Today's Teamster News 10.28.13

<a href="http://www.alternet.org/economy/point-seveners-new-name-millionaires-club" rel="nofollow">America’s Wealthy Are Even Wealthier And Have A New Name: Point-Seveners</a>  Alternet   ...America has 45,000 citizens worth more than $50 million...<br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/10/26/dark_money_groups_linked_to_koch_brothers_pay_1_million_in_fines_partner/" rel="nofollow">Dark money groups linked to Koch brothers pay $1 million in fines</a>  Salon   ...They allegedly spent a combined $15 million on conservative ballot proposals without proper disclosure...<br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/education/great-voucher-fraud" rel="nofollow">The Great Voucher Fraud</a>  Alternet   ... decades of accumulated evidence paints a different story: Vouchers do not improve educational outcomes, they take money away from struggling public schools, they’re cash cows for institutions offering questionable education, they aid students already attending private institutions and they ignore the needs of special-education students...<br /><a href="http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2013/10/27/Recall-222959-pounds-of-ready-to-eat-chicken-salad-products/UPI-68441382896086/" rel="nofollow">Recall: 222,959 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad products</a>  UPI   ...Boston Salads and Provisions Company is recalling about 222,959 pounds of chicken salad products due to possible contamination with Listeria, officials say...<br /><a href="http://thediplomat.com/china-power/the-us-is-quietly-losing-its-innovation-edge-to-china/" rel="nofollow">The US Is Quietly Losing Its Innovation Edge to China</a>  The Diplomat   ...Between 2003 and 2013, the number of applications increased from nearly 35,000 to more than 51,000, while NIH appropriations shrunk from $21 billion to $16 billion (in 1995 dollars). As a consequence, it has become increasingly difficult for our scientists to garner an NIH grant…The story is dramatically different on the China side. The government is determined to be the next technology innovation center in the world. By 2011, China had already become the world’s second highest investor in R&D. Government research funding has been growing at an annual rate of more than 20 percent...<br /><a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/10/another-reason-hate-tpp-it-gives-big-content-new-tools-undermine-sane-digital" rel="nofollow">Another Reason to Hate TPP: It Gives Big Content New Tools to Undermine Sane Digital Rights Policies</a>  EFF   ...TPP would give multinational companies the power to sue countries over laws that that might diminish the value of their company or cut into their expected future profits...<br /><a href="http://soberlook.com/2013/10/has-great-recession-created-behavioral.html" rel="nofollow">Has the Great Recession created behavioral changes in the labor markets?</a>  Sober Look   ...One of the persistent problems with the US labor markets is the current pool of unemployed people taking far longer to find work than in the past. This would suggest that the key for those without work is to enter the workforce as quickly as possible - even if it means part-time, temp, consulting, etc. The barriers to re-entry are much higher these days than any time in recent decades...<br /><a href="http://thediplomat.com/asia-life/2013/10/mizuho-banks-yakuza-scandal-more-than-30-execs-to-be-punished/" rel="nofollow">Mizuho Bank’s Yakuza Scandal: More than 30 Execs to be Punished</a>  The Diplomat   ...More than 30 executives at Mizuho Financial Group, Japan’s third largest bank, will be held accountable for making loans to the country’s organized crime syndicates, known as the yakuza...<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/magazine/could-new-york-city-subways-survive-another-hurricane.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow">Could New York City Subways Survive Another Hurricane?</a>  New York Times   ...you see what it will take to keep the system going: technological improvements, yes, but also the oldest technology of all — the knowledge of the people who run the subway, many of whom have been there for their entire working lives...<br /><a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/what-even-is-a-wisconsin-john-doe-investigation" rel="nofollow">What Is Going On in Wisconsin -- And Why Is It So Secret? </a> Talking Points Memo   ... a former federal prosecutor had been appointed to lead a "John Doe investigation" into state-level issues in Wisconsin, including the 2011 and 2012 recall elections. And this John Doe investigation reportedly grew out of an earlier John Doe probe, which closed in March after snaring six former aides and associates of Gov. Scott Walker (R)...<br /><br /><br />

bank criminality China food safety Hurricane Sandy inequality innovation Koch brothers scott walker TPP unemployment WI Today's Teamster News 10.28.13

America’s Wealthy Are Even Wealthier And Have A New Name: Point-Seveners  Alternet   ...America has 45,000 citizens worth more than $50 mil...

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How research paywalls keep today's research from becoming best practice

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8083MyMbnH5FSAtvr8gz4Lpc5KKwkwjLerzJ_7tgrT6Y26oo7_QcCNOtiSgUPy59dOT1POts2Pi4491RnaqODfD70JlALXeGntIn71GwQuG6SzdzRXAtEB_riC2cE7V-oLUexB3M5LSYZ/s1600/iStock_000007804776XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8083MyMbnH5FSAtvr8gz4Lpc5KKwkwjLerzJ_7tgrT6Y26oo7_QcCNOtiSgUPy59dOT1POts2Pi4491RnaqODfD70JlALXeGntIn71GwQuG6SzdzRXAtEB_riC2cE7V-oLUexB3M5LSYZ/s400/iStock_000007804776XSmall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dominant logic often isolates higher learning research<br />from the teachers who need to apply it.</td></tr></tbody></table>There are pay walls that keep average everyday teachers like me from nosing around in matters reserved for ivory towers.<br /><br />It sort of ticks me off sometimes. Why can't ivory tower people "adopt" classroom practitioners (like me and many others) who really "get into" reading research and applying it in our classroom so we can actually access the material we need to read?<br /><br />You would think that people would want "real" teachers to read the research on learning and teaching. Instead we often get insulted for not knowing it or using it when we don't have access in the first place.<br /><h2>No entry allowed</h2>Today I was perusing around research around what makes learning meaningful to students and came across this article "<a href="http://rer.sagepub.com/content/60/4/531.abstract" target="_blank">Phases of Meaningful Learning</a>" but have to be a "member" or pay a one time $25 to access the article. Well it may just be $25 but considering this happens at least 5 or 6 times a week... it isn't doable.<br /><br />We need to support our research organizations and researchers, no doubt about it. But there should be some creative ways to give access to or even have some "qualified" teachers apply to be allowed to access research. (A "qualified" teacher should be any teacher who wants to read it, in my opinion.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lPA8BHXzs-U8PP8F-tkde0UAkBooYmGvM2OWQfjpcxarsXbB9JKhtZU_-Uf6HsBQEvNJLwTe-ekdSlsCPjsfnOPqRyDGhoIyF3_jzfP4bPJMr6LZUhGpy_NGeJ8amo-qQiJmqTUrr75a/s1600/need-to-subscribe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lPA8BHXzs-U8PP8F-tkde0UAkBooYmGvM2OWQfjpcxarsXbB9JKhtZU_-Uf6HsBQEvNJLwTe-ekdSlsCPjsfnOPqRyDGhoIyF3_jzfP4bPJMr6LZUhGpy_NGeJ8amo-qQiJmqTUrr75a/s400/need-to-subscribe.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><h3>Should public research be publicly readable?</h3><br />Of course there's the question that <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/109526159908242471749" target="_blank">+Stephen Downes</a> and others always ask... that if the research was paid for by public funds that perhaps the public should have access.<br /><br />Try explaining that one. Here we are trying to do everything we can to improve education when the very research principals and teachers need to make that change is hiding behind paywalls that will likely not be in the budget for most K12 schools. More than that, the US taxpayer is paying for it and then it can't be viewed by the schools it is meant to help.<br /><br />Come on. Wake up someone. It is a new day where we can all be scholars if we can just have access.<br /><br />Paywalls prevent putting research into practice. Period.<br /><br />We're blocking innovation. We're promoting isolation. We're continuing to promote the "<b>dominant logic</b>" of an education system that is in a stellar need of reform and reorganization.<br /><h2><i>How dominant logic creates a domineering, unhealthy educational culture</i></h2>The term "dominant logic" is used in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1422157644/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1422157644&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Reverse Innovation</a> by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.tuck.dartmouth.edu/people/vg/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Vijay Govindarajan">Vijay Govindarajan</a> and Chris Trimble.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkQFJf7uk-dSmOWUeOcUNpGOBLV-Hy_mi1NPpsNeOyf0KolEYCyCJbi1WB9OdfTUEiSbnok8sTvzYZsuzFCsdweReTG0_ld4e1QRnBzhWT540aQRTYiXZ1cB3qNM1HHBsE8eZmsPIK9_q/s1600/iStock_000000047780XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkQFJf7uk-dSmOWUeOcUNpGOBLV-Hy_mi1NPpsNeOyf0KolEYCyCJbi1WB9OdfTUEiSbnok8sTvzYZsuzFCsdweReTG0_ld4e1QRnBzhWT540aQRTYiXZ1cB3qNM1HHBsE8eZmsPIK9_q/s400/iStock_000000047780XSmall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Govindarajan and Trimble talk about that a dominant logic emerges in companies and organizations when "you achieved your success in a particular kind of market and culture."<br /><br />The dominant logic of an organization prevents organization in new and emerging markets and they recommend the creation of "<b>local growth teams</b>" (LGTs) to start from scratch (but remain connected to the parent organization to use resources.)<br /><br />Education as a whole is in dire need of innovation in how we think, how we share information, and how we research. New, creative partnerships and teamwork between higher ed, high schools and just about any type of school need to emerge in ways no longer constrained by geography.<br /><br />Teachers can be scholars and scholars can be teachers. We can work together daily and interact in creative ways. Knock down the towers, flatten the walls, and connect. Or just start by waking up and realizing that the world has changed just a tad in the last 20 years and it is time for education to as well.<br /><br />I think the dominant logic in education is flawed. What got us to where we are today will not get us to a better place tomorrow.<br /><br /><br />Photo Credits: iStock Photo<br />----<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Disclosure of Material Connection</b>: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</span><br /><br /> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=de547b0d-1ccc-4b00-8241-a7eda8795b39" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>

