spice

Imagine It! Learning Creative Learning

Good teachers never stop learning. The online course Learning Creative Learning, LCL, http://learn.media.mit.edu/index.html begins February 11. The invitation to join the MIT Media Lab course was announced a few weeks ago and attracted more than 24000 educators. The sessions will support ways to make the rest of life more like the kindergarten style of learning. “Kindergarten is the best year of your life!”  said my then 8 year old son to his 5 year old brother, many years ago. Even then it was apparent to a child that quiet rows were valued over active learning in classrooms after you left the open spaces of the kindergarten classroom. That was 22 years ago and now not even the kindergarten classroom is the valued playground my son remembers.

The LCL course has a Google+ Community and invites participants to actively explore creativity and to jump in as collaborators rather than passive recipients. If you want more for your students, then demand more for yourself. This week’s article in the Washington Post, “A warning to college profs from a high school teacher” describes a few of the problems with No Child Left Behind and how the structure of testing is changing our expectations.

The LCL course this week begins with an article from Mitchel Resnick,  All I Really Need to Know (About Creative Thinking) I Learned (By Studying How Children Learn) in Kindergarten. The article invites us to imagine the process and create the workspace needed for the next step. We know there are many paths and many styles. I’m guessing with 24,000 participants we’ll see a few of them!

Last week I read the article “Three Competing Visions of Educational Technology” and viewed the final paragraph as  a call to action to use technology to build the world we imagine.

“Thanks to the computer, children today have the opportunity to be mathematicians, novelists, engineers, composers, geneticists, composers, filmmakers, etc… But, only if our vision of computing is sufficiently imaginative.”

Let's actively explore the options and imagine the world we need for all our students!

Resources from October 20

40 teachers attended the third annual SpICE conference on October 20, 2012. Some of the resources shared with teachers that day are listed below.

Chrome and Chromebooks    

• Google Apps for Education - 
• Chrome Books for Education
• Diigo List
• Pixlr, Online Photo editing tool 

Edmodo

• Helpful Links on Edmodo
• Getting Started with Edmodo
• 20 Ways to Use Edmodo 

Google Docs Tips and Tricks for Teachers

Video Conferencing for Teachers

iPads in the Classroom - open this iBook on your iPad

ePubs in the Classroom

 

 

Mini-Conference October 20

Don't miss the annual SpICE Saturday morning technology conference at Williamsville Jr. High.

The featured presentation is presented by Christine Feller, Internet Safety Specialist, Illinois Attorney General's Office. 

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME
Creating a Digital Culture within Our Communities

While technology continues to evolve, the need to instill and reinforce the concepts of digital citizenship remain constant.  This session will emphasize the need for creating a digital culture within communities, while highlighting current trends and various digital platforms. The following topics will specifically be addressed:  Cyberbullying, sexting, digital citizenship, self- representation, and online predation.  This workshop will also highlight teacher training modules that were designed to provide educators with resources to help facilitate digital safety lessons with students. 

A complete program of sessions is on the SpICE website.

http://www.iceberg.org/spice/miniconference

 

Register online.

Mini-Conference, October 20

Please join us on Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 8:00 am until 12 pm for the third annual SpICE mini-conference. The conference location this year is Williamsville Junior High School, 500 South Walnut Street, Williamsville, IL 62693. The conference will include technology workshops, door prizes, refreshments AND 3 CPDUs! There will be sessions on Skype, iMovie and iPads in the classroom. eBook Creation, iTunes U and Google Chromebooks. 

The registration fee is $5.00 (ICE Members) or $10.00 (non-members). Please bring you registration fee with you to the conference.

Online Registration

Technology Conference

This year's tech conference is Saturday, October 15. The conference will be at Franklin Middle school in Springfield and will include refreshments, door prizes, and 13 break-out sessions. Workshop topics include: digital movies and cameras, Skype in the classroom, iPads, Google Doc, Assistive Technology, Pages, iMovie, Garageband, and much more.

Time: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sessions will begin at 8:45 a.m.

Cost: $5.00 for ICE members and $10 for non-members
CPDUs: 3 CPDUs for attending 3 sessions.


Session Descriptions: http://www.iceberg.org/spice/miniconference

Register online:
http://bit.ly/Spice2011

 

Temperature Probes and More for the iPad

In the earlier ‘80s my students and I created temperature probes that worked with the classroom Apple IIe. Creating the probe from scratch was engaging enough, but old experiments did not simply become old experiments with new equipment. Students asked new questions because it was easier to record and display data overtime. They really could prove that the temperature in the science classroom soared on the weekend contributing to the ill health of the fish aquarium. Vernier still offers legacy equipment, but what’s available now for the iPod or iPad?

 iGrill at $99 is designed for the kitchen and the home cook with it’s wireless, bluetooth temperature probe. It records temperatures from 0º to 204º.  iCelsius recently announced an inexpensive temperature probe that connects directly to a mobile device. The basic price is about $30 for orders of 10 or more. The twitter feed for iCelsius shared information about more temperature and humidity sensors coming soon. The free app for the iCelsius probe is available in the iTunes store  

Looking for probes for health and fitness? Check your blood pressure with the iPad  DigiFit features one of the heart rate monitors that works with the iPod.

