technology – Mike Paul

Gifts for the Tech Dad: Father’s Day Finds for Gadget Lovers

father and son sitting on the floor — Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com

Let’s face it — some dads don’t want ties or mugs. They want toys with microchips, glowing LEDs, and more ports than a space station.

If your dad is the kind who insists on explaining the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt (and why it matters), this is the list for you.

These gifts hit the sweet spot between practical and just plain cool — ideal for Father’s Day, birthdays, or whenever you want to reward the man who upgraded the Wi-Fi and taught you how to use Ctrl+Z.

1. Anker Prime Power Bank (20,000 mAh, 200W Fast Charging)

For the dad who never wants to see 1% battery again
This isn’t just a power bank — it’s a portable power arsenal. Whether he’s juggling devices on a road trip or keeping the family gadgets alive during a power outage, this compact beast delivers serious juice.

With 87W of output shared across three devices, it can simultaneously fast-charge an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy, and even a MacBook. One device can get up to 65W on its own, which is enough to take a 14″ MacBook Pro to 50% in under 40 minutes. And thanks to the built-in USB-C cable (which is rugged enough to survive 10,000+ bends), he won’t have to go digging through his bag for cords.

Need to top it off quickly? A 65W charger will fully refuel the power bank in just 90 minutes. And with a 20,000mAh battery, he can stay unplugged and productive for hours — all while meeting airline travel requirements.

Specs at a glance:

Built-in USB-C cable that charges iPhone 15 Pro to 58% in 30 mins
MacBook Air hits 52% in the same time
20,000mAh capacity for all-day power
Airline-approved for travel
Comes with an 18-month warranty and stellar customer support

If your dad is the kind of guy who’d rather run out of gas than battery, this is the upgrade he didn’t know he needed.

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2. Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2

Because lukewarm coffee is a crime

If your dad is the type who microwaves his coffee three times before finishing it, this one’s a game-changer.

The Ember Mug 2 keeps drinks at the perfect temperature — not just warm, but just right between 120°F and 145°F. It holds heat for up to 80 minutes on its own, or all day when placed on its sleek charging coaster. Whether he’s deep in grading, coding, or falling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole, his coffee or tea will be ready when he is.

What makes this mug especially “dad tech” is the way it balances smart features with everyday ease. He can connect it to the Ember app to set precise temperatures and receive alerts when it hits his preferred level of hotness (135°F is the default if he goes app-free). The mug remembers his last setting too, so once it’s dialed in, it’s hands-off.

With auto-sleep and motion sensors, it wakes up when hot liquid is poured and powers down when not in use. The built-in LED even lets him know when it’s go-time with a glowing temperature-ready signal.

And while it’s techy, it’s still practical — hand-wash safe, scratch-resistant, and water-resistant up to 1 meter (just don’t put it in the dishwasher unless you want to ruin his new favorite gadget).

Why it’s perfect:

Keeps drinks hot for 80 minutes (or all day with the coaster)
App-connected for temperature control and alerts
Auto-sensing sleep/wake features
LED light shows when your drink is just right
Durable, hand-wash safe, and scratch-resistant

Perfect for the desk, the workshop, or the reading nook — and way more thoughtful than another novelty mug.

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3. Meta Quest 3 (128GB)

VR for gaming, fitness, or pretending he’s on the Holodeck

Some dads want socks. Others want to be Batman.

Enter the Meta Quest 3 — the next-gen virtual and mixed reality headset that transforms your living room into whatever world he wants it to be. Whether he’s solving mysteries in Gotham (Batman: Arkham Shadow included with purchase), watching concerts with friends in Meta Horizon, or just kicking back with YouTube on a floating digital screen, this is the ultimate immersive experience.

The Quest 3 isn’t just about play — though there’s plenty of that. It’s built for multitasking, with the ability to pull up multiple screens to browse the web, watch videos, and chat with friends while still being able to see the real world around him. That’s right: mixed reality blends digital objects into his actual space, so he can go from fighting ghosts to answering messages without removing the headset.

Streaming shows? It turns any room into a personal theater with a giant screen, customizable surroundings, and compatibility with USB-C and standard headphones (just bring an adapter). Want to work out without judgment? He can bust a sweat boxing, dancing, or dodging digital projectiles — no gym membership required.

Under the hood:

2X the GPU power of the Quest 2 thanks to the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
Precision hand tracking or enhanced Touch Plus Controllers
Access to apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger right inside the headset
Wireless freedom and a lightweight build for comfort during extended use
Family-friendly with parental controls, usage tracking, and multi-user support (great if you also want to play)

Whether he’s chasing high scores, high reps, or high drama, the Quest 3 lets him do it all in a completely reimagined space.

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4. Bird Buddy PRO Solar Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

The ultimate upgrade for dads who birdwatch with binoculars in one hand and a smartphone in the other

Move over squirrel-cams, the Bird Buddy is here — and it’s not your average backyard bird feeder. This AI-powered feeder is perfect for the dad who loves nature and data. It doesn’t just attract feathered friends; it identifies them, logs them, and sends real-time alerts the moment a new visitor drops by for a snack.

The Bird Buddy’s app uses artificial intelligence to recognize bird species, track visits from individual birds, and even detect signs of illness — yes, we’re officially living in the future. Bonus: it can also ID other animal visitors (looking at you, raccoons). The optional premium subscription lets your dad organize a digital scrapbook of his backyard wildlife and share sightings with friends or family. Think Pokémon Snap, but for birders.

With a 5MP camera and 2K video resolution, this feeder captures stunning close-ups of birds in motion, including slow-mo action shots and gorgeous HDR contrasts. It even has a wide-angle lens to make sure no fluff or feathers go undocumented.

Why it’s smart (literally):

AI identifies birds (and other critters) by species
2K video, HDR, and slow-motion features
Real-time app alerts and educational facts
Privacy-first design: focused only on the feeder, not the yard
Simple setup: app-guided positioning and Wi-Fi pairing
Multiple mounting options: hang it from a branch or mount it to a pole (hanger included, pole not)

If your dad is the kind of guy who narrates backyard bird drama like it’s a nature documentary, this feeder gives him the high-def visuals and intelligent insights to take it to the next level.

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5. Twelve South HoverBar Duo 2

For the multitasking dad who wants his iPad to work as hard as he does

Whether he’s watching YouTube tutorials in the kitchen, catching up on email from bed, or using his iPad as a second screen during work meetings, the HoverBar Duo 2 is the flexible, no-fuss tool every tech-loving dad didn’t know he needed.

This stand does it all. It comes with both a weighted desktop base and a shelf clamp, making it wildly versatile — desk setup, kitchen counter, nightstand, workshop bench — wherever he roams, the HoverBar follows. The quick-release clip makes switching between mounting styles refreshingly painless.

The arm is fully adjustable, capable of positioning the iPad up to two feet in the air or tucked low against the base. Combine that with universal compatibility for all iPad models (yes, even the Pro in its chunky case), and you’ve got a true chameleon of tablet stands.

And let’s talk productivity. This isn’t just a glorified iPad holder — it’s a full-blown station upgrade. With iPadOS now supporting Stage Manager, Universal Control, SideCar, and CenterStage, your dad can turn his iPad into a Mac companion, a presentation tool, or the ultimate eye-level video conferencing rig that keeps him centered in the frame — no awkward chin angles here.

Why it stands out (pun intended):

Includes desktop base and shelf clamp for flexible setup
Height- and angle-adjustable arm puts your iPad right where you need it
Quick-release clip makes setup easy and fast
Works with all iPad models and most cases
Great for dual-screen setups with Mac, or for hands-free use anywhere in the house
Optimized for iPad features like CenterStage, SideCar, and Universal Control

If your dad likes his tech practical, modular, and effortlessly cool, this stand delivers on all fronts.

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6. Logitech MX Master 3S Mouse

For the dad who believes “ergonomic” is a lifestyle and “multi-screening” is a sport

Some dads collect remote controls. Others master the art of seamlessly working across two computers, a tablet, and their phone, without breaking a sweat. If that sounds like your dad, the MX Master 3S from Logitech is the mouse he deserves.

This isn’t your average point-and-click. With FLOW cross-computer control, your dad can move his cursor between multiple screens (yes, even between Mac and Windows) and drag and drop files like it’s magic. It’s like copy/paste leveled up.

