Archives: Resources

Pixlr, among other things, has simple and advanced photo editors you can use right on your web browser. They also make cell phone apps and desktop versions available … learn more

This video takes a quick look at the pros and cons of both Photoshop and GIMP. And good news! GIMP version 2.8, mentioned in the video, is now … learn more

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, cross-platform image editor available for Linux, OS X, Windows, and more. GIMP can be used by graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, … learn more

Paint.NET is a free(!) image and photo editing program for Windows PCs. While not as “feature rich” as PhotoShop, it does a great job and loads faster than … learn more

There are a number of hybrid sites like FreeImages.com that provide both free and for-purchase photos. With over 300,000 free photos, sites like this can provide interesting images … learn more

The Graphics Fairy has over 4,500 free vintage stock images, illustrations, old pictures, antique graphics, and vintage printables. DIY and craft tutorials are offered as well. All images … learn more

Unsplash has over 2 million free high-resolution images “brought to you by the world’s most generous community of photographers”. Covers a wide variety of subjects with high quality … learn more

Check out a repository of digital images from the collections of the National Gallery of Art. More than 45,000 open-access digital images spanning over 700 years of art … learn more

Flubaroo is a free add on for Google Forms (part of Google Docs). In Google Forms, create a test with multiple choice answers then take the test yourself, … learn more

Engage every learner, anywhere with the most comprehensive solution for video recording and streaming, video content management, audience engagement, content creation, and assessments.

Take a look at sample assessment questions from Smarter Balanced.

This blog post from the Northwest Evaluation Association looks at easy-to-implement ideas for measuring student learning. One idea: Keep the Question Going. The teacher asks one student a … learn more

The National Assessment Governing Board is an independent, bipartisan organization that oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as The Nation’s Report Card. You will find … learn more

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, first administered in 1969, is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of what our nation’s students know and can do in … learn more

What is student-centered student self-assessment? No, it’s not the students grading their own tests and giving everyone A’s. What does it look like in the classroom? Do students … learn more

Standardized testing. Formative assessment. Competency-based learning. Report cards. Explore EdWeek’s full coverage of student testing

Louise Yarnall of SRI International answers the question of why assessment is important in education. Assessment is more than just recalling facts and dates, but ensuring the ability … learn more

Assessment involves the use of empirical data on student learning to refine programs and improve student learning. This article from Westminster College looks at the different definitions of … learn more

Connecting educators to what works. Includes many topics: Teachers Essentials, New Teacher, Technology in the classroom, and Professional Development. Education World is a complete online resource that teachers, … learn more

Autodesk’s Tinkercad makes a great classroom tool for 3D modeling. It’s free to use, runs within your web browser (so there’s nothing to install), and is beginner friendly, … learn more

Don’t want to create your own .stl files? Looking for project ideas or see how other people tackled things? Thingiverse is the go-to place for printed objects. Includes … learn more

This post by Josh Price goes into more detail on the steps needed to turn a drawing into complete articulated 3D objects with Fusion 360. While has a … learn more

Lithophanes were first created in the 1820s using porcelain. By varying the depth of the material, you can create a seemingly 3 dimensional black & white image that … learn more

3D printed artwork can take many forms, including 2D wall hangings. Here’s an example of what you can do when you take a line drawing and convert it … learn more

MIT gives us a glimpse into the future of 3D printing technology with an inexpensive printer that can print 10 materials at once, no assembly required. Combining multiple … learn more

We know about 3D printing with plastic, but what about printing magnetic fields? This video by Destin Sandlin looks at how Polymagnet has come up with a way … learn more

The Geneva Drive is an elegant mechanism used to convert rotary motion into intermittent motion. The link includes a YouTube video as well as the STL 3D printer … learn more

Awwww. Meet Peggy. When this little kitty was rescued, they found the lower portion of her rear legs were gone. The author was asked to design a wheelchair … learn more

This is an example of using a 3D printer to create the connectors and other parts needed to assemble an item, in this case a simple solar powered … learn more

Not only is this a fun print that shows how you can print moving mechanisms in place, but it’s practical too. Someone discovered you can spin the Air … learn more

This video shows not only the sphere being printed, but also the steps needed after the print to get everything to work. As you can see, 3D printing … learn more

This model is an exemplar of many different 3D prining concepts. When the model is well designed, you can print a multi-part articulated item all-at-once with even an … learn more

