How Much Technology in the Classroom is Too Much?

I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Rae Pica at BAM Radio about how much technology is too much when it comes to technology in the classroom. Joining me in the conversation were Sonny Magaña an award-winning teacher who has been studying the impact of technology on teaching and learning and author of "Art and Science of Teaching with Technology" as well as Andy Marcinek, Director of Technology, Grafton Public Schools, and author of article, "Technology and Teaching: Finding a Balance". 

In the conversation I shared my belief that you can never have too much technology, just like you can never have too many books, if it is used well. In fact, we need to get rid of the idea that balance is key when we come to using technology.  I also share a great tool to find teachers can use to find the right technology for student learning goals.  

If this topic is of interest to you, take a listen at any of the links below. Show link: http://www.bamradionetwork.com/educators-channel/2239-how-much-technology-in-the-classroom-is-too-much Play episode: http://www.jackstreet.com/jackstreet/WTEA.Integratingtechnology.cfm Subscribe on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/rae-pica/id368754208

If you do tune in, let me know what you thought in the comments.

Know students who are struggling in school? Catalyst Learning Network can help.

While it’s not uncommon to hear students say “I hate school,” some are really suffering and desperately want out.

I can relate. 

I became an educator not because I loved school, but because I was bored and miserable in school. I wanted to figure out how to change that for others. I started this blog to share ideas about how to do  that.  

Like my own experience, many students today are bored and disengaged for many hours each day, despite the best efforts of their teachers and parents to try to help them make the most of school. Many are depressed. They feel a complete lack of control over their lives, and have a bleak view of the future.

Some of these kids, having Googled  “I hate school,” find their way to School-Survival.net, a support site for kids who can't stand school.

The Hottest Posts Everybody's Reading

Here’s the roundup of what's been popular on The Innovative Educator blog. Below you’ll see the top posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there's something that looks of interest to you.  If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired use one of those icons below the post to share it with others and/or leave a comment.

Entry	Pageviews
Confronting Fears - #BYOD for Students Jan 13, 2015,	2765
Does Twitter have a minimum age requirement? Jun 13, 2013,	2636
The Evidence is Clear. When Used Responsibly Cell ... Feb 3, 2015,	2331
Homework is Key When Preparing for #BYOD Jan 11, 2015,	2275
#BYOD Toolkit Provides Resources Necessary for Suc... Jan 20, 2015,	1875
Hashtag How Tos - Figure, Configure, Follow, Find,... Jan 25, 2015,	1799
Prepping for #BYOD ? Home-School Connection Is Key... Jan 18, 2015,	1680

#Throwback Thursday - 5 Things You Can Do to Begin Developing Your Personal Learning Network

Today's #ThrowbackThursday brings us to what may have been my most viewed post of all time at 32, 552 views. The post that got all the attention told people five steps they can take to develop their personal learning network.  While the steps still work, many of the resources listed (i.e. Google Reader) in each step have changed (used Feed.ly instead). 

Written: October 12, 2008

Topic: Developing a PLN

Who might be interested: Any teacher or student who enjoys learning from experts and others who share their passion.

Favorite excerpt:  PLNs provide individuals with learning and access to leaders and experts around the world bringing together communities, resources and information impossible to access solely from within school walls.

Reader question: Do you have a personal learning network? If so, how has it helped you learn?

Post:

5 Things You Can Do to Begin Developing Your Personal Learning Network

Many educators in successful schools are involved in their school's professional learning community and perhaps they even collaborate with other schools in the district, city, state, country or beyond, but Innovative Educators also have personal learning networks (PLNs) enabling them to connect with other learners around the globe. If you're new to this world, personal learning networks are created by an individual learner, specific to the learner’s needs extending relevant learning connections to like-interested people around the globe. 

Read the rest at: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/04/5-things-you-can-do-to-begin-developing.html 

The Evidence is Clear. When Used Responsibly Cell Phones Support Learning

Teens today.

Always on their phones. Lightening fast thumbs sharing content on Snapchat, Vine, Instagram, Twitter and more. While teens, teachers, and parents are familiar with cell phone's use as a social tool, more and more are discovering they are a great learning resource as well. There's even evidence and research to prove it. 

This is useful for the texting teen trying to convince school staff or a parent that they really do use their devices for learning. It is also useful for innovative educators who are trying to convince administration and explain to parents why they want to empower students by letting them use the devices they own and love.

Want to see the evidence showing how students can use mobile devices for learning?

Computer Programming – Require or Inspire? #LeadNYC

At a recent NYC Mayor’s Office event on tech, innovation, leadership, and diversity, a student audience member shared that she was the only girl in her school to take computer programming classes.  A panelist made a commonly-heard suggestion....

Make computer programming a requirement.

The idea is that if opting out is not an option, then we will have more diversity AND students will learn a subject that everyone should know these days. Finis! Job done.

Of course artists might make the same case for visual literacy; musicians could make that case for learning to read music, we could make auto mechanics and entrepreneurship mandatory, and on and on and on and on.

Educator, mathematician, and computer scientist Seymour Papert reminds us that we’re only able to teach in schools about one-billionth of one percent of all there is to know, yet we argue endlessly over what that should be.

Creating new class requirements is the easy way out. It doesn’t look at why a more diverse population isn’t attracted to the class in the first place. It doesn’t put any responsibility on the teachers and curriculum designers to look at what they’re offering and change it so that it is indeed more appealing to a diverse audience.

Another problem is that requirements can backfire. Rather than help students find an undiscovered passion, they can turn a student off from a subject forever. When we require all kids to take the same one-size-fits-all classes, we are not looking at our audience.

Learning should be by choice, not force.