“Tedxx Philadelphi talk should be required viewing in every teaching 101 course. All our classrooms would be such better places.” I saw this go by my twitter feed and others like. At face value* it assumes that if you watch, view or are aware of something it causes a change in behavior. If that were true our students would know so much more. We know from experience that is not true, a learner must interact with the information: think, talk,…
Yesterday I dropped my son off at camp and was catching up with old friends. I was asked several times about what I did. The conversation usually starts as follows. “What do you do?” “I am an educator.” “What do you teach?” In my head I say, “People” but my mouth says “I work with students and teachers on how to use a variety of tools to research, communicate, collaborate and share information.” Long ago I learned to skip the…
Those of you who follow this blog know that I have been experiencing a sift in my thinking about education over the last few years. Maybe not so much a shift but a clarification and redefining of what I mean by education, schooling and learning. I used to use these words almost interchangeably. But my experience as a parent, educator and, learner is teaching me that they are very different and sometimes in conflict. I also notice I am redefining…
Khan Academy, started out as one individual making math videos to help explain difficult concepts, it has grown 2,100 videos, and includes exercises and assessment. The mission, to provide high quality free education to anyone in the world. Topics focus primarily on math and science from elementary trough college levels. There are other topics related to business, finance and a growing history section. This site is well worth directing your students to or adding to any web enhanced learning environment….
Early this week I had the opportunity to spend the day at Google in Cambridge with technology administrators from MA. We met with Steve Vitner, Director Google Boston; Jamie Casap and Dana Nyugen, from the Google Apps for Education Team and; Abe Murray, project manager for Google Books. Part of the discussion centered around Google Apps for Education and the recent changes with administrating the service. We also discussed the need for people to enter the computer/information technology fields. But the…
To me the word question is essential to learning. A learner asks questions and seeks answers. Questioning leads to deeper understanding and increased knowledge. Questioning is essential to growth. Over the last few weeks this word had caught my attention in the news, my twitter feed, conversations and my rss reader. Questioning seems to have a more negative connotation then positive in my recent experience. I have been wondering if this impression prevents our students from asking questions. The Merriam-Webster…
I am moving into a new office space next week. It is a pretty nice space and has windows. I have been without a window for 5 years, at least now I’ll know if it is day or night. The office has been freshly painted and when confronted with all the wall space I was wondering how to decorate. What do you hang on the wall? What will inspire me when I feel the job is impossible and what will…