The Tech Edvocate’s List of 50 Must-Read K-12 EdTech Blogs
*The Tech Edvocate is pleased to produce its “Best of the Best” resource lists. These lists provide our readers with rankings for edtech related blogs, twitter accounts, influencers, products, etc. These lists are meant to be fluid, and for that reason, they are regularly updated to provide up to the moment information.*
Keeping up with changing technology in the classroom is almost a full-time job on its own! That’s why subscribing to a few good edtech blogs is a convenient and time-saving way to remain knowledgeable about this constantly evolving landscape.
Edtech blogs exist for almost every purpose you can imagine. There are blogs dedicated to the teaching of math, reading, science and virtually any other discipline that you can think of. There are blogs about coding and blogs about blogging, geared towards every grade level from kindergarten all the way up through high school.
But how do you know which of these are worth your time?
We decided to do this work for you.
Generally, there are four key qualities of a good edtech blog. They must be:
- Activity (25%). Information should be updated regularly to reflect the very latest trends in edtech.
- Originality (25%). It should add value with content that’s different from all the other blogs out there.
- Helpfulness (25%). A good edtech blog should teach you a new skill, direct you to a useful resource, or at least get you to think in a new way about something.
- Authority (25%). The author/authors have the authority and credentials to blog about the topic of edtech.
Each category was assigned an equal weight in our evaluation. They were averaged together to determine the final score in order to come up with our list of the top 50.
This blog is updated daily with current educational news. Recent articles explored the role of teachers in the evaluation of technology and the role of edtech in educational research.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 24, Helpfulness 25, Authority 25
Total Score: 99%
Twitter: @EdSurge
Email: [email protected]
The blog provides free courses and other professional development resources for technology leaders. Recent topics include the future of artificial intelligence and the use of social media in job searches.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 24, Helpfulness 24.5, Authority 25
Total Score: 98.5%
Twitter: @edXOnline
The site is full of inspiring stories about young women who have found success in the world of coding. You will find stories of young women who used coding to start businesses or to find hope in homelessness.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 24, Helpfulness 24, Authority 25
Total Score: 98%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @GirlsWhoCode
Renowned for his insightful tweets and retweets, Steve Anderson blogs about powerful ways to use technology in the classroom. Most recently, he posted about the power of TED talks and how to teach kids to evaluate news sources.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 24, Helpfulness 24.5, Authority 25
Total Score: 97.5%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @web20classroom
Advice and practical suggestions for instructors of online courses. This blog will be helpful for administrators seeking meaningful professional development opportunities for staff.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 24, Helpfulness 24.5, Authority 25
Total Score: 97%
Twitter: @elearnindustry
Vicki Davis interweaves her practical suggestions for student engagement with profound reflections on what it means to be a teacher. For a shot of affirmation, this is the blog to visit.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 23, Helpfulness 23.9, Authority 25
Total Score: 96.9%
Twitter: @coolcatteacher
Eric Sheninger reflects on digital leadership and how it affects parental communication and student and faculty engagement. He connects trends in technology with changes in the larger culture.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 23, Helpfulness 23, Authority 25
Total Score: 96%
Twitter: @E_sheninger
A recognized leader in educational technology, ISTE analyzes current trends in areas such as coding and Virtual Reality. Updated daily, the blog will keep you up-to-date on the changing world of edtech.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 23, Helpfulness 23, Authority 24.5
Total Score: 95.5%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @isteconnects
9. Free Technology for Teachers.
Richard Byrne provides an array of resources, such as free apps and other tools, to help teachers find cost-effective solutions for introducing technology in the classroom.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 22, Helpfulness 22.9, Authority 24
Total Score: 93.9%
Twitter: @rmbyrne
The sheer volume of resources available at this site will blow you away. It’s a gold mine of new ideas and lesson plans.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 22, Helpfulness 22, Authority 24
Total Score: 93%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Edudemic
A certified Google trainer, Alice Keeler will help you keep up with Google’s constant expansions. She’s exceptionally skilled in the use of Google Classroom.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 22, Helpfulness 22.9, Authority 24
Total Score: 92.9%
Twitter: @alicekeeler
Author and award-winning educator Erin Klein provides practical strategies to increase student achievement and engagement with technology. She earns top marks for her engaging and relevant website.
Score: Activity 22, Originality 23, Helpfulness 22.9, Authority 24
Total Score: 92%
Twitter: @KleinErin
Nicholas Provenzano shares his ideas about being a connected educator. Recent articles outline how to create a meaningful Makerspace program.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 21, Helpfulness 21.5, Authority 23
Total Score: 91.9%
Twitter: @thenerdyteacher
Email: [email protected]
Educational technologist Kathy Schrock shares her discoveries and insights about educational technology and its impact in the classroom. Recent blog posts offer ideas for using Pokemon Go in the classroom and for creating 360° images with a cell phone.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 21, Helpfulness 21.5, Authority 23
Total Score: 90.5%
Twitter: @kathyschrock
Email: [email protected]
The bloggers at Tech & Learning ponder issues around technology as well as practical tips for making the most of Google Classroom and the integration of STEM. One of their recent offerings: an exploration of whether or not paper has become obsolete.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 21, Helpfulness 21.5, Authority 23
Total Score:89.5%
Twitter: @techlearning
Use this blog to follow professional development events and listen to podcasts about educational technology and leadership. Recent topics include school transformation and leadership development in the classroom.
