Articles by: Erik Ofgang

Erik Ofgang is Tech & Learning's senior staff writer. A journalist, author and educator, his work has appeared in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Associated Press. He currently teaches at Western Connecticut State University’s MFA program. While a staff writer at Connecticut Magazine he won a Society of Professional Journalism Award for his education reporting. He is interested in how humans learn and how technology can make that more effective.

What is ChatGPT and How Can You Teach With It? Tips & Tricks

By Erik Ofgang published 14 December 22

ChatGPT has lots of teaching potential, but there are also many ways the technology can be misused.

How Student Tech Teams Encourage Inclusivity and Foster Leadership

By Erik Ofgang published 12 December 22

Student tech teams help ease the workload for IT professionals, but that’s only the beginning of their benefits.

Free AI Writing Tools Can Write Essays in Minutes. What Does That Mean for Teachers?

By Erik Ofgang published 7 December 22

AI writing tools are widely available and getting better every day. Your students may already be using them.

Google for Education Identifies 3 New Education Trends

By Erik Ofgang published 5 December 22

Lifelong learning, changing skill sets, and growing demand for problem-solving are all new education trends according to a report from Google for Education.

What is Phenomenon-Based Learning?

By Erik Ofgang published 5 December 22

Phenomenon-based learning sparks students’ curiosity by creating science lessons that rely upon real-world phenomena.

A laptop with the book creator program open.

What is Book Creator? Tips & Tricks

By Erik Ofgang published 30 November 22

Book Creator is a free tool that allows users to create multimedia ebooks

How School Social Media Accounts Put Student Privacy at Risk

By Erik Ofgang published 30 November 22

New student privacy research shows that school social media accounts have posted millions of photos of students and other identifiable information, which might be dangerous

Using a Return on Investment Tool to Make Better Grad School Decisions

By Erik Ofgang published 28 November 22

The MBA program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s new return on investment tool is designed to help prospective students make better decisions about graduate school spending.

GooseChase: What It Is and How Educators Can Use It? Tips & Tricks

By Erik Ofgang published 22 November 22

GooseChase EDU is a digital tool that helps students learn through scavenger hunts

What is Digital Wellness? How One School Implements It

By Erik Ofgang published 22 November 22

Digital Wellness goes beyond digital citizenship to help students navigate modern technology in a healthy and productive manner

How to Teach With Deep Fake Technology

By Erik Ofgang published 21 November 22

Despite the scary headlines, deep fake technology can be a powerful teaching tool

Best FIFA World Cup Activities & Lessons

By Ray Bendici published 18 November 22

These FIFA World Cup activities and lessons are sure to score with students

6 Strategies for Boosting Online Class Retention

By Erik Ofgang published 17 November 22

Dr. Stephanie McSpirit reduced the drop-fail-withdrawal rate in her social statistics class by 50 percent. Here’s how.

How to Encourage STEM With Student Input and Phenomenon-Based Learning

By Erik Ofgang published 14 November 22

Student input has helped school leaders at Baldwin Park High School create a STEM program with diverse class offerings.

Some Schools Use 2,000 Apps. Here’s How One District Protects Data Privacy

By Erik Ofgang last updated 14 November 22

Data privacy is a priority at Fayette County Schools. Jim Farmer, the chief technology officer, discusses how the district made that happen.

The hands of a veteran adult and a child hold a small American flag.

Best Free Veterans Day Lessons & Activities

By Erik Ofgang last updated 8 November 22

Plan your Veterans Day classroom activities and lessons with quizzes, videos, primary sources, and more

When Students Use Social Media As A Source

By Erik Ofgang published 8 November 22

Use of social media as a research tool among students continues to increase

How to Teach With Social Media

By Erik Ofgang published 7 November 22

Teaching with social media can foster connection and build engagement when done correctly, research shows.

Two Bayonne students work on a coding project

4 Ways to Encourage Girls to Code

By Erik Ofgang published 7 November 22

Tips for encouraging girls to code, from Innovative Technology Director award winner, Dr. Karee McAndrew

The Benefits of Early STEM Education

By Erik Ofgang published 4 November 22

The benefits of early STEM education come from fostering young children’s natural curiosity and love for exploration.

Rethinking Learning Spaces: 4 Strategies for Student-Centered Learning

By Erik Ofgang published 3 November 22

The Brigantine Public School district has redesigned its learning spaces and rethought how and where learning takes place. Superintendent Glenn Robbins shares how others districts can do the same and prioritize student-centered learning in the process.

a Woman with a virtual reality set on occupies one half of the screen. The other shows virtual tools that she is controlling.

Using Virtual Reality for Career Training

By Erik Ofgang published 1 November 22

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indiana have had success using virtual reality simulations to teach students about career opportunities.

What is NaNoWriMo and How Can It Be Used to Teach Writing?

By Erik Ofgang last updated 2 November 22

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and there are plenty of ways to have your class participate and learn in the process.

How One District’s Mental Health Program is Saving Millions & Helping Students

By Erik Ofgang published 31 October 22

Randolph Township Schools in New Jersey has increased its mental health supports and saved money in the process.

A virtual reality image from Jaime Donally

Teaching a VR Lesson: 5 Questions to Ask

By Erik Ofgang last updated 31 October 22

Proper planning can ensure an AR or VR lesson is a success, says immersive learning expert Jaime Donally.

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