What Are the Bay Leaves of Education? Blog Post

A few years ago, I met a chef and asked him, “So, bay leaves? Do they even have a point? You can’t taste them. You have to take them out. They seem to get in the way.” He shook his head and said, “Nah, it’s…

The Power of Low-Tech Games and Simulations in the Classroom Blog Post

When people hear the term game-based learning, they often picture students staring at computer screens while navigating elaborate virtual worlds. Or perhaps a lone student staring into a VR headset in isolation. Those experiences certainly have their place (at times). However, some of the most…

The Best Makerspace Might Be Outside Blog Post

We want students to be makers and designers. But there’s a surprising source of inspiration for design: the natural world. As we think about moving toward a low-tech approach, we need something better than desks in rows with students doing worksheets. Listen to the Podcast…

Beyond Screen Time: What LAUSD’s New Policy Gets Right and Wrong Blog Post

The Los Angeles Unified School District has adopted one of the nation’s most restrictive classroom screen time policies. It will dramatically limit technology use across grade levels. Much of the reporting has focused on “banning devices,” but as I examined the actual policy, I noticed…

When Personalized Learning Works Better Than Adaptive Learning Blog Post

Personalized learning has become one of the biggest promises in educational technology, with adaptive learning platforms and AI tutors claiming to tailor instruction to every student. But genuine personalization has to begin with the person. We lose something wen we center it on the algorithm…

What the Revival of Barnes and Noble Can Teach Us about Gen Z and Technology Blog Post

For years, educational technology has promised to make learning faster, more personalized, and more efficient. On some respect, it has delivered on those promises. But as concerns about screen time and student engagement continue to grow, more educators are rediscovering the value of low-tech learning….

Embracing the Low Tech Revolution Blog Post

This is the first in my summer series I’m calling Low Tech Learning. In today’s podcast and article, I explore the negative aspects of a tech-centric environment and the movement toward going low tech. I also want to provide some nuance and balance to set…

Contextual Thinking is Becoming Vital in the Age of AI Blog Post

Authentic learning has always required a connection to a real context. However, in a generative age, where AI cannot “read the room,” contextual thinking has become more important than ever. In this article and podcast episode, I explore the implications of this and share six…

Man with a thought bubble above him and a flow chart behind him

How to Be Proactive About Classroom Management in PBL Blog Post

I've had the honor of leading PBL workshops around the world (but mostly in the US and Canada) for over a decade. And one of the biggest concerns teachers have is how they will manage the chaos of PBL. They know intuitively that if done...