Catlin Tucker

DECEMBER 31, 2020

When I was in college, I started writing a holiday newsletter to include with my Christmas cards. Yet, it seemed wrong to pretend the year didn’t happen or that I learned nothing from it. As I began to write, I realized that 2020 for me was a year of extremes. It is a tradition I have continued through the years.

Learning 544

Learning Blended Learning Assignments Feedback 544

Catlin Tucker

MAY 11, 2021

Recently, a teacher posted a comment to my blog lamenting that direct instruction consumed much of the class period. Like many, this teacher felt intense pressure to teach the standards and wasn’t sure how to embrace Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning. This is not unusual.

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Blended Learning Learning Universal Design Disabilities 545

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 14, 2021

This will be easier to do if school leaders harness the talent on their campuses and create systems that encourage teachers to learn with and from each other. Professional learning should not be relegated to a handful of all-staff training days. The members of the PLC determine the focus of their inquiry and learning.

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Teachers Blended Learning Learning Evaluation 425

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 29, 2020

When I ask teachers, “How would you describe a successful online or blended learning course? ” Most teachers include some form of the word “engagement” in their answers. So, it makes sense that teachers are frustrated when they feel like students are not engaging. What would that look like?”

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Learning Spaces Student Engagement Learning Students 545

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 28, 2021

In their new book, Teaching for Deeper Learning: Tools to Engage Students in Meaning Making , my friend, Jay McTighe , and his co-author, Harvey Silver , write about an active reading strategy that encourages students to engage with texts before, during, and after reading. Finally, students should reflect on what they learned.

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Activities Reading Learning Discussions 546

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 5, 2021

When I work with teachers shifting to blended learning, I strive to establish the WHY driving our work together. I want teachers to understand the purpose and value of the shift to blended learning. Blended learning is not a reaction to a moment.

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Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Learning Motivation 544

eSchool News

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

Not only does it make educators revise their approach to teaching academic writing, but some still see it as a threat to students’ academic integrity. More than that: If students often ask ChatGPT to generate essays or make those essays longer , their writing and communication skills will suffer. ChatGPT generates original texts.

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Essay Writing Plagiarism Academic Integrity 300

eSchool News

OCTOBER 9, 2023

Ninth-grade English was a paradox for me—both the best and worst year for helping me learn to write. Every month, my Advanced English teacher, Mr. Johnson, assigned our class one of the classics of English literature and expected us to demonstrate what we had learned with an accompanying essay.

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Writing Failure Essay English 300

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 1, 2021

The more physical distance between the teacher and the learner, the more challenging it is to collect formative assessment data consistently. I’ve taught in person, online, and in blended learning environments. 1 Articulate Clear Learning Goals and Objectives.

Learning 543

Learning Knowledge Writing Discussions 543

Catlin Tucker

JANUARY 13, 2020

Can teachers who are teaching an AP course use blended learning models and cover the extensive curriculum? I get asked this question frequently as a blended learning coach. In this guest post, Cori Schwarzrock shares her experience using blended learning models in her AP psychology course.

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Blended Learning Learning History Social Studies 546

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 8, 2021

Teachers are frustrated by what they perceive as a lack of focus, engagement, and motivation. I can empathize with their frustration, but I attribute these behaviors to underdeveloped self-regulation skills, especially in online and blended learning environments. Blended Learning Environments Require Self-regulation Skills.

Blended Learning 543

Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Learning Motivation 543

Catlin Tucker

JULY 24, 2020

As teachers prepare for a new school year, many are brushing up on their video production skills. Teachers know there will be times when they will need to lean on videos to allow students to access information asynchronously. Video has several benefits in a blended or online course. This activity can happen in the classroom or online.

Learning 546

Learning Questions Discussions Activities 546

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 14, 2020

It’s only two months into the school year, and teachers are exhausted. This year has made everyone, regardless of their years of experience, feel like a brand new teacher. Teachers are designing learning experiences for a range of learning landscapes. Next, teachers must organize the learning experience.

Learning 546

Learning Assignments Universal Design Feedback 546

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 23, 2022

Teachers have three primary roles – designer, instructor, and facilitator. When I facilitate blended learning workshops, I ask participants to think about these three roles and identify the role they spend the most time and energy in. Blended learning can help! I encourage teachers to consider the following question.

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Blended Learning Feedback Learning Instructors 496

Catlin Tucker

MAY 18, 2021

I am concerned about the impact that the imbalances in education have on teacher engagement and job satisfaction. I know firsthand the toll that the imbalances caused by traditional workflows in education can have on a teacher. When we design learning experiences with balance in mind, the output of a lesson will feel more balanced too.

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Blended Learning Feedback Learning Beliefs 519

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 23, 2020

During this time of social isolation and remote learning, these video conferencing tools are lifesavers. They make it possible for teachers to maintain a human connection with their students and guide their learning from a distance. If teachers are planning to use video conference to simply transfer information (e.g.,

Learning 546

Learning Students Discussions Textbooks 546

Catlin Tucker

JANUARY 10, 2022

Teachers are navigating substitute teacher shortages, COVID protocols, and record numbers of absent students in addition to the normal demands of this job. We need to retain high-quality teachers who enjoy this work and feel energized and fulfilled by it.

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Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Teachers Feedback 465

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 3, 2021

Today is the official launch of my newest book UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes ! Explore how you can universally design blended learning to remove barriers, provide firm goals with flexible pathways, and cultivate expert learners who are motivated, resourceful, and strategic!

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Blended Learning Universal Design Learning Motivation 424

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

Teachers all over the country are being asked to teach “concurrent classrooms” in which some students attend class in person and others attend virtually. The teacher in a concurrent classroom attempts to meet the needs of the students in class and online simultaneously. Several teachers have reached out asking for advice.

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Blended Learning Teaching Learning Students 545

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Equity in Education ,” explored two major barriers teachers face when shifting from whole group, teacher-led, teacher-paced model to student-centered blended learning models. Increasing Demands on Teacher’s Time In today’s educational landscape, teachers face a daunting array of demands on their time.

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Learning Students Knowledge Math 455

eSchool News

JULY 12, 2024

The report offers insight into how teachers’ perceptions of AI use in the classroom have evolved since the start of the 2023–24 school year. Teacher resources : 84 percent view training sessions, which include practical applications and ethical use of AI, as the most valuable tool to support generative AI implementation.

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Teachers Ethics Schools Participation 310

eSchool News

MAY 12, 2025

Rather than writing traditional essays or book reports, my students were invited to create short video book reviews of their favorite titles–books they genuinely loved, connected with, and wanted others to discover. In multilingual classrooms, these skills are often overlooked in favor of silent writing tasks. The assignment?

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Culture Reading Students Languages 233

eSchool News

DECEMBER 19, 2024

This understanding has deepened through my collaboration with Kathy Renfrew, whose journey from a self-proclaimed science-phobic classroom teacher to renowned STEM educator and leader illustrates the transformation that happens when educators break down traditional subject-area barriers and create truly interdisciplinary units.

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STEM Science Interdisciplinary Teachers 286

eSchool News

MARCH 28, 2024

What she’s learned is that the job requires more than helping children and families learn English and find their way. Last year, Testerman’s passion for her students and her work as an ESL teacher earned her the title of Tennessee’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. What inspired you to become a teacher?

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Language Languages Teachers English 286

eSchool News

APRIL 25, 2025

A recent Google blog post outlines how four different school districts are leveraging Google AI tools, like Gemini and NotebookLM, for innovative teaching and learning. Albuquerque Public Schools is focusing on grant writing and lesson planning. With Gemini, my planning is so fast and easy, said STEM teacher Natali Barretto.

