FETC

January 23-25, 2008

 

Sessions

 

Get A MUVE On:  The Power of Synchronous Online Environments (M. Coleman)

Kathy Schrock did an excellent presentation on multi-user virtual environments as a platform for professional development and classroom learning, with emphasis on Second Life and Teen Grid.  I am no longer a "newbie" in Second Life (though still a beginner) so if you want assistance in creating an account and venturing into a whole new world, let me know!  In addition, we have two books about Second Life in the library.

 

Forget About the Future, It's the Present that Concerns Me (M. Coleman)

David Thornburg has been around for awhile and was challenged by Gary Stager to focus on what's needed/happening now - not in the future.  His emphasis is on open source software (http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/oss.html) and he demoed a number of them.  I was particularly intrigued with MathTrax (http://learn.arc.nasa.gov/mathtrax/) and Virtual Microscope (http://learn.arc.nasa.gov/vlab/).

 (Gracie--"Celestia" navigation software.  Enjoyed the innovative/creative approaches and all the free sites/software available)

 

Building Learning Communities (M. Coleman)

Alan November is always provocative and his comments make me think - though some describe him as cynical.  His focus was to emphasize the fact that the majority of us (demonstrated by use of Promethean response system) believe that students *should* own the learning, but don't...and that our educational system is flawed compared to other countries.  He also advocated for connections beyond the classroom walls, especially web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, etc.  It would be great to have a team participate in November's Building Learning Communities workshops where these ideas can be extended with additional conversation and an action plan!  His website: http://www.novemberlearning.com/

 

Creating 21st Century Learners Through Global Learning Initiatives (M. Coleman)

Jeanine Gendron and other educators from Broward County shared their class-/school-wide initiatives in selected schools to increase success.  Their focus is interdisciplinary and project-based learning with access to many web tools.  The program, called GLIDES, was supported by grant funds and a re-prioritization of district resources.  Their web page (be sure to Student Projects link and FETC presentation pdf for more information) is a comprehensive look of project (http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/it/glides/)

 

It's Different!  Learning Through Networked Communities (M. Coleman)

Using theory and research, Cheryl Lemke makes the case for the importance of collaboration and social (even constructivist) learning. This presentation was UStreamed to the Lorenzo Walker Management Team meeting to share the content and the mechanism for sharing.  Since this web-based broadcasting allows for back-channelling, there was conversation, as well.  Unfortunately, the chat was not archived and I neglected to think to copy/paste it!  Nonetheless, it was an hour that exemplified the very concepts that Lemke was advocating!  Her slides are expected to be posted soon to her website (http://www.metiri.com/presentations.html)

 

Separate, but Equal(ly) Driven: Owning Educator Learning Through Web 2.0 (M. Coleman)

Zac Chase conducted this presentation with his colleague, Kristin Hokanson, participating virtually via UStream, Yugma, and Skype - again a exemplary manner to 'practice what they preach.'  In addition to considering a variety of online tools one can use for increasing one's own professional development, the conversation revolved around ways to expand one's personal and professional learning networks.  Since I've been connected to these two presenters via Twitter and Pownce (two social networking/blogging tools), I was delighted to meet one of them face-to-face.  This session also set the stage for the upcoming EduCon 2.0 conference where they would co-present for additional conversation.

 

Laptop Programs:  Where Do We Go From Here With Technology Education? (M. Coleman)

Joanne Barrett is the Tech Coordinator for Out-of-Door Academy, a private school in Sarasota.  She provided some reasearch about the use of laptops in classrooms and then posited the concerns of social networking.   Unfortunately, I found her 'scare tactics' regarding digital citizentry and internet safety to be ineffective and inappropriate in this day and age.  It would be difficult to advocate for online learning when one doesn't even bank online due to the fact that "nothing is safe in the world wide web."

 

New Strategies for Educational Assessment (M. Coleman)

Chris Dede is more research and theoretical in orientation, but he also offers some practical application.  The main premise revolved around the question - why do we spend so many resources on summative evaluation (i.e., one high-stakes test at the end of the program) rather than a series of diagnostic/formative assessments that could be done on the front end and actually have a chance to improve skills, knowledge, learning, etc. 