The clicks? Still satisfyingly tactile — just 90% quieter, thanks to Logitech’s new Quiet Clicks tech. So if he’s an early riser or a late-night tinkerer, he won’t disturb the rest of the house while organizing his files or editing photos.

The sensor tracks on virtually any surface — even glass — and the upgraded 8,000 DPI precision means his movements are lightning accurate, whether he’s on a workbench, couch cushion, or the sleek glass desk he swears makes him more productive.

Plus, with the Logi Options+ app, he can customize buttons, create app-specific profiles, and even enable AI Prompt Builder, a new feature designed to optimize prompts across generative AI tools. Yes, we’ve reached that level of geekery.

Why it’s a no-brainer:

Works across multiple computers and OSes with FLOW
8K DPI sensor tracks on any surface — even glass
Customizable buttons for different apps/workflows
New Quiet Clicks tech = nearly silent operation
Compatible with Logi AI Prompt Builder via the Options+ app
Ergonomically designed for comfort during marathon work sessions

If your dad lives in spreadsheets by day and edits drone footage by night, this mouse is his secret weapon.

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7. Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit (CanaKit Edition)

For the dad who thinks a fun weekend involves Linux, soldering, and blinking LEDs

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a gift — it’s a gateway. The Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit is perfect for the dad who’s always wanted to build his own server, smart mirror, retro gaming console, or weather station… but just needed the right excuse (and parts) to get started.

This kit is as plug-and-play as Pi projects get. It includes the powerful Raspberry Pi 5 board with a 2.4GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU and a whopping 8GB of RAM, giving him the horsepower to run advanced operating systems, compile code, or spin up containers like a pro. The included 128GB EVO+ microSD card is preloaded with Raspberry Pi OS, so he can boot it up and dive in without downloading a thing.

And this isn’t some bare-board, duct-tape-together setup — the CanaKit Turbine Black Case is sleek and functional, equipped with a low-noise fan and mega heat sink to keep things cool during intense tinkering sessions. Add in a 45W PD power supply and not one but two 6-foot 4K 60p display cables, and your dad will be dual-monitoring his custom Pi dashboard in no time.

What’s in the box:

Raspberry Pi 5 with 8GB RAM and quad-core CPU
Preloaded 128GB microSD card + USB reader
CanaKit Turbine Case + ultra-quiet fan + massive heat sink
CanaKit 45W USB-C PD power supply
2x HDMI display cables (supports dual 4K@60Hz)

This is a dream kit for dads who love building things from scratch — whether it’s for fun, for the challenge, or for turning your smart home into a genius home.

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Bonus Picks (Because tech dads deserve options)

Tile or Apple AirTags – for the dad always asking, “Have you seen my keys?”
Lume Cube Edge Desk Light – elevates his WFH game without hurting his eyes
Kasa Smart Plugs – turn his house into a voice-controlled fortress

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Wrap-Up: Make It Personal

No matter how shiny the gadget, the best gift is one that shows you get him. Pair one of these with a handwritten note, a memory of him fixing your broken phone (again), or a digital playlist of the best dad jams, and you’re golden.

Happy Father’s Day to the dads who read instruction manuals for fun.

—Mike

A Book About a Breakthrough Technology: 5 Fascinating Picks for Your Reading Challenge

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Technology can shape our world, transform industries, and redefine what’s possible. For this prompt in the 2025 Reading Challenge, I’ve selected five compelling books that dive into the stories behind groundbreaking innovations and the people who made them happen. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just curious about the forces driving change, these titles will inspire you.

1. The Innovators by Walter Isaacson

Genre: Nonfiction/Biography
Overview: From the creator of the bestselling Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson explores the history of the digital revolution and the remarkable minds behind it. This riveting tale of collaboration and invention highlights the teamwork driving technological breakthroughs.

Find it on Amazon

2. How to Invent Everything by Ryan North

Genre: Nonfiction/Science
Overview: Imagine being stranded in the past with no modern conveniences. Ryan North’s witty and educational guide is a crash course in humanity’s greatest inventions and how they work. Equal parts entertaining and enlightening, this book is a love letter to technology’s ingenuity.

Find it on Amazon

3. AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan

Genre: Science Fiction/Nonfiction
Overview: Blending storytelling with real-world expertise, this book presents ten futuristic scenarios shaped by AI. Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan explore the promises and challenges of artificial intelligence in a format that’s as thought-provoking as it is engaging.

