How To Pick The Right Business College For Your MBA written @dawnpapandrea

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If you’re interested in pursuing your MBA, choosing the right business college is the first step toward success. The good news is that there are many excellent MBA programs to choose from; you just have to find the one that matches your needs, goals, and lifestyle. Here are some tips for doing just that…

Your first step is to make a list of all of your preferences so that you have a clear idea of the type of business college you wish to attend. Do you prefer a large university or smaller private institution? Can you commit to a full time MBA program, or do you need the flexibility of a part time or online course option? What is your personal situation (work, family, etc.), and how will that limit your options?

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Once you have a sense of what your ideal MBA program will entail, you can look a bit deeper at some business colleges.

Do some online research. You shouldn’t be too much stock in college rankings, but scrolling through ones from US News & World Report and The Princeton Review can give your research a jump start and provide an idea as to what the so-called top business colleges have to offer. The other obvious places to look are right in your backyard (if you’re planning to attend a school in your area). Again, depending on your preferences, you can narrow your search by looking for “online MBA programs,” “MBA programs in Chicago,” etc.

Get some input from business brainiacs. Talk to everyone you know, from recent grads to executives, or ask a mentor at your current job about their thoughts on MBA programs. You could also take a look at the LinkedIn profiles of some businesspeople you admire to see where they did their business college studies. Hearing someone’s personal thoughts on a particular program can help you decide if it’s worth exploring; just keep in mind that everyone’s opinions can be different.

So, what’s your specialty? MBA is a general program of business study, but within that, there are many concentrations to pursue. What are you career aspirations? Is there a particular area of business you want to focus on? If so, try to find a program that aligns with your goals. For instance, someone who is entrepreneurial might follow a different track than someone interested in global finance. See what your potential schools have to offer as specializations.

Figure out if you make the grade. Every business college has its own set of admissions criteria, and naturally, some are more selective than others. It’s best to focus on schools that are within your reach based on your academic record, as well as how you performed on required exams (usually the GMAT or GRE).

When it doubt, go straight to the source. If there are only one or two schools that you’re interested in, reach out to them directly with any questions about their MBA programs. You can contact someone in admissions or financial aid if your concerns pertain to those areas. Or, you can even connect with students and staffers via social media pages if you’re hoping to get a sense of the school’s atmosphere, or an insider’s take on the coursework.

Lucky for you, there are a lot of options for researching business colleges. Take advantage of them, put in some research time, and find the one that’s right for you.

 

Dawn Papandrea is a Staten Island, NY-based writer specializing in education, careers, parenting, and personal finance. Her work has appeared in publications including Family Circle, Parents, WomansDay.com, CreditCards.com, and more. She has a master’s degree in journalism and mass communications from New York University. Connect with her on Twitter and Google+.

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Count Down to the AP Government Exam

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As February is coming to a close, I can not help but think about the looming AP Government and Politics Exam. I thought I would share some ways in which I help my students prepare for the exam.

One of the best review tools I use is CitizenU. The two teachers are amazing! They make studying for the AP Government and Politics Exam fun and engaging. I try to start each class period off with a video or vocabulary review from their CitizenU youtube channel.

Every other day is a review game! 

1. Password Game– Click here

The way I play this vocabulary game with my AP Government class is that I place students into heterogeneous groups. In groups, one pair at a time will come up to the front of the room to be in the “hot seat.” One student will be facing the board and the other student away from the board. They will need to describe an APGOV vocabulary word without saying the word in their description. The student facing away from the board will have 15 seconds to answer.

While the pair is playing, I have each group write one detail they know about the topic on the white boards (beyond the vocabulary word). This game is awesome and my students love it.

