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Students do not learn in equal ways and therefore must be taught in a way that matches their learning style. For example, students who are visual learners may benefit from lectures with PowerPoint slides and visuals. On the other hand, auditory learners could benefit from audio recordings or verbal lectures. It is also important to note that different students have different levels of knowledge and some require more explanation than others. Throughout my teaching career, I have dealt with students who have different learning styles. During the first four or 8 weeks of each new year, I would double down on my efforts to understand each student's learning style and background in order to assess how I could best help them with their learning.  I would always look for clues in the way they interacted with their peers, asked questions and took notes. This allowed me to be able to adjust my teaching style and lesson plans accordingly. As you understand your students learning styles an...

Reading is a complex, multifaceted skill that unfolds over time. It is an advanced thinking process that requires the integration of many skills, such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Reading development is composed of several stages . Each stage builds upon the previous one and leads to the next level of reading ability. Understanding the stages of reading development is crucial for fostering a love of reading and ensuring academic success. [Related: 15 Great Books on Teaching Reading] In this blog post, I will discuss the various stages of reading development, highlighting key milestones and offering insights to guide you in nurturing and celebrating your child's or students' progress. From emergent pre-reading to advanced reading, let's delve into the fascinating world of literacy and discover how to cultivate confident, skilled readers. What are the stages of reading development The stages of reading development are a framewo...

The spell of generative AI is just getting bigger and bigger with new amazing AI powered applications and services introduced everyday. I am indeed overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of possibilities that generative AI brings to the table. While the concerns of misuse are always there, but I am very much optimistic that this technology will positively transform education in unprecedented ways. In today's post, I am sharing with you this collection of handy AI Chrome extensions that will help you generate YouTube video summaries and scripts within few seconds. These AI Chrome extensions use artificial intelligence and natural language processing model to automatically generate summaries, abstracts and scripts for videos.  Now, instead of watching the whole video only to discover that it is not what you were looking for, you can quickly generate the summary and decide if it is what you are looking for or not. This would save you time and energy and enhance your productivity. For...

I find it so hard to write this post as my mother is still in coma for almost three years now. The word mother alone brings tears to my eyes. I know many of you reading these lines will relate to this. Please remember that life is so short and it’s important to share your feelings with those who are close to heart, especially your mothers. If your mom is still alive, you must appreciate her for all she has done for you and take every opportunity to make her feel special in whatever way possible. She is the one who has brought you into this world and given you life, love, and unconditional support. [Related: 30 Awesome Proud of You Quotes] As Mother's Day is around the corner, let us all take a moment to thank our mothers for their never-ending support, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Let’s make this special day truly memorable for the women who have given us a lifetime of joy and laughter. Here are some Mother’s Day quotes to help express your love and appreciation for all tha...

Since its release last November, ChatGPT has taken the Internet by storm. For us in education, the ripples of this new generative AI technology have been felt across the spectrum.Admittedly, the tool has generated mounting controversy around its potential misuse and a number of school districts in the US have already banned it on its grounds. I personally do not agree with the decision to ban ChatGPT or any other technology for that matter. Bans do not work and students will always find ways to circumvent them (e.g., use it on their own devices). I rather embrace it and explore how it can help us in our classrooms. However, the discussion of how to use ChatGPT is not the topic of this post, I will return to it with more details in future posts. Instead, I will focus on one of the powerful features to use with ChatGPT and that is voice to text. As an AI language model, ChatGPT doesn't have a feature for voice typing. However, you can use a speech-to-text tool or software to con...

Since its release a few months ago, ChatGPT becomes a sensation in the online world. More and more people are using it on a daily basis and for various purposes, from creating social media posts to writing long essays. As as educator, I believe ChatGPT has a huge potential to revolutionize learning , and we have already seen some amazing applications being developed. If you use ChatGPT in Chrome then you need to check out the extensions below. These are some of the best and most helpful ChatGPT Chrome extensions that you can use to get the most out of this powerful tool.  [Related: Best AI Chrome Extensions for Teachers and Educators] From summarizing YouTube videos to providing voice input and output, these extensions make using ChatGPT easier and more accessible than ever before. Whether you are a student, writer, or simply someone who loves exploring new technology, these extensions are sure to impress. 1. Merlin Merlin is a free tool that provides easy access to Open...

