Category: News

Comprehensive, up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by EduindexNews.

WHAT HOLLYWOOD CAN TEACH YOU ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL REDESIGN

Hollywood can teach you a surprising amount about running your business.
When a blockbuster film is produced, a team comes together to go all-in on the project—and then they move onto separate projects after it\’s finished. While it may seem disjointed, this approach actually allows producers to create the ideal team based on skill, working style and interest. And the shared sense of purpose and energy enable the team to create a great final product.
Software developers have been following this \”agile working practice\” for years. Developers work in small teams, potentially with people dotted the world over, in a series of sprints with short-term targets that build towards an end goal. When the project ends, the team disbands and members join other teams and projects.
According to Josh Bersin, principal of Bersin by Deloitte, this model is closer to the way we actually work today. A combination of digitization, globalization and increasing VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) in the world are driving the need for greater innovation, better performance and the ability to become more customer-centric to stay competitive. Rather than fixed, hierarchical silos and departments, companies are increasingly operating in what Bersin calls a \”network of teams,\” each of which is small, nimble and productive.
SOURCE: BERSIN
But such a shift in existing organizational structures won\’t happen overnight. Deloitte\’s 2017 Human Capital Trends report finds that just 11 percent of respondents feel confident that they know how to build the organization of the future. Here are three key areas of business HR leaders will need to rethink when designing for the organization of the future.

Recruiting

In a traditional company, job descriptions are static and clearly defined: someone is hired for a specific role with specific responsibilities. But in this team-based world, employees will not stick in one role, but move between teams, requiring HR leaders to rethink who and how they recruit. So when it comes to recruitment, HR needs to create job titles and descriptions that are much broader to reflect the fact that people may work across different teams.

Leadership Competencies

The traditional command-and-control leadership style, where leaders set goals and standards for staff, doesn\’t fit within this new framework. Instead, organizations have to create room for decisions and goals to be made at the employee and team level. This could mean creating two streams of managers, suggests Bersin: traditional style managers who focus on an individual\’s career and development, and a project manager who oversees and develops them for that particular mission.

Performance Reviews

Assessing performance and rewarding staff are also changing: yearly reviews are being scrapped for a culture of continuous feedback and evaluation. People are measured according to how they perform in their teams in addition to more standard individual feedback. In this team-centric organization, companies need to target their performance reviews around not just what the manager thinks, but also how their peers\’ view their work and attitude.
Bersin\’s ideas about the new way of working in networks of teams will no doubt take time to implement , but it\’s also compelling. The organizational change is highly disruptive and exciting—just like the best Hollywood films.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

The Magic Phrase as a Teaching Strategy

All too often, educators fall into a rut of “Don’ts” when attempting to carry out a lesson plan: “Don’t use commas there. Don’t bore your audience with that intro. Don’t settle for a three-point thesis. Don’t use that quotation there.”
But veteran teacher and frequent TeachHUB.com contributor Jordan Catapano notes that a better way to achieve the desired outcome is to use the phrase “next time” when providing feedback: “Don’t write a generic introduction, write a personal story next time. Don’t put commas there, but use Comma Rule #3 we discussed in class next time. Don’t shout out the answer, but please raise your hand when you think of something next time and I’ll call on you.”
Catapano intones that by giving students a solid idea of what their next behavior expectation is, they will have something definitive to strive toward.
Learn to Say “Try this Insetad Next Time” as a Teaching Strategy>>
How to Stay Motivated as a Teacher
The role of a teacher now includes the teacher being a mother, nurse and coach, roles for which many teachers have had little instruction. So it’s no secret that teachers are burning out more than ever before.
With a little bit of encouragement, however, some teachers are learning how to stay motivated and productive throughout the course of their careers.
Today, TeachHUB.com writer Janelle Cox takes a look at some various ways that educators can learn how to stay motivated, including:
  • Value Each and Every Teacher
  • Give Teachers a Voice
  • Consider Teachers’ Needs

