Three Tips to Get More Out of Webinars
Back in 2007 or 2008 I watched a professional development webinar for the first time. I can’t remember exactly what the webinar was about (it was something about Second Life), but I do remember thinking that I didn’t get “it.” After that I watched bunch of free webinars about all kinds of things because that’s […]
Join Me Next Week for the Practical Ed Tech Virtual Summer Camp!
Next week I’m hosting the third session of the Practical Ed Tech Virtual Summer Camp. The first two sessions were full of enthusiastic teachers who asked great questions and shared great ideas over the course of ten interactive webinars. Some of the topics that sparked the most questions were online assessment, digital portfolios, video creation, […]
Join Me This Summer for Two Days of Hands-on PD
The days are getting longer and even though we had a snow day yesterday, today is a beautiful day here in Maine. Before we know it kids will be showing up to school in shorts and tee-shirts again. And although the summer might feel far away, it will be here sooner than later. I’m looking […]
The Practical Ed Tech Podcast – Episode 33 – Larry Bird
In this week’s episode of The Practical Ed Tech Podcast I’m back from the flu and from a short vacation. Highlights of this episode include new Google Docs tools, a new way to make videos from text, and a cute app for little kids like mine. As always, I answered a handful of questions from […]
The Week in Review – The Most Popular Posts
Good morning from Maine where it is a crisp -9F! Unfortunately, the forecast indicates that it’s not going to get much warmer than 0F and it will be windy. In other words, it might be a day for bowling instead of playing outside. My youngest daughter recently discovered that she loves bowling! Well as much […]
Four Tips for Facilitating Classroom Arduino Projects
This year I have been doing a lot of Arduino projects with students in my Intro to Computer Science Principles course. Some of the projects have gone quite well and some not so well. I’ve talked about these in a couple of podcast episodes, but I haven’t written anything about Arduino until now. If you’re […]
10 Things You Can Learn at the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp
Snow and sleet is falling here in Maine, I’m on the second day of a brutal chest cold, and 25% of my students were absent earlier this week. In other words, it’s the perfect time to think about summer and all of the good things that come with summer. One of those good things that […]
The 2020 Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp Registration is Open
Every summer except one since 2013 I’ve hosted the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp here in Maine. Last year I moved it to a new location within the state and it was the best location yet! That’s why I’m excited to announce that this year we’re going to be back at the Bethel Inn Resort […]
See What’s Behind Any Webpage With Mozilla’s X-Ray Goggles
One of the topics that we talked about during the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp was digital literacy and critical thinking. To that end, I presented Mozilla’s X-Ray Goggles as a tool that can be used to create a modified version of real news story from legitimate sources. Mozilla’s X-Ray Goggles lets you see the code behind […]
Forms, Expeditions, and RSS – The Week in Review
Good morning from Maine where I’m looking forward to a fun day of playing outside with my daughters. Earlier this week I took a day off to take them to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, Maine. They love seeing all of the animals there so much that we have an annual pass to the […]
Only Seven Seats Left!
The snow is almost gone here in western Maine. It won’t be long now until we’re breaking out the shorts, tee shirts, and flip flops. As the summer gets closer the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp is filling up. As of this morning there are only seven seats remaining for this hands-on learning experience. If […]
Last Weekend for Early Registration Discounts for Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp
The Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp is down to only ten seats remaining and only three days left to get the early registration discount. If you have been thinking about joining us this summer for two days of hands-on learning, now is the time to register. Here’s a list of ten things that you can […]
Things to Learn and Do at the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp
For the last two days I have been featuring slides from my presentations at this week’s MACUL Conference in Detroit. Many of the things in those slides will be included in the hands-on learning experiences at the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp that I’m hosting in July. Here’s a list of ten things that you […]
VR, Forms, and Storyboards – The Week in Review
Good morning from Maine where more snow is in the forecast! If you like to ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile it has been a fantastic winter. If not, you’re probably hoping for it to end soon. This week I had the pleasure of working with some teachers from adult education programs in Cumberland County, Maine. They […]
Only Two Days Left! – Super-early Registration Discount for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp
It is bitterly cold here in Maine today. But summer will be here eventually and it will be glorious! The sun will rise early and stay up late, the warm breeze will blow, and the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp will happen. If you’re interested in joining us for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp, […]
Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp FAQs Answered
Earlier this month I opened registration for the 2019 Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp. The super-early registration discount ends next week. If you’ve been wondering what it’s all about and if it’s for you, take a look at the following video in which I answered some of the FAQs about the Practical Ed Tech Summer […]
Ten Things You Can Learn at the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp
This year’s Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp is designed for two purposes. First and foremost, it is intended to give K-12 teachers, tech coaches, and administrators two days of hands-on learning about educational technology. The second purpose is to provide a professional development experience in a setting that isn’t a generic conference center or uncomfortable […]
FAQs About the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp
Earlier this week I sent out an email about super-early registration for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp. Some people have already jumped on that offer and others have emailed me with questions about the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp. Here’s a short list of the some of the frequently asked questions and their answers. […]
What is Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality?
