Ben Rimes

About

Ben is a 30-something educator trying to make the world a better place for thoughtful educational practices through technology.

Ben's Recent Comments

• From: Tech Director Chat - Email Etiquette

  We would LOVE to hear what you've done! We have Cisco controllers and access points, and we still have issues with airplay dropping. Please share your wisdom :)

• From: Tech Director Chat - Is 1 to 1 Computing a Gimmick?

  Thanks for the great comment, Daryl! You've hit the nail on the head. We look at 1:1 access as the end game, as if it will be the solution to a number of problems, when it fact it's just the start of a new journey and realization for learning that creates much more interesting problems and possibilities for teachers. I can only hope that as schools become closer to that 1:1 environment, they finally begin to see that the answer doesn't lie in having more devices, but rather how you leverage them to focus on good student learning.

• From: Tech Director Chat - Is 1 to 1 Computing a Gimmick?

  Thanks for the great comment, Daryl! You've hit the nail on the head. We look at 1:1 access as the end game, as if it will be the solution to a number of problems, when it fact it's just the start of a new journey and realization for learning that creates much more interesting problems and possibilities for teachers. I can only hope that as schools become closer to that 1:1 environment, they finally begin to see that the answer doesn't lie in having more devices, but rather how you leverage them to focus on good student learning.

• From: Tech Director Chat - What About Chromebooks?

  Apple may have made it popular, but Pete was right! http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_mouse

• From: Tech Director Chat - Fellowship of the Gmail

  That's an excellent point Debbie, and one that I didn't spend nearly enough time talking about from my perspective. As a former technology teacher at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade level, I always tried to balance typing skills with the other technology skills that I needed my students to work on. If we were in a 1:1 environment (every student with a device) this would be much easier for us to address. That having been said, we do have a typing curriculum and online program that we use with students 3rd through 5th, and those that take technology as an elective 6th through 8th. I should have mentioned that rather than moving on to another question, and goes to show you that a Tech Director certainly doesn't know everything that's happening in a district.

• From: Tech Director Chat - Fellowship of the Gmail

  Thanks! We waxed on a bit too long in this one, and left a lot of the cutting room floor. Glad it was well received.