Articles by: Erik Ofgang

Erik Ofgang is Tech & Learning's senior staff writer. A journalist, author and educator, his work has appeared in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Associated Press. He currently teaches at Western Connecticut State University’s MFA program. While a staff writer at Connecticut Magazine he won a Society of Professional Journalism Award for his education reporting. He is interested in how humans learn and how technology can make that more effective.

What Are Google Classroom Add-Ons? Tips & Tricks

By Erik Ofgang published 5 August 22

Here’s everything you need to know about Google Classroom add-ons, a new feature from Google.

Flexible Due Dates: How it Works in College & K12

By Erik Ofgang last updated 3 August 22

Strict due dates are ingrained in all levels of education but some educators find when they get rid of them there’s less stress and more learning.

Biden-Harris Tutoring Initiative: What You Need to Know

By Erik Ofgang published 3 August 22

Researchers support the Biden-Harris administration’s recent tutoring initiative but warn there are potential road bumps to successfully ramping up tutoring nationwide.

Eric Graves , a white middle aged man with sandy blonde hair , is sitting and working on a project for school with his hands. He is wearing a tan prisoner uniform.

Getting Your College Degree in Prison

By Erik Ofgang published 1 August 22

The Second Chance Pell pilot program has permitted more than 28,000 students in prison to access Pell Grants in order to pursue higher education while imprisoned. The program will soon expand to all incarcerated individuals.

The James Webb Space Telescope: NASA’s 6 Top Tools for Teaching About It

By Erik Ofgang last updated 25 July 23

The James Webb Space Telescope provides a terrific STEM learning opportunity

Teaching About the James Webb Space Telescope

By Erik Ofgang last updated 1 August 22

The James Webb Space Telescope provides lots of opportunities for teachers to engage and inspire their students.

6 Ways to Promote Empathy & Flexibility in Online Class

By Erik Ofgang published 25 July 22

Instructional designer Holly Owens offers tips for ways to prioritize empathy, flexibility, and ultimately, student success in online classes.

What is Calendly and How Can It Be Used by Teachers? Tips & Tricks

By Erik Ofgang published 25 July 22

Calendly is a scheduling platform that offers a free version that can help educators and those they meet with save time.

A lightbulb glowing softly against a black backdrop.

Why Silver Bullet Solutions Persist in Education

By Erik Ofgang published 21 July 22

The quick-fix solutions promised by silver bullet interventions can distract from the more localized and complicated solutions schools really need, say experts.

The Benefits of International Esports for Students

By Erik Ofgang last updated 19 July 22

Students who participate in international esports compete with their peers in other countries, learn about different cultures, and develop leadership skills

The State of the Digital Divide

By Erik Ofgang published 15 July 22

Despite progress closing the digital divide, millions of students remain on the wrong side of it. Advocates say the solution is more funding that includes digital knowledge education.

Managing Teacher Email

By Erik Ofgang published 13 July 22

Managing teacher email more efficiently: advice from online teaching professionals and an etiquette expert

Studying Slavery’s Legacy in Education

By Erik Ofgang published 11 July 22

The Universities Studying Slavery consortium has brought together nearly 100 colleges and universities in the U.S. and internationally, along with a handful of private K-12 schools.

A cartoon of a person sitting at a desk facing a computer screen with people communicating via video chat.

7 Things to Know About Being An Online Teacher

By Erik Ofgang last updated 14 July 22

Online teachers should be open to learning new technology and be excited to provide individualized feedback to students.

Teaching Financial Literacy

By Erik Ofgang last updated 6 July 22

More states are adopting financial literacy requirements for students. Here are tips for teaching the topic.

Teacher Burnout: Recognizing and Reducing It

By Erik Ofgang last updated 6 July 22

Signs of teacher burnout include emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a feeling of no longer being effective at your job. It’s important to listen to these feelings and make changes.

Reading Comprehension Can Predict College Success

By Erik Ofgang published 28 June 22

For a new study, researchers looked at 26 previous studies and a total of 25,090 students and found that differences in reading comprehension could explain 8.4 percent of the variation seen in college grades.

A screenshot from the TV show stranger things.

Teacher Who Inspired Stranger Things Creators: Using the Arts to Educate

By Erik Ofgang published 27 June 22

Strangers Things’ creators, the Duffer brothers, credit Hope Hynes Love with fostering and encouraging their early creativity. Love shares strategies for inspiring and educating students through the arts.

A teacher stands in front of a classroom next to a screen with the words "Welcome to Class" on it.

5 Pieces of Advice for New Teachers

By Erik Ofgang published 24 June 22

Asking questions and making sure to give yourself time off are among the advice veteran and award-winning educators offer for new teachers.

An MD Turned High School Teacher’s Prescription to Improve School Mental Health

By Erik Ofgang published 21 June 22

Teachers can make their lives easier and help students with their mental health by reframing their teaching and looking to healthcare for inspiration, says Dr. Christopher Jenson

A cartoon laptop against a blue backdrop with a red warning signal on its screen.

Vetting Tech Tools

By Erik Ofgang published 16 June 22

Creating clear systems for tech tool approval in your district is important, says Kimberly Ramos, instructional coach at the North Kingstown School Department in Rhode Island.

Two women sit talking at a table in front of a window overlooking a city

How to Become a School Counselor

By Erik Ofgang last updated 14 June 22

Becoming a school counselor can be a rewarding profession and is currently a position in high demand. Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, shares some insight for those looking to enter the profession.

A neon sign with the words "and breathe" turned on and placed diagonally against a wall filled with plants.

Using Mindfulness and Authenticity to Lead Tech Teams

By Erik Ofgang published 10 June 22

Mindfulness can help school IT staff overcome stress and help spur emotional and professional growth

What is Zoom Whiteboard?

By Erik Ofgang last updated 9 June 22

Zoom Whiteboard allows users to collaborate in real-time while staying within a Zoom meeting

A hand points to a digital display of various online icons.

Ensuring Secure Digital Collaboration

By Erik Ofgang published 8 June 22

Teaching educators the basics of cybersecurity and fostering good digital citizenship can help keep your school network secure

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