As a former EFL (English as a foreign language) teacher, I can only marvel at the incredible language learning possibilities offered by the Internet and more specifically mobile technology.  I wish my students had these opportunities when they were learning English, things would have been much easier.  The power of mobile technology especially for us in education is that it unchained learning from any temporal and geographical boundaries making learning on the go accessible to anyone with access to an Internet-enhanced portable device.  For language learners this means that they can learn a new language anywhere and anytime they want.  There is a wide variety of language learning apps in the both Android and Apple stores that allow anyone to start learning a new language with unprecedented ease. The collection below features some of the best language learning apps I curated especially for students and teachers.  Whether you want to learn a new language through video lessons, 1 on 1 t...

Canva comic strip maker is a good tool teachers and students can use to create cartoons. Comic strips can be used for a wide variety of educational purposes including digital storytelling, simplifying a complex concept, practice writing and speaking, revise vocabulary, and many more.  The tool is simple and easy to use, no coding or design knowledge is required.  There is even a collaborative feature which students can use to work together on the same comic strip.   When the final product is ready, it can be shared on social media websites or downloaded to be printed and used in class. How to create a comic strip using Canva? To get started creating a comic strip, head over to Canva and choose whether you want to start with a ready-made template or create one from scratch.   Either way, the template will open in Canva editor where you can use the tools in the left hand panel to add elements, visuals, and various text fonts to your strip. You can insert and adjust frames, resize g...

This article explores the four best software to record lectures. Find out how to create engaging and flexible content for your students and what tools to use. How to Record a Lecture: Top 4 Screen Recorders for Teachers As technology continues to play a larger role in education, teachers are turning to screen recording as a means of creating engaging and flexible content for their students. Screen recorders provide teachers with the ability to create video lessons and tutorials, all with ease and convenience.  In this article, we will explore the four best screen recording software for teachers according to Movavi.  1. Movavi Screen Recorder With Movavi Screen Recorder, teachers can easily record their computer screens and create professional-quality videos for their students. One of the standout features of this software is its ease of use. Movavi’s intuitive interface makes it easy to start recording and share content with students. Another advantage of Movavi Screen R...

AI technology has taken the Internet by storm and is radically shaping a new world, one in which automation and machine learning are becoming increasingly more prevalent. For us in education we can help out jump on the AI wandbagon and take advantage of its unique capabilities to enhance our teaching practice, optimize students learning, and create inclusive and meaningful learning experiences for our students. Since Open AI, the company behind ChatGPT, made its API public, there have been a number of Chrome extensions developed to take advantage of the API. These AI-powered browser extensions offer a wide range of features that can help teachers create a more engaging learning environment for their students. I spent the last few days experimenting with numerous AI Chrome extensions and curated for you the collection below. I only included those that I think can add value to your work as a teacher and educator. With said, there are some caveats you need to heed in this regard. First...

The purpose of today's post is to share with you this collection of some of the best selling Amazon teacher supplies to use in your classroom. These supplies are arranged into various categories but I have only featured categories that are most relevant to us practicing teachers. Each category contains several products.  Browse through the collections, pay attention to product ratings and make sure you read consumer comments before you make any purchase. Please note that these links are Amazon affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase I will earn a tiny commission at no cost to you. 1. Art Drawing Supplies Products in Art Drawing Supplies are arranged into several categories including Drawing Art Blenders, Artists Drawing Sets, Artists' Manikins Calligraphy & Sumi Brushes, Artists' Drawing & Lettering Aids, Artists Drawing Media, Drawing Tables & Boards, Drawing Erasers, Drawing Fixatives, Artists Light Boxes, Drawing Nibs, Drawing Rubbing Plates...

Writing is a fundamental skill that every kid should learn and develop. It takes much practice and dedication to be able to write well. One of the best ways for 5th grade students to practice their writing skills is through creative writing prompts. These are fun and engaging topics that students can use to come up with interesting stories or poems. The purpose is to stimulate their imaginations and help them develop their writing skills. In coming up with writing prompts for your 5th grade students, it is important to consider the age group and provide topics that challenge them without being too overwhelming. Remember, allowing them to explore their imaginations is key! Below are some examples of 5th grade writing prompts that your students can use to help improve their writing skills. I drew on various sources including AI chatbots to crowdsource these prompts. From imagining alternate worlds and magical adventures to reflecting on personal experiences and sharing opini...