book review EDUCATION highered innovation research How research paywalls keep today's research from becoming best practice

Dominant logic often isolates higher learning research from the teachers who need to apply it. There are pay walls that keep average everyda...

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Is a teacher's non-use of technology an excuse to be demoted?

<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2zVbFKeWKHCFNtMe2tvI3pOy1xiHACwum86W2uc65hZMsKcA2McgRb0j-PFgx2VtBC8pPJb3f0LraYios-Mb605Lr-5HEJCYuTAfQvx_dhZIIOCVhkBdUtIp7GlAxYPs0LUQr1pnpxjJ/s1024/Photo%252520Aug%25252020%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A09%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="373" id="blogsy-1377601190200.9707" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2zVbFKeWKHCFNtMe2tvI3pOy1xiHACwum86W2uc65hZMsKcA2McgRb0j-PFgx2VtBC8pPJb3f0LraYios-Mb605Lr-5HEJCYuTAfQvx_dhZIIOCVhkBdUtIp7GlAxYPs0LUQr1pnpxjJ/s500/Photo%252520Aug%25252020%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A09%252520AM.jpg" width="500"></a></p> <p> And thus school has begun. I have a mysterious little bird - always writing these messages on my board. I know who the bird is but turn my back and let it happen. But I thought of it this morning as I thought of an apparent major decisionmaking fail brought to my attention this week.</p> <p>This week a teacher came to me asking me to help a friend. </p> <blockquote><p>"The best AP lit teacher I know has been 'demoted' because she isn't using technology. The administrators are afraid that they'll 'get in trouble with the state' if they see she's not using any. Give me ideas to help"</p></blockquote> <p>So, that's it...no coaching... no advice...no help - just BAM - you're going to teach a younger grade even though we know you're the best AP lit teacher we've ever seen.</p> <h3>It is always about what technology helps you DO not technology itself</h3> <p>If you read my blog, you know that I love and enjoy technology and using it with my students. But I find this repugnant and ridiculous. </p> <p>Yes, we need to help every teacher use technology but it is about what technology helps you DO. </p> <p>Does every class use paper? Did we judge classes that used less paper as being substandard? There are ways to use technology in AP literature but it is AP literature not AP tech-ture for goodness sakes. </p> <p>I could require every teacher to use an ipad, but if she uses it to hit her students on the head - does the mere presence of ipads mean it is put to good use? A teacher without ipads who doesn't hit her students is better than a student with ipads who leaves them with bruises. Are we honestly going to let the presence of an electronic device determine the merit of a teacher? </p> <p>I'm hurrying up as best I can to finish my new book <em>Reinventing Writing</em> for just this teacher. But in the meantime use technology where it makes SENSE.</p> <h3>Mandates sometimes suspend good common sense</h3> <p>This is the thing that bothers me about state mandates. Sometimes people take things and use them as an excuse to disengage their brain from their eyes and blindly misinterpret the intention of what is happening. Yes, we all should be using technology. To me, the larger question is -- looking at a school -- will the student come out technologically savvy? Will they be fluent? Can they invent and create using it? Can they be a lifelong learner with technology?</p> <p>Even more important - HOW are kids using technology? </p> <p>Are they using technology to solve problems or are the computers basically there to program kids?</p> <p>You know it is true. Some schools have technology all over and not one single ounce of creativity. Would that "rank" well with "the state?"</p> <p>And here, you have a teacher using tons of creativity and shunning technology with an almost 50% pass rate in her AP class (far above the percentage of other teachers at that school from what I hear) and yet, somehow the fact she isn't using technology is a bad thing. Does the pass rate mean anything?</p> <p>Honestly, if they want kids to use technology - they should buy them all ipads and get it in their hands. It is the school's fault not the teacher's if they aren't putting it in the hands of kids.</p> <h3>6 Aspects of Visionary Technology Leadership</h3> <p>Technology is important. It is something all students should be using. But the people at the top need to be visionaries about:</p> <p>1- Giving technology access to all students.</p> <p>2 - Adequately training all teachers about the effective use of technology (not just buying subscriptions to the latest drill and kill software package and calling that enough).</p> <p>3 - Creating an environment where people can experiment and try new things without fear. (and where they can publish and share with a wider audience and connect and collaborate with other classrooms as well)</p> <p>4 - Having a vision a school is supposed to be - conveying that vision and owning it with their decisionmaking.</p> <p>5 - Supporting great teachers and helping them continue to thrive in a new era.</p> <p>6 - Supporting students and keeping a focus on them.</p> <p>I'm sure that those of you who study this for a living will think of more.</p> <h3>Arbitrary Decisionmaking often leads to a Sorry State</h3> <p>I am just angry that such foolish, ridiculous decisionmaking would be made and that technology would be a hatchet to remove a great teacher from a classroom where she and the students are successful. Arbitrary decisionmaking like this is what has gotten education into trouble through all these years.</p> <h3>Wake up teachers, and find good uses for technology in your classroom</h3> <p>Technology is more important than ever and I hope this will also be a wake up call to teachers. If you could see your administrators doing this, it is time to do something that makes sense. Use technology where it works and will help you improve learning -- but find some place - I'm sure there is a place where it can help you teach. It is worth the effort. </p> <h3>The Electronic ruler rises?</h3> <p>Some will applaud this day that technology is being used as a ruler to measure teaching -- but honestly, teaching is the only ruler by which we should measure teaching. </p> <p>What are kids learning? What are they doing with what they learn? What are they creating? Can they solve problems in this field of study? Are they learning the habits that will help them be successful in their future?</p> <p>Teachers - you can do this. Learn about technology - Twitter is a great place to start. Find the hashtag that fits with your field of expertise. You can find ways to integrate it into your classroom. You can't do everything but you can do something. It is important to do it for the kids. But realize that if you don't, it is going to have a very real impact on some of you. I can write all day long but it won't impact the back rooms where such arbitrary mandates are concocted and one such thing may come rolling your direction. But I've always found the best things I do in my classroom - I do out of love for the kids not fear for my own career. Good luck and get at it. You rock, teachers. You're important! Let's teach!</p> <p>What are your thoughts on this? Do you see this sort of decision making happening in other places?</p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

EDUCATION innovation Teaching Technology Is a teacher's non-use of technology an excuse to be demoted?

And thus school has begun. I have a mysterious little bird - always writing these messages on my board. I know who the bird is but turn m...

