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Mark Gerl

@markgerl.bsky.social

470 followers 520 following 320 posts

Middle School Tech & Innovation Teacher, teaching Robotics, Programming, Game Design, Wearable Technology, VR Design & 3D Printing. Advocate for UX for Edu (LX). Presenting at SXSW EDU in March '25.

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Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 7h

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 8th grade saw "The Rocket Men" @synchrotheatre.bsky.social Amazing performances, really thought provoking script. Reminiscent of "Copenhagen" by Michael Frayn. Science meets Art meets History to punch you in the heart pants.

#EduSky #EducationalTheater #WowThatEnding!

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 5d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome 5th grade is wrapping up VR Tours of school, & a team finished early so was testing in VR Headsets. When Prospective Parents were brought in, the students talked about their project & offered a headset for the parents to see.

I love when parents say "Wow!"

#Edusky #VREdu

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 6d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome The assignment was a brief portfolio slide deck of what you've learned this term. One student ended her presentation with this.

I'm not crying, my lab is just very dusty.

#EduSky #StudentAppreciation #IDeserveAMedalMyStudentSaidSo

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 7d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome

Due to a schedule change we had a shortened class. They asked if they could do Formula 1 Robot Races. @spheroeducation.bsky.social

"We imagine a school where teachers & students stretch themselves with projects of their own design." -Seymour Papert

#EduSky #Formula1

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 8d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome

8th graders are wrapping up App Design class by curating projects in a slide deck.

"Whoa! We did a lot of stuff! When did we do this much stuff?"

Me:"You know ... class. We learn things."

S:"Yeah but it didn't feel like learning"

#EduSky #FlowInClass #LearningByDoing

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 9d

So very cool! I'll have to show that to the students!

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 9d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome I love discovering new tools, new ideas, new curriculum. I ordered this XRP Robot kit from @sparkfun.bsky.social & the frame is currently printing. Excited to code soon.

#EduSky #XRPRobot #NewCurriculumExcitement
#BuildABot

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 15d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome The end of A Term is nearing and students are wrapping up their projects. My most often spoken phrase today was "That's incredible! You've done some incredible work. I'm really proud of you!"

I don't mind saying it publicly, my students are awesome!

#EduSky #TeacherPride

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 16d

Thanks for the lead! 👍🏻

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 16d

My next round of classes will now be:

Open doors
Low floors
Incredibly high ceilings
Even wider walls
Places for stories to be told
Places to listen

♥️ as always to Marilyn Hill who taught me to be creative when I was little & to my mom for being my greatest teacher ever.

🧵/End.

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 16d

One person I talked to, as I bragged about my students designs said "The humanity behind the print, that's what this is all about".

How do I let my own humanity show in my prints and in my lessons?

How do I model being who I am to encourage others to do the same?

🧵/6

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 16d

3D printing is a medium of self-expression, as a business, a hobby or a teaching tool. The community has an abundance of ways for a person to be supported in any path you choose. @bobkarnes.com has helped me tremendously and I'm grateful.

How do I help widen the walls to encourage others?

🧵/5

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 16d

While there is a lot of talk about AI generated models, I saw human created models that demonstrate impressive talent.

Much like cathedral ceilings give a sense of majesty & awe, the "High ceilings" of the model designers was inspiring.

How do I inspire students to look up to these artists?

🧵/4

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 16d

I saw amazing things that piqued my curiosity, Positron printers printing upside down, incredible arrays of colors & hues in filaments, painting with filament...

How do I spark curiosity to invite students to walk through the door, to experience the low floor, high ceilings, wide walls?

🧵/3

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 16d

"Low floors, high ceilings, wide walls". (Papert)

"A Teacher can open the door but The Student must enter the room". (Chinese Proverb)

I know from Judy Willis that leveraging curiosity lights up the reticular activation system, essential for learning not just conditioning.

🧵/2

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 16d

"We don't learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experiences."--John Dewey

A thread reflecting on my experiences at @3dprintopia.bsky.social 2025

But first a huge Thank You to @mattstultz.bsky.social and @ellierose.me from CocoaPress for making this possible.

🧵/1

#EduSky

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 17d

Hey @emmafletcher.bsky.social

It's my turn to hug The Ellie!!!

@ellierose.me

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 18d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Working the CocoaPress booth at @3dprintopia.bsky.social my 1st 3D print event

Walking around, talking to people, seeing the amazing ideas that come from Cartesian planes & melting plastic to become absolutely incredible designs.

11/10 would recommend

#EduSky #MakerEdu

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 21d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Preparing for @3dprintopia.bsky.social 6th Grade interviewed a 3D Print Enthusiast Teacher "What would impress you about printing in chocolate?"

Based on his responses, they made Gaming Icons. 🤓

@ellierose.me @mattstultz.bsky.social

#EduSky #MakerEdu #♥️🍫🖨️ #3DChocolate

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 23d

#AwesomeMomentOfToday Presented at West GA RESA about emerging Educational Technologies. Awesome conversations, lots of excitement, it's encouraging to see people excited and engaged about new ideas for instruction & assessment.

#WestGARESA #EduSky #ConstructivistEducation

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 27d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Had a check in with my principal, quick check at the start of the year. I gotta say my principal is pretty awesome. She encourages me to stretch & grow my vision of learning. Even when my ideas are a bit "out there".

#EduSky #AwesomeLeadership #LoveFeelingSupportedEncouraged

Reposted by Mark Gerl

Dr. Rachel Kowert @drkowert.bsky.social · 27d

Can kids really learn from video games?

All signs point to → absolutely.

link.nurture.is/o8ogE5

Educational Games for Kids: How Video Games Teach Through Play | Nurture Academy

link.nurture.is

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · 28d

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome Doing peer reviews of chocolate designs, students saw elements like simplicity, clarity, and readability in their designs. Our client came by, dropped in unexpectedly and was visibly impressed by early prototypes.

Now on to refining designs!

#EduSky #CocoaPress #♥️🍫🖨️

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · Sep 15

#TodaysMomentOfAwesome "Boardwalk Adventures" a mix of Monopoly and Clue, continues to make progress. Board layout and design and token production finished today.

#EduSky #GameDesignForLearning

Mark Gerl @markgerl.bsky.social · Sep 14

Man! That looks like so much fun!