Happy Birthday YouTube!

In 2005, three PayPal employees joined together to launch "YouTube." Since then, this website featuring videos about any topic has grown in fame and popularity by allowing people to upload their own videos and 

share information in a new way. It's clear that people can use this site for entertainment, but what about education? YouTube has several uses in classrooms and at home, a key point made by researcher Marc 

Prensky. In his paper "Why YouTube Matters," he makes several important points, including the increased communication possibilities, tutorial videos, as well as deeper information.

If you're interested in Prensky's work,here is a link to the report.

Or, if you would rather see if for yourself, check out Khan Academy, featuring tutorial videos about a variety of topics.

The National Technology Plan, part II

In early December, I wrote about the National Technology Plan, and the 5 major components students will need to succeed in the 21^st century. In case you missed it, you can read it here. Or, if you want to take a look at what the US Department of Education wrote, you can find it here.

Recently, I read a very well done blog post, responding to many of the questions and concepts the National Technology Plan covers. In addition to writing about the ambitious goals of the plan, it also identifies what the world of education must do.You can find the link to the article here.

Is that a math textbook?

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a company that publishes a wide variety of textbooks developed a Algebra 1 "book" to be used on the iPad. This year, Empirical Education is conducting a pilot program involving 100 students to re-imagine what textbooks can be.

Some details of their work are found on the blog, Mindshift. Take a second and check it out here.

While we won't know the final results until the end of the school year, teachers and students are offering positive reviews thus far. It has:

• created more options for teachers.
• been able to better assist students.
• shown an increase in student motivation. 

Perhaps the biggest growth seen in this program is the dramatic increase of "time on task," or how long students are willing to work through difficult math problems. Research indicates that devoting specific time to a task has improved student achievement. If your interested in some research about time on task, you can find it here.

As a side note, it was nice to see so many people here last night for our technology event! In case you missed my presentation, here is a link to my slide show.

Lastly, you can follow me on twitter!

Tonight is Technology Night!

This evening, from 6:30 until 8:30 at Waldon Middle School, the doors will be open for the community to see how technology is being used in pockets of our district. In addition to informal presentations (posted on the blog yesterday), there will also be some optional formal presentations, where some representatives of our district and community will speak for 20 minute sessions on a variety of topics.

Feel free to sit in any of the following sessions:

- Our Director of Instructional Technology, Melissa Middleton, will offer presentations at 6:35 and 7:25 in the Waldon Media Center about Professional Development for Teachers using technology.

- Our Superintendent, Marion Ginopolis, will offer presentations at 7:00 and 7:50 in the Waldon Media Center about educating 21st century learners.

- Your very own blog author, John Bernia, will offer presentations at  6:35 and 7:25 in the Waldon Computers Classroom (room 106) about the impact of technology on society. He'll also "predict the future."

- Some community members will offer presentations at 7:00 and 7:50 in the Waldon Computers Classroom (room 106) about the upcoming bond election, and how it will impact district technology.

We're looking forward to seeing you later today!

Technology Night at Waldon

Tomorrow night (February 8, 2011) from 6:30 until 8:30, the doors of Waldon will be open to showcase how technology is impacting small pockets of our district. Everyone is invited to come at any time to see some of the following displays:

Video Conferencing	Attend an autopsy, see live bats, or talk to Mrs. Claus at the North Pole - all without leaving the classroom.  Video conferencing allows students to take virtual fieldtrips and learn from field experts without the expense and time of a bus trip.
The Interactive Table	The table has come alive and is ready to interactive with students.  Come see and feel how elementary students are exploring the world with this device.
The Interactive Board (Elementary Level)	After years of using chalk and then markers on them, the boards have become interactive and are taking their revenge!  Come watch as students use the interactive boards that are changing the dynamics of how teachers and students approach their lessons.
iPod Touches	With two-year-olds picking up cell phones and "swiping" them, no age is too young to start using technology to engage students in learning.  In this session you will see how kindergarten teachers are using iPod touches to reach their young learners in new ways.
Media Projects	Images, sounds, and movies are becoming a larger part of how our society communicates.  Come and see how students are using netbooks to create Podcats, Documentaries, and Stop Motion Films to enhance their classroom experience.
Immediate Response Systems	Feedback is the only way students know if they are learning something.  It is also the only way teachers know if their students understand or if they need to reteach the material.  But in the age of texting and Twitter, feeback with paper and pencil can sometimes take too long.  See how an Immediate Response System can solve the feedback problem for both teachers and students.
The Always Availible Homework Lesson	Its been a few hours since school.  The student had practice and family dinner.  Maybe they even watch an hour of TV.  Now finally, they are ready to settle down and begin the math assignment.  The book is out.  The pencil is sharpened.  A blank sheet of paper awaits problem number one... ... ...  "But how do I do it again?"  The student is confused.  It all made sense a few hours ago.  If only they could see the teacher's directions one more time.  Come and see how there may finally be a solution to this classic problem.
WebQuests	With billions of websites to visit where does one even start?  How can this place called cyberspace be turned into an educational environment that focuses on a specific topic?  This session will show how teachers and students are using WebQuests to answer this question.
The Interactive Board (Middle Level)	After years of using chalk and then markers on them, the boards have become interactive and are taking their revenge!  Experience the interactive boards that are changing the dynamics of how teachers and students approach their lessons.
There's An IPAD In the Classroom	The hype is real.  Come touch and feel how the hottest technology product on the market can impact the classroom.
The Individual Experience with Technology	With just one click, technology can provide access to an infinite amount of educational resources both print and media.  Stop by to see how this reality allows students to get a truely differentiated and personalized education.
The Hybrid Classroom	This class is always in session.  It's just not always taking place in the classroom.  See how one teacher has harnessed the powers of the internet to provide a unique educational opportunity.
The Interactive Board (High School Level)	After years of using chalk and then markers on them, the boards have become interactive and are taking their revenge!  Come see and touch the interactive boards that are changing the dynamics of how teachers and students approach their lessons.
Claymation videos	Three very different groups  of students (advanced art students, Alternative Education and Special Education Students) from Lake Orion High School worked together to create the clay animation projects.   View the students' work and ask them how they were created.

