Flip your classroom and transform your teaching
In this video, Mr Ridgway explains how you can use Classtime to flip your classroom and transform your teaching. As teachers in an ever-more demanding profession, the one resource that we all wish we had more of is time. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had the chance--with some help from...
Why children should learn to code
Learning how to code is akin to learning a new language. In a study on bilingualism published on NCBI, it was discovered that learning another language has cognitive benefits. These benefits begin at childhood, where kids are able to better adjust to their environment, retain information, and extend even beyond dotage. Now, coding may not be a...
Easy ways to collect and review assessment data
In this video, Mr Ridgway explains his remarkably easy way to collect and review student assessment data with Classtime - Rapidfire Classtime Assessments! Here, you’ll find the same steps to creating “Rapidfire Classtime Assessments” that were mentioned in the video, as well as the...
Creating controversy with Classtime
In this video, Mr Ridgway explains how he uses Classtime to create controversy and engage all students in his lessons. Learn how to set up your own controversial prompts on Classtime, and find all of the resources that were mentioned at the end of the video. Keys to Setting Up A Good Prompt...
4 Blended learning models to help reach students’ goals
A couple decades ago, the idea of blending computer technology and traditional classroom teaching would not have been possible. Not every student had a computer in their home and reliable internet was not available in every school. Yet, in only the last few years (2013-2016), the availability of reliable Wi-Fi access in US K-12 public classrooms has more...
How teaching analytics improves your students’ learning
Previously, we discussed how Learning Analytics collects and measures student data during and after your lessons to help you refine your teaching towards creating a more effective learning experience for your students. On the flip side, Teaching Analytics methods and tools analyze and improve the educational design of your lessons before it begins and...
3 strategies for dynamic professional learning
Challenge. Over the years, schools, districts, and educational organizations have been criticized for the traditional ways they offer professional learning for teachers. Typically, they schedule professional learning sessions at times that don't offer teachers flexibility, choice, or differentiated learning opportunities. Today the challenge...
Using gamification for critical thinking and test preparation
We recently had an interview with Scott Houston, an education consultant at Educators Cooperative. Scott has played a part in the evolution of Classtime's gamification solution (Collaborative Challenges), sharing insights from his years of experience working with teachers and schools to innovate the classroom and create a more personalized learning...
How to prepare thoughtful, data-backed lessons
In our last post on differentiated instruction, one of the tips focussed on preparing thoughtful, data-backed lessons. The strategies you use to differentiate the learning experience in your classroom should be based on effective and ongoing assessment of your students’ needs. By utilizing learning analytics, you can easily assess where students stand in...
4 ways to implement Differentiated Instruction strategies in the classroom
When it comes to engaging all of your students, you’ve probably realized that students learn in different ways. Some may work best when engaged in group work, while you may find others that perform best when working on their own. If this is the case, differentiated instruction and assessment, also known as differentiated learning, is the framework you...
4 tips for making Professional Learning Communities successful in your school
More schools are adopting the Professional Learning Communities (PLC; learn more) process as the way to work together and reach students more effectively. PLC works. It isn’t a program or something your district purchases. It isn’t a meeting, but it does require meetings. Effective Professional Learning Communities require everyone to...