The ongoing fourth industrial revolution, driven by technology’s pervasive presence in our lives, has led to a significant increase in STEM careers. But future careers will require a combination of creative and analytical skills. This report explores how students can apply creativity to STEM-focused pursuits and provides tips and tools – including a Chromebook app list – to help educators create project-based lessons that nurture artistic expression in students.

Today, schools recognize the social benefits of students learning together, even when their needs differ. Co-teaching works to ensure students who need more support receive it, while the students who need less support can continue learning as well.

For many years, the traditional classroom was one instructor teaching exactly the same lesson to a classroom full of students. But it became apparent over time that not every student learned the same way.

It’s anyone’s guess what the workplace of tomorrow will look like, with cultural work norms changing in the wake of the pandemic and innovation happening faster than ever. But one thing is certain, K-12 educators are expected to prepare students to thrive in college and their future careers, whatever those may look like. That means, instead of preparing students to thrive in a certain type of role, teachers have to focus on preparing students for many future scenarios.

From listening when another person is speaking to exiting an uncomfortable conversation graciously, none of us are born knowing the rules of etiquette. And digital etiquette, or “netiquette,” is no different. That’s why teaching digital etiquette is an important part of helping K-12 students develop into good digital citizens.

The sudden shift to distance learning in the spring of 2020 brought about distinct challenges and quickly changed the education landscape forever. After nearly a year of remote and hybrid learning, we wanted to check in to see how teachers and their students were doing.

Some K-12 students are eager to tackle their work every day and don’t need a lot of reminders from their teachers, even when they’re learning from home. Other students, however, are more prone to distractions and missed assignments, becoming more and more disengaged as the school year continues.

In the past few years, Randolph Eastern School Corporation in Union City, Indiana has made distance learning a key area of focus. The Indiana Department of Education counts eLearning days as regular instructional days, empowering districts like Randolph Eastern to take advantage of distance learning when inclement weather strikes or professional development time is needed.

Now that blended learning is here to stay, schools are focused on finding ways to keep students connected and engaged both in the classroom and remotely — and that means being strategic about
selecting hardware and software solutions that work together for the greatest ROI.

When implemented well, digital learning can result in deeper, richer experiences for students. But these changes are only possible if teachers can guide students’ digital learning effectively, whether students are learning in the classroom or at home.

Today’s students have very different expectations for how they’ll learn, and educators have to be thoughtful and deliberate about how to best reach them. Here are five recommendations for how to reach Gen Z students effectively.

Logansport’s use of LanSchool classroom management software in its mixed-device environment has benefitted IT leaders and teachers alike.

One of the most important elements of choosing software for the classroom is engaging in a trial or pilot program to make sure it’s right for your faculty and students. Many software vendors offer the opportunity to try their solution free of charge for 15 to 30 days. That’s a generous testing period, but it can fly by if you aren’t prepared.

When implemented well, digital learning can result in deeper, richer experiences for students. But these changes are only possible if teachers can guide students’ digital learning effectively. A full-featured classroom management program supports high-quality digital learning by helping teachers keep students on task, track their progress, provide real-time feedback, share screens, and push out digital resources. With a comprehensive classroom management tool, teachers feel more comfortable teaching with technology—and students are able to realize the full benefits of digital learning as a result.

Today, 95% of teachers are using technology in the classroom — a great thing considering that, by 2020, 77% of jobs will require technology. Imagine what that figure might be by the time today’s K-6 students reach the workforce. It may seem like we’re asking today’s educators to part with tradition in order to embrace classroom technology. But as our new infographic shows, the truth is that technology has been shaping and reshaping the way teachers teach for decades. To look at the evolution of edtech, we could go back as far as the chisel and tablet. But let’s just start by looking at the classroom technology of the 1950s.

Like a growing number of K-12 school systems nationwide, New York’s Elmira City School District is connecting students with the outside world and expanding their opportunities for learning with computers for every student.

Challenge: Teachers Struggling to Keep Students Focused with Devices in the Classroom

When Washington Elementary, based in Waterbury, Connecticut, began introducing computers into its classrooms, teachers found themselves with a host of new challenges to deal with.

“The drama that came from computer use alone during academic learning time — it was out of control,” Mallory Brito, Washington Elementary grade 2-5 Language Arts teacher, said. “We needed something to help teachers refocus from managing computer time back to learning and teaching.”

As a K-12 leader, you’re looking for ways to get the most out of your ed-tech investment. Classroom management software can make teaching with technology much simpler and more productive, leading to better achievement. The right classroom management solution can transform instruction by keeping students focused and supporting rich, collaborative learning experiences. But you also need solutions that fit your exact needs, so you can justify the costs and easily measure results. Maybe you’re evaluating classroom management software but aren’t sure which option is best for your circumstances.

Ed-tech software that’s delivered as a service is fully hosted and managed for you, reducing your burden exponentially. But this is only part of the reason cloud-based solutions are taking off across industries, including education.