Find it on Amazon

4. Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson

Genre: Biography/Science
Overview: Another gem from Walter Isaacson, this biography of Jennifer Doudna and the discovery of CRISPR technology is a compelling narrative about one of our most significant scientific breakthroughs. It’s a fascinating look at the ethical dilemmas and possibilities of gene editing.

Find it on Amazon

5. Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan

Genre: Science Fiction
Overview: What happens when humans create life-like artificial intelligence? This thought-provoking novel imagines a world where androids blur the line between human and machine, exploring themes of morality, emotion, and the nature of consciousness.

Find it on Amazon

Why These Books Work for the Challenge

These books explore the multifaceted nature of breakthrough technology—from its historical roots to its ethical implications and speculative future. Whether you’re interested in the real stories behind modern advancements or enjoy grappling with big philosophical questions, this list has something for you.

Get Your Free Printables!

Ready to track your reading journey? Sign up for my newsletter to grab your free 2025 Reading Challenge printables, including a tracker and journal pages.

📥 Sign up here to stay inspired and organized!

Let’s celebrate the marvels of technology through the power of storytelling. Happy reading!

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Ten books from MIT faculty to expand your knowledge of teaching, learning, and technology

As we head into Spring Break and, soon, into summer, you may already be building your reading list.

I know not everyone is busy marking professional learning books like me (yes, I have a sickness), but if you are, I have some recommendations.

Here are 10 books shared by MIT Open Learning faculty that explore teaching, learning, and technology. The books cover topics such as innovation in manufacturing, creating Android apps, sociable robots, educational technology, the science of learning, and workforce education.

One of my favorites, Failure to Disrupt, is on the list. I believe that text is required reading for anyone in the educational technology space if you’re brave enough to admit that we are often wrong about what technology can do in our schools.

Redefining College & Career Readiness for Students

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Ask ten teachers what their job is, and you’ll receive ten different answers. However, most of them share the common goal of preparing the next generation of citizens. Yet, educators acknowledge that the world in which students will live and work will radically differ from the current version. Therefore, it is nearly impossible for the education system to prepare students for that future fully.

To address this challenge, educators often discuss the concept of “college and career readiness.” Being “college and career ready” means that students possess the skills to strategically and effectively apply their learning in various situations, enabling their success in both academic and work environments. This readiness extends beyond academic knowledge and encompasses essential skills such as resilience, mental health, and performance, which are crucial for adapting to an ever-changing future.

However, the focus on specific pathways for college and career readiness often stems from traditional educational structures and measures of success. There is a growing awareness that a one-size-fits-all approach may not suit all students, and personalized learning experiences are increasingly valued. It is important to recognize that success in the future will require adaptability and a broad skill set beyond academic knowledge.

To prepare students for an unpredictable future, we must move beyond traditional 20th-century learning practices and cultivate an updated skill set. This includes fostering strong learning and critical thinking skills and developing “human” skills that equip students to navigate an uncertain world. Moreover, it is crucial to view students as change-makers and provide them with opportunities to develop traits such as optimism and resilience. This preparation should involve nurturing creativity, encouraging exploration, and fostering a willingness to take risks. It is essential to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to progress steadily towards their goals.

However, it is important to acknowledge that a portion of the student population does not fit into the accepted mold of “college and career readiness” imposed by the system. These are the students who consider themselves artists, creators, inventors, and so on. They do not neatly fit into career pathways or college preparatory tracks, which are currently popular trends in high school education.

Regardless of our efforts, we cannot force these square pegs into round holes, or any other shape for that matter. Instead, we should explore ways for these students to create their own paths.

This is where personalized learning comes into play. Personalized learning is becoming increasingly important as it caters to the unique needs of each student, promoting progress at an individual pace. It empowers students to take greater ownership of their learning journey, leading to deeper learning, increased motivation, and improved relationships and communication skills. The implementation of personalized learning requires a shift from traditional classrooms to learning hubs, from a rigid curriculum to personalized pathways, and from a fixed pace to personalized progressions through cycles of inquiry. Creating personalized learning pathways for teachers and recognizing their competency in specific areas through micro-credentials is also beneficial. Additionally, online platforms can offer a range of activities that align with each student’s unique interests and strengths.

