Crothers,+Patrick

Patrick Crothers

__**MONDAY**__

//Mary Ann Wolf, State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)// http://www.setda.org  Presentation will be emailed
 * Building Successful 21st Century Learning Environments**

Models of Different State-Level Programs
 * North Carolina: IMPACT (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/impact/TOC.htm)
 * Texas: TIP (http://www.txtip.info)
 * Missouri: eMINTS (http://www.emints.org)

SETDA suggests that it would cost $11,000/classroom to upgrade to be a 21st century learning environment
 * No discussion of how much it would cost to maintain.

Professional Development
 * District's must set up online opportunities
 * Studies show that hybrid course with some online work and some face-to-face have best results
 * ARTICLE: [|U.S. Department of Education Study Finds that Good Teaching can be Enhanced with New Technology]

Up-To-Date Data for Teachers
 * How do we get accurate, up-to-date data in the hands of teachers?
 * How do we train teachers to use the data?

//Nancy Knowlton, SMART CEO & Co-Founder SMART Technologies//
 * SMART Global Education Vision**

Presentation will be emailed

Roger's Adoption Curve shows that while 2.5% will be innovators, 16% are laggards. In an implementation, why not approach this on a smaller scale rather than as a whole? If you have all the laggards in the same cycle, the entire 16% can become a very negative, vocal group.

Factors for a Successful Implementation
 * Attention to learning environment
 * Emphasis on teacher competence
 * Vision

Andrew Exner, Education Solutions Product Manager
 * SMART Education Solutions and SMART’s Product Roadmap**

Presentation will be emailed

SMART's prediction: any surface in the classroom can become an interactive instructional space. SMART Tables are the next step in this process.

Multi-touch module allows the user to have a pen out of the pen tray, but still move objects with a finger. It also recognizes larger touches so, for instance, a fist could be used to erase.
 * Windows 7 (to begin shipping October 22) has built-in multi-touch capabilities

Look for an iPhone/iPod Touch app in the future so they can be used with SMART Response

Working on making the SMART Table for older students (two-more models) and so that it can be used to interact with a SMART Board in the room (eg. special needs student in a classroom who can't use a regular board).

Asset management software being developed by SMART.

//NEW// - Dual-touch SMART Board
 * To begin shipping in August 2009.
 * $150 more than current price for 680 front-projection board.
 * Can be used in singe or dual mode by using a button in the toolbar similar to the dual-page display button.
 * When activated, the board is divided into two individual, interactive surfaces on which people can be working at the same time.
 * [|Click here] for more info...

//NEW// - SMART Notebook Express
 * [|PRESS RELEASE]
 * Free, web-based "light" version of the Notebook software.
 * Available starting September 1, 2009.
 * Can be used by anyone on any interactive whiteboard product.

//NEW// - SMART Exchange
 * [|PRESS RELEASE]
 * "SMART Exchange will add an intuitive search function that delivers targeted results, which teachers can quickly assess based on their needs. They can then download resources to SMART Notebook software or view them with SMART Notebook Express."
 * Available starting September 1, 2009.
 * [|Click here] for more info...

//NEW// - SMART Notebook Math beta
 * "SMART Notebook Math extends the capabilities of SMART Notebook software with a dynamic set of math-specific tools and features, so when you create and explore lessons on your SMART Board interactive whiteboard, you only need one application. Designed specifically for middle and high school math classrooms, SMART Notebook Math has built-in features such as an equation editor and custom graph builder. You can manipulate shapes, use interactive measurement tools and even launch your Texas Instruments brand emulator from right within the software. SMART Notebook Math is also the first interactive whiteboard application to have handwriting recognition for mathematical symbols."
 * Beta to end on October 1, 2009 and full version will be available in the fall of 2009.
 * Cost will be $149/license.
 * TI-SmartView must be purchased separetely, but is fully integrated into this new application when installed.
 * [|Click here] for more info...

//NEW// - SMART Response LE
 * Simplified for early childhood and special education
 * Five buttons that are color-coded and have shapes
 * Can be used to ask multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false, and yes/no questions.
 * At this time you cannot use them with a regular set of SMART Response remotes (ex. a mainstreamed special education student could not use an LE model while the rest of the class uses a standard SMART Response remote).
 * [|Click here] for more info...

