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Even as new technologies are developed, innovation around the application of existing
technology is rapidly changing how organizations operate and how we interact with the
world. Leaps in computing capacity, data capture and connectivity are accelerating this
change. Here are five areas to watch in 2019 and beyond…
1. Artificial intelligence
AIl is about machines with human attributes - speaking, reading, seeing and even
recognizing emotion - completing tasks while also "learning" from repeated interactions.
Using algorithms that adapt to location, speech or user-history machines can perform
tasks that are dangerous or tedious, more accurately or much faster than humans.
Within a few years, analysts predict that all software will use AI at some level, according
to US research and advisory firm Gartner. Importantly AI offers the opportunity to
continuously tailor products and services providing a competitive advantage over rivals
that is not easily copied. The question to ask is 'how can AI help my organisation?
Augmented reality
Systems that combine real-time 3D vision, sound, haptics (the sense of touch), location
data and even other senses such as smell enable people to immerse themselves
somewhere else, react to what's around them and alter their virtual environment in real
time. Organisations are increasingly applying this technology across a wide spectrum of
human activity from art and entertainment to commerce, education and the military. It's
used to train doctors, nurses, teachers and police officers and will soon be available on
your smart device. Could you use AR to lift efficiency for your internal stakeholders or
help you communicate with your customer base?
3. Blockchain
The fortunes of digital currency Bitcoin have drawn public attention to Blockchain
technology, but this secure system for recording and verifying transactions and storing
trusted records has the potential to disrupt enterprises of many kinds. Companies are
using Blockchain technology to transform time-consuming, centralised, less reliable and
less secure systems. Digital democracy platform MyVote, for example, uses Blockchain
to store users' personal data and voting history to give citizens a more direct voice in the
political process. Could you use Blockchain to keep your data secure?
4. Automation
Robots in manufacturing go back to the 1960s. Now it's the scale and breadth of the
transformation that automated systems make possible, as a result of other advances in
machine learning and connectivity, for example, that puts automation firmly at the
forefront of technology trends. From convenient devices at home to industrial
applications on a massive scale, automation will be a key focus of technological
change, with potentially far-reaching economic and social consequences.
Currently, professional services such as the legal and finance industry are being
disrupted by automation with feedback from these sectors being that core technical
skills together with management and people skills being more important than ever. How
will automation disrupt your industry?
5. Internet of Things
Gartner calls the combination of technologies and the connection of people, devices,
content and services the "intelligent digital mesh." This is the foundation for new
business models, platforms and possibilities that will transform how we live and work
with implications that go far beyond the technology itself and involve disciplines such as
law, economics, business and politics.
It is early days for the application of IoT strategy but it is clear that opportunities will
exist for those with the technical knowledge to connect platforms as well as those with
the data analytics skills to utilise the rich stream of information generated by IoT
applications. What could you learn from connecting and analysing the data from your
products or elements of your core operations?
In 2011, actor Matt Damon spoke at the Save Our Schools teacher rally in Washington, D.C.,
Damon, the son of a teacher, touched on a number of themes that prevailed that day--namely, a
frustration with test-based education and score-driven performance incentives. He also addressed
the political lashing teachers had received in the media, like the perception that they were "overpaid"
or had cushy jobs. "It has been a horrible decade for teachers," he said. "I can't imagine how
demoralized you must feel."
Damon's speech quickly went viral. However you interpreted his goals or qualifications, he did bring
to light an issue many educators face: How do teachers stay motivated in the age of "teacher-proof"
education? When teachers' jobs and paychecks are used as political bargaining chips? Today's
educators probably need more than a catered PTO lunch to feel reinvested in or impassioned by
their work. Here are a few ways to motivate them and inspire their best.
1. Give them space . Teachers are leaders. They are expected to run a classroom of
squirrely children, convincing them that yes, they do have to stay seated and no, they may not
use their pencils that way. When it comes to developing their own lesson plans, however,
districts often give them very little room to breathe. Most teachers do need to adhere to a set
curricula most of the time, but giving them a little wiggle room can motivate them to excel.
According to Education Week, educators who regain some control over their work perform
better, improving student outcomes.
4. Challenge them. In 2013, The National Education Association asked nearly a thousand
teachers what they really wanted for National Teacher Appreciation Day (Hint: Shiny apples
did not make the cut). A common theme: Teachers want to be held to higher standards -- and
no, that does not mean they want more standardized tests. Teachers want administrators to
trust their experience, to give them more authority over their instruction, and to provide
a fair measurement of how effectively they meet their students' needs -- preferably without
Scantrons. They want to excel in their craft. Let them prove it.
5. Give them the tools to succeed. If teachers want to find new ways to reach all different
types of learners, they need well stocked supply closets and realistic student-to-teacher ratios.
They need materials that can appeal to tactile, auditory and visual learners, and time to
evaluate and work with each child. Let's face it: Many districts simply do not have the
resources to accomplish these goals -- but you can still advocate for your teachers, or find
creative solutions to help minimize the gaps. Anything -- even a healthy dose of empathy -- is
better than nothing.
6. Pay them what they deserve. According to the aforementioned NEA poll, teachers want to
be paid what they deserve -- no more, no less. They have a point. A 2011 Economic Policy
Institute report found that teachers earn less than similarly educated professionals in other
fields, which is a shame when one considers how important their work really is for our future
economy. Increasing base salaries is an undeniably challenging feat that demands
widespread reform, but the fact remains: If you want good teachers to continue giving their all,
make sure they can afford to do so.
