Etech+Tuesday+February+3,+2009

=Etech Tuesday February 3, 2009=

Click [|here] to see all the sessions that were available. Click on the time slot and then click on "Show Descriptions" in the upper right. Then scroll down to see details of each session. Some sessions posted links to their website/wiki and/or posted handouts relating to the session.

Session 1 8-8:35 am
[|Have Flash Drive--Will Travel] Some teachers don’t have administrative privileges or use multiple computers each day. Participants in this session will learn about some useful portable applications for Mac and Windows that can be easily stored and run from a flash drive. Featured applications can be used for productivity, student learning, and technology integration--all complete on your portable flash drive! -Control + Click to follow link -Lots of free portable applications to be stored on and run from a flash drive http://portableapp.wikispaces.com

[|Not Just For Math Anymore: Using Spreadsheets Across The Curriculum] Spreadsheets (SS), usually known for performing mathematical calculations, are a tool that can stimulate creative problem-solving skills for students across the curriculum. Learn how SS can provide authentic learning, real-world skills and aid in differentiated instruction. You will take home ready-to-use SS lesson plans/projects plus, ideas for creating your own lessons, and a training workbook. - Control + Click to follow link http://www.mogadore.net/spreadsheets/

Some very neat applications of spreadsheets were shown here, including: - Using a spreadsheet for classification of things by characteristics (such as animal classification) or tracking characters in a novel. The use of Auto Filtering allows for sorting/searching by common characteristics. - "reverse engineering" graphs - creating maps - creating "converters" (fraction/decimal, measurement units, etc.) And way more than makes sense to type here. The link is worth checking out, there are applications that can be used or modified for nearly all grade levels.
 * Comments**:

Keynote Speaker - Daniel Burrus 9:30-10:30 am Key points
- Book - Technotrends - The future is not about technology, but the //relationships// that technology enables. Building trust is essential. - Advocates for change will sell their ideas to others by focusing on the problems and solutions, not the technology itself. - For students, "unplugging" and going to school is like stepping into a time machine going backwards. Integrate the old with the new. - Shift away from incremental change and toward //transformation//. - "Change your future view and you'll change your future you." Many kids need the support to see what they are capable of, school needs to provide those opportunities and experiences.

Session 2 10:45-11:30 am
Chuck Spittal and I attended the Robotics demonstration, then arrived late at the presentation from Depco corp in E170. We learned about implementing a robotics curriculum in the science classroom. Depco makes the Vex robot seen in the robotics competition here at eTech. However, we can't seem to locate their booth in the exhibit hall. Help!--Coop

The Presentation was:

Classroom Integration For Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM)
Presenter: Rob Smith, DEPCO

Integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) that brings an engaging delivery together with hands on applications, teamwork and design challenges. This is a “CORE Curriculum” for STEM, Engineering or Technology, this program raises the bar on Blended Curriculum. Content is mapped to National Science Atlas Standards, National Math Standards and Technology Skill Standards.
 * Description**:

Despite pitching a (pretty cool) product, the presenter offered good advice for evaluating any new program: Don't focus on //having// technology, but on //using// technology to accomplish goals and standards. New programs should be SAFE (Sustainable, Accountable, Flexible, Enhanced with technology). His product, Vex robotics system, has a very detailed science and math curriculum that would work very well at the high school, and shows that there is a place for robotics somewhere in the curriculum at the middle and high school levels. This (or other robotics programs) are engaging, problem-based, and promote critical thinking as well as applications of math and science.
 * Comments**:

Session 3 11:45-12:30 pm
A personal interest for me, Roger ? of Olney Friends School, a private Quaker academy in Barnesville, Ohio, talked about his role as tech director. In accordance with the Quaker testimonies of community and integrity, they have developed an AUP that is based on trust, responsibility and respect. It was especially interesting to hear how the foreign-born students (a big part of the student body is from Asia and Africa) use Skype to stay close to home. --Coop

