Teaching Grown-ups

Taught my first ever class to adults on Friday. I have given workshops and have presented at state and local conferences, but this teaching of a hybrid course is a first for me. Any one have any suggestions?

Grant opportunities

I am in the process of preparing a STEM grant application (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Looking for any advice on anything from who to apply to, to key words to include, to resources/outlines to follow.

I'll take any advice that I can get.

Thanks

The Great Technology Divide

I recently transferred schools, by choice, to another school in the same county. Physical plant aside, I did expect differences. However, I did not expect to see the EXTENT of those differences.

For example:

• Former school, at least three printers for each of three grade level teams
• Current school, one printer for the entire school

Did I mention that these schools are in the same county?

• Former school was wireless
• Current school is not

• Former school had an LCD for each classroom and has for at least two years
• Current school is just now getting them.

• Former school, document cameras in almost every room
• Current school, have not seen one yet

These are only a few issues in ONE system. And we have the nerve to talk about a level playing field. Level for whom? Quality of access to education and technology seems to still be linked to a person's home address! Wow...look how far we have NOT come

Old does not mean obsolete

Last week, I facilitated student learning at The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The camp was an offshoot of STRI in the Panama Canal Zone. The camp was also in conjunction with Education Motivation. Basically, the kids study the work done by STRI scientists and then mimic their research. It is cool as the kids, unprompted by staff, come up with many of the same questions that are asked by the scientists in the field. That was cool.

Anyway, do you remember the Apple IIe computers and the 5 1/4" floppy disks? I know that I am showing my age (heck I learned computers on a TRS 80!). We gave the kids at the camp old learning games to play like Odell Lake and The Oregon Trail. I thought that the kids were going to laugh at the poor graphics and antiquated feel. But, the kids were doing something that I had not counted on...they were thinking. There were no funky or gory graphics to get in the way of learning. The programs lacked a rockin' soundtrack. The kids LOVED the programs and did not want to quit! Best thing is, they learned and thought and processed information.

Here is the irony, the program will not work easily on a Mac!.

The programs cen be downloaded here. Check them out and prepare to be engaged.

Nova and SPARK

Looking for anyone who has used and compared PASCO's spark handhelds and how they compare to the NOVA 5000 from Fourier Systems. I saw PASCO's stuff at the NECC in Washington, DC and was very impressed. I am piloting the NOVA's for...let's just say I am piloting them and an having some issues.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Including usability, durability and any hidden costs.

NECC Day Three

Day three of NECC, and indeed, the entire NECC conference is over. I learned so much the last few days that is somewhat overwhelming. For instance; Second Life for professional development? Someone needs to help me understand that concept as I just do not get it. Playing a game that I cannot access from school to network with other teachers. What is a professional Wiki or a dimdim or elluminate account for then? And those I DO have classroom access to. Just seems to me to be a bit of overkill.

However, the session on teachers domain was awesome! I had no idea that such a resource even existed. And best of all it is free! Check it out! All activities/lessons are sorted by grade and subject area! Did I mention that it is free?

NECC Day Two

The best part of today was visiting the vendor booths. Among others, teacherweb, a site for school and teacher sites always puts on a good viewing. However, this year so far I have been most impressed with turning point technologies. They are a student response system maker and supplier. That alone did not impress me. What did was the ability of the teacher to chart the data and to easily see how individual kids responded. And, they have a school improvement and AYP feature for schools with questions specific for content areas. Check them out!