Posts by Alison Anderson

Kinesthetically Kinect to Learning

I am sitting here in the San Diego Airport, with my head spinning with new ideas from the incredible - and at the same time incredibly overwhelming - ISTE conference. Yet, as I run back through the list of sessions and events one concept that pops out at me that is just dripping with yet to be tapped potential, is integrating the Xbox Kinect into classroom learning.

Extreme “Make” Over Computer Lab Edition!

Lately, with all this focus on mobile learning, the computer lab has been getting a bad rap - labeled as a place where students sit disconnected from each other, learning how to type or create PowerPoint presentations. That method of using technology is already outdated and, frankly, boring. But, the reality is, most schools have a computer lab and I’m not sure we want to throw them out just yet! They’re not (all) bad places. They are just not always being used effectively.

MentorMob: What’s On Your Playlist?

A few months ago, I discovered MentorMob (MM), which allows any user to create “learning playlists” to share or open up to other fellow learners who might want to add or edit the content in the playlist. The end product is the ultimate learning tool for students, especially when the playlist is populated with high-quality content, including visual, audio and interactive elements.

Searching For What Students Need to Learn

Our students are using technology more and more every day. This is the reality, especially as digital tools become part of everyday life. In order to be effective digital learners, one of the universal competences every student needs to master and all teachers need to model is the ability to perform an effective search. Search skills are essential for making anyone an independent and effective learner in today’s society.