Life-Long-Learners

Eight $900.00 educational grants are available to help fund innovative students and teachers in Manitoba’s K-12 schools. The Manitoba Association for Computing Educators (ManACE) has allocated $7200.00 to be awarded to Manitoba K-12 teachers and school-based projects during 2013. However, the March 15, 2013 deadline is fast approaching.

I encourage educators to visit the ManACE web site at www.manace.ca to view the 2013 SEED Grant Brochure and complete the three step application process. So why not give some serious thought on how you and your students can demonstrate the creative use of technology? Perhaps your passionate digital story will be the innovative spark that illustrates how technology can be creatively used in your school. Imagine how your teaching might change if you were awarded one of these $900.00 grants!

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Sisler High School, the Winnipeg School Division, Eyeconic Media and Microsoft Canada will be hosting a five day Professional Development session on cutting edge ICT skills for digital learners during the week of July 9 – 13, 2012. Our goal is to engage and empower educators through hands-on workshops.

Although the cost for each workshop is $50.00, anyone may sign up for individual morning or afternoon workshop sessions which are of interest:

• Workshop 1: The Cloud Classroom – Monday July 9th, 9:00 am -11:45 am
• Workshop 2: Web & Gaming Graphics – Monday, July 9th, 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm
• Workshop 3: Video Conferencing in the Classroom – Tuesday, July 10th, 9:00 am – 11:45 am
• Workshop 4: Video Editing for the Web – Tuesday, July 10th, 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm
• Workshop 5: Photo-imaging for the Web – Wednesday, July 11th, 9:00 am – 11:45 am
• Workshop 6: Introduction to Web Design – Wednesday, July 11th, 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm
• Workshop 7: Web Graphics & Animation – Thursday, July 12th, 9:00 am – 11:45 am
• Workshop 8: Audio Composition – Thursday, July 12th, 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm
• Workshop 9: Game Design for the Web – Friday, July 13th, 9:00 am – 11:45 am
• Workshop 10: Online Teacher Presence – Friday, July 13th, 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm

Additional P.D. details and specific workshop content can be found in the E3 Workshop Booklet which may be downloaded in PDF format.

There are still some workshops seats available, so register as soon as possible at: Eyeconic Media (www.eyeconic.ca)

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The Executive of the Manitoba Association for Computing Educators (ManACE) are to be congratulated. They have arranged for Dean Shareski and Alec Couros to present “Learning in Public” at their AGM. As outstanding educators, this “dynamic duo” from Saskatchewan plan to “look at creating & sharing digital content & online collaboration”.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and connect in Winnipeg with other technology-using educators on May 29th at 7:00 pm at the King’s Head Pub at 120 King Street. Additional information can be found on the ManACE Memos blog.

All our welcome to this free educational experience. All that is requested is that you please REGISTER ONLINE to help the planning committee better organize this event.

Please view and/or print this ManACE AGM Poster and share it with your staff and other educators so that all that may be interested can attend.

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My previous two blog posts alerted teachers to the unique educational opportunity afforded students on Thursday, April 26th. For the past few years, the last Thursday of April has been designated as “Pay It Forward Day”.

Teacher Feature #18 – Charles de Lint – April, 2012

Teachers should investigate the wealth of educational resources that are available on the Pay It Forward Day web site. Furthermore, the inspiring YouTube video entitled “Watch this…. You will definitely share this……mp4 is one that can be used to stimulate classroom discussion about the “pay it forward” process.

When I reflect on my youth as a Wolf Cub and Boy Scout, there are two important phrases that I still remember. They are both simple ideas that, if practiced by many, can have profound impact on both the environment and people in general.

The fist scouting phrase that I do my best to practice is “Always leave your campsite in better condition than you found it.” The second phrase is the final line in the Cub promise and states ” … do a good deed to somebody every day.”

It is this idea of “doing a good deed” or “paying it forward”, without expecting thanks, that has such potential and power. I hope that you as an educator share this important “pay it forward” message with your students and that they take action to become better citizens through doing a good deed.