Science is more than connecting it’s also about collaboration and community. The recent disaster in Japan has provided an immediacy for an inexpensive radiation detector. As one article noted shouldn’t this information be available as freely as the temperature? An international volunteer team of engineers, designers and scientists is working to provide a radiation detector for the iPhone.

The SparkVue app uses the bluetooth interface from Pasco to connect to more than 70 different probes. Without additional probes the app will record data from the internal accelerometer, the perfect addition for a trip to the roller coaster park.  Use a wireless microscope, the Proscope Mobile Microscope  

Vernier Video Physics  supports the iPad 2 or the iPhone 4. Take a video and get graphs of trajectory, x/y position and velocity. The instantaneous graph creates an easy environment for the physics classroom. Explore more about probes in the classroom at the Concord Consortium. A recent article at the Concord Consortium “Why Aren’t There Probes in More Classrooms?” directed the user to a collection of possible probes and experiments.  

Connect your iPad, explore, and engage your students in science.

Space on the iPad - July 8

 
You can watch the first space shuttle mission on YouTube and the last. The video Ascent, a 45 minute tribute that narrates the space launch’s thirty year history is also available. This week STS-135 and its four astronauts soared into space as 1 million people cheered from the Florida coast. Nostalgic? Interested?  Let’s explore what’s available for the iPad.

Download NASA Television on your iPad and watch history.

 Enjoy the live broadcasts from the shuttle. I remember using CuSeeMe to view space through the space shuttle window in the late 90’s. The middle school students quietly stated, “it’s only in black and white”. They wouldn’t be disappointed today, the live broadcast from the NASA app is in color. The app also archives some additional footage from the launch proceedings, as well as the music video supporting the space program “What Kind of World Do You Want?”

The AstroApp: Space Shuttle Crew

features information on all the astronauts and missions. It includes the astronaut poster, so you can create that personalized astronaut image!

A pair of iPhone 4s are on board using an app, SpaceLab for iOS that will measure altitude and the curvature of the Earth. When the iPhones return in the fall of 2011, flight data will be collected, analyzed and shared with this app.

StarWalk allows you to simply point the iPad at the sky and enjoy the appropriate labeled star map. The $5 app includes an astronomical calendar, picture of the day, and current rising and setting times for celestial bodies. 

Science360 is full of powerful science videos. History of the Cosmos is one of their space features.

Don’t miss exploring iTunes U for additional information. One of the featured videos this month is NASA and Human Spaceflight. During the school year CNN Student News provides a 10 minute news program every day and every week during the summer.

Feeling like you need to respond by launching a personal rocket? The NSDL/Exploratorium has a Bottle Blast Off Video with 4 videos on building rockets.

The space shuttle will rendezvous with the international space shuttle. Use the Wolfram Alpha app and locate the current position of the space shuttle as well as a multitude of astronomical information.

Need more, try Flipboard for the latest in news. It’s a smooth, easy way to read the latest information on all interest areas.

Ready to land the space shuttle? Then don’t miss F-SIM Space Shuttle on sale to celebrate the final Atlantis mission. 

Happy exploring!

 

Legal Advice in the Cyber Age

The October mini-conference brought over 60 teachers together to participate in 17 sessions. A description of the sessions complete with contacts and handouts are on the SpICE webpage. Jenni Dahl attended the presentation on copyright laws and provided a great overview of the information.

Dr. Rebecca Butler, NIU professor, author, and former librarian, presented  “Staying Legal In the Cyber Age” at the SpICE mini-conference.  During her presentation Dr. Butler helped to unravel some of the complexities of copyright issues, specifically how they affect students and teachers in academic settings. Dr. Butler explained that Fair Use Laws support the use of copyrighted materials for academic purposes.  For example, according to Dr. Butler, students have the right to use copyrighted materials for assignments. However, in order to stay legal, Dr. Butler advises students to use only what is needed and if posted online, take the material down after the assignment is complete. Teachers should keep in mind that they do not have the same rights to copyrighted materials as their students.   

Here are just a few bullet points that I took away from Dr. Butler’s presentation:

• You own the copyright to anything that you create.

• In order to comply with Fair Use, take only what you need and use it temporarily.

• You may make one copy of copyrighted material for archival purposes.

• Under fair use laws students may use copyrighted material for a class assignment.

• There are shades of grey with copyright.

• Plagiarism and copyright infringement are not the same.

In order to get more in depth information regarding copyright issues consider reading Dr. Butler’s books which are available through Amazon:

Copyright for Teachers and Librarians

Smart Copyright Compliance for Schools: A How-To-Do-It Manual

In addition Dr. Butler compiled a great list of online resources which may be accessed here:  handout

 

 

 

 

October 23 Saturday Conference

We're ready and hope to see you there!

