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:May 20, 2014 Comments: No Comments Categories: Digital Portfolio M.Ed. Program Technology

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…

Posted on:May 15, 2014 Comments: No Comments Categories: M.Ed. Program Technology

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…

Posted on:April 15, 2014 Comments: 2 Comments Categories: M.Ed. Program Professional Development Technology

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…

Posted on:March 5, 2014 Comments: No Comments Categories: M.Ed. Program Technology

End of the Computer Lab is Near

A simple idea formed in my head…the traditional computer lab is nearly extinct. There are still districts where computer labs can roam free, but the setup no longer connects students to the curriculum and where the learning occurs. If, by chance, your students still rely on a computer lab, let’s hope your district is planning a significant update, including mobile labs or even a 1:1 program. If your school stands by a traditional computer lab vision, I would love to know why.

Learning and creating could occur in a lab, but likely best in your classroom, in small spaces, on comfy chairs, on a rug in the library, outside on the grass, in the comfort of the student’s home, on the bus, etc. The model has shifted away from a computer lab. Read more…

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…