Eclectic Technology

"Raise the bar. Set new goals. Ask your students to do things they might not think they can do at first. Give them the freedom to get creative. To design. To solve problems. To justify their opinions. Then, they’ll turn around and out-think you. They’ll come up with ideas and solutions that you hadn’t even considered. They’ll lead you in a new direction. They’ll make you want to replan, revise, and reflect. Then you’ll feel like you are struggling. That’s when you know you’ll be growing, too. That’s called being a teacher."

This piece was inspired by a heated discussion I had with a man who believes that teachers have an easy job. Please feel free to share it with others if you agree with the message.

Although published in 2010 the sentiments of this piece still ring true. 

Are you interested in project-based learning (PBL) & looking for a guide that will help you learn how to design & run projects for students, projects that begin with an enquiry & finish with a tangible project that you may display? If so, this may be the guide you are waiting for. It contains six main sections: Section 1 is an introduction which explains what PBL is; Section 2 provides inspiration with real life projects and how they worked; Section 3 looks at the foundations of PBL – multiple drafts, critique and exhibition; Section 4 helps you execute with a guide for planning & running projects; Section 5 focuses on integration & how to build a ‘culture of excellence’; & Section 6 helps to wrap it up.

There are so many buzzwords today...a list that goes on...and on...and on. What words do you want your students to see in your classroom? Here is an image with six phrases that you might want to use in your classroom. As Krissy Vensodale states in her post "Buzz words aren’t going to fix education. We are. One day at a time. By doing what’s right for our kids in our classrooms. Not just because it’s a popular word. Because it’s what matters." 

If you are feeling that you are stuck in rut and need to be more creative here are 101 "tips to change your usual mental patterns,"

How about;
* Taking a walk and looking for something interesting.

* Opening up the dictionary to find a new word and then use the word in a sentence. 

* Taking a different route to school.

Another 98 ideas are available in the post!

"Jordan Hilkowitz is layering household products into a beaker for his latest science experiment. Right beside his mom’s coffeemaker on the kitchen counter, he is preparing a video entitled Layers and Density, describing each step for his 3,800 YouTube channel subscribers and more than 1.5-million viewers. It’s an extraordinary feat considering that five years ago, the 10-year-old autistic boy was non-verbal.

Jordan, better known as Doctor Mad Science, also has an audience of researchers who are intrigued by the fact that social media could be useful therapy for children with autism."

Quoting from Zac:

On the first day of English class our teacher said something along the lines of "we use iPads and technology a great deal in this class." I was ecstatic about this and couldn't help but think to myself: "Awesome, this (English class) should be easy enough."

I couldn't bring myself to take the concept of using technology in the class seriously--more than likely because I've been taught all of my life that technology is not meant for the clasroom..."

Read on for some insights from Zac, as well as some responses from his teacher! 

A 9 year old boy - who built an elaborate cardboard arcade inside his dad's used auto part store - is about to have the best day of his life.

Creativity, inspiration, design...this nine year old follows his passion...with support from his father!