How to foster antiracist learning environments in schools

Antiracism is a continuous process that requires fighting for equitable systems and policies for all

Over the last two years, far too many people in education have acted as if antiracism is a new thing. It is not. Going back to scholars and activists like George Dei, Angela Davis, Mica Pollock, Louise Derman-Sparks and Carol Phillips, educators have situated antiracism as a transformative process…meaning we … Read More

3 steps to creating classroom equity

The issue of equity is a critical one to help all students grow and thrive--here's how to make it a priority in the classroom

Writing about equity is always a bit awkward for me. I am extremely white, extremely male, solidly middle class, and I have not had the same experience with some of these issues that other people have. It makes for a gigantic elephant in the classroom, so to speak. Yet, student … Read More

Three tips to conquer bilingual barriers in the classroom

Multilingual students and ELLs face more than a few challenges in classrooms--here’s how to help them succeed

More than 10 percent of students in the United States are English language learners (ELLs) – that’s more than 4.8 million children nationwide. While these children don’t learn any differently than their native-English-speaking classmates, they do have educational needs that should not be overlooked or go unmet. From a teacher’s … Read More

3 ways to promote diversity in the classroom

Digital resources and innovative teaching strategies can go a long way in supporting--and celebrating--diversity in the classroom

Diversity, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is the condition of having or being composed of differing elements, especially the inclusion of people of different races, cultures, etc. in a group or organization. As an educator, with over 17 years of experience, I’ve heard the word diversity used in various contexts throughout … Read More

Promoting digital citizenship during a pandemic

School librarians and teachers are instrumental in ensuring students build strong digital citizenship skills--even while they're learning from home

When the coronavirus pandemic forced school closures and stay-at-home orders across the country, the internet became a social and academic lifeline for young people. Students are now engaging in distance learning daily. They’re also spending more time on social media as a way to stay connected to friends and family. … Read More

4 tips for an effective digital citizenship program

Identifying the issues facing your school and learning how to prevent those issues is a proactive way to approach digital citizenship

Today, students are not merely digital natives; they are voracious consumers and creators of digital content both in school and out. This increased access has also increased the risk that students will engage in riskier behaviors online or be exposed to content that’s inappropriate, or even dangerous. How to interact … Read More

Is it fake? How to teach with news and media sources

Teaching students how to identify and use high-quality news and media resources isn't as daunting as one might think

Between the recent presidential election, COVID-19, and racial unrest, our students are barraged with 24/7 access to news and media that can be real, fake, or altered. According to the presenters in a recent edWebinar sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the relationship between the terms “news” and “media” are fundamental distinctions that … Read More

5 ways to help students develop digital literacy

Student engagement and critical thinking will be key in developing digital literacy skills to take students from school to the workforce

It’s commonplace to be impressed when we hear of excellent test scores and educational backgrounds from top institutes, no matter the type of degree or accolades. However, preparing our kids with test-taking strategies and admission into the best universities is not enough–and will be an extinct ideology with the changing … Read More

6 steps to promote good digital citizenship for all students

6 steps to promote good digital citizenship for all students Dr. Audrey Hovannesian March 29, 2019 Standing at the intersection of digital citizenship and responsible device usage, school districts can make a real difference in their students’ lives

By the time today’s digital natives enter high school, most of them have already been using devices, computers, the internet, and social media for years. They use these tools on their own terms and for their own reasons, many of which aren’t readily apparent to older adults who didn’t grow … Read More

Turning media literacy into civic engagement

Students who use tech devices with ease don't necessarily have media literacy skills--here's how to cultivate media literacy and civic awareness

Being an informed contributor to America’s democratic practices and principles requires strong media literacy skills. Without them, even the most civic-minded will find it hard to assess and interpret the mass of information out in the world. Jeff Knutson, Common Sense Education Content Strategist and Senior Producer, recognizes how challenging … Read More