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Simple ways to use mood music in your classroom to amp up learning

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZPWOuk6B9ls/Sxgv9L1wXUI/AAAAAAAAA1o/4m2mJEzkScs/s128/12750103187p6420.jpg.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="128" id="blogsy-1376650883804.7651" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZPWOuk6B9ls/Sxgv9L1wXUI/AAAAAAAAA1o/4m2mJEzkScs/s128/12750103187p6420.jpg.jpg" width="128"></a></div> <p> Music has so many uses in the classroom. After being jolted awake by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/burgessdave" target="_self" title="">Dave Burgess</a>' Teach Like a Pirate wisdom - I realized that there are so many aspects of the mood I need to use in my classroom.</p> <h3>Music sets the mood</h3> <p>I now use music for many purposes. When students are doing something a tad stressful, the Carribean calypso music is so relaxing, they just relax and get it done. </p> <p>When they are brainstorming, peppy music that they like gets them thinking. If they are making - it makes them more creative.</p> <p>There's a time for all types of music in my classroom. Like some choose wine for the meal, I choose music for the task. Sometimes that means the students pick. Other times it means we create a special station on Pandora and enjoy it.</p> <h3>Music makes a great timer</h3> <p>Here's what I've found that I love the most about music. I have always used a timer in my classroom to keep us on track. Otherwise, we'll just spend forever brainstorming - which isn't a bad thing - but I do have things to get accomplished with them. The problem with the timer is that no one pays attention to it. No one really knows how long 5 minutes is or 10 minutes. It isn't tangible.</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w6n3rUKcE3E/SYNujMmDOXI/AAAAAAAAFdg/bJ8BmEIrJ3k/s100/got-music-necklace-sm.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="87" id="blogsy-1376650883760.6704" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w6n3rUKcE3E/SYNujMmDOXI/AAAAAAAAFdg/bJ8BmEIrJ3k/s100/got-music-necklace-sm.jpg" width="100"></a></div> <p>Now, I say "Ok, we're going to spend 2 songs on this." Most of the songs are around 4:30 or so. The students listen but they also know that time is passing. They tend to more creatively, enthusiastically get their work done.</p> <h3>Music has a place in the classroom</h3> <p>Music not only sets mood, it marks the passage of time in a way that students understand and respond to. I love it. I've always used it, but I haven't always used it in all of my classes pretty much daily. My classrooms works better when it is on.</p> <h3>Set guidelines for music</h3> <p>I have guidelines for music when students pick it. </p> <h4>1. Keep it clean.</h4> <p>I explain that I'm accountable for the words so I have to be able to understand them. I also ask them to help me keep it acceptable for school. If they break trust with me, the person who picked the song or music can't pick again.</p> <h4>2. Keep it simple</h4> <p>Students who are put in charge of music for a day in my classroom should make a playlist. This "pick one song at a time" is a real time waster. They should make it ahead of time and have it ready to go. Quite of my students have a "computer class playlist" they have just for me.</p> <h4>3. Keep it low bandwidth</h4> <p>I prefer NOT to do youtube playlists because of the bandwidth of the video. It also tempts students to want the videos to play and I find it distracting. There are also some things in some videos that just are not OK for school and there's no way for me to watch those ahead of time.</p> <h4>4. Keep it at a reasonable volume</h4> <p>The teacher next door shouldn't hear the music. Period. </p> <h3>How do you use music in the classroom?</h3> <p>So, this is a short post and on a simple topic. But this one simple thing has made a huge difference in my classroom.</p> <p>I'd love to hear what some of you do with music in your classroom. </p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation Teaching Simple ways to use mood music in your classroom to amp up learning

Music has so many uses in the classroom. After being jolted awake by Dave Burgess ' Teach Like a Pirate wisdom - I realized that there...

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Sylvia Martinez and The Maker Movement: Invent to Learn, Tinker to Teach! #makered #makerspace

The <strong><a href="http://www.inventtolearn.com/resources/" target="_blank">Maker Movement</a></strong> is here.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWZfxlH7-37hBh3ciheUqwMAew5yPB7QPtACh5u2mE_LnkUvA3NZAt7dDiE5_y6_3vwcJWq5rmeOR7mcfUHpwNkNrLtPGbVOkdFobBtqKYJM4Gx2AIAp6NIQdZP8s2i_dKfRrrnpenBhh/s1600/3d-invent-to-learn.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWZfxlH7-37hBh3ciheUqwMAew5yPB7QPtACh5u2mE_LnkUvA3NZAt7dDiE5_y6_3vwcJWq5rmeOR7mcfUHpwNkNrLtPGbVOkdFobBtqKYJM4Gx2AIAp6NIQdZP8s2i_dKfRrrnpenBhh/s320/3d-invent-to-learn.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Invent to Learn by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager<br /> is the definitive book on the Maker Movement<br />in Schools</td></tr></tbody></table><br />What do 3D printers, Rasberry pi programing units, scrapbooks and woodworking have in common? They are all part of the <strong>Maker movement</strong> a growing effort to reinvent creativity by letting kids and people create.<br /><br />Libraries are incorporating <strong>maker spaces</strong> and many people are reading the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989151107/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0989151107&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b>Invent To Learn</b></a> by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager.<br /><br />If you want to know more about this movement, take a listen to <a href="http://www.twitter.com/smartinez" target="_blank">Sylvia Martinez</a> (see below on how to listen). We talked about how this method can positively impact our "STEM pipeline" and how we can foster the love of problem solving in many ways in the classroom. We also discussed managing maker spaces in the classroom and the many technologies being used in the maker movement. I learned a lot and highly recommend the book.<br /><br /><h3>My thoughts on the book, Invent to Learn</h3>Don't think this is a movement that is something new. It is actually built upon some profound research into how we all learn. I think every education professor should read this book as well as principals, curriculum directors, and librarians. Innovative teachers will want to read it as well.<br /><br />It is a book full of research and citations. The authors don't write something without backing it up in research. I do admit that I'm halfway through and have sometimes flipped to the back -- I'm totally sold, I'm just getting into the "how" now and am sure I'll be sharing more as I build my own maker spaces in my classroom. In many ways, I already have these spaces but need to utilize them better. This fits very well with <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2013/05/engage-students-supercharge-learning.html" target="_blank">Genius Hour work</a>, in my opinion.<br /><br /><b>Listen to the show: </b><br /><i>If you need help getting started with listening to the show or are having problems, see the Podcast page for a tutorial.</i><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.bamradionetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1177:teaching-teachers-with-technology&catid=91:every-classroom-matters&Itemid=259" target="_blank">Listen in your web browser</a> (Internet Explorer is best)</li><li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/every-classroom-matters-cool/id606677009" target="_blank">Listen on iTunes</a> (Click "Learning by Doing")</li></ul><br /><br />—–<br /><h1>Show Notes</h1><div>Here are some notes and resources that will help you understand and discuss the concepts discussed in this show.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989151107/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0989151107&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom</a><br />by Sylvia Martinez & Gary Stager</div><div><br /></div><h4>Invent to Learn Book Authors</h4><div>Sylvia Martinez:</div><div>Blog: <a href="http://blog.genyes.org/">http://blog.genyes.org/</a></div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/smartinez" target="_blank">@smartinez</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Gary Stager:</div><div>Blog: <a href="http://stager.tv/blog/">http://stager.tv/blog/</a></div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/garystager">https://twitter.com/garystager</a></div><div><br /></div><h4>Invent to Learn Book Resources:</h4><div>Intent to Learn Website: <a href="http://www.inventtolearn.com/">http://www.inventtolearn.com/</a></div><div>Resource Page  : <a href="http://www.inventtolearn.com/resources/">http://www.inventtolearn.com/resources/</a> <i>(a useful chapter by chapter set of hyperlinks. I wish every book did this.)</i></div><div><a href="http://blog.genyes.org/index.php/2011/06/08/8-big-ideas-of-the-constructionist-learning-lab/" target="_blank">8 Big Ideas of the Constructionist Learning Lab</a> by Sylvia Martinez</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h4>Important Aspects of the Maker Movement mentioned on the show</h4><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.raspberrypi.org/" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi</a> (See <a href="http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=49" target="_blank">Rasberry Pi Teaching and Learning Resources</a>)</li><li>Physical Computing</li><li>Programming</li><li>3D printing</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><h4>Hashtags for the Maker Movement that Sylvia Recommends </h4><div><i>(I've linked to the searches below on Twitter)</i>: </div><div><ul><li>#<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23makered&mode=relevance&src=typd" target="_blank">makered </a></li><li>#<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23makerspace&mode=relevance&src=typd" target="_blank">makerspace</a></li><li>#<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23inventtolearn&mode=relevance&src=typd" target="_blank">inventtolearn </a></li></ul><div>Make Do: <a href="https://mymakedo.com/">https://mymakedo.com/</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Maker Faire Information: <a href="http://makerfaire.com/">http://makerfaire.com/</a></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link (for the book mentioned) and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"</span></blockquote>

EDUCATION every classroom matters innovation Teaching Technology Sylvia Martinez and The Maker Movement: Invent to Learn, Tinker to Teach! #makered #makerspace

The Maker Movement is here. Invent to Learn by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager  is the definitive book on the Maker Movement in Schools Wha...