Learn How to Stay Motivated as the Year Goes On >>
We Can Help You Earn a Graduate Degree
Let TeachHUB be your turnkey resource to earn that graduate degree, the one that will propel your career into the academic stratosphere!
With our help, you can find a convenient, affordable graduate program designed for a busy, working teacher just like you. There are local and online options for master’s and doctoral program available for educators throughout the country.
If you’re looking for an online degree, meanwhile, our selections for online master’s programs offer the same high-quality education you\’d receive on campus with the convenience to work at home when it best fits your schedule.
Our solutions have helped thousands of teachers already, and you could be next
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Teaching Strategies to Deal with a Poorly Designed Textbook

We’ve all been there: The school district or school administration saddles us with a clunker of a textbook that we must utilize. Maybe it’s poorly written, maybe it’s outdated, maybe its ancillary materials like quizzes or websites are sub-par.
Whatever the case, you’re stuck with it. Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox looks at some teaching strategies designed to help you through that terrible tome.
Janelle, who is a seasoned elementary school educator based in Upstate New York, includes the following helpful teaching strategies for overcoming bad textbooks:
  • Have Students Do a Walk-Through of the Textbook
  • Look for Additional Online Resources
  • Use the Textbook Only as a Resource
  • Develop Students’ Ability to Analyze and Critique the Book
  • And More!

Janelle sums up her article like this: “Poorly designed textbooks or ones that are out of date can be utilized as long as you think of them as just one of the many resources you are using to have students gain knowledge about a topic. With a little forethought and creativity, these “Awful” textbooks can actually provide a useful guide for learning.”
Have you ever had to use a poorly designed textbook? How did you use teaching strategies to make it work? Please share your thoughts in the comment section, we would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
Get our teaching strategies designed to help you cope with a poorly designed or written textbook that you are stuck with>>
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You’re a busy educator, and as such, it probably can be difficult to keep up with the ever-evolving trends an topics currently aswirl in the academic realm.
One way to keep up with these trends is by subscribing to the FREE TeachHUB.com newsletter. Disseminated weekly, the TeachHUB.com newsletter is your weekly dose of what you need to be a successful, 21st century educator.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Classroom Games Involving Math

Students love classroom games, even as they might detest math. But math is an integral component of society, so its importance can never be underestimated. But by combining elements of games with math, students’ interest in mathematics can be cultivated.
Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributor Janelle Cox notes several math games that can excite students about math, including:
  • Math Baseball
  • Exchange Change
  • And More!

Math games are a time-honored and effective way to reinforce and strengthen your kids’ skills. Read up on how to incorporate classroom games about math today!
Do you play any math games with your students in your classroom? Which games do find students like the best?
Get inspired by our classroom games about math>>
Classroom Management: Bringing Art, Music Back
Budget cuts have historically leveled arts and music programs in schools first. It’s too bad, because for many kids, art and music are two of the subjects that are favorites.
Beyond that, research has shown that art and music curriculums help kids with language development and IQ, they help students visualize elements like solving math problems, and they help improve test scores.
If your district has slashed arts and music programs, we’re sorry. But with a little outside-the-box thinking, you can use return music and art to your own classroom in creative ways. Frequent TeachHUB.com contributor Janelle Cox recently outlined some easy ways that teachers can do just that.
Learn some classroom management techniques to bring art and music back into your class>>
Download TeachHUB Magazine for FREE Today!
In the December issue of TeachHUB magazine, learn some GREAT gift ideas for your teaching colleagues for under $5 – but our ideas are NOT the typical coffee mug fare.
Likewise, we take a look at three smart boards you may want to incorporate into your classroom, and offer up some tasty holiday treats guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of your guests.
Did you know TeachHUB magazine is FREE? It is, and it’s a wonderful resource designed to help you become a better educator.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Learning From Our Foreslackers

This year, my school will graduate our very first senior class. This momentous occasion is provoking conflicting emotions in the staff, from extreme joy and pride to extreme stress and frustration.

