This week, I would like to pass creative control over to my friend Katie Tollitt, creator of For Teachers YouTube channel. Like me, Katie is keen to
Category: Ed Tech
What are ‘soft’ skills and why do students need them more than ever?
In a recent workshop with Tania Lattanzio, she shared this video. As you watch it, consider its accompanying question: will our children be prepared? The
Inspiring change through blogging
This week, it was a privilege to speak to grade six students at Canadian International School of Hong Kong. The students are inquiring into how
Why should teachers be connected and, specifically, why Twitter?
This was the question that I tweeted out last week. My aim was to gather a few quotes for my upcoming workshop. I’ll be facilitating
What are HyperDocs?
First of all, it is important to emphasise what HyperDocs are not. HyperDocs are not just digital worksheets. They are thoughtfully designed digital lessons that support
EdTechTeam #ShekouSummit18
This weekend, I hopped over the border from Hong Kong into China for a weekend of learning at the EdTechTeam Shekou Summit (Shenzhen). Three years
Getting started with Flipgrid (now completely free!)
I briefly mentioned Flipgrid in my previous blog post and, since then, many teachers have been asking me about it. It deserves some elaboration and
Six ways for students to connect and collaborate globally
As we design our lessons, we should consider our learning intentions and choose the best tool(s) for the job. Sometimes that involves technology and sometimes
#HiveSummit 2018 (part 2)
In last week’s blog post, I introduced the #HiveSummit and summarised the first four videos (featuring Michael Cohen, Carrie Baughcum, Rick Wormeli and Tara Martin).
#HiveSummit 2018 (part 1)
#HiveSummit is a digital conference for educators that kicked off on August 1st 2018 and will continue until August 14th. The first four days have
My aims for next year (2018-19)
Our school year has now reached an end. I thoroughly enjoyed it! As a new Head of Year, it was full of challenges, risks, successes
Ten Gmail tips and tricks
Working in such a big and busy school, I receive many emails every day from colleagues, students and parents. It’s vital that I keep up
Sins to avoid as teacher tweeters
Twitter is my favourite social media platform for teachers. I have promoted it many times on this blog because my Twitter connections provide daily support,
The common misuse of Google images
Reusing images from the web is one of the most common misuses of the internet, for adults and children alike. Most people don’t realise that
Ten essential Chrome extensions for teachers (second edition)
Last year, I published my first list of ten essential Chrome extensions for teachers. In no particular order, that list includes: AdBlock Plus, Full Page
Hattie on homework: support for flipped learning?
Like most teachers, I’m aware of John Hattie’s research because of its fame and wide influence. However, I hadn’t read his book (until now) or looked
Bitmoji for teachers
I absolutely love Bitmoji! It allows users to create a personal avatar of themselves that appears in hundreds of picture messages. It never gets boring because
Why we should encourage YouTube aspirations
Since its humble launch in 2005, YouTube has taken the world by storm. It is now the third most visited site on the internet (after
Three more Google courses for self-learning
Most people are aware of the Google certifications that are available and the titles that teachers can gain upon completion: Google Certified Educator Level 1
Contingency and technology
It has been an eventful week for teachers in Hong Kong. In an attempt to manage the influenza epidemic, the Hong Kong Education Bureau (EDB) announced