Ian Jukes and Lee Crockett http://ianjukes.com
 * Understanding Digital Kids I**

Suggested Reading
 * __[|Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School]__ by John Medina (on [|Amazon])
 * [|iBrain: Surviving and Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind] by Gary Small (on [|Amazon])
 * [|The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science] by Norman Doidge (on [|Amazon])
 * [|Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World] by Don Tapscott (on [|Amazon])

Important for educators to recognize the brain research that proves children's brains are adapting to accommodate digital bombardment.

Research also shows that memory capacity does change throughout life. It was previously believed that "you were born with this."
 * Type of experiences and intensity of experiences affect how and how rapidly this occurs.
 * Change occurs when something happens for several hours a day, several days a week.
 * Digital bombardment is definitely happening several hours a day, several days a week.
 * [|Study through the University of Rochester] shows that after only 10 hours of playing a video game, the brain begins to change.

Research shows that we only remember 10% of oral information. If images are added to this process, retention increases to 60%.

Subscribe to their blog, The Committed Sardine, at http://www.committedsardine.com/blog.cfm.

__**TUESDAY**__

//Anthony Mullen, National Teacher of the Year and// //Nancy Knowlton, SMART CEO & Co-Founder SMART Technologies//
 * Enhancing Teaching and Learning with Technology**

Anthony Mullen shared his insights on technology-enabled classrooms based on his experience teaching special education at the ARCH School, an alternative education branch of Greenwich High School. Nancy Knowlton discussedhow technology is transforming education around the world and how SMART education solutions enhance teaching and learning.

Anthony Mullen's presentation
 * Current National Teacher of the Year
 * Special education teacher from Connecticut
 * Was New York City cop for 21 years
 * Quote he uses with students: "Sum of all the yesterdays does not predict tomorrow."
 * Teachers must remember it is not **what** we teach, but rather **whom** we teach.
 * Kids today will be first generation to compete strictly in a global economy. Will compete with students from all over the world.
 * We describe many students today as being "at-risk". Must realize that we are the one's at risk if they do not succeed. Our future depends on their successes.

Nancy Knowlton's presentation
 * In the past year SMART continues to make gains in the interactive white board market (over 60% now) while Promethean slightly dropped off by about 2%.
 * As of April of 2009, 24% of US classrooms have IWB's. This will increase to 50% within two years.
 * UK is currently at 75% and Canada is slightly behind the US.
 * Reasons the US is not implementing at a more rapid pace are FUNDING and teacher readiness.
 * KEY QUESTION: Are the administrators in your district tech leaders or simple cheerleaders?
 * KEY QUESTION: How can administrators make decisions and properly advise their staff if they don't have background experience with technology and know what is available?

On the SMART website there is detailed information regarding utilizing funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). [|Click here...]

//Dr. Jennifer Brown King, Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Instructional Technology, Florida Southern College//
 * The SMART Integration Project**

The SMART Integration Project is a unique, five-day coaching and collaboration model. It involves pre-service teachers collaborating with K–12 in-service teachers who were recent recipients of a SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard in their classrooms. In turn, the K–12 in-service teachers collaborate with teams on an interactive mini-lesson that is presented to students on the final day of the coaching program. This session addressed the empirical results of the project and described how it is implemented as a partnership between a teacher preparation program and a school district.


 * The SMART Integration Project is based on Microsoft's [|Peer Coaching Model].
 * Has created a Teacher SMART Inventory they complete for each teacher after meeting and talking with them.
 * Created a Tech Buddy program that connects pre-service teachers with teachers.
 * "SMART-ology" - the science of preparing pre-service teachers to utilize SMART technology.
 * She is working with SMART to make her materials and resources available.
 * ARTICLE: [|A closer look at FSC's SMART Integration Project]

//Isa Kaftal Zimmerman, Ed. D, Principal, IKZ Advisors//
 * Learning STEM Matters: The Role of STEM in ARRA**

The new government administration in the United States understands the importance and urgency of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects. Isa Kaftal Zimmerman directed the P-16 STEM Initiative in the office of President, University of Massachusetts. She is now the principal of IKZ Advisors, focusing on STEM preparation for preschool and K–3 students. In this session, she discussed how the stimulus bill and presidential policies support advancing STEM education and development.


