DAAP was quite an experience, I had no idea what I was getting into when I applied, but there is no doubt that it taught me more in five years than I ever expected it could. I think the most difficult thing to learn was the difference between an en dash and an em dash. [...]

I love cars. I am in awe of great typography. Put these two together, and you will often find me straining my head as an old car drives by, trying to catch a glimpse of the name plate.

Nectarine Group had a “Remember Steve Day.” We all wore black turtlenecks and sneakers.

I have a tendency to make things way more difficult than they need to be… All for the sake of making something awesome, so I built a little mobile site based on our theme “More than Pixels”.

Visiting Julie Johnson’s third grade classroom for the first time lead to a serious reevaluation of my project direction.

It may prove challenging for some teachers to integrate technology into their classrooms; however, the results are well worth the energy.

Writer’s notebooks are a place for students and adults alike to store their in-progress writing, ideas and experiments.

Writing workshops differ from more traditional classrooms because of their focus on individual writing interests and a socially driven model. Traditional writing classes are often prompt driven, and writing is read and graded solely by teachers.

Prototype Camp was, without question, the most inspirational and engaging experience I have had in years.

Students have many different ways of constructing their writing. Writers plan, write, edit, revise, and publish their writing but not always in that order.

2009 fourth grade Ohio Achievement Tests show 9% more females preforming at or above proficiency level in writing than males. This compares to a 3% gap in Reading and a 1% gap in Mathematics. In seventh grade the gender gap in writing grows to 13% (“Ohio Achievement”). Clearly, a discrepancy exists between males and females [...]

Participants: Kay Bible Technology specialist with three elementary schools; 33 years experience Kathy Ehle Fourth grade teacher at Alton Darby Elementary; 20 years experience Kelly Gorby Fifth grade teacher at Alton Darby Elementary; 15 years experience Julie Johnson Third grade teacher at Avery Elementary; 20 years experience Kathy Parker-Jones Technology specialist with three elementary schools; [...]

4th graders are coming into their own as thinkers and individuals. Ann Hulbert, author of “Raising America” describes the intermediate age group, between the ages of 8 and 12, as “when children are either launched—educationally, socially, and emotionally—or get lost, and are left behind,” (Morgan 12). Because writing is an inherently social and therapeutic act, [...]

What follows is my published project definition for my capstone project: My Online Writer’s Notebook.   Fourth grade is a tough year for boys, academically, socially, and developmentally. Many students are coming into their own as individuals and are facing challenges in and out of the classroom. On Ohio fourth grade writing assessment tests, 20% [...]