Topic
Design
26 posts.
Escape Room Lab
I wanted a classroom escape room builder that was free, content-first, and took about ten minutes to use. I could not find one, so I built Escape Room Lab. Here is how it works and how to use it with your own students.
A Hackathon with a Hidden Agenda
We were a week ahead, so I gave my Tech for Social Good class one period to build a robot that plays the Chrome Dino game. The game was the excuse. The skills were the point.
Building the T4SG Class Hub
How I used vibe coding to build one home for my Tech for Social Good class: a connected, cumulative assistive technology project where every artifact is made by a student, for a real person's goal.
Making the Lesson, Not Planning It
A month ago I wrote about how the app is the lesson. This week I crossed a quieter threshold. I am no longer building apps as enrichment, or as a special-occasion tool. I am building them instead of..
Build the Tool, Don't Find the Tool
A classroom question about blinking became a purpose-built data tool and a case for building the app a lesson needs.
Pseudoservice and the Shift Toward Real Impact
For years, my Design for Social Good class has focused on building assistive technology devices, specifically computer switches for people with disabilities such as quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, and..
Explore New Experimental Lessons, Resources, and Artifacts Page!
Dear Readers and Subscribers, I wanted to share some exciting news with you! Over the years, I’ve been working on creating lessons that are a bit outside the box, blending technology, science, and...
Robotics for Social Good: 'Bomb Squad' Simulation
Robotics for Social Good: 'Bomb Squad' Simulation
Design for Social Good Curriculum
This will be my third year teaching an elective course called 'Design for Social Good'. This summer I assigned myself the task of creating the entire curriculum in the form of a student digital...
Assistive Technology Engineering Design Cycle
Using the 'shelf' feature in Padlet to track the Engineering Design Cycle process.
Empowering Fine Motor Control Using 'Drawdio'.
CYCLES OF LEARNING
5E Lesson Example: Cellular Respiration w/Crosscutting NGSS Integration.
CYCLES OF LEARNING
Revised 5E-Hero's Journey Lesson Planning Template
Revised 5E-Hero's Journey Lesson Planning Template! | written to annoying lengths about my love for the connection between the 5E Inquiry Learning Cycle.
Google Slides Lab Report: A Simple, Tangible, Reasonable Solution
Google Slides Lab| I have written in the past about my transition from formal lab reporting to the use of Google Slides as a student form of reporting lab work.
How to 'ClassSource” a Simple, Meaningful, and USEFUL Review Document
Before every major assessment I like to facilitate review activities in class. That being said, I can only handle the Kahoot theme song so much Cycles of Learning
8 Awesome Inquiry Lesson Cycles!
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with the science educators at D211 in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs. As part of the workshop, all teachers were challenged to work in discipline specific...
New, SIMPLIFIED, Student Portfolio System (or 'feeling the fear of not being 'innovative' enough this year')
A simpler portfolio system that puts reflection and curation ahead of website aesthetics.
3 Ways to Simplify, Streamline, and Empower Your Lesson Design
3 Ways to Simplify, Streamline, and Empower Your Lesson Design
Mass Group Google Doc Editing During Class
CYCLES OF LEARNING
Making the Most Out of the Most LEGIT Google Doc Feature
Inserting a picture directly from the webcam of your computer into a Google Document is a, IMO, freaking powerfully simple strategy in the classroom. Read more here.
Google, Document, Curation, Creation, Textbook
Student Created and Curated Textbook
Comprehensive 'STEM' (DIY Titration Drop Counter)
Last week, in an effort to keep both my sections of Honors Chemistry moving at the same pace, I found myself with a day to spare in one section. Cycles of learning
Show Your Work!
'Show Your Work!' by Austin Kleon was a very important book for me as an educator. Albeit short, and a bit polarizing, the book reminded me that it sharing the process of my work, not just...
Assistive Technology Course Using Arduino & MakeyMakey: From Design to Delivery
CYCLES OF LEARNING
Authentic Audiences: Moving Beyond the Blog Post
Like many teachers, I have always struggled with making assessment meaningful for students. After reading Show Your Work by Austin Kleon I moved from student Google Doc lab reports in chemistry class.
Structured Space: littleBits-NXT Smash & the Robot Flamethrower.
CYCLES OF LEARNING