General+Education+Resources

2 Cents Worth
David Warlick offers refreshing and thought provoking reflections and insights into the field of education. Although not focused on any particular topic of subject, his blog posts hit more at the heart of everything we do with students. This isn't a post that necessary changes what I do in my classroom the next day, but it is a blog that regularly gets me to take a step back and consider the bigger picture of our profession. It's a blog so everything about it is simple, easy to use, etc. It's really value is not what happens on the screen, it's the effect the content has on my mind that really matters. After reading just a few of his most recent posts this evening, I couldn't help but spend the last 30 minutes writing my own reflective blog post. When a site can actually motivate me to do something (immediately), that's powerful.
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Edutopia
I first discovered Edutopia when I got a free trail version of their magazine in the mail. I quickly became a fan. But it wasn't until recently that I discovered the extensive resources available on their website. For examples, blogs by leading classroom teachers and education consultants, or short videos on both research-based best practices and real life implementation of things like Social Emotional development, seamless integration of technology into classroom curriculum, and project based learning. It's so easy to get stuck within the limitations of what we know and see around us. Having the opportunity to step into other real classrooms around the country helps me think outside the box and envision new ways to facilitate learning.
 * Content: 5 Stars
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Qrious - A Think Tank for Teachers [] This Resource Site is filled with many amazing and "unconventional strategies and tools for teachers who love to learn". Once you begin to look around this site you will find something, somewhere that amazes, interests, or fascinates you to some degree. From information about writing grants, to reading an article about "How to use a cell phone in the classroom", to creating videos, you will find yourself logged on to this site much longer than you expected to be. Ratings Content: 5 Stars Speed: 5 Stars Ease of Reading: 5 Stars Navigation: 5 Stars Timely: 5 Stars