The Innovative Educator’s Top 20 Blog Picks

Here are my must-read blog recommendations for those who want to catch up on the latest news and trends in the area of innovation and education. These are blogs that have been in existence for at least a year. As an innovative educator, I am influenced by a range of sources such as principals, teachers, students, policy makers, parents, icons, and career experts. Listed below alphabetically are the blogs / bloggers that I follow to get ideas when it comes to supporting students in learning innovatively.

1. Adora’s Blog - Adora Svitak Teenager Adora Svitak is author, student, teacher, activist, and blogger who is passionate about bringing student voice to the education transformation conversation. Adora is a student leader. When you read her blog you connect with the her thoughts, dreams, predictions, and opinions that are representative of many students passionate about ed reform. Adora recently launched The Student Union Blog where young people can submit a text post, audio, quote, or video in answer to the question "What does learning mean to you?"
2. Angela Maiers Blog - Angela Maier Angela Maiers is a leader in passion driven learning and supporting teachers and leaders in creating learning opportunities that really matter for students.
3. BiblioTech.me - Michelle Luhtala
   BiblioTech.me is the blog of Librarian Michelle Luhtala who is a leader in thinking outside the ban and out of the blocks. Michelle was helped to lead the way for her school to trust students to use their own technology as well as have access to all web content. In her blog Michelle shares what happens when we stop fighting and start entrusting our children with the freedom to learn with the tools and resources of their world.
4. Career / Homeschooling - Penelope Trunk Innovative educators must always keep their eye on the prize. That is helping to raise young people that will have a successful home and career life. Penelope Trunk is the go to person for today and tomorrow’s career entrants. She is a trend spotter that knows what employer’s are looking for and what makes today’s youth tick. She is also an expert on managing the career / life balance. Her recently launched homeschooling blog features her journey of removing her children from school and taking ownership of their learning. She provides first-hand accounts of the rewards and struggles experienced by a dedicated, working mom.
5. Children Should Not Be a Number - Chris Cerrone
   This blog is authored by a parent and educator who is standing up and speaking out against standardized testing with a goal to return the freedom to learn to the hands of children.  The blog is Cerrone’s effort to start a movement to end standardized testing in New York State and our nation. He explains that parents need to start this revolution by opting out their children from state testing programs in order to take back public education from the corporate reformers who are destroying the education of our children. He is frequently covered in the local and national media about the ideas he shares in his blog and a contributor to opt out of testing sites such as Opt Out New York.
6. Connected Principals - George Couros Hear from school thought leaders from elementary through high school including some amazing princpals who I always look to for insight, advice and guidance like Eric Sheninger, Lyn Hilt, and George Couros, David Truss, Patrick Larkin, Jonathan Martin
7. Cooperative Catalyst - Multiple Contributors
   The Cooperative Catalyst brings together some of my favorite educator and student voices in education to come together to propose solutions and structures for re-imagining what self-directed learning can and should be. Many of the contributors also have their own blogsand sites which I highly recommend. Here are the contributing students (Nikhil Goyal, Jabreel Chisley, Line Dalile) and educators who guide and inspire my thinking (Marybeth Hertz, John T. Spencer, David Loitz, Monika Hardy, Shelly Sanchez Terrell, Kyle Pace, Pernille Ripp, Deven Black, Pat Farenga, Gwyn Ridenhour, Kirsten Olson, Paula White, Pamela Moran, David Wees, Melia Dicker).
8. For the Love of Learning - Joe Bower
   Joe Bower is my go to man for examples and research supporting the need to update our outdated practices in the areas of homework, assessment, standardization, accountability, and grading.
9. Getting Smart™ - Tom VanderArk This is a great site if for those interested in online learning and personal digital learning. Here you’ll learn about the latest trends, like badges for credentialing students, and important reports, products, and information.
10. Hagan’s World of Awesome - Hagan Miller
    Join young Hagan in his world of Awesome as he shares what learning looks like through the eyes of an early elementary student. Hagan began his blogging journey in Kindergarten recounting his awesome life via photos and Dragon Dictation, going back to correct any errors, and then working with his mom to finalize and publish stories about his awesome life. Read this blog to get the rarely seen perspective from the life of a child.
