Tech Matters Blog | Power Up What Works

Tech Matters

Technology tips and teaching strategies aligned with PowerUp WHAT WORKS.

Apr

25

2018

Professional Development Supports to Differentiate Instruction Using Technology

The 2017 National Educational Technology Plan explains that “professional learning and development programs should transition to support and develop educators’ identities as fluent users of technology; creative and collaborative problem solvers; and... More...

Mar

20

2018

STEM for All: Personalize STEM Instruction with Accessible Technology

Thanks to more accessible technologies and a nationwide effort to engage underrepresented populations in STEM fields, more students with disabilities than ever are pursuing careers in science and engineering. However, many students with disabilities... More...

Mar

19

2018

10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Accessibility

“Supports to make learning accessible should be built into learning software and hardware by default…Modern public buildings include features such as ramps, automatic doors, or braille on signs to make them accessible by everyone. In the same way,... More...

Jun

26

2015

Gaming Helps Struggling Students Learn

Greg Toppo discussed his new book, The Game Believes in You: How Digital Play Can Make Our Kids Smarter, on the popular Diane Rheme Show (NPR, Washington, D.C.). The book describes the many ways gaming can help children learn—especially... More...

May

27

2015

Learning Comes Alive with Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is an engaging way to tell a story or present information by mixing computer-based images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips, and/or music. For struggling students, learning, comes alive as they: ... More...

Apr

20

2015

Our Top Picks: Apps for Fractions

Fractions are often a difficult concept for students to master. Luckily, there are a lot of great apps that can help! The PowerUp technology experts have put together a list of our favorite, free and low-cost apps that are proven to help struggling... More...

Apr

13

2015

An Abundance of Riches for Lesson Planning

I planned a lesson using two outstanding—and free—teacher-friendly websites that perfectly complement each other. PowerUp What Works offers standards-aligned, evidence-based practices in English Language Arts and Math, with suggested technology... More...

Apr

2

2015

Travel Brochures: Let's Go!

Parents, grandparents, and guests filed into the 3rd grade classroom. They “oohed” and “aahed” over each student’s tri-fold travel brochure about a different state. This creative activity, which could be appropriate across... More...

Feb

20

2015

Using Smartphones for Summarizing

How many of your students have a smartphone tucked, away according to school rules, but really never far from reach? Surprise them! Have them take out their smartphones and use them to build summarizing skills. Summarizing requires... More...

Feb

11

2015

Google Maps to Build Math Skills

I am currently traveling outside of the U.S. in an old city with a zillion winding streets, all of which have names I can’t pronounce. Google Maps has become my best friend. Given that there are multiple ways to spell the same street name,... More...