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A Step Towards Secure Networks: New FCC Cybersecurity Pilot

by Matt Russell
written by Matt Russell

In today’s digital age, schools and libraries are becoming increasingly reliant on technology to provide essential services and educational opportunities. However, this growing dependency also makes them vulnerable to cyber threats. Recognizing this critical need, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a new initiative to enhance cybersecurity for these institutions. The Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, with a budget of up to $200 million over three years, aims to bolster the defenses of broadband networks and data in schools and libraries. Here’s why this initiative is a game-changer for educational technology.

The Need for Robust Cybersecurity in Education

Educational institutions are treasure troves of sensitive information, and the protection of this information is paramount. Cyberattacks on schools and libraries can disrupt educational processes, compromise personal information, and result in significant financial losses. The FCC’s Cybersecurity Pilot Program addresses these vulnerabilities by providing the necessary resources to implement advanced cybersecurity measures. 

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility for the Pilot Program extends to schools, libraries, and “consortia” of these institutions that meet the E-Rate program’s requirements. This inclusivity ensures that a wide range of educational institutions, regardless of their previous participation in the E-Rate program, can benefit from enhanced cybersecurity.

How to Apply

The application process for the program is two-fold:

  1. Part One: General Information and Proposal Submission
    • Applicants must provide details about their experience with cybersecurity, their commitment to best practices, and their use of federal resources.
    • A description of the proposed project, including goals, objectives, and the cybersecurity risks it aims to mitigate, must be included.
  2. Part Two: Detailed Cybersecurity Information
    • Selected participants will provide comprehensive details about their current cybersecurity measures, history of cyber threats, training policies, and challenges faced.

The FCC plans to open the application window this Fall, and interested parties should prepare their proposals accordingly.

Eligible Services and Equipment

Participants in the Pilot Program can seek reimbursement for a wide array of cybersecurity eligible services and equipment. This broad scope ensures that institutions can tailor their cybersecurity measures to their specific needs and vulnerabilities.

Selection Criteria

To ensure a diverse range of Pilot projects, the FCC will prioritize funding for a mix of large and small, urban and rural schools, and libraries, with a special emphasis on low-income and Tribal applicants. This approach aims to address the cybersecurity needs of the most vulnerable populations effectively.

Post-Application Process

Once selected, participants will be notified via Public Notice and provided with instructions for the next steps, including the competitive bidding process for procuring cybersecurity services. Successful applicants will receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) to formalize their funding approval. This structured process ensures transparency and accountability in the use of funds.

Safeguards Against Misuse

To prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, the Pilot Program incorporates several safeguards. Participants must adhere to competitive bidding, document retention, and audit requirements. Additionally, stringent penalties are in place for non-compliance, ensuring that funds are used appropriately and effectively.

The TCEA applauds the FCC’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program. This initiative is a significant step towards securing the digital infrastructure of our educational institutions, safeguarding sensitive data, and ensuring uninterrupted learning. By investing in robust cybersecurity measures, we can create a safer, more resilient educational environment for students, educators, and the community.

TCEA encourages eligible schools and libraries to prepare their applications and take full advantage of this invaluable opportunity. For more information, stay tuned for updates from the FCC and the TCEA. Let’s work together to make our educational institutions cyber-safe!

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next-gen
Artificial IntelligenceGood Teaching

Leveraging Next-Gen Tools for Education 4.0 

by Alicia Verweij
written by Alicia Verweij

In the rapidly evolving educational landscape, Education 4.0 marks a significant milestone, blending traditional pedagogies with the latest in AI and digital tool integration. This approach emphasizes creating personalized, engaging, and effective learning experiences, with a particular focus on reading, writing, and research. Next-gen tools like Ideamapper, Perplexity AI, LP Bookspace, and Worksheets AI are leading the charge, transforming educational practices to meet the diverse needs of students. 

What Is Education 4.0?

Education 4.0 reflects the digital transformation sweeping across various sectors, mirroring the advancements in Industry 4.0. It advocates for a student-centric learning environment, utilizing AI, machine learning, and digital platforms to craft personalized and interactive educational experiences. The goal is to prepare students for a future dominated by digital proficiency and innovation.

Learn more about Education 4.0 and Industry 4.0 from this Learning.com article: Education 4.0 and the Future of Work.

Revolutionizing Reading with AR and AI

The introduction of LP Bookspace has been revolutionary in reading classes and libraries. This tool employs augmented reality (AR) to breathe life into static pages, transforming them into interactive 3D experiences. Imagine a student reading “The Boxcar Children” and the characters jumping off the page and speaking to them or having a character explain the concept of first and third person to them. The power of dialogic reading is executed privately and non-threateningly for students. No one can see that they got the answer wrong while getting assistance in locating the correct one, all offered by a friendly character from the book. This not only aids comprehension but also instills a sense of wonder and curiosity in the learning material.

As educators, we all know the feeling of not having enough time. Worksheets AI, a free tool in beta, has become an indispensable tool for generating comprehension practice worksheets tailored to each student’s specific needs and proficiency levels. This personalization ensures that reading exercises are not one-size-fits-all but designed to meet students right where they are, challenging them just enough to foster growth without overwhelming them. Generating multiple worksheets in minutes allows us to easily assess students without adding more work to our already busy days!

Elevating Writing with Next-Gen Technology

Writing can be significantly enhanced with the introduction of digital tools. Worksheets AI offers a feature to generate writing organizers, assisting students in effectively structuring their thoughts and arguments. This guided approach to writing helps students develop a clear roadmap for their ideas, making the writing process less daunting and more accessible. Additionally, it can be used to offer personalized writing prompts based on students’ interests and proficiency levels, helping you tailor your teaching approach and make writing more engaging for students. 

Tools like Ideamapper offer a visual approach to organizing ideas and information. This tool enables students to create mind maps that connect different pieces of information, enhancing writing skills and information retention. By visually organizing thoughts, students can better understand complex texts and develop critical thinking skills essential for navigating the information-dense digital age.

