Find of the Month

Actually, this is the find of last month which I discovered at the Schools Withouth Walls Conference, but I'm still trying to get better with my blogging.  Once you purchase the product, the apps that work with it are FREE. You guys know how I love FREE! The Osmo product comes with a small mirror that you clip to the top part of your iPad (yes, it works on the mini as well) and a stand.  This mirrored clip covers the camera eye so that the camera now projects out to the desktop area in front of your iPad which is tilted in the stand. Also included in the package are the tools you need to work with the Tangram app and Words app.  Both of these apps are free in the iTunes store.  The last free app that works with the Osmo stand and camera mirro is the Newton app.  To make this app work, you will need a blank sheet of paper. Osmo has created an excellent video that better describes how their product works.  Check it out!

Currently, if you don't have to have your order until after Christmas, you can save $15 per device.  This takes the regular price of $79.99 down to $64.99.  For school districts, the following discounts apply:

• Receive 1 Free Osmo with every purchase of 5 Osmo (up to 5 free Osmos)
• Receive 10% off 50+ bulk orders
• Free Shipping for all school orders

Calling All Experts

When I first starting teaching over 30 years ago, I thought I needed to be the expert.  I felt like I worked harder than my students when preparing for a lesson.  I read the chapter, I did the assignments I was asking my students to complete, and I was ready for every question. Was I really ready?  Probably not, but I felt I had done the best I could to be prepared. As an administrator, I wonder, are educators today ready for every question. How are we preparing educators today to be ready for the lesson and questions ahead?

At a recent conference I attended, there was a conversation where one person shared that she heard a teacher tell her students, I'm not an expert.  She disagreed with her making that statement.  Another lady said, I'm not sure I disagree with her.  Have we reached a time in education where we cannot profess expert status? I confess, I might be skeptical of anyone who did say they were an expert. Too many things change daily. You have to be prepared to modify and adjust. Students today have access to a treasure-trove of ways to learn whatever might interest them. Are the people teaching them experts? I doubt that, but they have a passion for what they do and they are willing to share that knowledge with the masses.

Technology today, and, education in general, are dynamically changing by the hour.  It is a constant test of your professionalism to stay on top of the changing trends. The device that is in today may be out tomorrow. That is why it's vital as educators that we still concentrate on universal skills that will always be a constant for our students. Students need skills that will serve them for a lifetime regardless of the device or the medium.  This does mean, though, that we probably can't do things the way they have always been done. How will you prepare for today's lessons?