Group items tagged

"By recognizing that our prior experience with ICT had created paradigms that constrained our thinking, we are starting to glimpse new learning opportunities made possible by one-to-one integration of iPads. Rather than viewing iPads as substitutes for other technologies (including paper), it is our view that iPads can be used as tools and environments for learning that allow for deeper and more diverse engagements.  Our journey with iPads in learning continues."

"Recently, I had the unfortunate experience of dealing with criticism.  I was told (not to my face) by a visitor to our school that our library makerspace is not a "real makerspace".  This same person stated that our woodshop is a "real makerspace" because it has power tools.  She even suggested that I "do some research" on what makerspaces actually are. Feeling personally insulted aside, what bothers me most about this statement is the concept that some makerspaces are more valid than others and that a makerspace is solely defined by the tools it contains.  I do agree that our woodshop is a makerspace, even though we don't call it that. Our woodshop is awesome, and I'm so glad that we have a space where students can learn how to use saws, drills and other tools to build awesome projects as part of their curriculum.  Yes, that is a makerspace. But is my space any less of a makerspace simply because it doesn't have power tools?  Because it doesn't have a 3D printer?  Because my students build with LEGOs, K'nex and cardboard?"

"I was at a friends house and saw their child working on a math worksheet for Algebra. THIRTY SIX exponents problems. Take a look at this website with an image of math work from 1898. It is almost exactly the same thing! Over ONE HUNDRED years later and students are doing the same assignments?! Let's teach like it is 2017 not 1900!  "

"There is also a lot to like about iOS. It's a lean, mean operating system. It's use of sandboxing keeps it relatively clutter free. iOS doesn't do a lot, but it's pretty good at what it does do. That said, deploying iPads at any kind of scale is just short of maddening. While the process of tapping around to install one app on one iPad isn't too bad, installing a dozen apps on hundreds iPads isn't a particularly appealing way to spend a month. If you are going to deploy iPads at scale, you need a strategy. You need a battle plan. In addition, you will also need to stay hydrated. I don't think I've discovered the silver bullet, but I'll share some of my experiences with you in order to, hopefully, shorten the learning curve."