Headline
EdTech Experiments: Kindergartners, iPads & Gorillas
The other day there was a short pitch to read a blog post that went something like this: What would happen if you put iPads into a kindergarten class? Instead of clicking to read, I thought about the image that created—tossing iPads into a classroom of kindergartners—sort of the way you’d toss toys into a cage at the zoo to see what the animals might do with them. Now, don’t get me wrong, kids aren’t … Read entire article »
Featured
EdTech Experiments: Kindergartners, iPads & Gorillas
The other day there was a short pitch to read a blog post that went something like … Read more »
FluidMath: Game-like Digital Calculations
I recently had a conversation with a way too smart, young mathematician/entrepreneur, Don Carney, Ph.D., who gave … Read more »
Challenging Tech Needed: APPly Now!
A little over a year ago, I remember sitting with some very intelligent people, suggesting that education … Read more »
Popular
Classrooms as Digital Learning Studios
I love walking into a classroom that looks just a bit different than the way we see … Read more »
Education SoMoClo: Social Media, Mobile, & Cloud
Recently, I had a meeting with corporate leaders at the Aberdeen Group, a company that conducts primary … Read more »
All My Teachers Have Tech, But No One Uses It!
I absolutely hate hearing someone say, “We have technology equipment, but my teachers don’t use it!” It … Read more »
Latest
FluidMath: Game-like Digital Calculations
I recently had a conversation with a way too smart, young mathematician/entrepreneur, Don Carney, Ph.D., who gave me a one on one demonstration of something called FluidMath put out by Fluidity. I’d bravely taught 5th grade math, and even some at the 7th and 8th grade levels, so didn’t think what was left of my hair would hurt during his … Read entire article »
Challenging Tech Needed: APPly Now!
A little over a year ago, I remember sitting with some very intelligent people, suggesting that education publishing needed to not only get into the app marketplace, but develop ways to use apps more deeply than click offs on a screen, or as placeholders for a bunch of mismatched resources. Beyond the silence—eyes rolled back and glossed over. They just … Read entire article »
Battery Life: Beyond the Gorilla Glass
I don’t care what device; battery life should be number 1 on your checklist. Great price means nothing if the device fades out fast. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to play around with, and use different computing devices—anchored, laptop, and pocket. Today, there is still nothing worse than a crash, or a power loss due to a poor battery. … Read entire article »
Dr. Robert Ballard’s 2000 Digital Chat with My Students
The following chat by Mr. Royal’s Science Students and Dr. Robert (Bob) Ballard took place June 9, 2000. The Students used iMacs in the Media Center to contact The Institute of Exploration, while other classrooms used projected computer images of the chat. In this way, all classes were involved. Historians Alyssa and Jon archived the chat. The Dr. Robert Ballard Chat, June … Read entire article »
Norm! Everyone Needs A Norm
Everyone can look to someone who was responsible for keeping dreams alive. That person, for me, was Norm McConnell, a director of instructional technology, and later a chemistry teacher. I first met Norm while doing a teaching with technology presentation in a district next to mine in 1996. Norm was the only person in the audience with a laptop, and using … Read entire article »
The Cloud Part of Reversing Presentations
In my first Reversing the Presentation post I talked in general about moving from presenting in the shadows of a whiteboard to facing students with their handheld digital devices, and in Reverse Presentations Rejuvenate Education Industries I talked specifically about how the document camera industry could begin reversing the presentation process/best practices. In this post I’ll go another step further, … Read entire article »
Reverse Presentations Rejuvenate Education Industries
Looking at technology from an educator’s point of view allows me the flexibility to dream change. Dreaming change is something most companies can’t do quickly, but eventually get to—down the road—at some point. In a recent post I talked about Reversing The Presentation, and how that could affect the education industry, teachers and students, as well as district and school … Read entire article »
Els Center of Excellence Tees Off on Autism
Many people know Ernie Els as a world-famous professional Hall of Fame golfer; with a swing that is so smooth he’s called “The Big Easy.” He is also a father of two lovely children. Els’ son is a child with autism. Some of us have seen the TV spots for the Els Center of Excellence, but I think that publication … Read entire article »
Reverse The Presentation!
For the longest time we’ve been teaching with our backs to children. It may have started when the individual chalk slates were taken away from kids upon leaving the one-room schoolhouse for the larger normal schools. With only one writing board for sharing in the class, it became easier, out of necessity, to turn our backs on students. It also … Read entire article »
New iPad Changes Learning & Working
The New Apple iPad changes will transform the way our children learn and we work. Sorry to say, but Android tablets, even the most recent and slickest, for now, have been left in the IOS dust. I didn’t think that way until the New iPad announcement, but Apple is only a few more things away from making that tablet the … Read entire article »
eBooks: Make Your Own!
