Two Weeks to go Until METC 2012! Monday, January 30, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaborations, Conferences, Digital Media, Tech PD, VLC Programs, Web 2.0.Tags: Cooperating School Districts, Inc., Midwest Education Technology Conference, METC, Web 2.0, Twitter, Conference Technologies
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The 29th annual Midwest Education Technology Conference is coming up in mid-February! Sessions will take place at the St. Charles Convention Center on Monday (there will be a few offsite precons), Tuesday and Wednesday, February 13-15th.
In the event you are unable to attend METC in person, we’re pleased to share that some of our sessions will be streamed live, for free, and later archived. Keynote speakers will be streamed on February 14 and 15th; and each of the featured speakers will also be streamed. Those sessions will later be archived for viewing. This service is courtesy of Conference Technologies, INC.
Another way to participate in METC, whether you can participate at the conference or from elsewhere, is to follow the backchannel chat on Twitter. METC has a Twitter account- @METC_CSD. Information regarding the conference will be tweeted out to our followers. In addition, we will be utlizing the hashtags #METC12 and #METC. By following those hashtags, you can learn tips, tricks, thoughts & ideas from attendees and presenters on content being shared at the conference!
We are looking forward to your participation at METC 2012. To learn more about the conference, or to register, visit METCconference.org.
METC is a program of the Virtual Learning Center of Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis.
Boeing Grant for Science Educators Continues at CSD Friday, January 27, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Tech PD, VLC Programs, Collaborations, Classroom Technology, Web 2.0, Discovery Education, grant.Tags: Cooperating School Districts, Boeing Grant, Discovery Education Science
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learning about Discovery Education Science on a Friday afternoon from Stephanie Madlinger
Best Practices Conference on February 28th Thursday, January 26, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Conferences, Google.Tags: Cooperating School Districts, Google
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Come hear Mark McLeod’s keynote – “Planting a Seed to be the Best!,” plus choose from 26 breakout sessions at the St. Louis Regional Professional Development Center/ Cooperating School Districts’ annual Best Practices Conference at the St. Charles Convention Center on February 28, 2012!
The best of the best from local schools will share their best practices with participants. This year’s theme is Honoring Teachers, Classrooms and Schools That Get Results. You can read more about it here . A sample of breakout sessions include:
- Multifaceted Differentiation- Michele Cherry, Wentzville SD
- Google Tools to Improve Professional Collaboration- Lydia Spoor, Ritenour SD
- How to Improve Student Achievement in Math by NOT Grading Homework- Jonathan Isaacson, Hillsboro SD
- Interactive Learning Strategies that Increase Student Engagement- Peggy Dersch, CSD, Jana Reiter, Parkway SD
- Conferring with Confidence- Julie Linck, Pattonville SD
- Questioning Techniques that Maximizes Student Engagement- Mark McLeod
- Closing the Gap One Learning Target at a Time- Courtney Rejniak, Dan Tripp, Parkway SD
- Creating a Sense of Cultural Literacy- Bertha Richardson, RPDC
- Vocabulary Strategies for Secondary Students: Making it “Click”- Mitzi Brammer, Special SD
- Raising the Bar, Lowering the Cost- Don Jeffries, Windsor C-1 SD
You can finish the day at the CSD Winter Conference with keynote Mark McLeod as he explores strategies used by administrators to successfully lead schools. Mark’s keynote address on positive leadership through instructional supervision, relationship building, effective instruction, student-teacher motivation and more promises to be inspiring and motivating! This session is an additional $30 and includes dinner.
Graduate credit is available for an additional fee. For additional questions please contact Karen Vaughan at kvaughan@csd.org or call 314-692-1250 or Dave Sanders at dsanders@csd.org or call 314-692-1219. Register online. CSD members just pay $60 for attending.
Stories of the Civil Rights Movement Videoconference Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Videoconferencing, Distance Learning, Classroom Technology.Tags: St. Louis, Civil Rights Movement, Web 2.0, Flickr, Creative Commons, Gateway Arch, Congress of Racial Equality, St. Louis Jefferson Bank boycott of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr.
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History in the First Person: Stories of the Civil Rights Movement
Dates: February 9, 2012 | Times: 10-11:00 a.m. or 1-2:00 p.m. CT
Grade Levels: 5-10 | Cost: NO CHARGE | Registration Required
Abstract:
Take your study of the Civil Rights Movement to individuals who participated in the struggle. Interact via videoconference with three individuals whose actions made a difference in civil rights for people in their native St. Louis as well as throughout the nation.
Program Description from HEC-TV Live!:
What was it like to grow up black in America in the 1940s, 50s and 60s? What did it mean when words like “equality” and “justice” seemed to have a different meaning for you than for others in American society? What was it like to be inspired by leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr.? Why would you have chosen to participate in the struggle for Civil Rights? For this very special program, take your study of American history and the Civil Rights Movement in America to the individuals who participated in the struggle. Ask these questions and more as you interact with three individuals whose actions made a difference in civil rights for people in their native St. Louis as well as throughout the nation.
