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Microsoft Enters Tablet Market

SurfaceNo, that image to the left is not an iPad surrounded by SmartCovers. That is the Microsoft Surface. Not to be confused with the giant table-sized computer the company released a while ago, the Surface is Microsoft’s entry into the tablet market.

Attempting to take a page out of Apple’s playbook on several levels, Microsoft revealed the Surface during a mystery press event in California. What those in attendance saw was an iPad knock-off that is heavier, boasts shorter batter life and an inferior chip. To be fair, the Surface does have an impressive cover that contains a fully functioning keyboard, but that is an accessory that must be purchased.

Microsoft has two versions of the Surface in the works, each for a very different audience. There’s a “consumer version” that will run Windows RT and a “business version” that will run Windows 8.

Microsoft isn’t saying exactly when the Surface will be available for purchase, or how much it will cost, but experts are predicting the “consumer version” to fall in the $500 price range with the “business version” to come in at over $1,000. The pricier version does have better overall tech specs than its cheaper brother, but that improved performance comes at the cost of weight and, of course, cost.

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Adding Authenticity to Assessment

During their preparation years, teachers likely learn to ensure that assessment appropriately aligns with learning objectives. However, the words real-world and authentic are often also associated with assessment. While it sounds nice, just how do we make an assessment “authentic.”

First, let’s discuss what’s meant by authentic. One definition might be: assessments that measure not only the learning objective but also how those skills and knowledge might be applied in real-world...

World Water Day is March 22nd:...

 
Water actually has a day when people focus on just how important water is to all of us. World Water Day is March 22nd. In 2018, the theme for world Water Day is “Nature for Water”. The organization says the focus for the day is  “exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.”
 
Did You Know?
1. Our planet is about 75% water.  Yet, less than 2% is able to be used by humans. Can you think of two reasons...

Concerns Facing Literacy & Writing...

One of the major concerns facing literacy and writing today is the lack of interest or time paid to children of different learning styles. 90% of our students are visual/kinesthetic learners, yet not enough resources or time is placed on this learning style throughout many school districts and unfortunately, some at-risk children or those with needs have fallen into the gray area of education. They might be over-looked, taught with mediocrity, or expected to not succeed. Interestingly, these...

Building a Positive School Climate with...

Building positive school, parent, and community volunteer relationships will improve school climate and make the school a better place to work and learn. Some possible volunteer activities:

  • Tutoring and remedial help
  • Mentoring
  • Working with academic booster club
  • Working with band, sports, cheerleading, drama, etc. clubs
  • Acting as volunteer coaches
  • Join and become active in parent and teacher organizations
  • Arranging and...

St. Patrick's Day is Coming:...

Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day

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The “Lever” to Differentiation and...

Let’s make no mistake: differentiation requires extra time and effort. Individualizing instruction and making it appropriate to diverse learners requires additional planning, additional resources, and more attention to detail. I see no way around that. However, planning for differentiation itself and adding layers of rigor to instruction should not be an intimidating task that requires huge amounts of time. What I’m going to share in this blog will allow teachers to differentiate instruction...

Maintaining a Volunteer and Mentoring...

The accountability standards mandated by state and federal legislators are becoming increasingly difficult to meet for many schools. Using volunteers and mentors are one strategy that can go a long way toward helping meet accountability standards.

There is a common belief as well as research that parental involvement and strong schools are inseparable and that each one makes the other stronger. What better way to get parents and the community involved than to get them volunteering/...

The Open House - Planning is Key

I suggest that you focus on the parents for a successful open house. You should instruct the teachers about the process and have them ready. We always had pizza and soda in the media center prior to the open house. We kept the teachers on campus, so they wouldn’t be late or “forget” about the program. Didn’t cost much and created good will.

I feel that a good open house should include an informal information session (15 minutes maximum) where you can go over the evenings expectations...

Hosting a Successful Open House

An open house for parents is now required in many districts and states, usually in early Fall. At our school, we have ours one day before school starts and it is a combination of an open house and a meet the teacher day as we are a pre-K to 12th grade school.

The question is how to showcase the event, so it becomes a positive and informative event for the teachers and parents. Something that is a positive PR tool that can improve the school’s culture and climate. Often principals do...

March is Women's History Month....

 
 
"Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent...

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