Middle School is an experience of exploring boundaries intellectually and developmentally.

However, we as teachers too often place the emphasis of these boundary conditions on the students themselves while keeping a static set of tools, curriculum maps, and assumptions for ourselves. The new century brings with it new challenges toward all our assumptions and demands that schools re-examine how we are preparing our students for the near future.

Blending progressive social media tools with more traditional rigor-based assignments, Sam will explore the boundaries between past and future with the ultimate goal of cultivating the key to success in the 21st century: critical thinking. The examples in the session come from Sam’s experience as a Middle School science teacher but are applicable across grade levels and curriculum areas.

Hat tip for the name to my pal Thomas Whitley.

I’m finishing up on my presentation for the PAIS Tech Symposium tonight (the description betrays the simplicity of my presentation).

Teachers = Tough Crowd (I know b/c I am one).

Social Media in the Classroom = Tough Sell.

Should be fun!