Hacking Education: 10 Quick Fixes for Every School

by Mark Barnes, Jennifer Gonzalez

You don't need another 5 year planThese 10 Hacks will transform your school and classroom right now!In Hacking Education, Mark Barnes and Jennifer Gonzalez employ decades of teaching experience and hundreds of discussions with education thought leaders, to show you how to find and hone the quick fixes that every school and classroom need. Using a Hacker’s mentality, they provide one Aha moment after another with 10 Quick Fixes for Every School--solutions to everyday problems and teaching methods that any teacher or administrator can implement immediately.

With these Hacks, you can eliminateschool meetingsclassroom management woestechnology issuesnew teacher problemsreluctant readerslost planning time˃˃˃ Learn to solve problems





Pineapple Charts



The 360 Spreadsheet



Glass Classrooms



Track Records



Marigold Committees



The TQZ



More Impactful Hacks







˃˃˃ This is not your average education bookHacking Education won't weigh you down with outdated research or complicated strategies. Barnes and Gonzalez provide brilliant ideas woven into a user-friendly success guide that you'll want to keep nearby throughout the school year. Each chapter is neatly wrapped in this simple







The Problem



The Hack (a ridiculously easy solution that you've likely never considered)



What You Can Do Tomorrow (no waiting necessary)



Blueprint for Full Implementation (a step-by-step action plan for capacity building)



The Hack in Action (yes, someone has actually done this)





˃˃˃ Look what other thought leaders say about Hacking Education"Barnes and Gonzalez don’t just solve problems; they turn teachers into hackers--a transformation that is right on time.”

-- Don Wettrick, author of Pure Building a Culture of Innovation and Taking 20% Time to the Next Level

“Jennifer and Mark are two educators that know how to transform some of the most frustrating teacher problems into easy-to-implement solutions. Hacking Education proves that anyone--from a first year-teacher to a 30-year veteran--can be a more effective teacher and be a positive agent of change in their school's culture.”

-- Brian Sztabnik, host Talks with Teachers podcast, contributing author at Edutopia

“Barnes and Gonzalez provide a refreshingly modern take on a system that has become old and sclerotic, our schools. Their writing is succinct, it resonates and smacks you with the deliverables.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2015

About the author

Mark Barnes is a longtime educator, creator of the globally renowned Hack Learning Series, and founder of Times 10 Publications—home to practical solutions busy people can read today and use tomorrow. The author of nine books, including Hacking Education and Hacking Life After 50, Mark is passionate about helping educators and lifelong learners create real change.

When he’s not writing or publishing, Mark is busy (in his own words) being “the greatest fantasy football player in the world.”

📚 Follow Mark here on Goodreads for updates on new releases, exclusive giveaways, and behind-the-scenes stories about how books—and the people in them—change lives.

Reviews

[Richard Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate the way that the term "hacking" is used frequently by authors these days. Used to be that it meant breaking into a computer network or system by breaching the firewall. I have found that for many authors the term is synonymous with "a good idea". This book really did present ideas that could be considered hacks of the existing system. This turned out to be a really good book. Each chapter is written with a formula that presents a solution to a common problem found in teaching and schools and shows how to implement it quickly while you prepare for a full force implementation over the long haul. Common issues of resistance are anticipated and addressed in each chapter. Nice approach and Barnes took time to make sure that the views of actual teachers are addressed also (his co-author Jennifer Gonzalez is a well respected educator). Nice job with this one.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book delivers on its' promise. A truly useful book. Quick to read. 10 ideas with actions you can take immediately, as well as steps for complete implementation. I loved 360 spreadsheet and pineapple chart. Check it out!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book by teachers for teachers. The authors talk about 10 problems in schools that can be solved creatively from a grassroots level. Well worth the read even if all the situations don't apply to your school!

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are some amazing, yet practical solutions for some very common problems! Love it!

[M B McLatchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for new teachers and administrators. Published in 2015, but still very relevant. Although the book's title sounds like a how-to for integrating technology into the classroom, the book makes clear that technology is of no service to teachers if purposeful pedagogical tools are not employed. Great reminders here on the power of the flipped-classroom and on deploying student-centered learning methods. Highly recommended.

[Ms. Paula H. Reinovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meaningful hacks

Many of these hacks I already do; however, I have thirty-four years of teaching experience. These ideas are meaningful, doable, and helpful. I would recommend this to new teachers and administrators, especially. Thank you, Mark and Jennifer!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teachers always need more time

This book not only gives big ideas simple solutions. It's also a quick read! I look forward to talking about the implementation of at least four of these hacks on Monday!

[Gretchen Schultek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, applicable, and genius!

As an educator these hacks solve every obstacle I faced. Thank you for putting a name to a solution and a process as its foundation. Excellent book!

[Nancy Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ideas

All of the ideas are useful and easy to implement. I could see myself trying 3 or 4 of them.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideas are solid and easy to implement. All educators and administrators will find at least one of these hacks useful and easily implemented for a positive change.

[Neena Grosvenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for educators to get solutions to everyday classroom issues.

[Chris Loeffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, practical, easy to implement ideas for any school. Quick read and a must for anyone who wants to improve their school.

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best. Mostly a compilation of blog posts I've already read. Usually I love the hack learning books, but so this one is not worth the money.

