The headline in The New York Times (6/13/2013) was a little misleading: “Study Gauges Value of Technology in Schools.” The topic of gauging the value of technology is particularly significant given the investment by school districts everywhere in laptops, tablets, computer labs, Smartboards, whiteboards and projectors; but the article only referred to the use of technology in math […]
Technology
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Technology
Computer Programming in the Elementary Classroom, Part 2: The Reality
Last week I wrote an article about teaching computer programming in elementary classrooms. I know, there are things you have to cover that seem to override computer programming. It seems like something extra to do at the end of the school year, after testing, when your curriculum has been covered. And administrators like to see results […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Technology
Computer Programming in the Elementary Classroom (Part 1)
[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”] We teach our students to prepare them for their futures. Elementary educators know it goes beyond our classroom walls and what our students learn inside these walls. We see the path […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Literacy, Middle School, School Improvement, Teacher Branding, Technology
School is Out for the Summer – What is Next?
“What is next for me personally?” is great question. In its simplicity and sincerity this question has left me believing that someone actually cares about my answer. Our middle and high school have already begun its professional development for next year’s fall semester and a move towards implementing 1:1 IPads for students. Because this carries […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, Technology
Paper or Paperless Classrooms?
Ready or not, my rural high school is preparing to deliver 1:1 iPads to our entire middle and high school populations next fall. Furtive conversations abound in halls and at lunch gatherings as we debate the possibilities and traditional needs of classroom learning. There has always been a fine line between reliance on products that facilitate […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Technology
How Technology is Misused in Classrooms
Years ago, the only real computer technology being used in schools was found in the computer lab, were rows of students would sit and learn how to manage files and type with some speed. In fact, computer classes at that time were optional. Students were allowed to decide whether or not they felt like […]
Posted inFeatured, Technology, Uncategorized
Teachers Provide True Preparation for when “Shift Happens”
Six years ago, the video “Shift Happens” (2007) was featured at our school’s professional development day. I clearly remember one take-away: We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t exist using technologies that do not exist in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet. The video was created by Karl Fisch, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Bringing the Digital World To Your Students to Teach Common Core
“Don’t teach your children to read. Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything.” –George Carlin The Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics are about thinking, questioning, and higher level learning. These are passions I have and things I am excited to see happening in classrooms. In […]