 * Discussion is brewing regarding national standards to help with gaps when students move from state-to-state.
 * Culture change must occur to promote STEM careers for women.
 * Calculates that there is about $2.3B in STEM funds through all of The ARRA.
 * States should have a STEM leader in the office of the Governor.
 * ARTICLE: [|Is Google Making Us Stupid?]
 * ARTICLE: [|Has Twitter Made Us Lazy?]
 * WEBSITE: [|Education Department: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]
 * WEBSITE: [|ASCD: Education Stimulus Resources]
 * WEBSITE: [|EdMarket Lookout: Doing Business & Procurement in the 50 States - Important URLs]
 * Contact Isa Kaftal Zimmerman at IKZ1@verizon.net

//Gail Lovely (TX)// Presentation wiki: http://glovely09.wetpaint.com Personal website: http://www.gaillovely.com
 * Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools for K3 Learning**

Learned about 10 excellent Web 2.0 tools and resources for learning in the early years. Explored the tools and saw the applications and implications.

"Easy tool for recording sound and embedding into websites." "Bookmarking tool which creates an easy pictoral representation of websites which can be navigated by non-readers and easily accessed by teachers and students." "Interactive creative tool. Create "movies", scenes, and more." "Voice-driven communication device - can be private or public - on a website for all." "Interactive 'posters' in a private or public world... GREAT way to share information, ideas, and thoughts." "The ease of use and the focus on the images and the order of images rather than on editing and STILL interesting and wondrous product!" "Communication and connection with the REAL world." "Meaningful discussion of images and concepts - through voice or through writing. Use of images to provoke thought or discussion.
 * 10. [|Vocaroo]**
 * 9. [|SimplyBox]**
 * 8. [|Kerpoof]**
 * 7. [|YackPack!]**
 * 6. [|Glogster] **(use Education version)
 * 5. [|Animoto]** (use Education version)
 * 4. [|Skype!]**
 * 3. [|VoiceThread!] ** (use Education version)
 * 2. Blogs**
 * 1. Wikis**

//Ian Jukes and Lee Crockett// http://ianjukes.com [|Handout]
 * Literacy Isn't Enough: 21st-Century Fluency for the Digital Age**

This presentation examined InfoWhelm and why it's critical that all students develop the essential 21st-century fluency skills needed to survive in the new digital landscape.

__**WEDNESDAY**__

//Scott Kinney, Discovery Education (PA)// http://www.discoveryedspeakersbureau.com/node/126
 * Moving Beyond the Information Age**

Explored how consumers worldwide and students in the classroom interact with content differently than ever before.

//Alan November, November Learning (MA)// http://novemberlearning.com
 * The Student as Contributor: The Digital Learning Farm**

The Industrial Revolution brought about the erosion of meaningful work by children. Today, we can re-focus and restore the dignity of real work in school.


 * Every teacher should have a screencast in their repertoire (jing)
 * Concept of homework has to change.
 * How long does it take for students to learn that they got an answer wrong? This reinforces wrong answers and errors.
 * Homework should be done at school and school work should be done at home.
 * Kids should be creating the tutorials in digital contact.
 * Don't underestimate the children... even little ones.
 * Google Custom Search under Even More that all elementary schools should create together.
 * Teachers don't empower students to find answers. You could have a class job where one student is responsible for finding all the answers for that day.
 * Should promote collaborative note taking.
 * Kiva - www.kiva.org - loans that change lives - teaches social responsibility.
 * Google "kiva education and look for kivapedia (kivapedia.org) Kids should find work other kids created. They will learn from it and expand on it. They will say we can do this. We can better than this.
 * Students should be curriculum researchers.
 * All of this requires a shift in control and this scares educators

//Hall Davidson, Discovery Education (CA)// http://discoveryedspeakersbureau.com/node/115
 * From Banned to Planned: Cell Phones in Schools**

Cell phones--like calculators--needn't be banned from the classroom. Learn about technology use plans, model applications, best practices, amenable vendors, training, and bold thinking.


 * How long before teachers are saying, "Please make sure your phones are out and on,"?
 * K12cellphoneprojects - http://k12cellphoneprojects.wikispaces.com
 * BOOK: [|Toy to Tool] by Liz Kolb and published byISTE (on [|Amazon])
 * Challenge based learning
 * Qik (http://qik.com) broadcast live from your celllphone
 * QR Code Generator - need a free reader app (i-nigma)
 * The cool cat teacher blog - http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com
 * Survey parents to see what their plan allows and get approval - communicate with parents if you are going to try this.