When we’re in the middle of a crisis and faced with tough decisions, we sometimes believe that there is only one direction we can head. Most times, there are two paths. We are presented with one of two options. The heavier path or the lighter path. When you go through a crisis, ask yourself…Is there…
I’m honored to join my colleagues and friends, Drs. Elena Forzani and Troy Hicks as speakers at the 2021 Wisconsin Literacy Research Symposium. This year’s theme is Digital Literacy: Developing Critical Thinking. The past year has revealed the many ways in which digital literacy poses opportunities and challenges. Literacy educators must navigate the multiple ways…
As we think about technology and digital practices in our lives and classrooms, it can often get confusing. We have many theories and practices that intersect and try to map out a landscape that is constantly changing. To try and make this a bit simpler, I think about a continuum of three stages that move…
Developing and expressing gratitude is a wonderful way to keep your bucket full. Gratitude begins when we become aware of everything that makes us happy and create space for empathy. Whatever makes us happy fills our buckets. Happiness will fill your bucket, even more, when you realize it, think about it, and express gratitude for…
We’ve often heard the term do no harm used when we think about doctors, medicine, or bioethics. Do no harm focuses on non-maleficence, or not hurting or harming someone through neglect. Do no harm, as a maxim could be restated as “given an existing problem, it may be better not to do something, or even…
We recently moved to our new home, and as a result we have a lot of new projects to complete. The home has a detached garage with a finished spare room on the second floor. I’ll turn that spare room into my office and a room for friends and family to stay over. Apparently, I…
Behaviorist learning theory, a philosophy that maintains that a well-rounded understanding of the relationship between stimulus and response can promote desired behaviors within an individual has long been regarded as inconsequential to educators attempting to adapt to the needs of a 21st-century learner. Instead, behaviorism has been replaced by perspectives that promote constructivism, innovation, and…
Last week I was interviewed for an upcoming piece of research focused on what is hot and not in literacy, education, and research. The question around bilingual, or multilingual learners was asked and I indicated the need for much more research in this area. This is predominantly due to the fact that there is a…
Our world has been radically transformed by digital technology – smartphones, tablets, and web-enabled devices have transformed our daily lives and the way we communicate. Medicine is an information-rich enterprise. A greater and more seamless flow of information within a digital healthcare infrastructure, created by electronic health records (EHRs), encompasses and leverages digital progress and…
Part of my job involves regularly giving a talk on a specific topic. This may be at a conference, a local workshop, or in class. These talks are often limited to the participants in attendance. I spend a lot of time building the presentation. Why should my ideas be limited to the people that decide…