Jan

30

Using Technology to Show the Process, Not Just the Product

January 30, 2006 | Comments Off

This coming Wednesday, Debra Jarjoura and I will be giving a presentation to the MCDS Lower School faculty about how to use technology to document classroom activities and to create simple student portfolios. Debra, a preschool teacher at The Phillips Brooks School and a true Reggio Emilia aficionado, would definitely not describe herself as a [...]

Jan

23

The Demise of the Computer Teacher?

January 23, 2006 | 2 Comments

A Lower School Technology Coordinator at a K-8 school recently posted a question to BAISNet, wondering whether other independent schools still schedule regular weekly computer lab classes for K-4, or whether we are moving toward a model based on individual teacher signups as classroom projects and needs arise.
For a long time, I’ve been arguing that [...]

Jan

23

Service Learning and Shallow Standards

January 23, 2006 | 2 Comments

On Wednesday, MCDS welcomed Cathryn Berger Kaye to the school for an all-day visit. Kaye is a nationally known Service Learning consultant who works with schools to generate meaningful conversations about ways to connect students to community service projects. Throughout the day, individual teachers and teams had the opportunity to meet and brainstorm with Cathy [...]

Jan

23

Tablets and Cell Phones and Palms — Oh My!

January 23, 2006 | Comments Off

Oh…the modern conundrum…which gadget to use, and for what? Since September my purse is now filled with a cell, an iPod mini a Palm Zire, a 1GB USB thumb drive and occasionally a Sony digital camera. My school laptop is a Gateway tablet. So which gadget should house my calendar and list of contacts? I [...]

Jan

19

MacWorld and Urban HS 1:1 Seminar

January 19, 2006 | Comments Off

Last week was filled with professional development opportunities for my MCDS colleagues and me. On Wednesday, 3 members of our Technology Department attended an amazing all-day seminar on 1:1 student laptop programs hosted by The Urban School in SF. Howard Levin, Urban’s fantastic Director of Technology, hosted 80 visitors from a huge array of independent [...]