Below are some of the ideas and inspiration I gained during my 2nd day at the Future of Education Technology Conference: Using Technology to its Maximum Potential with the SAMR Model by Tammy Seneca (@Drtamssen) Sample technology enhanced lessons categorized by DOK & SAMR Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) It’s about increasing complexity not difficulty. … Continue reading #FETC Day 2: Ideas & Inspiration
Category: Ideas & Inspiration
#FETC Day 1: Ideas & Inspiration
My first day at the Future of Education Technology Conference (@FETC | #FETC) was jam packed with ideas on how to use technology to improve student learning. From past experience I've realized that many ideas that seem promising during a conference either collect dust on a bookshelf or are forever lost in Google Drive after the … Continue reading #FETC Day 1: Ideas & Inspiration
Creating a Growth Mindset: Revisited
I came across Carol Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success a few years ago. In my initial burst of excitement, I quickly created brief activities to introduce the growth mindset to my students by compiling short readings and asking students to reflect on their own views to see where they fall along the spectrum from fixed to growth. While … Continue reading Creating a Growth Mindset: Revisited
Election Day 2016: I take a vow
As a son of immigrants, I have lived the exceptional opportunities America provides. As a Social Studies teacher, I have praised the uniqueness of the 240 year democratic experiment that is America. On Election Day, November 8, 2016 I began to question my faith in America. My questions soon turned to self-doubt as to whether I had … Continue reading Election Day 2016: I take a vow
Critiquing Student Centered Learning
The growth of technology that allows people to easily access information and share it online has rekindled interest in an education model that is student centered. While such a model often appeals to students’ interests and leads to higher engagement, it does not always lead to deeper learning. Reflexive (student-centered) and didactic (lecture based) approaches … Continue reading Critiquing Student Centered Learning
Form should fit Function
Too often, especially technology enthusiasts like me, are excited to try the latest new feature our favorite website or app offers. Whether it is interactive multi-player review games on Quizlet & Kahoot or "advanced differentiated" digital reading programs, we're always looking for ways to engage our students and improve their learning. Technology can play a powerful … Continue reading Form should fit Function
Purposes of Education: Ken Robinson & First Day of School
I wanted to start the year not by talking about the course, class expectations or even much of myself. I feel that we---teachers along with students---rarely wonder what's the purpose of education. This idea was lingering in my mind all summer and I happened to see a Ken Robinson talk specifically on this topic. So, … Continue reading Purposes of Education: Ken Robinson & First Day of School
Purposes of a Liberal Education
A colleague just shared an article by William Cronon on the purposes of a Liberal Education. It eloquently argued what characteristics a liberally educated person should have (not what classes they should take or standards they should meet). The 10 traits Cronon identifies are: 1. They listen and they hear. 2. They read and they … Continue reading Purposes of a Liberal Education
Reflections from 2011-2012
The classrooms are empty, hallways silent and each final grade recorded. Yet, the school year feels incomplete. When I was younger and a student in school I was the type of person who was actually a little sad when school was over for the year. That student is still in my classroom. As sometimes happens, … Continue reading Reflections from 2011-2012
Reflections from 2012-2013
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians, Throughout the year teachers are constantly sharing what they know with students, learning from students and assessing what students learned. However, rarely do I find (or, more accurately, make) the time to think about and share what I learned. I want to get in the habit of doing that. So, … Continue reading Reflections from 2012-2013
Reflections on Teaching & Learning 