Our focus in this program will not be exploring the details of America’s struggle for Civil Rights throughout its history, but it will be to provide students the rare and important opportunity to speak directly with those who lived during one chapter in that time and are excited to share their experiences with others. What would your students like to know about what it was like to live and work during this time? Our guests for both programs were participants in CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), the St. Louis Jefferson Bank boycott of 1963, the 1964 protest for minority employment opportunities at the Gateway Arch, and the creation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday as well as many other events related to Civil Rights. These four main topics will be used as examples for students to provide both content and context and also an organizational framework for the program. Web resources related to these events as well as short biographies of our guests are included in the pre-program activities for students to use to prepare for the program and develop questions to ask the guests during the program.
This program is the first in a recurring series of HEC-TV Live! programs dealing with stories of the Civil Rights Movement in America. Subsequent programs will provide students the opportunity to interact with individuals who made significant contributions in the struggle for rights for other minority groups and women. If you’d like to be placed on our HEC-TV Live! e-list to receive updates about future programs in the series, please e-mail us at live@hectv.org.
Space, the Next Frontier: Inspiring Students through Distance Learning Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaborations, Distance Learning, Videoconferencing.Tags: Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis, Cooperating School Districts, Midwest Education Technology Conference, New Links
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In partnership with Cooperating School Districts, Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis offers two interactive videoconferences: A Day in the Life of an Astronaut, and The Body in Space. Both videoconferences are available upon request on Tuesdays and Thursdays (please submit requests with at least three weeks notice). New Links members get a discount. Click here to learn more about CLC-St. Louis’ videoconferences.
…And if you are attending the Midwest Education Technology Conference in February, you can hear Robert Powell talk about his experiences with distance learning during his session on Tuesday, February 14th entitled Space, the Next Frontier: Inspiring Students through Distance Learning.
Distance Learning Opportunity on Creative Writing & Publishing Monday, January 23, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Videoconferencing, VLC Programs, Distance Learning, Classroom Technology, Skype.Tags: Cooperating School Districts, Amy Sklansky, New Links
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Using examples from all six of her books (almost 7, with the February 14th release of Out of This World), author Amy E. Sklansky answers the question during this new distance learning session: Where does an author get her ideas and how do they become a book? From Inspiration to Bookstore Shelf (grade 3 & up) is a 45 minute videoconferencing or Skype session. Register with Rebecca Morrison. For Videoconference/Skype: New Links members pay $155, nonmembers pay $195.
Participants are encouraged to interact with the author and will develop an appreciation for both the creative writing and publishing process. With PowerPoint slides, original artwork, and other props, she touches on many aspects of the creative process – sources of inspiration; generating ideas; structuring a story; revising; the roles of the artist and publishing staff; etc…. and in her newest publication, Amy gives readers evocative poems about planets and stars and rockets and moon landings and satellites. Each poem is supported by additional facts and explanations (because once your imagination’s engaged, you’ll surely want to know more!).
Just a few of the Upcoming METC Precons! Monday, January 23, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaborations, Conferences, Tech PD, VLC Programs.Tags: Cooperating School Districts, METC, Midwest Education Technology Conference, Virtual Learning Center
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METC 2011 Precon Workshop
The 2012 Midwest Education Technology Conference is just around the corner- the first day of the conference are the precon workshops. These are either half or full-day professional development sessions. We have almost 30 this year on February 13th! We’re going to highlight some of them in this blog post, and others in future posts. Preregistration is required for these METC sessions. (Some sessions are full and are noted so on the website) . Information registration and all sessions can be found here. Check out these, too:
Digital Storytelling Across the Curriculum – Part 1 – Intro to Pixie
Digital storytelling is an engaging way to integrate technology into the elementary classroom curriculum and promote communication and creative skills. Participants will become familiar with the elements of effective digital storytelling as they explore how to use Pixie software to develop digital stories that help improve student’s reading and writing skills, and math, social studies, and science learning. Extend your learning by spending the afternoon with us and apply what you have learned about Pixie and digital storytelling.
Digital Storytelling & Your Classroom – Part 2 – Creating Your Story
What does digital storytelling look like in your classroom? Participants will look at digital storytelling from the teacher role and the student perspective. Join us for an afternoon of practical application, collaboration and creation. Create the lesson plan, rubric and student sample using Pixie software, and be ready to use resources to implement in your classroom.
Working with Windows: 101 (A Beginner’s Guide)
Many teachers need to improve their comfort level working with a Windows based PC. This workshop addresses this by combining the content of several breakout sessions into a full day, hands-on experience. After attending this workshop, participants will have a better understanding of how to manage the start-up sequence, junk files, orphaned shortcuts and the Windows registry as well as the issues of adware/spyware, and email scams. Attendees will learn how to safely tweak the Windows registry using readily available freeware. The workshop deals specifically with a PC running Windows 7, Vista, or XP.