Personalized learning and the concept of graduate profiles contribute to a new perspective on career readiness by focusing on individual student strengths and interests. Personalized learning enables student-driven models in which students engage in meaningful, authentic, and rigorous challenges to showcase desired outcomes. This approach fosters skills like goal setting, time management, and the ability to navigate unpredictable obstacles, all of which are crucial for career readiness.

Graduate profiles outline the skills and competencies that a district or institution aims for its students to possess upon graduation. These profiles serve as a guiding principle for improvement efforts and reflect the collective commitment to equipping students with the skills necessary for personal success and meaningful civic engagement. By embracing personalized learning, graduate profiles, and similar concepts, we can better prepare students for their future careers in a rapidly changing world.

How to Use Google Drive in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide

In today’s digital age, the classroom is no longer confined to four walls. Educators can create a dynamic and collaborative learning environment with tools like Google Drive. This guide focuses on how to use Google Drive in the classroom, offering insights and tips to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

What is Google Drive, and Why Use It in the Classroom?

Google Drive is a cloud-based storage system that allows users to save, share, and collaborate on files. Here’s why it’s a game-changer for educators:

Accessibility: Teachers and students can access files from anywhere, anytime.
Collaboration: Work on documents simultaneously, fostering teamwork and creativity.
Organization: Keep all classroom materials in one place, neatly organized.
Integration: Seamlessly integrate with other Google tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Getting Started: How to Use Google Drive in the Classroom

Setting Up Google Drive

Access Google Drive by visiting drive.google.com. Teachers can also install Google Drive on their PCs or mobile devices for on-the-go access.

Creating and Organizing Folders

Create folders for different subjects, projects, or students. Customize them with colors for easy identification.

Uploading Teaching Materials

Drag and drop files or use the “New” button to upload lesson plans, presentations, worksheets, etc.

Sharing Resources with Students

Share files or folders with students by generating a link or inviting them via email. Set permissions to control editing or viewing rights.

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Collaborative Learning with Google Drive

Collaborative Projects

Assign group projects where students can work together on the same document, encouraging collaboration and critical thinking.

Real-Time Feedback

Provide real-time feedback on students’ work by adding comments directly in the documents.

Classroom Portfolios

Students can create digital portfolios within Google Drive, showcasing their work throughout the year.

Tips for Using Google Drive in the Classroom

Set Clear Guidelines: Teach students how to use Google Drive responsibly and set clear guidelines for collaboration.
Use Templates: Create templates for common assignments to streamline the process.
Explore Add-Ons: Utilize add-ons and extensions that integrate with Google Drive to enhance functionality.
Monitor Collaborations: Keep track of changes and contributions by using the “Version History” feature.

Conclusion: Embrace Digital Learning with Google Drive

How to use Google Drive in the classroom is a question with an exciting array of answers. From fostering collaboration to organizing resources, Google Drive offers a plethora of opportunities to enhance the learning experience.

Teachers can create a more engaging, interactive, and organized learning environment by integrating Google Drive into the classroom. It’s not just about storing files; it’s about creating a dynamic space where education thrives.

Reading Something Wonderful – I Think

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The Internet is home to so much of the world’s written text that it’s difficult to figure out some of the “best” articles.

Of course, “best” is 100% subjective, and your favorite text is likely not mine. However, some works are interesting enough that many have shared them repeatedly.

I’m not speaking of the time-tested classics of literature that you can find for free in ebook or PDF form but of articles that have been produced primarily during the Information Age.

Now, Ben Springwater has built a site that hopes to feature many of these articles in one place.

Or, maybe it’s just a cool way to promote the Matter app, designed for reading web-based content at your leisure. (Personally, I use Readwise for this same function.)

Either way, the site is worth checking out.

Unveiling the Power of Technology in Education: A Comprehensive Guide

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The Indispensable Role of Technology in Learning

Today, we’re witnessing a transformative phase in the educational landscape, significantly driven by technology. From creating engaging and immersive learning experiences to empowering educators and students with access to limitless resources, technology plays an indispensable role in modern education.

The progression from traditional chalk-and-board classrooms to interactive digital learning environments is not just a shift in teaching methods. It’s a change that enhances student engagement, collaboration, and personalized learning while opening avenues to global knowledge repositories.