In fact, my colleague who teaches 12th grade English has taken to humming “Pomp and Circumstance” at least once a class to remind our seniors that graduation is around the corner and some of them have yet to get out the door.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

6 Back to School Tips to Organize Your Classroom

“Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning” ~ Winston Churchill

“If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won\’t, you most assuredly won\’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad.” ~ Denis Waitley

In the midst of back-to-school madness, it’s easy to let yourself get overwhelmed with all the planning and prep. You’ve visited the teacher store, reviewed your curriculum and spent a few nights tossing and turning. Whether you are an experienced teacher or new teacher, these tips can help you organize and plan your time before school starts.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Staying Current with Technology in the Classroom

Given the breakneck pace at which technology in the classroom evolves, it’s imperative that educators keep up with every bit of bandwidth that comes down the pike. But it’s hard to keep up with all this technology in the classroom, right?
Rest easy. Today on TeachHUB.com, veteran elementary school educator Janelle Cox (she’s a frequent writer for the website) takes a look at how teachers can keep up with all the evolutions that technology in the classroom takes.
Janelle’s ideas on keeping up with educational innovations include:
  • Utilize Social Media
  • Ask Your Students
  • Pursue Professional Development Courses
  • And More!

Janelle sums up her article thusly: “In short, you must do your homework in order to keep up with educational innovations. While it would be impossible to keep up with all the latest digital technologies, it is possible to try as many as you see fit for your classroom. By adopting this approach, you will be able to ensure that your students are 21st century learners, and have a general understanding of the latest educational innovations. “
What is your favorite way to stay current with technology in the classroom? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below, we would love to hear how you stay up-to-date.
Our guide to staying current with the latest technology in the classroom>>

Workout Tips for Coaches
Finally, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox looks at some ways that coaches can get the most out of their workouts.
Janelle says that coaches need to:
  • Maintain Energy Levels by Eating Right
  • Keep Your Workouts Interesting
  • Don’t Forget About Recovery
  • And More!

Do you have any workout tips for coaches that you would like to add? Please share with us in the comment section below. We would love to hear what you do with your student athletes.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Classroom Management: What to Include in a School Newsletter

It’s long been established that a school newsletter is a great way to keep the parent-teacher communication lines humming in a positive fashion.

But what do you put in a school newsletter? For newbies, finding, curating, and publishing effective content can be a conundrum.

So today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned educator on the East Coast, looks at some items to include in your next class/school newsletter, including:

  • Fun Facts
  • Inspirational Quotes
  • Parent Pointers
  • And More!


Janelle sums up her article thusly: “Keeping parents in the know will help prepare parents to support their children. The goal is to provide parents (and students) with monthly information to keep them informed, as well offer them some essential tips and advice.”

What do you add to your monthly school newsletter?

Get our classroom management advice on what to put in a school newsletter>>

The Passion that Drives: An Israeli School Snapshot

TeachHUB.com’s recent visit to Israel was eye-opening on a lot of levels, and today, we look at the passion we discovered in schools there, in particular at one school that focused on the arts, including drama and music.

Why does the Studio Ankori focus on arts and music? It’s simple: “Arts can teach kids to be innovative and creative,” noted Yehezkel Lazarov, co-founder of Studio Ankori, “to be a means to do something else.”

Have you figured out how to inject a healthy dose of passion into your curriculum? How do you do it effectively?

HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Businesses with higher levels of employee engagement are 21 percent more profitable than those with disengaged employees, according to a 2016 Gallup report. Yet, a jaw-dropping 87 percent of employees report not feeling engaged at work.
The stats—and there are plenty to choose from (you’ll find a comprehensive list here )—may vary in the percentages, but the message remains the same: Engaged employees are more productive, and companies are missing out on a large chunk of their workforce’s productivity when people are unsatisfied.
Given that engagement is a perennial concern, it’s surprising how little progress we seem to have made at re-engaging the workforce since the term “engagement” was first coined more than 25 years ago. Despite the considerable time, effort and money thrown at solving the employee engagement enigma, it has eluded employers. In 2013, Gallup found that 89 percent of workers were either actively disengaged or not engaged — and there’s only been a 2 percent improvement since then.
So, what is wrong in the house of engagement, and more importantly, what can be done to put it right?