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Reading Tips to Program Your Mind for success

<p> I have a second generation Kindle. I will use it until it won't run for a few reasons:</p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bG5EX4ymNbc/TIGAf54UHsI/AAAAAAAAGXg/ue40mgKqwKg/s1200/The%252520Kindles%252520Are%252520Here%252521%252521.jpg" target="_blank" style=" "><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1374872589243.7783" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bG5EX4ymNbc/TIGAf54UHsI/AAAAAAAAGXg/ue40mgKqwKg/s500/The%252520Kindles%252520Are%252520Here%252521%252521.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Kindles are newer than mine but still offer a focused reading experience without notifications.</td></tr></tbody></table> <ol> <li>I can operate it with one hand (I like to read everywhere.)</li> <li>I get no messages or notifications of any kind, meaning I can focus on what I'm reading. Silence is really golden, especially when it comes to reading.</li> <li>I can organize my reading in intentional and powerful ways.</li></ol> <p><a href="http://www.briantracy.com/" target="_self" title="">Brian Tracy</a> shares in several of his books that if you want to be in the top 10% of any field that you should read an hour a day in field. That is my goal.</p> <p><a href="http://michaelcatt.com/" target="_self" title="">Michael Catt</a>, my pastor says "Leaders are readers." I'd like to lead and encourage others, so reading is important. It brings new ideas. It motivates. It encourages me when I'm down. Now that I've written one book and almost done with a second, I see that a book is really an author bleeding on a page. It is that much of your life. I have always cherished books, now many of them are almost sacred.</p> <p>Let's look at #3. If you have a traditional Kindle, you can likely organize your books into collections. This is a major feature missing from the Kindle app on the ipad, in my opinion. I organize my books 4 ways.</p> <h1>Type of Reading</h1> <ul> <li>Fiction</li> <li>Nonfiction</li></ul> <p>Right now I have 36 fiction books and 219 nonfiction books. This is not because I don't read fiction, but typically, most fiction books I remove from my kindle when I'm done. I see no reason to keep them because they are still in my archive.</p> <h1>Stage of Reading</h1> <ul> <li>on deck</li> <li>@ctive</li> <li>Finished Reading</li> <li>Stopped Reading</li></ul> <h2>On Deck</h2> <p>On deck means I want to read this next. When I get the urge to buy a book just because that is what bibliophiles do, I "shop" in my on deck and always find something. If I have to shop, I will put things into my "wish list" on Amazon and come back to it if I know that I really need to read it.</p> <h2>@ctive</h2> <p>Active means I'm reading it RIGHT NOW or have within the past week. I usually have a fiction, a nonfiction / inspirational or leadership book, and a nonfiction book on writing. I limit myself to 3 or sometimes 4 in the active category. If I add more, I have to move one into the next two stacks and admit I may not finish that book. I use the @sign out of habit because I start my @ctive folder on my computer with an "@" sign to help me sort it first in any folder where it appears. By limiting my "active" books, I finish more books and am also intentional about my reading. I don't go on guilt trips because I haven't finished 15 books, I just say, "hey" that book needs to wait a while.</p> <h2>Finished Reading</h2> <p>When I finish a book, I always move it to finished reading. I often leave them there for a bit if there's a reason. Some of them are reference books that I'll want to keep. I have a special category I also tag this book with called "Reference Library." I keep it there but mark it finished, so if I ever wonder if I've completely finished the book, it will show up as finished.</p> <h2>Stopped Reading</h2> <p>When I have a book that I've been reading but just stopped for some reason but think I'll want to come back to it, I'll move it from @ctive into "Stopped Reading." There are several multipart books in here - I'll come back to them. Things like a series of short stories by Agatha Christie (ohhh she's awesome) or the Philo Vance series from the early 1900's. I"ll finish one of the books and then come back to it. I do enjoy Philo Vance but he's a bit of a tough read because of all of the classical book references and use of other languages, so I'll take a break and come back to him.</p> <p>This trick also helps jumpstart me into realistically determining if I want to get back into reading a book. Sometimes if I know I do, I'll put it back in the "on deck" folder. Sometimes after a few months, I'll go ahead and face it that the book doesn't measure up.</p> <p>A good life is too short to waste on a bad book. Sometimes the book isn't bad, it just doesn't match with my needs from the book or why I bought it in the first place.</p> <h1>Purpose for Reading</h1> <p>I have numbers for these types of readings based upon my priority. Here's my categories:</p> <ul> <li>1 - Sharpen Scissors [Follow God]</li> <li>1 - Sharpen Scissors [Healthy Body]</li> <li>1 - Sharpen Scissors [Be Productive]</li> <li>1 - Sharpen Scissors [Read Classics]</li> <li>1 - Sharpen Scissors [ Dream Team]</li> <li>2 - Show my family love</li> <li>3 - #love2teach</li> <li>4 - Be an inspiring author</li> <li>5 - Manage Wealth</li></ul> <h2>What is sharpen scissors?</h2> <p>Stephen Covey talks about "Sharpening the Saw"in his classic productivity book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective people." When I use illustrations to motivate myself, I want to use metaphors that mean something to me.</p> <p>An old trick to sharpen scissors is to cut sandpaper. I do this quite a bit, particularly if I've been cutting something kind of thick. When I read "sharpen scissors" I picture how hard life can be and know that sometimes I need to read things to shake me up so I can take action. I've got 5 1's because all of these are part of taking care of myself - body, mind, soul, heart. If I don't take care of myself, I can't take care of my husband, children, or any of my students.</p> <p>I write the parentheses in a way that gets me to act. "Follow God" "Be Productive" "Read Classics" "Healthy Body" are all examples of this.</p> <h2>The Dream Team: You Become like who you think about so think about great people</h2> <p>Then, there's my Dream Team. When Angela Maiers was at my school this past January, she shared some research that shows that we become like the 5 people we think about the most. She calls these 5 our "dream team" and says we should be intentional about selecting the members of our dream team. She has these people on a bulletin board in her office.</p> <p>My "Dream Team" folder holds the auditions for my dream team. I've got a few already selected but have 3 slots open with quite a few candidates. So, I select biographies of those who I have admired in the past so I can learn more. Biographies keep us grounded. When you read a biography of a great person, it is striking to realize the struggles and normal-ness of most people's lives. When you strip away the accomplishments of great men and women of history you most often see people with purpose, persistence, and a plan (and very often, prayer.) If I will become who I think about, I wish to become a better person and must intentionally take time to read biographies. After reading books like Theodore Roosevelt and the "River of Doubt" I'm forever changed and glad I do.</p> <h2>2 - Show My Family Love</h2> <p>There are great books about being a better Mom. If I'm not careful, I'll read so much about succeeding in my career that I'll forget about the most important thing. Reading about how to be a better member of my family helps me stay balanced and keep perspective. Some things need my most careful protection.</p> <h2>3 - #love2teach</h2> <p>This is the category for everything about teaching. I use this hashtag sometimes, I don't know that anyone follows it, but instead of "teaching" or "Be a great teacher" this is a simple reminder of 2 things for me. 1) That my teaching is a calling, a passion, and a love for my students and 2) The hashtag reminds me that I want to share this with other educators. It can't stop with me.</p> <p>We need positive voices in this negative world and I am passionate about being one of those positive, constructive voices. I want to help any of you reading this post. I want to help you be a better teacher and a better person. I want to help others love2teach too. This hashtag reminds me of who I am.</p> <h2>4 - Be an inspiring author</h2> <p>I love writing and want to learn more. I am planning to self publish my third book, so right now, I'm reading a lot about it. I want to compare the different types of publishing and also have some things I want to write that I just need to get out. As much as I've appreciated my editors and publishers, I got some things to say unfiltered. This section helps me do this.</p> <p>It also includes social media books and anything that helps me learn how to be more helpful and learn more about modern media and what works.</p> <h2>5 - Manage wealth</h2> <p>This is a hard one. I'm a teacher after all. I used to have this category as "manage money" but it is more than about that to me. For example, in my belief system, my husband and I believe in tithing and storing up for ourselves "treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt or decay." When I use the word wealth it helps me focus on that attitude. </p> <p>There are people who don't have a fortune in money but are wealthy beyond measure. Money is also supposed to be a blessing to others. Helping others is a joy and tithing often unleashes the divine providence of God in ways that cannot be explained. Money is not why I tithe, but I am often curious how God provides a way when there seems to be no way in the months I tithe and when I hoard, I not only am more impoverished in my bank account but am a more impoverished person spiritually. Money is hard because I have one child in college and there never seems to be enough but there are choices to make. Unmanaged money has wings. It flies away and you can't hold it. I study this area intentionally so that I can learn to live beneath my means and manage money well to accumulate wealth of all kinds.</p> <h1>Are you intentional about organizing your books?</h1> <p>This one system of categorizing collections of books is a powerful motivational tool. I will give you one word of caution. I will only let myself have 2 pages of collections - no more. More and you feel like a failure and don't focus.</p> <p>Also, when you buy a book, immediately categorize the book so it will be in your system.</p> <p>Finally, books do you no good if you don't take time to read them. I make an appointment with myself daily to read. Morning and night, I am usually reading by lamplight. If you're not a big reader with your eyes, you can listen with your ears. You can do something to take in the world and shake up your thinking.</p> <p>Leaders are readers. Successful readers are intentional about what they read and make time to make it a habit.</p> <p>If you want to change your life look to the people you meet and the books you read. Sometimes you can't help who you meet, but you have a lot of choice when it comes to picking up a book. Be purposefully about what book it is you want to read next and which ones you keep reading.</p> <p>Remember your noble calling teacher. When we inspire a love of reading, we are inspiring leadership. Let's read!</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation productivity Reading Tips to Program Your Mind for success

I have a second generation Kindle. I will use it until it won't run for a few reasons: These Kindles are newer than mine but still off...

