Merry and Oh So Bright!

Everyone is counting down the days to holiday break – students and teachers alike. To power all of us through the end of the year, we’re bringing you some holiday cheer today. We asked fellow educators, administrators, and Mimio parents to share the holiday traditions that are observed in their schools and classrooms. These stories put a smile on our faces and also gave us some great ideas for next year.

Wonderful holiday traditions bring fun, the joy of giving, and the spirit of learning to one and all. Enjoy!

Getting Up and Running on Classroom Technology Doesn’t Have to Break the Budget

Professional development is an integral part of a successful ed-tech implementation in any classroom. Teachers must know how to use these technologies so that they can engage their students effectively. Many companies and websites offer webinars, workshops, and online or in-class courses to help train teachers to be proficient with educational technologies, but many of these training sessions come at a steep price. With a little searching, it’s possible to find a plethora of groups and websites offering free training resources. To save you time, we have compiled a list of some of the best of these free resources.

The 15 tech training resources below can get you off to a great start supporting your teachers’ ongoing professional development activities.

From Flash Cards to Book Clubs, Google Docs Are a Great Asset for Activities

There is no doubt that Google Docs is revolutionizing classrooms. This centralized platform of creation and collaboration makes group projects and teacher feedback easier. It also streamlines parent-teacher communication, making it easier to keep busy parents informed of their child's progress. Perhaps you have already integrated Google Docs and need ideas, or maybe it’s time to make use of this extraordinary tool. No matter where you are with the totally integrated paperless classroom, here are 25 hacks to start you off on your Google Docs journey.

Real teachers give you tips and tricks to be ready to go on the first day of school.

If you are an educator, you’re no doubt familiar with the feeling of anxiety that hits when summer starts to wane – that feeling that time is running short for setting up your classroom, making up class lists and schedules, getting copying done, placing orders, etc. A myriad tasks lie ahead of you, and the sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll have all your ducks in a row. But where do you start?

Welcome Your Students Back with Fun and Engaging Activities

You can feel the pull of Back to School as the summer vacation wraps up and the pencil boxes and glue sticks start lining store shelves. We know that getting ready for a new school year is more complicated for educators than just stocking up on supplies. That’s why we’ve developed some great content you can use to kick off the year with fun.

From exploring a virtual library to creating a rock video, see what your iPads can do!

Using iPads in daily activities can be easier than you think.
One of the biggest trends in educational technology this year is the use of personal devices to create an engaging 1:1 classroom setting. But while 1:1 initiatives are gaining in popularity, many fail to meet the teacher’s expectations over time. It’s generally not the technology that’s at fault. Most often the challenge stems from not knowing how to best to use these devices in the classroom. The use of personal devices can be easier than you think, and the devices offer a wide range of educational uses.

June Content Pack is Here. Say Good Bye to the School Year in Style!

Helping You Rejuvenate and Retool in the Summer Months Ahead

For educators, the summer break is a time to relax, rejuvenate, and retool. You finally have the time to reflect on what went well, what needs to be improved, and how you might alter things to better accommodate curriculum or class changes. But for many, it’s a short-lived break from reality before the professional side of your chosen career path kicks in once again.

Does it seem like every year there’s some new initiative you are asked to get behind and implement in your classroom to help students achieve? Is the introduction of new classroom technology prominent in the mix of upcoming expectations that you have to contend with – or the pressure to better integrate in your teaching the technology tools your school already has?

Summer Fun & Summer Learning: Had Me a Blast!

Like most teachers, I look forward to sun, cookouts, and some relaxation for my summer. I also look to summer for a chance to recharge my mind along with my body.

April Showers Are Gone So Celebrate with a NEW Spring Content Pack