The IDEA Blog

* Note from IDEA: This is a different kind of blog post than we usually run. However, in the interest of acknowledging the complex feelings educators are experiencing around AI and to be transparent about the practices that educators are experiencing in their own education so that others may benefit from their perspectives, we are publishing it.

Gamification is a powerful tool that brings the excitement of games into learning environments. It not only makes learning more fun but also helps build critical skills in a memorable way. This blog from IDEA Governing Board Member, Sara Reynolds, explains gamification and lists effective ways to introduce game-based learning into classrooms.

Common Sense started Digital Citizenship Week as a dedicated time to highlight the importance of helping kids, families, and teachers navigate our 24/7 digital world.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful resource that can transform classroom activities. This blog explores three ways teachers can harness AI to simplify reading with AI summaries, streamline podcast creation, and boost learning with music and AI.

As educators, we must continuously learn, reflect, and adapt our teaching practices to ensure that our classrooms are inclusive spaces where all students can thrive. This means challenging our assumptions and being mindful of the diverse ways students engage with learning. Are you creating an environment where every student—introverted or extroverted—feels valued and able to contribute?

The rise of AI has created a gap in our education system. It is imperative that we teach the importance of taking the time to determine fact from fiction. While digital citizenship and media literacy have been part of the curriculum for over a decade, the rapid advancement of AI requires a shift towards AI literacy. Many organizations and universities are developing valuable resources for educators, but AI companies need to prioritize ethics and transparency from the beginning of new developments and collaborate with educators to create a comprehensive curriculum.

With the school year just a couple of months away, Jeremy is sharing how he uses the summer to rest so he'll be ready to go come August. During this switch from a busy schedule to having extra time, it’s important to remind yourself not to be critical while resting, working, or playing.

I recently read Jonathan Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation. Released in March 2024, the book reveals a multitude of research studies supporting what we, as educators, have witnessed over the last 15 years in the classroom: decreased motivation and attention span, and unhappy, depressed students. This blog discusses my three main takeaways from Haidt's book.

This blog from the ParentSquare Team shares more about why ParentSquare and Remind are coming together, what the future holds for the platforms, and new features and options you can expect to start seeing very soon.

Working in multiple communities across the country, we can tell you that for some kids the thought of summer break brings to mind spending their day in spaces that are not as structured or safe as their school environment creates anxiety. Even some teachers struggle with going on summer break because the change in routine does impact their nervous systems. There are environmental issues students face in their homes over the summer that they don’t face in school, and change is hard for everyone. What can schools do to equip students with self-regulation skills that they can use at home as they leave for summer break?

Do you want students to feel a deeper and lasting connection with their work and develop transferable skills? If so, participation in a project-based learning (PBL) experience is the solution. Providing students with an opportunity to share their capstone projects is an engaging way to motivate students through the process, but also allow them to feel that they can create purposeful, real-world products and outcomes.