Category Archives: fine arts

Jason Ohler…Then What?

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The Past, Present, and Future of Education and Technology

Jason led a pre-conference session yesterday on digital storytelling which was very well received. He’s continuing the same theme on writing and telling stories as a part of learning.

Four tech teaching tips:

  • Don’t fear 10 year olds who know more than you…deputize them…
  • Be kind to your techies
  • Practice Zen Tech, not Zantac
  • Have fun…of course!

Don’t rule by concern

  • Turn concerns into goals…
  • Goals allow you to aim, move with intent…

Teachers and staff need…(the same thing they needed in the first place!)

  • Technology
  • Tech Support
  • Time
  • Training
  • CARE Incentives:
  • Compensation
  • Assistance
  • Recognition
  • Education

Jason’s presentation was very captivating and held a lot of
information. I haven’t done a very good job of summarizing it, he
wrapped it up and disguised his message into compelling story. I would encourage and recommend attending his session tomorrow if you have the chance!

Preview of Friday’s WEBKids 2.0: Read/Write Tools for our Youngest Learners

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Webkids 2.0

The great philosopher Jimmy Buffett tells us, “There is a fine line between Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.” I guess this post would qualify as one that rides the fine line between self-promotion, a preview, and an invite to a virtual visit.

I will be presenting on Friday morning at 10:00 am in the DeVos Place Grand Gallery Room E. The focus of my talk will be on web 2.0 tools specifically useful with PK-2 students.

Here are my session goals: 1) to give attendees tools and ideas that can be applied the first day they return to their classrooms and 2) to share some of my experiences with these tools that all come “kid approved”.

The hour will be split into sections with one featuring “teacher tools” and the other showcasing “student tools”. All resources are free and available online.

Please check out my list of session links as a preview or as a “virtual visit” if you are unable to attend.

I always look forward to meeting lots of other MACULers. Hope to see you on Friday.

Places to Go, People to Meet, Things to Do

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Session: Thursday, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Presenter: Keith Sadlier, Teacher, Utica Community Schools / TWICE Board Member
Connection: Ebeling Elementary, Utica Community Schools

Keith Sadlier is sharing with us today the power of kids talking to kids via videoconferencing. Keith started with a nice overview of what you can do with videoconferencing and how to find more information about shared classes, content providers, and more on the TWICE website.

We connected back to Ebeling Elementary and listened to their Spanish teacher talk about a project they did with a teacher in Costa Rica. The teacher in Costa Rica was from Michigan. The classes set up an activity where the students could learn about each other’s culture. The 4th grade classes presented to each other about their area. The Michigan students did a presentation on the alphabet of Michigan. The Costa Rican students shared native costumes and dances. The students were pen pals with each other and wrote to teach other. In the second videoconference the students were able to talk to their partner.

After the teachers described the session, a couple of the students reminisced about their presentations and interaction with Costa Rica last year. One of the students still keeps in touch with her pen pal. “The more I talk to her, the more I realize how much the same we are.”

They sent the letters by snail mail to the Costa Rican school’s P.O. box in Miami and they were able to send each other items as well.

When asked what they liked best about videoconferencing, the students said, “it’s nice to know that you have a friend so far away.”

After this connection, Keith talked about all the different types of projects and activities you can do in each content area. Good advice included: don’t pack in the students, don’t settle for a talking head, and don’t use this as a stand alone lesson.

Making your mark….

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Thursday’s Keynote Speaker is Peter Reynolds (he’s Canadian, Janine), author and entrepreneur…he used to be with Tom Snyder Productions, but is currently the CEO of Fablevision, a “media company dedicated to helping ALL learners discover their true potential. The keynote is entitled “Make a Mark and See Where It Takes You.” My comments are in italics.

One of his opening comments talked about how the Internet is a wonderful zigzag world…for creative and non-linear thinkers. It’s not a Point A to Point B sort of place. A challenge I’ll throw out is to take advantage of that, because it’s one of the strengths of our connected world. Students need choices…some control over what they’re learning. Where will they go?

Peter has challenged us to walk out of his session less of a grown-up adult and more of a grown-up kid.

In order to take care of the “lost” children, we have to think creatively. Technology is a creativity machine-in-a-box. Unfortunately, it’s not being creatively all the time, but for assessment and and drill and kill. When you go to the vendor area, find the booths where their presentation screens are blank. That’s a good place to start…to fill that screen takes quite a bit thinking. Run and get yourself a graphics tablet, like Wacom makes, it’s the “one idea” that you should take away from the conference.

It’s awesome to watch as Peter uses the tablet to draw a cartoon boy in Flash…he makes it seem effortless. He shows how to animate his drawing with three frames…very cool.

If there’s any opportunity you have to allow kids to create things…take it. Ask them what their “mission” is. “What’s the mission of your project?”

Peter reads his book, The Dot, while he shows us a Flash animation of the story…I can’t tell you the story, but it’s about making your mark, a Dot in this case, that took over the imagination of a young student who “couldn’t draw.”

Peter was inspired by his 7th grade math teacher who challenged him to use his gifts to teach other students a math concept. He did something powerful…he noticed him. There are countless students “out there” waiting to be noticed. We need the time, creativity, and resources in order to take care of them.

I don’t believe you can’t draw…shock your class by drawing a picture, make your mark, and put it in a gold swirly frame and hang it in your classroom. Tell your kids that your favorite book is “the blank book.” It’s a blank tablet. Kids will fill those pages with their story if you allow them to. My wish is for everyone to have a more creative life. Be active in making the world a better place.

Great session, very inspiring! So, everyone, are you a more of a grown-up adult or a grown-up child?