2. Quizlet Review- click here 

3. Review Application: 5 steps to the 5 review questions

4. Bingo Cards- Units 4-7  Units 3, 8 and 9

5. Infuse Learning Draw a Vocabulary word

6.  Jeopardy Game– click here

7. Socrative Practice Questions

 

Useful Handouts and Study Tools 

1. AP Government 1 Page Chapter Summary: Last year I gave each chapter review page during the structure AP Government review time. This year I am giving these chapter summaries before every test and collecting them and placing them into a student file folder. At the end of April I will be giving the folders back to my students and they will already have the review sheets completed. The 11 chapter summaries are one page handouts that are very simple and graphically appealing, which include the most essential information in EVERY chapter in AP Government. This would be a great supplement to do for AP review or to include as you learn each unit to make a study guide for the AP exam in May.

2. Free Response Essay Packet:  This is a 12 page document of all the AP Government and Politics Free Response Questions (FRQ’s) from the past 14 years. The document contains all FRQ’s from 1999-2013. FRQ’s are subdivided in unit and historical order. This is a VERY useful tool to have for an AP Government student. I plan on reviewing previous FRQ’s with my students before each unit test and during the structured AP review time.

3. AP Government Vocabulary List: This is a list of over 300 vocabulary words that are essential when learning AP Government and Politics. The vocabulary words are organized by unit (9 units total). The vocabulary words and definition are organized in alphabetical order. I give this packet out at the beginning of the year to help my students study and learn the material. We also play bingo before every unit test. My students fill in the words for the chapter to the blank bingo card and I read the definitions from the vocabulary list.

4. Constitutional Clauses: This is a two page cheat sheet on all of the constitutional clauses of the Constitution with easy to understand translations. It would make a nice reference guide for students to keep in their binders.

5. 60 Practice Questions with a Key or Institutions of Government Practice questions: This is a handout of 60 practice questions from the AP Government exam. A key is included. I usually have my students circle the answer and write one detail next to it. They come to class the following day and review their extra detail as a class. They sort of make a review sheet next to every multiple choice question.

 

How are you preparing your students for the AP Government and Politics Exam? 

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Earn Extra $ with Teachers Pay Teachers

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You won’t get rich as a teacher, right? Think again, there are a small number of teacher’s who are making millions of dollars selling their lesson plans online on a website called TeachersPayTeachers (TPT). Teachers Pay Teachers is the first open marketplace where teachers can buy and sell original teaching lesson materials. I have uploaded several of my lessons to the website.

One Georgia kindergarten teacher Deanna Jump has earned more than $2 million selling lesson plans. The website was created in 2006 and since then more than Screen Shot 2014-02-18 at 6.28.32 PM26 teacher’s have made more than a $100,000 on TPT. Please note the website takes 15% commission on most sales.

Teachers Pay Teachers is designed to reward teachers who work hard and deserve extra compensation for all those long hours lesson planning.   Ultimately teacher’s pay teacher’s creates a place where teacher’s can share their best practices and everyone benefits, especially students. If interested, Join Teachers Pay Teachers as a buyer or seller or both to make your teaching career even more rewarding.

View my profile on Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschooler, Staff - TeachersPayTeachers.com

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Livebinders for the Social Studies – Part 2

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Livebinders for the Social Studies – Part 2: 5 Excellent Social Studies Livebinders to see
 
On this second part of the Livebinders for the Social Studies series, I thought we should look at 5 excellent Social Studies Livebinders to get you familiar with how other educators and enthusiasts use Livebinders in the Social Studies field.
 
Social Studies Resources Central
 
This Livebinder from GValdez is full of resources to use.  It has everything from History resources, Economic resources, graphs and virtual field trips.
A House Divided
Andrew Weber has put together a excellent binder, which was voted as one of the top ten Livebinders in 2012.  If you need resources for the Civil War period in American history, this is the Livebinder for you.  It has everything from vocabulary, readings and online tools.
Ipad Apps for Social Studies
Looking for Social Studies Ipad apps?  Then this Livebinder from Angela Cunningham (@kyteacher) has you covered.  It has app categories from History, Civics and Government and Geography.
Black History Month
This is a wonderful Livebinder put together by kb…konnected.  It is full of lesson plans, printables and other resources regarding Black History month.
Lewis & Clark
This is a excellent Livebinder from wisermar covering resources over the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  If has everything you’ll need to cover this lesson in class – webquests, maps and clip art images.
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Livebinders for the Social Studies – What are Livebinders?