Go to any educational technology conference or ed tech blog today and you are bound to encounter augmented reality and virtual reality products. They’re the hot topics of the day in the educational technology industry. Every week I answer questions from readers about AR and VR. One of the patterns I’ve discerned from answering those […]
Search Strategies, PDFs, and the Super Bowl
Good morning from Maine where I’m not doing anything particularly exciting other than brewing up a batch of chili to have during the Super Bowl tomorrow night. Between stirs of the chili I’m working on materials for a bunch of workshops and keynotes that I have coming up over the next three months. The first […]
The 2019 Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp
After putting it on hiatus last year, I’m happy announce that the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp is returning this July! Registration is now open for this two-day, hands-on learning experience. This year’s workshop will be held at the historic Bethel Inn & Resort in picturesque Bethel, Maine. Highlights of the Practical Ed Tech Summer […]
An Easier Way to Register for Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps
Last week I publicized the group discount rate for the Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp and the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp. Since then I’ve had a few people inquire about an option to register with a payment plan instead of paying all at once. So I looked into it and I’m happy to announce […]
Group Discounts for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps
The first of this year’s two Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps is just six weeks away. Group discounts are still available to school districts that are sending four or more people. A group of four can save $600 when they register together compared to the standard registration. Registration for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps […]
Some Seats Still Available at the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps
For the last five years the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps have drawn educators from all over the world to Maine. This summer the Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp and the BYOD Camp will be held in July. There are still some seats available in each camp. You can register by using the forms below […]
Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp Registration Discounts
Every summer for the last five summers teachers from all over the world have come to Maine for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps. The registration fee for this year’s workshops is the same as the previous two summers. But that price is only available for one more day. The Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp […]
The Week in Review – The Most Popular Posts
Good morning from Maine where the sun is shining, the grass is finally green, and pollen is coating any car left outside overnight. I hope that it is equally nice wherever you are this weekend. As the weather turns decidedly toward summer many of us are thinking about professional development opportunities. I’m going to a […]
Ten Fun Things You Can Add To Your Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp Experience
Today is the first true taste of summer that we are having here in Maine. The sun is shining, the air temperature is 85F, and everywhere you look there are pale legs wearing shorts for the first time this year. All this has me thinking about all of the fun things that you can do […]
Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp & BYOD Camp Discounts Extended
Every summer for the last five years teachers from all over the world have joined me in Maine for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps. Due to a couple of people having to cancel their registrations, I’ve re-opened sales for early bird registrations. The Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp will be held on July 20th […]
I Love a Good Keynote…But I’ll Take the Workshop
I love to listen to a good keynote presentation. Dan Meyer’s Math Class Needs a Makeover is still one of the best I’ve seen in terms of challenging status quo in education. Angela Maiers and Vicki Davis speak with passion that is infectious and unsurpassed. And when I am given the opportunity, I enjoy giving the keynote at […]
11 FAQs About the 2017 Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps
Early registration discounts for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps are available for sixteen more days. In the last couple of weeks I’ve answered a bunch of similar questions about the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp and the Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp. Here are those questions and their answers which includes a guest appearance […]
Lighthouses and Designs for Democracy
Earlier this week the featured document from the U.S. National Archives was a drawing of the Matinicus Rock Lighthouse on the coast of Maine. The drawing is one of many in the Designs for Democracy series published by the National Archives. Designs for Democracy is an online exhibit created by the National Archives and Records Administration. The […]
Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp – Super Early Discounts End Soon
Every year for the last four years the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps have sold out. Compared to this time last year, there are more people registering early than ever before. The super-early discount on registration ends this Friday night. The super-early discount price is $100 less than the full price and $50 less than […]
The Week in Review – The Most Popular Posts
Good morning from Maine where I’m getting ready for my annual ice fishing trip on Moosehead Lake. Every year during the February vacation week I join 15-20 other teachers for a few days of ice fishing and relaxing at a camp that doesn’t have Internet access or reliable cell phone coverage. In other words, it’s […]
Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp FAQ
We’ve had three snowstorms in less than a week here in Maine. In other words, it is the perfect time to think about summer. This summer I’m hosting the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp in Portland, Maine. In the video below my assistant Isla and I answer one of the most frequently asked questions about […]