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Why you should set soft goals for your classroom this year

<p> When you set your goals for the fall, don't forget your soft goals.</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CJAin17uLEg/UZ3thiQ33UI/AAAAAAAAW8Q/xQmZtWywiIg/s580/13%252520-%2525201.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" id="blogsy-1373800607505.2463" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CJAin17uLEg/UZ3thiQ33UI/AAAAAAAAW8Q/xQmZtWywiIg/s500/13%252520-%2525201.jpg" width="500"></a></div> <p>There are hard and fast things you must do in the classroom. There are tasks, standards, and objectives that must be met. However, it is easy to be so busy as a human doing and forget that you're teaching human beings.</p> <p>This is why I like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Classroom-Habitudes-Revised-Teaching-Attitudes/dp/1935542621/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1373800252&sr=1-2" target="_self" title="">Classroom Habitudes</a> so much. (Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Classroom-Habitudes-Revised-Teaching-Attitudes/dp/1935542621/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1373800252&sr=1-2" target="_self" title="">the book</a> by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/angelamaiers" target="_self" title="">Angela Maiers</a>) It gives us a "to be" list before you hit the to do list. Students need to know what we want them to BE as we reach to do the things that they need to do. They need to see the purpose behind the plan.</p> <h2>Make a list of the things you want your students "to be"</h2> <p>Even more so, we, as teachers, need to be intentional about what we want to help our students be. Thankful. Passionate. Curious. Ethical. Perseverant. Creative... and the list goes on.</p> <p>Intentionally think about your soft goals because these give you a canvas upon which you will paint your class activities. They should influence the posters you select, the projects you design, and the lessons you plan. You can teach math in a way that harnesses the power of passion. You can weave lessons in that will allow students to show thankfulness to others. You can have projects that foster curiosity.</p> <h3>Purposefully determine what these "to be's" are. Know them. Use the language. Discuss them.</h3> <p>These are things you can do, but important things <strong>never</strong> do themselves. They start with you.</p> <p>I think it is best to look at these soft goals in the summer. Take some time and write down the important things you want to help students be. </p> <h3>Activity to get you started</h3> <p>Try this activity. </p> <p>1. At the top of a page write... "this year, I want my students to be more..." then, answer the question. This will help you get started on your soft goals.</p> <p>2. Brainstorm the books, music, projects, movies, and creative ways you can redesign the lessons you have to incorporate these to be's. Write these things next to each of the items you wrote in step 1.</p> <h3 style="font-size: 23px; line-height: 29px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">TIP: State your "to be" in the positive</h3> <p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">When you pick them be careful to state your "to be" in the positive. Instead of "don't bully" select "speak up when injustice happens." We inadvertently remove the negative - so when you say "don't bully" - you're really hearing "bully." (This is why most of us teachers are taught to say "be quiet" instead of "don't talk." "Don't talk" will typically have the opposite influence of what we desire.)</p> <h3>Do this now.</h3> <p>School is right around the corner. Educators, we have a huge responsibility to educate a generation. If we forget the human beings in our classrooms we will one day have those humans be so busy doing that they might just forget about being kind, respectful, helpful, and understanding towards our generation. Things have a way of going around. You will reap the results of the soft goals you set now as will society, so choose well.</p> <h2>Schools can set soft goals for their year.</h2> <p>You can also be assured, that schools who are intentional about the "to be's" they select will reap the benefits of emphasizing those to be's. Principals can do the activity above. This is part of having vision and when it starts with the principal and superintendent - it becomes unstoppable. You are casting vision for what you want to be. Just prepare to work hard to be that yourself. If you say you want everyone to be something and you glaringly don't try to be that yourself. (For example, if you emphasize work ethic but find a way to leave early every day, you'll cause a morale problem.)</p> <h3>Please share</h3> <p>What are the "to be's" you want to emphasize this year? I am using Angela's Classroom Habitudes book for mine and adding "Integrity" as one of the to-be's. </p> <p>What are yours? Please feel free to share them or the links in the comments. Do you create "soft goals?" Why or why not?</p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation Inspiration Teaching Why you should set soft goals for your classroom this year

When you set your goals for the fall, don't forget your soft goals. There are hard and fast things you must do in the classroom. Ther...

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My wish for everyone attending #iste13

<p>If I had a wish for everyone at ISTE 2013, it would be:</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rOU3aKu27gw/UccIxac8uvI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/5x1yhFgz4Hw/s972/C1B71406-38D2-4344-B67F-9B11C0CA8088-MOTION.jpg" target="_blank" style=" "><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="376" id="blogsy-1372022355001.3408" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rOU3aKu27gw/UccIxac8uvI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/5x1yhFgz4Hw/s500/C1B71406-38D2-4344-B67F-9B11C0CA8088-MOTION.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iste 2013 has opened just now in San Antonio. It is already Trending on Twitter. #iste13</td></tr></tbody></table> <ul> <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Look for practical methods to teach.</li> <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Technology doesn't engage - YOU DO when you use it well.</li> <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Take notes for ACTION ITEMS you'll do when you return. (I keep a list of my big three.) They should see you learning and engaging at #iste13 like you want to see them engage in your classroom.</li> <li><strong>Remember your health.</strong> If you run yourself down and you get sick, that isn't good for anyone. Pacing yourself is so hard, but take time to get sleep, eat, and rest.</li> <li><strong>Remember your friends</strong>. Take time to say hello to those people who encourage and inspire you.</li> <li><strong>Remember your friends. </strong>Not everyone could go. When you tweet good thoughts and ideas to the #iste13 hashtag, you join the #iste13 pln and inspire and reach others.</li> <li><strong>Remember to make new friends</strong>. Make time in your circle. Seek out people who are alone at ISTE.It is hard to go to a conference alone. Involve and encourage them.</li> <li><strong>Remember the presenters</strong>. Give credit. Look up the presenter's twitter handle or write it down at the beginning so you can cite what they said. It is good manners.</li> <li><strong>Remember the presenters</strong>. Take time to follow presenters and give feedback. When you echo comments, it helps them know what resonated.</li> <li><strong>Remember your profession</strong>. You are teachers and educators. Lots of people are watching. Behave in ways that make your profession proud. We are different and should be. I'm not saying not have fun, I am saying have a blast in ways that honor what you do. If you have on that ISTE badge, behave in ways that you'll be proud of. Tip well. Be kind. Be encouraging. Show San Antonio the nobility of educators. If you act up, for goodness sakes, take off the badge.</li> <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. They are watching. They are likely watching your stream and your updates. How does this relate to them? Do they see the kind of learner you want them to be reflected in what you share?</li> <li><strong>Remember not to get caught up in the hype</strong>. There are things that give hope and there's hype. Hope usually comes from methods, strategies and people-centric activities. Hype comes in when someone begins to think that technology will solve a problem that requires personal intervention. Lots of things will be hyped - it isn't bad to get excited about new technology, I get excited too - but your hope should lie firmly in best practices and teaching. Seek out how to USe technology not just the technology.</li> <li><strong>Remember yourself. </strong>You are at the center of your own attitude. It is easy to get jealous of others. It is easy to start making excuses. Do what you can - you can do something. There is always someone better off and worse off - doing more and doing less. This isn't a measurement process but a process of improving yourself. Are you better than you were when you left for the conference?</li> <li><strong>Remember your administration</strong>. Give an overview of ideas and your notes to your administrators and peers. Give your administration 3 actions that you plan to do in the fall. Schedule a meeting to answer questions or discuss ideas.</li> <li><strong>Remember the price</strong>. Everything costs you something. Nothing is free. It will cost you your time, sometimes your privacy, sometimes your data. It is time for educators to become laser focused. We've bought into the word "free" and given away far too much in return. Examine the fine print. Read disclosures and terms of service. It is time to wise up that NOTHING is free and to figure out the price of every service we use. Haven't we had enough experiences like Google Reader to wake us up that everything costs SOMETHING. We're working with students and have a responsibility not to be hooked by everything "free" that comes along.</li> <li><strong>Remember to cut yourself some slack. </strong>Most of us are average every day teachers. We're not rock stars. We're not superheroes. We're just teachers and that is enough. So, you don't have a cool name and you don't go to a neat party. You don't remember to get a ticket to the sold out session. There is plenty to do and amazing places to be. You are at iste - a place that many want to be as evidenced by the #notatiste hashtag that is trending on Twitter right now. There are sometimes at ISTE where I feel insufficient. I get tired and feel uncool. This is normal. I also sometimes ignore the stream when I'm not there just because I wish I was there. You are where you are. You are enough. Soak in the learning - there is enough for all of us. Like a coral reef, we are all part of the beautiful ecosystem in a tiny way. Just enjoy the teeming life and color of a great profession on the cusp of transformation. Don't let yourself get down if you don't "feel cool" - if you're there, you're awesome enough already. If you're just following the hashtag and learning, you're "cool enough." too. I just know the maelstrom of feelings that accompany ISTE and hope to spare some of you the emotions.</li> <li><strong>Encourage</strong>. Some of the amazing people you see at ISTE are in tough situations. Many of them take time to blog every day anyway. When you say thank you, you help make the sacrifice worth it. There are times I was secretly considering if the sacrifice of blogging was worth it. It always seems that during those down times, I've gotten an email or a kind word at a conference and it brought me back to reality. Encourage others, please. The world out there isn't kind to educators, so it is our job to be kind and encouraging to each other. With this goes the need NOT to bash. Bashing usually gets back to the one you're bashing. It isn't in good taste. Have dialog about issues, not about people. Most educators and presenters I know are some of the finest people you'll find anywhere. People who work hard every day to make a difference for every kid and teacher who comes their way. Encourage excellence wherever it shows up.</li> <li><strong>Thank</strong>. Thank the volunteers and presenters. It is always a sacrifice.</li> <li><strong>Remember</strong>. Use your external brain to capture notes.. Whether it is in evernote or diigo or whatever, set up a system to capture and remember. Use a personal note for things you want to pull back and review. *REVIEW or something of the sort. Plan ahead to remember.</li> <li><strong>Share</strong>. #iste13 and blog posts are great ways to share. Hoping someone curates an #iste13 magazine on flipboard. (I'm putting mine in my education flipboard magazine and following the #iste13 hashtag.) Live blog. Invite others to participate with you. Be inclusive and transparent.</li> <li><strong>Enjoy</strong>. Enjoy yourself and have fun. This conference is always a highlight.</li></ul> <p>Finally. Please, remember your students. (Didn't I say that already? ;-) They are why our profession exists. It is about them. It is about helping build a bright hope for their future. It is about using technology that will help them learn and engage in the future. ISTE is a fantastic conference and I highly recommend it as a great learning experience. Next year it is in Atlanta and I plan to be there!</p> <p>I look forward to "attending" every year, even when it isn't in person. </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation Technology My wish for everyone attending #iste13

