Something different is happening in my classroom this year. To start with my students are moving along faster, doing much more complicated work than I have ever had happen before. They are working through difficult technical issues with good, positive attitudes. Lots of “well that didn’t work, lets try this” types of things are happening.Continue reading “Is it Good Enough?”
Category Archives: Student engagement
Mom’s on the phone
This year our school district changed a policy concerning cell phones used by students. While there seems to be some contradictions, my understanding is that it is ok for students to have and use cell phones on campus, as long as they do not disrupt instruction. While some teachers are still taking phones from kidsContinue reading “Mom’s on the phone”
Paper, scissors, and glue. In high school.
For the last several years I have been on a one man campaign to end the use of scissors, glue, and cardboard trifold science fair type project boards in high school. It hasn’t been a very successful campaign. I reasoned that kids in high school should be creating things that look like those they willContinue reading “Paper, scissors, and glue. In high school.”
Giving Feedback
I have committed this year to do a better job of providing timely feedback for my students. I know that timely feedback is what makes or breaks a learning experience. When I was a child learning to ride a bike, I knew immediately when I made a mistake. I knew because I crashed and itContinue reading “Giving Feedback”
No More iPads
Innovative uses of edtech. The graduate school I attend has announced they are no longer providing iPads for their students. They gave two reasons; budget cuts, and they have observed students don’t use the iPads. No one can deny the impact of budget cuts, the school is also no longer going to loan textbooks- studentsContinue reading “No More iPads”
What’s this Minecraft stuff all about?
Last weekend I was lurking in another Twitter chat. This time it was #CAedchat, a weekly chat that happens Sunday nights at 8:00 PM. Many educators I highly respect participate in it. This particular evening the topic was gaming in the classroom, something I have no experience in, so I didn’t have a lot toContinue reading “What’s this Minecraft stuff all about?”
So THATS what good teaching looks like.
This year I have been spending one day a week at an elementary school as part of my administrative credential program. At first I was a bit apprehensive; I am a high school teacher, I have no interest or knowledge in the k-8 world. I have found the experience to be very interesting. I am learningContinue reading “So THATS what good teaching looks like.”
Fall CUE
This weekend was the 2012 FallCUE conference. First a huge tip ‘o the hat to Jon Corippo for the ride to the conference. I wouldn’t have been able to attend on Friday at all without Jon’s generosity. Another tip ‘o the hat to Wayne Stagnarro for pushing me to attend. FallCUE has only been around a few years. ThereContinue reading “Fall CUE”
The teacher desk
The Saga of My Teacher Desk. At the close of the last school year the decision was made that I would change rooms. The old room I was in was a computer lab with rows of fairly new tables designed for computers. It looked really nice for the casual observer; nice straight rows of tables, comfortable rollingContinue reading “The teacher desk”
Pro Points
I was working on an assignment today for the school culture class I am taking as part of the Admin Credential program at Teachers College of San Joaquin. I was supposed to be writing a vision statement. Researching that brought me to the web site of Minarets High School in O’neals, California. Minarets is one ofContinue reading “Pro Points”
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