Recent articles
Gamify any lesson, class or curriculum
02/07/2019
Topics: Gamification, Gaming
I'm not a gamer, never even owned a console. That's probably why I'd never been very interested in game-based learning and was not excited when I found myself…
There's more to digital equity than devices and bandwidth
10/03/2018
Topics: 1:1, Assistive and adaptive technologies, Augmented reality, BYOD, Computational Thinking, Curriculum, Education leadership, Gamification, Gaming, Makerspaces, Mobile learning, Personalized Learning, professional learning, Project-based learning, Robotics, STEM & STEAM, Technology infrastructure, Tools
The past decade has seen a narrowing of the digital divide when it comes to two things: the number of devices in classrooms and the Wi-Fi that transforms these devices into powerful learning tools.
But it’s premature to say the digital playing field has been leveled.…
Students build coding skills block by block
04/19/2018
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Gaming, Robotics
New knowledge is constructed by building on what we already know, making connections by tinkering with new combinations of familiar blocks.
In the same way that a musician improvises new melodies, or a poet constructs new juxtapositions of sounds, words and images, students…
Use Dungeons & Dragons to engage all students!
03/14/2018
Topics: Assistive and adaptive technologies, Gaming
Groog's dark knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip around the handle of his war hammer. Battle. He could smell it coming. He had followed his compatriots into deadly situations before and they had always been victorious. Would this time be any different?
A kidnapped prince, a…
Can Minecraft teach team building?
02/13/2018
Topics: Digital Citizenship, Gaming
It was October. My Introduction to Computer Science class had been meeting for two months, and we were deep into a discussion about game design. One of my students gestured casually at the student across the room. “That’s right! I agree with what… what’s-his-name said over there.”…
Top 13 ISTE Blog posts of 2017
12/29/2017
Topics: Augmented reality, Gaming
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2017 has been quite a year. Virtual reality, global citizenship, a solar…
Weigh in on the ISTE Standards for Administrators
12/18/2017
Topics: Assistive and adaptive technologies, Augmented reality, Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Education leadership, Gamification, Gaming, Literacies, Makerspaces, Personalized Learning, professional learning, Project-based learning, Robotics, STEM & STEAM
“Leaders get people moving. They energize and mobilize. They take people and organizations to places they have never…
Focus on equity to ensure that all students are 'computer science material'
12/07/2017
Topics: Assistive and adaptive technologies, Augmented reality, Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Gamification, Gaming, Literacies, Makerspaces, Personalized Learning, professional learning, Project-based learning, Robotics, STEM & STEAM
With the dire need for computer science (CS) skills in today’s workforce, one would think that every school in the nation would have a robust CS program. But sadly, almost half of U.S.…
Teach kids computer science through design and inquiry
12/04/2017
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Gaming, Robotics
I first discovered computer science (CS) and coding more than 20 years ago while completing my undergraduate work. Little did I know that one day CS would be the …
3 powerful words can unlock computer science success
07/31/2019
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Gaming, Robotics
I was reminded recently of the three powerful words that capture the everyday miracles of learning and teaching. It happened as my sixth graders were just beginning to create ordered and unordered lists during their first lessons in HTML. All at once, I heard a chorus of voices exclaim…