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Livebinders for the Social Studies – Part 1: What are Livebinders?

For over a year now, I have been guest posting a series of posts entitled “Evernote for the Social Studies” on this blog by Melissa Seideman.  There are still a multitude of uses that Evernote holds for Social Studies teachers and students that I have yet to blog about, and more posts will be coming on that subject throughout the year.

Along with Evernote, I have been blogging about Livebinders and how they can further engage our students in the classroom and assist educators in the teaching process.  This year, I also wanted to look at how Livebinders can be used specifically in the Social Studies classroom.

I will also be cross-posting this series on my blog, engagedwithtech.blogspot.com.

Livebinders – Your 3-ring binder for the web

Livebinders can be your one central source to collect resources, share resources, and collaborate with other educators and technology enthusiasts.  You can collect and curate resources that include: web addresses, documents, photos and many other things in your Livebinder.

In today’s classroom, students and teachers use the power of the internet to gather resources for projects, resources for papers and resources to share in the classroom.  According to livebinders.com, “Physical 3-ring binders used to be the easiest way to organize all your educational resources. But now so much of what you want to organize is online. LiveBinders not only replaces the old 3-ring binder, but also opens up new opportunities for collaborating, organizing, and sharing that were never possible before.”     

Here are some of my favorite ideas that students can use Livebinders for:

  1. Collect/organize blog posts – their own or fellow classmates
  2. Create a “My Evernote” tab – students can insert links to certain Evernote notes
  3. Research – students can use the “Livebinder It” browser extension to add a website link to their binder
  4. Comment on fellow classmate’s binders – Livebinders allow you to add comments to a binder, which is great for peer review.
  5. Upload lecture notes – whether it be a Evernote note link or a MS Word doc, students and upload/insert their class lecture notes.

Why Use Livebinders?

There a multiple reasons to use Livebinders in and out of the classroom.  It’s free and very easy to use.  The creators of Livebiners, Tina and Barbara (@livebinders), provide the best support I’ve ever experienced with anything related to technology.  They love to share other’s Livebinders and love to hear how what they created is making a difference.  

The problem with physical 3-ring binders is that resources and learning that has been done and collected with them stay in the binder.  Students have less of a opportunity to share what they have learned with physical binders, however, with Livebinders students can share via Twitter, Facebook, or by URL – thus giving students a multitude of ways to share with their fellow classmates.

Want more Livebinders info?  Here are some more resources:

Click here for my other blog posts about Livebinders

Livebinders website: www.livebinders.com

Here is one of my Livebinders for Social Studies resources:

 

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NCSS Education Is Online

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The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)  is pleased to present the 2014 Social Studies Professional Development Series. They have extensive webinar and workshop offerings focusing on the C3 Framework, Common Core Strategies, Technology Integration, Using Primary Sources, Geographic Connections, and Grant Writing in preparation for your 2014-15 school year! Attendees can receive a certificate of attendance upon request for your professional development needs.
NCSS webinar and workshop offerings continue to grow. Please check out their listings at www.socialstudies.org/workshops.
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Digitize Articles with Evernote

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Evernote

Evernote for the Social Studies: Part 8 – Digitize articles with Evernote

In my newest post on my Evernote for the Social Studies series, I wanted to take a look on how Evernote can help History teachers digitize hard copy articles like newspaper and journal articles.

Even in today’s digital age, not every resource we run across is on the web or readily available as a electronic format.  With the Evernote app, anytime we run across a passage in a book, newspaper article or journal entry we can now quickly take a snapshot and save and organize it for future reference.

Here is a example of a newspaper article I ran across while visiting Taos, NM recently (snapshot taken with Evernote Android app and some cropping done with Skitch for Windows):

To see how this article looks in a Evernote note, click here.

skitch

How to access the “Page Camera” in the Evernote app

Page Camera 1

Accessing the “Page Camera” with your Evernote app (Android) is quick and easy.  Simply follow these instructions:

1. Go to your Evernote app on your smartphone/tablet and click on the notebook you would like to work in.  Once you are in your selected notebook, click on “New note”.

