The Importance of "Why"

I have always liked the work of Daniel Pink regarding motivation. The linked article posted by Bill Powers about Pink highlights the importance of group members' sense of belonging and ownership. I really liked the part about asking "why". By focusing on the "why" rather than just the "how", individuals have a sense of purpose, a key component of motivation. This is an important consideration for leadership when implementing change and for educators when teaching concepts to students. Focus on the "why" and the "how" becomes easier and produces greater results.
http://edudemic.com/2013/01/becoming-a-better-school-leader-using-the-pronoun-test/

Using the Right Apps

This article from Education Week illustrates one of my concerns with the proliferation of apps in education. The apps tend to focus on cognitive skills at the lower end of Bloom's Taxonomy. If educators only see a tablet as a warehouse of apps for the practice of basic skills, they will miss the opportunity to use the device as a tool for creating meaningful work. The tablet is a tool that can be used to demonstrate comprehension, connections and synthesize ideas in a creative way. Have a look at the article.
Education Week

Providing Students' with the Right Opportunities

Our students need to engage in meaningful challenges in order to learn the skills required for their future. Here is a down-to-earth article from Will Richardson that I found interesting.

http://willrichardson.com/post/39652574389/our-new-value-making-stuff-with-kids