Learning is Change

What I'm Reading: We shouldn't forget Clifford Stoll

Clearly, we have the benefit of hindsight on our side. In 1999 when this book was written, I could see this argument really making a lot of sense. I believe that the author of this book was one of the great contrarians before the first EdTech bubble, during the time where the first real use of e-rate for computers was being pushed (1996-2000). 

I think we are probably in the midst of the second EdTech bubble, however. There are many companies that are touting a better way to teach and learn and ignoring the human components of that process. I think the warning from this earlier time is still valid. Any technology without humanity is doomed to fail in our schools.

We need to push forward and create new opportunities for learning, but we need these contrarians. We need luddites to make sure what we are trying out in our classrooms is actually BETTER and not just different. Who are your favorite second-wave EdTech Contrarians?

High Tech Heretic | Awful Library Books

“To turn learning into fun is the denigrate the two most important things we can do as humans: to teach, To learn.”

What I'm Learning: Audrey Watters asks really great questions.

This post is from a while ago, but I found it again and was compelled to make sure it gets seen by even more people. The questions she asks were originally for EdTech companies, but I wonder if they should apply to those who are trying to leaders in districts who claim to have the best interests of students in mind when they craft strategies for the way forward. 

What do you think? How should these questions be used?

“The Audrey Test”: Or, What Should Every Techie Know About Education?

I want us to set the bar really high when it comes to education technology — both in its development and its implementation. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. I mean, we’re talking about teaching and learning here, and while I believe strongly we should all be lifelong learners, most often when we talk about ed-tech, we’re talking about kids.

What I'm Learning: How to copy Google Drive folders and their contents using a Script

This one seems pretty obvious, but there are often dozens or hundreds of files that need to be copies in Google Drive (giving you a copy that you own rather than using the original). This script lets you do that. Follow the linked instructions for best results. 

How To: Copy Folder Structure and Contents in Google Drive?

Meet GDrive Copy Folder script which lets you make copy of any Google Drive folder, duplicating the structure along with the contents in it.

What I'm using: Mic Note for recording audio and syncing it to written notes on a Chromebook

I love how this works on a Chromebook and how there are a whole bunch of different features, like timestamping and editing the recording on the fly. I will be playing with this a bunch, as it syncs with Google drive so well. 

Mic Note -Audio Recorder & Notepad – Chrome Web Store

? Record voice through HOURS while taking note synced, for lectures,meetings,conferences,interviews.

? Mic Note is an audio recorder + notepad, 2 in 1 tool.

? If you are looking for a voice recorder and still want to take notes in the same time, you are right here.

? Perfect for Lectures, Meetings, Conferences, Interviews, Brainstormings, Quick Notes, To-Do Lists, Planning and more.

What I’m Learning: How to limit the number of words in a response to a Google Form question.

While you can use the advanced data validation properties of a Google Form question to limit the number of characters in an answer, you will need a regular expression in order to limit the number of words. If you ever have such a need, here it is:

^\s*(\S+\s+){1,9}\S*$

This regular expression will limit the response to 10 words. You can change the 1 and the 9 if you want to have different limits on the number of words (the 1 represents the lowest number your question will accept and the 9 represents the highest).

This is what it looks like in a question:

What I'm Using: YouiDraw – An amazing Vector Graphic App for Chrome(books) that works with Google Drive.

I really like this application, as it is so fully featured. It seems to be even better than Inkscape. I also really enjoy that there are MANY different templates to start from.

YouiDraw, Online Vector Graphic Design, Drawing Online Logo Maker.

Create stunning vector Graphic design with YouiDraw online. It’s like Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw but it works with html5 and Google Drive. So there’s no software to download, install and config. You can access your work anytime, anywhere. Suddenly, your creativity is unleashed!

What I'm Reading: My favorite blog post of the moment with more than a little bit of snark. (H/T Ani McHugh – @teacherbiz31)

If you are someone who is interested thinking about data differently or perhaps critiquing the current system of emphasizing Rigor, Grit, and Testing, I highly recommend this blog post.

Dear Teachers: Feed the Data Monster. Rigorously and with Grit. | teacherbiz

Dear teachers, Now that the 2014-2015 school year is well underway, I’m writing to you with a friendly reminder of what everyone already knows:

What I'm Learning: You can embed a Hangout button pretty much anywhere.

So, I should have probably realized this, but you can set up a Google Hangout with a simple click of a button. You can do this in your own website or simply insert this button in a Google Site without coding anything.

I am going to be using this to set up specific support structures using hangouts for PD. How will you use this feature?

If you want more of the technical aspects of this, go here: 

Google+ Hangout button – Google+ Platform — Google Developers

The Hangout button lets you launch a Google+ Hangout directly from your site. When you use the button, you can set up the Hangout in a variety of configurations. For example, you can specify Hangout apps that launch along with the Hangout and setup the Hangout as a regular Hangout or a Hangout On Air. You can customize the Hangout button to meet the needs of your website by modifying the button size, loading the button when the page loads, or selectively showing the button using JavaScript.