My Thoughts

Sharing my thoughts and ideas on infusing technology in education, connecting this back to life...Always focus on the learning, not on the technology.
Posted on:March 1, 2014 Comments: No Comments Categories: M.Ed. Program Professional Development Technology

The Professional Development Buffet is Open

In a recent discussion on the LinkedIn International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) group, a question was posed…”why do many schools fail to provide adequate technology professional development?”

A fascinating and candid discussion took place, which has forced me to think deeper about the professional growth of teachers through the standard professional development model and what the expectation should be for our future. I find myself both offering and needing technology (PD) and believe there are some cold hard facts we must face… Read more…

Posted on:January 25, 2014 Comments: 9 Comments Categories: Digital Portfolio M.Ed. Program Technology

Students Must Curate, Create a Portfolio

Throughout the course of a typical academic career, hundreds of worthwhile projects are created. After countless hours and massive amounts of energy expended, where does a research paper on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War belong? What about the Rube Goldberg video a group of students collaborated on and shared via YouTube? If returned to the student in physical form, most projects hit the trash or are sent home to become a stack of papers in the basement. For digital items, they are simply lost in the abyss of the Internet. Read more…

Posted on:January 22, 2014 Comments: 4 Comments Categories: Google Apps M.Ed. Program Technology

Implementing a Google Apps Ninja Program

About a year ago, I came across impressive resources on Google Apps for Education provided by Jeff Utecht on The Thinking Stick website titled, “Become a Google Apps Ninja.” Now I had heard educators having the ability to become Google Certified, a program I would like to complete myself, however the concept of opening this up to students blew my mind. My first thought was, “how can I get this program into my school?” Having students develop online search skills as well has the ability to communicate (online) and troubleshoot is nearly as important as the underlying material the students will learn. Giving students the ability to “fish” will open many more doors with technology. I was sold instantly. Read more…

Posted on:January 6, 2014 Comments: 1 Comment Categories: M.Ed. Program Technology

Reaching 21st Century Students Where they Are

During a visit to the main office, I noticed a elementary student, having what I would call, an extreme bout of confusion. What object could cause a smart, young student this level of confusion? Operating a traditional telephone. Yup, a telephone…with a cord. A land line. Something many students don’t encounter or have knowledge of.

The student, to no fault of his own, didn’t understand the dial tone or where to push “send” to make a call. After assisting the student, I asked if he had “one of these” at home to which he replied, “my family only has cellphones.” Read more…

Posted on:December 6, 2013 Comments: 2 Comments Categories: Google Apps M.Ed. Program Technology

Extracting Content with Google Takeout

As a power-user and administrator of Google Apps for Education, the availability of extracting my work stored in various Google products is an important option. Although the school owns access to the account, all content, notes and hard work over the years is the end-users. Google has addressed a growing concern of many schools and made it quite easy to download a copy of your work using a simple tool. Users often transition either by graduating or leaving school and as the administrator of the Google Apps for Education program, rather than delete accounts and associated data, it is important that I offer every user the ability to save their content.  Read more…