This collection of bubble wands can be printed and used for students of all ages. Younger students can have fun while learning about bubbles. Older students with access … learn more

No matter where education takes place, Zoom can help engage students, faculty, and staff for learning, collaboration, and administration. See how Zoom supports remote and hybrid learning environments … learn more

Naveed Husain, from Teachers College, Columbia University, outlines 20 best practices for educators thrust into the remote-learning journey. The list includes: Be as present as possible through video … learn more

Many teachers have been caught off guard trying to figure out how to pull off lessons. Darin Nakakihara created this edtech tip to help teachers teach remotely. Darin … learn more

Danielle Rochford has been teaching online for over 10 years. She put together this 52 minute webinar to address issues like: How do I get started? What should … learn more

This quick video from ABC News (posted March 10th) explains why officials are banning crowds, closing schools, and encouraging anything to avoid a lot of human contact. It’s … learn more

With everything that’s happening about the Coronavirus, it can be very hard to make a decision of what to do today. Should you wait for more information? Do … learn more

Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer and current “YouTuber and friend of science”, put together this video showing how easy it is to spread germs, including the COVID-19 … learn more

With schools turning to the Internet to facilitate education activities, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are stepping up to the plate, providing free Internet hotspots and continued service during … learn more

To say things are “up in the air” regarding fall college admissions is an understatement. This article from NPR outlines some of the current issues for H.S. seniors … learn more

At the end of March, 2020, 185 countries had closed their schools, affecting 90 percent of the world’s students. The speed of these closures and the rapid move … learn more

The current stay-at-home environment is challenging for learning on a number of fronts. This article talks about how school districts in Colorado are trying to overcome the disparities … learn more

PROTECTING, MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF ALL MINNESOTANS

This article by Sarah Gonser highlights some issues that we will all face as states start to prepare contingency plans for a highly unpredictable Fall 2020 school year: … learn more

This post by Krista Kaput looks at issues specific to Minnesota, but is a reminder that the COVID-19 crisis has caused ripple effects across the education system, raising … learn more

This post by Amy Takabori explains why building a sense of community for your school during a school closure is important and gives 4 tips on how to … learn more

Mike Rowe’s recorded a commencement speech to all those graduating from a trade school, and to those high school graduates about to enter one. In these uncertain times, … learn more

Parents, teachers and students across the country are gearing up for the new school year. But, as of mid-July, what schools and the school day would look like … learn more

Want to help advance the understanding of COVID-19? An easy way to help is downloading the COVID Symptom Study app onto your smartphone. It takes a few minutes … learn more

Randall Munroe at xkcd uses the Star Wars’ Death Star to explain how mRNA vaccines work, like the ones currently available for COVID-19. While you may feel a … learn more

Harvard created the ATLAS Communities project which stretches further and links teachers at the elementary, middle and high school level. Discussion groups and case studies illustrated the process.

The STEM Careers Coalition, co-sponsored by Discovery Education, provides free resources for 6th-12th grade classrooms to develop key STEM and critical thinking skills in your students, aligned to … learn more

ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education, has developed matrices for implementing skills, standards, and activities into both teacher education methods courses and field experiences. Rather than … learn more

IEA conducts large-scale comparative studies of educational achievement and other aspects of education, with the aim of gaining in-depth understanding of the effects of policies and practices within … learn more

Frank Potter’s Science Gems is a collection of “gems” that could be used to introduce beginning teachers or teachers new to technology to the Web.

The National Writing Project has worked hard to cultivate the concept of teacher as researcher. Online collaboration and publishing have bound this community, spread all over the US, … learn more

Nemours KidsHealth is the most-viewed site for dependable information on children’s health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.

The Learning First Alliance, sponsored by almost all of the major volunteer and professional organizations in education, is dedicated to improving student learning in America’s public schools. They … learn more

MOODLE allows you to quickly create – or experiment with – your own on-line learning environment. MOODLE is an acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. Moodle is … learn more

Annenberg Learner provides continuing education and graduate-level courses, in partnership with Colorado State University and PBS TeacherLine.