It is my sincere hope we see you tomorrow night! 

An Invitation

Next Tuesday, February 8, from 6:30 until 8:30 in the evening, the community is invited to Waldon Middle School to see some of the exciting things that are happening with technology in pockets of our district. There will be opportunities to informally see what teachers and students have been working on, as well as to hear some formal presentations about Lake Orion's vision for instructional technology.

If you've been reading and wondering about Interactive White Boards, iPod touches, or how Lake Orion is planning to respond to the needs of the 21st century learners, feel free to come to Waldon on the evening of February 8.

The Notebooks of Tomorrow

The internet offers a wide variety of tools for students and teachers. Among the exciting ideas on the web are sites that allow users to take notes, and save them as a database. These “notebooks of tomorrow” come without the risk of losing paper or poor penmanship, and are impossible to lose! They offer the opportunity to share notes and collaborate with classmates in new ways, from any computer with internet access.

For the very linear, Quicklyst is a site where you can take notes in outline form. The information can be saved, shared, or even transferred to a study guide with a few simple clicks.

“Google Docs” is a free, simple version of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point. Much like Quicklyst, the information can be stored and shared online.

PrimaryPad offers the chance not only to take notes, but to collaborate with others to build a record of knowledge. Offering different colors, as well as access to many users, this site would be an amazing resource for entire classes.

If taking notes on a large sheet of paper where you can write anywhere, then link one idea to another is appealing, Prezi is the note taking site for you. If you’d like to see one in action, here’s an example from a recent presentation I made.

As classrooms become more and more “paperless” these tools will be vital to student success. As an added bonus today, check out an entry from one of my new favorite blogs “TeachPaperless,” about additional resources for students.

Ted, part II

Another snow day today, which gives me the chance to plug "Ted.com" once more. If you did not get a chance yesterday, give it a look today.

One of the more famous "Ted talks" in recent weeks has been Sugata Mitra's work on what technology can do in the slums of India. His philosophy, that education is a "self organizing system" revolves around "Instructional Robotics" where computers facilitate learning for kids using the internet. Mitra's "hole in the wall" experiments began in places where teachers were hesitant to go. They represent true integration of technology into the curriculum and have shown many positive results in places where good teachers are hesitant to go.

As I watched his talk for a second time this morning, I thought, what if kids had this same integration of technology in their classes in a place like Lake Orion, where so many creative minds want to teach?

Something to do on a snow day

If you've already shoveled the drive, or find yourself waiting for the last flake to drop before heading out, you might be looking for something to do. Ted, a website dedicated to short talks about ideas, is some "mind candy" to keep you thinking as you wait for the roads to clear.

Check out Ted!

To get you started, one of my personal favorites, Daniel Pink on what motivates people:

Stay warm today!

What's the internet?

This video, from and episode of the "Today Show" in 1994 is a clear picture of how far technology has come. Take a moment today to consider all the changes we've seen in the 17 year span since this aired. Special thanks to the Oakland Press for featuring this information on their website this afternoon.

The next wave of chalkboards.....

Remember chalkboards? In the 8^th grade, I was the lucky student who got to stay after school to wash them for the teachers. As an added bonus, on Fridays, I’d get to clean the erasers by hitting them against a brick wall behind our school.

