Articles by: Tara Smith | Tech & Learning

School of yellow fish being led by red fish

5 Ways a School Board Can Engage the Community During a Crisis

By Tara Smith published 17 July 20

Taking time to communicate with and listen to the community is critical—especially during a crisis

3 Key Words for Education Boards to Remember During a Crisis

By Tara Smith published 15 June 20

Education boards need to emphasize direction, trust, and implementation

Why a School Board Should Set New Priorities During a Crisis

By Tara Smith published 12 June 20

For a school board, Successful navigation of a crisis requires trust, consensus, and mutual focus on clear goals and priorities

Literacy Apps For All

By Tara Smith last updated 11 December 19

Help Parents Help Their Students Learn

Teach Third Graders (And Yourself) to Code

By Tara Smith last updated 3 December 19

Collin Yust taught himself to code by going through the Codelicious lessons.

How to Keep Students Engaged With “Wow” Moments

By Tara Smith published 27 October 19

Teacher-librarian and school library media specialist Dayna Derichs wants every one of the 600 pre-K–fifth-grade students at Wheeler Elementary to have opportunities to experience the “wow” moments that happen when technology transforms learning.

How Can Schools Better Use Data to Personalize Learning?

By Tara Smith published 1 October 19

While most US high-school students aspire to earn a college degree, less than one in three succeed.

Colorful student-created patchwork style mural depicts a tree, field and sky.

A Q&A with Future Ready Principal Sanée Bell, Morton Ranch Junior High, Katy (TX) ISD

By Tara Smith published 9 July 19

A Q&A with Future Ready Superintendent Michael McCormick, Val Verde (CA) Unified School District

By Tara Smith published 22 May 19

Even our youngest students are engaged in critical thinking, making sound decisions and choices as they identify and solve authentic problems.

Next-Gen School Safety and Security: Using the Power of Technology to Protect Students

By Tara Smith published 2 April 19

Student safety has always been a number-one priority.

New Math Tools and Best Practices Add Up to Positive Results

By Tara Smith published 28 February 19

New research-based edtech tools and sound instructional practices are helping to equip students for success in math class and for future success in solving the world’s problems.

Next-Gen Literacy

By Tara Smith published 31 January 19

As the traditional definition of literacy expands and deepens, today’s students are learning new ways to communicate and collaborate.

Safety First

By Tara Smith published 25 October 18

Whether virtual or physical, the safety of students is every educator’s first priority. Here’s how schools can protect them.

Digital Equity: It’s More Than Just Student Access

By Tara Smith last updated 30 July 20

Digital equity is one of the most complex and urgent issues facing 21st-century educators.

Choosing The Right Adaptive Learning Tool

By Tara Smith published 30 August 18

Find out how adaptive learning solutions are helping teachers target instruction and use data more effectively—and how they’re helping students learn.

Change Agents: Tech & Learning’s Most Influential People in EdTech In 2018

By Tara Smith published 21 June 18

Each of these education leaders is working in thoughtful and creative ways on the frontlines of some of today’s most pressing issues—from the way we think about learning, Artificial Intelligence, and innovation to gun control, refugees, and student privacy.

A FAMILY OF DYSLEXICS TRANSFORM ED THROUGH STRUCTURED LITERACY AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

By Tara Smith published 4 April 18

Novel Ideas for Writing Instruction

By Tara Smith published 4 April 18

MORE BETTER WRITING

Active Learning in the Math Classroom

By Tara Smith published 5 March 18

Finding the Right LMS for Your District

By Tara Smith published 22 January 18

Reading, Writing, & Thinking: Cross-Curricular Literacy Initiatives

By Tara Smith published 8 January 18

SEEING MATH IN NEW WAYS

By Tara Smith last updated 1 August 21

These innovative educators share how they add edtech solutions to the equation in K–12 math classrooms.

THE MORE YOU READ, THE MORE YOU’LL KNOW: ELA SOLUTIONS ROUNDUP

By Tara Smith published 13 October 17

REAL SCIENCE: INNOVATIVE SCIENCE PROGRAMS HELP STUDENTS IDENTIFY AND SOLVE REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS

By Tara Smith published 23 February 17

Creative educators are using cutting-edge edtech tools to develop innovative science programs that engage students in doing real-world, inquiry-based science.

MATH INSTRUCTION + EDTECH TOOLS = SUCCESS

By Tara Smith published 31 January 17

As test scores rise and engagement increases, schools are beginning to see the incalculable benefits of implementing digital curriculum and resources for math instruction.