What is Personalized Learning?

Caveat: I am focusing more on secondary education within this post as I am beginning to realize that primary education can vary greatly from secondary education.

Because I don't have a subscription, I am unable to leave a comment at the bottom of the article: What Is 'Personalized Learning'? Educators Seek Clarity by Sean Cavanagh.  So, I will write a short post instead, but I suggest you read the article to better understand this response

Microsoft buys Mojang (and Minecraft)...what about Minecraftedu?

I don't pay too close attention to some of the business side of education and technology, but the news that Microsoft bought Mojang, the company responsible for Minecraft, sure got my attention.  Admittedly, I don't play Minecraft much but that does not mean that I (1) do not see and understand it's appeal and (2) recognize its potentially HUGE impact on education.

I was first introduced to Minecraft about four years ago while teaching computer programming.  It was my students who showed it to me...and I dabbled with it.  I also let some of my students (who had to create an individual final project) use Minecraft as their final project platform.  This choice (as it almost always does) provided the students with much more motivation and drive to complete a project as it was something they wanted to do.  Since then, I have observed the development and explosion of Minecraft as an educational tool/environment used in a variety of ways (like promoting teamwork as @HikariKishi has done and to truly push students to think critically and creatively like @dkiang...both who presented at Kukulu Kaiaaulu 2014: Building Global Communities).  From these examples as well as the numerous resources at the Minecraftedu.com website, it is clear that Minecraft has supported learning in powerful ways and can continue to do so.

Therefore, I am definitely interested in this change as it relates to both the gamer and education realms (of course, my heart lies with the the educational realm more).  I am curious how the creators of the educational version (Teacher Gaming) are going deal with the change in ownership...which has its critics among the gamers.  What is very notable about the change in owners is the fact that the founders of Mojang (Notch, Carl, and Jakob) are LEAVING the company.  This is somewhat scary because it is clear that the educational version is supported by Mojang.

I am curious what others say.  Let the discussion begin and hopefully Teacher Gaming can have some input before anything too troubling happens.  Please share your thoughts!

NOTE: Keep in mind that Minecraft is not a panacea.  It has limitations and can even be implemented poorly, just like any other tool used for education.  Here is nice discussion of the pros and cons of Minecraft in Education.

[polldaddy poll=8309770]

Guns, guns, and more guns...in school even

I cannot resist to not just laugh at but I have to comment about the craziest ideas that are implemented to keep us safe.

So, I didn't realize the extend that people want to carry guns until I read this an article.  Most notably, the article states:

Missouri school boards already have the power to allow employees with concealed gun permits to carry weapons on their campuses. The new law requires the state Department of Public Safety to establish training guidelines for schools wanting to designate a teacher or administrator as a "school protection officer" authorized to carry a concealed gun or self-defense spray.