Ideamapper

Ideamapper stands out by enabling students to visually organize, outline, cite, and even publish their work in one place, enhancing their ability to form coherent ideas and arguments. This fosters organization and critical thinking skills. Its split-screen feature displays a visual map and an editable outline side by side, simplifying the writing and editing process. Students can personalize maps with images, making learning more engaging. Moreover, Ideamapper allows effortlessly exporting completed work as Word, PDF, or presentations, showcasing its commitment to meeting educational needs in the digital era.

Research Reinvented: AI-Driven Exploration

Research, a fundamental aspect of learning, has been revolutionized by digital tools and AI. AI research assistants like Perplexity AI streamline the research process by quickly providing reliable sources and data on various topics. This saves time and teaches students how to discern credible information in an era of information overload. 

Students need to understand plagiarism and when they should cite sources. Many don’t understand that a Google result isn’t always a valid source or simply don’t know where to begin when researching. The ability to conduct efficient, effective research is a crucial skill in the digital age, and AI tools are invaluable in developing this competency.

Ideamapper is also an excellent next-gen tool for raising students’ awareness and assisting them in citing the sources they locate. If students paste large amounts of data into their document, Ideamapper prompts them to cite the source of the information. Additionally, the platform has a built-in time stamp. The time stamp allows educators to easily see if progress was made at an unreasonable pace, allowing for probing and resolution prior to the final scoring process.

Perplexity AI is an indispensable research assistant. It guides students through the vast ocean of online information, helping them find credible sources and understand how to cite them properly, an essential skill in academic writing. By giving it a question or a short prompt, Perplexity AI will provide several sources where information on the topic can be found with links. Students can then visit the source to determine if it meets their needs. This tool supports students in their research endeavors and inculcates a sense of academic integrity and the importance of referencing.

Perplexity sources

Perplexity

The Impact on Student Engagement

Integrating these innovative tools into education significantly boosts student engagement. Tailored, interactive learning experiences motivate students, making education more appealing. Furthermore, these tools equip students with the digital literacy skills essential for future success, ensuring they are well-prepared for the technological advancements that lie ahead.

Conclusion

Education 4.0 is reshaping how we teach and learn, emphasizing the importance of integrating AI and next-gen digital tools into educational practices. By leveraging next-gen technologies like Ideamapper, Perplexity AI, LP Bookspace, and Worksheets AI, educators can create more dynamic and personalized learning experiences. These tools enhance essential skills such as reading, writing, and research and prepare students for a digitally driven future. As we navigate this digital transformation, embracing these next-gen tools is crucial for fostering inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environments.

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CanvaLibraries

Canva Templates for Librarians

by Sara Qualls
written by Sara Qualls

It’s time to break out the confetti and strike up the band because where would be without libraries?! Let’s give a round of applause to those magical havens where every shelf holds adventures and where imagination knows no bounds: school libraries. But libraries wouldn’t be the community hubs they are if it weren’t for librarians! Let’s corral around with a curated list of Canva templates specifically for librarians. And when you get to the end of this oh-so-magnificent list, take a moment to mark your calendars to be sure you’re celebrating librarians throughout the school year.

Canva Templates for Librarians

I’ve curated a collection of Canva templates tailored specifically for librarians. From eye-catching event posters to activities that can be done in your own library, these templates have customizable elements and vibrant visuals. The purpose of these templates is to empower librarians to showcase the magic of their libraries and inspire a new generation of readers. Don’t forget qualifying educators get a Canva Pro account for free! Just another reason to love Canva. 

Reminders and Events

Create reminders that teachers can pick up to hang in their classrooms or around the school.

Library Day Reminder

Book Fair Poster

Family Library Night

Learning Posters

Create posters that teach students about genres or library processes. 

Types of Literary Genres

Genres Mindmap

Dewey Decimal System

Processes and Expectations

Create posters that teach students about your expectations for the library. 

Library Rules

Meeting Room Rules

Library Expectations

Motivational 

Decorate and motivate your students in the library with motivational posters.

Dream Big and Create Your Own Story

Introverts Quotes

Reading Quote

Library Signage 

Create signage that directs students. 

Genre Signage

Return Books Here

School Library Welcomes You

Newsletters

Advocate for your library by spreading the word about everything you do! 

Elementary Library Newsletter

Library Menu Board

Classroom Newsletter

Activities

Canva’s templates make crafting exciting library activities like scavenger hunts, word searches, and more straightforward. 

Genre Scavenger Hunt

Design a Book Cover

Library Genre Word Search

Digital Citizenship

Many librarians are tasked with teaching digital citizenship to students. Canva has you covered.

Digital Citizenship Responsible Use Presentation

Five Tips to Identify Fake News

Digital Footprint Digital Citizenship Lesson 

Bookmarks

Create printables like bookmarks to give to your students. Add their name, your school motto, or mascot to personalize it.

Libraries Are a Treasure Bookmark

Keep Reading Bookmark

Every Chapter Is a New Adventure Bookmark

Random Canva Librarian Finds

Search for Library Templates in Canva

Try clicking on the search terms below and begin to explore on your own:

Let’s continue celebrating the magic of libraries and fostering a love for learning and reading in every student, one template at a time.

Important Library Dates

School Library Month kicks off every April, thanks to the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). They’re the ones who decided to shine a spotlight on our fantastic school librarians and libraries all across the country in 1985. The idea? Well, it’s all about getting everyone in the school and community pumped to understand how libraries are essential to learning and education. But, there is more than just April when it comes to celebrating reading, libraries, and librarians. Read through the list and mark your calendars for these other worthy days.

More Librarian Reads

Canva Templates for Librarians
Finding the Perfect Book to Read Next
Two Tools that Make My Job as a Librarian Easier
A Librarian’s Approach to Tech Tuesday
How to Get Started with Python in the Library
Want to Boost Your Teacher-Librarian Relationships?
Five Ways to Engage Your School Community with eBooks?

