To Learn Twice

I am presenting tomorrow at TechForum Chicago on Social Media and Student Devices: Developing Guidelines We recently approved a new Acceptable Use Policy , which looks similar to the one from a few years ago. I believe this is a strong legal document, which we follow up with an email to students and staff that gives short highlights of what they should consider when following the AUP. You can read an example from the past and another in the coming weeks when I send out the updated version. We also strengthened our website policy to include guidelines and requirements when using social media. In my opinion the most important lines in all of these documents is referring to disciplining "actions that cause a disruption in the educational process". These are the types of actions, when appropriately documented are held up in court . We are in the process of getting a mobile phone policy approved, which we are piloting now , and I will post that policy after Board of Education ...

A question I have been asked several times over the past few months is what are the essential pieces of technology that have to be in a classroom to foster 21st century teaching and learning. With the ISTE conference coming up, and thousands of sales people reaching out for our limited technology dollars, what should we be focusing on purchasing? I am not a big believer that just adding technology changes instruction, but even the best craftsman likes a good set of tools. Here are my most important classroom technologies: 1. A computing device with reliable, fast, and open access (only filtering what CIPA requires) to the Internet. Even one of these devices in a classroom opens the world’s information and people to our students. 2. A projection device that is visible to all students in the room. This allows all of the students in the classroom to take advantage of the information on the computer at one time. 3. A Good set of speakers. This is an item that is often overlooked. Sound is ...

A long, long time ago... I can still remember How that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while. But February made me shiver With every paper I’d deliver. Bad news on the doorstep; I couldn’t take one more step. I can’t remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride, But something touched me deep inside The day the music Nings died. I was greeted this morning by an English department chair in all black. She is mourning the loss of Ning. Although yesterday’s announcement is not good news, it is not unexpected or the end of classroom collaboration in a social networking environment. My Grandfather was famous for using the saying “if it is too good to be true, it probably is” and I grew up hearing the phrase, so when it comes to stuff at no cost I am always cautious. For those of you that know me as Google Fan Boy #1” this may come as a surprise statement, but I always ...