Category Archives: Education

You owe it to yourself

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Don Watkins

Persist by Elizabeth Warren My rating: 5 of 5 stars I liked Elizabeth Warren and thought she had the makings of a great president before I read this book. Now after reading the book I am more sure than ever. … Continue reading →

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Chromebook thoughts and virtual meetings

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Don Watkins

I’ve been a fan of Chromebook’s since the first time I saw one seven or eight years ago. I bought my first Chromebook in 2013 and loved it so much that it became my daily driver, replacing the MacBook Pro … Continue reading →

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An urgent read for educators

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Don Watkins

An Urgency of Teachers: the Work of Critical Digital Pedagogy by Jesse Stommel My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a great book. It is a collection of essays and it is thought provoking beyond measure. I’m so glad … Continue reading →

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Giving is its own reward

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Don Watkins

I recently read an article about the Hidden Benefit of Giving Back to Open Source Software. The main focus of the article is about the economic benefit. The author makes the point early on that, “The reason for that benefit … Continue reading →

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Are you going to start a maker space?

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Don Watkins

Your Starter Guide to Makerspaces (The Nerdy Teacher Presents) by Nicholas Provenzano My rating: 4 of 5 stars It’s a good discussion about what makes a makerspace. I really loved the author’s personal touch in sharing his own experiences more … Continue reading →

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Every Wall is a Door

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Don Watkins

I first read the quote, “Every wall is a door” by Ralph Waldo Emerson on the wall of a Facebook friend. It continues to be one of my favorites. Just yesterday we got some unhappy news. When bad news comes it … Continue reading →

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Stories that go untold but ought to be shared

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Don Watkins

Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History by Kate Schatz My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is an easy yet provocative book that tells stories usually left out of typical history … Continue reading →

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Great EV3 programming resource

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Don Watkins

The Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming by Terry Griffin My rating: 4 of 5 stars Great book. I’m teaching a EV3 robotics and programming class and this is my main text. It’s a fantastic resource for teachers and students. … Continue reading →

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Is this Science because I’m failing this in school

Posted on October 22, 2016 by Don Watkins

This year I got a great opportunity to work with a unique group of students in an after school program at St. Bonaventure University. I am fortunate to work with Dr. Anne Foerst, a computer science professor at St. Bonaventure. … Continue reading →

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The lighting of a fire #IMMOOC

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Don Watkins

One of my favorite quotes is,”education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” by William Butler Yeates. Yet, most of the emphasis in education today is on how much is in each pail. We … Continue reading →

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