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CTO/CIO

How to Plan for Technology Equipment Replacement

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

“We need more storage on the server?” asked the district’s network engineer. He reached into a cardboard box. It contained the second-hand hard drives. These donations had come from the nearby Air Force base in years past. Appalled, I did my best to not scoff at his approach to upgrades. He smiled, an apology in his voice. “I haven’t been given much of an equipment budget.” At that moment, I knew what I needed to do to ensure success in my district: I would need to focus on the equipment replacement plan. Many districts put it aside until it’s a budget-devouring behemoth. Let’s take a look at one approach I took as a technology director to ensure campuses had needed technology that avoided upgrading from donated equipment.

Note: For the purposes of this article, I have changed the name of the school district to “Ardent ISD.”

“Desperation sometimes drives innovation.”

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber

Step 1: Complete an Inventory Check

If you’ve ever had to walk every classroom and academic space to conduct inventory, you know it’s not fun. That’s why it’s essential to establish a baseline, campus by campus, space by space. To do that, you have to mobilize your team, both district and campus staff, to conduct the assessment.

Inventory check goals are simple but critical to future growth. They include questions such as:

  • Is the unit obsolete?
  • What is the age of the device?
  • When was the device purchased?
  • Will this device get replaced?
  • What’s the cost of replacement?

In my 10,000-student school district, I found the following relevant to computers:

  • Obsolete Windows Units: 1,129
  • Obsolete Mac Units: 991
  • Total Units: 3042

What did these numbers mean? This meant that 65.58% of the fleet of computers district-wide were obsolete. To replace them for $631.14 each (the cost of Dell CPU at the time), the district would have to pay $1.3 million. But this wasn’t the only upgrade needed. After the inventory, it was found that all needed upgrades would cost $1.9 million. By putting off upgrades for years, the district had set itself up.

Device Investment Chart listing the cost for equipment replacement of various district devices.
This graph shows the needed investment by device.

There was no way that any one budget year could result in a complete upgrade. And cobbled together technology started to fail. These equipment failures due to old age (> 7 years) harmed critical areas.

Step 2: Identify Critical Areas and Solutions

A list of critical areas to consider for my district included the following. I’ve summarized the solution implemented to address each area of concern.

Area 1 – Campus Labs

Problem: Principal turnover affects every aspect of equipment replacement. My past school district had a hodge podge of technology at each campus. According to the superintendent, campus principals were tasked with upgrading computer labs. That aside, implementation varied from campus to campus and year to year. The reason? There was too much campus autonomy and principal turnover. This left equipment replacement plans in disarray, broken up to provide a few more computers to classrooms or offices, and campus labs were inadequate. Worse, many devices did not meet the State’s high-stakes digital testing requirements.

Solution: To address this, the Technology Department (with approval from the Curriculum Department) standardized technology. It formed Campus Assessment Centers. Each Center calculated the total enrollment, max class size, and total labs needed. You can see a sample proposal here.

  • All campuses had a requisite number of updated computers.
  • Technicians and campus technology representatives tagged obsolete equipment on campus for removal.
  • The principal designated a room or two for high-stakes assessments.
  • Then, technicians created computer labs over the summer.

Area 2 – Wireless Access Points

Problem: The school had six network ports in every space for people to connect. It only had two hallway wireless access points. iPad carts, laptops, and visiting parent devices requiring WiFi all failed. The problem wasn’t the network but the lack of WiFi access points.

Solution: A systemic plan to put wireless access points in place had to be developed and funded. The network engineer assessed the best placement for wireless access points (WAPs). WAP deployment targeted all common spaces (e.g., gyms, libraries, offices) and classrooms. This was important due to the increased number of mobile devices deployed. That included laptops, iPads, and Chromebooks.

Wireless Access Point Planning Document
An example of the Wireless Access Point planning and tracking document.

Area 3 – Classroom Devices

Problem: “I can’t access the electronic gradebook and attendance system,” said one teacher. “The computers won’t print, either.” A litany of issues with classroom technology, most of it six to seven years obsolete. Some campuses wanted iPads for every teacher. Others wanted Chromebooks. Pushing out updates to classroom devices is expensive in staff time and systems. Worse, it’s almost impossible, requiring a technician to visit and fix it. How could devices be centrally managed and provide campuses with device choice?

Solution: The Technology Department formulated a classroom technology guide. Principals and their leadership teams could select from that guide. Then, they reflected on their choices. In this way, rogue technology purchases were minimized. All new purchases had to align with the Campus Improvement Plans (CIPs). The CIPs outlined how technology would support specific goals and objectives. The Office of Curriculum and Instruction had to approve the CIP’s goals. In this way, the Technology Department avoided dictating to campuses. Campus leadership could decide what technology they wanted to spend precious funds on.

Other critical areas we identified included:

  • Area 4 – Nurses
  • Area 5 – Clerical
  • Area 6 – Leaders
  • Area 7 – Admin (CO)
  • Area 8 – Network Support
The Cost of Obsolescence

As you might imagine, each area costs money. These costs all hit simultaneously since the district waited to upgrade all devices. Consider the costs (approximately $1.9M total) outlined below:

  • Area 1 – Lab: $336K
  • Area 2 – Wireless: $337K
  • Area 3 – Classroom: $1.3M
  • Area 4 – Nurses: $0.00
  • Area 5 – Clerical: $18K
  • Area 6 – Leaders: $17K
  • Area 7 – Admin (CO): $0.00
  • Area 8 – Network Support

With all the costs hitting simultaneously, you need to spread the costs around. To do that, put an equipment replacement plan in place. It allows you to spread costs out over multiple years.

Equipment Life Cycle Planning graphic showing the stages for planning.

Step 3: Craft a Proposal

Once you know the stakes, you’re ready to craft an equipment replacement plan. After gathering all the data, you can make more intelligent decisions.