For some reason, I think that I have a lot to say. I know that education and tech content is in demand, so I, and everyone with a blog continue churning it out. Often I’ve looked back at what I’ve posted, and asked myself, “Wouldn’t all of this—together—be nice in a book?” It’s not an ego thing, it’s more looking … Read entire article »
Hungry College Kids
I don’t think this will ever change, but we tend not to hear about it too often. Maybe we’ve come to expect college students to put studies, books, and courses before food. I’m sure most; who have struggled their way through higher educations have stories about getting by on very little sustenance at times. Later, they may become great stories, … Read entire article »
Education Tweets Sprout
Recently, someone asked me if I was creating all the content at my blog. I said, “Only the stuff you read there.” Do I have multiple personalities for different topics? If so, I’m hoping there’s a little Andy Rooney as well as a bit of Henny Youngman in my opinions. In a way, my mind is sort of made for … Read entire article »
Education SoMoClo: Social Media, Mobile, & Cloud
Recently, I had a meeting with corporate leaders at the Aberdeen Group, a company that conducts primary research studies. The discussion was about Social Media/Mobile/Cloud Computing technologies—SoMoClo™. In my opinion, it’s the next education IT movement. What they do best is “take a large community of like-minded individuals… bring them together at an educational event… where they have an opportunity … Read entire article »
Flipped, Blended, Disrupted Nonsense!
Where do these simple banners for teaching in this digital learning age come from? Certainly, they haven’t been floated first by Teachers. I asked my PLN to give me a definition for “Flipped Classroom”, and what came back was “Experiencing learning whenever and wherever you are and then taking it back to the classroom for discussion.” Furthermore I heard this: … Read entire article »
Digital Age Citizenship
I think sometimes we forget, in our haste to make things happen quickly digitally, that the human side of tech needs to be taught, too. While it may be about quick gratification in TV commercials, the reality is that most of us see technology as a universal way to communicate—whether you’re leading the class, or just in the class. I’ve … Read entire article »
Teachers: World Record Performers
The news that Phantom of the Opera reached a milestone in the number of Broadway performances got me thinking about all the teachers, who say, “I’m on all day!” It’s true; teachers make two-a-day theater performances seem weak in comparison. I don’t think you can find more iron-horse performers than teachers. Seriously, when you think about it, teaching requires more than … Read entire article »
Closing Schools Is Unacceptable
Let me preface this by saying that it’s easier to look at things from the outside—in, without knowing all the decision circumstances, but closing schools as an education-correction option is ridiculous. You can’t handle education problems in the same way you would an old recipe, which requires lard—just toss it out. I may be old-fashioned enough to think that things … Read entire article »
All My Teachers Have Tech, But No One Uses It!
I absolutely hate hearing someone say, “We have technology equipment, but my teachers don’t use it!” It drives me down Crazy Street! There is absolutely no way that scenario should have been played in that way. Note that I didn’t say played to an ending like that. If teachers have tech and aren’t using it, the problem isn’t in the … Read entire article »
Students Planning Success
Life isn’t something that comes out of a perfect box, so you can successfully put all the pieces together. If you’re a student trying to figure out your way, even in the best of situations it’s difficult. It can be near impossible for students who, every day, choose whether learning is worth the trouble, because getting there seems so unattainable. Recently, … Read entire article »
BioBuilder Brings Biology Engineering to Class
As a former life science teacher, as well as an elementary classroom guppy farmer, I’m always interested in creative ways to teach science, as well as looking for more unique and experiential ways to fill STEM classrooms with eager, young scientists. I was fortunate enough to find one, while talking with Natalie Kuldell, Ph.D. at MIT. Kuldell is an instructor … Read entire article »
Shakespeare in Bits: Teaching The Bard
To be, or not to be” is the online question answered by Shakespeare in Bits, which is keeping the Bard of Avon’s words lively as well as digital. I was first introduced to MindConnex Learning’s online Shakespeare downloads with Macbeth. I thought it a brilliant idea. “If Birnam woods is coming to Dunsinane, I thought, then why not read it, … Read entire article »
TCEA
This is the first year I won’t be attending TCEA, the Texas Computer Education Association conference, in Austin, TX. It has been my favorite conference since beginning my coverage of education and education tech gatherings. Texas teachers are part of the reason I love TCEA. I discovered that teachers also come to Texas for the event from all over the … Read entire article »
Make Online Course Alternatives Mandatory
Today, there’s a lot of pressure placed on schools to teach more math sooner. The first Algebra course that most of us took was likely during freshman or sophomore year. Today, there is preparation for those courses from the earliest grades, with an Algebra I course at the 7th or 8th. Let’s face it, math isn’t easy for most kids, … Read entire article »
