digital platforms that allow you to monitor student progress in real-time. You can identify areas of weakness and strength, adjust lesson plans accordingly, and provide immediate feedback. That’s personalized learning at its best.

Let’s not forget about the wealth of online resources available. Whether it’s an interactive math game or a virtual reality tour of the Colosseum, technology opens up new avenues of learning that were previously inaccessible. This makes education not just personalized, but also engaging and relevant.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that technology isn’t a magic solution. It’s a tool, and it’s only as effective as its use. You must be ready to adapt your teaching strategies, align the use of technology with learning objectives, and ensure equality in access. With careful consideration and planning, technology can indeed revolutionize personalized learning.

Vocational Education: A Viable Pathway

Paving the way for diverse career opportunities, vocational education offers a practical, skills-focused alternative to traditional academic paths. It’s not just about providing another choice; it’s about redefining the meaning of success in education and career planning.

Vocational education, with its emphasis on hands-on training and real-world application, can be a game-changer for you. It’s uniquely designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This approach can put you on a fast track to a fulfilling career, reducing the time and financial investment often associated with a traditional four-year degree.

Consider these compelling reasons why vocational education deserves your attention:

• It empowers you with job-specific skills, increasing employability.
• It allows for faster entry into the workforce.
• It promotes a learning-by-doing approach, reinforcing understanding.
• It offers a wide variety of career paths to pursue.
• It can lead to higher early-career salaries compared to some traditional degree holders.

Implementing Inclusive Education Policies

Shifting our focus to inclusive education policies, understanding how they’re key to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background or ability, has access to quality education is essential. These policies aim to eliminate all forms of discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all students.

To implement inclusive education policies, you’ll need a thorough approach that encompasses the entire school environment. You’ll need to scrutinize current practices and challenge the existing barriers to inclusion. This involves not only adapting curriculums and teaching strategies but also rethinking attitudes towards diversity and inclusion.

Promoting an inclusive school culture is another important aspect. This means fostering a positive attitude towards diversity, promoting respect for individual differences and ensuring that all students feel valued and included.

In addition, providing adequate training for teachers and school staff is necessary for the successful implementation of inclusive policies. They need to be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to respond to the diverse needs of their students.

Case Studies: Successful High School Innovations

Let’s investigate a few case studies that showcase the impact of innovative approaches in high schools, offering powerful insights into the potential for real change in our education system.

One such case is the High Tech High in San Diego. Built on a premise of project-based learning, it has been a significant success, with graduation and college acceptance rates consistently higher than national averages.

Now, consider the following points:

• Personalized Learning: Schools like Summit Public Schools use technology to customize student learning, making education more engaging and effective.
• Learning Through Internship: The Met School in Rhode Island redefines school experience by placing students in internships related to their interests.
• Integrated Studies: New Tech Network schools implement a curriculum that emphasizes real-world connections, fostering deeper understanding.
• Flexible Schedule: Big Picture Learning schools allow students to learn at their own pace, reducing stress and increasing productivity.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Schools like Quest to Learn integrate subjects to provide a more holistic education.

These examples demonstrate that innovative changes can’t only improve student outcomes, but also transform the very nature of high school education.

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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, webmaster for four blogs, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

National Engineers Week is just behind us. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has one more article discussing an oft-forgotten piece of engineering education: culture:

Cultivating a culture of collaboration in engineering education

The engineering education landscape is shifting because learning is no longer confined to classrooms. Schools and learners recognize that quality education must encompass holistic learning that nurtures academic excellence and cultivates essential life skills. Colleges and universities offering engineering programs are adjusting to the evolution by cultivating a culture of collaboration in education. An inclusive and collaborative environment empowers students to nurture curiosity, continuously improve engineering skills, explore new technologies, and create high-quality engineering solutions. In this post, we’ll explore the value of collaboration in engineering education and top strategies that schools can implement to cultivate a collaborative learning culture.

The case for collaboration in engineering education

Collaboration in engineering education is more than just teamwork; it entails cultivating a mindset that fuels a sense of shared purpose. Creating a culture of collaboration in learning is an indispensable skill in our interconnected world. Here are some of the ways that a collaborative learning culture helps engineering students to learn better and develop personal skills. (more…)

The metrics behind rankings are good to check, but might not accurately reflect what students are looking for. The Ask a Tech Teacher team as suggestions on how to dig deeper, be sure to choose the right college for your needs and future.

Choosing the Right College: Factors to Consider Beyond Rankings

Picking the right college is a huge choice that will affect your life for a long time. It’s easy to let college scores be your only source of information, but they don’t always tell the whole story. In fact, there are many important things besides scores that can have a big impact on your college experience and life afterward. Let’s look into these things, talk about why they’re important, and show you how to use them to help you make a choice.