If I had a wish for everyone at ISTE 2013, it would be:   Iste 2013 has opened just now in San Antonio. It is already Trending on Twitter....

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Karen Lirenman: Interview with outstanding K-2 Teacher 2013 #iste2013 @klirenman

<p>First grade teacher Karen Lirenman (@<a href="http://www.twitter.com/klirenman" target="_self" title="">klirenman</a>) has won the Kay L Bitter Award for innovative leadership in the K-2 classroom. She'll receive this award at <a href="http://www.isteconference.org/2013/" target="_self" title="">ISTE 2013</a> in a few weeks in San Antonio. You'll want to see what the younger classroom can be by listening to what she's doing. Wow!</p> <p><img class="en-media" height="166" index="0" src="evernotecid://6CA6D944-D766-4B50-9CEC-EA281312E510/ENResource/p5361?contextid=" style="cursor: default; " width="183" x-evernote-mime="image/png"></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><font size="4">Karen Lirenman is a grade one teacher in Surrey, British Columbia who loves to provide her students with choice in how they learn, show, and share their knowledge. She engages them globally through video conferencing, twitter, and blogging and uses technology as seamlessly as possibly to make this all happen. She started teaching in 1992.</font></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Professional blog <span style="font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; "><a style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" href="http://www.learningandsharingwithmsl.blogspot.ca/">http://www.learningandsharingwithmsl.blogspot.ca/<br></a></span><font face=".HelveticaNeueUI"><span style="line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; ">Class twitter @<a href="http://www.twitter.com/MsLsClass" target="_self" title="">MsLsClass</a>. Class blog. </span></font><span style="font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; "><a style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); " href="http://www.mslirenmansroom.blogspot.ca/">http://www.mslirenmansroom.blogspot.ca/</a></span></font></p> <p><a href="http://www.bamradionetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1112:teaching-teachers-with-technology&catid=91:every-classroom-matters&Itemid=259" target="_self" title="">Listen to the show</a></p> <h1>Essential Questions</h1> <ul> <li>You joined Twitter in 2011 and it changed your life. How?</li> <li>You have your first grade students create hashtags. How?</li> <li>How do you have your first grade students Tweet without problems? Doesn't it make you nervous?</li> <li>How did your class communicate with an author over Twitter?</li> <li>You say that "your first graders are in control of what to share with the world," what are some of the things they choose to share with the world?</li> <li>How do you use video conferencing? How do you pick whether to use Skype, Google Hangout or Facetime?</li> <li>Describe how your classroom technology is setup in the classroom?</li> <li>You describe your teaching style as one "that empowers students to choose the tool that fits best for them" how does this look? How do you give choice in the math class?</li> <li>What are your student's favorite apps?</li> <li>How are your students writing fiction and nonfiction stories and how do they publish their work?</li> <li>How do you tie in your personal and professional blog in a way that protects your student's privacy?</li> <li>If a teacher is getting iPads, but they are nervous, how does the teacher get started?</li></ul> <h1>Show Links</h1> <p>Skype <a href="http://www.skype.com" target="_self" title="">http://www.skype.com</a></p> <p>Google Hangout: <a href="http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/" target="_self" title="">http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/</a></p> <p>Facetime <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://www.apple.com/ios/facetime/" target="_self" title="">http://www.apple.com/ios/facetime/</a></span></p> <p>Draw and Tell: <a href="http://www.duckduckmoose.com/educational-iphone-itouch-apps-for-kids/draw-and-tell/" target="_self" title="">http://www.duckduckmoose.com/educational-iphone-itouch-apps-for-kids/draw-and-tell/</a></p> <p>iMovie <a href="http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/" target="_self" title="">http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/</a></p> <p>Educreations <a href="http://www.educreations.com/" target="_self" title="">http://www.educreations.com/</a></p> <p>Pop Words <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popwords!/id472853634?mt=8">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popwords!/id472853634?mt=8</a></p> <p>Word Wizard <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-wizard-talking.../id447312716?mt=8" target="_self" title="">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-wizard-talking.../id447312716?mt=8Popplet</a></p> <p>Skitch <a href="http://evernote.com/skitch/" target="_self" title="">http://evernote.com/skitch/</a></p> <p>Bookcreator <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-creator-for-ipad/id442378070?mt=8">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-creator-for-ipad/id442378070?mt=8</a></p> <p>My story <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-story-book-maker-for-kids/id449232368?mt=8">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-story-book-maker-for-kids/id449232368?mt=8</a></p> <p>Discovery Education app <a href="http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ipad/">http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ipad/</a></p> <p>Pop zoo app <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/om/app/pop-zoo-free/id610497983?mt=8">https://itunes.apple.com/om/app/pop-zoo-free/id610497983?mt=8</a></p> <p>Dropbox <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/" target="_self" title="">https://www.dropbox.com/</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To find out more about this podcast go to <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/p/every-classroom-matters.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; ">my Podcast page</a>.</span><br></p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation Teaching Technology Karen Lirenman: Interview with outstanding K-2 Teacher 2013 #iste2013 @klirenman

First grade teacher Karen Lirenman (@ klirenman ) has won the Kay L Bitter Award for innovative leadership in the K-2 classroom. She'll ...

