Digital media to meet the uncommon core during visits to museums and other cultural institutions

I had the pleasure to speak to librarians today at the UnCommon Approaches to the Common Core Conference about ideas for making trips to museums and other cultural institutions fun and engaging using digital media. Interested in this topic and/or want some ideas to share with others?  If so, check out my presentation below.

Stop saying "balance is key" when discussing technology

@InnovativeEdu Balance is key.

— Herman Miller EDU (@HermanMillerEDU) May 28, 2014

The above tweet was sent to me in response to my post explaining why innovative educators should look down on upon a new video called, "Look Up." But I disagreed with this balance-seeking Tweeter. "Balance is key" is a common refrain heard by innovative educators and their students. It is meant as a reminder that tech has a place... but only as long as it's balanced with non-tech.

We are a society that seems to embrace balance without question. It is easy to speak those words or nod in agreement when others convey the sentiment. I mean, what can be wrong with balance? It seems easy to agree to this condition. If this has been you - STOP.

We don't need to balance technology with non-technology.Technology is a tool and resource that we have at our disposal to use effectively and efficiently for our needs. For many people technology is the way they do business, pleasure, fitness, and more, and that's okay.

If you're wondering why...

Think about it.

When you talk about reading books, do you often hear, "balance is key?"

When you talk about fitness, do you often hear, balance is key?

How about writing? How about talking to friends? How about networking with experts? How about playing chess?  How about making documentaries? How about solving complex equations? How about social action?  How about doing research?

The hottest posts everyone'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 page views. 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
Learn to teach web literacy with free classes from... May 18, 2014,	1734
Social media advice for career-minded students. 10... May 4, 2014,	1654
Does Twitter have a minimum age requirement? Jun 13, 2013,	1442
How to host a Q-and-A Twitter chat May 11, 2014,	1328
The Ten No Nos of Teaching with a Projector or Int... May 10, 2010,	998
10 Reasons to Attend a Google for Education Summit... May 7, 2014,	761

Stepping Toward Sensible, Valid Teacher Evaluations

I was recently interviewed for BAM Radio's Rae Pica along James Popham who wrote, “Everything School Leaders Should Know about Assessment.”  
In this show we look at formative and summative teacher evaluations and discuss what teachers can do to support more valid and effective assessments.

I talk about how teacher effectiveness gives teachers the opportunity to know only toot their own horn, but also toot the horns of their students.  I also discuss why it is important for innovative educators to helping those who are evaluating them understand the role of technology and social media in increasing effectiveness. 

You can listen to the program on the BAM Radio! site here. 

Why innovative educators should look down upon "Look Up"

If you know and love the power of social media, then someone who doesn't get it may have sent you the "Look Up" video below.

Video creator Gary Turk is a privileged white guy who features his privileged circle of buddies using the social media platform YouTube to whine that social media is making them feel lonely.

Boohoo Gary and friends.  Could it be you just picked the wrong friends?

You see unlike the physical world where you happen to be grouped by geography that often does not cut through barriers of poverty, race, or religion, social media breaks down those barriers and provides opportunities to connect with others regardless of where you happen to have been born. Innovative educators know that social media gives our children opportunities and experiences never before possible. Young people who can't afford to visit other countries can connect and learn with people around the world. Social media gives teachers like Courtney Woods the opportunity to bring experts into the lives of her students.

Gary ends his video telling viewers to stop watching YouTube, but our students have discovered that they can teach and learn anything they can imagine on the resource that Turk and friends waste their time on. Innovative educators support and empower their students to use social media for social action like social media based and founded groups such as Student Voice are doing.

The problem with Gary Turk, and those like him who share videos like this, is that they simply don't appreciate the vast opportunities and connections afforded to social media savvy students. Perhaps Gary Turk was born with these connections, but not everyone was born into Gary Turk's world. Innovative educators have students who are living in the real world, A world where we recognize that if you want to run for office, run a business, or change how things are run where you live, work, or play then it is necessary to be savvy users of social media.

The Gary Turks of the world don't understand the value of having friends and followers whose minds may have connected even though they have not shared the same physical space. They don't get that you don't need to see someone face-to-face to admire and share ideas.

And really Gary and friends...Is it social media's fault you're disconnected or is technology the scapegoat for how you'd be regardless?

Whatever the answer, the most important thing Gary Turk is missing is this:

The hottest posts everyone'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 page views. 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
Erase Unnecessary Costs by Getting Smart ... May 14, 2010,	2499
The 10 No Nos of Teaching with a Smartboard... May 10, 2010,	1656
Social media advice for career-minded students. ... May 4, 2014,	1644
Does Twitter have a minimum age requirement? Jun 13, 2013,	1551
How to host a Q-and-A Twitter chat May 11, 2014,	1309
Learn to teach web literacy with free classes from... May 18, 2014,	1234
10 Reasons to Attend a Google for Education... May 7, 2014,	755