4 Ideas for Promoting Creativity Through Project Based Learning
Angela Derr2021-11-24T15:37:53+00:00If you ask any educator who is a fan of the popular teaching strategy known as “project based learning”, they will tell you that their students learn best when engaging in the planning and execution of real-world and personally meaningful projects. The critical thinking skills and deep content knowledge involved in such projects instill not only a sense of ownership and independence, but also a level of creativity that students can struggle to find in more traditional settings. When students are invested in the entire process of completing a project, they are given the opportunity to flourish and create well beyond [...]
How Technology Can Revolutionize Your Formative Assessments
Angela Derr2021-11-16T21:40:33+00:00As educators, making and sticking to a well-designed plan can be the key to success in many endeavors. Each school year begins with a meticulously planned curriculum map, along with detailed lesson plans designed to engage students in meaningful instruction. However, effective teachers also acknowledge the value of constantly monitoring and evaluating the success of said well-designed plan, and pivoting where necessary. What works great for one group of students may not fit the particular needs of the next group. This is where formative assessments come in. By providing frequent, informal, and low-stakes opportunities for students to demonstrate proficiency and knowledge, [...]
Content Creation 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Great Instructional Videos
Angela Derr2021-11-08T18:13:46+00:00There’s no denying that high-quality video content is here to stay in the world of education. Even when many of today’s teachers were students in school themselves, their eyes widened with excitement the minute they saw the TV cart being wheeled into the classroom, now traded out for projectors and touch-screen boards. However, we’ve come a long way since the days of TV carts in terms of who is making that high-quality relevant content. Gone are the days of having to search the library or video store for the latest and greatest VHS tape. These days, there are no better content [...]
Big Ed Tech Solutions for Small School Districts: 3-in-1 District Profile
Angela Derr2023-12-22T22:19:21+00:00When you think of a tech-savvy school district who provides their students with modern and powerful ed tech tools that prepare them with the skills needed in the digital age, you might typically think of a large organization in an urban metropolitan area. However, we here at MyVRSpot understand that technology is for everyone and not to be relegated to only the largest of school districts. Students everywhere deserve equal access to technologically engaging and relevant curriculum, and MyVRSpot strives to help educators do just that. As living proof of this concept, we spoke with three of our “small but [...]
Are You Missing the Final Piece of the Social Emotional Learning Puzzle?
Angela Derr2021-10-18T16:38:56+00:00Social emotional learning is certainly not a new concept, but its importance has been made abundantly clear in recent years. Covid-19, and the many challenges brought with it, has fostered a new era where students are coming to school with a whole new set of needs, and educators are rising to the occasion to meet those needs as best they can. Social emotional learning can be a powerful tool for students and adults alike to explore and develop important soft skills such as empathy, self-awareness, respect, conflict resolution, responsible decision making, and more. But implementing a positive and impactful SEL curriculum [...]
3 Reasons Your Schools Need a Video-on-Demand Library
Angela Derr2021-10-12T22:00:15+00:00It’s no secret that the use of video has become a key factor in overall educational success over the recent years. Whether it’s creating awesome instructional videos, documenting all the amazing things their students are doing, or sharing engaging video resources with one another, educators everywhere have truly become video experts. Why not take advantage of that expertise and create district-wide, school-wide, and even classroom-specific libraries of video content? Here’s three reasons your schools need a video-on-demand library: Community Outreach: Students, parents, administrators, and community members all benefit when everyone works together toward a common goal. Keep your community in the [...]
Simplify Your School District’s Digital Signage (Without Breaking the Bank)
Angela Derr2021-10-06T14:55:01+00:00With the rise in popularity of educational technology over the years, one often overlooked and underappreciated tool that has emerged is digital signage. TV screens have been placed in countless school hallways across the country, displaying important information and announcements for students and faculty to see throughout the day. The ability to quickly and seamlessly communicate things like the breakfast and lunch menus, bell schedules, announcements regarding after-school events, and even live weather reports has transformed how students, teachers, and administrators interact with their school environment. But with so many options on the market for digital signage solutions, how do you [...]
