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

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. There is often a tension created by the pressure put on teachers to cover content with the student-centered approach to learning described by UDL and blended learning.

Blended Learning 545

Blended Learning Learning Universal Design Disabilities 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.

Activities 546

Activities Reading Learning Discussions 546

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 29, 2020

When I ask teachers, “How would you describe a successful online or blended learning course? Despite the challenges associated with this moment in education, technology is rapidly evolving to allow students more opportunities to engage in social learning spaces online. What would that look like?” for a unit or text.

Learning Spaces 545

Learning Spaces Student Engagement Learning Students 545

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. Blended Learning: Combat The Challenges of the Whole Group Lesson.

Blended Learning 544

Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Learning Motivation 544

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 1, 2021

I’ve taught in person, online, and in blended learning environments. Teachers learn so much from listening to their students engaging in conversation or observing them as they work through a problem or task. 1 Articulate Clear Learning Goals and Objectives.

Learning 543

Learning Knowledge Writing Discussions 543

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 8, 2021

I can empathize with their frustration, but I attribute these behaviors to underdeveloped self-regulation skills, especially in online and blended learning environments. However, students are unlikely to develop these skills in learning environments where they are positioned as passive receivers of information.

Blended Learning 543

Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Learning Motivation 543

Catlin Tucker

JULY 24, 2020

When teachers use video to transfer information online, I encourage them to blend that video content into a complete learning experience. Post-video Activity: After students have seen the video, the post-video activity should encourage them to apply what they learned. Google Forms Kahoot!

Learning 546

Learning Questions Discussions Activities 546

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 14, 2020

Teachers are designing learning experiences for a range of learning landscapes. If teachers design a “choose your own adventure” learning experience, students can enjoy some voice and choice in the experience and control the pace at which they process information and complete tasks.

Learning 546

Learning Assignments Universal Design Feedback 546

Catlin Tucker

MAY 18, 2021

I host a podcast called The Balance and wrote a book titled Balance with Blended Learning because I see teachers struggling with balance in every coaching and training session I facilitate. When we design learning experiences with balance in mind, the output of a lesson will feel more balanced too.

Blended Learning 521

Blended Learning Feedback Learning Beliefs 521

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. 1 Small Group Instruction. 3 Conferencing with Students.

Learning 546

Learning Students Discussions Textbooks 546

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 23, 2022

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. Hattie’s and Timperley’s (2007) research on feedback identified it as having a significant impact on student achievement and learning. Blended learning can help!

Blended Learning 498

Blended Learning Feedback Learning Instructors 498

eSchool News

MAY 16, 2025

Transparency throughout the student writing process enables educators to leverage the opportunities that AI technologies present, while upholding the integrity of original student work, said Turnitin chief product officer Annie Chechitelli. This press release originally appeared online.

Education 292

Education Critical Thinking Ethics Students 292

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Part II: Transitioning from Whole Group to Small Group to Achieve Equity in Education The first blog in this series, “ Time Efficiency vs. 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.

Learning 457

Learning Students Knowledge Math 457

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

There are more opportunities for social learning and human interaction. As architects of learning experiences, teachers should focus on providing that human connection to students working remotely. Below I will explore three blended learning models–the station rotation model, the flipped learning model, and the playlist model.

Blended Learning 545

Blended Learning Teaching Learning Students 545

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?

Culture 233

Culture Reading Students Language 233

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.

Education 227

Education Quizzes Coaching Special Education 227

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?

Blended Learning 521

Blended Learning Essay Feedback Writing 521

Catlin Tucker

FEBRUARY 26, 2023

The consistent use of rubrics can help to promote higher levels of self-awareness, a culture of learning and growth, and ensure that assessments are accurate, transparent, and meaningful. What should students know, understand, and be able to do at the end of that unit or learning cycle?

Fairness 545

Fairness Assignments Feedback Evaluation 545

eSchool News

AUGUST 29, 2024

One significant development is collaborative e-learning, which integrates social interactions among peers and teachers. From podcasts, YouTube captions, personalized learning dashboards, and social annotation, teachers now have a variety of e-learning methods at their disposal. What types of e-learning are there?

Learning 306

Learning Universal Design Syllabus Quizzes 306

eSchool News

JUNE 4, 2024

Key points: Podcasts can swap out screen time with audio-based, thought-provoking leisure 5 digital resources to inspire curiosity and engage students 3 things to consider when designing digital learning experiences For more news on learning technologies, visit eSN’s Digital Learning hub This piece was coauthored with Daniel Curtis.

Learning 328

Learning Peer Review Science Learning Tools 328

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.

