Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Educational Apps, Featured, Technology, Uncategorized

Net Neutrality and Educational Technology

On February 26th, 2015, the FCC approved new rules involving net neutrality. This means that the neither government nor Internet service providers can inhibit access to and/or creation of online content. According to NPR, “the Open Internet Order helps to decide an essential question about how the Internet works, requiring service providers to be a […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Middle School, Technology

The Instructional Techie: Interview with James Sanders of the Ed Tech Team

This article was edited for length from the original interview. To see the whole interview, please view the video embedded at the end of the article. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] On February 16th, I sat […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Technology

Teaching for Mastery in the 21st Century: a Conversation with Utah State Sen. Howard Stephenson

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear Utah state Senator Howard Stephenson (R, Salt Lake) speak about the success of Computer Assisted Instructional Software (CAIS) and its hugely successful […]

Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, School Improvement, Technology

Keep Digital Devices in the Hands of Youngsters

Just as 1:1 technology gains ubiquity in classroom education the movement against its success is populating social media, straining to establish evidence that digital devices are harmful. There is an irony to the viral backlash that circulates discussion boards and the social media tools that are the very target. I for one remain unconvinced that digital technologies are […]

Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Technology

Differentiating your Formative Assessments

The point of teaching is to learn.  Each student comes to us with different experiences and this impacts how and when they master the various concepts and skills presented in the classroom.  Part of teaching is understanding where students are in a lesson, skill, and unit.  Exit tickets have become the buzz, but there are many […]

Posted inLiteracy, School Improvement, Social Studies, Technology, Uncategorized

Resolutions for a 1:1 iPad Pioneer

Just before the December recess a senior stopped me in the hall enthusiastic over his acceptance into college. He impressed upon me sincere gratitude for the letter of recommendation I had written. We exchanged compliments and I was given to reflection on two years we shared in history studies. In the recommendation I had highlighted his impassioned argument and […]

Posted inFeatured, Instructional Strategies, Middle School, Social Studies, Technology

STEAM Ahead- Social Studies Lesson- Part 2

It is two days before the winter holiday break as I wind down with students and their LED light projects. I entered this study with no experience in circuit design or understanding of how lights operate, I given up the security of time tested lessons for STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Art, Math). There was no need for […]

Posted inInstructional Strategies, Social Studies, Technology, Uncategorized

STEAM Inspired Spin on Social Studies

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – the STEM subjects joined forces with Art (Design) to become STEAM, the acronym which stands for education that deliberately promotes 21st-century transformations in thinking. Social studies skills are not included as a focus and I like to think it’s because it is at the root of the original STEM.  As […]