These ideas for motivating teachers are drawn from research, polls and a good deal of introspection,
but all teachers--and districts--have different needs. If you aren't sure how to best support educators,
just ask them. Chances are they have been waiting for you to ask.
Education World®
Copyright © 2013 Education World
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February Every-Day Edits Use Every-Day Edits to build language skills, test scores, and cultural
literacy. Be sure to see our tips for using Every-Day Edits in your classroom. African American
History MonthRosa ParksSpace Shuttle ColumbiaWoolworth's Sit-InGroundhog DayThe Adventures
of Huckleberry Finn PublishedSled Dogs Save NomeGrand Central TerminalThe Super
Bowl"Hammerin' Hank" AaronPresident Ronald ReaganLaura Ingalls WilderSapporo Snow
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the Dwarf PlanetFirst Woman DentistGeorge Frederick HandelKuwaitGrand Canyon National
ParkUntethered Space WalkEdison’s First Movie SetSnow Ice CreamLeap Year Looking for ideas
for using Every-Day Edits in your classroom? See our idea file. Run out of Every-Day Edit activities
for the month of February? Check out our Xtra activities for any time of year.
February Every-Day Edits
esson Plan: Ask and Answer About Space Subject: ELA- Reading Grade: 3 Lesson Objective:
To ask and answer questions about a particular text Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-
Literacy.RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring
explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. Materials: Printable Paragraph Student Handout
Starter: Say: Why do we ask questions? (Allow the students to answer.) Main: Say: We ask
questions to learn more about something. Sometimes we ask questions because we do not
understand something and we need it to be explained more. And, sometimes we ask questions
because we just want to know more! Many times, when we are reading, we think of questions that
we have about what we are reading. It might be a question about a word that we do not understand
or a question about why something happened. Raise your hand if you have ever asked a question
out loud or to yourself when you were reading? You are now going to read a paragraph about
space. While you are reading, I want you to think about any questions that you might have. (Allow
the students time to read the paragraph.) Now that you have read about space, I want you to think
about questions that you have about what you read. Raise your hand if you have a question. (Allow
the students to share their questions. If the students cannot come up with any questions to ask,
prompt them by asking them to think about questions using who, what, where, why and how.) You
came up with some really good questions! Now, you are going to answer questions about what you
read. You will write the answer on the line next to the questions. You will also need to underline the
part of the paragraph that shows you where you got your answer. Does anyone have any questions?
Feedback: Say: Who would like to share their answers? (Allow the students to share and go over
the answers and where they came from.) Written by Kimberly Greacen, Education World®
Contributing Writer Kimberly is an educator with extensive experience in curriculum writing and
developing instructional materials to align with Common Core State Standards and Bloom's
Taxonomy. Copyright© 2019 Education World
Lesson Plan: Ask and Answer About Space
While most teachers enter their jobs with a strong drive and passion for teaching, some may feel the
“spark” dim as time passes by. Many teachers struggle to meet educational standards, effectively
manage classrooms, and communicate with administrators, hindering their ability to teach.
Great teachers fight through these challenges and successfully overcome them. By meeting these
obstacles head on, teachers can maintain their passion and feel a sense of achievement in their
profession. Provided below is a list of things you can do to regain your passion for teaching.
· Be open to change
A teacher should be open to change. Evaluate your teaching techniques, experiment with new
strategies, integrate technology, and adapt practices to address the diverse needs of students.
Understand different learning styles and incorporate various assessment strategies. Create an
active, collaborative learning environment where students are active, rather than passive
participants.
· Overcome student behavioral issues
Disruptive students cause teachers to feel exhausted, unappreciated and disrespected. A teacher
who’s enthusiastic at first might become anxious and stressed, losing focus and passion in the
process.
When you feel overwhelmed by student behavior problems, the most important thing to remember is
to be patient. By being patient, you can think more rationally (not clouded by emotion or anger).
Determine why these problems are occurring and think of a solution.
Teachers with good relationships with their students have fewer problems with student behavior and
discipline. It is also important to foster a sense of belonging inside the classroom. If the whole class
is working together as a team, students can help each other and there is a greater chance for
learning and academic success.
· Develop effective teacher/administrator relationships
Aside from establishing good relationships with their students, teachers should also build a rapport
with administrators and colleagues. You shouldn’t be afraid to approach administrators with your
problems and concerns.
By opening up, you are showing that you are passionate about teaching and want to improve as an
educator. Most likely, administrators will do all they can to help you deal with issues ranging from
disruptive students to concerns about education policy.
In case an administrator is unable to provide support, teachers can seek help from fellow teachers.
Share ideas, tips, and advice on how to prevent burnout and how to regain passion for teaching.
· Keep the fire lit
If you feel that you are slowly losing your passion for teaching, modify your routine and take creative
risks. Make new lesson plans and think of new (and fun) classroom activities to increase learning
inside the classroom.
Maintaining passion is not that easy, especially if you’ve been a teacher for a long time. But if you
work hard and believe in yourself, there’s a good chance that you will succeed and regain the
“spark” that brought you to the teaching profession in the first place.
Conclusion
For passionate teachers, educating students is more than just a job; it’s a mission, a way of life. All
great teachers are passionate. They have a strong passion and enthusiasm for their profession.
They are delighted every time their students acquire new knowledge and skills.
From seeing a student’s face light up after solving a math problem, to helping students explore new
worlds through history or literature, these teachers derive joy from seeing their students learn.
INcompassing Ed is composed of highly qualified and experienced professionals who are very
passionate about education and learning. We provide high-quality professional development for
teachers through on-site, off-site and online PD. To learn more, contact us or visit our website
at www.incompassinged.com.