Teachers tend to be hoarders. We collect stuff and information that may be useful in some project or lesson in the future. My husband and I were discussing how we use to have file cabinets full of photocopies and articles torn out of Nature and Scientific American. We had boxes of cardboard rolls, tin cans and jars. I understood how to organized my paper files and physical things. There was really only paper in file cabinets, and books and videos…
I have this thing about words. Words have meaning and though these meanings change over time, words are essential in conveying ideas. I also tend to approach information from the perspective of a scientist looking over data and evidence. In a recent workshop (for non- educators) Critical Thinking and the Development of a Theory, we explored how theories change over time with new technologies, information and experiences. We looked over several theories from plate tectonics to climate change. Those conversations have…
I spend a lot of time on websites, particularly school websites. I love some websites, they have a clean look, intuitive organization and I can find what I want quickly without interferance. Others I avoid like the plague they are hard on the eyes, and the mind. I can never find what I want and all the pop up advertising and suggestions get in my way. Today I was at the gym running on a treadmill – The TV…
Pre- Reading My thoughts below are inspired by the following: Cast your NETS by Andrew Vicars Really? Its my Job to Teach Technology? by Jeff Utecht. My Thoughts I am a tech integration specialist, my title says my job is to integrate technology, presumably that means in the classroom. But I tend to think of myself more as an instructional or learning coach. It has never been about the tools, but about the learning. As educators I have always viewed …
Over the last two weeks I have had the opportunity to attend some workshops on the iPad in general and for use with those who have special needs. I have come away more solidified in my vision of the use of iPads in schools The iPad is a game changer when it comes to supporting differentiated instruction and universal design in learning. I know there are other devices out there but Apple made a commitment to accessibility a long time ago and continues to…
I guess I am currently sensitive to the ‘homework” issue. I wanted to share with you a post by Scott McLeod, Homework Authoritarianism and Student Choice. I was particularly struck by the section regarding college vs high school work expectations. Here in MA schools must provide a minimum of 990 hrs of structured instruction over a 180 day school year. That works out to be about 27.5 hrs a week of structured instruction, this is exclusive of study, lunch, homeroom and passing time. So a typical HS student is in an…
Earlier this week I spent a good chunk of time in a waiting room at Children’s Hospital Boston. The patients ranged in age from infants to the early 20’s. One thing was common for all the school/college age children, everyone was doing homework and every parent, myself included, was trying to get their child to focus on schoolwork. I heard echoes of the following: “Please just get your homework done, I don’t need another call” “You are missing lots of…