Katie's Blog

From this: Image: Huffpost.com To This: Image: Personal Photo Smartphones Our technology world has developed so quickly over the last few generations.   I love this infographic from  McCrindle.com .  In this infographic one part that I enjoy looking at is the timeline showing the incoming and outgoing technology.  I remember the days of transiting from a walkman to a discman.  A CD meant you could switch to whichever song you wanted to hear and not fast forward/rewind hoping you land on that song.  But the discman skipped a lot so that made way for digital storage of music as MP3s.  Cellphones to smartphones shows the transition from a large "Zac Morris" sized phones to now ones that can connect us to the whole world.  As I look at the end I think so much about what is ahead for us as a society especially my children.    I see lots of students on their phones in the morning and after school (with a little sneaking in their lock...

  Image: Glowforge Active Learning Active Learning is a term that I have embraced in my classroom.  But what is active learning?  University of MN: Center for Educational Innovation discusses that active learning should involve lots of student engagement and allow students to be active in their learning.  Rather then seeing students as a glass to fill, students are able to fill the glass themselves.  The students should be "writing, talking, problem solving, or reflecting".  In the active learning continuum there is a progression from simple (doing a quick reflection ) to complete which involves Forum Theater or Inquiry learning.      Project I have been fortunate to have a Glowforge in my classroom.   This is a laser cutter that is able to cut pieces using a few different options and materials.  Students are able to cut, engage or score their designs.  My amazing PTO paid for this piece of equipment and it is has been a...

Image: Memes.com My Computer Usage Using social media, applications and programs has become an engrained part of our society.  I watch my students on their phone during the morning and after school.  I wonder what they are looking at or who they might be texting when I catch them using it in their locker.  I have always joked that I was one of the weird generations that was a digital native immigrant.  We had technology around enough I could pick it up quickly but I was introduced to it later then other natives.  When I look at my own usage, I see the story of a working teacher mom who owns a business.  David White  describes visitor mode as "individuals that do not leave any social media trace".  Many people will look at or do what they need to complete and then get off.  Resident mode, on the other hand, are individuals that look to have a large social media present with a large degree of visibility.   I found his explanation and ...

  Image: Personal Photos Trends in Ed Tech Project based learning is a wonderful way to help bring technology into the classroom.  In the article ISTE   the author discusses how this helps students to dive deeper into topics and help bring the classroom to life.  PBL Works  discusses how this helps students to engage in learning that is meaningful to them and has a longer impact then other methods of teaching.  They also point to this method as a way to help level the educational playing field for students by providing an enriching environment that all students can access.   3D Printing Check out my video about using a 3D printer in schools to support more project based learning.   Additional Resources New Study Show the Impact of PBL on Student Achievement PBL Works Guide to 3D Printing in Education The Resurgence of 3D Printers in Modern Learning Environments 7 benefits of using 3D printing technology in Education

Image: Smithsonian Magazine Oooo Technology!  Not to age myself by I always thought I would be living like the Jetsons at this point but it seems we are a bit away from the flying cars and a robot named Rosie that is doing all of the chores around the house.  Teaching with technology is a double edge sword.  I love having 1:1 technology so students can research something right away or look at a video clip for background research on a particular topic.   But just like any rabbit hole - my students can get lost in it!  It is so easy for them start clicking and suddenly class is over.   I have been fortunate that during my time as a teacher I have been able to grow with education technology instead of having to integrate it after the fact.  I am considered a digital immigrant but most of the time I don't feel that way.  My current district is one of the fortunate ones that has money and support in technology spending.  While other dist...