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Technology

89 posts.

Mar 13, 2024·1 min read·Arduino

Simulating Parkinson's: Using Electronics to Build Empathy

​This lab activity takes students on a unique journey through the world of neuroscience and engineering to explore the complex nature of Parkinson's Disease. Students will simulate the motor...

Feb 7, 2024·1 min read·Biochemistry

Exploring Fentanyl's Risks: Using Chemistry to Imitate the Brain's Protective Layer

This lab activity  directly tackles a pressing issue: the opioid crisis, with a spotlight on fentanyl, one of the most potent and problematic drugs out there. This isn't just any experiment; it's a...

Dec 11, 2023·1 min read·Assistive Technology

Robotics for Social Good: 'Bomb Squad' Simulation

Robotics for Social Good: 'Bomb Squad' Simulation

Apr 18, 2023·1 min read·AI

Fast AI Game Design Using ChatGPT and p5.js

Experimenting with leveraging ChatGPT as a medium for generating code to run simple JavaScript games in p5.js . My ultimate goal is to create a system where students can use both applications to...

Apr 17, 2023·1 min read·Chemistry

Video Analysis Using Padlet

I'm having a great time using Padlet , and the automatically generated QR code provided, to facilitate quick video analysis (often in slow motion) of student work in the laboratory. Below is a...

Jan 17, 2022·1 min read·Arduino

Quadriplegic Controller Project: Engineering for Social Good

Using arduino leonardo to create assistive technology.

Mar 11, 2021·1 min read·Curiosity

Using 'What If' Videos to Empower Thought Experiments During Distance Learning

Leveraging thought experiments to promote engagement in online learning.

Feb 11, 2021·2 min read·COVID 19

My Camera Dilemma

Discussion around lecture efficacy in Zoom when students are, and are not, visible.

Feb 8, 2021·2 min read·Curiosity

Feynman and Delayed Direct Instruction

How Richard Feynman embodied inquiry learning.

Feb 4, 2021·1 min read·Distance Learning

Zoom After Distance Learning

Using Zoom in the classroom after distance learning is over.

Sep 16, 2020·1 min read·Google

Linking to Specific Spots in Google Docs From an External Site

Tutorial for linking from outside websites to specific spots within a Google Doc.

Sep 11, 2020·2 min read·COVID 19

Thankful for My Flipped Classroom Past

Leveraging Flipped Classroom strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aug 19, 2020·1 min read·5E/Hero's Journey

Spark Learning Masterclass: Part III Recording

Recording of the third part of a masterclass series on leveraging the Hero's Journey as a lesson planning framework.

Aug 11, 2020·1 min read·COVID 19

Simplifying Online Instruction Documentation

Using Google Docs to create simplifying and streamlined student interactive lesson plan.

Aug 4, 2020·1 min read·5E/Hero's Journey

Spark Learning Masterclass: Part II Recording

Click  here  to access the second of three recordings for my 'Spark Learning' Masterclass. This session explored research and strategies related to student exploration once curiosity has been...

May 22, 2020·1 min read·COVID 19

Tech Mashups Examples

Examples of various technology used to teach Biology and Chemistry protein folding and lab based stoichiometry simulations.

May 19, 2020·2 min read·COVID 19

ThingLink as Cognitive Anchor

Using the app Thinglink to help teach concept that all relate to once central theme.

May 11, 2020·2 min read·COVID 19

Extension Phase of Inquiry-Cycle Explained

Final portion of 5E Inquiry Learning Cycle on Hemoglobin explained and links to resources provided.

Apr 28, 2020·1 min read·COVID 19

Online Teaching Tools

Technology leveraged thus far during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Apr 23, 2020·1 min read·COVID 19

Padlet

Introduction Padlet as an important tool in my EdTech Toolbox.

Feb 29, 2020·1 min read·Itm

The Infinite Thinking Machine

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Jan 22, 2020·1 min read·Design

Empowering Fine Motor Control Using 'Drawdio'.

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Dec 9, 2019·1 min read·Technology

Activity Notebook Template

In my never-ending quest to simplify my instructional process, I created this template for my students to record their activity investigations for next semester.