11. Laurie A. Couture's Blog - Laurie A. Couture Laurie A. Couture's blog provides a wealth of information in areas such as alternatives to meds for ADD/ADHD, respecting youth, and learning through life. Laurie provides real-life examples via her work with young people who've been damaged by school and through the beautiful way she implements these practices in her own family with her remarkable son Brycen R. R. Couture who among other things is a musician and child activist who blogs here.
12. Minds of Kids - Lisa Cooley The Minds of Kids is authored by radical school board member and progressive education thought-leader Lisa Cooley. Read this blog and its comments if you want to discover education transformation efforts from the view of a school board member.
13. Mrs. Yollis’ Classroom Blog - Mrs. Yollis
    This is the blog of elementary teacher, Mrs. Yollis who does a wonderful job of connecting her students to the world through the use of online media. This is a wonderful blog for anyone interested in best practices when it comes to blogging with students. Mrs. Yollis’s students have the option to contribute to the classroom blog, and comment, but it is not a requirement. Those students who show exceptional interest in writing can apply to have their own blogs. If you want to learn about best practices for connecting with the world through blogging, commenting, and Skype this blog is for you.
14. My Island View - Tom Whitby
    Known for his famous tropical shirts, Tom Whitby’s day job is teaching teachers to be teachers at the college level. He began this work after a few decades as a secondary English teacher in the NY public school system. Tom is a leader in connecting and making meaning through the use of social media including LinkedIn, The Educators PLN, and most prominently via Twitter for which he received the Edublog Award for the most Influential Educational Twitter Series, Edchat, which he founded. For those who are interested in discovering the power of social media in general, and Twitter in particular, this is a great blog.
15. Practical Theory - Chris Lehmann
    Here's the blog of the person who'd get my vote for U.S. Secretary of Education. Read Practical Theory. Chris Lehmann is a renowned thinker, writer, and speaker who every policymaker and administrator should be listening to. Lehmann is the principal of the Science Leadership Academy. He is known for leading a school that does more than teach subjects, but rather teaches unique individuals with passions, talents, and interests in an environment where technology like oxygen, is expected to be all around and used on an ongoing basis for survival and success in today’s world.
16. Seth Godin’s Blog - Seth Godin Known for his writing about about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, leadership and most of all, changing everything, took a plunge into the education arena this month with his manifesto, Stop Stealing Dreams.  Seth provides no shortage powerful quotes and inspirational ideas via his blog posts. Though Seth is widely popular, he’s not too busy to stop by and leave a comment or even make a call to authors of blogs who write about his ideas.   
17. The Daily Papert - Gary Stager
    Gary Stager is a provocative, antagonist, who is never afraid to tell it like it is. Stager has on the money ideas about topics like assessment and project based learning and he is happy to share them via his blog and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Gary draws heavily on his work and experience with Seymour Papert, creating The Daily Papert as an effort to bring bite-size nuggets of Papert wisdom with an intent to inspire educators, parents, scholars and citizens to investigate more of Papert’s work in years to come.
18. Skipping School - Kate Fridkis Kate Fridkis is a 20-something Ivy league college graduate who is a lay cantor and successful writer who never attended school before College. She spent her life learning without school via a method called unschooling where youth are empowered and entrusted to learn naturally in life and explore and discover their passions. Kate explains how you can learn anything and achieve your dreams without school. Read this blog and be ready to rethink many of your preconceived notions about teaching and learning. Note: While this blog is not currently active as of 2/12, the rich content is worth checking out.
19. The Innovative Educator - Lisa Nielsen My blog, The Innovative Educator, is written with inspiration and guidance from all those mentioned in this list. I love sharing ideas about giving students the freedom to learn with the tools, resources, and in the ways they love best. I believe we should always support young people in leading a life of happiness and satisfaction where they can discover and develop their passions and that we should do our best to never go against the wishes of a child or their parent.
20. Read. Write. Connect. Learn - Will Richardson I’ve been following education blogger Will Richardson since his days as a classroom English Teacher where he spent 22 years. Richardson has been blogging for more than a decade serving as an outspoken advocate for change in schools and classrooms in the context of the diverse new learning opportunities that tech innovation now offers. Richardson has inspired many to share their voice through blogging on online media and had a great impact on my decision to launch The Innovative Educator more than four years ago.

You have read this article blogging / blogs / Educating Innovatively with the title blogging. You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-innovative-educators-top-20-blog.html. Thanks!

10 Ways to Grow Your Blog and Amplify Your Ideas

I’m often asked for ideas by current or future bloggers about how to draw readership to their blogs. I’ve just celebrated my four year blogerversary, picked up a few thousand readers and I’ve learned a few things. Well, ten to be exact.  Here they are.

1) Write for real
Because I write for real I know I’ve amplified my ideas when it comes to at least one person and maybe even gained a recurring reader. When there is the one most important person in mind for that particular piece, I know that my post will have an impact with that person and likely be shared with others by that person. When you write for real, you know there is always at least one person seriously taking a look at what you’ve written and if others benefit, that’s icing on the cake.  

2) Cross post / guest post
Share your ideas with others who write about topics that are of interest to you by cross posting on another blog.  This will get your ideas in front of a new audience with a link back to your blog for those who want to read more.  

3) Tweet
Set up a Twitter account that is associated with your blog i.e. share the link to the blog in your profile.  When you write a post, don’t just tweet it out. Do more and share it as a provocative question. Know which hashtags are used by those who are interested in your topic.

4) Write in other places
Find out how to write for other publications that cover the topics about which you write. When you do, have a link or two to a post in your blog. Make sure your blog name and url are in the bio. Some publications I write for include Huffington Post, Tech & Learning, T.H.E. Journal, ISTE Connects, ASCD Wholechild, MindShift, Leading & Learning.

5) Use HARO
Subscribe to HARO and offer yourself as a media expert in the topics about which you write. HARO is the acronym for “help a reporter out.” Thousands of journalists, authors, and reporters use HARO to locate experts for quotes, on air interviews, and more. Share your ideas with outlets and ensure they cite you as author/creator of your blog.

6) Facebook
Start a Facebook group for your blog where you and those interested in the topics you write about can have lively discussions.  While pages are a good way to simply share information from the page creator, groups are more conducive for discussions.  You can see what I mean by looking at my blog group verses my page. Having readers discuss and debate your writing is a great way to attract and maintain a following and have your ideas shared.  


7) Have a focus
When people come to your blog, they should know what they're getting. They will come to your blog to get more of that. In the case of my blog it is ideas about learning innovatively. That may mean incorporating the use of tech, digital resources, and social media or it could mean looking at education in a whole new way.


8) Be a person
I believe people like to know who the person is behind the words. Make sure you have an "About Me" page. Share a little bit about who you are and what makes you tick every so often. Be real. Let people into you world.


9) Show your popular posts and recent posts
When new readers come across your blog and find an article they like, they want to know if there's more. Share what is hot on your blog so they can read it and then decide if they want to stay. Also let them see recent posts. This lets them know what you're up to lately and how active you are.

10) Write a post about how to grow your blog
If you have a blog, share what has worked. Others will want to read all about it.  

Thanks to the Daddy’s in Charge blog for the idea to write this post. You can read his ideas for growing your blog by 8 billion percent here. Thanks also to Line Daly (a smart teen who is part of my professional learning network via Facebook) for asking for advice on how to a grow a blog. Our instant message conversation turned into this post. It is Line that is my one person who is in mind when I wrote this post.

You have read this article Blogger following / blogging with the title blogging. You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2012/04/10-ways-to-grow-your-blog-and-amplify.html. Thanks!