2.  Once you have opened a new note, click on the camera to activate your device’s camera.

Page Camera 2

Page Camera 4

3. Once you have launched the camera, click on “Page Camera” to mold your device’s camera to capture the article.  This will actually allow you to put the article in a bit more perspective from the camera view and narrow it down to exactly what you are needing to capture.  Once you have taken the picture, the Evernote app will then process it and make it as in-focus as possible for easy reading.

Now that you have captured the article, you can save it in your Evernote account and organize it by using tags.  You now have a hard-copy resource saved and readily available at a moment’s notice in your Evernote account.  Not only that, you can now share that note with anyone you would like by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or by coping the note’s URL.

Source cited:

The Taos News – Taos, NM

Oct 3 – 9, 2013 edition (accessed Oct 21st, 2013)

Evernote for the Social Studies blog posts

If you have a moment, take a look at some of the other “Evernote for Social Studies” posts I have made here on this blog:

Evernote for the Social Studies: Part 1 – What is Evernote?

Evernote for the Social Studies: Part 2 – Evernote in History Class

Evernote for the Social Studies: Part 3 – Evernote & Skitch

Evernote for the Social Studies: Part 4 – Lesson Planning with Evernote

Evernote for the Social Studies: Part 5 – Evernote and Study Blue

Evernote for the Social Studies: Part 6 – Staying Secure with Evernote

Evernote for the Social Studies: Part 7 – Evernote Food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Declutter Documents with Print Friendly

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If you’re like me you are always printing articles and handouts for your student’s. One website that I wanted to share is called Print Friendly. Print Friendly is exactly as it sounds, it takes any website and creates a nice document without any of the clutter of the world wide web. You can cut and paste any website into Print Friendly site and then remove Screen Shot 2014-01-15 at 5.29.29 PMimages, text, and print only the information you want for your students.

 

You can either print the website without the clutter or get a PDF document. You can even get the browser extension so within one click you have a print friendly document.  Happy Printing!

 

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Shorten Primary Documents with Text Compactor

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Text Compactor is an online summarizing tool that was created for busy teachers who have struggling readings. Teaching using primary documents is wonderful but also challenging with students who can’t comprehend the document. Text compactor was designed to help struggling readers who get overwhelmed with Screen Shot 2014-01-12 at 8.57.42 PMlots of information.

 

How it works? 

You can copy any text and place them into the text compactor, which calculates the frequency of each word in the passage. Then the website figures out the frequency associated with the words and then pulls the most important sentences with the highest word count.  Text Compactor is not recommended for use with fiction (i.e., stories about imaginary people, places, events).

 

Here is an abridged version of the Declaration of Independence:

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

 

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IPad Tips and Websites in the Classroom

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Educational Technology and Mobile Learning has compiled a great list of how teachers can use iPads in their classroom. Some of the websites are written by a great list for teachers who teach using iPads, which are important for your to  read, digest, and implement with your students. Once you read the sample websites you will learn about how some wonderful teachers have used iPads and applications in the classroom.

Citation: Haselton, Todd. “TechnoBuffalo.” TechnoBuffalo. N.p., 3 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. .

 

I personally believe we need to teach our students the skills needed to be successful with iPads. For most student’s using apps and technology comes naturally but teachers need to model and hold clear expectations. I find when assigning a new app or project it is very helpful to have a rubric or clear expectations on how the app will be used. Clear guidelines and expectations will help you with behavior management and core content.

 

Tips When Using the iPad 

1. Remember the Multitasking Gestures:

  • Four finger swipe to return to Home screen
  • Four finger swipe up to reveal multitasking bar
  • Four finger swipe left or right to switch between open apps

2. Bookmark Favorite Websites to Home Screen: While in Safari, load up your favorite websites and tap on the box with an arrow in it, alongside the URL Bar. Select “Add to Home Screen” and give each site a short name so it doesn’t abbreviate itself. Make a whole folder full of your favorite websites bookmarks.

