Snapchat Logo copyright Snapchat, Inc. This website/Author has no affiliation with Snapchat, Inc. We’ve seen the disappearance of the 14-25 year old demographic off of Facebook (http://www.businessinsider.com/decline-of-facebook-user-numbers-2014-4). But to which platform has this demographic moved? One of the biggest (and largely untapped) resources for businesses is Snapchat. And Snapchat could … [Read more...]
The Social Giveaway- A quick way to build fans of a product brand
February 18, 2014 by
Today, I ended up entering a contest on Twitter- one in which a Sony Camera- the QX100, was being used as a giveaway for the @Sony Main Twitter Page. I’ve been working for ArtsPromo lately, an organization that runs the digital media accounts of various musical groups and artists. It’s interesting how I forgot how effective a product giveaway contest can promote a product so easily via social … [Read more...]
My Speech to the Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee regarding funding.
February 11, 2014 by
2/11/2014 Hello, I am Jason DeFuria, a third year science teacher at Pioneer Valley Regional School and a member of its technology committee. I am here to speak with you tonight about the state of technology throughout the school. Pioneer Valley Regional School is currently saddled with outdated hardware, software, and infrastructure, meaning the school lags behind when it comes to technology. … [Read more...]
“Who’s left to make band special!? All the special people are gone- how is band going to be special?”
September 16, 2013 by
As you’re most likely aware, I’m a teacher. I’m probably on a way to becoming a good teacher. I had the pleasure of being a student of George N. Parks, one of my favorite teachers of all time.It’s so hard to look at a teacher and say exactly WHY you think they were a great teacher. Probably every great teacher that you have ever had possesses the same trait, but I can’t put my … [Read more...]
The Importance of Open-Source Education
June 30, 2013 by
After completing a course on how to implement technology into the STEM disciplines, I realized that education must be open source. So much of what we expect students to know needs to be open source, along with all of the labs that we complete, all of the worksheets we have, and all of the activities we run with our students. Why is this so important? It makes the education … [Read more...]
How Twitter should fix their implementation of Direct Messages
February 24, 2013 by
Twitter is continuing to grow in market share (currently 5.3 % in the United States, Feb 2013), which has caused twitter to evaluate and implement new features. We have entered the phase of Twitter’s life where these updates are revisional in nature; with a focus on trying to create the perfect place for someone to spend time without leaving the site (something all social networks are … [Read more...]
How do I get the person of my dreams? How do I win someone back?
February 20, 2013 by
I have been spending a couple of months seeing a couple of people go through some difficult times, and it’s hard to explain all my thoughts in person to them at one point in time. These guys have gone through the relationship gauntlet, and received the statement of “I don’t see a future with you.” But these guys had different responses. One went on to think about finding the … [Read more...]
6 years later: I miss you, Dad
February 18, 2013 by
“Does it depress you, to know just how alone you truly are?” – The Dark Knight Right before I went to college, my Dad, Doug DeFuria, was very sick. I took him to HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster for a heart checkup, but he wasn’t doing very well. They ended up finding an ulcer. As it turns out, that ulcer was cancerous and had metastasized. He had cancer throughout his … [Read more...]
The transition in Public Education
January 26, 2013 by
Yesterday, we had a big meeting due to NEASC accreditation. The task was to look at the strengths and needs of the school, which had been boiled down to a list of 7 strengths and 7 needs. It was really interesting to see this list, and with this list try to figure out if they were indeed the 7 greatest strengths and needs. This list had me thinking a lot about what education … [Read more...]
My Quarter Life Crisis
January 6, 2013 by
It's been a long, long time since I've updated this blog. In just a few days, I will be turning 25 years old; a quarter of a century. And it has got me very much worried about the future. Let me rewind and update you on 2012 as a whole. I ended a relationship that didn't have a future in June, which had me bummed for most of the summer. We were talking about the future, planning for a … [Read more...]
Ways to Connect with Jay: