TechPudding
Pedagogy
Why Do Online Discussions Fail?
Over the past few months I have been re-designing online courses that help to support teachers as they integrate technology into blended and online learning environments. I am going to try to make more time to share my insights with you, beginning with this post about using discussion boards in learning. Many educators use online … Continue reading
Checklist for Evaluating Tech Tools, Apps, Software, and Hardware
I have been searching high and low for an efficient, easy-to-understand list of criteria for evaluating hardware, software, tools, and everything in between. Most online articles that I found focus on selling things, or are incredibly vague or incomplete so I decided to do some brainstorming based on what I have found in my own … Continue reading
The Studio Model: Collaborative, Real-World Learning
I am currently in the process of re-designing a high school Innovative Technology (IT) course with a group of incredible teachers, and have been documenting highlights of my work here on TechPudding. My first post about the course re-design gave an overview of our move from basic how-tos of Microsoft Office applications, to a dynamic approach to … Continue reading
Let’s Chat: Discussion-Stimulating Videos on Ed Tech & Change
My brain is getting tired since spring break is just over a week away and my city has experienced enough snow and -30-something degree (celsius) temperatures to last the entire year–in the last few weeks. So I went in search of something both light and thought-provoking in the form of short videos of high interest, design, and accessibility, … Continue reading
Tech Changes Practice; Practice Changes Tech
Which came first? What changes what? I’m not referring to chickens or eggs, but what I mean is, does technology change teaching practice, or does teaching practice change technology? I believe that it works both ways, but that new innovations can be powerful catalysts for change if we examine our interactions with them closely. In the … Continue reading
“I’m using technology…what more do you want?”
“You say that these students want to use technology, but I am giving an online test this week and they all say they’d rather do a regular test in class.” This is a statement that a teacher at my school said to me last week. In thinking about this statement, I realized that my colleague had implied … Continue reading
Computational Thinking: A 21st Century Skill
Today I researched a number of articles about a skill called computational thinking or CT. The term computational thinking was coined in 2006 by Jeannette Wing, a compter science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Wing argued in her article Computational Thinking, that CT is a fundamental skill for everyone living in the 21st century. Since then, there has been … Continue reading
New High School Course to Examine Technology
I am currently working with a group of teachers to overhaul a course offering in the high school where I work. The course has existed for many years under the name, Information Technology. Collaborating to update it has been an incredible learning experience so far. It amazes me, how outdated the course has become in … Continue reading
It’s Not About the Tools–It’s About How You Use Them
There are times when I feel as though the ever-growing, ever-changing list of Web 2.0 tools becomes overwhelming. At a recent conference, 90% of my conversations with technology specialists started with the sentence, “Have you used this tool yet?”. Instead of starting with the tool, let’s start with the learning. We all know that tools will … Continue reading
e-Books Redefine Literacy
This morning I enjoyed a thoughtful podcast from my favourite CBC radio show, Ideas titled, Closing the Book. It examined the perspectives of scholars, authors, book publishers, and many others who have a stake in how the e-reader is changing the way in which we interact with texts. The podcast peaked my interest so I moved on … Continue reading