Score: Activity 22, Originality 22, Helpfulness 22, Authority 23
Total Score: 89%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Getting_Smart
This blog addresses issues of social and ethical concern as they relate to the use of technology in the classroom. Frequent topics include the development of self-actualization and leadership.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 21, Helpfulness 21, Authority 22
Total Score: 88%
Twitter: @mcleod
Email: [email protected]
Tony Vincent’s technology blog has been around since the 1990s, and it’s still a treasure trove of advice and resources today. Recently he provides tips for teacher iPad use and formative assessment tools.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 20.5, Helpfulness 21, Authority 22
Total Score: 87.5%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @tonyvincent
Wesley Fryer documents his work with students and educators around the globe in the creative use of multimedia. Recently he offered a digital literacy challenge to create an information filter bot.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 20.5, Helpfulness 20.5, Authority 22
Total Score: 87%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @wfryer
Innovation consultant Lucy Gray curates resources, conferences, and professional development opportunities for innovative educators. Her posts include weekly roundups of new edtech resources.
Score: Activity 23, Originality 20, Helpfulness 21, Authority 22.5
Total Score: 86.5%
Twitter: @elemenous
Edtech consultant Dr. Monica Burns provides a rundown of all the latest technology tips and tricks. Recently she demonstrated an app called Kinvolved for taking attendance, as well as the annotation of images using an iPad.
Score: Activity 22, Originality 20, Helpfulness 21.5, Authority 22.5
Total Score: 86%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @ClassTechTips
Steve Wheeler, a professor of educational technology, explores our changing culture and the ways teachers must adapt to it. His blog features periodic interviews with education influencers.
Score: Activity 20, Originality 20, Helpfulness 22.5, Authority 23
Total Score: 85.5%
Twitter: @timbuckteeth
Lisa Nielsen’s daily blog posts focus on ways to make education more relevant for students by embracing technology and channeling their passions. Recent topics include how to teach students to evaluate the accuracy of the news, and how to tell if your students are digital learners.
Score: Activity 20, Originality 19.5, Helpfulness 22.5, Authority 23
Total Score: 85%
Twitter: @InnovativeEdu
Med Kharbach shares free tutorials and reviews of apps and tools. Topics include how to convert PDFs to editable text and basic Google Classroom tips.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 18, Helpfulness 21, Authority 21.5
Total Score: 84.5%
Twitter: @medkh9
A pioneer in the field of educational technology, Steve Hargadon offers timely suggestions for things like turning PCs into Chromebooks and even has the occasional fun giveaway. Articles focus on edtech as a vehicle to drive meaningful learning.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 17.5, Helpfulness 21, Authority 20.5
Total Score: 84%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stevehargadon
- TCEA.
Officially the blog for the Texas Computer Education Association, this website is crammed with great ideas and resources for educators everywhere. Most recently, it offers tips on photo editing and a roundup of leadership courses.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 17, Helpfulness 21.9, Authority 21
Total Score: 83.9%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TCEA
This blog offers a candid exploration of different solutions for blended learning. Recent offerings explore the pros and cons of co-teaching.
Score: Activity 19, Originality 22, Helpfulness 20.5, Authority 22
Total Score: 83.5%
Twitter: @Catlin_Tucker
School administrator Liz Davis chronicles her adventures in leading technology innovation in her school and her region. Her recent posts tell a story of inspiring students to lead through an Edcamp program.
Score: Activity 18, Originality 22, Helpfulness 21, Authority 21.5
Total Score: 82%
The official blog of the Consortium for School Networking presents occasional “Trusted Learning Environment” articles, in which they focus on the technology implementation efforts of member school districts. This will inspire you to think of ways you can make your own school a “Trusted Learning Environment.”
Score: Activity 18, Originality 21.5, Helpfulness 20.5, Authority 21.5
Total Score: 81.5%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @CoSN
This blog discusses how current policies and issues impact the future of education technology. Recent articles ponder the potential effects of the Trump presidency on edtech.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 18.5, Helpfulness 18.7, Authority 20
Total Score: 81.2%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @hackeducation
A tech integration specialist presents his real-life trials and triumphs. He also shares ideas for unique Makerspace projects.
Score: Activity 17, Originality 18.5, Helpfulness 18.5, Authority 20
Total Score: 81%
Twitter: @SamPatue
Jeff Herb presents a potpourri of videos, podcasts, and articles about the effective use of technology tools. Recently he has shared strategies for using Ozobot, as well as tips for the use of online videos in the classroom.
