I have been quite busy preparing for a major PD initiative in supporting an ever expanding number of Chromebooks and more innovated use of Google Tools. I have to say Google has created a large number of pathways to learn it’s apps and to test ones knowledge. I like the idea of tests and certification on these tools. It would be a wonderful thing if schools using google apps required their teachers and new hires to be google certified teachers….
As soon as one school year ends it is time to get ready for the next. For me that means that I start getting materials ready for new teacher orientation and set up new professional development for the teachers. This year we are developing our self-serve PD using Schoology and will be adding badges to mark staff successful completion of the various topics. In prepping my material I review the old sites we recommend for teachers, as well as, look…
Many districts today struggle with finding the right tool for the right job, in teaching and learning there are different jobs; with the advent of PARCC, a computer given assessment, the need for schools to acquire new technology is great. There is vigorous debate about what that tool should be. If you do any reading along this line you know people are passionate about their choice of device. Honestly the device is last thing to be considered. Just…
I am putting the finishing touches on presentation materials for the upcoming MassCUE 2013 conference. If you are in the area and able to attend it is a well run and worth your time. I always walk away having learned new skills and strategies to promote deep learning. I learn a lot and it keeps me thinking and reflecting on my instructional practice for months to come. This year I am co-presenting with Kristin Cannistraro at teacher of the visually…
As we are all well aware iOS 7 was released earlier this week. Change is inevitable; it is pure excitement and joy for some but not always easy for others. As any provider of tech support knows our focus is on the later. Apparently we know all the answers even though we are seeing the new iOS for the first time as well. Thankfully there are those excited to explore and test out the iOS and share their findings. Can’t…
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 took some time the last week to organizing my digital life, really clean it up. It can get a bit unruly and combersome. I gather information from twitter, plurk, google+ and my rss feeds in my reader. I post occasionally in them as well. I feel disconnected, disorganized and distracted. I spent time looking for one tool that would let me collect and share from a single place. But nothing seems to do it all. I thought about…