I will preface this by saying what you are about to read is a bit of a rant...
... being concerned about using Flash is like worrying the photocopier wont print all your student worksheets...
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The UFT's Standardized Test
I will preface this post by saying this is not intended to be a pro vs anti teachers’ union piece. The intention is to get some feedback on some things that dawned on me recently, during the New York City/United Federation of Teachers negotiations regarding teacher evaluations....
Monday, February 4, 2013
Crowdsource Your Professional Development
One of the biggest dilemmas facing all teachers, administrators, and the field of k-12 educational education in general is how to provide enough professional development, frequently enough, to truly benefit your staff.
As with everything in education there are no easy answers, there is no perfect solution, and of course, there is often no funding. All that said, none of those are reasons to not provide professional development opportunities; the key is to think of professional development a little differently...
As with everything in education there are no easy answers, there is no perfect solution, and of course, there is often no funding. All that said, none of those are reasons to not provide professional development opportunities; the key is to think of professional development a little differently...
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The #edtech Platform Wars - iOS vs Andoid, Mac vs Windows
I’m a Mac guy. I make no bones about it and absolutely no apologies. I am a fan-boy, a geek, a Kool-Aid drinker -- whatever it is you feel like calling me, I freely admit to it. However, when it comes to spending technology money in my school, and evaluating technology for the educational setting, I put those feelings aside and look for the best, most efficient and cost effective strategy possible. And the one that fits within our purchasing guidelines... Nothing kills innovation faster than bureaucracy...
Friday, November 2, 2012
Tech Coordinator & Tech Teacher: Why you need both & why they both need to teach...
Takeaway: In 2012 it is imperative students & staff have the benefit of dedicated professionals on both sides of the technology aisle, a computer teacher & a tech coordinator supporting staff with implementation. It's also important both positions work together & share duties, to best integrate technology througout the school community...
Most schools these days have a computer teacher. Or a technology coordinator. Sometimes both are the same person. Some schools have neither. It is imperative that all schools have both, not only in title, but two different people doing the two vastly different tasks. But they both need to teach...
Most schools these days have a computer teacher. Or a technology coordinator. Sometimes both are the same person. Some schools have neither. It is imperative that all schools have both, not only in title, but two different people doing the two vastly different tasks. But they both need to teach...
The Teacher-Centered iPad Deployment
Takeaway: With a tendency to resist change and askew technology, sometimes it's wise it introduce it gradually, with direct benefit to teachers, before rolling out to students. Teacher excitement & buy-in goes a long way to a successful student program
The last few years have seen a boom in the idea, terminology, and philosophy of the “student centered” or “child centered” classroom - basically, taking the teacher and making them secondary to the learning environment, crafting the room and the instruction around the needs of the students, not those of the teacher. It is easy to argue one way or the other. When I rolled out the iPad program at my school, PS 10 in Brooklyn, I was 100% the ardent supporter of the “teacher centered” model. When it came to iPads, students took a back seat.
The last few years have seen a boom in the idea, terminology, and philosophy of the “student centered” or “child centered” classroom - basically, taking the teacher and making them secondary to the learning environment, crafting the room and the instruction around the needs of the students, not those of the teacher. It is easy to argue one way or the other. When I rolled out the iPad program at my school, PS 10 in Brooklyn, I was 100% the ardent supporter of the “teacher centered” model. When it came to iPads, students took a back seat.
No, I Don’t Teach Typing
Takeaway: After years of the same question, I felt it was high time I answered the question, and explained my rational. No, I don't teach typing...
Every year, at least a dozen times a year, I get asked if I “teach typing.” Why do I place that in quotation marks? Because in general, when people ask, they are referring to basic keyboarding skills. Home keys and such. And no, I don’t “teach typing.” But that doesn’t mean I don’t teach students how to type. But what is more important is that I teach far more than typing. I see students once a week and in my professional opinion, with over nine years’ experience as a computer teacher, “teaching typing” is a waste of time. Time is better spent on technical skills, core technology knowledge base, and creative productivity.
Every year, at least a dozen times a year, I get asked if I “teach typing.” Why do I place that in quotation marks? Because in general, when people ask, they are referring to basic keyboarding skills. Home keys and such. And no, I don’t “teach typing.” But that doesn’t mean I don’t teach students how to type. But what is more important is that I teach far more than typing. I see students once a week and in my professional opinion, with over nine years’ experience as a computer teacher, “teaching typing” is a waste of time. Time is better spent on technical skills, core technology knowledge base, and creative productivity.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Bookmarks via PS10iPads
The latest and greatest bookmarks from the PS10iPads shared Diigo group...
- Dropbox, the app we all (at least many of us) know and love, has a plethora of advanced uses to make life so much easier in managing data between multiple computers and online. We’ve posted several roundups of tips and tricks for Dropbox and now we present our ultimate toolkit and guide.
We’ve pulled all our tips and tricks together and added quite a few more. Additionally, share your Dropbox tips and tricks and we’ll update the list to share the fun with everyone. - This Google Site has been set up by Dr. Helen Barrett to focus on the use of Google Apps to create ePortfolios. On this site, there are instructions on how to use the different elements of Google Apps to maintain e-portfolios.
- A great list of tools & resources for effective internet searches with students
- Wikisapces: "Which is why we created our brand-new YouTube channel for all our video tours and instructional videos. Not only because it gives us a handy place to share tips and instructions that might be too confusing to describe in just words, but because it lets you, our users, share these videos with your members."
- A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet
- Dropbox is a very useful tool to store online files, sync your computers and mobile devices and share files. With all those capabilities it makes it a natural tool for educators!
Friday, March 23, 2012
European Art HD - iPad app with 800 works of art
Takeaway: Another great app recommendation, currently free, from the art teacher, Joe Peterson, here at P. S. 10...
Mr. Joe, as I mentioned previously, is not only an art app connoisseur but he uses his iPad constantly, fully integrating in within his instructional framework. So, when Mr. Joe forwards an app suggestion I listen and download...
SketchBook Pro for iPad - on sale!
Takeaway: A great app recommendation, currently discounted, from the art teacher, Joe Peterson, here at P. S. 10...
Mr. Joe, as he is known, has already maxed out a 16 GB iPad and is on his way to maxing out his 64 GB (not sure what we'll give him when that happens...). He is not only an art app connoisseur but he uses his iPad throughout the day for demonstrations, tactile interaction, as an overall added resource to a traditional art classroom. He usually ends the day with about 27% of battery life left...
Mr. Joe, as he is known, has already maxed out a 16 GB iPad and is on his way to maxing out his 64 GB (not sure what we'll give him when that happens...). He is not only an art app connoisseur but he uses his iPad throughout the day for demonstrations, tactile interaction, as an overall added resource to a traditional art classroom. He usually ends the day with about 27% of battery life left...
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