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Education Quizzes Coaching Special Education 227

eSchool News

MAY 5, 2025

Having conducted well over a thousand observations of K-12 teachers over the last 15 years, I have noticed there is one piece of feedback I have given more than any other–and it involves a seemingly minor word change. Multiple times in any class period, teachers call on students to contribute to the lesson of the day.

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Culture Feedback Languages Language 276

eSchool News

NOVEMBER 6, 2023

Nearly three out of four teachers say they experience frequent job-related stress, and 59 percent say they’re burned out. Nearly three out of four teachers say they experience frequent job-related stress, and 59 percent say they’re burned out. Create a school culture that teachers won’t want to leave.

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Teachers Beliefs Culture Coaching 322

Edsurge

MAY 30, 2025

It became clear, she says, that the school system wasnt doing enough to support teachers mental health. Those experiences led her to open Teacher Talk, a therapy practice that caters to the needs of educators. People sometimes think, Teachers get the summers off and they have better work hours, and it must be so much easier, Lane says.

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Teachers Intelligence Motivation Writing 127

Catlin Tucker

FEBRUARY 26, 2023

Why should teachers use rubrics to assess student work? Using rubrics helps teachers stay focused during the grading process and ensures that grading is objective, consistent, and fair. Using rubrics helps teachers stay focused during the grading process and ensures that grading is objective, consistent, and fair.

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Fairness Assignments Feedback Evaluation 545

eSchool News

DECEMBER 13, 2024

This seems to be the norm: AI as the mortal enemy of all classroom teachers. So to all the teachers out there: Resistance is futile. On the other extreme is its complete acceptance; basically, you enter the essay prompt into ChatGPT and ask it to write the paper for you. I think of this as absolute cognitive outsourcing.

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Teachers Writing Critical Thinking Feedback 246

eSchool News

AUGUST 2, 2024

Key points: AI helps reduce workload and pressure on special education staff Enhancing learning through AI and human educators 5 critical priorities for AI in education For more news on AI, visit eSN’s Digital Learning hub Technology has long been viewed as having the promise to make schools more effective and educators more efficient.

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Special Education Teachers Multidisciplinary Education 300

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

In our book UDL and Blended Learning , Dr. Katie Novak and I encourage teachers to work toward firm, often standards-aligned, goals. As we design learning experiences, one way to provide students with flexible means is to give students agency. What decisions will students get to make in the learning experience?

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Blended Learning Essay Feedback Writing 520

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 2, 2020

A few weeks ago, I published a blog titled “ 8 Ideas Designed to Engage Students In Active Learning Online.” ” I had several elementary teachers request that I work on a similar blog focused on younger learners. Below are ten strategies I hope will help elementary teachers to engage their young learners online. #1

Students 546

Students Math Writing Discussions 546

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 13, 2020

” This is a sentiment I’ve heard repeatedly from teachers navigating the demands of the concurrent classroom. Many of the teachers in my life who are teaching two groups of students simultaneously–one group in the classroom and one group online–are exhausted, frustrated, and not feeling particularly effective.

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Evaluation Feedback Writing Assignments 546

eSchool News

AUGUST 9, 2024

Key points: K-12 AI use will have a profound impact on the experiences and futures of education professionals Enhancing learning through AI and human educators Can assessments be used to eliminate inequities in education? Additionally, teachers and administrators see AI as a path to more personalized student experiences and improved learning.

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Teaching Learning Ethics Critical Thinking 316

eSchool News

JANUARY 23, 2024

Teachers recognize the transformative potential of AI tools for education, but still need support and professional development to effectively incorporate it into their teaching practices. Teachers are looking to supercharge their lessons, foster creativity, and cut down on manual administrative tasks.

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Teachers Intelligence Education Study 300

eSchool News

OCTOBER 24, 2023

The 2023 eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards honors educators for their exemplary use of innovative edtech to support student learning. Interviewed and profiled here is winner John Arthur , a 6th grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School nominated by Follett. Stay tuned for two more winner profiles to come.

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Teachers Elementary School Elementary School Students 332