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Technological Integration: A Step-By-Step Implementation Guide

For any educational institution planning to embrace technology, it’s crucial to understand the implementation process. This will ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of technology integration.

Step 1: Establish Clear Goals

Begin with a clear vision of what you wish to achieve. Establish the learning outcomes and the ways technology can enhance those. Whether it’s increasing student engagement, encouraging collaboration, or personalizing learning experiences, having clear goals will guide your technological integration.

Step 2: Assess the Infrastructure

Assessing the existing infrastructure is the next critical step. Determine the state of current resources, including hardware, software, and internet connectivity, and identify areas of improvement. This will ensure that the technology integration aligns with the institution’s capabilities.

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Step 3: Professional Development for Teachers

Equip teachers with the necessary training to navigate the new technology. Professional development programs ensure teachers are comfortable using the tools, making their teaching more effective.

Step 4: Evaluate and Choose the Right Technology

Research and identify the technologies that align with your goals. Whether it’s learning management systems (LMS), interactive whiteboards, or student response systems, evaluate each based on their utility and compatibility with your institution’s needs.

Step 5: Gradual Integration and Constant Evaluation

Integrate technology gradually into the learning environment and constantly evaluate its effectiveness. This will ensure that the technology enhances the learning experience as intended.

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The Impact of Technology on Student Engagement and Collaboration

The integration of technology in education can greatly enhance student engagement. Interactive tools and multimedia content cater to various learning styles, making the learning process more engaging and inclusive.

Additionally, technology fosters collaboration among students. Digital platforms enable students to collaborate in real-time, irrespective of their geographical location. This cultivates a sense of community and encourages peer-to-peer learning.

Technology and Personalized Learning

One of the significant benefits of technology in education is the opportunity for personalized learning. Digital platforms provide adaptive learning experiences tailored to individual students’ needs, thereby making learning more effective and enjoyable.

The Way Forward

With the growing influence of technology in education, it’s important for educational institutions to adapt and evolve. While the path to technological integration may seem daunting, it promises a future of enhanced learning experiences, better student engagement, and personalized education.

The future of education is undoubtedly intertwined with technology. It’s time to embrace this change and leverage the endless opportunities that technology presents to enhance learning experiences. With a strategic approach to implementation, we can ensure that technology serves as an effective tool in our mission to educate and inspire the next generation.

Comparing and Testing AI for Education

AI robots becoming the new rulers, a grand throne room filled with robots in regal attire, adorned with glowing symbols and intricate metalwork, human ambassadors kneel in submission, the mood is one of awe and submissiveness, Artwork, a detailed Renaissance-style oil painting with the use of dramatic chiaroscuro to highlight the metallic sheen and grandeur of the robots

Professor and friend John Nash co-hosts a podcast on all things online learning. In a recent episode, he shared his work on coaching ChatGPT to write more “human” and the results are… interesting…

While generative AI tools are very cool right now, they are a long way from being truly disruptive and overtaking the world.

Here’s what’s interesting. Scaffolding the prompts, defining perplexity and burstiness, and then prompting an explicit increase of those measures made the text “human” to GPTZero. Still, it also made the text ridiculously flowery and inflated. Kind of like when a master’s student thinks they are supposed to “sound academic.” It was so bad that the ChatGPT output was immediately suspect to my human eyes, even though GPTZero said it was likely written entirely by a human.
– John Nash, PhD

Using Multiple Tools for Content Creation in the Classroom

We’re wrapping up the 2022-2023 school year, and several teachers in my district are continuing their journeys into deeper learning.

Rather than freaking out and focusing on end-of-year testing that means nothing (you know I’m right), I’m working with several 8th-grade classes on worthwhile projects.

One class is designing tourism resources for Bardstown. If you’re not familiar, the tourism industry is HUGE in this area thanks to two things: history and bourbon. Kentucky tourists spent $5.9 billion in 2020, and many of those dollars can be traced to bourbon tourism.

Students are working in groups to create materials for different tourist destinations in Bardstown. They got to choose the location, the format for their materials, and how they will ultimately present them.

