Middle School Tech & Innovation Teacher, teaching Robotics, Programming, Game Design, Wearable Technology, VR Design & 3D Printing. Advocate for UX for Edu (LX). Presenter, Workshop Leader, Curriculum Designer and Writer.https://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mun2oiklu22e#TodaysMomentOfAwesome App Design, they made a translation app. For those who finished early, the extension goal is "Make it awful UX ". One student turned in this design. Spelling mistakes, bad colors, but the background image made it. @celiahodent.com This is UX in the classroom 😉 #EduSky #UX03 Sep 2026 18:17 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mun2oiklu22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mukn5ruhus2l#TodaysMomentOfAwesome SolarPunk Engineering moves to explore Wind power along with solar. First question to answer "How much wind do you need to make electricity?" More than we expected... Much more than it takes to blow out candles. Next: optimizing turbine blades. #EduSky #SolarPunkCurriculum02 Sep 2026 19:09 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mukn5ruhus2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mui3wrpz3223#TodaysMomentOfAwesome What should have been a fun, self paced, independent project crashed & burned hard. 2/3 of the class couldn't access the instructions. Without instructions, they lost focus & gave up. The awesome in such chaos? It motivates me to be even better. #EduSky #LearnFromFailure01 Sep 2026 18:56 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mui3wrpz3223https://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mu63bdktu22p#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Interactive Jewelry class added RGB LEDs to micro:Bits, creating sound reactive, motion sensing, button pressing systems on the go. I always evaluate a class by how many "It works!" moments. Today was 100% epiphany all around.😁 I deserve a treat 🍦 #EduSky #DesignClasses28 Aug 2026 19:17 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu63bdktu22phttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mu3k6qn5n22i#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Project Aptera Day 4: The Engineers have finished their models so it's time to print prototypes. Some engineers are a little more eager than others. We did hand out the @aptera.us stickers because every good engineer has to have stickers. #EduSky #SolarPunk #3DPrinting27 Aug 2026 19:06 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3k6qn5n22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mtz2alruws2h#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Interactive Jewelry class learns to program micro:Bits A student made "digital sand" that shifts with a tilt. In 25 minutes. Last year I got digital sand from @print-kits.bsky.social that took me 3 hours not counting 3D printing the case. Kids these days.... #EduSky26 Aug 2026 19:16 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtz2alruws2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mtwpsywzjk2u#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Project Aptera Day 3: Students are designing their own frames for solar cars. After what we've learned from @aptera.us they're looking to make lean, aerodynamic, lightweight designs that can support solar panel & motor. Next step: 3d Printing! #EduSky #SolarPunk #MakerEDU25 Aug 2026 21:04 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwpsywzjk2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mttyspjaxs2x#TodaysMomentOfAwesome App Design Class learned about wireframe prototypes, sketching out the layout of a screen. The objective was "a phone app for teachers to monitor students computer usage as they walk around in class" They did not disappoint! #EduSky #UXDesign #UXDesignersOfTheFuture24 Aug 2026 19:07 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttyspjaxs2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mtmilx44ak2p#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Solarpunk class progressing. We looked at Aptera designs, read design notes from the website, & compared Aptera models to Solar Racers. Lo Rez prototypes with LEGO for frames. Next will be 3D CAD design for new frames for Solar panel & Motor. @aptera.us #EduSky #Solarpunk21 Aug 2026 19:28 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtmilx44ak2phttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mtjvskpyt22z#TodaysMomentOfAwesome "Good worksheets are good. Bad worksheets are bad." Wise words from one of the greatest educational minds @nancyeblairblack.bsky.social Students brainstorming potential designs for their chocolate printing projects. Amazing seeing them think. #EduSky #3DChocolate #♥️🍫🖨️20 Aug 2026 18:46 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjvskpyt22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mthgrewevs25#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Solar Punk class Project Aptera @aptera.us continues. Testing stock solar racer 3 meter & 5 meter. Avg 3m was 6.34 sec. Avg 5m was 9.05 sec. The next challenge: Build a better solar car that beats the average. 🌞🌞🌞 #EduSky #SolarPunk #ProjectBasedLearning #Constructionism19 Aug 2026 19:12 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mthgrewevs25https://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mtexe2qlt225#TodaysMomentOfAwesome A new group learning to solder! I'm still so impressed & amazed at the pride they show in their work & the joy they have in their learning. @emmafletcher.bsky.social @acolborn.bsky.social Your legacy & influence continues to yet another year. #EduSky #LearnToSolder18 Aug 2026 19:31 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtexe2qlt225https://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mtcbzbvooc27#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Teaching a new curriculum "Solarpunk Engineering". 