Jun
21
2012

Welcome to Palmetto Learning

Thank you for visiting PalmettoLearning.com. Palmetto Learning is an educational consulting and training firm. Whether you’re looking for a dynamic speaker for your next event, help developing a product for the educational market, or training on Google products, I can help.

On this site you will see real life examples of how I have worked with clients. If I can help you in any way, please feel free to contact me using the form or any of the methods on the right.

Scroll down to see examples of my work.

Apr
29
2013

GATO2013_MakerImage_K-6TH

It turns out that I was one of 10 finalists for the Great American Teach-Off. I didn’t make it into the final round but I’m thrilled to have been named a finalist. The other finalists are doing great things to impact kids, and the winner is deserving of that honor!

Here’s the full text of the press release:

University of Phoenix and GOOD name Christopher Craft as one of 20
finalists in the Great American Teach-Off

Craft Could Receive a $10,000 Classroom Grant to Support His
Innovative and Creative Idea to Engage Students

Columbia, SC. [March 4, 2013] — GOOD and University of Phoenix today
named Christopher Craft as one of 20 finalists who will remain in the running
to win the Great American Teach-Off. The program will award two deserving
teachers – one from grades K-6 and one from grades 7-12 – with $10,000
classroom grants.

Finalists are now competing for public votes to secure their place as one of
America’s most innovative teachers. Contestants will provide video responses to
a series of questions highlighting their creativity and passion in the classroom, as
well as their positive impact on the greater education community.

About Christopher Craft
Christopher Craft created Crossroads School’s S.T.E.M. program, through which
he and his students have successfully published several apps to both the iOS
App Store and the Google Play store. In his Introduction to S.T.E.M. course,
Craft teaches his sixth grade students how to build cutting edge technologies
such as functioning hydrogen fuel cell model cars, robotics, apps for smart
phones, and video games.

Craft also serves as a Technology Teacher Leader in his school. He regularly
leads professional development classes for the faculty/staff in his school
and around the district. The school leadership regularly consults with him
for recommendations prior to making technology purchases. School districts
worldwide consult Craft for his expertise in technology.

Creating Positive Change in the Community
Craft is launching an after-school robotics program called RoboPAWS, named
after the cougar—Crossroads Elementary School’s mascot. The RoboPAWS
program is designed to encourage at-risk students to explore robotics and kids
will get to compete in local Lego League competitions with area small businesses
as sponsors.

Craft hopes to apply his winnings from the Great American Teach-Off to the
development of RoboPAWS.

Voting for The Great American Teach-Off
Voting begins on March 4 and the public can visit http://kto6gato.maker.good.is/
to cast their votes for the finalists. Each week, the field will be narrowed by
two finalists based on public votes. The two grant recipients will be named this
spring.

Additional information about all 20 finalists can be found at www.good.is/GATO.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education
and life in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, challenging courses and
interactive learning can help students pursue personal and career aspirations
without putting their lives on hold. As the flagship university of Apollo Group,
Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population,
offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from
campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the
world. For more information, visit http://www.phoenix.edu.

About GOOD
GOOD Worldwide LLC. (www.good.is), launched in September 2006, is an
integrated media, thought leadership and community action platform for people
who want to live well and do good, and a community of, by, and for the people,
businesses, and NGOs moving the world forward. GOOD’s mission is to
convene, connect, and empower the global community of people “who give a
damn.”

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Mar
29
2013

Virginia Google Summit Day 2 Keynote

va keynote

 

On March 17 (St. Patrick’s day) I was honored to give the Day 2 Keynote Address at the Virginia Google Summit at Charlottesville High School. The two days in Virginia were terrific and we could not have asked for better hosts. I’m already looking forward to going back next year!

Mar
13
2013

Featured on local NPR affiliate ETV radio

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A couple folks emailed me to say they’d heard my name on the radio Tuesday (3/12) morning on our local NPR affiliate (WLTR 91.3). It turns out that the SC ETV program Speaking of Schools did a blurb on me about my selection one of the NSBA’s 20 to Watch. I’ve not been on the radio before, so it was neat to hear someone talking about me. If you want to hear the clip yourself (it’s a minute and a half), it’s linked below.

