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Google+

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I’ve been on Google+ for about a year now and recently at PodCamp Western Mass #5 I attended a couple of Google+ sessions which renewed my interest in this social media.

Google+ helps you in many ways:

  • It’s part of the Google Suite of productivity products that can work together to help you keep your digital life organized and in the long run more productive.
  • Google ‘notices’ when you are using Google+ and will assist with Google rankings
  • Google can get into the private areas of FaceBook
  • Google+ allows for deeper conversations, more thought.  Think Science, artists, creatives, and thought leaders…don’t you want to be a part of that crowd?

One big take away, from PodCamp Western Mass #5 is that Google+ is = to ‘What do you think?’

 

TiE2013 Conference

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Since last fall I have been organizing a TiE2013 Technology in Education Conference with The Collaborative for Educational Services. Last week the conference was held at Holyoke Community College and by all qualitative evaluations it was a roaring success.  The conference was attended by 250 educators and administrators, 10 vendors and 2 keynote speakers. Our quantitative evaluations go out this week….another item on the extensive To-Do list, along with the formal De-Briefing Meeting.

 

 

Imagination and Creativity in Education

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“Teaching’s primary purpose should be to ensure that every student graduates ready to tinker, create, and take initiative.”

  • What if quizzes measured kid’s ability to question, not answer?
  • What if a math class’s textbook was replaced with open-ended, thought-provoking opportunities to question the world around us?
  • What if -within a teaching day- teachers were able to strike a balance between art and science; considering the art as the relationship the teacher built with the kids, and the science as the assessment that generated real evidence of student growth?
  • What if teachers tracked narratives of a student’s progress? And used a handy management tool to capture anecdotal notes and evidence of student growth?
  • What if teachers were able to identify and analyze students’ strengths and skill gaps; continuously?  And were able to turn classroom data into plans of action?
  • What if teachers taught their students how to do this type of thinking, so the student could be self-directed?

“We live in a world where information is growing exponentially. Let’s use tinkering and initiative to foster more creativity.”

Happy Holidays

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Over the years, we’ve had a strange mixture of Winter Holiday traditions…from candle lighting to trees to feasts to travel to parties to…you get the idea.

These cookies kind of represent our traditions.  I hope you and yours have a fabulous, safe holiday season filled with love, cheer and warm, happy feelings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Groovy DIY Bandages

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Recently I needed a bandage and the status quo wasn’t going to work….I needed a range of sizes from L to S.  I used the supplies I had on hand: some zebra striped craft-type-duct tape and various sizes of adhesive bandages I had on hand.  It’s a simple fix and I have been careful to keep the bandages paper backings intact, until use [to keep them sterile].

Filed Under: DIY