In 2016, I delivered this paper at the Annual Conference of the New England Education Research Organization. Full paper Abstract Despite a long history of computers in schools, many educators continue to struggle with the problem of creating effective technology-rich learning environments. In this exploratory research, documents collected as several K-12 schools designed systems to Read More
Category: Schools
Turning Flipped Classrooms Upside-Down
This article appeared in a magazine a few years ago… Author’s copy of Turning Flipped Classroom Upside-Down
Aspects of Classrooms Affected by Technology
One of the fundamental changes influencing the emergence of technology ecosystems has been the transition from ICT being used to access information to it being used for interaction. Discourse and interaction are fundamental components of learning environments, as well. When investigating the different venues in the classroom that are available for communication, and thus that Read More
Technology for Turning Points
This article appeared in the Journal of the New England League of Middle Schools in 2006. As that is no longer available, I am making it available here. Ackerman, G. (2006). Technology for Turning Points. Journal of the New England League of Middle Schools, 18(1), 22-6. Introduction Middle school practice is guided by Turning Points 2000 Read More
Review of Disrupting Class
Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote several brief reviews of books which appeared on the Education Review web site. Since then, the editors ceased publication of that type of review and removed the previously published brief reviews from the site. I am making the original drafts of my reviews available here. Brief Review of Christensen, C. M., Read More
Review of Digital Habitats
Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote several brief reviews of books which appeared on the Education Review web site. Since then, the editors ceased publication of that type of review and removed the previously published brief reviews from the site. I am making the original drafts of my reviews available here. Smith, J. D., Wenger, E., & Read More
Towards a More Sophisticated Model of Learners
My recent reading has taken me into the social nature of learning and the role of culture in human learning. In many ways, what I read challenges the assumption that is deeply embedded in educational practice that knowledge is an individual phenomenon and that it is created with the brain of individual humans. Clearly, there Read More
Old (Fordist) versus New (ICT)
I first encountered the terms “Fordist (old)” and “ICT (new)” in a 2006 article by Olumuyiwa Asaolu. Since then, I have seen the terms used in earlier works, and they are used to differentiate the nature of organizations and the work they do (and the workers and leaders they need). I summarized the differences in Read More
Own Your Learning
A few months ago, I had the chance to arrange for a young artist to perform for a group of high school students. At the time, the student was a junior in a Massachusetts high school that is organized around internships and other alternative curricula. The school is an amazing place and it is filled Read More
Leaving to Learn
I recently spent a day on -the-road as I traveled to visit two students who are seniors in high school and spending time off campus in internships. My first stop was at a family-owned automobile repair shop and towing company. The student plans to take over that business once he earns his college degree. My Read More