Curriculum and Academics

Unlocking the Future: The Power of STEAM Education

As a classically trained musician descended from a long line of engineers, I have experienced the interplay and tension between my passion for music and my appreciation of how things work.

• When I studied trigonometry and Latin in high school, I never realized that STEM subjects would become a critical component of 21st-century primary and secondary education.
• Neither did I understand how the arts enriched my perspective on just about everything.

Canva generated this picture of students in a science lab.

In today's rapidly changing world, we must prepare students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

• The focus on STEM has morphed into integrating arts subjects with STEM, creating the aggregation of disciplines we call STEAM. A STEAM education integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in a comprehensive and cohesive learning environment.
• Most private K-12 schools are well-equipped to teach the benefits of a STEAM education, thus providing their students with a strong foundation for future success in their life and work as adults.

In the explanation of STEAM and the subjects that comprise STEAM that follows, I have included quotations from various sites devoted to STEAM, so that you can explore the approach in detail.

The Interdisciplinary Approach of STEAM

The concept behind STEAM education is the idea that these five disciplines are interconnected and that we should adopt

Technology in the Classroom

I've wanted to write an article about technology and its uses in our classrooms forever.

• We've come a long way since PCs and VisiCalc emerged in the 1980s.
• Over the past 45 years, devices kept getting smaller, more powerful, and, best of all, so much easier to use.
• That, coupled with the explosion of information online, means that any student, any classroom, can have the resources of a Library of Congress to the Nth degree at her fingertips.

Given the scope of this subject, I will divide it into two articles.

• The first deals with technology in the classroom, what's used, how it's used, its pros and cons, and so forth.
• The second will examine the future of educational technology, its sustainability, and its use in school offices.

Technology in the Classroom

There's no doubt that technology enhances learning experiences for students. Learning Management Systems (LMS) organize and deliver those improved experiences.

A Learning Management System is a software application or web-based technology used to plan, implement, and assess a specific learning process. Think of it as an electronic lesson plan book on steroids. Typically, an LMS provides an instructor with a way to create and deliver content, monitor student participation, and assess student performance. Source: IBM

This video explains Learning Management Systems.

AI is fast transforming the way businesses operate. So, I was curious how AI might affect our K012 classrooms. The inevitable sensational headlines, such as "Will AI replace teachers?" generate tons of speculation by the talking heads on TV and blogwriters looking for the next way to scare their readers. However, having been a teacher at both the K-12 and college levels, I can tell you that AI will not replace our teachers any time soon. With that in mind, let's look at some of the ways AI can enhance teaching and the things AI cannot do.

Successful Uses of AI in the Classroom

AI is another tool that can be used successfully by both teachers and students. I look at AI the same way I have viewed slide projectors, televisions, smartboards, computers, and all the other bits and pieces of technology that have appeared in our classrooms over the years, i.e., they help present the material I am teaching. People learn in so many different ways. Depending on the material you are presenting one of these technologies might spark that "Eureka!" moment we teachers all seek. While our student may not run into the streets as Archimedes did, she will have that look that says, "I got it!" Ultimately, it is always up to us teachers to remember that one size does not fit all. Each student learns in her way. Varied ways of presenting what you are teaching will help make the material understood.

Personalized Learning

As parents, we play a crucial role in our children's educational journey, especially during their middle and high school years. To support their academic success, we must understand the tools educators use to assess and guide their students' progress. This article delves into the world of rubrics and how they can empower parents in grades 7-12 to be active partners in their children's education.

The Importance of Rubrics in Grades 7-12

Rubrics are not just grading tools but windows into your child's learning experience. We'll explore why rubrics are essential for assessing academic and soft skills development, helping you gain insights into your child's progress in various subjects.

What is a rubric?

A rubric is a structured scoring guide or set of criteria used to evaluate or assess performance, work, or a particular task. It provides a clear and systematic way to measure the quality or level of achievement in a given context, such as in education, grading assignments projects, or assessing various skills.

The use of rubrics dates back to ancient times, with the term "rubric" originating from the Latin word "ruber," which means red. In ancient Rome and medieval Europe, teachers and religious leaders often used red ink or red lines to highlight important text or instructions within documents or manuscripts. Over time, this practice evolved into using red ink or markings to indicate specific grading criteria and guidelines for assessments.

However, as we understand them today, the modern concept of rubrics developed more significantly in

A timeline is helpful when dealing with a controversial issue such as school vouchers. But before we do that, what are vouchers?

EdChoice describes vouchers as:

"School vouchers give parents the freedom to choose a private school for their children, using all or part of the public funding set aside for their children's education. Under such a program, funds typically spent by a school district would be allocated to a participating family in the form of a voucher to pay partial or full tuition for their child's private school, including both religious and non-religious options."

You will hear vouchers called various names, such as parental choice, education grants, scholarships, and tuition grants, to list but a few of the names you will encounter for vouchers. According to the Education Commission of the States, Sixteen states and the District of Columbia currently offer 27 voucher programs.

This TEDxICC talk is entitled School Choice: The Next Frontier In Civil Rights.

Introduction to School Choice

School choice is a term that encompasses various alternatives to traditional public schools, including charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, and vouchers. The concept has deep historical roots and continues to be a vital part of contemporary education policy.

Early 20th Century: Origins and Early Models

The idea of educational vouchers was first proposed by economist Milton Friedman in 1955. He suggested