1st project = build solar cars, measure speed over 3 meters. Look at @aptera.us & how they optimize solar powered cars. Redesign our kits to optimize like Aptera did. Can we outperform stock designs? #EduSky #SolarPunk17 Aug 2026 18:03 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtcbzbvooc27https://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mt5oq6coys2vWas just playing with a @raspberrypi.com 400 connected to my tv, having flashbacks to 1982 & a TRS-80. That sense of learning to code, opening so many possibilities in my 13 yo brain... it was transcendent! Time to eat some Cap'n Crunch, read comic books, & ignore homework until Sunday night.15 Aug 2026 22:08 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt5oq6coys2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mt2v3yyokc2k#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Started Interactive Jewelry Class with quick overview of MakeCode. First responses were immediate ideas about possible projects. Not an hour later, I get the notice that the Learn To Solder Kits have arrived. Tuesday morning we will begin soldering! #EduSky #MakeToLearn14 Aug 2026 19:24 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt2v3yyokc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3msyqbtggpc2v#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 1st day of real classes. Kids were excited, energetic. Grateful to Alecia Blackwood for the word "Sawubona", Zulu greeting that says "I see you". The students are not data points, grades or scores. They are people looking for ideas. I see them. #EduSky #Sawubona13 Aug 2026 22:52 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3msyqbtggpc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3msvslluvds2z#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Today was Orientation for new families to the school. Seeing the change from anxiety to excitement is another underrated reason why teaching is awesome. School is scary. I'm anxious too. But it's gonna be okay. "What if I fall?" "Ah child, What if you fly?" #EduSky12 Aug 2026 18:55 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvslluvds2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3ms77ls24ms2f"They maybe found a place where they fit, better than they expected". God that sentiment hits home. Give me a story that lets me feel THIS .... I will buy every book, stand in line at DragonCon to get your signature & send you a plate of cookies just to express the deepest gratitude. [contains quote post or other embedded content]03 Aug 2026 19:17 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms77ls24ms2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3ms6wd4zca22fNew sticker for the laptop to start the new year! Thanks to @aptera.us for a bundle the kids will get when they do their first Solarpunk project #EduSky #Solarpunk #TheFutureIsWhatWeMakeIt03 Aug 2026 16:31 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms6wd4zca22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3ms6f5xjghk2fTwo days before pre-planning. Going in to set up the lab, get things ready, and figure out what quote to hang on the door. Last year was "The one thing every student is capable of is surprising you with what they're capable of" @garystager.bsky.social #EduSky #RoomPreparations03 Aug 2026 11:24 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms6f5xjghk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mrs7rpxnuc2yGreat webinar with @darrenhood.bsky.social "UX Cycle of Excellence" Where teachers could benefit: Closing the skill gap, we have an ever evolving range of tools for teaching, and very little time to play with them to learn them. Making a commitment to explore is professional development. #EduSky29 Jul 2026 15:16 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrs7rpxnuc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mr6jp7vyds2vIXDF UX Class 5.7: @celiahodent.com introduces Seymour Papert's Constructionism learning as a means of teaching players in games. My nerd teacher's heart swells when my two passions collide. 🤓♥️ Seriously, when do we start to see beyond Thorndike's conditioning in school? #EduSky #UX4Learning21 Jul 2026 19:20 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr6jp7vyds2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mr3kv7jass2pLesson 5.3 IXDF class with @celiahodent.com Presence as an element of engagement has Physical, Narrative & Emotional presence. How the player feels as they play. What if we designed curriculum & classrooms with the same attention to Presence? Could school be as engaging as gameplay? #EduSky20 Jul 2026 15:03 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr3kv7jass2phttps://bsky.app/profile/markgerl.bsky.social/post/3mqrllgw7yk2oQuote @scottdejong.bsky.social Facilitation becomes key in learning through games because it invites a different type of pedagogy. In games, specifically, facilitation becomes split into two worlds,one focused on the learning goals of the game and the other on managing the space. #EduSky #Games16 Jul 2026 15:49 +0000at://did:plc:3upckqsj55eos2pwlmliby76/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqrllgw7yk2o