I’m someone who constantly uses new technology and tries out new tools to see what will work for me, and for my teachers. Yet, there are often times that I…
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Why are you using technology? Or more importantly, how are you using technology to better the learning in your classroom and/or school? If you are like me, then you’ve had…
One of the most often used models for technology integration in education is the SAMR Model. Here is a quick overview for those that may not be familiar: [footnote] Source: http://www.schrockguide.net/uploads/3/9/2/2/392267/5805548.jpg?579…
I’ve been around a lot of 1:1 initiatives in schools. As a teacher, I was around when Classrooms for the Future started, and when my former district went 1:1 laptops…
I leaned over the shoulder of a student in the library. She was quietly working with headphones in, and completely focused. What caught my attention is that she would continually…
Note: I’m halfway through a series of blog posts answering the question, “Does education really need to change?” This is like a half-time post. It is hopefully an unexpected surprise!…
Note: This is the first post in a four-part series. You can read the second, third, and fourth articles in the series here. The year was 2007. I was a relatively…
You ever have one of those moments where you wonder what you are doing with your life? I mean, at the very least, you are like me and have had…
I recently had the opportunity to Keynote the University of Pennsylvania Literacy Network’s Winter Symposium. Penn Literacy Network founder Mort Botel (who was also a former President of the International Reading…
This is the first post in a three-part series on “Intentional Innovation”, specifically for education. Stay tuned for the second post, “The Intentional Innovation Manifesto” and the third post, “PLASMA:…
It’s been five years since I joined Twitter. To be honest, I didn’t know what Twitter was all about when I joined. I knew that I wanted to share what…
Last week I asked you to fill out a survey about professional development. Many of you (342 to be exact) took time to fill out this survey and share your…
I want to build an app. And I need your help in creating it. I know you may think, “He’s not talking about me”, but yes, I am talking about…
“This atmosphere of excitement, arising from imaginative consideration, transforms knowledge. A fact is no longer a bare fact: it is invested with all its possibilities. It is no longer a…
I’ve heard this question in various forms many different times: How is technology going to save education? Radio and TV were going to save education, but of course they didn’t. They…
I’m the new guy at our school district, and this is my first administrative role in a school. Let me first say that it is a lot of hard work,…
I recently lead a team of six Middle School teachers and our Middle School Principal on a school visit. We are just starting a Chromebook pilot with our 6th, 7th,…
I’m not a programmer, but I’m a bit of a “hacker”. I learned how to build websites without learning code. I’ve made logos without really understanding design. And I enjoy…
Sometimes we act like professional development is hard. It doesn’t have to be. Sometimes we treat professional development like a chore. It should be fun, engaging, and wanted. As a…
Google changes everything. And, everything is going to change because of Google. There is no other company (except maybe Tesla and SpaceX) that I have more trust in to change…
Maybe you don’t “get” Snapchat. Maybe you do. In any case, everyone has shared opinions on the report that Snapchat turned down a $3 billion offer from Facebook. As a…
I’m a big fan of WordPress. I believe it is the best option for blogging and content creation on the web. And I’m not alone. WordPress now powers almost 19%…
A couple of years ago I wanted to “quantify” my life as a teacher. That is, I set out to detail how much time I spent grading, planning, conferencing, talking…
If you follow my blog, or connect with me on Twitter, you’ll know that we are in the middle of the 20% Project MOOC. This course has been amazing thus…
With the influx in educational technology over the past decade, many schools, communities, and leaders have missed the point. Most often I hear that they want educational technology to do…
In the past six months I’ve launched four different ebooks for EducationIsMyLife.com. We’ve had great success in getting our readers to share and spread the ebook before launch. What’s been…
I love how teachers and thought leaders have been sharing resources and ideas on blogs the past ten years. It has taken the field of education from a “closed door”…
Summer is coming…quicker than we think. As a teacher I always love summer, because it is a time to decompress, reflect on the year, and plan ahead for the new…
1. It is the “foreign language” of the future. Forget Chinese and Spanish as being the top two foreign languages students should learn. In a few years we will all…
When the iPhone became a reality education changed forever. Teachers, professors, and parents no longer had control over the flow of information. Smart phones gave students access to information whenever…
Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage just literally 20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery and I promise you something great will come of it. – We Bought…
1. ISTE puts on a good show. I’ve been to other ISTE conferences and they always put on a good show. This was similar but on a more intimate level….
Lately I’ve been obsessing over the future of education. That has included a lot of research and time spent analyzing trends in technology, especially those that will impact the education…
I ENVY the design community. I am JEALOUS of the programmer/developer community. Want to know why? It’s simple: They thrive on sharing, collaborating, and improving their field. I know a…
Currently there is a gap between what students at the secondary and post-secondary levels are learning about human rights violations, and what is being done to stop them. Many humanities’…
I’ve been blessed to be in a school district that has embraced technology, provided our staff with Macbooks and Smartboards, and just approved a Netbook 1-to-1 initiative. I’ve worked with…