 (Gracie: Diagnostic assessments are richer/more accurate;'DBDM'-data based decision making-tie in with accountability, overall school improvement)

 

Image....Imagination....Integration (M. Coleman)

Ryan Visser showed us how to edit images (he used Adobe Photoshop Elements) for the purpose of usefulness and practicality, as well as to enhance dramatically and imaginatively.  The integration ideas included a software program being piloted by Clemson University for digital writing using photographs as the writing prompt.  The presentation was very interesting but would probably be better served in a longer workshop setting where hands-on time would allow for play.

 

I (Richard Ponton) attended this also.  I knew much of what he presented but got a great idea to incorporate writing with images.  For my assignment right after FETC, I have students taking two images from historical people, and layering them.  Then students are writing why they selected each image, as well as the selected 'location' where the two people are 'meeting'.

 

Cross-Curricular and Across the K-12 World with Google Earth (M. Coleman)

Cindy Lane offered a quick look at some very hands-on resources and ideas that could be used in all disciplines (science, English, math, foreign language, social studies).  Her wiki provides an extensive array of on online resources, a look at Google Earth Sky and a section on volcanoes.  There are some very cool ideas - and I would love to collaborate with a teacher to try/modify to make applicable for our goals.

 

Teaching and Learning with Digital Content From the Orange Grove (M. Coleman)

Susan Henderson and Cathy Alfano explained The Orange Grove, a k-20 repository for digital content.  You can sign up for an account and have access to a wide variety of content - from web page links to lesson plans and from assessment tools to online content that can load directly into learning management systems.  It is my understanding that the entire 1350 hour (minus clinical and lab time) Practical Nursing program is available via Orange Grove, but it has not been uploaded yet.  Although there is certainly potential for sharing via a repository such as this, there are some discrepancies in that the Florida Distance Learning Consortium (which supports The Orange Grove), claims to invite school districts to its organization, but all the members are community colleges and universities.

 

The Revenge of the Digital Immigrants:  Revise Teaching with Media Technology (M. Coleman)

Hall Davidson is an entertainer with such an enthusiastic approach to presenting his content, it probably wouldn't matter what he was sharing!  Fortunately, Hall is more than 'fluff' and always manages to teach me a number of new things!  I decided to UStream this presentation for a Twitter friend across the country who couldn't attend in person.  If you have about an hour to watch the slides and listen, here's the site - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/colemamas-show and here's the static handouts sans Hall's audio - http://discoveryedspeakersbureau.com/node/104 to be posted soon.  He makes the case for teenager's brain 'wiring' be different than the majority of teachers and how we must employ more appropriate teaching techniques - need to use images, video, etc.

 

 Adobe Forum Workshops (Richard Ponton)

Adobe had several workshops in the main exhibition hall.  I watched three different sessions. 

 

The first was for web design and featured Dreamweaver and Fireworks.  I learned some of the changes from CS2 to CS3.  Most keys are in the same locations, but a few shortcuts make it easier to publish to the web - I think....I need to try it out a few times.

 

The second was for Flash.  I saw how simple CS3 Flash operates - at the hand of a pro at their booth.  If it is half as easy as he showed, I should be able to do a bit with it...

 

Council on 21st Century Learning (Richard Ponton)

Interesting panel discussion on voter attitudes on technologyu and education and how to marry the two.  The only part of the research I found weak was they surveyed 800 people; a relatively small number for a glossy headliner...

 

Making your own Modern Marvel Video for science-  (Bruce Peters)

This was a high school science class that had a year long project on making a video of a particular subject.  They had to interview 3 professionals in the field and incorporate them in the video.  Not to helpful because I feel we do this all the time here.  I know Jackie does a project very similiar as well as

 Joann and some others.  It made me feel good to sit there knowing we do this often in our school.

 

Storymapping with Google-   (Bruce Peters)

I learned about Google story mapping and how I can incorporate this feature in my presentations. For instance, if I'm discussing about a particular animal found in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, the program would flip to google Earth and zoom right into the actual forest we are discussing.  They were stressing how important this feature is for literature.  Students often read of places but never really know where they are on a map.  With this, they can read about the place and then with a click, take a look at it as well.

 

Educational Games, Game Dev., Importance of Games in the Classroom-  (Bruce Peters)

To keep up with the "video game" generation, manufactures are looking into incorporating major educational standards into standard commercial "off the shelf" games. This will be something teachers can utilize to promote understanding of concepts sometimes to difficult to understand by conventional means.  (I can only hope:)

I (Khris) also attended this meeting. I found it very interesting how this new industry is opening up. They are making real looking games that are now educational. I think that would hold the interest of my students and the students of the future.

 

Florida School Leaders-  (Holly Cowburn)

This workshop was presented by Linda Croushorn and Ken Hollingsworth.  It is for current school leaders and those in Educational Leadership programs.  Because the Principal Leadership standards are more a part of most University programs (in other words the graduation requirements are stricter.  You must prove competency in all standards through rigorous development.)  The Department of Education has developed an interactive website that Principals and Ed Leadership students can use to access the standards and keep track of what we are doing in our schools or University programs.  Almost like a working Resume.  I look forward to signing up and working more with this.

 

Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works- (G. Somoza)

Elizabeth Hubbel presented this workshop which bears the title of her book.  She has her presentation on a wiki--http://citw.pbwiki.com and also on del.icio.us/ehubbell,  for anyone to peruse.  The workshop provided an overview of research-based instructional strategies and the technologies that best support those strategies.

 

Internet Resources for English Language Learners-(G. Somoza)

Maria Torres from Hunter College, NY was the presenter.  She provided a booklet full of teaching ideas, web sites, contacts for free downloads which engage students in meaningful and creative learning via the internet. She can be contacted at: metorres8@aol.com  She also provided this phone number for free materials: 1-800-323-8270

 

Digital Media Tools for Bilingual and English Language Learners-(G. Somoza)

Arturo Guajardo (aguajard@austinsd.org) gave a very enlightning presentation on how to maximize learning for Bilingual and ELL students using the digital media tools available online.  His presentation can be viewed at-http://eduese.pbwiki.com/FETC   I (Khris) also attended this meeting. It was very excited because I am dealing with two class of English Learners. I got a lot out of this session. One- I now understand that it is important to have an understanding of the Knowledge that the student has in his or her first language. In order to continue to teach them, I must understand what they know or do not know in their native language. Second- I learned sadly that a lot of students who speak another language besides English fall between the cracks. They may have a special learning need that is not made apparent  until months or even years at a school. Third- I learned that when student are presenting their work to a larger audience then their quality of work will most likely improve. The idea of publishing or posting students work as something that I will use for sure.

 

Special Event: 2 Million Minutes: A Global Examination, Film Screening with a Q/A session-(G. Somoza)

Presented by Robert A. Compton (www.2Minutes.com) (www.EDin08.com)

The filmmakers examine the everyday lives, pressures, and ambitions of six high school students in three countries: China, India, and the United States.  I attended with Bob Jackson(see his comments).  WOW! It is stated:"The battle for America's economic future isn't being fought by our government.  It's being fought by our kids".  Upon completion of the 8th grade our students have just 2 Million Minutes to prepare for college and ultimately a career.  The differences in educational opportunities, philosophies and global vision are in stark contrast. I was overwhelmed, frightened, yet challenged by the movie.  Wish everyone could view and then discuss it.

 

(Bob Jackson's comments)  Are we giving our children the skills needed in the global workforce?  You make the call after viewing this movie.  Compare students in 30 industrialized countries, American 15 year olds rank 25th in math and 21st in science.  Two-thirds of the new jobs being created in today's economy require higher education or advanced training, but only one-half of U.S. students who enroll in 4 year colleges after high school manage to earn a bachelor's degree within 6 years.  Nearly 70% of American 8th graders are not proficient in reading.  How competitive do you think Americans can be in a global economy?  You make the call.  

 

The Amazing Math Toolbox for Teachers - (Bob Jackson)

Presented by Ian Pretz.  This presentation targeted technology and math for struggling students and students with disabilities.  Teachers will find technology solutions to help students succeed in math.  I found the following online tool helpful in solving math problems, showing step by step solutions.  General math through calculus. www.webmath.com 

 

The Digetal Age: Teaching and Learning for Tommorrow Today- (Bob Jackson)

Presented by Mark Benno.  Businesses today are looking for students who can do much more than physical labor or data crunching.  To meet the needs of tomorrow's businesses, they need to be able to manipulate multimedia tools and the internet.  Technology is "native" to them.  As educators, we need to adapt our instructional approach to meet their needs.  My students are wired differently compared to me.  I have a digital "accent", I speak a different language then my students.  I speak in terms of "taping" a program or "dialing" a phone number.  Ask me what I've learned by attending the FETC and I'll tell you.  I found out that I'm a digital "immigrant".  I can't shake the accent but I'm learning the language of technology.

 

Khris' thoughts.

I have created a Power Point which sums up in more detail my expierence at FETC. I hope you like it. Here it isFTCE.ppt

 

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