Best of MACUL 2013

I am thrilled to be presenting at the Best of MACUL conference tomorrow at Calhoun ISD. I will be presenting two hands-sessions: iPad Primer and Bulletin Boards 2.0. In Bulletin Boards 2,0, we will be exploring different free technologies that let us augment our classrooms and schools with digital content. Augmented reality is free and accessible technology and can come in the form of QR codes, augmented reality apps such as Aurasma, and geo-tagged tools such as Google Field Trips and ARIS.

More Useful MACUL 13 Handouts

Here comes more fun! If you can't get enough of comic turorials for technology integration, I urge you to check out Gwyneth Jones, the Daring Librarian's (@gwynethjones) work. I owe my inspiration to her, for she has used ComicLife for some time now to create some a-mazing comic tutorials. In keeping with my message that the iPad is a powerful creation tool, mine are created exclusively on the iPad. (Never mind that I have a sneaking suspicion that the processor in our family iPad is indeed faster than the MacBook's ...) I feel that creating my handouts on the iPad boils down to "putting my money where my mouth is" and demonstrating how very powerful this tool can be, and how very easy it can be to use.

Useful MACUL Handouts Round 1

Another great MACUL Conference! I am still wheeling from all of the great resources, the vast expertise, and the simply amazing people that filled the halls of Cobo just a few short days ago. We had representatives from Illinois, Maryland, Oregon and California, not to mention the Michigan educators and administrators who came from far reaches in Michigan, from Cadillac to Coloma, Monroe to Mt. Pleasant. I know I walked away with a renewed vision, refreshed passion, and a drive to continue to serve children through thoughtful technology integration.

A Day in Mattawan

It most certainly has been awhile since I have been blogging. I completed my master's program and have been working on remodeling my basement. But now, my desktop is set up again (Yes! We have a desktop!) and I have been getting the blogging bug again.

Before I post one of the hundred and one blog posts that have been percolating, I have the opportunity to present tomorrow at Mattawan's Tech Camp. :-) Without further ado, below are the resources I'll be presenting on video production with kids.

Faster than a speeding train

I jumped into my superhero and hero unit with second grade hoping inspiration would come my way. talking about heros and superheros with the kids is hard work!! I was hoping to problematize the manner in which superheros solve their problems (with uber-cool superpowers and a lusty amount of violence), but let's admit it ... the problems superheros tackle in popular media are generally circumstances in which violence may be justified ... at least in some circles. Discussion on the necessity of violence at all is a whole different blog post, I think.