Teachers Pay Teachers problem with lesson quality; AI comes to educational TV

Plus: How early childhood educators are dealing with the pandemic

No. 470 | 2/11/21 | Subscribe to this newsletter This issue is sponsored by Health concerns. Enrollment struggles. High turnover. Inadequate funding.    These challenges were always a part of the early childhood education landscape, but they've been exacerbated by the pandemic. Many programs face declining enrollment and closures, while educators must navigate job insecurity, health risks and personal challenges.   EdSurge is documenting the impact of the pandemic both on students and the adults who care for them. We're also following a cohort of early childhood educators from across the country to chart how they're dealing with change over the long term. Through deep reporting and research, we're focusing on stories of struggle and hope as educators engage with the littlest learners at a moment like no other.   Read the stories in our ongoing series here, and look for future updates in issues to come.  📣 LIVE FROM THE FIELD   UNDER FIRE: The popular lesson planning site Teachers Pay Teachers has long struggled with allegations of plagiarism, racist lesson plans and poor content quality—drawing the ire of teachers and social media users. In response, the site is rolling out new social justice initiatives and more responsive content moderation. But for some, the situation is still fraught.     TV THAT LISTENS: Many TV shows aimed at preschoolers ask questions to boost engagement and learning. But the new show "Elinor Wonders Why" might be the first to actually listen to what kids are saying back. Using complex artificial intelligence, researchers successfully created a customizable show. Privacy concerns are still being addressed but the tech may have big implications for alleviating disparities in early learning.   PUT TO THE TEST: The College Board has announced more changes to its AP testing program, a year after the pandemic forced the nonprofit to redesign its decades-old format to accommodate emergency remote learning and unfinished curricula. This year, the AP tests will attempt to "meet students where they are," whether that be in school or at home, on paper or online. Here are the details.   Sponsored by Immerse LANGUAGE IMMERSION: "I saw that I could use VR to do some fascinating stuff with English language education," explains Euan Bonner, a lecturer and researcher for the Language, Media and Learning Research Center at Kanda University of International Studies in Japan. Learn why he believes that VR "gets to the heart of the learning needs of English Language Learners in any age group." 📆 GOINGS ON   EDUCATING EDTECH: How are the edtech tools that educators use every day developed? How are educators involved in edtech development? In this webinar, join a panel of teachers, technologists and educators-turned-edtech founders to learn how tech tools are brought to market. Sign up today. The following is a message from our sponsor The Education Essentials Company™ Cambium Learning® Group is an intentionally curated family of companies providing award-winning education technology and services for K-12 markets. We focus on the elements that are essential to the success of education, delivering simpler, more certain solutions that make a difference right now. 🎧 ON THE PODCAST   TEACHING FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE: A student taking an online course at Concordia University was surprised to learn that the professor teaching his video lectures died two years ago. And his Tweet about the discovery went viral. The situation raises existential questions about what it means to teach. 🏫 ALL SCHOOL    REVOLVING DOOR: Turnover was a problem in early childhood education long before the pandemic, but the risks and burdens created by COVID-19 have made it all the more difficult for child care providers to retain high-quality professionals and replace those who leave. "Our turnover is horrific," said one program operator, adding that she's never seen anything like it. "In a month, I'm guessing we have three to four people leave." 📚 FROM THE ARCHIVES   BE INTERNET KIND: "When I ask my fifth graders what they know about Instagram, Youtube and SnapChat," says fifth-grade teacher Donnie Piercey, "I'm often met with stories about the dangers of cyberbullying or unavoidability of Internet trolls." So how to fight back? Piercey explores Google's "Be Internet Awesome" tools in search of cultivating kind students. 🐝 BUZZ ABOUT TOWN   Isolated from peers, some middle schoolers struggle with remote learning. (Hechinger Report)    Where teachers can (and cannot) receive vaccines. (New York Times) Angela Duckworth on how to get kids to put away their cellphones. (Education Week) Looking for a job in edtech? You've come to the right place. EdSurge has the leading edtech jobs board in the industry with openings from schools, nonprofits and companies. Post a job | See all jobs Executive Director | The Mission Preparatory School | San Francisco, CA Seeking an experienced leader to continue the school's record of academic excellence & cultivate a deep sense of belonging for all. This individual will work with the board and school to develop/execute against a vision for the next ten years.   Director of Instructional Technology and Information Systems | Francis Parker School | San Diego, CA Francis Parker School is hiring for a director of instructional technology and information systems, to start July 1. Parker seeks a visionary leader to run a department that supports faculty integration of technology and enterprise data services.   Professional Development Specialist | Curriculum Associates | Multiple Curriculum Associates seeks a Professional Development Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will need a background in teaching/coaching Math, as well as experience leading professional development to school and district leaders.   Online Coding and Computer Science Instructor | Create & Learn | Remote We are looking for passionate, enthusiastic teachers who want to share their love of computer science with students in grades k through 9. Our cutting-edge curriculum is ready to use–no need to design, test, and iterate on your own curriculum.   Virtual Instructional Coach | EdConnective | Remote EdConnective is looking for Virtual Instructional Coaches who will observe and meet with teachers virtually for short, intensive partnerships and focus on growth in student outcomes.   Expeditions Teacher | Summit Public Schools | Multiple Why Summit? Because we support every child to lead a fulfilled life. The Expeditions team seeks teachers who can design and execute courses aimed at middle and high school students.   Events Post an event • See all events and meetups   Using Emotional Intelligence to Manage Stress and Anxiety Feb 11 | Online | $51 to $250  Helping Teachers Help Themselves is a comprehensive asynchronous four-course program created specifically to address the emotional well-being of early childhood and elementary educators, caregivers, and specialists.   How to Become a Transformational Leader in Higher Education Feb 23 | Online | Free Learn more about a leadership style focused on inspiring and motivating others to create change that will grow and shape the future.   ISTELive 21 June 26-30 | Online | $51 to $250  Get strategies to help you move from surviving disruption to reimagining learning by joining us to design a new learning landscape! THANKS FOR READING   ➔ Got any feedback? We love hearing from readers. Shoot us a note, critiques, a joke—whatever you've got! ➔ Interested in reaching our readers? Sponsor this newsletter. ➔ Event planners: Feature your in-person or virtual event on our calendar & newsletters. EdSurge covers and connects the people, ideas and technologies that shape the future of learning. We are an independent news and research initiative of the International Society for Technology in Education. International Society for Technology in Education, 621 SW Morrison Street, Suite 800, Portland, Oregon 97205, USA, 800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 503.342.2848 (Int'l) Unsubscribe Manage preferences