Let’s connect this work back to the 4 Shifts and how we’re using it to foster deeper learning in classrooms:

Deeper Thinking and Learning

Students are researching famous local places. Some of them are taking tours after school hours, conducting interviews, and doing independent research
Students are discussing what information needs to be included in their information. What should be in a brochure? What do we need to mention in a video?

Authentic Work

Students are using design tools that are used in the real world to create and publish their work: Canva, YouTube, CapCut, etc.
Could these projects be used as part of a tourism promotion? Perhaps. This work will likely be a “first draft” of a potential business or tourism department collaboration.

Student Agency & Personalization

Students chose the format and tools.
Students chose the topic

Technology Infusion

Any technology usage is secondary to the research and information presented. Technology is merely the tool conveying the message, not the message itself.

I could go on, but I’ll save a further discussion for the project completion. Suffice it to say the kids are very interested in these projects and what they are learning about their hometown.

Student working on a brochure for a local restaurant — Student work on a brochure for a local restaurant

I came in to assist in the combination of technology with content. Students are creating on different platforms and need to tie the information together. Several have made videos that we’ve uploaded to YouTube. We created QR codes and added them to the brochures. We’ve used royalty-free music for the videos. Some students even used AI (yep) to help write the script before recording voiceovers.

My point for sharing this work is this: diving into deeper learning can be fun for you and your students. Will some resist? Yes. Will some still find ways to disengage and not really accomplish anything? Yes.

But it’s all part of the adventure of learning. For them, and for us.

The Reading List for February 2023

Two things came to mind as I began compiling this month’s reading list: deeper learning in schools and the power of embracing your authentic self. The first one is, of course, on my mind pretty much every day. Any work that I have done in education has ultimately been centered on creating deeper learning experiences for students.

Second, the idea of embracing your authentic self is important to me since I spent the majority of my life not being my authentic self. Growing up in an environment in which I was expected to do “the right thing”—a pretty subjective idea—and what I wanted to do wasn’t easy. I’m getting there, but there haven’t been many of my 46 years on this planet that have been guided by my own passions and thoughts.

Now, on to this month’s book recommendations:

Failure to Disrupt

If there was ever a book that arrived at the perfect time in the education world, it’s this one.

In this book, Justin Reich argues against the idea that technology can completely change schools and how students learn. He does this by describing and analyzing different educational technologies in a realistic way. Reich draws on his positions at Harvard and MIT to provide unparalleled insight into the progress of these trends and their limitations in practice.

This book sheds light on the issues with educational technologies, such as the various approaches and tools developed by technologists. It offers valuable insights into what to consider when adopting, utilizing, and implementing technologies in different educational settings, especially during the era of virtual learning and social distancing.

In Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education, the author questions the ability of educational technologies to bring transformative changes to education. Despite the promises of affordable, accessible, effective, and engaging education for all students, the author points out the inconsistencies in enrollment and completion of online courses and the limited benefits for students from low socioeconomic statuses. The author also highlights four challenges: the Curse of the familiar, the trap of routine assessments, the EdTech Matthew effect, and the toxic power of data and experiments.

The book’s last chapter, “Conclusion: Preparing for the Next Learning-at-Scale Hype Cycle,” is key. The author urges readers, including educators, administrators, policymakers, and technologists, to carefully evaluate educational technologies and be cautious of tools that claim to be transformative. To do so, he poses the following questions: 1) What’s new? 2) Who guides the learning experience? 3) Is the pedagogy trying to fill pails or kindle flames? 4) What existing technologies does it adopt? He also emphasizes the need to examine how and when technological tools can be incorporated into students’ learning processes and warns against factors that could hinder learners’ abilities to achieve desired results.

Failure to Disrupt offers compelling arguments on educational technology, examining the hype and laying the foundations for a promising future in the field.

Leadership for Deeper Learning

Full disclosure on this one: I am lucky to call all three of the authors who collaborated on this project friends. Even if I didn’t have that connection, I’d still recommend this book to you. It’s a fantastic look at innovative schools and what they are doing to create deeper learning experiences for students.

This book examines how leaders have introduced, maintained, and advanced innovative, deeper learning opportunities in their schools.

Schools are changing to be more action-oriented, focused on performance, digitally relevant, and democratic. This book highlights innovative practices across seven categories: vision, agency in learning, trust in teachers, openness to new ideas, over-communicating change, equity-mindedness, and courage to live outside norms.

