Just over ten years ago, Karl Fisch wrote a blog post that has stuck with me through the years. In it, he asked if it was OK to be a technologically illiterate teacher. Even though we’ve learned greatly in the last decade about the merits of using technology to replace teachers, I think Karl’s arguments …
Author: D Draper
Ed Tech rocks. When it doesn't get in the way of learning.
What I Did During Summer Break
Last July I made a personally difficult, professional decision and chose to resign from my position as Canyons School District’s Director of Education Technology. After nearly twenty years working in the communities of others, I felt it was important for me to begin working with the schools that my own children attend, to try to …
Social Media in 2017
I had the wonderful opportunity today to participate in two conference sessions that were led by George Couros. George is a very dynamic speaker with an exciting message and energy that is highly contagious. I had seen his first session before, “The Innovator’s Mindset,” and was very impressed with how polished the presentation has become. …
2015: The Good, the Bad, and the Crazy
Within the dimension of education technology, 2015 has brought with it an array of new-but-not-particularly-tickling technologies and pedagogical practices, while also celebrating a continued questioning of technology’s value in classrooms across the globe. From where I sit as an Ed Tech Director in a public school district with more than 34,000 students, these are the …
The Teacher’s Guide to Data Security
Not long ago, a common scene in many classrooms included a teacher’s computer with an important password – for entry into the computer, teacher gradebook, or even bank account – stickied neatly to its monitor. In 2015, however, gone are the days that teachers and students may safely remain so relaxed about data security and privacy. There are several reasons for this …
Maker: #ISTE15’s Session Title Keyword Du Jour
Whereas flipped was the keyword of choice during last year’s ISTE conference, participants this year demanded that maker, making, or make – ahem – make it into session titles in order to best capture their attention. Here are photos I snapped of a few of the favorite “maker”-related poster sessions I perused. I love the …
When Convenience Trumps Tradition
In the classic Seinfeld episode “The Comeback,” Elaine Benes feels stifled because her favorite video store undergoes change.1 During the episode, she grows to appreciate the perspective and services provided by Vincent, a video store employee with whom she shares the same taste in movies. When Elaine learns that Vincent has decided to “stop making picks,” …
I (still) feel bad for schools that celebrate “digital learning” only one day per year!
I wrote this about Digital Learning Day last year, and still feel the same way today. Honestly, there’s no such thing as “digital learning.” Learning is just learning, whether the learner requires electricity or not. Digital tools can make learning easier, but they can also complicate the process at times, as well. Even so, learning with digital …
The Present and Future of Pedagogical Breakthroughs
Robert Slavin, in 2012: While [computer-assisted instruction] will surely continue to play a role, I believe that real breakthroughs in teaching methods will come from classroom (as opposed to individualized) technologies that help teachers orchestrate diverse technological as well as non-technological resources. He continues: In theory, every lesson might contain some appropriate mix of all …