Hands-On 3D Second Life Module Workshop
Presenter: Teresa Franklin, Ohio University

Join Ohio University and explore the virtual world of Second Life and STEAMiE. Digital science content for middle school students will be presented for examination by participants and opportunities to question, challenge and understand the many virtual worlds coming online will be provided.
 * Desription**:

Comments: Ohio University Grad students have spent the last few years creating video games that teach middle school science concepts, and had them available to play throughout the conference (this was the first time I was able to sit down and try it). Some run in the game Second Life, some are self-created and must be downloaded, and others are Flash-based. Most (though not all) of the games are pretty good, and would certainly be useable by middle school science teachers and their students. All are available for free, I recommend checking them out if you are a grade 6-8 science teacher. The games and more info can be found here:

http://steam.cs.ohiou.edu/

Session 4 12:45-1:30 pm
[|How Can I Fit These Cell Phones Into An Educational Environment?] Your students have them, your parents have them, your administrators have them, even you have one. Cell phones are everywhere and your students are using them in every part of their lives. Wouldn't it be great to find an educational connection for all these cell phones? In this session, participants will learn about educational applications for cell phones beyond the classroom. - Control + Click to follow link

// Da //// Presenter: //Good, Jeffery - Northeastern Educ. Television of Ohio (NETO - d/b/a Western Reserve Public Media)

Session 5 1:45-2:30 pm
Tom Andrews and I used the TI nspire wireless system with Franklin Schools teacher Doug Roberts. Incorporating features of Qwizdom, this response system allows the algebra teacher to look at each students/all students screens from a laptop. It also allows the teacher to demonstrate keystrokes on a SMART board. This is a great example of a CAS (computer algebra system) and how it can be implemented in the algebra classroom in grades 7-10. --Coop

[|**Surfin's OUT! Direct Hits Are IN!**]
Come and see terrific, free resources to use in the classroom with your students (Pre-Kindergarten to high-school). Use our website to launch into interactive websites which are grade appropriate and aligned to the Ohio content standards. Teach students in a game- or software-like experience, all ONLINE. I have taken the best sites from thousands of educators and linked them for your use.

// Presenter: //Becker, Sue - The Ohio State University at Lima
 * [|Website #1:http://lima.osu.edu/academics/education/educbecker.html] ||
 * [|Website #2:http://lima.osu.edu/academics/education/ed_surfinsout.html] ||
 * [|Website #3:http://lima.osu.edu/academics/education/ed_inactivelinks.html] ||
 * [|Website #4:http://web.me.com/sbecker54/TLTL/Welcome_to_TLTL.html] ||

The Paperless Classroom: Tteaching And Learning In Cyberspace

 * Presenter**: Barnes, Mark - Memorial Junior High School (South Euclid-Lyndhurst City SD)

Rather than fight your students, when they want to spend most of their evenings on a computer, why not join them there? Teach enriching lessons in any subject area, at any time. The Paperless Classroom demonstrates the value of Internet-based instruction, using a classroom website and private, secure individual webpages that can vault your class into the paperless world, in an instant.
 * Description**:

The presenter showed how he uses a websie to keep a blog, host podcasts, communicate with parents and students, and post assignments. He also has students complete most of their assignments online through "private" web pages off of his main site, including journals, essays, and projects. A neat idea for the middle and high school classroom, though there are a few hurdles to implementing this, namely the price of all the features he uses, lack of access by some students, and the district firewall.
 * Comments**:

His class website: http://middleschoolworld.editme.com/Home

The website service provider: http://www.editme.com/Home

Content Provider Displays
[|Increase Mathematics Achievement With TI-Nspire System For The Interactive Classroom] Meeting CORE Curriculum in math requires integration of technology. Texas Instruments is leading the way with a revolutionary system that allows students to explore mathematics interactively and includes tools like word processing and spreadsheet functions. Teacher tools immediately integrate into the interactive classroom and a document-based file system allows a near-paperless math classroom.