As per the Common Core State Standards students must incorporate digital research in their work. I interpret this to mean that students need a twenty-first century version of book sense. We used to teach students how to find books in a library, how to determine who the author and illustrator is, and where to find …
Author: Mathew Needleman
Mathew Needleman, Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Innovator has been pioneering the use of instructional technology for over two decades. He has been a classroom teacher, literacy coach, conference keynoter, and he currently serves as an elementary school principal in Los Angeles, California. He is the founder of the independent education studio, Needleworks Pictures.
Technology in the Common Core: What Do Students Need to be Able to Do?
While there are no isolated technology standards in the Common Core State Standards, technology is embedded across the the grade levels. Many people are focused on students needing a device to take the assessment and not thinking about what students will need to be able to do with that device. The assessment …
What Equipment Do I Need to Make Movies?
A reader question: I’ve always been interested in TV Production and am thinking about writing a grant to start one. Our school has no funding for this, so I don’t even know where to start. What equipment do I need? How much will it cost? I’ve learned that nothing goes out of fashion faster than …
It’s Not About the Apps Keynote Now Live
I’m pleased to announce that my keynote presentation for the K12 Online Conference is now live and will be archived indefinitely so you can watch it whenever. In this fifteen minute presentation I share a little bit about how taking photos with my phone sparked something of a creative renaissance in my life and talk …
K12 Online Conference Trailer: It’s Not About the Apps
The K12Online Conference is on now (and forever). The conference is free and asynchronous…this means you will never “miss” it, you can watch the presentations whenever. I’ve presented twice for the conference before, my favorite being Film School for Video Podcasters in which I play a detective and explain how to make better classroom movies. …
Four Steps for Troubleshooting iOS Devices
There’s not too much you can do to fix a problem when your iPad or iPhone stops working…that’s the good news. There’s just a few things you can try and these usually work. Try each of these one at a time and see if one of them will fix your problem. 1. Update your apps. …
Understanding Technology in the Common Core Standards
I’m reviewing technology use in the Common Core Standards this morning and thought I would share a few resources I’ve found for better understanding them. Remember that I am based in California so the information related specifically to our state might not apply to you directly. What is the difference between California standards and the Common …
Three iPad Apps for Serious Moviemaking
I’m about to start production again on both a classroom video project and an independent short movie outside of the classroom. The planning stages are an exciting time, especially after taking a break from moviemaking for a couple of years. This is the first time I’m shooting without tape. We’re using a DSLR with interchangeable lenses. …
Caine’s Arcade and Google’s 80/20 Innovation Model in the Classroom
The 80/20 Theory As I understand it, Google allows employees to work on their own pet projects for 20% of time while having them work on company chosen projects for the other 80%. Allowing employees the chance to choose what they want to work on for some amount of their time increases motivation in the …
iPhoneography: Unleash Creativity
Follow me on Instagram. Username: needleworks Follow me on Instagram. Username: needleworks My latest creative interest has been iPhoneography. Last year I purchased a DSLR camera, lenses, cases, accessories, and more. I took a class and I’ve even gotten pretty good at using the manual settings. However, on a recent vacation I found myself reaching …