A blog carnival for those who have a LOVE of unschooling this Valentine's Day

If you LOVE unschooling you'll want to check out the Unschooling Blog Carnival which has a theme of L.O.V.E. in honor of Valentines Day. This means that all blog posts will focus on two things: Unschooling & LOVE.  Bloggers from around the world share posts. Among them you will find these. Christina Pilkington who writes a blog called Interest Led Learning shares why her kids LOVE learning without school or subjects with a list of exciting "Firsts" captured via a fabulous journaling/scrapbook-type idea of recording life unfolding. Cydney Romano who blogs at Recording the Atoms writes about shifting her perspective and coming to a greater understanding of unconditional LOVE. I share why I LOVE how unschoolers learn.  Lindsey Wilson shares what she LOVES about being an unschooling family. Pam Sorooshian who blogs at Learning Happens ~ Unschooling Observations & Opinions writes a post called LOVE, LOVE, LOVE where she reminds parents to look more closely at what they do "out of LOVE ."   Dayna Martin overcomes her own judgements about another mom in Love It Forward. Kate Fridkis who blogs at Skipping School writes about sibling LOVE. These are just a few of them many posts you'll find. To read them all visit http://unschoolingblogcarnival.blogspot.com/2012/02/love.html

What is a Blog Carnival??

If you're wondering what the heck a blog carnival is, you're not alone.  I was too. It's super cool, not just for unschooling, but for any topic you, your children, or students might be interested in.  Here's a description from Unschooling Blog Carnival: A Blog Carnival is a little like a magazine and a little like a carnival midway. When carnivals blow into town, they bring all sorts of entertainment. The Midway is full of booths beckoning you to come see what fun they have to offer. The Blog Carnival does the same thing. Each blog post that has been submitted is like a booth. The blogger shares their post for your entertainment, thought provocation, etc. You can read more in depth with them, or move on to the next booth/blog post. Each monthly installment of the blog carnival, will link you to a collection of blog posts from various bloggers.

Who's Organizing this Carnival Anyway??

Sue Patterson, longtime unschooler and fellow blogger is organizing this carnival because she was looking for a fun creative way to connect unschooling bloggers around the world.

If you LOVE unschooling, just head on over to the Unschooling Blog Carnival at http://unschoolingblogcarnival.blogspot.com/2012/02/love.html, take a look around and be sure to leave some LOVE in the comment section when you go to the blogs to read these posts. Bloggers need love too!

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

                                        Love is all you need...
                                                                        Love is all you need...
                                                                                                 Love is all you need... 

You have read this article blog carnival / blogging / homeschooling / unschooling with the title blogging. You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2012/02/a-blog-carnival-for-those-who-have-love.html. Thanks!

20 Ways to Get Ideas for Writing Blog Posts

I have been blogging for a few years now and I usually publish each day. I'm often asked by current and would-be bloggers how I come up with my blog posts. These are some of the ways.

1)  Someone asks me a question. Rather than just share the answer with them, I share it with the world as others may have that question too.

• Example: That is how this post came about.

2) I disagree with someone but politically it is not a good idea to vocalize my opposition. I write about it in generic terms on my blog.

• Example: 14 Ideas to Help Educators Update and Enhance Traditional Meetings

3)  I find a new way to use something and I want to share

• Example: Make and publish books for free with Flickr

4)  Someone says something powerful that would never be captured and shared otherwise. I capture and share it.

• Example: Ideas for Leading Transformation in Schools from Alan November

5) Someone asks me for advice. I figure this might help others too so I write a blog post, send them the link, and others benefit too.

• Example: Dispelling 8 Common Myths for Educators Considering Launching a School Wiki

6) Someone asks me a question and I don't know the answer. I learn by writing a blog post.

• Example: Free Assistive Tech Tools Make Learning Accessible to All

7)  I see schools wasting money that could be spent on students. I write about that and share it hopefully inspiring and/or validating others not to make the same mistake.

• Example: Erase Unnecessary Costs by Getting Smart about Interactive Whiteboards

8)  I disagree with policy. I write to explain why.

• Example: Mayoral "BANdates" are not the answer for preparing 21st century students for success

10) I want to help readers change policies I disagree with at their schools.

• Example: 10 Proven Strategies to Break the Ban and Build Opportunities for Student Learning with Cell Phones

11) A comment on a post in another blog has turned into it's own blog post.

• Example: 20 Things a Teacher Wants the Nation to Know About Education

12) I want to learn more about a product. I use it and write about it.

• Example: iPad Literacy Program Increases Reading & Writing Ability

13) I am exploring radical ideas and I want to see what others think. I write about it and see the kind of reaction I get.

• Example: The Radical Ideas to Reform Education. Surprise! They Don't Involve School

14) I see students or teachers doing something great. I want to share it so I write a post.

