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…
End of the Computer Lab is Near
The simple fact is, the traditional computer lab is nearly extinct. There are still districts where computer labs are able to roam free, but the setup no longer connects students to the curriculum. If by chance your students still rely on a computer lab, let’s hope your district is laying down plans for a major update, including mobile labs or even a 1:1 program. If your school is standing by a traditional computer lab vision, I would love to know why.
Learning and creating should be taking place 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…