 

3. Take Screen Shots: Hold down the Home button and tap the Power button briefly, you’ll hear the familiar screenshot sound and the screen flashes white. Screen shots are stored within the Photos library, and can be   messaged, emailed, or just preserved for posterity. 

 

Useful Websites 

1- Top 7 Guides on how to Use iPad in Classroom

2- How to Set Up Class iPad Touch Devices

3- iPad in The Classroom Transforms The Learning Process

4- A Day in The Life of The iPad Classroom

5- 5 Ways Readers are Using iPad in The Classroom

6- Ushering iPad into The Classroom

7- The iTouch and iPad in The Classroom

8- 14 Smart Tips for Using iPads in The Class

9- The 1 iPad Classroom (PDF )

10- Schooled on My iPad 

11. 80 Apps to Use in the Classroom 

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How teachers Can Leverage More Time?

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As a social studies teacher I feel strongly that students need to acquire facts, but we want our students to move beyond routine memorization to analyze and make connections with the new information. With the new demands of Common Core standards teachers will be faced with an educational decision to teach content that leads to a deeper understanding, comprehension, and application.

Incorporating technology into daily instruction is one way in which teachers can leverage more time, restructure learning activities so they become more meaningful, and provide opportunities for more rigorous  instruction. Digital tools can be seamlessly integrated into the curriculum to save teachers time and enhance learning time. Some teachers have a hard time envisioning how digital products can be enhanced into classroom instruction. Here are a few ways I integrate technology into my classroom:

 

Assessment

I use a program called Infuse learning as a formative assessment with my students. Students can electronically through their cell phones, tablets, or laptops send responses immediately to an electronic spreadsheet that can allow me assess whole-group or individual feedback.

 

I can then use this information to guide my teaching and instruction. For example, students may answer a critical thinking question from the previous night’s homework. If the spreadsheet or graph reveals a majority of students did not comprehend a concept the assignment I can then reteach or review a particular concept or question. Students send immediate responses to my teacher account which can place responses into an electronic spreadsheet, which allows me assess the whole class or give individual feedback. Through infuse learning, I can send my class a multiple-choice question. The website instantly graphs my students responses, which reveals if my students did not comprehend a concept

 

For example, students may answer a critical comprehension question applying a historical topic to modern day. Another way I have my student’s use this program is with the draw feature. In pairs they are assigned four vocabulary words. They then need to draw the vocabulary words. They then send the words to the board and as a class we guess the word and review the definition.  This makes for a particularly useful review activity in any class (yes even AP).

Image by: Krista Moroder http://www.edtechcoaching.org/2012/12/cant-afford-student-clickers-hate.html

 

Google Forms for Data Collection

I simplified my life with Google Forms.  Google forms can help you plan an event, send a survey, give a quiz, or collect information in an easy way. Through Google Forms responses are automatically collected in a spreadsheet. Responses can be shown in a graph or sorted by spreadsheet column.

 

I use Google Forms on the first day of school to collect student information, back to school night data, rubrics for projects, and so much more. My students even asked me to make a Google form for a debate evaluation so that no one knew their handwriting with the evaluation.


Evernote for Lesson Plans, Notes, or Assignments 

Evernote is an easy-to-use, free application or website that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use. Evernote lets your take notes, sync files across your devices, save webpages, capture inspiration, and share your ideas with friends and colleagues.  There are so many wonderful ways to use Evernote for file sharing, lesson plans, digital portfolios writing submission. The ideas are endless! Here is a great Livebinder created by Justin Stallings on all the wonderful features of Evernote.