• Example: 5th Graders Discover You Don't Have Be In California to Go to Hollywood

15) I send a Tweet which becomes a conversation which becomes a blog post.

• Example: The Innovative Educator tries to change the mind of an administrator who “thinks” he disagrees with my stance on friending students online

16) A parent needs help for their child so I advocate for them through articles in my blog

• Example: K12Online and South Carolina Virtual Charter school Choose Making Profit Even If It Means Making Children Sick

17) I discover students are struggling so I write to inform them of options they may be unaware of.

• Example: Guide Provides Teens with An Innovative Way To Take Ownership of Learning - Leave School

18) A parent doesn't know their rights. I write a post to inform them.

• Example: Uniting to Ensure Best Options for Students, Parents and Teachers

19) I provide a platform and an audience for those who don't have one.

• Example: Mom's Story: When School Left My Child Behind...He Was Finally Able to Learn

20) Someone asks my opinion on something. I know how I feel, but sometimes I'm not sure why, so I write to solidify my thoughts.

• Example: 7 Solutions for 21st Century Educators Who Want Students to Tune In

Five bonus tips.

1. Some people also ask how I find so much time to write. One trick for me is that many of my posts (including this one) start in my cell phone. I can type without looking so I write when I'm walking. I also write on the subway or when I'm waiting on others to start a meeting or when I'm put on hold on the phone. Using my cell phone provides a great way to engage in anytime anywhere writing.
2. Since my book Teaching Generation Text came out, I commit to writing one post each week about cell phones so that takes care of one post each week and per a suggestion of a friend I do an end of the week recap on my slowest day of readership, Saturday. That takes care of two posts each week. That leaves me only five per week to write.
3. I develop a queue with about ten posts written in advance. This gives me a bit of a cushion.
4. If I wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, I don't fight it. I write. I used to keep my computer out of my bedroom but I find keeping it next to me for unexpected spurts of inspiration has resulted in me banging out some good articles in the middle of the night.
5. I have a note in my phone called "Blog Ideas" and I jot down ideas as they come up. If I have a few spare minutes at any time I look at those ideas and start writing about one of them.

So, that's how I do it and how I get my inspiration for blog posts. How do you get yours?

You have read this article blogging with the title blogging. You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2011/11/20-ways-to-get-ideas-for-writing-blog.html. Thanks!

How Blogging Has Helped Me Build My Personal Learning Network

I’m often asked why I blog and why anyone would even want to blog. The reason is that unlike previous generations I am able to connect with thousands of other educators, parents, and students around the world who share my passion and interests. I call these people, my personal learning network and we were brought together in large part as a result of my blog. Born in March of 2008, The Innovative Educator (http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com) is the heart of my personal learning network with Twitter, Facebook, discussion forums, and Face-to-Face connections serving as life blood that runs through it. While my main thoughts and ideas (educating innovatively, thinking outside the ban, passion-based learning) reside in my blog these other venues allow me to disperse and converse about them. As a result of these connections I’ve had opportunities to have powerful conversations, make meaning and deepen my thinking. While that is fantastic for my personal learning growth what is even more powerful is that as a result of my blog posts, and the connections I’ve made because of them, I’ve been able to help affect positive change in education.

I’ve connected educators working to harness the power of technology, lift the cell phone ban in their classrooms, schools, and districts. I’ve encouraged and motivated educators in supporting the authentic publication of student work and establishment of their own and their student’s digital footprints. I’ve found and connected teachers and educational leaders interested in harnessing the power of social media to positively impact students. I’ve helped schools and districts save thousands by learning to avoid unnecessary purchases and instead accomplish the same outcomes for free using tools like wikispaces, blogger, and Google apps or not purchasing unnecessary hardware like interactive whiteboards.

I feel fortunate that unlike my parent’s generation who screamed at a deaf TV/radio, or waved a newspaper at unseeing eyes, I have a digital voice and a means to share it. Today, through my blog I can speak back to the TV or radio, the newspaper, the corrupt business owner, or a policy maker through my blog and magnify the message, and sometimes call to action through my personal learning network. Unlike the frustrated adults of my parent’s generation and those that came before them, if I want to start a movement, share an idea, or convey a message, I do so on my blog and tap my PLN on the shoulder through digital and face-to-face (which is sometimes virtual) means and ask them to join me. As a result, we do indeed have the means to spread a message, affect change, and make the world a better place.