What We’ve Learned About Employee Engagement

Well, we’ve learned a few things about what doesn’t work: We know, for example, that doing annual engagement surveys does not mean a company takes engagement seriously, and that “happy” employees are not the same as engaged and productive employees. We know that money does not unlock the door to engaged employees.
We also know a few things about what does work: Successful companies set clear expectations for people, give people tasks that suit their skill sets, develop those and other skills and ensure those people’s opinions are heard and valued. Highly engaged employees believe in what they are doing and what their company is doing.
These are “basics,” but of course they take time to put into place and may require a huge level of cultural change for a company. And change programs have a somewhat checkered history of their own. Throw the word “culture” into the mix, and changing engagement requires a transformation rather than change—and the complexities are magnified even further.

Engagement Requires a Transformation Not a Change

While the HR industry may be getting better at change management for distinct projects, such as introducing a new performance management system, we are far less adept at the wider idea of transformation. In fact, McKinsey experts estimate, 70 percent of transformation programs fail. And employee engagement definitely falls under the transformation category in many companies.
It’s accepted wisdom that people hate change, and a major element of that loathing is to do with the loss of control people feel when something is “done” to them rather than “with” them. So, while it’s essential for employee engagement to have backing from the highest level to set the agenda and strategy, it also needs buy-in from the lowest level.

Use Social Media to Listen to Your Employees Needs

If you want to be successful at employee engagement, don’t spend too long sitting round the boardroom table discussing engagement strategy. Social media technologies provide an easy platform for people from all corners of the business to express their ideas, their gripes and their fears. Just ask your staff directly via social media what’s important to them.
Better still, don’t just ask them, but listen to what they are saying among themselves unprompted and act on it. They are the people with the first-hand knowledge of what’s going on at ground-level: the glitches in processes that don’t work, the opportunities missed and the ideas to make their workplace better. They are best placed to set the engagement agenda.
Of course, a company’s ability to take advantage of the power of enterprise social platforms depends on their starting point and their company culture. For some, it will be a natural progression, for others it is a step into the unknown. Even though using social media channels is old hat for many, it has yet to penetrate some businesses.
The advantage for companies is that it doesn’t require a huge ERP-level investment of time and money. It’s relatively easy and cheap to try out different social media technology in pockets of the business to see what floats or flounders.
Technology alone, of course, is never the complete answer. But in the case of employee engagement, technology has huge potential as an enabler, simply because it can put employees in the driving seat.

How to Build Your Professional Development PLN

Today, we look at the importance of PLNs within the education world. Just what is a PLN?  It’s “A self-created set of experts, colleagues, and resources … that meet one’s daily learning needs.” More simply, it’s, “An extended group of knowledgeable people you reach out to for answers, and trust to guide your learning.”
Why is it important to build a PLN? Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Jacqui Murray looks at the reasons why educators need a PLN:
  • It helps you grow professionally
  • If forces you out of your comfort zone
  • And more!

Jacqui also instructs us on how to build a PLN. Her ideas include:
  • Reach out to others in your field
  • Use #hashtags
  • Always answer questions and acknowledge comments
  • And more!

All in all, the imp[ortance of having a PLN can’t be emphasized enough.
What are some of the ways you build and cultivate your PLN?
Get our PLN-building tips>>
Technology in the Classroom: Color Uncovered App Review
Chok full of optical illusions, insightful articles, activities, and videos, Color Uncovered provides an abundance of information in an engaging way.
For more great educational reviews targeted for both teachers and students, download your free issues of TeachHUB Magazine. 
Get our Color Uncovered review>>
STEM Education in the Elementary Classroom
It’s never too early to begin teaching kids about STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), according to frequent TeachHUB.com contributor Janelle Cox, who notes that our national economic prosperity depends on it.
Janelle also notes that one way to give kids the opportunity to explore a real-world scientific problem is to give them a hands-on experience. 
Begin this process by:
  • Identifying a real-world problem.
  • Asking questions to explore the problem (and potentially solve the problem).
  • Developing solutions.
  • Exploring a hands-on activity.