 

 

Online Discussions

Back channeling during class can encourage your students to make comments, ask questions, and provide feedback.  I have used Today’s Meet, Twitter, or My Big Campus as a back channel during class such as with a debate, video, or resource sharing session when I do not want “verbal” discussion. My students enjoy back channeling during videos. My students ask questions, answer questions, and share links/quotes about the topic of the video. I find I can have a more engaging discussion after the video because all of the initial questions were already answered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Creath’s Class- Creative Ideas for the 21st Century Teacher

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I learned about  a pretty amazing social studies teacher, Mrs. Creath at the National Social Studies Conference in St. Louis, Missouri this past November. Mrs.Creath led a poster presentation on “Getting Your Students to THINK!” She presented some interesting ideas and tons of resources to encourage students think beyond routine memorization. All of her resources were directed at Bloom’s Taxonomy Levels and Social Justice Issues. If you teach you should check out her resources, many  of them could be applied to any subject or grade!

I particularly liked her “Think Dots” lesson. Leslie has her students roll the dice as they research, read, or investigate new information. She also changes the stems in each box to be adapted for a specific question. According to Dr. Dheeraj Mehrotra, “A Teacher, who is now a facilitator in this generation, encapsulates a new order of delivery with extension of a knowledge society and not a content delivery or an interpretation of book knowledge in real life” (Mehrotra). The 21st century of teaching and learning will not be limited to physical space but learning that is open-minded, inquiry-based, and full of authentic learning experiences.

 

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Citation: I got permission to reference Leslie Creath and her website. 

 

 

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The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Development Programs

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Warning: This is a paid advertisement! For a company promoting an idea. 

 

If you’re studying early childhood development at a school like Kendall College, and are planning to go into teaching, you may already be thinking about how you can implement technology in your classroom. These days, with many high schools purchasing iPads for their students—not to mention video series like Baby Einstein targeting our youngest learners—it’s almost impossible to find an educational program without some kind of technology element. But when you’re working with pre-kindergarten kids, is technology always appropriate? How much does a 3-year-old actually get out of sitting in front of an educational video?

Forest Lake Elementary takes advantage of technology to personalize the classroom. Photo credit: www.edutopia.org

There are times when technology can be used effectively to help teach young children, but the key is to make sure it’s age-appropriate and that it’s enhancing other activities, rather than being the sole focus. Read on for some tips to keep in mind when you’re preparing to teach at the preschool level.

Tips for Incorporating Technology into Preschool Classrooms

  •  Keep your students active. Young children are most engaged when they’re able to directly interact with the world around them, picking up objects and exploring new spaces. They’re also notoriously bad at sitting still for an extended period of time. Therefore, lessons are much more likely to stick with young children when they involve hands-on activities. If you do want to use technology in your classroom, try computer games or apps that teach kids about things like colors and shapes rather than just putting on a video.
  • Enhance understanding of symbolic representation. Children under the age of 3 are typically within Piaget’s preoperational stage, meaning that they’re beginning to understand how various signs and symbols—such as speech, drawings, and writing—can be used to communicate. Find computer games that allow students to draw pictures, repeat back words that they hear, or match the names of objects to pictures. Touch screen activities may be particularly effective with this age group—as long as you make sure you monitor them closely so that you don’t end up with a lot of broken tablets on your hands!
  • Incorporate eBooks into story time. These days, you don’t need to have shelves of books to have a wide range of stories available to you; an eReader like the Kindle or iPad allows you to easily share stories with your students. Just make sure there are plenty of pictures you can share, and give students the opportunity to “turn the page” on the eReader so that they get the same interactive experience they would have with a physical book.
  • Use technology to enhance play. Letting your students take a break to get some of their energy out? Try using a laptop or iPad to play kid-appropriate songs from Spotify or your iTunes library so that your students can dance.
  • Mix in activities that aren’t tech-based. As big a role as technology plays in our adult lives, early childhood educators need to understand that young learners need a wide variety of activity types to fully engage with the world around them. Make sure that you set a timer when you’re using any kind of technology with your students, and follow computer games up with an activity that gets them moving, like playing a game outside.

How Early Childhood Teachers Can Use Technology

Technology doesn’t just have to be for the students—tech-savvy early childhood teachers have the opportunity to use plenty of tools to help them get better organized and keep their lessons on track.

