Playing School or Preparing for Life?

Are we preparing students to be successful in school or successful in life? If life long learning is the goal, the methods, tools and strategies must change from “text based” instruction to interactive learning. Instead of instructors who talk faster as the high stakes tests get closer, we need to stop talking and help students make sense of the content using new strategies that engage these students. Stream video into the classroom, collaborate with others across the globe, reshape curriculum with the goal of increased student achievement. Need a jumpstart to getting started in your classroom attend this eye opening session.

Are You In-World?

Exploring the Secret World of Social Networks

My Space, Club Penguin, Facebook and Second Life are real social networks. Millions are people are chatting away, showcasing pictures of all varieties and sharing very personal information. Maybe it is a friend or a neighbor, but often you may be chatting with a screen name that belongs to someone other than they appear to be. Does it really matter what anyone says and does online, who really cares? Someday it may be your potential employer or future in-law. This is an eye opening session, a must for everyone in education.

Overhead Overkill!

Wheel the overhead right out of the room and get ready to engage your students in amazing new ways. Bring your content to life by streaming videos, front loading vocabulary, rotating a 3-d model, or taking a virtual field trip inside an erupting volcano. Next, we will step into the world of Second Life and experience the future of teaching and learning. Hold on as I teleport you to various islands, to meet and greet those of you all ready in-world. This is not science fiction, this is not your messy writing on the overhead, this is the future of teaching and learning, and you need to know about it today!

The Reality of Second Life

Don’t just dream of the future; come on a walking tour about the future of teaching and learning. If you stumble into walls I will teleport you to various landmarks, and let you explore the island. We can sit down for a chat with Einstein, a famous historical figure, or the teacher next door.  As your virtual tour guide I will help you experience the power of Second Life and the great potential for transforming teaching and learning. This is not science fiction, my space or facebook, instead this is a world YOU need to be in! If you are all ready in-world, drop in on the session in real time and share your stories, no idea about what this session is about, this is a must attend!

Second Life will Change Education! Are You In-World?

The first trip into second life was almost my last, it felt like Match.com when you are not interested in dating. Falling down stairs, walking into walls, and changing my hairstyle twenty times, didn’t leave me bruised, but confirmed I am an old lady living in a video game world. A few weeks later, dear Kathy Schrock extended her virtual hand through her site of the week. I logged back on and Kathy (Drybourgh her name in-world) teleported me to Eduisland II. Still walking into walls I sat down with Kathy and our aviators had a nice little chat, in world my name is Meg Writer.  Sounds scary? This is just the beginning  of my journey of transformational thinking about the future of teaching and learning. Scared? You bet! Come in explore the possibilities, ready or not they are here!

Network Literacy

In 2007, it's no longer important to be just information literate-it's about being network literate.  Today, networks have the capability to connect people, resources and ideas together in an ever-expanding global conversation on just about every topic-including education.  By joining this conversation you can contribute, create content, and have your ideas amplified by contributors world-wide.  Join me as we explore the critical attributes of what it means to be network literate, how network literacy empowers 21st Century teaching and learning, and why we need to get started right now! 

The Browser is the New Software...

The next big thing is the power and potential of sharing methodologies for collaboration and learning in an online environment, unique as every visitor. These powerful tools enable everyone to tell their story, edit movies, polish presentations, showcase work and create an environment for collaboration. This custom learning environment may soon reach the masses through a yet defined ubiquitous computing solution in the hands of all. Come explore the power of collaboration in rich learning environments, things you can use today, and others you need on your radar screen.

Teaching in the Digital Age

What does the role of the teacher look like in a technology-rich classroom? As a facilitator and a guide, teaching and learning can be more exciting than ever. Explore ways teachers can transform lessons and deliver curriculum in new and exciting ways. Join us for a virtual field trip to various collaborative projects and exciting online examples. Take a look at how technology can help improve student achievement and help align curriculum to state and local standards.