Speaking of Schools feature on Chris Craft

Mar
08
2013

Guest speaker on EduVue

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On Thursday, March 7 I participated in EduVue. This is a wonderful webcast series conducted through Google Hangouts on Air. I had a great time and loved chatting with the ladies. The video is embedded above. The show talked all about Google Apps including a discussion on Google Apps security and my favorite Google trick (hint: it’s the input tools).

Mar
05
2013

NSBA 20 to Watch

NSBA in the News

I’m thrilled to announce that I have been chosen as one of the NSBA’s 20 to Watch this year! In their words, the honor recognizes innovative educators working hard to impact their students. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:

These education leaders from across the country are being recognized for their ability to inspire colleagues to incorporate innovative technology solutions that contribute to high-quality learning environments and more efficient school district operations.

“The ’20 to Watch’ honorees offer school board members and other leaders real-world stories that help them evaluate the intersection of policy and practice when it comes to today’s emerging technologies,” said Ann Flynn, NSBA’s Director of Educational Technology. “These early adopters are naturally curious about technology’s potential to help transform learning and exhibit traits that inspire and motivate their colleagues to join them on the journey. Their voices and experience will inform local, district, and state approaches to education technology decisions for years to come.”

NSBA established the “20 to Watch” program in 2006. This year’s honorees will be recognized at 2013 Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Conference on March 11th in San Diego and also at TLN-hosted luncheon at NSBA’s 2013 Annual Conference, also in San Diego, this April. TechSmith Corporation is sponsoring the “20 to Watch” celebration events and is providing software scholarships to the honorees.

The full press release is available on the NSBA website.

Jan
29
2013

Florida Educational Technology Conference

fetc welcome

After leaving Ottawa I headed for sunny Florida for FETC. I’m here for the Monday and Tuesday pre-conference sessions presenting on Google Apps. Here’s the schedule…

  • Day 1
    • 8-11am – Deploying Google Apps (a discussion of the technical issues of deployment)
    • 4-7pm – Class websites using Google Sites
  • Day 2
    • 8-11am – Making the most of Google Docs

It’s been wonderful so far and the weather has been so much warmer than Canada! I’m looking forward to learning along with wonderful educators here in Florida.

Jan
28
2013

Google Apps Technical Retreat in Ottawa, Canada

ottawa_intro

 

I’ve just returned from two days on Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where I was privileged to spend time with forward-thinking tech directors and educators from the Ontario area. This event was unique in that it focused on the more technical aspects of Google Apps and how to integrate Google Apps with your existing services. We talked about the nitty gritty of Chromebooks, GADS, GAPS, SSO, and much much more. To get  a real sense of what we talked about, here’s the agenda.

In other news, Tim and I got to try Beaver Tails, which were super yummy! Thanks to our new friends for a great two days of learning.

beavertails

I really thought they were made from Beaver at first!

Dec
11
2012

Google Apps Trainer preparation workshops

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I got a chance to visit New Jersey again this week to work at Kean University. Kean conducted a two day sold out workshop for educators interested in preparing for the Google Apps Certified Trainer exams and process. The workshops were a lot of fun to lead with my colleague and friend Lisa Thumann. The response was so good that we will be doing this all over again in February!

Nov
15
2012

EDUOnAir on Haiku

I recently participated in Google’s EDUonAir series with Kevin Brookhouser and we talked through our different uses of Haiku. Here’s the video.

If you ever need help with Haiku (setup, training, etc) let me know! I’d be glad to help.

 

Nov
09
2012

South Carolina Educational Technology Conference 2012

In late October I traveled to Greenville, SC for the SC Educational Technology Conference. I’ve attended the conference for several years and was glad to see it move to Greenville after being in Myrtle Beach for a long time. I tried out a brand new presentation this time around, focusing on Mobile App Development with kids.

I think app development is a big part of the future of programming, especially in light of STEM initiatives around the US and beyond. Hopefully the ideas presented will gain some traction.