Teachers, how do we get from good to great? Move from a focus on content mastery to talent-development. 7 differences: http://goo.gl/XZziV

One of my teachers keeps important papers for students in file folders stapled to bulletin boards for easy access.pic.twitter.com/Vl5zF4ca

More research based evidence that we enhance academic performance when we help students improve nutrition and fitness. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/schooled_in_sports/2012/12/in-shape_students_outscore_obese_peers_in_class_study_finds.html …

RT @englishcomp: The 5 Most Persuasive Words in the English Language http://flip.it/BqZbZ  via @copyblogger

I love Dropbox because it's the simplest way to consistently sync my "in progress" files across all my devices. http://db.tt/bBr13nTI 

#edchat: Looking at new fed data on high school grad rates, now Ga has to say 'Thank God for Nevada and New Mexico. ' http://bit.ly/U82S9F 

Khan Academy updates iOS app to work on the iPhone with access to over 3,500 educational videos. http://goo.gl/7g02s

Teachers you can go back to school yourselves this December 5. Take a convenient @teacherlinese course. http://ow.ly/ftmfm 

@JayCBarbour: On my holiday wish list: Keyspan Tripp Lite Pro 3 presentation remote. Outstanding performance for about $50 online. http://t.co/lUAsCkTb

@JayCBarbour: Ga Charter School Amendment: Choice is not a substitute for adequate funding, talented teachers and strong leaders. http://t.co/mC6sLoHm

@JayCBarbour: WATCH: Sierra Leone Teen Wows MIT With AMAZING Skill http://t.co/nqPLrpVT (via Instapaper)

Gwinnett Teachers Getting One-Time Pay Increase: GCPS teachers and other full-time employes should receive the extra... http://t.co/pnqo8BUB

When you ask the question you control the conversation. Prompt children to think in the desired direction. Suggestions: http://goo.gl/AQJdX

What if educators experimented with the lessons YouTube's success has taught us? Strategically apply these 10 in class. http://goo.gl/2oOQh

Equality Versus Equity

Why do the best teachers offer a different amount of support to different students?

We all have different needs. A standardized system that doles out the same resources to all persons will overcompensate some and under compensate others. This is an inherently wasteful system that ultimately fails to achieve the equality it seeks. After all materials are distributed uniformly the initial differences in achievement still remain, or in some cases become magnified.

Great teachers scaffold instruction to support students just enough to keep each one in an optimal learning zone. This is an incredibly challenging, but essential practice to maximize learning. In order to make it a somewhat reasonable goal for today's public school classrooms, we usually group students into three broad categories: those who are above, on, or below grade level. Additionally, our school structures provide unique opportunities for gifted students and students with disabilities. Is this fair? It all boils down to the concept of equality versus equity.

"The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal." ~ Aristotle

I believe resources should be applied in a manner that maximizes their benefit; that is, not everyone gets the same thing, but everyone gets what he or she needs. In order to be fair we must treat people with special abilities or disabilities differently from average people. Accommodations or accelerated curricula are not special favors, but rather tools to assist each individual student reach his or her full potential.

"There is physical and psychological pain in being thwarted, discouraged, and diminished as a person. To have ability, to feel power you are never allowed to use, can become traumatic." ~ Jan and Bob Davidson

We would never want to be denied the ability to earn a hefty salary just because our neighbor does not have the skills to earn the same salary. We would never deny a child the use of his or her glasses just because a classmate has perfect vision. Why then should we deny the student with a disability the use of whatever adaptive tool or technique allows him or her to overcome their disabling limitation? Do gifted students deserve less resources and services than “special needs” students? For both gifted students and students with disabilities the answer is the same: one size does not fit all. Educational equity does not mean absolute equality of services, but instead a customized opportunity to realize personal potential.

"All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent." ~ John F. Kennedy, Civil Rights Address

Research into HOMEWORK: Doesn't improve grades. Does boost test scores. More is not better. Must be carefully targeted. http://goo.gl/DLd7v

Nice collection of game templates for MS Office. Jeopardy game can show an extra answer screen to reinforce learning. http://goo.gl/E9DqU 

@JayCBarbour: Going to FLIP your class or workshop? Teachem.com helps integrate YouTube videos with online learning tools. http://t.co/klPlqLcA

Hi! As I return from social media break, I'm dropping cross posts to Google+. Follow @JayCBarbour on Twitter or visit http://jaybarbour.blogspot.com.

