Paper-free Days spark Tech Transformation (summary)
by Ron McAllister
This articled discussed how one school implemented a paper free day in their school in order to encourage teachers to use technology more in their rooms. The goal of the paper free day was to challenge the teachers to try a new way of teaching and engaging students using the technology they had in their school. The perk of this was the money that was saved when they did this, which the devoted to paying for more technology in the school. The design was very flexible for the teachers. They got to choose the day they wanted to go paper-free so they could plan for it accordingly. Next each teacher got to choose the level of technology use they wanted to have in their room, depending on how comfortable they were with it all. Some could use devices, while others could choose to do a smart board lesson where they had the students come up and use the pen or interact on the smart board. I liked that the principal helped facilitate positive change in the school when they stated in the article that they were not "anti-paper", and that they still recognize that paper-pencil tasks are still needed in the school. The results of their paper free day were amazing! Teachers stated that students were more engaged, and parents recognized their children were excited and engaged for school which increased their by-in to the BYOD that the school had set up. The school had some very positive results with this, and made me want to pitch an idea like this to our school to see if it would be something we could try as well. This was an encouraging article!
Why 3D Printing Needs to Take Off in Schools Around the World
by Eddie Krassenstein
This article discussed 3D printing and what it could look like for school. The author of the article recognized that it is a relatively new thing and so it hasn't gotten as much embracing as it could. They break down how 3D printing could work four different subject area. They start off with discussing how in math, it could be used to envision graphs and math models with a more hands on approach. By printing a representation of what you are talking about you could help students with and without disabilities grasp abstract concepts more easily. Next the article discussed printing in geography/geology. They could print different formations of the land for students to see and study. One concept they mentioned was that textbook writers could integrate 3D printing into the lessons and included files for 3D printable materials for each chapter of the book. Next they looked at printing in history. They discussed how museums could print artifacts that museum goers could handle and feel while looking at the untouchable ones. They also could have a library of downloadable files that schools could use to make in order have students touch and feel the material. Finally the article talked about using 3D printing in art, which the author felt would have a tremendous effect on the class and printing. Students could view 3D models and also share final results across the globe with other students in other schools. This gave some great specifics about how to get 3D printing out to more schools and places to help the world see the value in the tool.
Paper-free Days spark Tech Transformation (summary)
by Ron McAllisterThis articled discussed how one school implemented a paper free day in their school in order to encourage teachers to use technology more in their rooms. The goal of the paper free day was to challenge the teachers to try a new way of teaching and engaging students using the technology they had in their school. The perk of this was the money that was saved when they did this, which the devoted to paying for more technology in the school. The design was very flexible for the teachers. They got to choose the day they wanted to go paper-free so they could plan for it accordingly. Next each teacher got to choose the level of technology use they wanted to have in their room, depending on how comfortable they were with it all. Some could use devices, while others could choose to do a smart board lesson where they had the students come up and use the pen or interact on the smart board. I liked that the principal helped facilitate positive change in the school when they stated in the article that they were not "anti-paper", and that they still recognize that paper-pencil tasks are still needed in the school. The results of their paper free day were amazing! Teachers stated that students were more engaged, and parents recognized their children were excited and engaged for school which increased their by-in to the BYOD that the school had set up. The school had some very positive results with this, and made me want to pitch an idea like this to our school to see if it would be something we could try as well. This was an encouraging article!
Why 3D Printing Needs to Take Off in Schools Around the World
by Eddie KrassensteinThis article discussed 3D printing and what it could look like for school. The author of the article recognized that it is a relatively new thing and so it hasn't gotten as much embracing as it could. They break down how 3D printing could work four different subject area. They start off with discussing how in math, it could be used to envision graphs and math models with a more hands on approach. By printing a representation of what you are talking about you could help students with and without disabilities grasp abstract concepts more easily. Next the article discussed printing in geography/geology. They could print different formations of the land for students to see and study. One concept they mentioned was that textbook writers could integrate 3D printing into the lessons and included files for 3D printable materials for each chapter of the book. Next they looked at printing in history. They discussed how museums could print artifacts that museum goers could handle and feel while looking at the untouchable ones. They also could have a library of downloadable files that schools could use to make in order have students touch and feel the material. Finally the article talked about using 3D printing in art, which the author felt would have a tremendous effect on the class and printing. Students could view 3D models and also share final results across the globe with other students in other schools. This gave some great specifics about how to get 3D printing out to more schools and places to help the world see the value in the tool.