Model Lessons: Information Fluency in Action
Information Fluency leaders demonstrate free resources and classroom activities to help students, grades 6-12, search more efficiently and evaluate information effectively. Using a model lesson, attendees will learn search strategies and techniques by performing three investigative challenges. Workshop leaders will involve participants by unpacking the purpose, rationale and methods used in effective online research.
New Videoconference: History, Heroes, and Symbolism from the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum Friday, January 20, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Distance Learning, Videoconferencing.Tags: Cumberland Gap, Daniel Boone, Distance Learning, Ekphrastic poetry, George Caleb Bingham, Greek and Roman art history, Manifest Destiny, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Virtual Learning Center
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The Virtual Learning Center’s New Links program is very excited to partner with the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University for a videoconference for 8-12th grade students! This videoconference is free, and could be a great curriculum supplement for language arts classes, social studies classes or art (history) classes.
Program Title: History, Heroes, and Symbolism: Visual Analysis of George Caleb Bingham’s Iconic Painting Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers through the Cumberland Gap
Program Description
American artist and Missouri native George Caleb Bingham (1811-1879) is known and regarded for his genre paintings focused on the then Western frontier that feature the cities, people, and life along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Fascinated with Daniel Boone and the heroic stories of his life, Bingham’s Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers through the Cumberland Gap painted in 1851-52, is considered one of his most iconic works. Telling the story of the 1777 event, this painting is full of symbolism and classical art historical references. In this program, we will explore the painting compositionally, historically, and delve deeper into the symbolism represented.
Program Format
- Intro video to the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
- Introduce George Caleb Bingham and Daniel Boone
- Explore the painting compositionally using known art elements and design principles
- Discover references to classic Greek and Roman art history
- Discuss the religious symbolism and Daniel Boone as hero
- Discuss the painting as it relates to Manifest Destiny
- Incorporate the writing of an Ekphrastic poem
- Wrap up/question and answers
Objectives
- To introduce students to visual analysis.
- To explore the historical, religious, and classical references represented in Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers through the Cumberland Gap.
- To introduce students to Ekphrastic poetry.
- To provide students with the tools to thoroughly examine works of art and to learn to look deeper.
Program Length 1 hour; this program is available by request ONLY
Date/Time Notes this program is available on Tuesdays; please request at least 2-3 weeks before desired date
If you have questions, or would like to register, contact New Links Program Coordinator Rebecca Morrison.
Voice Your Choice from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Friday, January 20, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Distance Learning, Videoconferencing.Tags: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
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This came from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio:
Last month, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2012 Inductee class (learn more at http://rockhall.com/inductees/). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction process is an exciting, accessible way to use rock and roll in the classroom and to engage students of all ages in learning about rock and roll history, while exercising and developing critical thinking skills.
LIVE STREAM INFORMATION SESSION FOR TEACHERS: SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012 11AM EST: click here
Voice Your Choice is a national project that invites students to create their own Inductee class. Who would they choose to induct into their own Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and why? The goal is to teach students to develop the ability to make aesthetic judgments, to understand the aesthetic standards of others, and to learn to present a persuasive case about their choices. These goals are key to content standards around the country– in the arts and across the curriculum. Voice Your Choice gives both teachers and students the tools to effectively evaluate the definition of “musical excellence” while creating an interactive forum in which they can further explore and explain their own aesthetic value system.
Classrooms can connect with educators from the Rock Hall’s award-winning Education Department through a variety of distance learning options to engage in discussion and to learn more about the Induction process itself. Teachers are encouraged to submit student work online, and select student projects will be showcased on rockhall.com and will be featured at a special Teachers Rock workshop to be held during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Week in Cleveland, Ohio in April 2012.
To learn more about the project and possible strategies and approaches, join us for a special live stream information session for teachers tomorrow. Rock Hall Educators will discuss the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction process and will walk participants through resources available on the Voice Your Choice website (to be launched during the live stream).
To learn more about the project, and to access the live stream go to: www.rockhall.com/voiceyourchoice. Note, if you can’t watch the stream, it will be recorded and available on our website, and all the information we talk about will be up on our Voice Your Choice website.
Questions? Email voiceyourchoice@rockhall.org.
Podcast with METC Featured Speaker Rushton Hurley Thursday, January 19, 2012
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Tech PD, VLC Programs, Conferences, Classroom Technology, Web 2.0, Google, Mobile Learning.Tags: Virtual Learning Center, METC, Rushton Hurley, Next Vista for Learning
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Returning Midwest Education Technology Conference Featured Speaker Rushton Hurley is the Program Director of MERIT (Making Education Relevant and Interactive through Technology) at the Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College. He has worked and studied on three continents as a Japanese language teacher, has been a principal of an online high school, teacher trainer, educational technology researcher, and school reform consultant. He founded and is executive director of the educational nonprofit Next Vista for Learning, which houses a free library of videos by and for teachers and students. In addition, Rushton is a Google Certified Teacher. He recently recorded a podcast with Cooperating School Districts’ Craig George. He talks about many topics, but emphasizes the importance of excellence in education. Click here to hear Rushon and Craig’s conversation.
