Be My Eyes – A Really Cool App

/ Dave Eberwein / 2 Comments

I’m occasionally asked why I’m so passionate about technology in schools.  It can admittedly cost a lot of money and for what real advantage?Ed Tech

It’s a GREAT question.  And it’s one that I’ve given a fair amount of thought to over the years — even more so in the recent past.  You can read some of my thinking in some recent blogs that I’ve written on the topic:

For me the question isn’t really ABOUT the technology — it’s about the effect that technology can have on the learning or lives of those it impacts.

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Virtual & Augmented Reality – Are They Really Worth the Hype?

/ Dave Eberwein / 2 Comments

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are slowly making their way into schools.  Depending on the quality of the needed device a VR headset can be a few dollars (i.e. cardboard cutout that uses your smartphone) or a very expensive one costing hundreds of dollars per unit.  AR headsets can be just as expensive.

 

I’m admittedly a bit cautious when new tech is touted as the next ‘best thing’ for education.  Are these headsets just a gimmick with lots of fun entertainment value or are they really a way for students to actually go deeper with their learning?

Like most everything, I suppose it depends on how and why you use them.

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When Innovation & Best Practice Collide

/ Dave Eberwein / Leave a comment

The Rubik’s Cube — who didn’t have one when it was all the rage back in the 1980s?  What an innovation — certainly one of most unique puzzles or toys I had as a youth!

rubiks cube 2As the story goes, Hungarian sculptor and professor Ernő Rubik invented the device to teach his students about the mechanics behind 3D movable parts.  He soon discovered that he had a pretty cool toy on his hands and with that impetus, the Rubik’s Cube made it’s international debut at some European toy fairs in early 1980.  With sales at over 350 million units to date it is widely assumed to be the world’s top selling puzzle game … ever!

If toy stores had not decided to take a chance on this innovative new toy we never would have had been enamored with its unique challenge.

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