Tuesday, February 10, 2015

App Smashing 101

Technology is an incredible tool for learning because it puts the power of creation in students' hands.  Not only that, but it allows students to share their learning with an authentic audience - beyond the walls of the classroom - their families and friends, and others around the world.

App Smashing is an amazing way to combine the strengths of the various applications available to create a final product that redefines the learning task by creating something that would never have been possible without the use of technology.

App smashing has been one of my goals for technology integration at my school this year, and I have enjoyed sharing app smashing ideas and examples with my staff, as well as other educators, and have been learning a lot along the way.

Check out my App Smashing 101 slides from the ITEM Conference for information, ideas, and resources:





Here are some App Smashing resources that were developed collaboratively during my session:

Explore and Play: Coding with iPads

Coding on iPads can be fun and [fairly] easy with some of the awesome apps that are available these days.  Check out my slides from my Explore and Play: Coding with iPads in the Elementary Classroom poster session at the ITEM Conference for some ideas and resources to help you get started:




ITEM Conference 2014 - An Award!

This past October, I was extremely honored and humbled to be recognized as the Technology Integration Specialist of the Year by the ITEM Organization - Information and Technology Educators of Minnesota!

I am fortunate to work with a very talented, passionate, and supportive group of educators at my school who are open to trying out new ways to integrate technology into learning.  I also feel lucky to collaborate (face to face and via social media!) with knowledgeable and innovative members of the local, national, and international ed tech community through my PLN.





I look forward to continuing to refine my practice through continued learning, collaboration, and reflection, and am so honored for the recognition!

Many thanks!

PS - check out the #mnitem Twitter chats for the latest on information and technology education in MN!