Score: Activity 17, Originality 21.5, Helpfulness 21.5, Authority 20.5
Total Score: 80.5
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @jeffherb
Daily posts include thoughts on how to use technology to improve reading. Articles focus on edtech as a vehicle to drive meaningful learning.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 18.5, Helpfulness 19, Authority 18.5
Total Score: 80%
Twitter: @EmergingEdTech
This blog focuses on the integration of technology in grades 4-8. It offers tools to revamp organizational systems and deepen student connections.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 18.5, Helpfulness 18.5, Authority 18.5
Total Score: 79.5%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @middleweb
Australian e-learning manager Ryan Tracy blogs about e-learning as a route to deeper thinking. He frequently ponders “cognitive reality:” the influence and potential of Virtual and Augmented Reality.
Score: Activity 18, Originality 20.5, Helpfulness 20, Authority 20.5
Total Score: 79%
Twitter: @ryantracey
Tammy Worcester works independently as an instructional technology specialist and curates hundreds of tools, tips, and ideas on her website. She is especially savvy at tricks for using Google apps in unique ways in the classroom.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 18, Helpfulness 18, Authority 17.9
Total Score: 78.9%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @tammyworcester
Ramsay Musallam relates how he uses unique approaches to technology to make instruction more meaningful to students. Definitely a blog worth checking out.
Score: Activity 18, Originality 20, Helpfulness 20, Authority 20.5
Total Score: 78.5%
Twitter: @mneedleman
Digital learning specialist Kerry Gallagher shares tips for safe and ethical use of technology in the classroom. Recent provocative topics include the spread of fake news and the prevalence of “sexting” among teens.
Score: Activity 16, Originality 20, Helpfulness 21, Authority 21
Total Score: 78%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @kerryhawk02
Doug Levin blogs about the current legal and political scene, and how policy affects the availability of technology in the classroom. Most recently, he discussed possible FCC changes and how schools will be affected.
Score: Activity 15, Originality 20, Helpfulness 21, Authority 21
Total Score: 77%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @douglevin
This blog offers regular updates to news about efforts to implement technology in public and private schools. Warnings about email scams and posts about mobile devices in schools will keep you up-to-date on issues affecting edtech.
Score: Activity 23, Originality18, Helpfulness 18, Authority 17.5
Total Score: 76.5%
Twitter: @centerdigitaled
An Australian Information Technology teacher shares her ideas and experiences around fostering global connections in the classroom. She is especially masterful in her use of Skype as a tool to teach about culture.
Score: Activity 18, Originality 20, Helpfulness 19, Authority 19
Total Score: 76%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @murcha
A self-described “educational futurist,” Cyndi Danner-Kuhn shares specific ideas and strategies for integrating technology into all aspects of learning. Most recently, she wrote about how to integrate Google apps into the Rigor Relevance framework.
Score: Activity 23, Originality 18, Helpfulness 17, Authority 17.5
Total Score: 75.5%
Twitter: @cyndidannerkuhn
44.. Educational Technology Guy.
David Andrade shows teachers a variety of options to access free tools and resources for effective technology use in the classroom. Recently he shared a framework to help education leaders pilot new technology.
Score: Activity 23, Originality 18, Helpfulness 16.8, Authority 17.5
Total Score: 75.3%
Twitter: @daveandcori
Just as its name implies, this is a weekly “roundup” of all the latest edtech news and developments. This blog is ideal simply for staying informed about breakthroughs and trends.
Score: Activity 24, Originality 17.5, Helpfulness 16.5, Authority 17.5
Total Score: 75%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @ETRoundup
Technology teacher Jacqui Murray provides lesson plans for technology integration and tips on practical matters such as backing up files and speeding up your computer. She also curates a variety of helpful resources.
Score: Activity 22, Originality 18, Helpfulness 17, Authority 17
Total Score: 74%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @AskATechTeacher
Social studies teacher and technology guru Glenn Wiebe ponders the many ways in which technology can give students a deeper understanding of history. Among other things, he offers ideas to help students understand the interconnectedness of history and current events.
Score: Activity 25, Originality 17, Helpfulness 15.5, Authority 16
Total Score: 73.5%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @glennw98
Educational Technology Specialist Tim Stahmer reflects on the need for change and reform in public schools and suggests relevant literature.
Score: Activity 16, Originality 19, Helpfulness 20, Authority 18.5
Total Score: 72.5%
Twitter: @timstahmer
A technology instructional coach, Pam Shoemaker, blogs about the ways in which technology is changing the face of education. She will inspire you to take on challenges such as learning to code or becoming a Google trainer.
Score: Activity 21, Originality 19.5, Helpfulness 17, Authority 14.5
Total Score: 72%
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @shoemap
Bethany Petty shares tips and ideas that she learned from the trenches of her own “flipped, blended and gamified classroom.” Posts range from the philosophical (global collaboration) to the practical (creating “view only” folders in Google Drive).
Score: Activity 21, Originality 19, Helpfulness 17, Authority 14.5
Total Score: 71.5%
Twitter: @BethanyPetty
As you can see, there is no shortage of great edtech blogs to choose from! Subscribe to those that meet your needs best, and watch your knowledge of edtech expand in no time.
