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 »
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 presentation. I told Carney that I wanted to be moved by his software, and wanted … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Higher Education, K12, Trends
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 didn’t get it. Many education companies believe that being able to say that you have … 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. It always seems to catch you in the midst of something you consider really import. … Read entire article »
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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 it during my talk. As I think back, it was the first time I’d seen … 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, still keeping the document camera as the presentation example. It’s a wonderful example of a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Higher Education, K12, Trends
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 budgets. Let’s take that idea one step further. How could reversing the presentation affect—one sector—specifically … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Higher Education, K12, Trends
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 and support in education magazines, online sites, and other education media is long overdue. I … 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 became easier to get comfortable doing it. So the transition to digital technology followed that … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Higher Education, K12, Trends
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 the Twitter world, where short bursts of nonsense, or perceived brilliance last only 140 characters. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Higher Education, K12, Trends
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 to connect… to solve problems through technology,” says Andrew Borg, Senior Research Analyst at Aberdeen. … Read entire article »
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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: “humanizing classroom interaction through offsite content interaction as a prerequisite.” What’s so flipped about that? … 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 heard all the stories about kids working the computing devices and the software without formal … 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 one script each day, and possibly as many as 5-7—and most likely there are normally … 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 can be fixed with creative thinking and a lot of hard work. Probably the reason … 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 tech, and it’s not with the teachers, it’s with the engine that should be cheerleading … 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, I had the privilege to witness students achieving in a high school environment that works. … Read entire article »
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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 with the Department of Biological Engineering. Now, don’t let that MIT role scare you, Kuldell … Read entire article »
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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, hear it, and see it animated on a PC or Mac—or iPad. Well, now Hamlet … Read entire article »
Filed under: K12
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 U.S. One year, I flew in with about 20 or more educators from Maine, who … Read entire article »
Filed under: K12
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, and beyond that, it really depends on how it’s taught in order for students to … Read entire article »
Create Simply Brilliant Digital Lessons
Every once in a while, I come across software that is so simple-stupid to use that it makes me appear brilliant. Camtasia by TechSmith is one such software. Many educators have been using it for years, as well as other screenshot-video makers out there to create how tos and digital lessons. But recently, I was reminded of how crazy-easy Camtasia is to use—for everyone—and not just the techno pilots in your schools and districts. Sorry, … Read entire article »
Local Education Is The True Epicenter
If you really want to know education, look to your local schools and districts. The epicenter of an earthquake isn’t always where the strongest shaking occurs, so it pays to investigate what’s really happening closer to the action. So, while we ponder and make education predictions, local education administrators and educators are dealing with making the right choices for today and the future of learners—always keeping mindful of what the communities needs are—and well-scrutinized budgetary … Read entire article »
Does Standardized Testing Show What Students Can Do?
Standardized tests like beautifully written resumes don’t always predict the best learners or employees. Does it show what students can really do? Today, it’s normal for learning to be put on hold for more than a few weeks out of the school year. Furthermore, an anxious teach-to-the-test culture change can go well beyond that—to filter into almost every day a student spends at school. We’re not talking just about the testing that happens during the … Read entire article »
Kissing the Tablet
I think we forget that there are more tablet options out there than just the iPad. Android and Microsoft Windows tablets are closing the Apple gap. We also may forget that there are plenty of Windows and Android fans and users out there. Regardless the tablet option, though, it really comes down to a few important checkpoint questions for consumers and education: Ease of use? What can I do with it? Price? I think what everyone in the tablet market … Read entire article »
