Nocking the Arrow

Moral Dilemma - is a situation in which there is a choice to be made between two options, neither of which completely resolves the situation in an acceptable way. Nearing the end of our first year of full 1:1 implementation with iPads, our learners are wrestling the question; Should mobile device usage be open and autonomous, or restricted and focused to curriculum? Option One ( Open ) - As school technology coordinator, I have recently experienced a professional rebirth as a result of getting better connected to a personal learning network. Social media interactions and ubiquitous access to information have allowed me personalize my learning while also allowing me to share my learning transparently with others. Several of my colleagues have enjoyed similar awakenings with their professional learning. Their experiences are helping to shift pedagogy resulting in a more student centered, digitally connected, collaborative learning environment. These teachers indicate learning ...

#TeacherAppreciationWeek - Earlier this week, social media was peppered with requests to thank teachers who have significantly impacted our lives. How fortuitous for me that Mother's Day occurs so close to Teacher Appreciation Week since my mom is the teacher who has had the most significant impact on my life. Mom was actively involved with our schools, but never as a professional educator. Nevertheless, I've learned more from her than any of my "traditional" teachers. Mom never positioned herself as instructor for my brother and me. She shared what she was learning, took interest in what we were learning, as well as, what we wanted to learn. Our current conversations frequently center on current events, what we're currently reading, and of course, the weather. Lynae (mom), with my sons J.P. and Trevor There weren't a lot of rules in our household, we were expected to know the difference between right and wrong, live by the " golden rule "...

In the spirit of teacher appreciation day, and at the prompting of my friend Dylan Rogers , I am sharing my story of how an unassuming, and caring economics professor provided the spark and inspiration that launched my fulfilling career in education. Dr. Daniel Kauffman was my professor of Macro-Economics at Winona State University in Minnesota. A college sophomore with an irregular sleep schedule, I typically sat in the front row of the lecture class to stay awake, and engaged in the lesson. At the time, I was undecided on a major, and I was working fiercely to get my academic life on track.  On this particular day, the topic was cost/benefits analysis for decision making. I did the pre-reading, and I was thoroughly prepared for the discussion. Dr. Kauffman's wife was nine months pregnant, he said the phone call could be coming at any time. As luck, or chance, would have it, Dr. Kauffman did get a phone call early during his lecture. He scanned the room, and asked, " ...

When it comes to exciting ways to boost personal learning, few activities can match the personal learning empowerment of Twitter chats . Not only are Twitter chats great for building a personal learning network, they provide a personalized, on-demand method of learning through a conversational timeline. Education themed Twitter chats occur every day of the week throughout the year. Here is the " official " schedule of education chats on Twitter . (Credit;  @cybraryman1 @conniehamilton   @thomascmurray   @cevans5095   @jrochelle  ) Initially, the pace and flow of Twitter chats can be a bit hectic and confusing, but here are three helpful hacks to make Twitter chats enjoyable learning and relationship-building conversations. First off, Twitter chats are scheduled meetings, typically lasting an hour, focusing on school / education topics. Participants are able to focus into the conversation stream by isolating the chat hashtag ( # ). There are hundreds...