Teaching 316

Teaching Learning Ethics Critical Thinking 316

eSchool News

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Key points: Dyslexic students often incur additional stress in the classroom Using different learning tools and regular communication can help students’ comfort levels See related article: The intersection of the science of reading and edtech Reading-based learning differences such as dyslexia can pose unique challenges for students in school.

Reading 306

Reading Syllabus Learning Intelligence 306

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 2, 2020

A few weeks ago, I published a blog titled “ 8 Ideas Designed to Engage Students In Active Learning Online.” Either assign students a particular slide (by writing their names at the bottom of each slide) or allow students to select the slide they want to work on. Group 4-6 students on a shared Google Slide presentation.

Students 546

Students Math Writing Discussions 546

eSchool News

MARCH 6, 2024

Students should be learning the contextual background of a subject and working on the skills they need to critically analyze social studies content. The performance assessment of oral histories could be in the form of podcasts, movies, interviews, as well as the more traditional writing. Because the curriculum in a class like AP U.S.

History 348

History Social Studies Learning Students 348

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Teachers who have traditionally planned a whole group lesson that moves the class, as a unit, through a series of learning activities find it nearly impossible to hold their students’ attention in the concurrent classroom. Note : I’ve grappled with whether or not to write about the concurrent classroom.

Evaluation 546

Evaluation Feedback Writing Assignments 546

eSchool News

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Key points: ChatGPT is here to stay, and it’s wise to now consider it a part of learning In fact, every assignment moving forward must be graded with ChatGPT in mind See related article: How educators can navigate AI-driven plagiarism You may have heard of ChatGPT. The student must still write down that they did not use the tool.

Essay 337

Essay Plagiarism Assignments Learning 337

eSchool News

JANUARY 2, 2024

Editor’s note : This story on digital learning originally appeared on CoSN’s blog and is reposted here with permission. From classroom lessons and professional learning resources, to staff guides and announcement graphics, more and more information is being delivered in a visual way. The same thing happens to the brain when learning.

Learning 337

Learning Attention Accessibility Art 337

eSchool News

APRIL 1, 2024

But despite these challenges, there are bright spots in teaching and learning. Inspiring district leaders, classroom teachers, and school staff have found unique and innovative ways to engage students in learning, motivating students to see beyond classroom walls and truly immerse themselves in learning.

Teaching 325

Teaching STEM Education Cognitive Development 325

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 28, 2021

Planning is critical to creating meaningful learning opportunities for students. I enjoyed the tactile experience of writing down my events, notes to myself, and lesson ideas. Provides a place to write notes, but lesson needs are kept separately in a binder or in separate files on a computer. For years, I used a daily planner.

Essay 545

Essay Assignments Writing Middle School 545

eSchool News

MAY 5, 2025

Sometimes they will cold call students, while other times they will ask students to share what they learned after theyve had a chance to read the assigned material or discuss it with their classmates in groups. If we want students to see learning as a shared experience, we must be intentional in the language we use.

Culture 276

Culture Feedback Language Languages 276

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 25, 2024

A playlist is a sequence of learning activities designed to move students toward a desired result. Most playlists culminate in a performance task or artifact intended to demonstrate students’ ability to transfer or apply what they learned working through the playlist.

Teachers 481

Teachers Art Feedback Writing 481

Teachers Pay Teachers

JUNE 2, 2025

High schoolers write a lot every school day. How can you help them improve their writing skills and have fun at the same time? Thats where daily writing prompts come in! Write a thank-you note to someone in your life. Have students write to the prompt before class begins. Do you like watching sports live or on TV?

High School 52

High School High School Writing Essay 52

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 23, 2024

This approach creates an inclusive environment where students of varying abilities can learn together while still receiving the targeted support they need. This structure balances differentiated instruction and uniform content delivery, providing personalized support and consistent foundational learning for all students.

Teaching 395

Teaching Writing Essay Discussions 395

eSchool News

JANUARY 8, 2024

These four lessons learned from this past year really get into the subconscious to discover how we feel about AI in our schools. Students needed devices to learn in remote settings, so most schools that weren’t 1:1 before the pandemic became it almost overnight. Each year I share my predictions about these trends.

Quizzes 311

Quizzes Learning Testing Intelligence 311

eSchool News

APRIL 9, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO NoRedInk , the comprehensive online writing platform provider used in over 60% of U.S. school districts, has partnered with the National Writing Project (NWP) , a nationwide network dedicated to improving writing instruction. Learn more at NoRedInk.com.

Writing 174

Writing Critical Thinking English Language 174

eSchool News

JANUARY 17, 2024

Some experts believe this new technology can have a positive impact on teaching and learning, while others fret it may weaken the teaching of critical thinking and increase bias by spreading misinformation about different groups and cultures. Encourage students to look beyond the classroom for deeper learning.

Teaching 344

Teaching Critical Thinking Assignments Learning 344