Viewing: technology
Past, Present, Future: Assessments and Technology
“Grading, in kids’ brains, parents’ brains, administrators’ brains, and even teachers’ brains, is a final snapshot after which there is no beyond. But if we can start thinking about assessments as a means to drive feedback, NOW you’re on to something.”
Students, Sexting, and the threat to Ed Tech
Thanks to Scott McLeod for Twittering the following article from The Washington Post. It describes a terrible ordeal that an administrator went through battling charges of “failure to report suspected child abuse” and potential child pornography after students were caught sexting on
Spontaneous Public Displays of Art
I can’t wait to show my 8th Grade Honors class this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq6b9bMBXpg. It’s a great display of the act of spreading the arts publicly and on a huge scale. My students have been working all year on their
Teaching Secrets: Finding a Job That You Love
Know a teacher who got a pink slip? Maybe my newest post at Teacher Magazine can help. Click here for the article. It’s Step 1 of my Top Secret New Teacher Handbook. Hope it creates some shortcuts, a machete even,
A teacher’s duty?
So by now I assume we’ve all heard of the sanctioned “cage fighting” in a Dallas, TX school. As AP reports, school officials apparently condoned the use of a steel cage in which students could bare-knuckle fight their way towards
CUE Conference: Podcasting with 70 Middle Schoolers – RU Crazy?
So here’s my Keynote presentation for all of you who wanted to flip through it for some reminders. To open up my handouts, click here. Hope you all enjoyed the session, and feel free to drop me a line
How to be an Ed Tech Advocate
OK, guys. So I got it from the horse’s mouth at CUE. According to the ISTE Director of Governmental Affairs, No Child Left Behind is not going away. In the weeks leading up to the election, the Obama administration
Top 10: How to Take Control of Your Teaching
How can you take control of your teaching, both literally and internally? Read my Top 10 list that advises a teacher on how to get what you need in this demanding job of ours, how to survive it, and how to love it.
The Death of Teacher Conferences or I Can’t Believe I Miss My Canvas Bag
So, CATE (the California Association of Teachers of English) just came to an end. The hotel was lovely. All ran smoothly. We were greeted with smiles aplenty, and everything ran on time. Sheridan Blau, Kelly Gallagher, Carol Booth Olson, Taylor
“I Statements” in Expository Writing
This weekend I’m presenting at the CATE conference in Santa Clara, CA. It’s a session on developing high level, critical-thinking commentary in expository writing. My feeling is that great commentary is the Voice in Expository, it is the Show, Not
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
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
CUE update of my sessions
So I will be presenting again at CUE this year. My session, “Podcasting with 70 Middle Schoolers – RU Crazy?!” has received some great comments in the past and as I’ve tweaked the class, I’ve updated my presentation as well.
XWikiWorkspaces
I thought I’d share a little of what I’m doing in the classroom with XWikiWorkspaces. So, going off the frustrating fact that my district is blog-o-phobic, I was wracking my brain in how to teach internet literacy while still catering
Obama and World of Warcraft
Where were you when? It’s a question I asked my readers and my classes the day after the election, and you know what answer I heard the most often? Ironforge.
Grammar Snafu and Dances with the Stars
OK, I admit it. I’m a Dances with the Stars Fan. Although I do believe that the series has jumped the shark with the group hip-hop number two weeks ago (did we really need to see Cloris Leachman in short-shorts?),
“Hit a Jew” Day. Um, er…
I’m not sure what one can say about this latest story. AP reports that a number of students at a St Louis middle school are facing suspension for a spirit day gone awry. But how “Hug a Friend Day” de-evolved
When it works, it’s amazing!
I’m referring, of course, to my new Interactive Whiteboard. I think I’m going to name my second child Promethean.
Should a free education be unconditional?
So you know when you get your group of kids on the first day, there are those who immediately set off your alarms? Well, that definitely happened to me on my first day. I have a student who clearly needs
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Asking for Student Opinions Isn’t Risky, It’s Rewarding
By heather on January 24, 2009
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