Articles by: Shannon Mersand

Electronic dvices: Cell phones and tablet computer

Digital Tools for Schools

By Shannon Mersand published 9 March 20

Making the right decisions when purchasing digital tools -- and what to do if you need to act immediately

Best 3D Classroom Printers

By Shannon Mersand published 2 February 20

Choosing the right 3D printer can be difficult with so many choices on the market.

3D Printing in Action

By Shannon Mersand published 2 February 20

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a drone made with a 3D printer!

Top 3D Pens for the Classroom

By Shannon Mersand published 2 February 20

3D pens are hand-held devices that mimic the extrusion process of a 3D printer, but allow for more free-form control over what is created.

3D programming flow chart rises above programming printout.

The Best New Hour of Code Resources for 2019

By Shannon Mersand last updated 29 November 20

Many of the activities provide tie-ins to subject areas like ELA, Math, Art and Music, Science, and Social Studies, so every educator can find ways for students to participate.

Participate in the Hour of Code with these Great Products

By Shannon Mersand published 25 October 18

Since its launch in 2013, the Hour of Code has introduced more than 625,750,509 people ages four to 104, in more than 180 countries, to basic coding and computer science concepts.

3D Printing For Learning

By Shannon Mersand published 5 March 18

Earnest boy in a suit places hands on keyboard; a translucent field of code fills the foreground

PRODUCTS PERFECT FOR THE HOUR OF CODE

By Shannon Mersand last updated 29 November 20

Here are some of the many options available for educators to bring Hour of Code activities into their classrooms this December.

What’s New In 3D Printing

By Shannon Mersand published 29 August 17

Students at Charter High School for Architecture and Design in Philadelphia (PA) are working with an Ultimaker 2 Extended+ to learn about art, design, and giving back to the community.

Fast ForWord with Reading Assistant

By Shannon Mersand published 20 June 17

pivotED

By Shannon Mersand published 26 April 17

MakerBot Replicator Mini+

By Shannon Mersand published 31 January 17

The MakerBot Replicator Mini+ is a single extruder 3D printer with a 10.1 x 12.6 x 12.6 cm (L/W/H) build plate, allowing users to print PLA objects up to 98 cubic inches.

FOLLETT LIGHTBOX

By Shannon Mersand published 26 October 16

MAKE BELIEVE: 2016 3D PRINTER ROUNDUP

By Shannon Mersand published 29 September 16

2016 3D Printer Roundup

Reading Horizons Discovery

By Shannon Mersand published 21 June 16

Based on research-driven strategies, Reading Horizons Discovery is a program for teaching and assessing K–3 reading skills.

Revision Assistant

By Shannon Mersand published 21 June 16

Revision Assistant is an online writing tool that provides writing prompts and feedback for students in grades 6 through university at the click of a button.

Kids Discover Online

By Shannon Mersand published 23 February 16

Kids Discover Online offers over 100+ units of ad-free nonfiction science and social studies articles for elementary-and middle-school students.

Review of Building School 2.0: How to Create the Schools We Need

By Shannon Mersand published 19 February 16

Rarely does a professional book cause a reader to lose sleep. Rarely is a book about how to improve teaching and learning a page-turner.

Newsela

By Shannon Mersand published 28 January 16

Newsela is a service that makes it easy for teachers to assign nonfiction texts to students at appropriate reading levels.

Autodesk Design Academy

By Shannon Mersand published 28 January 16

Autodesk Design Academy provides educators and students free access to product tutorials, exercises, projects, and courses for Autodesk tools as they learn about the world of 3D design.

eDynamic Learning

By Shannon Mersand published 6 January 16

eDynamic Learning offers over 50 high-quality online career and elective courses for middle-and high-school students.

Tales2go

By Shannon Mersand published 6 January 16

Sprout Allows For Easy 3D Prototyping

By Shannon Mersand published 24 September 15

In November 2014, HP introduced Sprout, calling it an immersive computer.

Typing Agent 4.0

By Shannon Mersand published 24 June 15

Typing Agent is a fully Web-based program that allows central teacher control over student typing lessons and test curriculum.

WHAT’S NEW WITH LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

By Shannon Mersand published 27 May 15

Learning management systems, like all technology, are continually improving to meet the evolving needs of their users.