Erik Ofgang

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. 

Articles by: Erik Ofgang

A screenshot from the TV show stranger things.

Teacher Who Inspired Stranger Things Creators: Using the Arts to Educate

By Erik Ofgang published

Strangers Things’ creators, the Duffer brothers, credit Hope Hynes Love with fostering and encouraging their early creativity. Love shares strategies for inspiring and educating students through the arts.

A teacher stands in front of a classroom next to a screen with the words "Welcome to Class" on it.

5 Pieces of Advice for New Teachers

By Erik Ofgang published

Asking questions and making sure to give yourself time off are among the advice veteran and award-winning educators offer for new teachers.

A stethoscope against a white backdrop

An MD Turned High School Teacher’s Prescription to Improve School Mental Health

By Erik Ofgang published

Teachers can make their lives easier and help students with their mental health by reframing their teaching and looking to healthcare for inspiration, says Dr. Christopher Jenson

A cartoon laptop against a blue backdrop with a red warning signal on its screen.

Vetting Tech Tools

By Erik Ofgang published

Creating clear systems for tech tool approval in your district is important, says Kimberly Ramos, instructional coach at the North Kingstown School Department in Rhode Island.

Two women sit talking at a table in front of a window overlooking a city

How to Become a School Counselor

By Erik Ofgang last updated

Becoming a school counselor can be a rewarding profession and is currently a position in high demand. Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, shares some insight for those looking to enter the profession.

A neon sign with the words "and breathe" turned on and placed diagonally against a wall filled with plants.

Using Mindfulness and Authenticity to Lead Tech Teams

By Erik Ofgang published

Mindfulness can help school IT staff overcome stress and help spur emotional and professional growth

Zoom whiteboard

What is Zoom Whiteboard?

By Erik Ofgang last updated

Zoom Whiteboard allows users to collaborate in real-time while staying within a Zoom meeting

A hand points to a digital display of various online icons.

Ensuring Secure Digital Collaboration

By Erik Ofgang published

Teaching educators the basics of cybersecurity and fostering good digital citizenship can help keep your school network secure

Two students with virtual reality headsets on react with joy to what they are seeing in the VR experience.

Using Virtual Reality to Enhance Existing Lessons

By Erik Ofgang last updated

Virtual reality can enhance educational experiences and is a powerful way to foster student engagement.

A piece of paper with a heart drawn on it and crayon

How to Address School Shootings with Your Class

By Erik Ofgang published

Listening to students and providing a safe space for sharing their concerns is key when discussing school shootings, says Olivia Carter, last year’s School Counselor of the Year.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) rides an eopie in the dessert in a scene from "Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Teaches, Yoda Does: Appreciating Teachers in #StarWars

By Adam Schoenbart published

"The more I thought about Star Wars, the more I realized that it’s the mentors who define the saga more than the heroes."

A cartoon laptop with a video conference in progress on its screen.

4 Tips for Hosting School Webinars

By Erik Ofgang last updated

Webinars should be as interactive as possible and allow for hands-on practice, says Laurie Guyon, who has hosted more than 400 webinars for her Board of Cooperative Educational Services

The words "Well Done" are handwritten in chalk on a blackboard. There is a heart next to them, also written in chalk.

Public Satisfaction With Schools is High Despite What Teachers May Feel

By Erik Ofgang last updated

Polling to measure public satisfaction with schools throughout the pandemic has shown a majority of Americans support the job their local schools are doing

A K95 Mask against a black backdrop.

5 Tips for One-Way Masking in Schools

By Erik Ofgang published

Advice for effective one-way masking from Linsey Marr, a leading expert on airborne viruses

A group of emoji faces, one is frowning, another is smiling, another looks angry.

CDC: More Than 1 in 3 High Schoolers Experiencing Poor Mental Health. What Schools Can Do

By Erik Ofgang published

A recent survey of adolescents finds the pandemic exacerbated the pre-existing mental health crisis, but there are strategies that schools can implement to help students.

An empty school chair

Students Less Likely to Be Suspended by Teacher of Same Race

By Erik Ofgang last updated

New research finds that Black, Latino, and Asian-American students in New York City were about 3 percent less likely to be suspended if their teachers shared their racial or ethnic background.

A black and white image of circular flying object

How to Teach with the U.S. Government’s UFO Report

By Erik Ofgang published

The U.S. government’s UFO report provides the perfect opportunity to teach about media literacy and the search for extraterrestrial life.

A young person looks at a bookshelf full of books

How to Get Students to Read for Fun

By Erik Ofgang published

Parents and teachers can get students to read for fun by encouraging them to choose what they read or listen to and by helping them build other positive reading habits

A hand is using a pen to check off various tasks on a list of goals on a notebook

3 Ways You & Your Students Can Use Microproductivity

By Erik Ofgang published

Practicing microproductivity by breaking large tasks down into smaller, easier-to-complete ones, can save time and help educators and students tackle daunting projects

A student wearing virtual reality goggles lifts one arm in front of her seemingly to touch something she sees in an virtual environment

The Metaverse: 5 Things Educators Should Know

By Erik Ofgang published

As the metaverse draws increasing attention, a team of leading researchers has put together an evidence-based guide for educators

Square cubes with letters on them spell out the word "resiliency." These cubes sit on top of blank square cubes against a purple backdrop.

School Resiliency: Not as Simple as Remote vs. In-Person Classes

By Erik Ofgang published

A new study found that schools had great variation in student math scores that couldn’t be explained by in-person vs. remote school alone

A ladder rises from the silloutte of human head indicating a mind growing.

Growth Mindset: 4 Ways to Implement It In Class

By Erik Ofgang published

Growth mindset works for specific students in specific instances but educators should be careful when implementing it, says David S. Yeager of the University of Texas at Austin.

An open laptop shows a video of a teacher writing on a chalkboard

What is a Flipped Classroom?

By Erik Ofgang published

A flipped classroom prioritizes hands-on work and educator-student interaction by “flipping” the type of work typically done during and outside of class.

A keyboard tied in a chain with a lock.

6 Tips for Protecting Student Data Privacy

By Erik Ofgang last updated

The award-winning edtech specialists at Oak Grove School District in California share their tips for protecting student data privacy while still utilizing the latest tech tools.

The silhouette of a human head with a dial turned to high indicating brain power.

Does Growth Mindset Work?

By Erik Ofgang last updated

Does growth mindset really help students? The research has shown yes and no.

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