Another fabulous summer has come to a close. Educators are once again engulfed in the start of a new school year and all the wonderful and time-consuming things that go along with it. While most of you found time to read over the summer amid vacations, lesson plan prep, professional development and personal rejuvenation, it is critical that we continue reading throughout the year. The following three recommendations are short-form, practical books and articles that can be read in one or two sittings. We’ve included titles under three distinct categories: Ed Tech Personal Growth & Development; Pedagogy & Technology Implementation; and Timeless Treasures. Prepare to be inspired. Prepared to be challenged. Prepare to grow.
ED TECH PERSONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
The Relevant Educator: How Connectedness Empowers Learning
By Tom Whitby and Steven W. Anderson
This terrific little book is jam-packed with practical strategies designed to get you started building a thriving professional network using social media. It teaches you how and why educators must connect. Topics include Social Media in Education; Components of a Personal/Professional Learning Network; and Getting Started. The Relevant Educator is part of the Corwin Connected Educator Series, a veritable cornucopia of relevant titles devoted to teaching educators how to connect with other educators via social media and web-based technologies. As of now, there are about 22 books in the series.
Special Note: TeachersFirst will be hosting a book study again this fall. The Relevant Educator: How Connectedness Empowers Learning is the book we will be reading.
- Get connected!
- Earn professional development points!
- Discover new ideas and tools!
- All of this for FREE!
The Source for Learning, our corporate sponsor, will provide the book for each of our participants. We are limited to 50 participants and we start September 20 so sign up today! Visit our Fall 2016 TeachersFirst Book Study page for details.
Whitby, T., & Anderson, S. W. (2014). The Relevant Educator: How Connectedness Empowers Learning (Corwin Connected Educator Series). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
PEDAGOGY & TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION
Finding the Education in Educational Technology with Early Learners
By Lilla Dale McManis and Susan B. Gunnewig
In most early childhood programs, technology has become a part of the learning landscape. To be successful, it is imperative that use technology in ways that are effective for early learners. While first published in May 2012, this article is still very relevant today. It does a nice job speaking to the use of educational technology with young children. It emphasizes what is necessary for supporting early learners’ positive development. Educational technology is discussed across three domains: developmental appropriateness, supported implementation, and classroom and curriculum integration. The authors summarize that, “When considered together, these areas can strengthen the potential of technology to facilitate meaningful learning for young children.”
Finding the Education in Educational Technology with Early Learners | National Association for the Education of Young Children | NAEYC YC | Young Children Journal. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2016, from http://www.naeyc.org/yc/article/finding-education-in-educational-technology
TIMELESS TREASURES
The New One Minute Manager
By Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson M.D.
A new edition based on the timeless business classic. Recognizing that the world has changed dramatically since their best-selling The One Minute Manager was published, the authors created a practical, action-oriented model designed to inspire a new generation of leaders in any arena. Created as a fun, easy-to-read parable, the heart and soul of the new book are three One Minute Secrets that make a big difference in helping people succeed. The Secrets of One Minute Goals, One Minute Praisings, and One Minute Redirects are all directly applicable to the classroom. Make an investment in your students. Use redirection to get students back on track and help students manage themselves so they enjoy their work and are more productive. Read this book with co-workers and brainstorm strategies for applying each ‘secret’ in your classroom.
Blanchard, K., & Johnson, S. (2015). The New One Minute Manager. NYC: William Morrow & Company.
Finally, do you like what you see? We would like to hear back from you. What books would you recommend to your fellow teachers? Remember to follow the authors and organizations on social media and stay connected!
Twitter Accounts:
Steven W. Anderson @web20classroom
Tom Whitby @tomwhitby
National Association for the Education of Young Children @naeyc
Ken Blanchard @kenblanchard