Author: By Meghan Peters, Dean of Academics, Cambridge School

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Literacy

3 strategies we use to turn struggling students into confident readers

Research-based teaching strategies and intentional edtech use can help struggling readers thrive

By Meghan Peters, Dean of Academics, Cambridge School

The ability to read–and read well–sets kids on a path to success. That’s why at Cambridge School, we focus on helping students with learning differences learn how to read. Students attend Cambridge School because they have been diagnosed with a language-based learning difference, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, auditory processing … Read More

Literacy

How to improve literacy through the science of reading

A Structured Literacy approach to teaching helps students build a strong foundation for a lifetime of reading

By Stacy Hurst, M.Ed., Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Southern Utah University & Chief Education Officer, Reading Horizons

The Fall 2021 PALS Report found that reading skills in young learners are at a 20-year low. Over the past three years, reports have shown there had been little growth in reading and in some cases, states were backsliding. The majority of students who are exiting our school system do … Read More

Literacy

Debunking myths and supporting older struggling readers

A former special education teacher shares how to identify and support struggling readers in middle and high school--even in a remote learning environment

By Laura Axtell, Education Specialist, Reading Horizons

The reasons that students remain struggling readers in middle and high school are frequently based on myths and misconceptions. The first big myth, based on reading assessment measures, is that comprehension is the problem. The majority of reading assessments and standardized tests for older students focus on reading comprehension measures … Read More

Literacy

5 reasons we greatly value our online literacy platform

How one K-4 elementary school is using its online literacy program to prepare its students for the third-grade reading test and reach learners across all reading levels

By Anita Wansley, Principal & Lisa Shelly, Academic Coach, Northeast Elementary School

With 640 students in grades K-4, our Mississippi elementary school serves a diverse population. In 2020, we were at a point with the third-grade reading test where we weren’t as prepared as we should have been. We knew we had to dig deeper to better prepare our K-2 students, and … Read More

Personalized and Differentiated Learning 2022

All learning is personalized learning

Digital reading can increase a school’s personalized learning efforts, while also boosting student achievement

By Kay Koepsel-Benning

When personalized learning came on the scene, some found it challenging to get a grip on what it meant for instruction. A beloved retired master teacher colleague mused, “Personalized learning – isn’t that a little redundant? Isn’t all learning personal?” Shouldn’t personalization be the first thing we think about when … Read More

Personalized and Differentiated Learning 2022

3 considerations for differentiation in the classroom

Prioritizing individual student needs and managing differentiation in the classroom isn’t an impossible task if the right strategies are in place

By Joni M. Lakin, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Educational Research at the University of Alabama & Author, Riverside Insights

Differentiated classroom instruction has always been part of U.S. public education, but today’s focus on tailoring each lesson for each student can overwhelm teachers. There are, however, best-practice approaches to differentiating instruction that enable educators to provide customized learning experiences for students without creating an unmanageable burden for teachers. Here … Read More

Personalized and Differentiated Learning 2022

3 reasons why differentiation isn’t difficult

Once educators stop dreading differentiation, they can implement simple strategies that let students shape content to their way of thinking

By Ben Talsma, Learning Solutions Specialist, Van Andel Institute for Education

There’s a good chance you arched an eyebrow upon reading the headline of this article. After all, differentiation can be one of the most stressful and time-consuming parts of a teacher’s life. Tailoring our instruction to meet the specific needs of students can feel like a massive undertaking. Do we … Read More

Personalized and Differentiated Learning 2022

How 3D printing is changing education

3D printing helps boost interactive learning, accommodates different learning styles, and ensures equal access in the classroom

By Andrea Zermeño, Education Vertical Manager, MakerBot

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we must invest in educational technology. When schools use technology to improve the quality and quantity of educational content, learners will thrive. Amid this technology-driven educational environment, 3D printing offers students the following: helping to facilitate differentiated instruction, increasing student engagement, … Read More

Personalized and Differentiated Learning 2022

To help young students read, acceleration beats remediation

By focusing on teaching students what they’ve missed while continuing on with grade-level material, I believe we can eventually close the learning gaps created over the past two years

By Sarah Fontana, Teaching and Learning Coordinator for ELA and Literacy, Round Lake Area Schools

Due to the pandemic, many students have fallen behind grade-level expectations. Educators are trying to get students caught up in the most efficient way possible. It may feel like we’re so far behind that we’ll never catch up, but by focusing on teaching students what they’ve missed while continuing on … Read More

Personalized and Differentiated Learning 2022

It’s time to focus on learning experience design

We must focus on the whole student experience if we want our learners to begin, continue, and succeed on their pathways to and through education

By Mark David Milliron, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Western Governors University & Executive Dean, WGU Teachers College and Kim Round, Ph.D., Academic Programs Director & Associate Dean, WGU Teachers College

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that understanding the whole student matters. Since March of 2020, billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of person hours have been spent enabling remote learning access, rolling out strategic student supports—particularly around mental health—and providing emergency aid for students struggling with basic … Read More