You have read this article blogging / educational blogs / Personal Learning Network with the title blogging. You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-blogging-has-helped-me-build-my.html. Thanks!

Don’t Silence Students. A Resource to Support Students In Developing Their 2.0 Voice

I recently engaged in a mini debate over whether or not students should have the ability to authentically comment in social media. The company I was talking to said their site didn't allow this. Instead students pick approved (aka canned and boring) comments from a drop down menu. This was the decision made because they felt educators and administrators believed students might write comments that were inappropriate.

Well how on earth will that ever change if students aren't commenting in the presence of teachers who can guide and support them on appropriate interaction when engaging in social media. That’s the big deal when it comes to social media. Commenting allows students and readers/viewers to make meaning. Have a conversation. Use their voice. Furthermore, what about the outside world of experts and others who share an interest and passion in student’s work. But, nope, this site was safe which meant one and all is relegated to being Stepford commenters. A further concern was that teachers might not know how to support students in appropriate commenting or have time to teach them. Aaaarrrgh! This is an essential 21st century literacy. Engaging appropriately in social media is exactly the type of real teaching we need to be doing.

So, with this conversation fresh in my mind, fortunately a smile was brought to my face by this tweetweb20classroom The Educational Blogging Wiki: http://bit.ly/cTXLt5

Phew a breath of fresh air. The link takes you to the wiki of Mrs. Yollis a third grade teacher who, among other things, provides commenting lessons for those interested in having students engage in authentic social media platforms. The heart of the wiki is helping teachers who want to start a blog with their class. The site is a treasure trove of smart information that I've often verbally shared with other educators, but never captured in writing.

Here are some links to the nuggets she shares:

• Why Have a Class Blog?
• What Do Students Write About?
• How To Teach Commenting Skills
• How Do Your Third Graders Know How to Type?
• Curriculum Examples
• Things to Consider

In addition to her great commenting lesson and ideas I just love her advice about Things to Consider. There, she articulates nicely thoughts I agree with (and was just discussing with a group of teachers) about having a class blog rather than student blogs.

From the site...

A class blog? Individual student blogs? What is right for you? I decided that giving every child a blog was not something I wanted to tackle at this point. First of all, I wanted to teach directed lessons about posting, creating images, and composing quality comments. Having a class blog allowed me to direct all my lessons at one site. Controlling the lessons and the publishing allowed me to work at my own pace. If I wanted to publish once a week, I did. If I felt like I wanted to publish more, I felt free to do so. Having several individual blogs to proofread and moderate would have been overwhelming for me.

To me this seemed smart. Before a student should even consider blogging, they need to read and participate in blogging and Mrs. Yollis does a smart job of ensuring students are taking a hard look at this interactive writing format.

Next, she shares an idea I just love! She requires interested students to earn their own blog. How great. I always had an issue with teacher-assigned blogs. What happens after the class? I feel blogs should be student driven. It brings me back to Alan November’s question of “Who Owns the Learning? Here’s What Mrs. Yollis does.

Currently, I allow students to earn their own blog. They can earn their own blog by contributing ideas/writing to groups posts and by demonstrating consistently good commenting skills. Once a child is ready, I let his/her parents set up the Blogger account at home, and I will link the child's blog to our classroom site. The parents must be the administrator and comments must be moderated. If problems arise, I remove the link from our class blog. Allowing children to earn their way to a blog is powerful. They want to be linked to our class blog to increase their readership. In addition, it encourages parents to take an active online role with their child.

Wow. How smart! She just addressed so many issues here. Students own their learning. Parents as partners. Self/parental ownership for moderation. Fantastic!

Thank you to Mrs. Yollis and all the others like her who are helping prepare our children with voices to use them in important ways in school and in life.

You have read this article blog comments / blogging / class blog / educational blogs with the title blogging. You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2010/08/dont-silence-students-resource-to.html. Thanks!