Location: Franklin Middle School, 1200 Outer Park Drive, Springfield,
Time:  8 a.m. -12 p.m. (Sessions will begin at 8:45 
Cost:  $5.00 ICE members and $10 for non-members
CPDUs:  3 CPDUs for attending 3 sessions.

8:45-9:45

iPods/iPads in the Classroom Explore how these tools can support learning in the classroom.

Use Clickers/Responders to collect real time data to benefit your students' learning. Learn to create classes, lessons, questions and reports. Clickers can be used with or without projectors and/or interactive whiteboards or similar technologies. Clickers will be used during the presentation.

Staying Legal in the Cyberage: Copyright and Technology presented by Rebecca Butler, author of Copyright for Teachers and Librarians and Smart Copyright Compliance for Schools: A How-To-Do-It Manual, this session covers copyright in K-12 schools in the digital age. Bring your questions!

iMovie in the Classroom Did you use the "old " iMovie and just love it? Does the new iMovie scare you? Come see how easy it is to make movies quickly and easily using iMovie '09.

Internet Safety (Elementary) How do you comply with the law? Do you have a Facebook account? Is it secure? Do you “friend” students? Help students understand the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Internet.

GPS for Education in the 21st Century Classroom Discover the rapid development of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) as a new and essential tool for student learning. Learn how this technology provides students with a powerful tool for exploring everything from the world to their backyards. See the power of mapping GPS data as an educational tool. GPS is one of the newest geospatial technologies for students to learn.

9:50-10:50

Interwrite MOBI in your classroom Energize your instruction with the industry's only mobile interactive whiteboard system designed for collaborative learning. The Interwrite MOBI supports student-centered, collaborative learning in which both teacher and students can concurrently interact with and contribute to the same digital content from team activities to learning simulations to interactive lessons.

Edmodo provides teachers and students with a secure and easy way to post classroom materials, share links and videos, and access homework, grades and school notices. Learn how Edmodo.com can be a benefit in or out of your classroom. Examples of K-12 classrooms using Edmodo will be shared.

Skype explore how this tool can be used in the classroom.

Digital Video and Cameras in the Classroom We'll show some of the many ways to use a camera in the classroom. Time at the end to share your own ideas.

Internet Safety(Middle and High) How do you comply with the law? Do you have a Facebook account? Is it secure? Do you “friend students”? Help students understand the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Internet.

GIS - Geographic Information System in the Classroom Discover the rapidly growing benefits as a new and essential tool for student learning. GIS engages students in active hands-on learning, fosters critical thinking, and involves students in investigations of relevant real-issues. Free GIS software.

10:55-11:55

Google Tools for the Classroom Explore the most current Google applications (Maps, Earth, Sketchup); Google tools (Forms, Docs, Spreadsheets, Reader); and Google search (Squared, Timeline, Books, News).

SmartBoard Boot Camp So you have a SmartBoard in your room...now what? In this session learn how to “hook up” your Interactive SmartBoard -- How to plug in the cables, calibrate, etc. Also, learn how to use the Smarttech "Notebook" software to create dynamic, interactive lessons that engage and excite students.

Staying Legal in the Cyberage: Copyright and Technology (previous blurb)

Interwrite MOBI in your Classroom (previous blurb)

The New “New Math”: Differentiating Instruction Using Technology Differentiated instruction is the key to student success in the classroom and beyond. Join us as we show you how one middle school is transforming its math classrooms by using technology during daily instruction, assessments, and math intervention days...with amazing results!

Technology Can Be for Everyone! Explore Clicker 5, Wii and SmartMoves in the classroom.

 

 

 

Copyright Do and Don't

Confused about copyright in the classroom? How does copyright affect your classroom multimedia projects? What can be posted on the internet? We’re constantly told what we can’t do. Learn more about you can do!

Learn about copyright and more on October 23 at the SpICE Saturday mini technology conference.

Rebecca Butler, Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University will present Staying Legal in the Cyberage: Copyright and Technology on October 23 at the SpICE Saturday mini technology conference. Rebecca is the author of several books on copyright for teachers and librarians including "Copyright for Teachers and Librarians”.

Copyright is just one session. There will be 15 additional one hour technology sessions at the SpICE conference being held at Franklin Middle School, Springfield. Workshop topics include: internet safety, GIS/GPS, digital movies, Skype, iPods, iPad, MOBIs and much more!

Door prizes in all sessions!

Time: 8 a.m. -12 p.m. (Sessions will begin at 8:45 a.m.)
Cost: $5.00 ICE members and $10 for non-members
CPDUs: 3 CPDUs for attending 3 sessions.
The daily schedule and online registration is on the SpICE website.

http://www.iceberg.org/spice

If you have questions for Rebecca on copyright please leave a question or  comment here and then join us on October 23 for more information!