Sample Equipment Replacement Proposal

View or Get a Copy of the Sample Proposal

You can see what the proposal encompasses with a quick look at the table of contents:

Sample Equipment Replacement Proposal Table of Contents

A key provision of this proposal? Securing recurring funding:

This proposal recommends the use of $500,000 set aside for expansion. Funding addresses identified, critical areas of need that need technology enhancement.

The background of the proposal clarifies the need:

This proposal is the result of a comprehensive needs assessment. District and campus staff collaborated to conduct exhaustive campus visits and extensive interviews. Meetings took place with campus principals and campus technology coordinators. A proposed equipment replacement plan (Appendix 6) appears. The equipment replacement plans came about through consultations with Texas school districts.

There are two top priority areas of need. The Superintendent’s Cabinet has identified these as critical. Those areas include:

1) campus technology assessment centers (e.g. labs) and

2) wireless access at the Ardent ISD’s campuses

Confronted with detailed needs, the Superintendent’s Cabinet chose to accept the proposal. This secured funding to address critical systems. The funding was in addition to the technology department’s budget.

The proposal also outlined a way to redirect obsolete technology to students who needed it since lack of home access to technology was a significant problem.

“We want to turn our inventory faster than our people.”

James Sinegal

Step 4: Revisit and Report on Progress

Although only a part of a district budget, the expenditure for equipment can be significant. It is imperative to share success stories of what has been done and deploy new equipment as quickly as possible. This may mean fine-tuning warehouse-to-end-user deliveries. Ensure that everyone is current on who will do what and by when. Then verify it so you’re aware of the progress and what’s still pending.

Leadership means taking a transcendent view of what’s going on in the trenches while keeping your eye on the details. How will each step now get the district closer to achieving long-term objectives? It can be easy to focus on what’s in front of you and the budget for today’s expenses, especially when days are full. But, to ensure success, plan for the short-term and the long-term, with each reinforcing the other.

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5 Free AI Courses
Artificial IntelligenceProfessional Learning

Five Free AI Courses for an AI Knowledge Boost

by Emily Horn
written by Emily Horn

I’m blown away by the speed at which AI is advancing and by what AI can do. There seems to be a new AI tool out every minute! While I think it’s all very exciting, and I am eager to explore, learn, and try new AI tools, I recently realized one massively important thing: I don’t really understand AI. Do you find yourself to be in the same boat? I mean, I enjoy using AI tools daily. But how does AI work? What are its limitations? Am I using it in the best ways possible? If you’re asking yourself similar questions, here are a few free AI courses that might interest you. Let’s take a look.

1. DeepLearning AI’s Generative AI for Everyone

DeepLearning.AI Free Generative AI for Everyone Course
Screenshot by Emily Horn: DeepLearning.AI’s Generative AI for Everyone Course Page

This free AI course, led by Andrew Ng, an internationally recognized AI leader, is a three-hour introductory course on generative AI. According to the website, you will:

  • Learn what generative AI is
  • Discover what it can and cannot do
  • Explore how to use it in your own world/business
  • Debunk misinformation about generative AI and think through how to use this technology best
  • Learn best practices for learning and explore whether or not generative AI would be useful

The course is broken into three weeks. Each week covers one hour of material through two lessons composed of several videos. Each lesson ends with a quiz and additional reading is provided each week. The course slides are downloadable, even if you don’t enroll in the course, but you must submit your email to download them.

Learn More About DeepLearning.AI’s Course

2. Google’s Introduction to Generative AI 

Google's Free Introduction to AI Course
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Google’s Introduction to Generative AI Course Page

Access Google’s free AI course in English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, or Portuguese! You can take the course at your own pace, or you can join a public classroom if you prefer a live instructor. In this introductory AI course, Google lists four main objectives:

  • Define Generative AI
  • Explain How Generative AI Works
  • Describe Generative AI Model Types
  • Describe Generative AI Applications

Considered to be a microlearning course, it consists of a 22-minute video, required reading, and ends with a quiz. Plus, you earn a badge upon completion! By the end, you’ll be able to explain what Generative AI is and how to use it.

Learn More About Google’s Course

3. DeepLearning AI’s ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers 

DeepLearning.AI's ChatGPT Prompts for Developers Course
Screenshot by Emily Horn: DeepLearning.AI’s ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers Course Page

Want to dive deeper into the world of prompting? Then this is the free AI course for you! This is a short, one-hour class designed for beginner to advanced users. Led by Isa Fulford and Andrew Ng, DeepLearning.AI states that in this course you will:

  • Learn prompt engineering best practices for application development
  • Discover new ways to use LLMs, including how to build your own custom chatbot
  • Gain hands-on practice writing and iterating on prompts yourself using the OpenAI API

If you’re interested in these objectives, you’ll want to hurry and sign up to get the course for free! It’s only free for a limited time. Here is a video with Isa and Andrew explaining this AI course:

Learn More About DeepLearning.AI’s Course

4. The Rundown.AI’s Advanced ChatGPT Guide 

Rundown.AI's Advanced ChatGPT Guide
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Rundown.AI’s Advanced ChatGPT Guide

Ok, so this isn’t like the other free AI courses. It’s more like fifty little courses in one. This comprehensive guide by Rundown.AI offers a plethora of tutorials on everything from ChatGPT job interview prep to analyzing data with ChatGPT and so much more. It is truly a wealth of knowledge. It also offers the following four databases. I highly recommend checking this one out!

