Category Archives: Instructional Design

Educators Are Worried About the Wrong Thing With “Big Data”


It seems that we are awash in data in education, especially edtech, lately. I’m a big data junkie, so I find it tremendously exciting. With the advances in technology we have the opportunity to collect real-time performance data at a … Continue reading

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How Can We Encourage Co-Creation in EdTech?


It’s been a long week for me. I’ve been working on the next big thing that we’re launching next week at Balefire Labs. I won’t give it away here, but suffice it to say that only something really cool brought … Continue reading

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HUGE News! Find the Best Educational Apps NOW!


Today’s the day we’ve all been waiting for, so I hope you’ll forgive my overflowing giddiness! Yes, today, my new business, Balefire Labs, launches!! Parents and teachers, we can help you find the educational apps that provide the best instruction … Continue reading

Posted in App Reviews & Recs, Balefire Labs, Instructional Design, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Ed App Reviews: Will My Kid Like It?


I’ve noticed something pretty interesting in ed tech. I’m wondering if you’ve noticed it too. There are people out there in ed tech who think it’s meaningful to recommend a product according to whether it is liked by their own … Continue reading

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EdTech Reviews: What is an “Objective” Criterion?


For most people this will probably be an incredibly boring post. You’ve been warned. For others, like me, who are very concerned with language in science, and precision of language, this is the post for you. I’ve always described our … Continue reading

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What is Student Engagement? And What Should it Be?


Maybe those seems like weird questions. But they’ve been bouncing around in my head for a while now. I hear a lot of people talk about student engagement as a goal, but I get the impression that not everyone means … Continue reading

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When is Enough, Enough in Education?


This post was written by Dr. Aubrey Daniels and originally appeared on his blog, Aubrey’s Blog. It is reposted here, with his permission and my appreciation. ________________________________________________________________ On NPR this week I heard a report of a study on teacher … Continue reading

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Competency-Based Education and Me.


I’m kind of liking this competency-based education thing. I think I’ve been behind the curve on this, because it’s only really come to my attention recently. And when I did a little more reading for this post, I could see … Continue reading

Posted in Assessment, Instructional Design | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Problems with Free Educational Apps


I was talking to a school superintendent last week about how her district selects iPad apps for use in the classrooms. She said that the first thing they do is separate the free from the paid apps…and then they go … Continue reading

Posted in App Reviews & Recs, Balefire Labs, Instructional Design, Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Creating Effective (and Successful) Educational Apps!


I often get my inspiration for blog posts by reading the blog posts of others…and today is no exception. Yesterday, on the Edudemic blog, Jeff Dunn wrote a post called A Roadmap for Successful Educational App Development. His list is … Continue reading

Posted in App Reviews & Recs, Balefire Labs, Instructional Design, Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments