Don I came across a blog post from 8 years ago where I wrote about how I was working with students and talking about computers. In the post I shared that I used Ubuntu Linux as my operating system. I still work with students and I still recommend Linux over any other operating system because there is something … Read more
A few months back I purchased some surplus iPads from a local school district. I had intended to use them in an after-school program where I am a volunteer. When I discovered that I didn’t need them because we already had enough computers I laid them off to the side. A little over a month … Read more
I’ve been using Linux as my primary desktop for quite awhile. Over the years I’ve used Mandrake, Red Hat, Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian and now Linux Mint. Mint is a Ubuntu derivative which makes it part of the Debian tree in Linux. A bit over a month ago I gave my four year old MacBookPro an … Read more
Recently my friend John came to me with a problem. His Windows 8 notebook computer which is only about three years old was getting tired and not running well. He wanted to know what my suggestion was. I said, “Get a Chromebook!” He wanted to know what that was and I did a bit of … Read more
If you’re looking for a fresh educational perspective and an invitation to build a school educational program that’s the embodiment of the maker culture then you ought to read “The Open Schoolhouse: Building a Technology Program to Transform Learning and Empower Students.” Recently written and published by Charlie Reisinger who is the technology director at … Read more
Everyday I try to think of at least three things that I am thankful for. Today I’m grateful to be in good health. I’m thankful that I have a purpose in life. I’m thankful that I have a grandson too. Fall is a time of transition and sometimes it’s discouraging to see summer end. The … Read more
I learned a lot of new words today and remembered some older ones too. I learned what it’s like to be in a country where you don’t speak the language. I got a break too because at least here in Quebec City there are lots of people willing to help visitors who don’t speak French. … Read more
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 to weigh the pail as though with each measurement we are increasing the mass … Read more
Five years ago I could never have imagined how I spend my life these days. I retired from public education three years ago. That was frightening at the time. What would I do I thought. How should I re-invent myself. There was a lot of angst. Since then, I’ve found new life as a volunteer in … Read more
Last week on Thursday I had business at the Prendergast Library in Jamestown, New York. I was there for a meeting and after a fifty-mile ride I stopped in the library’s lavatory to refresh myself. While I was there a fellow came into the same space and he looked unkempt, smelled like he hadn’t had … Read more