  • Five Printable ChatGPT Cheat Sheets
  • The Top 100+ AI Tools
  • 1000+ Best ChatGPT Prompts
  • 1000+ ChatGPT Plugins
Access Rundown.AI’s Guide

5. Harvard’s CS50’s Introduction to AI with Python 

Harvard University CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python Course
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Harvard University CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python Course

This free AI course is self-paced and offered online through December 31, 2024. But you will need to click Learn More to see when there is a session available. This introductory seven-week course is a bit longer than the others, requiring around 10-30 hours per week, depending on how quickly you work through it. It is recommended that you have prior experience with Python if you sign up. According to the site, students finish the course with “experience in libraries for machine learning as well as knowledge of artificial intelligence principles that enable them to design intelligent systems of their own.” Topics covered include:

  • graph search algorithms
  • adversarial search
  • knowledge representation
  • logical inference
  • probability theory
  • Bayesian networks
  • Markov models
  • constraint satisfaction
  • machine learning
  • reinforcement learning
  • neural networks
  • natural language processing
Learn More About Harvard’s Course

In a world where AI is the fastest-growing field in computer science, it’s important that we as educators understand it and stay up-to-date. By boosting our own knowledge and skills related to AI, we can better prepare the future generation to be creators, guardians, and responsible users of AI. Do any of these free AI courses pique your interest? Which one will you be trying out?

Want to explore AI alongside other educators in similar roles? Check out the sessions being offered at TCEA’s 2024 Convention & Exposition! Sign up before January 13 to get $50 off a full conference badge.

Explore TCEA 2024 AI Sessions
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Ring of fire eclipse
ScienceScience

Solar Eclipse Activities, Resources, and Safety Information

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Two eclipses will take place during the 2023-2024 school year and will be visible in North America. An annular solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse. The total solar eclipse is rare in North America and won’t be viewable again until 2044. Why not take advantage of cosmic phenomena to teach science? Let’s take a look at a few available resources. Safety concerns and safety precautions appear below, as well as instructional activities, apps, and music playlists.

What is a solar eclipse?

Did you know that there are four types of solar eclipses? Those eclipses include total, partial, hybrid, and annular. As NASA’s Solar System page explains:

Solar eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up, either fully or partially. Depending on how they align, eclipses provide a unique, exciting view of either the Sun or the Moon.

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. The Moon casts a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the Sun’s light in some areas.

This only happens occasionally. That’s because the Moon doesn’t orbit in the exact same plane as the Sun and Earth do.

Before exploring the differences between each type of eclipse, let’s review the upcoming schedule and where you can best observe the eclipses.

When will the eclipse take place?

For the 2023-2024 school year, North America will enjoy viewing the following:

  • Annular solar eclipse: Saturday, October 14, 2023
  • Total solar eclipse: Monday, April 8, 2024

Where will the eclipse be visible?

Both eclipses will find their way through Texas. Live somewhere else? You can find an amazing overview of solar eclipses across America online. The Greater American Eclipse website does a nice job sharing this in these two screenshots:

Screenshot by author of two eclipse schedules
Screenshot by author of two eclipse schedules, The Greater American Eclipse

Let’s look at smartphone apps that can help you track.

Two Smartphone Apps for Tracking

Eclipse Calculator 2 (free)

This free app, available for Android, lets you see eclipses occurring worldwide, notes the best places to view them, provides animated maps, and sets local times and voice alerts. Additionally, it identifies what future eclipses you will be able to see from your location.

Photo Credit: Big Kid Science’s Totality smartphone app

Big Kid Science’s Totality (free)

The Totality app, available for Android and iOS, offers a variety of instructions on how to use it. The app was donated to the American Astronomical Society. It provides great information on the path of the eclipse. The strength of this app, aside from finding an eclipse from your location, is all the helpful information. In the app’s “Learn About” section, there is information on topics such as:

  • Safe Viewing
  • Future Eclipses
  • Understanding Eclipses
  • Classroom Activities

For example, in the Classroom Activities section, you’ll find links to the Pinhole Camera Activity for safe viewing of the eclipse and dynamic art and photography activities. Know of other great mobile apps? Share them in the comments!

Now that you have an app for your device, let’s explore these two eclipses in more detail below

The Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14, 2023

Also known as a “ring of fire,” the annular solar eclipse happens before a total eclipse. About six months before a total solar eclipse, there is an annular solar eclipse. An annual eclipse is when the Sun’s diameter is a bit larger than the Moon’s due to elliptical orbits.

annular eclipse
Photo by Marek Okon on Unsplash

You can view the path of the annular solar eclipse from Oregon to Texas in this video, but other states are visible in this video channel as well.

Since the annular solar eclipse is happening on a Saturday from approximately 10:20 AM to 11:30 AM (time may vary depending on where you are), consider where you might watch it. You can observe it from any one of 17 Texas State Parks that fall along the path. Watch a livestream of this annular solar eclipse via Exploratorium or the Time and Date website. The latter also offers a mapping tool you can use to track its path:

Screenshot showing October 14th path of annular eclipse
Screenshot by author, Time and Date 2D Map

Want to see where the eclipse path will land where you live? Use Time and Date’s Path and Visibility 3D Path Globe tool.

The Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024

When the Moon appears between you and the Sun, or when the Moon completely covers the Sun, you have a total solar eclipse. These happen once every eighteen months or so. NASA has a dedicated website for the total solar eclipse on April 8 with lots of ideas.

Total eclipse
A total solar eclipse is seen on Monday, August 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon. A total solar eclipse swept across a narrow portion of the contiguous United States from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. A partial solar eclipse was visible across the entire North American continent along with parts of South America, Africa, and Europe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani). Image Source: 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, NASA https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/2017-total-solar-eclipse

Each total solar eclipse follows a certain path. Curious about building anticipation for the April 8, 2024 event? Share this video from the Greater American Eclipse website:

The four-minute video shows the path of the Moon’s shadow on the face of the Earth. You can see a Texas-specific video as well.

Additionally, you can watch a livestream via Exploratorium. Now that you have a better understanding of the two upcoming eclipses, let’s review safety.

Did You Know?

The Space Science Institute’s STAR Library Network (STAR Net) offers free eclipse glasses. They are distributing five-million solar-viewing glasses to 10,000 libraries. In addition, they include information, training, and ideas for activities.

These activities can be conducted at eclipse events in public libraries. Learn more, and register to participate, on the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) website. Pre-recorded webinars are available online.

Consequences of NOT Protecting Your Vision

“Millions of people out there are going to be looking out at it… How many of them are going to say, ‘Something happened to my eyes?’” says Lou Tomosoki when he viewed a partial eclipse for a few seconds. This resulted in a pea-shaped blurry spot in his vision. Learn from Lou and many others who experienced unprotected eye damage of a solar eclipse. This damage, known as solar retinopathy, may be permanent if it doesn’t go away after a day or two. The light is so powerful it can harm your smartphone’s camera sensors, too.

Photo by Gabriel Barletta on Unsplash

What exactly are the dire effects of viewing a solar eclipse without the right eyewear protection? Those effects include blurred vision, light sensitivity, blind spots, red, sore, gritty, watery eyes or eye soreness (source). Also, shapes will be hard to recognize. You may experience headaches or swelling around eye or eyelid. Avoid these consequences of viewing eclipse without protection.

Safety Precautions

Planning on having a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party for your students? You will need to take precautions for viewing both eclipses.

Pinhole Viewer

Living in Panama as a child, I had the opportunity to create a pinhole viewer out of a shoebox. This allowed me to safely watch the solar eclipse. It was quite an amazing experience for an eight-year-old. My teacher made it a memorable experience, instilling some healthy fear by reminding me to avoid damage to my eyes and keep my back to the sun.

You can find a variety of tutorial videos online, but this one from NASA with a young explainer works great:

Relying on a pinhole viewer doesn’t involve you (or your students) looking directly at the Sun. You can do so ONLY IF you have approved solar eclipse glasses. Follow these step-by-step instructions (or these) if you prefer text to video.

Solar Eclipse Glasses

You can also buy solar eclipse glasses, but make sure that the vendor of solar eclipse glasses appears on the approved vendors list.

Two people posing for a selfie while wearing eclipse glasses
Photo by Isaiah McClean on Unsplash

Safe eclipse glasses may feature a notice. The notice is that glasses conform to ISO 12312-2 Filters for Direct Observation of the Sun. Others may appear to be “NASA certified.” Unfortunately, that does not mean they have been tested or certified as safe. NASA and ISO do NOT certify eclipse glasses.

With that in mind, you can see this Amazon search reveals potential scams:

Screenshot by author, Amazon.com search
Screenshot by author, Amazon.com search

If finding safe glasses is uncertain, consider going straight to the source. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has a list of safe solar filters and viewers. Start there for solar eclipse glasses.

With that in mind, I searched Walmart’s website for eclipse glasses. Then, I cross-checked what I found with the AAS list. Sure enough, I found some VisiSolar (on AAS approved list) at Walmart.

Instructional Lessons and Activities

Looking for fun ways to teach about eclipses? Check out these resources:

Websites:

NonFiction Books:

Fiction and/or Poetry

Activities for Solar Eclipse Viewing

Consider having a Solar Eclipse Viewing event for Monday, April 8, 2024 solar eclipse (October 14th is on a Saturday). Some teachers like Heather Marie report:

“We did a solar eclipse viewing party during the eclipse in 2017- we bought everyone glasses and had popsicles outside as an entire school 6-12th grades. We played a Solar Music Mix (Black Hole sun, Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone, etc). It was so much fun! It was a partial eclipse from our area but still awesome! Leading up the eclipse we spent time in all classes reviewing the eclipse and why it happens. Math did calculations with angles, science taught the eclipse, ELA had a reflective journal piece after, SS did a timeline of past and future eclipses. It was really cool!”

Source: Heather Marie, Middle School Science, Facebook Group

Others suggested these activities:

Be sure to check out these resources to prepare yourself and your students for upcoming solar eclipses. Prepare some lessons and activities to build up the excitement, take safety precautions, and use apps to keep you oriented to the right location for the event near you. Have other resources and ideas? Share them with us in the comments!

Feature Image by Jongsun Lee on Unsplash

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8 colorful blocks with the benefits of makerspace listed in the article and the title "8 Benefits of Makerspace".
ScienceSTEM/STEAM

Makerspace: Embrace the Joy of Making

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

While the term “makerspace” may have surfaced in the early 2000s, the essence of making has been ingrained in our lives since time immemorial. Don’t let the new terminology confuse you; making has always existed, both in the real world and within the confines of our educational institutions. Back in my school days, we simply referred to it as shop, home economics, photography, or auto-mechanics. But, in today’s world, what is “makerspace?”

What is a Makerspace?

Lori Gracey, Executive Director of TCEA provides the best answer to this question:

Makerspaces provide a place for students to explore questions, bounce ideas off one another, build something together, fail and try again all in a safe, creative, environment.

Lori Gracey, TCEA Executive Director
A quote by TCEA Executive Director, Lori Gracey, answering the question, "What is makerspace?"

What a Makerspace IS:

  • Hands-on and exploratory
  • Fun 
  • Based on student interests 
  • Hard 
  • Filled with experimentation and possible failure 
  • A change in the way we think and teach

What a Makerspace is NOT:

  • Just playtime 
  • Easy 
  • Limiting 
  • Too structured 
  • About buying “cool stuff” 
  • End products that all look the same (not a cookie-cutter approach)

The History of Makerspace

The origin of makerspaces can be traced back to the early 2000s, with some of the earliest examples emerging in the hacker and DIY (Do-It-Yourself) communities. These spaces were created by individuals who wanted to collaborate, share tools, and work on creative projects together. Over time, the concept of makerspaces spread to schools and libraries. 

Making has always been around. We just gave makerspace different names through the years. I took shop class in middle school where I built a knick-knack shelf. I learned how to plant and harvest food from growing up with a backyard garden. From a neighbor, I learned how to crochet, and 45 years later, I still crochet to this very day. As an adult, I have the opportunity to take classes or learn from the expertise of friends. I’ve always been a maker, and I always get such a charge when I design, create, and build.

What are the benefits to students?

Makerspace has so many benefits for students. Let’s take a look at eight of the top ways makerspace helps boost growth, learning, and more.