  • Use online calendars. Online programs like Google calendars can be a great way to track things like parent-teacher conferences or staff meetings. You can color code different types of activities, set recurring events each month, and schedule reminders.
  • Get inspired by Pinterest. Pinterest, the popular online pin board that allows users to share images, can be a great resource for pre-K teachers. You can use this social media platform to come up with ideas for your classroom layout, decorations, and even crafts for young children. You don’t even have to look particularly far—just search “preschool” and you’ll find all sorts of boards specifically dedicated to the topic.
  • Download and print eBooks and coloring pages. Search for free preschool teacher resources online, like beginning reader eBooks or coloring pages—it’s a smart way to save a bit of money on class supplies.
  • Save your teaching files in the cloud. Sign up to use a free cloud provider like Dropbox, which allows you to access your files from any computer, provided you have an Internet connection. This will save you from having to remember to bring a flash drive if you’re working on a lesson plan or activity at home and need to have it on your computer at school.

Juliana Weiss-Roessler writes about early childhood education with her husband Josh. Follow her on Twitter, Google+, and Facebook.

 

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Why is #sschat valuable to you? Join Today!

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How you can join #sschat?

1. Join the Live #sschat Discussions on Twitter Every Monday Night from 7-8 PM EST (see calendar on the main screen)
2. Join our Facebook Group
3. Join in 24/7 Discussions on Social Studies related topics on twitter follow the hashtag #sschat
4. Visit this #sschat ning website, which has discussion boards, groups, and archived chats of previous twitter discussions.

Why is #sschat valuable to you?
  • #sschat has helped to make me into a more dedicated, engaged, and connected teacher. It has helped me to create a positive learning environment for my students but also a professional learning community that I actually want to be apart of. Melissa Seideman @mseideman
  • #sschat allows me to instantly link with fellow social studies teachers around the globe, in real-time, from the comfort of my sofa.  It’s crowdsourcing professional development (how cool is that?), and it’s the most inspiring and resource-rich professional development I’ve ever participated in.  Joe Sangillo @joesangillo
  • I began watching the collaboration in #sschat as a lurker and thought “I want to belong to this!” The sharing and the organic co -developing of lessons has helped me develop as a newer teacher. -Michael Milton
  • #sschat has given me a countless number of lesson ideas and resources.  Just hearing what other teachers around the world are doing with their classes gets the creative ideas flowing.  It is also inspiring to collaborate with others.  It makes me a better teacher. Mike Nash @mackiefloyd
  • As an education professor, #sschat helps keep me connected with classroom teachers – their interests, successes, and challenges – on a daily basis. – Dan Krutka @dankrutka
  • I am the only Social Studies teacher in my middle school so #sschat IS my Professional Development!  Passionate educators keep me excited and eager to collaborate – John Padula @PadulaJohn
  • #sschat keeps me connected, invigorated and enthusiastic.  Learning from so many innovative educators is an experience that frees me from my office and classroom walls! @antfitz
  • #sschat is a great place to bounce ideas about lessons off others.  You don’t need to always reinvent the wheel. @sbdavidso
  • As a new SS coordinator, #sschat helped me expand my professional network nationwide and worldwide!  In some ways it is like having a SS Fairy Godmother – when I have a question or need a resource,  I tweet it out to #sschat and within minutes I have many great ideas or answers! @MapM8ker
  • #sschat is a great place to know what other people in the world are doing and a place to share good ideas and resources that we may not all have time to keep up with @praisesifa
  • #sschat is a community of passionate and knowledgeable educators dedicated to helping each other grow professionally.  Everyday I learn something new and always come away inspired.  The real winner in all of this… our students.  @RoanHoward
  • #sschat allows for continuous PD and it provides an outlet to share ideas and get feedback by teachers in the your discipline. In addition, it allows us to stay up to date with teaching trends, ideas, technology, and websites.  @philpuzz
  • Without #sschat,  EDSITEment would not be connecting to the most tech savvy teachers in America. We’d be in our “ivory tower” and they would probably not be aware of how much NEH has to offer them.
  • #ssschat has enriched the teaching in our department.   I often share the resources that I have found with teachers in social studies.  They have had great success with students using these resources.  I especially appreciate the support that I have seen provided for teachers new to the profession or teaching a course for the first time.
  • I don’t usually make the live #sschat and when I do it goes too fast for me, but I do enjoy the benefits of using the hashtag to ask questions or to search the archives later. I often share resources that I find here with the teachers in my department.  My participation has made ALL of us better. @jenslish
  • I have not taken part in many #sschat conversations, but I do look through the posts that are tagged #sschat. I have received many great ideas from other social studies teachers. Thank you to all. Monte DeArmoun @nksocialstudies
  • I am inspired by the creativity and dedication of the teachers on #sschat.   In the current test-driven climate, I am so impressed by the ways in which social studies teachers incorporate technology, current events, and interactive methods in their teaching, and refuse to “teach to the tests.” @dutchermann
  • The great people that use #sschat are ALWAYS willing to help with a link or advice to possible teaching topics.  It is instant professional development and probably the best PD tool in use today.  @jeifling
  • #sschat provides me with colleagues who are a resource, support, and inspiration. I just have to ask and there are so many in my PLN who respond immediately. It definitely makes me a better educator. I also connect with educators who are as passionate about student learning as I am and are willing to connect their classrooms worldwide. @kconners09
  • #sschat brings me in contact with new colleagues with new ideas. Collaboration is important to me as I do not have the opportunity at school to do so. There’s always lots of support, too. @geojo22
  • #sschat brings together passionate history teachers to connect, learn and share with one another.  It is a forum for getting help, support and great ideas to improve the teaching of Social Studies. @cybraryman1