Dec 3, 2019·2 min read·Technology

S I M P L I F Y I N G: New Class Website Approach

Lately I have been obsessed with simplifying my curriculum. That is, drastically decreasing the Extraneous Cognitive load of all materials, technology, etc. Perhaps I'm just maturing as an educator?..

Jul 10, 2019·2 min read·Inquiry

Surprise Sub Lesson: Generic Legos & Google Docs

About three months ago I did something I often do but I am embarrassed to admit: I assigned a 'sub lesson' when absent, asked students to submit evidence of completion, and then... ...wait for it.....

Feb 16, 2019·2 min read·Arduino

5E Lesson Example: Cellular Respiration w/Crosscutting NGSS Integration.

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Jan 24, 2019·1 min read·Curiosity

Sparking Curiosity in the Humanities: Data Visualization

As a science teacher, I often get the following statement when working with other educators: 'Sparking student interest in the Sciences is just easier. You get to show cool demonstrations and...

Jan 7, 2019·1 min read·Google

My Winter Break Top 10!

Classes start back up tomorrow, and two weeks of winter break provided a much needed break from thinking about teaching... NOT! Teaching is my hobby, and while I had a nice time, space away from...

Dec 29, 2018·2 min read·Assessment

New Grading Experiment: Student Tracking for Enhanced Metacognition

New Grading Experiment: Student Tracking for Enhanced Metacognition | Philosophically, I appreciate the debate over grading in schools. Cyales of Learning.

Dec 28, 2018·1 min read·Assessment

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.

Dec 5, 2018·3 min read·Google

Hacking the Sub Lesson: Videos IN Google Forms.

Hacking the Sub Lesson: Videos IN Google Forms | I hate missing class. I love nothing more than being with my 9th grade Biology students and 10th grade Honors.

Nov 26, 2018·1 min read·Reflection

10 New Teaching Ideas That Surface Over Thanksgiving Break!

I am obsessed with the craft of teaching. I think about it constantly. Thus, in addition to the incredible time with family ands friends that the Thanksgiving offers

Nov 14, 2018·1 min read·Chemistry

Editing Videos for Involuntary Curiosity: 3 Chemistry Examples

When reading the research on Curiosity , Involuntary Curiosity  ​ is of particular interest to us teachers. Defined by Loewenstein (1994) as curiosity that '...arises spontaneously as a result of...

Oct 4, 2018·1 min read·Google

Link External Page to a Specific Google Doc Section

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Oct 1, 2018·1 min read·Arduino

5 Ways to Embed Coding & Electronics into Your Science Curriculum

If you are like me as a science teacher, you simultaneously live the acronym 'STEM' and are exhausted by its overuse in nearly every blog, set of state standards

Sep 24, 2018·1 min read·Assessment

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

Aug 21, 2018·2 min read·Commentary

New, SIMPLIFIED, Student Portfolio System (or 'feeling the fear of not being 'innovative' enough this year')

In past years I always had students create either a blog or a website to publicly share their work and curate their progress. Click  here  for an example.  While I believe deeply in students...

Jul 23, 2018·2 min read·Biology

Secret to Fixing BAD Classroom Presentations!

Power Point, Keynote, Presentations

Jul 16, 2018·2 min read·Chemistry

5 Meaningful Ways to Leverage the 'MakeyMakey' in Your Teaching

Arduinoi, MakeyMakey, Invention, Assistive Technology

Jul 9, 2018·3 min read·Curiosity

3 Ways to Simplify, Streamline, and Empower Your Lesson Design

3 Ways to Simplify, Streamline, and Empower Your Lesson Design

May 17, 2018·2 min read·Biology

Structure for Authentic Reading in My Biology Class.

Biology, Literacy, Google Docs, Spreadsheet, Reading, Medicine.

Feb 6, 2018·1 min read·Commentary

Mass Group Google Doc Editing During Class

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Jan 13, 2018·1 min read·Design

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.

Jan 3, 2018·1 min read·Chemistry

Google, Document, Curation, Creation, Textbook

Student Created and Curated Textbook

Jan 1, 2018·1 min read·Google

Google, Document, Template, URL

Google Drive Template to Customized Short URL, template with students or teachers whom I am working with for a short period of time, this process works great.

