Alice in wonder

At our last Technology Integrator's Forum we had a really nice overview of some powerful uses of technology in local school districts.  Our first presentation was from Kelsey and Rachel Braun (No relation) from Pine Valley Central Schools.  Kelsey showed our participants how they re-imaged some older computers to run the Open Source UBUNTU Linux platform.  This platform allows for some free and innovative programs that run fluently with the operating system.  Here are some resources that were shared about Linux.

http://ubuntusite.com/ubuntu-flavors/  What is Linux?
http://www.stellarium.org/  A nice planetarium program for Linux
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/6349  From Kindergarten to HS with Linux

Rachel Braun, the Elementary Art teacher, then showed how she uses the Linux program to create fantastic digital art projects.

http://mypaint.intilinux.com/  My paint Program
http://tuxpaint.org/  Tux Paint Program
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/609530-REG/Wacom_PTK640_Intuos4_Digital_Tablet_Medium.html  A tablet that can be effectively used with the programs.

This is just a sampling of the ideas and projects they shared.  So if you are school district that is looking stretch some of your older computers for a little while, you can consider installing the Ubuntu operating system.  Pine Valley has had great success.

Our afternoon presentation offered a hands on look at two programs designed to teach students how to make code for animating objects.

Our first presentation from Andy Pingatore from Fredonia Central Schools, showed us the Alice Program.  Andy showed us how he has used this program with his students.  This program teaches coding in a fun and unique way.  Most importantly it is FREE!  Get a free download with teacher resources below:

http://www.alice.org/index.php

Lastly, we had Shaun Laska, Frewsburg math teacher, tell us about another introduction to coding program called Scratch from MIT.  This program would make a great start towards showing younger students the magic of writing computer program code.

http://scratch.mit.edu/

This was really a wonderful day of learning new approaches to Ed Tech!

Pleasantly Inspired

As an educator, I have often thought that it is the teachers job to inspire students in a variety of ways to help them learn and achieve success.   Surely that is the role of teacher and coach, however, this week, I was the one who was inspired by students.   And I am grateful.

I had the opportunity to work with some 8th Grade Students at Forestville Middle/ High School.  A friend and colleague of mine, Todd Langworthy, (History teacher) as well as, ELA teacher, Mike Borrello wanted to try our Understanding the Holocaust Virtual Environment program.  This program lets students use avatars in a virtual world to explore the digitally recreated streets of Amsterdam 1944, when Anne Frank and her family were in hiding.  Students work through 10 Common Core based activities designed to help them understand the concepts, history, and themes of the Holocaust and let them think like a historian to create an exhibit in a Holocaust Museum.  See previous post.

With this program, I get the opportunity to go into the school and work with the teachers and students to help them get used to the virtual environment.   Since this is such a vast departure from anything students have done in a school setting the enthusiasm is pretty amazing.  When the students actually broke out and worked in the environment they were incredibly excited and put that excitement in all kinds of directions within the environment.  And I told the teachers that the first day would really be a day where the students would need to play.  Play they did.  Their most important thing to do was to update their avatar!  However, as the afternoon settled in... I noticed something quite interesting.  Several students started building.... and building.... and building.  Skills that took me a long time to figure out, these students were doing in a mater of minutes.  They were fearless in their explorations and THAT is what inspired me.  I knew that the students would be engaged in this form of learning.  But I was inspired by how they quickly pushed the limits and were using technology to problem solve and create.  They were already talking about geometric shapes, textures, measurements.... using appropriate terminology and logic.  

When I returned the next day, the students started developing more focus towards the setting and the educational objectives, but I would like to say that play was still a part of the learning.  Play has become such a dirty word in education, but I think it is such an essential part of learning, and this project is confirming what I knew would be true.  The builders stayed after school and kept on building all the while learning from each other.  I am inspired.  Take a look at their first project or read more about this project specifically through my avatar Blog- professorilluminati.blogspot.com

Student Built Kitchen

Student built couch

Student built block house

Virtual Advanced Placement Grant

Carmalita gives instructions on how the VAP Grant will work.

The second project that I am fortunate to be a part of involves my fellow colleague and great friend, Carmalita Seitz.  This is the New York State Virtual Advanced Placement Grant (VAP_which involves teachers creating Advanced Placement courses for their students.  In essence, digitizing their course for blended or complete online courses.  Carmalita is a powerhouse of amazing talent and wisdom beyond her years.  She has developed and amazing structure for these dedicated and innovative teachers to create engaging courses that will, when completed, allow other teachers in different schools to use them for their students.  These teachers will be working over the summer and many will be attending ISTE 2013 in San Antonio to learn from some of the most innovative online educators.   Stay tuned for more information about this amazing opportunity for Western New York Teachers.

Virtual Education- New Horizons in Learning

Teachers learning to use their avatars

It's been awhile since we have had some video to post for my space, but I started thinking, that well... why do I need a video to start talking about the people and ideas that make educational technology thrive in our schools.

Teachers updating their avatars to match their personalities!

So with that, I want to talk about two projects that I am involved with here at my work at the Western New York Information Center's (WNYRIC) Technology services division... whew, yes that is a mouthful!  The projects have been driven by two New York State Department of Education Grants.  The first grant is the NYSED Technology and Learning Grant 2012-2015 that was awarded in January. This grant involves some work that I have been plugging away at for quite some time.  My major objective for it is based around creating new ways to teach and learn history, as well as, develop creative skills in writing and reading.  The goals of this program are to give teachers a new way to engage their students in school using a virtual environment.  This 3 year grant will involve training teachers to use our Open Sim environment to learn about history through role-play, building, play, and communication.  Notice how I slipped in that word "play".  To read about the pilot project that began this work, see ISTE's Leading and Learning Magazine, May 2012.  Or check out my companion blog using my Virtual World avatar:  Professor Illuminati.  That blog will give you the latest news from the students and teachers that are involved in the grant.   I have been truly inspired by our starter group of teachers:  Jill Pallente, Sts. Peter and Paul, Derek Kise and Megan Herbeck from Gateway- Longview, Jessica Graham and Amanda Thompson from St. Christophers. Rebecca Moe from 14 Holy Helpers School, and Erica Aikin and Diane Zahradnik from Southtowns Catholic.

 Stay tuned for more updates and information on how this project develops.  If you are a New York school that may be interested in this project for your school or class.  Please contact me or check out our website.  http://bit.ly/theislands