When I began teaching in Lake Orion, my classroom had been updated to move from chalkboard to white board. My former students can tell you that I went through my fair share of dry erase markers writing notes, examples, and even drawing some rather mediocre pictures.

The next generation of boards are interactive. They are synced to computers and offer a variety of tools for educators as they teach classes. A recent study by the Marzano Research Lab is a clear indication that interactive white boards generate growth and improve student learning.

A few items to read about interactive white boards:

A 1 page summary of the Marzano Research 

A link to download the full report 

A story from Mississippi 

According to the ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education has recently published their "priority list" for 2011. This group, which represents countries, individuals, and corporations with a mission of "advancing excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology."

This year, their goals include:

1. Dedicated Ed. Tech Funding leads to student success:
While policymakers have set aside funds for school technology, this money has often been diverted for other uses. Ensuring that the technology budget is used for technology is a major initiative this group plans to take on.

2. Technology in education remains the backbone of school improvement:
This group will continue to advocate for education technology as the backbone to state and federal initiatives.

3. Broadband for all is a national priority:
Closing the digital divide by ensuring access to the internet for all students is vital to our national interest.

In addition to writing about their goals for the year, they also state that "education technology is the strongest investment policymakers can make in our classrooms."

Check out their work for yourself at:

The International Society for Technology in Education

ISTE goals for 2011

A website, a news development, and a report

A variety of topics for your reading pleasure today, including:

Scholastic publishes a great website for kids and adults, and gives us an idea of what the textbooks of tomorrow may look like. The link will take you to some science information available to teachers and students.

The "Science Book" of the future 

GM is adding a new, high level position. Today’s Free Press had a story about the new key task at one of the big three, a Technology Chief.

Move quickly, and stay ahead in technology 

The MacArthur Foundation published a report in 2008 detailing the findings of the Digital Youth Project. The link will take you to the executive summary, which contains information about youth media use, as well as the need for schools to integrate technology. 

The Digitial Youth Study, Executive Summary 

What do THEY say?

An interesting piece came my way recently that focused on student responses to the need for technology in classrooms. Their words are powerful and thought provoking.

http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-digital-learner-technology-2008

According to an expert.

Bill Daggett, the CEO of the International Center for Leadership in Education, is a sought after speaker and consultant for K-12 education. His research is focused on building relevant instruction for students, and hinges on the belief that technology must become more prevalent in our schools. He argues a clear case for more instructional technology in a recently published White Paper.

Preparing Students for their Technological Future 

If your interested in learning more about Bill Daggett, here is a link to his biography:

http://www.leadered.com/aboutdaggett.html

Art in a digital world

Perhaps one of the best things about working in a school is the opportunity to see student artwork. With technology, this can be available to everyone. Jessica Kropog, art teacher at Waldon Middle School, has started a page to showcase some of her student's work.

Take a minute to check it out, it's guaranteed to brighten your day.

https://sites.google.com/a/ms-lakeorion.org/waldon-ms-student-art-gallery/

Last Sunday’s Free Press included an article about job growth in Michigan over the next decade. Health Care, Alternative Energy, Film, and Customer Service Representatives are only a few of the sectors where technology is critical and growth is expected. The following chart outlined some of the Bureau of Labor Market and Strategic Initiatives statistics:

   

A link to the article:

http://www.freep.com/article/20110109/BUSINESS06/101090528/1019/business06/Finally-Help-wanted-firms-hiring-in-Mich.

This announcement of expected job growth in Health Care connects well to something from last week’s Oakland Press. A Medical School is on the way to Oakland County.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/01/05/news/local_news/doc4d254003e506f437628762.txt

There is also an example of the automotive expansion in Commerce Township, where wireless charging, the next wave of efficiency in the cell phone market is being developed.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110111/NEWS09/101110316/1322/Oakland-Co.-firm-innovator-in-wireless-charging

These new reports are an indication of the future of our area. Retooling factories to build subcompact cars (See Tuesday’s post) and meeting the demands of job sector growth, will require us to incorporate technology into our classrooms to ensure our graduates are prepared for whatever career path they choose.

Some software students may see in the future

If our upcoming bond election is successful, it will put us in a position to utilize some exciting technology. While bond money can only be used for hardware, today’s post is an example of some software options that are, and could be available to our students.

Ever heard of Wolfram Alpha? It's free, web based, and for iPhone, iTouch, and iPad users, there's an application. Ask it any fact based question, or take a minute and type in a math problem:

http://www.wolframalpha.com/

How about Xpert Space? Take a minute and see the textbooks of the future, with multiple reading level options, as well as further resources for kids who want to learn more. This software (and others like it) can personalize instruction:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/digital_curriculum/expertspace/index.htm

These are two of many options that are on the market today, as these technologies begin to emerge in schools. Imagine the options that are being designed that will debut sometime soon.

