With online assessments coming down the pike, especially the “big one” from Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), after some research, I wanted to squelch fears about properly setting up a Google Chromebook for the administration of the exams. Fortunately, our fifth graders will pilot the computer-based PARCC exam early next year, allowing myself to iron out any wrinkles before an official roll-out. Our middle school students are very comfortable using Chromebooks and after a little digging, it’s nice to know Google Chromebooks are comfortable with online assessments. Read more…
Google Scripts Needs Major Update
After a recent discussion on twitter surrounding Google Scripts, I thought it would be wise to take the discussion beyond 140-characters. As much as we all love twitter, without enough space to type up a more formal response, thoughts can can be misconstrued! Lucky there are blogs…
For many educators and administrators, the suite of tools provided by Google Apps for Education has become something of a must-have. Google Apps for Education is feature rich for everyone involved and unmatched in education today. Read more…
Changing Product Key in Windows 7
Before I get into changing the product key on Windows 7 using the command prompt, I wanted to share an excellent method for technology departments on small budgets to save time and money when it comes to the dreaded process of imaging.
We recently purchased (18) Dell 2120 netbooks, running Windows 7, for our third and fourth grade cart. The Dell 2120 is a sturdy, easy to use netbook, that is perfect for running the basics in an educational environment. When I order a batch of Dell’s, whether is be 18 or 100, I love to use a free and wonderful product called CloneZilla. Read more…
Power of Constructivism in Project-Based Learning
What is the appeal of project-based learning? Buried inside, this approach is deeply rooted in how we learn. Working in groups to tackle real-world problems and to think at a higher level is apart of the human experience. It’s natural. Each day I come across tremendous lessons from my professional learning network on twitter that incorporates a “new way” of going about learning at school. Projects that made you wish you were young again. At the core of project based learning (and constructivism) is the power and responsibility that students are the center of their own learning, through primary, first-hand accounts.
Project-based learning is deeply tied to this theory and is an approach the education system should begin to look at to engage students at a deeper level. Read more…
Classify, Graph Collected Data with Google, iPads
First graders have taken a strong liking to our iPad’s at school and are strong creators and bloggers with an iPad as a tool. Typically, iPad’s are consuming devices at this age, however I wanted to share a basic math lesson over the course of three days, that touches on the Massachusetts Math Frameworks, incorporating both iPads and Google Docs. The Google Docs side of this lesson is exciting because of the ease of which a teacher is able to create and share. The teacher will need either a personal Gmail account or Google Apps for Education account to create a Form, Document and a Presentation. Read more…