Sub-Saharan Africa has a unique cultural fabric that is tightly woven, which has seemingly been defined by struggles with European cultures, the colonization process (before and after), and various cultural conflicts. The future of this region will be bright if religious, political, social, and cultural systems can be honored and simplified, allowing for respect of family relations, property ownership, and each nation’s unique heritage. Using the United States of America for a comparison, we can identify differences and similarities, and find opportunities to compare and contrast between a growing host of nations, finding their way in an increasingly modern and globalized world and a super power that has reached its pinnacle. Read more…
Allow Students to Lead on Technology
This past week, after a recent purchase of Apple iPads for our middle-school students, I quickly set up the cart and got the units out to the students for an upcoming lesson. It was late in the afternoon on Friday when the sixth graders were wheeled a class-set of iPads. Most had prior knowledge of using an iPad or other tablet, however they had never used them in a school setting. (Our middle schoolers are Google App and Chromebook wizards) Using Apple Configurator, I pre-loaded a Bridge Constructor app for an upcoming engineering lesson and was excited to see how students would take to the devices. Read more…
Capture Student Growth with a Digital Portfolio
In January, I wrote that a traditional assignment, submitted to the teacher, graded behind the scene and sent home to be recycled, is no longer an effective method for monitoring student achievement. In addition to lacking an authentic audience and not reaching students where they are, they also fall short of any real meaning or in preparing students for their future.
These assignments have an audience of “one” and a recipe of just enough effort to get by. Inside every student are passions that the school experience should ignite and anything that lacks a spark should be avoided. Read more…
Bring Static Words to Life with Aurasma
After creating an iPad infused lesson titled, Sight Word Safari with iPads, I had an epiphany of sorts. In years past, I would have pushed for a technology lesson with multiple layers and moving parts. I was always going for the big splash! Often times it was overwhelming for the teacher and frustrating for me. Sure some teachers were fine with the tempo I could push, but this approach didn’t reach teachers overwhelmed by technology.
With Sight Word Safari, I prepared a technology infused lesson requiring only a few moving parts. Read more…
Is Coffee all We Have in Common with Curriculum?
I do realize that my last post was about the “end” of the computer lab and starting off my next post about another dramatic end or change, seems a tad dark. However, I promise there is another takeaway in here…somewhere.
This past April, I attended a pair of technology conferences that I had expected going in, would have some degree of overlap. Aside from offering free coffee, the topics, attendees, and themes varied widely and didn’t mesh at all.
On Thursday, April 10th, I attended a conference offered by the Massachusetts Educational Technology Administrators Association (METAA), which was designed for district technology leaders. Read more…