Ed Tech Blog
In classrooms filled with energy, curiosity, and constant movement, early learners bring a unique set of challenges and opportunities to educators. One of the most important—and often most difficult—tasks is securing and maintaining their attention. Attention is the foundation of learning, and if a teacher cannot first engage a child’s focus, meaningful instruction becomes nearly impossible. Fortunately, early childhood educators can use a wide range of creative, engaging strategies to draw students in and keep them engaged throughout a lesson. Techniques such as using music, videos, picture walks, puppetry, and hands-on sensory experiences are highly effective ways to spark excitement and establish connections between children and the learning process. These “lesson hooks” act as captivating entry points that not only gain attention but also build anticipation, motivation, and confidence in young students.
The Importance of Attention in Early Learning Environments
Attention in early childhood classrooms goes far beyond simply getting children to sit still. It’s about helping them develop the cognitive and emotional skills needed to engage deeply with the world around them. Because the brains of young children are still developing—especially the parts related to impulse control and concentration—teachers must design lessons that align with their natural learning style. This means building in movement, novelty, and opportunities for social interaction. Without this understanding, traditional lecture-style teaching quickly loses their attention. However, when attention-grabbing strategies are built into each lesson, learning becomes more organic and enjoyable. Children become willing participants in their own growth, rather than passive recipients of information.
Using Music and Songs to Engage and Reinforce
Music is a powerful and proven method for capturing the attention of early learners. Songs are not only fun and memorable but also help structure time and transitions, making them especially useful in early childhood settings. A cheerful “Good Morning” song at...
Read more: Capturing Young Minds: Creative Strategies to Engage Early Learners
In many classrooms, traditional assessment models place the heaviest emphasis on final outcomes—whether that’s a perfectly written essay, a well-researched science report, or a polished piece of artwork. This product-oriented approach, while useful for evaluating knowledge, often overlooks something equally important: the process that students go through to arrive at their final work. Every idea brainstormed, mistake made, and revision attempted is a crucial part of the learning journey. By focusing solely on the destination, we miss out on the story of growth, persistence, and creativity along the way.
Journey boards offer a powerful shift in how we value and celebrate student work. Rather than just showcasing what was accomplished at the end, journey boards highlight the steps students took, the decisions they made, the struggles they overcame, and the growth they experienced. These boards serve as a reflective and visual tool, helping students see their own learning unfold over time. By encouraging students to chronicle and share their process, journey boards build self-confidence, promote peer learning, and create a classroom culture that truly values learning as a journey.
What Are Journey Boards?
Journey boards are creative visual displays that document the stages of student learning. They serve as living...
Read more: Journey Boards in the Classroom: A Tool for Reflective and Creative Learning
Tests can be a daunting experience for students. The pressure to perform, combined with the variety of question types and time constraints, often leads even the most capable learners to underperform. However, success on tests is not solely determined by how much content students know—it also depends on how effectively they can apply that knowledge under test conditions. By equipping students with strategic approaches to answering questions, educators can help them avoid common pitfalls and give a more accurate reflection of their understanding. The following four test-taking strategies are simple, teachable, and incredibly effective at helping students truly demonstrate what they’ve learned.
Reading Questions Carefully: The First Step Toward Accuracy
A fundamental but often overlooked strategy is teaching students the value of reading questions thoroughly. In the rush of trying to complete a test on time, students may skim over a question or misread a key part of it, resulting in avoidable mistakes. Sometimes, one small word—like "not," "least," or "all"—can entirely change the meaning of the question. If a student misses this cue, they might choose an answer that’s factually correct but contextually incorrect.
One of the best habits students can build is to read each question twice before...
Read more: Mastering Tests: 4 Essential Strategies to Help Students Confidently Show What They Know
Introducing Proficiency Days: A New Approach
Enter Proficiency Days — a refreshing and innovative approach some school districts have begun adopting to transform the end-of-year experience for students and teachers alike. Instead of letting the final weeks descend into a frantic race to submit missing assignments, Proficiency Days are designated blocks of time where students focus intentionally on demonstrating mastery of the core skills and standards they have been developing throughout the year. This deliberate shift from quantity to quality not only supports deeper learning but also helps students end their year on a positive and confident note.
Defining Proficiency Days: Focus on Mastery
Proficiency Days are dedicated sessions near the end of the academic calendar where students actively work toward proving their understanding and skills in a meaningful, focused way. Unlike traditional end-of-year practices that often allow students to submit any outstanding assignments haphazardly, Proficiency Days require students to reflect on what they truly need to master to meet academic standards. During this time, students engage in targeted assessments, projects, or performance tasks specifically designed to evaluate their proficiency on key concepts. The goal is not just to complete busywork or submit late homework but to show clear evidence...
Read more: From Stress to Success: The Power of Proficiency Days in High Schools
Unlocking Writing Success: How Cognitive Science Makes Writing Easier and More Engaging for Students
Writing is a fundamental skill that students are expected to develop across all grade levels and disciplines. Yet, for many learners, writing often feels like a daunting and frustrating challenge. It’s not uncommon to hear students say they “don’t know what to write” or feel overwhelmed by the process of getting their thoughts onto paper. However, recent advances in cognitive science provide invaluable insights into how writing instruction can be designed to align with the way the brain naturally processes information. By applying these principles, educators can make writing less difficult, which not only improves students’ writing skills but also increases their motivation and engagement as learners. When writing feels more manageable and meaningful, students are more likely to develop confidence, persistence, and a genuine interest in communication.
The Cognitive Load of Writing and Working Memory Limits
One of the key reasons writing is challenging for many students is because it is a cognitively demanding task that requires juggling multiple mental processes all at once. To write well, students must come up with ideas, organize those ideas logically, apply correct grammar and spelling, and continuously monitor and revise their work—all while considering the needs of an imagined audience. Cognitive science...
In today’s education landscape, integrating technology into the classroom is no longer a luxury but a necessity. When used thoughtfully, technology can enhance teaching, foster student engagement, and prepare learners for the digital world. Yet, even with the best tools at their disposal, many teachers hesitate or struggle to incorporate technology effectively. This hesitation often stems from feelings of uncertainty, lack of support, or insufficient involvement in the technology adoption process. To bridge this gap, schools and educational leaders need a structured approach that empowers teachers to confidently and meaningfully implement technology. Below is a comprehensive five-step plan designed to encourage teachers to embrace technology in their lessons, ensuring they feel involved, supported, and motivated throughout the process.
Involving Teachers Early Builds Ownership and Trust
One of the most important foundations for successful technology integration is to involve teachers early in the decision-making process. Far too often, schools select new tools or platforms without consulting the educators who will ultimately use them. This top-down approach can leave teachers feeling disconnected or even resistant to change. By engaging teachers from the outset—whether through surveys, focus groups, or pilot programs—schools communicate respect for their professional expertise and acknowledge the realities of classroom...
Read more: Empowering Educators: A 5-Step Plan to Integrate Technology in the Classroom