In classrooms in the United States the responsibility for making technology work is placed squarely on the classroom teacher's back. Quite a load to carry by one's self! But in this week's blog post we describe a collaboration strategy — Twitter chats — that some educators are using to help each other in figuring out effective and productive ways to use technology in their classrooms. Maybe you and your colleagues should organize a Twitter chat!
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 06/18/14
Synchronous collaboration is a key 21st century skill that needs to be included in the curriculum. Easier said than done! But, WeMap, a collabrified concept mapping app for iPads (and Android tablets), scaffolds students working together simultaneously. And, as we describe in today’s blog post, even first-graders can work collaboratively in producing curricularly appropriate concept maps!
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 06/04/14
Income inequality, in its various guises, dominates the news these days. But one surefire way to address income inequality — a way that is fundamental to the democratic experiment — has virtually disappeared from view. Where is education? We educators must take the lead in returning education to its rightful place — front and center — in the Great American Conversation!
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 05/27/14
Spurred on by the President's ConnectED initiative, the FCC is moving to prioritize WiFi over outdated technology, and there's still time for districts to speak up about what they need.
- By Geoffrey H. Fletcher
- 05/22/14
This week's blog marks an amazing, unprecedented event: the editors of the New York Times chose a picture, with accompanying story, of three children learning to program for the front page, above the fold, smack-dab in your face, of the May 11, 2014 Sunday edition of the New York Times. So, what’s this all-of-a-sudden hub-bub about learning to program, anyhow? Read on!
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 05/13/14
While there are issues with the Common Core State Standards, 2+2=4, the water cycle, the War of 1812 and Captain Ahab are all the same in Georgia, California, New Hampshire, Michigan – and even Texas. There are, then, defacto national educational standards. In an era of diminishing resources, does it make sense, then, that each state – and each district – should spend those precious resources developing their own curricula that align with the CCSS? NO! We need to tell politicians to stop using our children as pawns in their political games! Let’s be reasonable, not political, for a change.
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 05/07/14
Like many teachers, I was resistant to using technology at the start. I didn’t use any technology my first two years in the classroom (except the days my administrator would evaluate me and, for those days, I would throw together a PowerPoint!). Now I am lucky to work with some amazing districts, schools, administrators and teachers around the world who are revolutionizing education. Here are the first three reasons I don’t think I can be a great teacher without using mobile technology in my classroom.
- By Zachary Walker
- 04/30/14
With apologies to Jonathan Swift, I approve the telecom giant's acquisition of Time Warner Cable — with one big condition.
- By Christopher Piehler
- 03/19/14
This week we explore a recently published book: The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. In a nutshell: “Computers ... are doing for mental power ... what the steam engine and its descendants did for muscle power.” And the steam engine "was ... the biggest and fastest transformation in the entire history of the world.” Buckle up!
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 04/21/14
In this week's blog we recognize the profession of teaching. We introduce our readers to the blogs of two teachers — a veteran blogger and a newbie blogger. Both are demonstrating the highest of professional skills: reflection. If you are a teacher-blogger, tell us about it, please!
- By Cathie Norris, Elliot Soloway
- 04/09/14