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4 Reasons I bought Microsoft Surface after wrestling alligators (guest post by Mark, my nephew)

<em>When my nephew, Mark, used his birthday money and money he'd earned from working on his Mom & Dad's gator farm to buy a Microsoft Surface, I asked him to tell me why. It is important that we cover all platforms and make up our minds. I've used Windows 8 and have a touch-enabled Lenovo m90z at home and at school and believe that Microsoft has moved forward. I've asked Mark to share here on my blog on an ongoing basis. Mark is also one of my students and came to show me his new Surface the day he bought it. Mark bought a "Windows RT Surface." When I look at the Computer information it says the manufacturer is Microsoft.</em><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48PWVhivAux_c9PPuS2XsG3hb4XwH4MBSUP-MBWMr7A46VXpYgZ6nqoh0CeCvV3Z9Kls5247B2f1hBtbH3gzI3g2kDuPyf7_bljrY3tbef4dbfUJnumQs_EneH-JIWafHJQKIeglFTpsC/s960/Photo%252520Jun%2525204%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="373" id="blogsy-1370350648391.7188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48PWVhivAux_c9PPuS2XsG3hb4XwH4MBSUP-MBWMr7A46VXpYgZ6nqoh0CeCvV3Z9Kls5247B2f1hBtbH3gzI3g2kDuPyf7_bljrY3tbef4dbfUJnumQs_EneH-JIWafHJQKIeglFTpsC/s500/Photo%252520Jun%2525204%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Mark bought his surface, he brought it to school to show me right away.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">by Mark, guest blogger</div>I bought the surface for many reasons. But these four are the main reasons why I decided to work hard for weeks on my dad’s alligator farm to earn the money needed to purchase this device. <br />I had a very hard decision to make. I had to decide if I wanted to buy Apple’s iPad, which was slightly cheaper, or the Surface. I had to spend a lot of time researching to decide which tablet to spend my hard earned cash on. Eventually I made up my mind and decided that the Surface was the right choice for me.<br /><h1>1. Portability</h1>A reason I bought the surface is its portability. It is a very convenient size for using it on an airplane, car, or just carrying it with you on your day to day routine. In fact I am typing this up on the way to the airport! The touch or type cover, when purchased, can protect the Surface and especially the screen when you travel with it.<br /><h1>2. Convertibility</h1>Another reason I bought the Surface is its ability to change from a tablet to a laptop. As a consumer, I couldn’t decide if I would rather buy a laptop or a tablet. When I found the surface, I was amazed that it wasn’t only a tablet, but could function as a laptop as well. If I want to play a game, I can use it in tablet form, but when I am ready to work, all I do is flip out the kickstand and snap in the touch cover and I am ready to work.<br /><h1>3. Usability</h1>One of the great things about the surface is its ability to use the internet smoothly. Other tablets, such as the iPad, have trouble running the internet and showing flash videos and playing flash games. (I also notice now that the Surface loads YouTube videos faster than Dad's iPad). The Surface can easily surf the web, and show you that video, helping you finish that grueling school project or research that new business idea.<br /><h1>4. Compatibility</h1>A great thing about the Surface is its compatibility with Office programs. Apple products and other tablets might have their own version of Word, Powerpoint, or Excel, but none of them compete with Microsoft Office. The new touch optimized version of office allows you to work casually, and then snap in the type cover to get productive.<br />I'm interested in purchasing a Windows phone next. (By the way I want a Nokia Lumia 928 in case someone out there is listening.)<br /><img alt="" class="" height="720" id="blogsy-1370350648414.5786" src="webkit-fake-url://F671E974-0C6D-46F6-B7F9-0026C07FEB81/imagejpeg" width="960" /><br /><br /><em>Mark takes his Surface everywhere. He just calls it "My Surface."</em><br /><br />

innovation Technology 4 Reasons I bought Microsoft Surface after wrestling alligators (guest post by Mark, my nephew)

When my nephew, Mark, used his birthday money and money he'd earned from working on his Mom & Dad's gator farm to buy a Microsof...

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Alfred Thompson: How we can teach computer science to every age @alfredtwo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD7ZBon3GwfXbmu8UiNlq9x6AAMr5bpu7RjjnyRCECFevPO9O8T8-gAGZO4MjnOuub6-jWzsxWLGVM0PlmA8khyphenhyphenJJ1i4P6ox8C7lOkH5DsdAiHpwcjyucojixDQQSZRB6Lw8AdfPAFU7R/s182/Photo%252520Jun%2525204%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A02%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="178" id="blogsy-1370347673639.049" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD7ZBon3GwfXbmu8UiNlq9x6AAMr5bpu7RjjnyRCECFevPO9O8T8-gAGZO4MjnOuub6-jWzsxWLGVM0PlmA8khyphenhyphenJJ1i4P6ox8C7lOkH5DsdAiHpwcjyucojixDQQSZRB6Lw8AdfPAFU7R/s182/Photo%252520Jun%2525204%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A02%252520AM.jpg" width="182"></a></div> <p> Alfred Thompson (@<a href="http://twitter.com/alfredtwo" target="_self" title="">alfredtwo</a>) "Mr. Computer Science" spent some time talking with me and the listeners of Every Classroom matters about how we should be teaching computer science at all levels. It can be simple. Students should know how to cause the computer to do things starting at a very young age. In 10 short minutes, you can learn all about this topic and how you can put some concepts in your classroom. Are you teaching students about advanced searching? Start there.</p> <p>Alfred serves on the Computer Science Teachers of America board. He's my go-to guy for questions about how to teach Computer Science. I've been a faithful reader of his blog since the first month I started blogging in December 2005. Alfred, though, isn't just a PLN resource, he's my friend. He's a good man and a great servant leader to the cause of Computer science and STEM education and is a wealth of knowledge. Take a listen, follow Alfred on Twitter, and understand how Computer Science Matters in your school.</p> <p>Blog: <a style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" href="http://blog.acthompson.net/">http://blog.acthompson.net</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Twitter: <a style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" href="http://twitter.com/alfredtwo">http://twitter.com/alfredtwo</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Home Page: <a style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" href="http://www.acthompson.net/">http://www.acthompson.net</a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.bamradionetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1077:teaching-teachers-with-technology&catid=91:every-classroom-matters&Itemid=259" target="_self" title="">Listen to the show </a></p> <h1>Essential questions:</h1> <ul> <li>What should elementary age students to be able to do? <em>(curriculum directors listen up)</em></li> <li>What are your favorite simple introduction to programming tools for kids in elementary? (<em>elementary teachers)</em></li> <li>What do students not understand about searching and search engines? </li> <li>Can every child learn to program?</li> <li>If a high school puts in AP Computer Science or Computer Science what programming languages are being used today?</li> <li>How can use use practical examples to teach programming?</li> <li>What is the Raspberry Pi and how can it be used in the classroom?</li> <li>What are some examples of what you can do with the Raspberry Pi?</li> <li>What is the computer science teacher's association? What does it do?</li></ul> <h1>Show Links:</h1> <h3>Elementary Apps & Teaching Tools</h3> <p>Scratch from MIT: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://scratch.mit.edu/" target="_self" title="">http://scratch.mit.edu/</a></span></p> <p>Alice from Carnegie Mellon: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://www.alice.org/" target="_self" title="">http://www.alice.org/</a></span></p> <p>Kodu - Microsoft - make simple games: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/" target="_self" title="">http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/</a></span></p> <h3>Advanced Searching</h3> <p>Why search engines can't replace teachers: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://blog.acthompson.net/2013/05/why-search-engines-cant-replace.html" target="_self" title="">http://blog.acthompson.net/2013/05/why-search-engines-cant-replace.html</a></span></p> <p>Advanced Google search: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://www.google.ca/advanced_search" target="_self" title="">http://www.google.ca/advanced_search</a></span></p> <p>Advanced Bing search: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://onlinehelp.microsoft.com/en-us/bing/ff808438.aspx" target="_self" title="">http://onlinehelp.microsoft.com/en-us/bing/ff808438.aspx</a></span></p> <h3>High School Computer Science</h3> <p>Small Basic: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://smallbasic.com/" target="_self" title="">http://smallbasic.com/</a></span></p> <p>Python: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://www.python.org/" target="_self" title="">http://www.python.org/</a></span></p> <p>Java: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://www.java.com/en/about/" target="_self" title="">http://www.java.com/en/about/</a></span></p> <h3>The Super Cool, Super Cheap Raspberry Pi</h3> <p>Alfred's Blog Post about the Raspberry Pi: <a href="http://blog.acthompson.net/2013/04/new-toyraspberry-pi.html">http://blog.acthompson.net/2013/04/new-toyraspberry-pi.html</a></p> <p>See official Raspberry Pi Website for projects: <a href="http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=15" target="_self" title="">http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=15</a></p> <p><em>Note since I recorded the show. Some people are making game consoles from the 80's with these and hooking them up to their TV's. i.e. Atari anyone? This is so cool, I gave you some bonus links below!</em></p> <p>Lifehacker - How to make a retro gaming console for $35: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://lifehacker.com/how-to-turn-your-raspberry-pi-into-a-retro-game-console-498561192" target="_self" title="">http://lifehacker.com/how-to-turn-your-raspberry-pi-into-a-retro-game-console-498561192</a> (Great Maker project for this summer!)</span></p> <p>Other cool articles about how people are using raspberry pi in many ways: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://lifehacker.com/tag/raspberry-pi" target="_self" title="">http://lifehacker.com/tag/raspberry-pi</a></span></p> <h3>CSTA Information</h3> <p><em>I teach Introduction to Computer Science. I do not teach AP Computer science or extensive programming. If you teach any computer science concepts, I highly recommend you should join. Last time I checked, dues are covered by a grant if you're an educator. The newsletter is great and I learn so much about STEM every time I read it. Every school should have one member of CSTA on staff - it is that important. (I also think every school should have at least one ISTE (<a href="http://www.iste.org" target="_self" title="">www.iste.org</a>) member on staff - it is another vital STEM organization that shares best practices. These organizations have become hubs of learning and networking.)</em></p> <p>Computer Science Teacher's Association: <a href="http://csta.acm.org/" target="_self" title="">http://csta.acm.org/</a></p> <p>Computer Science Education Week (December 8-14, 2013): <a href="http://www.csedweek.org/" target="_self" title="">http://www.csedweek.org/</a></p> <p><em>(Add this to your school calendar now. What a great time to plan some activities. How about Raspberry Pi for Christmas? You could have a Raspberry Pi making contest!! This is a perfect time to celebrate computer science just before Christmas because you can do so many fun things. Make fun games on Kodu, etc.)</em></p> <h3> About the Every Classroom Matters show on BAM Radio Network</h3> <p> </p> <p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To find out more about this podcast go to <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/p/every-classroom-matters.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; ">my Podcast page</a>.</span><br></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation Teaching Technology Alfred Thompson: How we can teach computer science to every age @alfredtwo