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How do you use #sschat?
  • 24/7 or during synchronous, moderated chat on Mondays at 7pm EST
  • I tune in most Monday’s to see what’s up.  I always find something useful.  I will also post resources to #sschat throughout the week and look there when I am trying to find something.  I also occasionally post questions.
  • I ALWAYS come away from #sschat with a new site, article, or connection for my PLN – EVERY TIME.  That’s the kind of people who keep me coming back!
  • I used to come across resources that I wanted to share out and thought no one cares, why bother sharing.  Then I discovered #sschat and now I just tweet a resource with #sschat and I instantly have a whole slew of like minded social studies teacher excited about the resource too.
  • I use #sschat to connect live and collaborate or I can go back and check the archives and find great ideas that are perfect for my lessons.  Every little bit helps in keeping education fresh!
  • Having a network of people who always willing to help/share is refreshing!  Also makes me feel great when I can offer help or a resource – validates what we all believe in as educators, despite high stakes testing and local politics
  • When I come across something useful that helped shaped the way I plan what I’m teaching or some interesting ideas, I like to share it out to others on #sschat
  • EDSITEment staff views #sschat as our window on the world of K-12 social studies and history teachers. We find out so much every day about where they are and what they need.
  • I use #sschat throughout the week rather than come to the chat. I use the archives and follow the hashtag.
  • I generally have classes on Monday evenings so I refer to the archives and follow the hashtag. The archives have provided an abundance of resource and ideas for use in the classroom.  @MaribethWestlun
  • Looking for new ideas and classroom resources.
  • I introduce my preservice teachers to it so that they can have a digital learning community.  I gain energy and enthusiasm from the teachers, even though I can’t regularly join the synchronous chat.  I love to share ideas with other teachers, and to get their suggestions of classroom projects, especially to see their student work.
  • When historical current events take place (death of bin Laden, Japan earthquake, etc) #sschat is the best place to gather information.  It is collaboration at the best.
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Attention #Sociology Teachers at #NCSS13

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If you are attending #ncss13, the American Sociological Association is sponsoring a 4 part symposium of sessions.  Feel free to attend 1, 2, 3, or all 4 of them.  They are also participating in a panel discussion on Saturday.  For more information, see the following:

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