Category Archives: Tech

Life’s Path – An Open Ended Challenge – TedX Talk – Rough Cut

Posted on March 13, 2024 by JohnHeffernan

Rough cut of recent TEDX talk. Edited version expected in September 2024. You’ll see places where I made a mistake speaking and went back to the start of the sentence. Those are edited out for the final version. Enjoy!

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Some Nice Feedback From Digital Apps Undergrads

Posted on January 23, 2024 by JohnHeffernan

It’s always nice to get good feedback. Some things that stood out to me. Here are some selected quotes in italics. I think I will remember many things. First I will remember that I had the first professor in college … Continue reading →

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LEGO Based Class Reflection Activity – Unexpected Results

Posted on December 8, 2023 by JohnHeffernan

I had an idea to do a LEGO based reflection for a final undergraduate Digital Apps In Education class*. Students were asked to think back to something, someone, or a key idea that stood out for them for the class. … Continue reading →

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CSTANE Conference – University of Connecticut – 10/20/2023

Posted on October 20, 2023 by JohnHeffernan

Slides: Joyful Learning – Hands On Tech Teaching PK-18 – CSTANE – University of Connecticut – 10/20/2023 

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Joyful Learning – Teaching Hands On Engineering PK-18 (30 to 260 lbs)

Posted on January 6, 2023 by JohnHeffernan

I recently retired from active K-12 teaching after having taught since 1992 as a third grade classroom teacher, PK-6 tech teacher, and middle/high school engineering, and Computer Science teacher. Although I’ve taught many courses for teachers for the Tufts Center … Continue reading →

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MakerSpace Impact – “create whatever it is you dreamed of”

Posted on January 3, 2023 by JohnHeffernan

Grading finals for UMASS Makerspace in Education course.   This student quote was very powerful, “To reflect, I’ve gained valuable knowledge of the makerspace community and the openness it has for students from all walks of life. I wished I was … Continue reading →

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CS Unplugged Workshop

Posted on May 18, 2022 by JohnHeffernan

https://westernmass.csteachers.org/Events/unplugged-computer-science

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Pioneer seventh-graders present video games of their own design

Posted on April 14, 2022 by JohnHeffernan

By CHRIS LARABEE  Staff Writer Published in the Greenfield Recorder : 4/13/2022 4:03:37 PM NORTHFIELD — On one screen, a pig hopped over cars and gathered apples as it made its way back to the farm it calls home. On another … Continue reading →

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Tips for Making Concurrent Teaching More Face to Face

Posted on April 9, 2021 by JohnHeffernan

With many schools moving from hybrid or remote to in-class learning, I wanted to discuss ways to restore more of a face to face feel to classrooms.  In Massachusetts, families still have the option of staying remote and about 10% … Continue reading →

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Pioneer Valley Regional School Innovation Center Update

Posted on March 15, 2021 by JohnHeffernan

The Innovation Center goals are:  Teach Middle School computer science and high school engineering design More generally, teach innovation, the application of math, science, the engineering design process, and presentation and documentation skills  Our focus is on hands-on, creative doing … Continue reading →

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