Alfred Thompson (@ alfredtwo ) "Mr. Computer Science" spent some time talking with me and the listeners of Every Classroom matte...

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Flipboard Magazines make curation for your classes EASY. #ipadchat

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYuio06nsqjr77bDEssGx-xkdE11k5FOZKscjujkUymey5m3_3lJ2SYJUzGI94Q39yBk9oRLPPV5JO_fcZsTpuRrtaXcujgh8pD3FQm32SmuSL80RjWYkX7QXgYPakybP5xJfozHWu-6a/s1024/Photo%252520Apr%25252016%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525206%25253A18%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1366108638033.857" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYuio06nsqjr77bDEssGx-xkdE11k5FOZKscjujkUymey5m3_3lJ2SYJUzGI94Q39yBk9oRLPPV5JO_fcZsTpuRrtaXcujgh8pD3FQm32SmuSL80RjWYkX7QXgYPakybP5xJfozHWu-6a/s500/Photo%252520Apr%25252016%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525206%25253A18%252520AM.jpg" width="500"></a></div> <p> Flipboard is a fantastic ereading tool which has also become a premier curation tool. I've created a magazine <a href="http://flip.it/WaRGT" target="_self" title="">Education Inspirivation</a> that you can subscribe to in Flipboard by clicking on the Flipboard link: <a href="http://flip.it/WaRGT" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">http://flip.it/WaRGT</a> </p> <h3>Curation is Evolving</h3> <p>Curation continues to evolve and this is just one way. I created this magazine just a few days a go and almost 200 people are following the magazine. For me, a sharer by nature, I gravitate to places where it is easy to share. </p> <h3>Make a Custom Magazine for your course and students using Flipboard</h3> <p>If you have 1:1 ipad program, you should consider creating a magazine for your students, what a cool way to have "required" reading. Same for college professors, imagine a neat, cool, beautiful magazine where your students can easily retweet and comment.</p> <h3>How does it work?</h3> <p>You set up Flipboard. Then, there is a plus in the bottom right hand side. Use it and it will ask you to set up a magazine and you can flip content to the magazine. There is a place for the comment but I can't find where that comment goes right now. Once you get content into the magazine, you can look at the magazine and click the share button to share it with others. Tweet out the link and share on Facebook so others know that you've got a magazine.</p> <h3>How to pull content into Flipboard: use diverse streams of information</h3> <p>If you'll follow the tips I shared in <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2011/04/15-fantastic-ways-to-use-flipboard.html" target="_self" title="">15 Fantastic Ways to use Flipboard</a>, you can curate from the hashtags for your course, your course blogs and work, and current news. (I also have a square just for <a href="http://www.downes.ca/" target="_self" title="">Stephen Downes</a>, I want to read everything he writes.)</p> <p> So many ways to collect, share and curate! There are lot of wonderful magazines out there. After I've settled on my favorites, I'll be sharing those. There are many magazines emerging, for me, the question is going to be who creates and continues to curate their magazine in the long term. I'm hesitant to jump on any bandwagons yet as there are many flash-in-the-pan types out there. Robert Scoble has some great magazines, though. I'm planning on updating my Flipboard magazine daily (with Sundays off) to see how it works. You can also search through Flipboard's recommended content at the top right where you access your magazine.</p> <p>There are a million questions for Flipboard (analytics, etc.) but in the meantime there's lots of potential for classrooms and teachers of all types. Thanks to the nice people at Flipboard who called me the week before this launched so I was ready to play with it while I had surgery during spring break. It is just as easy and cool as they said, a rare thing in this world of vaporware. Any teacher can do this easily.</p> <h3>Will you share the links to your magazines in Flipboard?</h3> <p>If you create or have a magazine, will you share the link in the comments below? If you have a favorite, will you share it as well? I'm experimenting and would love to find and play with some more magazines. Thanks!</p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation Teaching Technology Flipboard Magazines make curation for your classes EASY. #ipadchat

Flipboard is a fantastic ereading tool which has also become a premier curation tool. I've created a magazine Education Inspirivation ...

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When fear is expected and welcome

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mee238j8tX1riuuh0o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mee238j8tX1riuuh0o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">"I don't know how else to make a movie except to find some aspect of the experience that I haven't done before," he says. "Because if I've done it before, </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/becoming-fearless/" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #ba72ba; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;" target="_hplink">I'm fearless</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">, and I don't work well when I'm fearless."</span></blockquote><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Steven Spielberg, when interviewed about making the movie Lincoln. <a data-mce-href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/29/oprah-spielberg-daniel-day-lewis-lincoln_n_2207277.html" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/29/oprah-spielberg-daniel-day-lewis-lincoln_n_2207277.html" style="color: #007bff;">Oprah, Spielberg, Daniel Day-Lewis Talk About 'Lincoln' (VIDEO)</a></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I think it is hard for many people to realize that fear is a natural part of being innovative. If you do ANYTHING at all, fear is often part of that. </div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Every time we start a <a href="http://www.flatclassroomproject.org/">Flat Classroom project</a>, every time I get ready to get in front of an audience, really, even, every time I get up to meet my day and kiss my husband and kids goodbye, there is an element of fear in my life. </div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">But fear can't and shouldn't paralyze us. The existence of fear isn't what cripples us, it is the preeminence of fear and the resulting paralysis that can cause us to be unable to function.</div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Many don't collaborate globally because they are afraid. Others are too afraid of losing their job to do anything risky and innovative. </div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Most of what you fear never happens:</div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><em style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”</em><strong style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Winston Churchill">Winston Churchill</a></strong></blockquote><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><strong style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></strong></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Try to think back - what were you worried about last year... last week... ten years a go. Can you? Do you remember?</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It is not that you fear, it is WHAT you do with that fear that is the issue. </span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It is not that our school board is AFRAID, it is if they allow that fear to cause them to make bad decisions in the hopes that anything is better than what is happening today.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">People are afraid of the bogey man on the Internet when, in reality, kids are more at risk from the person that picks them up from school each day than from some random stranger they encounter on the net. Kids who engage in at risk behavior offline, engage in at risk behavior online.</span></span></span><br /><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fear is real. We all experience it. It can guide and help us, but we not let its presence take over, overwhelm us and choke out our ability to function and make it in the world. </span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I find great comfort in the fact that a great filmmaker like Steven Spielberg experiences fear just like the rest of us. But look at WHY he fears.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He fears because he is innovative and in uncomfortable territory.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">May I never be a filing cabinet teacher. Some teachers teach the same year 30 times in their career - never leaving the plans and never changing course. Others teach 30 different years -- always innovating and trying new things.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fear is part of innovating - it is also part of playing on the interstate. One is a healthy fear that comes with trying something new, another is a fear that comes with trying something stupid. Wise people learn to discern the difference.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><strong style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></strong></div><br /> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=89cead74-a473-403f-8a98-18ccbabf7f3f" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>

fear innovation Teaching When fear is expected and welcome

"I don't know how else to make a movie except to find some aspect of the experience that I haven't done before," he says. ...

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