New Feature

If you're interested in keeping up with our blog, but a daily visit is not in your schedule, you can sign up to have posts delivered via e-mail each time they are posted. The new feature is located on the right side of our page.

Have a great day!
John

Presenting the Sonic

As the North American International Auto Show kicks off in Detroit, Chevrolet is showcasing the “Sonic,” a new subcompact sedan/hatchback that will begin production at the Orion Plant in August. A recent report in the Free Press indicated that the anticipated number of cars produced (between 60,000 and 70,000) may not be enough to meet consumer demand.

While there has been controversy over some of the details of GM’s plans at the Orion Plant, the fact remains that retooling for a new, energy efficient car of the future has come to Lake Orion. In fact, the Sonic will be the only subcompact car built in the United States in the year 2010.

There are plenty of links today about the Chevrolet Sonic – a sign of private sector technology at the Orion Plant.

The Sonic:

http://www.chevrolet.com/sonic/

Details about possible demand for the Sonic:

http://www.freep.com/article/20110109/BUSINESS0101/101090514/1205/BUSINESS0101/GMs-new-CEO-Akerson-eyes-long-term-prize

The only subcompact built in the United States:

http://www.freep.com/article/20110110/BUSINESS01/301100007/1331/BUSINESS01/Sonic-to-be-only-subcompact-built-in-U.S.

Will you remember?

Growing up, my parents had a large collection of records. I can still remember them playing albums on vinyl as I brought home CDs. At our house, we characterized this as a "generation gap."

Reading this article, which predicts things that will become obsolete in the lifetime of children born in 2011 indicated to me that I've moved to the other side of the "generation gap" my parents and I used to talk about.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111745/things-babies-born-in-2011-will-never-know?mod=family-kids_parents

Trends for 2011

In addition to publishing a weekly newspaper, Education Week operates a website that features a plethora of information about what is going on in education. Their digital education blog (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/) included a recent article on the trends in education technology for the year 2011. They present an overview, along with several deeper resources you can read about. Below, I’ve provided a quick reference guide of the 5 trends identified, as well as the questions most asked about them.

According to Education Week, the “hot trends” we should all be watching and thinking about in Education Technology for the year 2011 include:

-         Blended Learning (when schools offer online content to supplement traditional classrooms, does it have a positive impact on student performance?)

-         Federal Involvement (much has been said by the department of education about broadband access in schools, what will the impact of the new Congress be on this initiative?)

-         Budget Savings (while technology presents a huge upfront cost, does it end up saving money over the long term?)

-         Mobile Learning (will the use of smartphones and handheld devices expand educational opportunities?)

-         Mergers and Acquisitions (big investors in education seem to have found interest in technology, how will this impact classrooms?)

If you’re interested in reading more, here’s a direct link to the blog post:

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2010/12/five_ed-tech_themes_for_2010.html

Bonus iPad coverage

I received an article via e-mail today about a school's implementation of the iPad that I thought would be worth sharing.

http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/the-school-that-gives-every-student-an-ipad-915539

Apple's iPad, the next big thing?

Apple launched the iPad in April of 2010. Immediately, educators began talking about possible uses for this technology to increase student engagement. With a history of programs and tools that have helped education such as iMovie or the iPod touch, the iPad has the potential to be a “game changer” for K-12 education. With the potential to not only read books, but also to download some of the Applications that are specifically designed for education, this technology tool has loads of potential.

e-school news provides a nice overview of the potential uses for the iPad in schools:

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/04/05/ipad-app-store-has-wide-selection-of-education-options/

A recent article from the west coast debates the use of iPads:

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16860666

Yesterday’s New York Times profiled a High School pilot program:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/education/05tablets.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1294229032-+Iqq103UO24O+sIB1SzmDg

CEOs, Politicians, and policymakers take on education

At a summit in early December 2010, leaders from across the political and business spectrum came together to discuss the common theme of technology. Some of the thoughts they expressed:

William Simon, CEO of Wal-Mart (US division):
We can't even imagine what education or technology will be like in 10 years," said Simon. "Students need to be not only trained in that, but they need to be taught how to learn."

Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education:
"Five years from now education is going to look very, very different," Duncan said. "Paper is going to disappear. I think we're on the cusp of that."

Mortimer Zuckerman, chairman of Boston Properties and editor-in-chief of US News and World Reports:
"If we can find a way to get the best teachers and the great teachers using technology to spread their capacity and their talents and their teaching skills to more and more schools I think we have a chance to [make significant improvements],"

There are links in the article about iPad use in MBA programs, Wal-Marts partnership with American Public University, as well as more commentary from Mort Zuckerman.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2010/12/03/executives-policymakers-want-more-technology-in-classrooms.html