Understanding the Limitations of Rankings

It’s important to understand why scores shouldn’t be your only concern before we get into the other factors. A lot of the time, college rankings are based on big numbers like graduation rates, teacher credentials, and financial resources. These are important, but they don’t show the little things about each person’s experiences or the important parts of schooling that can make a big difference in your personal and professional growth. (more…)

As High School students explore post-graduation options, more and more are looking at careers as creators. Boosted by the rise in popularity of generative AI image options like DALL-E, photo editing as a career enjoys a resurgence among those preparing to enter the work force. It is fulfilling and potentially lucrative and relies heavily on individual passion and preparation. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has ideas on how to prepare for this career if it is your future.

Dive into the world of photo editing with our comprehensive guide tailored for high school students. Discover essential skills, artistic techniques, and practical steps for building a standout portfolio. Learn about color theory, composition, and the latest software to kickstart your journey in digital art and prepare for a successful career in photo editing.

How High School Students Can Prepare for a Career in Photo Editing

Photo editing has become a crucial skill in the digital age for professional photographers and anyone aspiring to a creative career. Our article aims to guide high school students like you who are interested in this field, highlighting the essential skills and artistic insights needed for success. 

We will explore how mastering photo editing goes beyond learning software, emphasizing the importance of visual storytelling, artistic expression, and technical proficiency. No more words, let’s get it started! (more…)

Choosing Tech That Grows From Your Schooling Into Your Career

Starting a career is an exhilarating journey, and in today’s tech-driven world, the technology you choose during your school years can be a foundational step toward your professional tech arsenal. Having the right gadgets and tools plays a pivotal role in academic success and setting a strong foundation for your professional life.

The transition from academic life to the professional world is significant, and the technology we use plays a crucial role in this journey. As students, technology aids in learning, research, and collaboration, while in the professional realm, it becomes a tool for productivity, communication, and innovation. The key is to invest in technology that not only meets your current educational needs but also has the potential to adapt and evolve as your career progresses. This approach not only ensures continuity in your tech use but also provides a solid foundation for professional growth. (more…)

Over the next weeks, I’ll share ideas that will get you ready for Hour of Code. This includes (links are live on publication day):

1. An Overview of This Week — Dec. 5, 2023
2. Long list of websites by grade — Dec. 6, 2023
3. 9 Unusual Projects— Dec. 7, 2023
4. 5 Unplugged Hour of Code Activities — (this post) Dec. 8, 2023

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These unplugged activities go back to the roots of coding. The idea started as a clever way to teach students to think critically and problem-solve, show them that deep thinking was fun and problem-solving exhilarating.

I happen to agree. Some of my most gratifying moments are when I accomplish the impossible, unravel a Mobius Strip-like problem, or force myself to do what I’ve never before done. Hour of Code does that every year for oh-so-many students. But here’s my issue: Too often, kids forget that the goal is to practice critical thinking and problem solving, not pursue a career in programming.

Let’s reinforce that goal by stepping away from the digital device, recognize that critical thinking and problem-solving apply to any part of life, even without a computer, iPad, or smartphone in hand. All kids need is their brain which happily, every child carries with them.

Here are some of my favorite unplugged activities:

Crazy Circuits With Squishy Circuits

Ages: MS

(more…)

Summer jobs for many high schoolers (myself included) was a right of passage, where we stuck our toe into the adult work-a-day world for a brief period before returning to school for more education. Arguably, our summer experience helped us decide to continue our learning into college, apply for trade school, join the military, or something else.

If you’re helping students select a summer job for next year and they want one that works better than this year’s choice, check out these ideas from the Ask a Tech Teacher crew:

6 Best Summer Jobs For High School Students & How To Land Them

With summer always seeming like an endless expanse of time for high school students, you might be wondering how to make productive use of it.

Getting a summer job can be a great solution. Not only will it provide an income, but also crucial skills and work experience that look great on college applications.

From babysitting to retail jobs, from lifeguarding to internships, there’s something suited to every student’s preferences. With this amount of choice, it’s worth exploring each opportunity in detail, so let’s do that together.

(more…)

I used to be pretty good at accounting because I was a whiz with spreadsheets and data analysis. That changed when accounting began relying heavily on technology. Well, to be honest, traditional accounting–financial analysis, auditing, and tax knowledge–might still revolve around my sweet spots, but the rest, I now hire skilled professionals.

And I’m not the only one who realizes the importance of tech skills in accounting has changed. One of our Ask a Tech Teacher members has a great article outlining the tech skills you’ll want to look at if you’re interesting in pursuing an accounting career after high school:

7 Highly Useful Tech Skills to Develop if You’re Aiming for a Career in Accounting

In the digital era, the accounting industry has tightened its embrace of technology, transforming traditional roles into tech-oriented ones. Undeniably, tech skills have become just as essential as understanding debit and credit for accountants as computers become necessary for work. 

