Open source 3D Printer – Photo taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_hardware As makers, we have the opportunity to build upon the ideas and innovations of those who came before us. The “open” movement challenges us to consider the opportunities for innovations when ideas are not restricted or limited. I believe that open Read more…
If you read the news paper, it’s impossible to avoid headlines related to big issues facing our culture. How do we value people and human life? How do we address poverty? How do we improve our education system to foster a culture of great teachers? For our exceptional teachers, how Read more…
On a Sunday drive with my wife, Sarah talked about how she will be teaching on public health and epidemics in her microbiology classes soon. For as long as I have known Sarah, she gets REALLY excited about epidemiology. She gets excited in the same way that a four year Read more…
In previous blog posts, we have discussed the necessity to encourage science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) especially in the United States. As our culture has become increasingly digital, we have coined this term of “digital natives” to describe the current generation of kids who grow up playing with IPads, Read more…
Teachers of computer science, like many STEM teachers, desire to find ways to engage students in the craft. How do we make learning computer programming fun? How do we empower students to be creative? As a computer science graduate myself, I have to confess that we cover some pretty dry Read more…
As a maker and technologist, I believe that my creations should have a strong purpose. Since Sarah(my wife) is a college professor, we started this blog with the purpose of exploring practices, leadership methods, and tools that support great teaching. Through blogging, I have enjoyed learning, listening, and Read more…
I am very thankful to my personal learning network on Twitter. As I research ways that I can serve my community of teachers and students using technology, my Twitter personal learning network has become an indispensable learning and development tool. In an effort to focus my personal learning Read more…
“We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that Read more…
As an audio learner, I enjoy technologies that help me to learn by listening. My wife and I subscribe to Audible, enabling us to consume audio books despite our busy schedules as parents. On Free Tech for Teachers, I recently found a wonderful little tool that helps one Read more…
In a previous post, we reviewed why Vicki Davis(@coolcatteacher) and other teachers use virtual worlds to teach digital citizenship and online collaboration. It’s amazing to see how teachers use technologies like OpenSim to transform their students into teachers. As a Dad, I always enjoy finding games that my Read more…