Dec 31, 2017·1 min read·Chemistry

Movies, Clips, Curiosity, Spark, Videos

My 15 Favorite Movie Clips to Use as Science Curiosity Sparks, Strategically leveraging clips from movies that show various phenomena. Read more: Cycles of Learning.

Dec 29, 2017·1 min read·Chemistry

Curiosity, Technology, Chemistry

Most powerful ways to spark Involuntary Curiosity in students is to strategically trim a video clip to remove content or present an unresolved of the content.

Sep 25, 2017·1 min read·Chemistry

Student Curated Study Guides via G. Form File Submission

Student Curated Study Guides via G. Form File Submission | Last year a new feature was added to Google Forms which allows users to submit a file. Cycles of Learning.

Sep 4, 2017·2 min read·Chemistry

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

Jul 30, 2017·2 min read·Invention

DIY Arduino Leonardo MakeyMakey

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Feb 15, 2017·1 min read·Curiosity

EdTech Team Hangout on Blended Learning

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Jan 20, 2017·3 min read·Curiosity

Assistive Technology Course Using Arduino & MakeyMakey: From Design to Delivery

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Oct 23, 2016·2 min read·Design

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.

Sep 17, 2016·1 min read·Inquiry

Human-Centered Design and the 'MakeyMakey'

Human-Centered Design and the 'MakeyMakey' - recently gave my robotics students an invention challenge using the MakeyMakey designed. Cycles of Learning

Sep 17, 2016·1 min read·Technology

Sharing Written Work Through 'Snapshots'

Years ago I wrote a post about using the webcam 'Snapshot' feature to share student work. Click here to read. Nearly four years ago, many tech strategies.

Sep 13, 2016·1 min read·Curiosity

Keynote Presentation & Online Courses

Keynote Presentation & Online Courses | I have received many requests for recorded versions of a Keynote presentation on the relationship between the Hero's Journey

Jul 28, 2016·4 min read·Curiosity

Assistive Technology with MakeyMakey

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Apr 2, 2016·2 min read·Commentary

My Two Current EdTech Obsessions

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Mar 30, 2016·1 min read·Curiosity

littleBits Interview

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Sep 8, 2015·1 min read·Assessment

Student Blogging

Experimenting this year with very organized student blogging. With respect to assessment, at the conclusion of every learning cycle students take a quiz.

Apr 18, 2014·1 min read·Technology

Leveraging iPhoto for Review/Problem-Solving Sessions

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Jan 27, 2014·3 min read·Commentary

'Idea Dump': Quickly Curate & Share Creativity

I love teaching. Chances are, if you have made it to this blog post, you also love teaching. Among the myriad of reasons, I love the creative process teaching requires. We, as educators, must...

Nov 12, 2013·1 min read·Technology

Using OneTab to Facilitate Google Drive Portfolio Assessment

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Sep 9, 2013·1 min read·Technology

Video in Google Forms!

No words needed! This is freaking awesome:

Sep 2, 2013·1 min read·Technology

Using G.Drive App to Facilitate Student 'Think-Alouds'

My favorite updated Google Drive  feature is the ability to record video that is uploaded directly to your Google Drive account from the mobile app . Below are a few images:

Aug 29, 2013·1 min read·Apple Tv

Hack #1: Apple TV/iPHone/Doc Cam

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Aug 12, 2013·1 min read·Curiosity

Jay Silver Interview: Pedagogy of Makey Makey Video

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Jul 26, 2013·1 min read·Commentary

Bedley Bros. Episode #19

Had a great conversation with the Bedley Bros . about inquiry today. Check it out below:

Jul 13, 2013·4 min read·Misc.

Spontaneous Blogger Posts via Text & Email

PD and classroom tool. When facilitating a workshop with teachers I have been using Blogger to create our resource spontaneously as the session progresses.

Feb 13, 2013·2 min read·Technology

Word Clouds

For the past few years I have been experimenting with word clouds, specifically using  Wordle , and more recently,  Word Sift . Traditionally I have only used them to create clouds of student...