Authoritative parents raise more motivated and successful children by supporting autonomy and limiting interference. http://goo.gl/K60i5

Wallwisher.com is a free and easy to use website for sticky note sharing. Here is a PDF to help get you started: http://goo.gl/nxQpZ

Hard work is more important than talent. Systematically build your capacity by pushing past your comfort zone and then resting. http://goo.gl/1a99

Consider making a deliberate and transparent effort to continue your own learning in order to inspire students to follow in your footsteps. http://tinyurl.com/br94dxy

Point your browser to http://youtube.clea.nr/ to search for and watch YouTube videos without viewing the comments, related videos, or ads.

Studies have shown that the benefits of kids playing video games CAN outweigh the negatives. 7 reasons to let kids play: http://goo.gl/ww2Sl

LeBron James was often photographed before games this season reading books! Use the pictures to inspire students. http://goo.gl/yZO3O

5 steps to start a class blog: choose platform, find support, set guidelines, introduce blog to parents and students. http://tinyurl.com/85jssrb

Despite seeming mysterious, creativity can be logical and systematic. Here are creative methods to share with students: http://goo.gl/zRw9

"Virtual Camp" with ratings of apps, games, and websites that let kids have fun while reviewing and building skills. http://goo.gl/IGH6g

Inspire students with story of 7th grader who created 6 apps that have been downloaded 2 million times, earning $8,000. http://goo.gl/RcmXr

Write more, grade less. Is grading your students' writing time-consuming and having a negative impact? A better way... http://goo.gl/Juhkv

Benjamin Franklin Effect to help manage class: We grow to like people for whom we do nice things & hate people we harm. http://goo.gl/WGzSh

Impressively extensive collection of before, during, and after assessment tools and strategies. PDF with links: http://goo.gl/zzMvZ

Cool cartoons by Tim Hunkin that will inspire kids to experiment with food, light, clothes, and other household stuff. http://goo.gl/a80u

What action would make a profound impact on your life if you did it every day? Put this on your "Seinfeld calendar"... http://goo.gl/aWMY

Our educational system has never been better, several important measures show, but still media touts "failing" schools: http://goo.gl/0f3me

NYT blog "Room for Debate" rounds up succinct opinions on issues from 4-6 contributors. Useful for persuasive writing: http://goo.gl/EBQCb

Joe Martin says GA Legislature undermines schools, harms children, saps vitality of economy via bogus "austerity cuts." http://goo.gl/qPUZU

New findings in brain science show that reading great literature enlarges and improves us at the cellular level. http://goo.gl/mXGJE

Scientists say using Twitter & Facebook could harm moral values, as they don't allow time for compassion or admiration. http://goo.gl/vrv97

When you need an image for a project, from where do you get it? Google search? Get legal images via Creative Commons: http://goo.gl/18rK2

10 tips to engage underperforming students via teachers at Cochrane Middle, a drastically improved "turnaround" school. http://goo.gl/3RWXa

If students weren't forced, would they want to attend your class? What qualities would cause kids to choose to attend? http://goo.gl/0V5aL

TED has launched an education channel that uses animation to bring concepts to life in short videos. http://goo.gl/cHXHT

Is the act of teaching primarily an art or a science?

Coming from an artistic background (undergrad degree from SCAD), I have been firmly in the “art” camp on this topic in the past, though the more time I spend in school, the more I appreciate the “science” perspective. Teaching is an art much as doctoring is an art in the sense that every new teaching experience with a particular student or group must be addressed as a unique situation that has never happened before. Science can give us clues as to what is more likely to work in the new situation, but we cannot be certain. Two things in particular make teaching an art: (1) understanding the evolving, situational reality of the classroom and (2) figuring out and implementing the best course of action to take in each experience. Webster's dictionary gives several definitions of art that can be used to support the idea of teaching as an art: (1) “the activity of using imagination and skill to create beautiful things”, (2) “a field or category of artistic activity”, (3) “a trade or craft and the methods employed in it”. I take these definitions to imply that teaching as an art involves both imagination and skill to reach the desired outcome, usually student learning (a process, not a product), and that teachers hone their craft over time. To these concepts I would suggest we add intuition, as most of the work involved in the maintenance of the proper social-emotional classroom climate for learning is done on-the-fly and moment-to-moment as an extreme form of multi-tasking. Webster's dictionary defines science as (1) “the study and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena”, (2) “a systematic activity requiring study and method”, and (3) “knowledge, especially that acquired through experience”. Most teaching is systematic and requires intensive study before entering the profession and throughout an educator’s career. The accumulation of information and enhancement of teaching practices based on feedback suggests a science of teaching. However, the most effective teachers are an expert in both teaching methods (art) and subject matter (science). To become a maser educator is to integrate both elements of teaching through the application of feedback gained through action research occurring within the context of the situational nature of the classroom. Educators who reach this point in their profession appreciate the interrelated and synergistic combination of artistic and scientific elements in teaching. In short, I believe it is the application of the science that constitutes the art.

Bio Cube challenges students to summarize key ideas and limit info to what fits on 6 sides of a cube. ReadWriteThink. http://goo.gl/oB7CI

Three rules for well-crafted feedback that motivates kids: keep it real, fight self-doubt, avoid praising ability. http://goo.gl/NvTT9

To create relationships with troubled students, help them understand you are human and have challenges of your own. http://goo.gl/0IZba

YouTube has worked with teachers to curate over 300 playlists categorized by subject and grade level. http://t.co/1jlf5Wq6

Teach kids to be grateful for obstacles and disappointments - these give us resources to draw upon to grow and improve. http://goo.gl/sZImS

Website provides "real world" Algebra challenges via scenarios in fashion design, video game design, and music production. http://goo.gl/aU1T4

GA charter schools were less successful than traditional schools in meeting last year's federal progress targets. goo.gl/mTFJw

Stand up for better meetings! Research found standing meetings 30% shorter with about the same quality of decisions. http://goo.gl/IdNmm

Teaching is creative and complex, not simple and algorithmic, so tying teacher pay to student performance won't help. http://goo.gl/H9xc9

New twist on word clouds for social studies: artist exhibits State of the Union addresses as Snellen eye exam charts. http://goo.gl/xbH37

Substitute "classroom" for business and "students" for employees - an awesome summary of how to engage learners. http://goo.gl/ExQHN

SuperTeacherTools website has free technology tools for games and classroom management. Flash based but easy to use. goo.gl/ibLQc.

Montessori students thrive via hands-on, flexible, collaborative learning. Where is Montessori voice in school reform? http://goo.gl/U4gBW

Use game elements to break an experience into smaller chunks with feedback to spark creativity and build perseverance. http://goo.gl/FjSie

Providing timely positive feedback to students builds trust and helps move them forward in their learning more quickly. http://goo.gl/XwwR7

Google getting too muddied? DuckDuckGo is a search engine that filters junk, adds topic summaries, & emphasizes privacy. http://goo.gl/LgEL

Teachers, please consider posting "Responsibilities" to empower and elevate rather than "Rules" focusing on obedience. http://goo.gl/DTR6W

Large study found no evidence teaching parts-of-speech, phrases, clauses, etc. helped kids improve quality of writing: http://goo.gl/oaIGz

Braveheart

William Wallace was an awesome leader who forever etched his legacy into the character of a nation. If you need proof of this fact, consider that in 1861, 556 years after Wallace’s death, over 100,000 people gathered to honor him at the presentation ceremony for a national monument honoring his memory. Try testing other leaders you admire against that measure.

I would guess a select few command that level of adoration, respect, and admiration centuries after their passing. Many people would argue that leaders like William Wallace are born, not made since some people are just naturally charismatic and others seem predisposed to annoy. But I believe the people we refer to as charismatic owe this status as much to hard work and their ability to communicate as to any other quality. Communicating a genuine care and consistent commitment to others in an enthusiastic manner is the key. Join this skill with the ability to truly listen, to seek to understand the needs and wants of others, and you are on your way to becoming the next William Wallace. Honestly, these traits are not just the product of genetics; they can be acquired and enhanced with practice.

William Wallace took it to the next level, however. He was intelligent enough to prepare thoroughly so that he put himself in position to make good strategic decisions. He lead by example, at the front lines, and never asked his men to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself. But most of all, he articulated a clear vision of purpose that his followers could relate to: he was a dynamic catalyst of freedom for his people. William Wallace was not an official leader during his life, but his actions as de facto leader stand as a testament that if our intentions are pure and we work hard to communicate, listen, genuinely care about others, be thoroughly prepared, gain knowledge about our field, lead by example, and have a clear purpose, we too can impact the world for centuries.

Website helps you create arcade style review games for students. Has tools like name picker & plagiarism detector. http://goo.gl/euym

Writing by hand activates a larger portion of the brain’s thinking, language, and “working memory” regions than typing. http://goo.gl/ZyFWA