[Jenny Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Hacks:

1) Meet Me in the Cloud-moving meetings from in person to cloud based. Have a "bin" with the agenda and a "back channel" for commenting
2) Pineapple Charts-visible sign up chart where teachers can say what they'll be doing during a given time period, and any teacher can drop in to observe cool activities. Can give teachers ideas for new activities or classroom management
3) Track Records- list of both positive and negative objective observations of students. Deters negative behavior and increases positive
4)The 360 Spreadsheet- list of student interests that you add to throughout the year. Includes things like activities, foods, passions, family, academic, physical, and skills. Example of one sped teacher who kept her spreadsheets at the front of her binder and used it throughout the year.

[Mark Barnes]

We're excited to share an updated version of Hacking Education, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Hack Learning Series.

The book contains the same 10 Hacks, still relevant to teachers today, with a fresh cover design, updated series previews, and a new note from the publisher--Yours truly.

I'm so proud of this series, which has impacted hundreds of thousands of educators and other people interested in helping kids around the world. Hope enjoy the updated Hacking Education: 10 Quick Fixes for Every School.

[Daniella Araujo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book falls into the category of those quick, easy reads that claim to provide ingeniously straightforward solutions for complicated problems. While I do not promptly the plausibility of this assumption, this is not supposed to be an easy task. Hacking Education brings ingenuity to some of the common plagues of education providers and practitioners in his book. However, where it falls short of being a true hack guide is where it is most needed: implementation. I found the sections dedicated to the implementation of each of the 10 hacks a bit flat, missing more direct and objective instruction on how to make the ideas come to fruition. It was a nice addition to my library of creative ideas on education.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely simple to read book about ten ways to improve your classroom. A couple of the "hacks" are building level things about improving meetings, by using Google sharing or similar tactics. The hacks about in class flipping and social media are extremely simple ways to make impactful changes in classrooms with little money or additional planning.

[Jason G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hack your classroom

Very thoughtful and engaging read. I absolutely loved the ideas and the progressive way of hacking them into your daily practice. I especially liked the how you can implement them tomorrow sections.

[Ge-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The great thing about this book is that it shows how anyone can affect change in his or her school. I highly recommend this book.

[Sohaib]

I want to read hacking books

[constantlytina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the flipped classroom section was good because it’s fitting for current times- virtual learning. I have used the other 9 hacks in my classroom or was exposed to them at my previous school, so there wasn’t much in terms of new info for me. A new teacher would find this useful I’m sure

[Joy Kirr · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are ten “hacks” in this book - ten free ways educators can get more out of their days with children. I feel like I didn't need each one (I'm in a great district that provides a couple of these already), and one looked intriguing, even if it seemed like a time-sucker… One, for sure, I'm implementing at the start of second quarter (next week!)! Look for more info. on this one hack at geniushour.blogspot.com. Anything from now on that seems to me to be considered a “hack” will be tagged “HackLearning,” as it's the name of the hashtag on Twitter & Facebook. I look forward to the returns this single idea (track records) will have in room 239.

[Gen Turnbull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hacking Education was the first book in the Hackers" series. It's a breeze to read and offers some good ideas for improving aspects such as meetings, charts, PD, blended learning, to name a few. I enjoyed this book, but not as much as hacking assessment. Hacking Education was an okay read as a teacher that gives are some ideas that will really benefit the school but I feel they are going to have to be taken on by admin. My favorite hacks were the flipped classroom in the classroom, student technology help teams, and the pineapple chart. Look into those! I would recommend the read as it is only $4 on kindle.

[Dr. Raye of Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great and quick read. The hacks are simple but game changing. Some may apply better in some schools over others, but each concept brings about discussion points that allow teachers to tweak for themselves. I would love to move some collaboration into the cloud to free teachers up to still work together but do it more effectively to balance children and other obligations. Grab your beverage of choice and curl up--it's a couple hours of reading at most but will inspire you to make some hacks of your own.

[Mleander23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I do not think I've read a book that has inspired me to create a more student friendly school/ classroom. The ideas such as book nook, marigolds, TQZ, flipped classroom ideas, and pineapples that are so simple yet ingenious. Very quick read full of strategies you can effectively implement tomorrow and a great compliment to Hacking Leadership. Great strategies for teachers and admin. Simply Wow!

[Yvonna Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

PRACTICAL AND EASY. I received Hacking Education in a Goodreads Giveaway. I am impressed. It's a simple format. Each chapter presents one innovative idea that could make school work better. It then provides ways to implement immediately and over time with more depth. Two chapters, the Book Nook and the 360 Spreadsheet, are worth the cost of the book all by themselves. There's nothing outrageous -- it's obvious the authors work in public schools and understand the constraints.

[Tonderdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empowering

Great quick read that offers simple solutions to complex problems. The ideas presented give teachers and school communities ways to improve daily function with a little effort and ingenuity. I love that it stays positive by focusing on what teachers can control instead of the systemic issues in education.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consisted,insightful and timely

I think that any tools that can help you be a better teacher or administrator with ease are a welcome addition to my practice. This book has simple, straightforward ideas that can be implemented from one classroom to a whole school.

[Wendi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas in this book--and the big thing is that they're doable. They're ideas that "regular" teachers can use to not only change but potentially transform teaching and community within their schools. Would be an excellent conversation starter for PLCs or leadership teams.

[Bernadette Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book by invitation as a free download on my Kindle. It was a quick, easy read, with some clever education hacks, although not all of them applied to my classroom or situation. Some seemed challenging to get others on board.