Tuesday, August 24, 2010



When real learning and creating happens away from school




Takeaways from building my app
  1. Self study
  1. Applying knowledge

  1. School support was lacking


Interested in Day Finder? Read all about it.



- Uses a simple date scroller
- Customize the interface


  1. What can I say other than well done Blake!!!

    If I could ask you a question.. You mentioned "Part of the struggle I had with my “self studies” was that I had no one to ask questions (with the occasional exception of hearing from a remote blogger)"

    The is a lot of discussion on this blog about learning amongst of a network of peers. From experience these networks take time to build, so it is not surprising that 'remote bloggers' was all the help you had at the time.

    My question is: Are you developing more Apps, and if so have you created a network of contacts since your first go that you bounce ideas and problems off, or do you prefer the lone, reflective problem solving approach?

    Again well done.

    Peter @Kent3ed

  2. Thanks Peter, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I am developing several more apps and have accumulated a handful of contacts since my first app. I do NOT prefer the lone problem solving route. It just gets frustrating when you don't understand something and there is no one to go to and ask.


  3. Congrats to Blake. I paid for and downloaded the app!
    I looked up some info about his school and District. While they have Blake, who, as a 21st Century entrepreneur, is writing apps for the iPhone after teaching himself, they have a district policy that prohibits use of iPhones,iPods, or any other similar electronic device (p. 17 of the school Code of Conduct). Yet at the same time they have the nerve to proclaim in their mission statement that the District "recognizes the unique potential of each student and integrates the intellectual, social, cultural, and physical aspects of learning." Well, I guess that's not true in Blake's case. Not only do they not recognize or encourage it, they would prohibit him from using the app in his History class, or getting his phone out to show his teacher.
    Here's an interesting question -- how long do we let schools and districts pat themselves on the back for nice sounding mission statements that are totally out of line with the reality of what students are doing and learning, or could be learning in the 21st C? How long do we let them turn their back on the emerging technologies that can revolutionize learning for their students simply because the potential for problems is something they prefer not to have to deal with?
    How long do we content ourselves with ignoring or discouraging the potential of students like Blake? How long do we continue to wonder what's wrong?

  4. My mouth is open in awe!!!

    As a teacher, I long for students with this kind of passion and creativity!

    Way to go, Blake!!!

    You will be an example in my classroom for years to come!

    Tammy Nischan