Edutopia Online, sponsored by the George Lucas Foundation, documents and disseminates innovative practices for administrators. Educators must always hone their craft. Discover the many formal and informal professional … learn more

The ISTE Standards provide the competencies for learning, teaching and leading with technology, and are a comprehensive road map for the effective use of technology in schools worldwide. … learn more

ISTE Blog, formerly EdTekHub, serves up ideas, content and resources for educators. Topics include digital citizenship, education leadership, media literacy, personalized learning, and tools & apps. A free … learn more

Get Educated, a distance learning resource center serves the population of students, eligible for adult education. They publish a free monthly newsletter – back issues are available at … learn more

Teaching Tolerance, part of the Tolerance.org web site, serves as a clearinghouse of information about anti-bias programs and activities. Their goal is to present some of the more … learn more

The Conflict Resolution Education Connection is divided into sections by group such as teachers and administrators. You can find classroom activities ,video resources and administrator how-to guides.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357 (HELP), TTY: 1-800-487-4889, is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance … learn more

As a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many ways you can identify and help a teen suffering from depression. Covers identification, treatment, and the importance of … learn more

Not everyone is comfortable opening up or talking with a professional. Tiny Buddha (not a site about the religion) posts curated stories, tips, and insights from readers of … learn more

PBS has developed this lesson plan for grades 9-12. In the lesson, students examine teenage depression: what it’s all about, how it feels, and ways to deal with … learn more

This resource provides teenagers with tips and tools for helping themselves or a friend.

Research shows that unreasonable start times lead to chronic sleep deprivation in teens. This article looks at why are schools so slow to make changes and the movement … learn more

When counseling teens, ask them how much sleep they are getting. Sleep deprivation increases the likelihood teens will suffer myriad negative consequences, including an inability to concentrate, poor … learn more

KidsHealth in the Classroom offers educators free health-related lesson plans for PreK through 12th grade. Each Teacher’s Guide includes discussion questions, classroom activities and extensions, printable handouts, and … learn more

PBS’ FRONTLINE chronicles how scientists are exploring the recesses of the brain and finding some new explanations for why adolescents behave the way they do. These discoveries could … learn more

Being a teenager is hard. Especially when hormones play their part in wreaking havoc on the teenage body and brain. In this episode, Hank explains what is happening … learn more

Michael Linsin says one of the biggest classroom management mistakes teachers make is that they take disrespectful behavior personally. Better to simply and dispassionately follow your classroom management … learn more

This resource, appropriate for older high school students and adults, looks at cyberstalking and what to do if you are a victim. It looks at the difference between … learn more

Cyberbullying is a real problem that is dominating the bullying trends in schools today. This infographic can be used to as a resource by your students, and to … learn more

Bars and Melody, a rap duo consisting of 15-year-old Charlie and 13-year-old Leondre, compete on “Britain’s Got Talent”. Singing a modified version of “Hope” by Twista and Faith … learn more

This set of 5 short videos was created by students in the Video Production elective class at Palm Middle School in Los Angeles, CA. The students made a … learn more

Kids react to a bullying video and discuss the topic. Each one has a different perspective.

Resources for kids, young adults, parents and educators. Webisodes talk about how to take a stand against bullying. Get ideas for things you can do to make the … learn more

The National Teachers Enhancement Network (NTEN) offers online, graduate-level science courses from a world-class public research university. NTEN was one of the first online professional development programs for … learn more

SciCentral editors aggregate breaking research news from the most reputable and reliable sources. Check out Today’s Highlights on the home page or drill down into an area of … learn more

Education Week is available online. You can explore particular issues and search the archives. In an early September issue a calendar of key conferences nationwide is published by … learn more

Education Northwest conducts nearly 200 projects annually, working with schools, districts, and communities across the country on comprehensive, research-based solutions to the challenges they face. Their blog discusses … learn more

The Best Evidence Encyclopedia (BEE) is intended to give educators and researchers fair and useful information about the strength of the evidence supporting a variety of programs available … learn more

National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) has a section on lesson plans on a variety of science topics for elementary, middle school, and high school students

Ben Johnson looks at how a middle school teacher can cope? Two tools: Distraction and Relationship.

MiddleWeb is all about the middle grades — with a sharp focus on teaching and learning in grades 4-8. Topics range from bullying to history lesson redesigns to … learn more

September 17 is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Constitution Day). This day commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution.

Teacher Policy Research (TPR) is a research partnership between the University of Virginia, Stanford University and the University at Albany to develop policies that will attract and retain … learn more

NAESP, National Association of Elementary School Principals, can be differentiated from related sites, because it includes an online bookstore and an exchange registry by areas of interest and … learn more