Making things… Learning Things
"I am convinced that the best learning takes place when the learner takes charge…" –Seymour Papert
One of my blogging goals is to share more often about coding to learn experiences of the students I am working with at various schools. Case in point, on Friday, some grade 5 students were hard at work during their fourth session (our first was October 3) of game design using Scratch. In January, they... Continue Reading →
Here are five of my favourite apps/online tools that can be used to create, share, or listen to music. In the list below, click on the name of the tool to visit the web site and find out more about what it can do and how to download it. Explain Everything (iOS & Android) This... Continue Reading →
A grade six teacher and I had co-planned a series of sessions with her students around coding with Scratch. In one of the later sessions, I was working with a boy who was frustrated with the game he was making and told me he wanted to start over again. In age appropriate words, I reassured... Continue Reading →
The SAMR model was not invented as a way to classify apps. This poster continues to be circulated widely among educators over the past few years. Unfortunately, it also continues to perpetuate a misunderstanding of the SAMR model. I use this poster and others regularly in professional learning workshops as a provocation. Discussion about the possible merits... Continue Reading →
Thanks to a challenge from Tina and Jay, two of my #peel21st colleagues, I wrote a list of ten good things about my professional practice right now. As Jay noted, it's always tempting to be critical but it always helps to consciously reflect on the good things that are happening. So, here is my list of ten... Continue Reading →
Every day I read or hear about a new tool, app, web site, kit, toy, or device that is reported to have a significant impact on student learning. Actually... none do. The way they are used... might. So-called "21st century skills" (such as collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking) have been arbitrarily chosen... and they existed... Continue Reading →
Making things... Learning Things 