Leadership for Deeper Learning explores how school leaders can create new learning environments for students and teachers, with practical strategies and stories to inspire change and innovation.

Most Likely to Succeed

While this book has been around for a bit, the message is no less relevant today than it was in 2015, perhaps more so in the wake of COVID-19

Most Likely to Succeed looks at the problems with the US education system and suggests ways to better prepare future generations for the age of innovation, such as changing the way we teach and what we teach.

According to Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith, schools are not equipping students with the skills they need to succeed as ethical citizens and productive employees, and they are also forcing them to learn useless information superficially. Wagner and Dintersmith say that this makes it harder for students to follow their passions and get real-world experience. They also say that it makes teachers unhappy and keeps society divided along class lines.

The key message of Most Likely to Succeed is this: although society is advancing at an astonishing speed, our education system is stuck in the nineteenth century. Consequently, we’re educating our children to succeed in a bygone era. To give our kids the opportunity to succeed, we must creatively reimagine education for the innovation era.

What Schools Could Be

In What Schools Could Be, Ted Dintersmith shares solutions he discovered while traveling to 50 states, 200 schools, over a hundred community forums, and a thousand meetings. The book talks about innovation in K–12 education, online learning, colleges and universities, and short-term immersive experiences. It’s a great way to learn about the American educational innovation landscape.

In Dintersmith’s model, a great school has four parts (PEAK):

Purpose: Where students do actual important work.
Essentials: There’s a backbone to what they’re learning that they’ll need in the future.
Agency: Students are in charge of their learning and are intrinsically motivated.
Knowledge: Everything learned is deep and retained, they are creators and teach others what they know

Kitchen Confidential

I miss Anthony Bourdain almost as much as I miss Tom Petty, which is a lot. I’m sure as you reach this section you’re asking yourself, “What the hell is a book about line cooks doing amongst books about education?”

Allow me to try and explain…

The book takes the form of a biography chronicling Bourdain’s time in the culinary industry. Interspersed with cooking advice, it covers the love between a chef and sous-chef, as well as the chef’s relationship with delusional owners. The biography takes you through Bourdain’s childhood and his realization, while in France, of the importance of food. It then follows his journey from his start in the culinary industry, through culinary college, and up the ranks of various chef positions until he eventually runs his own kitchen with, as he puts it, “brigades of pirates, degenerates, and thieves.” Filled with wild anecdotes of kitchen misbehavior, drugs, sex, rock and roll, more drugs, and truffle oil, the book illustrates the hardships of the industry, including long hours, injuries, and sexual harassment, and how people still choose to do it. One particularly powerful chapter towards the end of the book goes blow-by-blow through an average day in the life of a chef.

While the life of an educator doesn’t have nearly the entertainment value of the life of a chef, there are certain parts of the job that are difficult, frustrating, and perhaps even maddening. The relationships between teachers and students, the demands on teachers’ time, meaningless mandates from far-away misguided legislators, and the never-ending grind of the school year can have many teachers feel like they are on the line. And maybe they are.

But in the relentless pursuit of making something great, there are always obstacles. There are always trying times. There will always be something to improve, whether that is a 7th-grade math lesson or an exclusive dish at a Michelin-star restaurant.

Maybe I’m crazy, but I thoroughly enjoyed this inside look at a madcap world that so many of us will never experience or understand. It’s all fun stuff. The anecdotes, characters, and asides are crazy enough that Bourdain wouldn’t need to be a great writer to make them work. But he is a good writer with a unique voice and a dry sense of humor that makes his TV shows stand out. Together, these elements make the book not only an interesting read but also a real pleasure. I laughed out loud numerous times throughout.

Honorable Mentions

I can’t talk about being your authentic self and driving for what you really want in life without mentioning The War of Art, the modern classic on overcoming Resistance and becoming the creative genius you were meant to become. And if you’re wanting to dive deeper into discovering your authentic self, you should add Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown to your list, along with Victor Frankl’s classic Man’s Search for Meaning. I’d also recommend Flow as a way to get the most out of your creativity and reach your fullest potential.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s reading list! Remember, reading is a great way to expand your knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether you’re interested in education, leadership, or just looking for a good memoir, there’s something on this list for everyone. So, grab a book and start reading!