Dec 18, 2012·1 min read·Technology

Online Review Session System

Online Review Session System - my AP Chemistry final we conducted a review session using a charango, a free chat service and educreations. Cycles of Learning.

Dec 15, 2012·2 min read·Misc.

Student Final Review Videos

The week before our AP Chemistry final exam I always provide my students with a practice exam. would spend a ridiculously long period of time creating screencast

Nov 28, 2012·2 min read·Technology

Explore-Apply over Break: Paperless Turn-In

Although I am against assigning problems for students to do over holidays, the realities of teaching an AP curriculum sometimes demand that I do. This Thanksgiving break came directly in the middle...

Oct 30, 2012·2 min read·Inquiry

Inquiry Videos & Full-Screen YouTube Hack

Inspired by a fabulous  Dan Meyer  session I attended at  my school  last month, I have begun the process of trying to re-frame as many released AP Chemistry problems into inquiry videos as...

Oct 17, 2012·1 min read·Technology

Tailored Feedback w/ G. Forms 'Branching' & 'FormEmailer' Script

When off-loading content delivery, pairing the assignment with a Google form for reflection and critical analysis of the video/text, etc., is a powerful way to facilitate metacognition, but also...

Oct 1, 2012·2 min read·Misc.

Google Snapshot Jigsaw

As a science instructor, I find myself spending a lot of time debating, creating and reflecting on the “explore” phase of the l earning cycle . Naturally, “hooking” students, building...

Aug 30, 2012·4 min read·Technology

Harnessing the Power of Edit Confirmation

The model shows a simple allocation where video that is used to spark inquiry is allocated to the classroom space or “community” and video that is used for content delivery is allocated to the...

Aug 21, 2012·1 min read·Commentary

Techsmith Video

I was honored for my classroom at  Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory  to be featured in a video by  Techsmith  last Fall. Not only do I use many of their products, I am constantly inspired by...

Aug 21, 2012·1 min read·Models

Video as an Instructional Device

This summer I spent a lot of time trying to organize my thoughts about the use of video as an instructional device. Currently in my practice, I use video for a) content delivery after inquiry and b)..

Jul 26, 2012·2 min read·Technology

SBG and Evernote

Last fall I began implementing a simplistic version of Standards Based Grading (SBG) in our chemistry class. Click  here  to read more. In this version, students are encouraged to reassess...

Jul 10, 2012·1 min read·Technology

Self-Grading Google Form

CYCLES OF LEARNING

Jun 19, 2012·1 min read·Inquiry

How fast am I walking (First Display Recorder attempt)

Instead of driving to STEM camp this morning, I decided to walk, and use the  Display Recorde r app to screencast the little ball on the map directions. I uploaded the video to YouTube, and when I...

Mar 10, 2012·1 min read·Inquiry

Reflection App

Reflection App allows you to mirror your iPhone 4S or iPad display directly onto your max OSX computer. See the below video for an overview:

Jan 22, 2012·1 min read·Technology

Embedding Educreations Profile in Site

This post serves as a screencast extension to last week’s post:

Jan 16, 2012·1 min read·Technology

Quick Tutorials

Out of the five  iPad whiteboard recording  apps available,  Educreations  and  Showme  are the only two apps that include an online hosting service where videos are stored for public access....

Jan 15, 2012·1 min read·Technology

CLS Tech Conference/Vimeo Chapter Markers

I was honored to speak at the California League of Middle and High School’s annual  RTI and Technology Conference  this Friday. Below is screncast of my presentation recorded using  Screenflow ....

Jan 5, 2012·1 min read·Technology

Importance of a Reflection Mechanism

have written often about how including a google form to track student qualitative and quantitative reflection of instructional videos has made all the difference in my class. The below video...

Dec 22, 2011·5 min read·Technology

Negotiating the Access Issue

Whether you are implementing some form of flip instruction, using an online assessment system such as ALEKS, or requiring your students to engage

Dec 21, 2011·1 min read·Technology

Student Chomps

prepare for upcoming exam on gases, students worked in groups to make instructional videos using screenchomp. Below are the steps I used to facilitate the process: