Take-out from the Drive-thru

Here are half a dozen interesting links to take into the week's end:

This one is for any of my administrator friends at Belton ISD, who might still be reading the Drive-thru.  A quick read, and well worth it.  It comes via North Dakota ADE, Craig Nansen.

Essential iPad Guide for Principals

Is the following a glimpse at the future of the connected higher ed student?  This came to my attention through a friend at Cengage who has worked very hard to bring this to market.

MindTap - Cengage Learning

The following is a very interesting read by John Fallows in the recent issue of The Atlantic:

Learning to Love the (Shallow Divisive, Unreliable) New Media

One of my most popular Tech Tips in Professional Development has been Evernote.  This came from their blog and is contributed by Michael Cruz:

10 Tips for Teacher's Using Evernote

I received this link from Twitter.  As an English teacher I am somewhat fascinated by this concept of "transmedia" as described by Laura Fleming, a Library Media Specialist:

Considering Transmedia: Literature Born Digital

Here is another really nice post on GETideas.org.  Andreas Schleicher discusses the importance of using new ways to  identifying the best educational systems:

Assessment Systems for the 21st Century

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"Take Out" with generous permission of americanvirus

A Visit with Belton ISD

I had the privilege Friday of visiting with members of the central administration of Belton ISD about the iPad initiative at their new middle school.  Apple Education brought me in to answer questions about Challenge Based Learning.  In particular the administrators were interested in staff support and professional development. 

Before I left Michigan, I asked Mercy's President, Dr. Cheryl Delaney-Kreger, what factors she thought were critical for a school embracing an innovative learning design.  One of the first things that she stressed was staunch administrative backing for such an enterprise.  And, boy, has Belton got it!  The Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon, her assistants, directors and principals showed remarkable enthusiasm for the project.  Building architecture, technology, staffing and professional development plans all seem lined up for CBL success.  I learned a great deal from my visit and sincerely hope to stay in close touch with them through their adventure.  

Here's a recent local television piece about an exemplary Belton teacher who is clearly an iPad pioneer.

Central Texas Now