Standards are collections of actions that are undertaken by organizations to ensure they are aligned with the actions that should be taken by similar organizations. Many who work in information technology in the United Stated are familiar with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which defines the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. In education, there Read More
169: Key Performance Indicators and School IT | RSS.com Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measurable values that help organizations track and assess their progress toward achieving specific business objectives. They provide a framework and structure for monitoring performance, making informed decisions, and driving improvements. Information technology leaders who work in schools are well-served to have key performance indicators identified. These are goals that are specific Read More
168: Open Source Software Licenses | RSS.com Open-source software is also free to use, but “free” can be applied to its use in two ways. First, it can be used at no cost for the user. We download open-source software, just as well do any software, but installation proceeds without entering account information. Second, users are free to use the software in that they Read More
In the modern classroom, the “workspace” isn’t just a physical desk; it’s a Learning Management System (LMS), a digital worksheet, and a shared slide deck. As education shifts deeper into the digital realm, ensuring every student can access these tools is no longer a “bonus”—it is a professional and legal necessity. The latest update, WCAG Read More
175: A Brief History of Computers in Schools In the United States, desktop computers arrived in classrooms beginning in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, which is when they arrived on the consumer market as well. If you walked into one of the classrooms where there were those first desktop computers installed, you probably would have seen one or two computers; nearby, there would have been a box Read More
I colleague asked for my take on the difference between the two. I figured it mught be an interest post for my blog too. Design Versus Planning When I was an undergraduate student studying to become an educator, my peers and I took great pride in our lesson planning. When I was a graduate student Read More
a post created by NotebookLM based on my notes from Michaelsen, L. K., Knight, A. B., & Fink, L. D. (Eds.). (2004). Team-based learning: A transformative use of small groups in college teaching. Stylus Publishing. Mention the phrase “group project,” and you’re likely to get a groan. For many of us, the experience brings back Read More
I’ve been rereading Steven Pinker’s Enlightenment Now. I am familiar with criticism of his work, but I am a fan nonetheless—maybe it comes from the fact that I believe we can read works even if we dispute some of the points and still find them worthy. In his chapter on “Knowledge” Pinker writes: “So much Read More
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a quiet partner in the work teachers do every day. While much of the conversation focuses on collaborative, whole‑school adoption, the reality is that many educators are using AI individually—experimenting on their own, testing tools privately, and integrating them into their workflow long before formal policies or training appear. In Read More
In my work, I see lots of examples of people accepting what comes from AI as true; we accept whatever it gives us with little effort to confirm it. We should be concerned about this, except for the fact that humans have a very long history of accepting information as correct from sources without any Read More