“The Standard Model” of education is a theme that has bee developed on this blog. See these posts: The (Overturned) Standard Mode of Education Alternatives to the Standard Model of Education This posts continues the theme with an excerpt addressing an another alternative: Research focusing on learning in informal situations (Lemke, Lecusay, Cole, & Michalchik, Read More
Month: November 2018
Which #edtech Tools Get Used?
Because new information technologies (including hardware, software, and new uses of both) emerge very quickly compared to the periodicity of schools (new technologies appear several times during a typical school year), teachers must adopt and adapt to them constantly. When deciding which technologies to use, teachers are more likely to use technologies that: Are easier Read More
The Shape of Innovation
The s-curve as introduced when describing technology adoption. This curve illustrates the typical trend in technology adoption: slow adoption, followed by rapid adoption, and then a slowing of adoption as a limit is reached. Two trends are differentiating the s-curve describing the evolution of ICT in the 21st century form previous information technologies, and these Read More
Colour Contrast Analyzer: A Tool for ADA Compliance
This video introduces a tool that can be used to check that your files have sufficient color contrast that those with certain visual impairments can view the text and images.
Pedagogical Nihilism: An Idea Worth Exploring
One of the first steps I took as an undergraduate student to become in independent intellectual—which I define as taking an active role in defining the course of one’s own learning—was to begin reading essays by scientists. At the time, there were Lewis Thomas and Stephen Jay Gould who were regular contributors. It was a Read More
Colour Contrast Analyzer
Educators have a responsibility to make their files accessible to users. If students–all students–cannot see or hear the materials teachers create, then the are “inaccessible.” One of the steps educators should take to make their files and pages accessible to those who have vision disabilities is to make sure files have sufficient color contrast. The best Read More
Quality of Qualitative Data
When I was working on my master of arts in education two decades ago, my mentors introduced me to qualitative research methods, especially interviewing. One of the lessons I learned early in that work was that the term and concepts we usually apply to the quality of quantitative data do not accurately describe the expectation Read More
UNITY Project– An Art Installation
A high school art teacher worked with his students and the entire student body to create this piece: In the center is the school’s flagpole… it is in the center of the walkway to the main entrance. Surrounding the pole are smaller ones which are labeled. Students tie a string to the pole, then go Read More
First Principles of Instruction
As an educator, I see so many theories or frameworks or models of advocated by school leaders, scholars, vendors, philanthropists, and others. I share the frustration of those educators who wish their endless series of “innovative” (an adjective used by the advocates) practice would end, and we would decide what we should do and just Read More
Identity in the Digital World
Interestingly, in the digital world, it has become possible to maintain many different identities as well; these identities can be imaginative and even contrary to any physical identity. There are thousands of online communities that focus on just about any topic imaginable. Joining those communities (usually) requires only an email address which can be obtained Read More