Jan
29
2009
29
2009
Is EdTech changing how students think or is it addressing the changes in student thinking?
Science Daily is reporting that there has been a shift in how students are thinking as a result of their use of technology. They believe it possibly lowers critical thinking skills and analysis. Additionally, they wonder just how much schools ...
Jan
28
2009
28
2009
My New Interactive Whiteboard…an update
OK, you know when you get a new puppy and you love it and you couldn't live without it and then you find out it has hip dysplasia?
That's a little of what my relationship is like with my new ...
Jan
28
2009
28
2009
Congrats Neil Gaiman!
All hail the mighty Neil Gaiman! I can’t say that I actually called it, but I did recommend The Graveyard Book, did I not?
Yes, it seems The Sandman himself has gone and won the Newbery Award. So congrats from ...
Jan
25
2009
25
2009
Marketing Metacognition
So I just got the January MindWare catalogue and I realize that here we have a toy catalogue that is solely for metacognitive purchases. So this got me thinking: how can schools market metacognition? I realized, of course, that until ...
Jan
24
2009
24
2009
Asking for Student Opinions Isn’t Risky, It’s Rewarding
I was reading this great article from Slate Magazine about the cheese that is Billy Joel. And I thought back to many a car trip singing his "Themes from an Italian Restaurant." I also remembered just how many times I'd ...
Jan
23
2009
23
2009
Metacognitive Poetry: Writing About Thinking While Writing Lesson
Here's a great metacognitive lesson that integrates poetry. Or is it a poetry lesson that is metacognitive? (Shrug) I believe that good writing and great structure can be taught through mimicking great authors. Using this philosophy as my guide, my ...
Jan
20
2009
20
2009
Recalling your own Metacognition
I've been working on metacognitive lessons with my middle schoolers in an attempt to teach reflection and the act of thinking about thinking. Anyway, one of the most important elements in teaching about thinking is in your own remembering of ...
Jan
17
2009
17
2009
NewsHour with Jim Leher: Michelle Rhee
I recently watched John Merrow's interview with Michelle Rhee on the NewsHour. Michelle seems like a real mixed blessing for education. On one hand, she's willing to clean house, and education does seriously need it. On the other hand, however, ...
Jan
16
2009
16
2009
Skills vs. Strategies: UCI Writing Project Challenge
The UCI Writers Project has monthly meetings for its alumni where we discuss certain topics, bringing our field studies and expertise into the conversation. Last night we tackled an issue related to developing a common language: Skills vs. Strategies.
Many of ...
Jan
12
2009
12
2009
Sesame Street: Word on the Street
OK, so as I write this I'm watching Sesame Street with my 2 year old. This big-feathered muppet just announced that the Word on the Street is, get this...Struggle. I kid you not. I guess times are tough even on ...

