I’m Not a Techie

Technology Cow via http://goo.gl/XR2MYi In 1976 I went to the University of South Carolina to be a dual Math and Computer Science major. I got my math degree but gave up on computers after spending hours at the card punch machine at late hours on the university’s one computer (that also had to do research and […]

Post NTAC 13 Reflection

The New Tech Network Annual Conference (NTAC) is where I come to recharge my battery, eat a few brains, and fill my sea bag. And everyone looks like these folks to the left: When Day One arrives, each year, I am allowed to take a much-needed break from the hectic pace of teacher trainings and […]

The Ninth Essential Element of PBL

BIE.org I am about to work in my last co-facilitation with the Buck Institute for Education (BIE.org) doing what they call a PBL 101. A basic, 3-day, course in the planning, managing and assessing of a PBL project. Within a project most people can agree that there are certain items that make it successful and […]

A Chance of a Lifetime

Student Photo MNTHS The fact I got to see President Obama was not a given. I’m not teaching at Manor New Tech (MNTHS) any more. Yes, I do a lot with PBL in our district but the fact is I am not a teacher at the school being visited by the President.  But Steve Zipkes, […]

Starting PBL at Decker Middle School

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peskylibrary/ This year all of our 6th grade (core) teachers will be teaching with PBL and will be under the New Technology Network (NTN) umbrella.  In addition to teaching with PBL, the teachers will be grading with Learning Outcomes based upon “21st Century Skills.”  The learning outcomes they will be using are Collaboration, Critical Thinking, […]

New Tech Conference Grand Rapids 2012: A Survival Guide

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ghostofgoldwater/      As we get ready to attend the annual New Tech Conference in Grand Rapids (NTAC 2012).   Here are some tips to get ready for the conference and some of my favorite things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan.      This is an update to my New Tech Conference Planning Guide […]