One size Does NOT Fit All; Custom Learning in the Classroom

At home the players in the video games are customized to match the characteristics of friends. Watching television is now on-demand using TIVO™, and only the music we like is shuffled through the headphones. At home kids pick and choose what they would like to know more about, and in what way the information will be filtered to them, info snacking here and there.What does this mean for schools? One size does not fit all. Instruction can be differentiated to help meet the needs of the learner, and technology can help deliver instruction in powerful new ways. Check out the way podcasts can be used to reach your English Language Learners. Support your struggling readers as they construct meaning by creating a video, or activate prior knowledge for all students by streaming video before your lesson. All of this is possible today; bring custom learning to your classroom!

Paper-Trained Teachers in a Video-Game World

Students today ARE different in many ways. It takes about 20 seconds of trying to compete at Playstation with my son to realize we process information in completely different ways. He zooms up a ramp, does a trick and I am still trying to figure out the controls. I am clueless (direct quote from son) and I give up. My brain can’t seem to keep up with action on the screen while somehow commanding the players to do something with the buttons on the controller. Luckily science supports my unscientific discovery that the brain has actually changed over the years because of exposure to so many visual images. In the classroom I am a “paper-trained teacher” trying to help these visual learners learn the way I do. Luckily there are some strategies you can start using immediately after this session!

Step Away From the Chalkboard!

Enough with the chalk dust everywhere instead engage students in lessons using powerful digital tools. Before the lesson quickly collect data to assess prior knowledge. No need to grade the pre test; collect the data using the individual interactive personal response system. Immediately use the data to customize the lessons to the needs of the students, focusing on a deeper understanding of the lesson. Engage the students using multimedia tools and interactive whiteboard operated from the wireless tablet across the room. This is not science fiction this is the 21^st Century Classroom designed to reach learners of all abilities, come explore the possibilities.

How are you on the Television if you are Sitting on the Couch?

No longer bystanders in the game the kids in the family room have put themselves into the football game giving each the variables that mirror their strengths in “real life”. Then on the screen the custom team competes against the pros with commentary by John Madden. Winning, they race out to practice the new plays they just learned. These kids are learning by doing, not by reading about the game of football.

These same kids stumble into your class each day expecting the same thing, to be part of the learning, not a bystander. What can we do to pull these wired brains into classroom? Explore new ideas to engage learners like never before.

Culture Clash! Wired Kids in Text Driven Classrooms

If you are not retiring in the next five minutes it is time for an immediate change in planning and instruction to reach the students of today. These kids are different and very few of them are “text based learners”. Multimedia messages bombarded all of us shaping brains into multitaskers, capable of mastering highly complex tasks, and we hand out yet another worksheet. We are losing the kids that have yet to master “playing school” no engagement with the curriculum means little comprehension of the topic.

Digital Storytelling the Key to Reaching Learners of all Abilities

Instead of huddling around the campfire experience the power of digital storytelling with surround sound. Grab the students with powerful images and storylines that reach their emotions and engage them in the curriculum. Understand the process through careful study of various examples created by teachers, professionals and students. Create an action plan to bring powerful digital storytelling to your classroom.

If a Picture Says a Thousand Words STOP TALKING!

Let the power of multimedia images increase comprehension. Infuse your classroom with still images, moving pictures, music and primary source documents. Vary your lesson planning to include these elements that reach the 21^st Century brains. Experience powerful examples of ways you can engage the minds and increase comprehension. This session will help you put your hands on multimedia examples for your classroom.

You May not Be a Blogger or a Podcaster, but Your Students Are

What? Many educators don’t know if these words are nouns or verbs, yet our students are spending countless hours doing both. We can block and filter all school day, but as educators we need to know what is going on and help students understand the long term effects of what students are doing online today. All blogs or podcasts are not bad, but students need our guidance to help make good choices as they craft their messages online. If you also are a parent this is a must attend session!