  1. Develops Resilience. Students are encouraged to learn from failures and persevere.
  2. Engages Diverse Learning Styles. Different learning preferences and strengths are accommodated.
  3. Empowers Student Agency. Students have control over their learning and projects.
  4. Supports Inclusivity. Students of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome.
  5. Increases Motivation. Students are more motivated to learn when they are active participants.
  6. Builds a Maker Community. Connections and networks among students and educators are fostered.
  7. Instills Lifelong Learning. A passion for learning beyond the traditional classroom is cultivated.
  8. Boosts School Culture. A sense of purpose and excitement are added to the learning environment.

So, now you know the basics of makerspaces! But where does one start? TCEA can help you out with this. If I was pinned down to name one tip to get you started, I would say to start small and check out the following resources from TCEA to get you started. 

Makerspace Resources from TCEA

The cover of the free TCEA makerspace ebook, "Ready, Set, Make!"
Download FREE eBook: Ready, Set, Make!

This ebook is packed with fantastic resources and information including:

  • Background on the goals and benefits of making and how to maximize student creativity and engagement.
  • Great tips and ideas for curating a meaningful makerspace even if you don’t have a lot of resources, storage space, or access to tech.
  • Printable cards for creating activities in 11 different maker stations.

Cultivating a Maker’s Attitude

This blog explores three characteristics of makers! Find out why a “maker attitude” is important when technology, crafts, and engineering intersect.

Starting a Maker Space

Thinking of starting a maker space but don’t really know where to begin? Check out this blog as our Executive Director, Lori Gracey, shares valuable insights into the process.  

An Incredible Maker Resource for Educators Gone Free

If you are a maker student or educator, learn how to get a premium membership for the amazing Instructables website free!

How to  Start a Maker Club at Your School

Michelle Cooper, one of my all-time favorite librarians, shares her experience with her maker club. She offers some tried-and-true tips for starting your own club and finding the resources to keep it going.

Making the Most with Makerspaces Video

Get advice from makerspace librarian, Shirley Dickey, specifically if you are at the High School Level. Check the archived Lunch & Learn webinar, “Making the Most with Makerspaces.” To access the video you must be a TCEA Member. Follow the link to enter TCEA’s online Community. Find the “Resources and Recording” Group and search for the video title. 

Making is a timeless concept, and it has always found its place in our hearts and minds. Whether you’re creating for sheer enjoyment or with a specific purpose in mind, the feeling of satisfaction derived from crafting something with your own hands or through the power of your imagination is simply joy in its purest form. So, let’s embrace the spirit of making and celebrate the age-old art that continues to bring happiness and fulfillment to our lives.

To sum it all up, if you want to make something, like Nike says, “Just do it.” Don’t doubt yourself! Jump in and start. Remember, there are probably ten, 20, 30+ YouTube videos on whatever you want to make. And if you make something, I would love to hear about it! Send me a video, a photo, an email, or a tweet.

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Back to SchoolPlanning and Preparation

A Back to School Calendar Packed with Celebrations

by Emily Horn
written by Emily Horn

If you’ve ever checked out National Today (or worked in a school), then you know there is more than one reason to celebrate each and every day. As I was thinking about the start of the year, I thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a calendar for 2023-2024 with all the special weeks, months, and days marked with celebrations that might apply to school life?” So, I tried to create just that. But, it’s likely that I missed a few celebrations (there are thousands!), so I made this calendar an editable template for you to rework to your heart’s content. Here’s what you’ll get today:

  • An editable, printable 2023-2024 calendar with celebratory dates marked throughout (download at the end of this post)
  • A list of celebrations for each month of the year with linked resources

I wish everyone a wonderful back to school season. Have fun celebrating!

August 2023

August 2023 Calendar

September 2023

September 2023 Calendar

October 2023

October 2023 Calendar

November 2023

November 2023 Calendar

December 2023

December 2023 Calendar

January 2024

January 2024 Calendar

February 2024

February 2024 Calendar

March 2024

April 2024

April 2024 Calendar

May 2024

May 2024 Calendar

June 2024

June 2024 Calendar

July 2024

July 2024 Calendar

2023-2024 Back to School Editable Calendar Template

Get the Editable 2023-2024 Calendar Template
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Reading

How to Improve Reading Proficiency and Literacy Rates Across the District

by Chris Buecksler
written by Chris Buecksler

Improving literacy skills not only benefits individual students – it strengthens their overall academic performance across subject areas, which greatly impacts their future prospects. This guide aims to provide you with practical steps and strategies you can implement to foster literacy development among students and improve reading proficiency in your school or district.

Step 1: Evaluate Current Literacy Levels.

Begin by conducting an assessment of the literacy levels within your district. You have more data available than ever before. Use state and/or standardized test scores, English Language Arts grades, reading and writing proficiency ratings, and other relevant metrics for a detailed view of current literacy levels. This assessment will help identify areas that require improvement and serve as a baseline for measuring progress against enhancement efforts as you work to improve reading and literacy rates.

Step 2: Set Clear Goals and Objectives.

Establishing clear and measurable goals and objectives is the only way to guide your efforts and track progress effectively. Make sure these goals are quantifiable and align with district-wide priorities and the specific needs of your students. For example, you might aim to increase the overall reading proficiency by a certain percentage or decrease the achievement gap by a certain degree between different student groups.

Step 3: Enhance Professional Development.

Make time for professional development programs to improve instructional practices and pedagogical approaches. Lean into training sessions on evidence-based literacy strategies, differentiated instruction, assessment techniques, and effective use of technology in the classroom. Collaborate and share best practices to create a supportive learning community. Leverage workshops, coaching, and collaborative communities of practice to turn instructional strategies into action for stronger student outcomes and improved reading proficiency. 

Step 4: Develop a Coherent and Effective Curriculum.