5 Teaching Strategies To Improve Your Health

Summertime is a great time for educators to get back into shape and improve their health! And it’s easy! Sometimes even the smallest health adjustment can have a big impact on your well-being!

With that in mind, today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned elementary school educator based in Upstate New York, takes a look at some simple ways that teachers can whip themselves back into shape in order to be ready for the impending new year.

Janelle’s ideas include:

  • Create Achievable Goals
  • Learn How to Manage Stress
  • Establish a Regular Sleep Schedule
  • And More!


Janelle sums up her article thusly, in a paragraph entitled Do Something That You Love: “As you begin this summer journey of a better you, you may notice that you enjoy the extra energy that you have. With this newfound vitality, you should start doing something that you love and enjoy. When was the last time that you played tennis or jumped on a trampoline? Go out and find something that is active that you love to do. You will be happy and healthier because of it.”

How do you plan to improve your health this summer while you are away from the classroom? Do you have any ideas that you would like to share? Please feel free to comment, we would love to hear your ideas.

Get our teaching strategies on how to improve your health this summer>>

Classroom Management: Procedures
Procedures are a part of life that helps promote stability. For instance, a procedure is always followed for any kind of doctor appointment – that procedure almost always entails the monitoring of blood pressure, the measuring of patient’s body temperature, and quick overall glance at the patient’s physical stature. Procedures are also followed for driving, cooking, and just about every other facet of daily life.
Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox looks at classroom management procedures designed to foster a sense of community and culture, and why it’s important to teach and implement them.
Janelle’s procedural tips include those aimed at addressing even the most basic classroom topics:
•    Entering the classroom
•    Leaving the classroom
•    Asking a question
•    And more!
In closing, Janelle notes that effective teachers spend lots of time emphasizing their procedures, and that efficient classrooms are usually due in part to the strict following of procedures.
Do you have any tips on implementing procedures in your classroom?

Putting a Teacher Spin on Admin

Having completed a Masters in school leadership, I’ve officially taken the first step towards crossing over to the other side: administration. While I intentionally do not refer to it as “the dark side” as many teachers would, I can’t help but still call it the “other.”

However, having taken on some administrative duties over the years, I see more similarities than differences when it comes to instructional administrators.

Professional Development: Starting a Faculty Book Club

This article originally appeared in TeachHUB Magazine, which you can download for FREE!
A faculty book club can be a wonderful way for teachers to get access to professional development as well as bond with other educators within the confines of their school.
But book clubs are one of those great ideas that no one wants to take the time to launch.
With that in mind, today’s centerpiece article on TeachHUB.com, penned by seasoned educator Jordan Catapano (who is an English teacher in the Chicago suburbs), takes a look at some concrete ways for you to launch a book club at your school.
Jordan’s ideas (and how to carry them out) include:
Find other members
Communicate with administrators
Schedule the discussions
And more!
Jordan sums up his article thusly: “Honestly, it’s a difficult task to rally enthusiasm and form a voluntary faculty book club. But it will never happen unless someone like you dives in and figures out how to make it work. Take the steps above as a general guideline, and discover how you might turn yourself from being a book-lover into a genuine leader.”
Did you have success starting a faculty book club? How did you go about starting it? Do you have any helpful tips to share? Let us know!
Get our tips on starting a faculty book club>>
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A great way for interested teachers and educators to stay connected with the great ideas, lesson plans, and inspirational articles we post every week is by subscribing to the TeachHUB.com e-newsletter. Every Friday, you’ll get a concise snapshot of what we’ve posted each week, as well as a look at trending articles and evergreen-type stories. Best of all, it’s absolutely FREE!

Should America Extend the School Day?

When it comes to the school day, how long is too long?

Educational technology leader, Will Richardson, recently said “If you’re not uncomfortable right now in education, you’re not paying attention”. It is clear that our American education needs to change in fundamental ways.

One of these seems to be the amount of time that our students spend in school.
Read more