These technological competencies allow accountants to streamline their work, provide more in-depth analysis, and enhance decision-making processes. Whether you’re just stepping into the world of accounting or aspiring to advance your career, sharpening your tech skills will unlock new opportunities and make you a much sought-after professional in this industry.

(more…)

In this article, discover how high school education is shifting towards personalized learning. Gain insight into the strategies administrators are using to meet the changing needs of teen students.

The Future of High School Education: Navigating the Shift to Personalized Learning

High school – a time of excitement, curiosity, exploration and growth. The world is filled with endless possibilities! Students have never been so empowered to explore their true potential and find paths that work for them. However, there’s no doubt that the high school experience has changed drastically in recent years. Technology advances and education evolves at an unprecedented pace.

Educational trends have been changing towards personalized learning approaches. We’ve thus seen a fundamental shift in how high school students learn within the classroom setting. But what exactly does this mean for the future of our educations? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the evolution of high school teaching styles to get an idea of just how far these changes can go!

What is personalized learning and how it is different from traditional schooling

If you’re a student who can’t seem to thrive in a traditional classroom setting, then personalized learning may just be your ticket to success. Personalized learning is an approach that tailors education to each individual’s strengths and weaknesses. Unlike traditional schooling, which often relies on one-size-fits-all teaching methods, personalized learning takes into account diverse learning styles and interests. With the rise of technology, this future highschool is leaning towards this modern approach to education.

Another way in which learning has evolved

Another benefit of adaptative learning is that students don’t fear getting help anymore. Gone are the days when getting help was stigmatized. Today, students have a handy tool up their sleeves: the Edubirdie writing service. This content writing service is a lifesaver for students who need help with their research paper on nursing or different coursework about any other topic. With a reputation that precedes it, EduBirdie has become a go-to for students looking for high-quality writing assistance.

Whether you’re struggling to get started or just need a second pair of eyes to proofread your work, EduBirdie has got you covered. Thank goodness for technology! Read more for more benefits.

Benefits of personalizing education for high school student

Personalized education may be just what you need! Not sure? Here are five benefits.

1. Boosted Confidence. Once you start receiving education tailored to your individual learning style, you’ll gain a newfound confidence in your academic abilities.
2. Targeted Learning. Personalized education allows for teachers to focus specifically on each student’s areas of weakness. This can help them build up to their full potential.
3. Improved Performance. Students tend to perform better on assessments and standardized tests. It’s a proven fact!
4. Passion-Oriented Education. Got a passion? Personalized education can help you pursue it! Teachers can work with students to incorporate their interests into their coursework.
5. Increased Engagement. Are you tired of being bored in class? Personalization can help with that! When students feel that their unique needs are being met, they are more likely to be engaged and stay focused in class.

Obstacles with such strategy in the classroom setting

Picture it – a high school of the future, where every student has a tailored learning experience to fit their unique needs and interests. Sounds nice, right?

Indeed. But nothing comes without challenges. In fact, technology can have both positives and negatives. It allows us to individualize instruction but it also requires significant investment and upkeep.

Then there’s the challenge of teacher preparation. We need to ensure educators are equipped to facilitate this type of learning environment. Plus, monitoring progress and assessment can become more complex as time goes by. That’s when students are all working on different tasks.

And last but not least, there’s the issue of equity. We need to ensure that personalized learning doesn’t perpetuate disparities.

How technology can support personalized learning in the classroom

With the increasing advancement in technology, personalized learning can be implemented quite easily in this so-called highschool of the future. AI-driven content is quickly becoming a reliable and robust alternative to traditional textbooks. Students can absorb information that caters to their personal learning styles. Furthermore, with VR technology, students can experience interactive and immersive learning experiences. VR adds a whole new dimension to learning that is both exciting and educational.

Plus, adaptive learning platforms and interactive whiteboards are also available to support this. Teachers can also use learning management systems to provide students with individualized assignments and assessments. Thus, while augmented reality can transport students to new and exciting learning environments. And let’s not forget about gamification! This is where game-based learning can motivate and engage students while providing them with immediate feedback.

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The future of high school education is looking quite promising as we navigate the shift to personalized learning. No longer do we have to sit through lectures and activities that don’t appeal to our interests or learning styles. Instead, we’re able to take control of our education and tailor it to our unique needs. It’s like having a personal trainer for our brain! Plus, we can expect to see even more exciting changes in the years to come. So let’s buckle up, embrace the shift, and get ready for a high school experience that is truly personalized and fulfilling.

–image from Deposit Photo