Review your district’s current curriculum to ensure it aligns with the latest research and best practices in literacy instruction. The Science of Reading is the leading topic today – it’s vital to your students’ success that you adopt a literacy curriculum that supports all factors of Scarborough’s Reading Rope – including word recognition and language comprehension. Consider adopting a balanced literacy approach that combines explicit skills instruction, guided reading, independent reading, and writing activities. Integrate diverse texts, including fiction, non-fiction, and digital resources, to engage students and promote critical thinking. An effective way to promote guided and independent reading is through the use of human-read audiobooks, which support vocabulary building, background knowledge, literacy structures, and more. 

Step 5: Implement Early Intervention Programs.

Early intervention is critical in improving literacy outcomes and improving reading. One way to put your youngest readers on a path to success is to establish programs that target students who are most at risk or struggling with reading and writing skills. Enhance the experience with personalized support to address individual needs, and collaborate with intervention specialists, reading specialists, and other support staff to provide comprehensive support.

Step 6: Foster a Culture of Reading.

Promote a culture of reading within your schools and across the district. Encourage your teachers to create classroom libraries, organize book clubs, and facilitate read-aloud sessions. For earlier grades, invite parents, guardians, grandparents, and other volunteers to lead read-aloud sessions in class. Engage the community and establish partnerships with local libraries, community organizations, and businesses to provide students with access to a wide range of reading materials. Celebrate reading achievements through events like book fairs, author visits, and literacy-themed contests. 

Step 7: Engage Families and the Community.

Student success hinges on support at home. Involve families and the broader community in literacy initiatives to improve reading. Provide resources and workshops for parents to support their child’s literacy development at home. Organize literacy nights where families can participate in activities that promote reading and writing skills. Collaborate with community organizations to sponsor literacy events and distribute books and reading materials to students. 

Step 8: Leverage Technology.

Embrace technology as a tool to enhance literacy instruction. Get trained on utilizing educational apps, digital resources, and online reading platforms. Integrate multimedia elements into lessons to cater to diverse learning styles. Explore using virtual libraries, e-books, audiobooks, and interactive writing tools to engage students and make learning more accessible. Effective use of technology can accelerate learning, level the playing field for many struggling readers, and help improve reading.

Step 9: Monitor Progress and Adjust Strategies.

Any new project or program must be monitored, and results measured. Regularly monitor and analyze data to track progress toward your goals. Engage the “data warriors” in your schools and cross the district to help you measure results. Use formative and summative assessments to evaluate student performance and identify areas that need additional support. Adjust instructional strategies and interventions based on the insights gathered from the data. Continuously reviewing and refining your approach will help ensure ongoing improvement.

Step 10: Collaborate and Share Success Stories.

Success is more powerful when it is shared. Encourage collaboration and communication among fellow teachers. Establish professional learning communities where all educators can exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and share successful practices. Highlight and celebrate success stories of students and teachers who have made significant strides in literacy and improved reading proficiency. Make sure your district administrators and school board are aware of the success. Most importantly, take steps to replicate the success in other classes and schools across the district.

Infographic outlining 10 steps from the article for how to improve reading proficiency.
Click to download.

Literacy is the foundation for continuous learning throughout a student’s life. It enables them to engage with books, digital media, and other educational resources. Reading proficiency fosters a culture of learning, critical thinking, and intellectual growth. Lifelong learning is essential for personal development, adaptability in a rapidly changing world, and the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. A proven audiobook solution developed specifically for students with reading difficulties can be the key to unlocking potential. It’s easy to implement, easy to set up, and proven to accelerate reading growth. And with the funding the Texas Education Agency has provided, there is no cost for K-12 public and charter schools in the state to offer this resource to students. Learn more today.

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Content AreasGood TeachingReading

How to Encourage Summer Reading

by Diana Benner
written by Diana Benner

Encouraging students to read over the summer is a great way to maintain and improve their reading skills. It can also help foster a lifelong love of reading. Summer is the perfect time for students to choose books they enjoy reading without worrying about assignments and grades. Let’s look at some ways to get students to read over the summer.

Communicate with Families

Communicate with families about how they can encourage their children to read over the summer. Give them resources such as summer reading lists, like this one from Common Sense Media, that will help their children be successful. Make sure families are aware of different ways they can access books throughout the summer.

In addition, give them tips on how to include the entire family in reading initiatives. For example, setting aside time for the family to sit down and read together or choosing audiobooks to listen to in the car.

Create a Summer Reading List Together

Work with your students to create a reading list that includes a variety of genres and reading levels. Allow students to choose books that interest them and fit their reading level. You can also create book clubs or reading groups to encourage discussions and share thoughts about the books.

Provide Reading Incentives

Provide incentives for students who read over the summer. This could be a certificate or reward for reading a certain number of books. You could also enter their name into a raffle for a prize. Make it fun and engaging so that students are motivated to read.

Connect Reading to Summer Activities

Encourage students to read books related to summer activities that might do. For example, if a student is going to the beach, suggest books about the ocean or marine life. If a student is interested in sports, suggest books about athletes or sports history.

Provide Online Read Aloud Resources

Everyone loves read alouds. They help build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Check out these free QR Code Read Aloud Cards in both English and Spanish. In addition, have students explore online reading sites like Epic, Storyline Online, and One More Story.

Host a Summer Reading Challenge

Set a reading goal for your students and create a chart to track their progress. You can make it a class-wide challenge or compete in small groups. You could also allow your students to track their reading progress by completing a reading bingo card or filling out a digital form. Make it fun and exciting by adding prizes or rewards for reaching milestones.

Partner with Local Libraries

Encourage students to visit their local public library. Send home information about the library’s summer hours and location. Include directions on how to obtain a library card and, if public transportation is available to the library, include this information as well. In addition, many libraries have summer reading programs that your students can participate in. Send home information about any reading programs or events happening at the library.

By using these strategies, you can help encourage students to read over the summer and maintain their literacy skills while having fun.

Are you looking for ways to encourage summer reading? Explore seven tips for inspiring the summer reader in every student.
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