Summer Online PD Opportunities With Me
The Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps have sold out, but there are other ways to learn with me this summer. This summer I’m offering three online PD courses for teachers. Two of those courses include a graduate credit option. You can bookmark the menu of courses here or read on for more information. Getting Going […]
Apply for Complimentary Registration to the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp
A couple of weeks ago the folks at Otus approached me about sponsoring the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp. I wasn’t looking for direct sponsorship of the event so I proposed that they instead sponsor a few people to attend. They agreed and I’m happy to announce that Otus will sponsor three people to attend […]
Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp – Only 7 Tickets Left
Leading the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp has been the highlight of my summer for the last three years. This year I am leading two versions of the event. The Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp and the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp. There are some people coming for the third year in row! The Practical […]
April’s Most Popular Posts on Free Technology for Teachers
April came and went quickly. In fact, it went so quickly that I didn’t even realize it was over until I looked at the date about an hour ago and realized we were into May. I’m a day late on my month-in-review post. Here are the most popular posts of the last month: 1. 11 […]
5 Questions to Consider in BYOD Schools
This post originally appeared on one of my other blogs, Android4Schools.com. More schools are allowing BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) now than even just a few years ago. As a teacher BYOD can be a good thing as it allows students to work with a computer, tablet, or phone with which they are familiar. At […]
Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp Discounts Available for Two More Weeks
It is a beautiful spring day here in Maine which has me thinking about summer. The highlight of my last three summers has been hosting the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp. This summer I’m hosting two of these events. Discounted early registration and discounted early group registration is available until the end of the month. […]
What is BYOD? And Why Do Schools Opt for It?
Last week I wrote a post about some of the things that will be taught during the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp on July 11th and 12th. As has been pointed out to me by a handful of people, one thing that I didn’t do in that post was explain what BYOD is and why […]
5 Ideas for Using Google Sites in Your Classroom
Google Sites is a versatile and core aspect of Google Apps for Education. At first glance you might think that it is just a website creation tool. The more time you spend using Google Sites the more you’ll discover about how it can be used in your classroom. Here are five ways that I’e used […]
9,500 Teachers Get Their Ed Tech Tips This Way
Every month I hear nice compliments from readers of FreeTech4Teachers.com and the FreeTech4Teachers Facebook page followed by, “I don’t always have time keep up with it.” To solve that problem I started the PracticalEdTech.com newsletter. More than 9,500 people now receive that newsletter in their inboxes on Sunday evening or Monday morning depending on where […]
Three Tips for Planning Video Projects
I love video projects because the entire process of developing project ideas, creating the video, and sharing the video engages almost all students. Over the years I have helped hundreds (maybe thousands) of students and teachers create videos in their classrooms. If you haven’t tried making videos with your students or you have and it […]
10 Things You Can Learn at the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp
This summer I will be hosting two Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps in Portland, Maine. The first one on July 11th and 12th is designed for people who are working or will be working in BYOD (bring your own device) and 1:1 programs. The Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp is based on my framework of […]
Three Google Slides Features New Users Often Ask About
Last week I published a post answering three questions that new Google Docs users frequently ask. That post turned out to be quite popular so I’m following up this week with the answers to three questions that new Google Slides users frequently ask. Here are three questions that I frequently hear from new Google Slides […]
3 Google Docs Options First Time Users Often Ask About
Earlier this week I led a short workshop for first-time Google Docs users in a school district near my home. I have facilitated these kinds of workshops on a regular basis for the last seven years. Over those years I’ve compiled a list of the questions most frequently asked by new users. Here are three […]
FAQs About the 2016 Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps
Last month I announced that I will be hosting the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps again this year. The two day event will be held in Portland, Maine at the Holiday Inn By the Bay. The dates are July 11th and 12th for the BYOD camp and July 18th and 19th for the Chromebook camp. […]
Register Early and Save $75 on Two Great Summer PD Events
This summer I will once again be hosting professional development events in Maine. This summer I will host the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp on July 11-12, 2016 and the Practical Ed Tech Chromebook Camp on July 18-19, 2016. Both events are hands-on explorations of how to use free technology tools in your classroom. These […]
Join Me This Summer for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camps
All winter people have been asking if I will be hosting the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp again this year. I’m excited to announce that not only will I be hosting the Practical Tech Summer Camp this year, I’ll be doing it twice! This summer I will host the Practical Ed Tech BYOD Camp on […]