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Larger Image: Brian Metcalfe’s Teacher Feature “photostream”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/life-long-learners

All educators need to belong to a Personal Learning Network (or PLN). I am so much richer because I am able to connect, either in person or online, with like-minded colleagues who so willingly share and/or provide constructive feedback.

The power of the PLN was reinforced again last week. Although I am retired, I still enjoy attending regular meetings of the Manitoba Association of Educational Technology Leaders (MAETL). I was attending a meeting last Thursday when I took advantage of the collective knowledge of this professional group.

Knowing that I was in the process of writing a blog post about the upcoming “Pay It Forward Day” on April 26th, I needed to find a video that demonstrated the power of the pay it forward process. Six months ago, someone had sent me a link to a YouTube video suggesting that I might enjoy its message. I recall that it started with a young boy who falls off a skateboard onto the sidewalk. A construction worker takes the time to see if the young lad is injured before continuing on his way. The boy appreciates the caring gesture and pays it forward by helping carry groceries across the street for an elderly woman. This woman passes alongside someone who is looking for change to put into a parking meter and she provides the coins, and this “good deed” process continues throughout the video. Each recipient of these small acts of kindness pays it forward in turn. Unfortunately at the time, I did not bookmark the video or save this YouTube URL for later use.

As I started writing the former blog post, I remembered that I had seen a YouTube video that would be a great resource to stimulate class discussion on the pay it forward process. However, no matter what search terms I used to try to retrieve this video, I was unsuccessful.

However, at the end of our formal MAETL meeting, we have a “Short Snappers” agenda item, where anyone can share quick tips or web site resources that might benefit others in the group.

During “Short Snappers”, I used a process call “crowd sourcing” when I described the video that I was hoping to find to members in my professional learning network.

Some of my colleagues had seen the video and thought that it might have been part of a commercial.

However, within three minutes Joan Badger, a Curriculum Coordinator with St. James-Assiniboia School Division, had searched YouTube and had located the following powerful “pay it forward” video. I urge readers to follow this link to see how they might incorporate this powerful YouTube video into their “Pay It Forward” activities:

Watch this….
You will definitely share this……mp4

Take care & keep smiling

Credits: Thanks to Justin Tarte for granting me permission to use the above Professional Learning Network image from his June 27, 2011 blog post entitled “The value of a PLN …“

Over the years, the last Thursday of April has been designated as a special day. This year, Thursday, April 26th is designated as the international “Pay it Forward Day” … an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate their digital citizenship.

As an educator, I enjoyed the inspirational 2000 movie called “Pay It Forward”, staring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment. The story is about a 12 year old student who is challenged by his Social Studies teacher to “Think of an idea for world change, and put it into action.” The youngster devises a process in which he does a good deed to three people in need with the hope that each of them will “pay it forward” to three new people and that this process will continue exponentially.

Pay it Forward Day
Teachers are encouraged to introduce and celebrate the “Pay It Forward Day” with their students. Educators are encouraged to investigate the wealth of educational resources that are available on the Pay It Forward Day web site including:

• Pay It Forward Day Trailer
• Pay It Forward Day Kit
• Pay It Forward Day Cards – Primary School
• Pay It Forward Day Cards – High School

Teachers in Manitoba are implementing the nine “big ideas” that form the framework of the Literacy with Information and Communication Technology (LwICT) continuum.

True, teaching citizenship can be a challenge but the opportunity and the resources provided through the “Pay It Forward Day” make it much easier and meaningful. In closing, I have to ask you … how many acts of kindness will students in your classes initiate on the way to this year’s target goal of 3 million?

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In today’s economy people are always looking to invest wisely. This same strategy applies equally to K-12 teachers who must get the best possible return on their educational investments. In other words, if you invest some of your time, talent, or treasure, do you substantially gain in your educational pay-out.

As a K-12 teacher, would you be willing to invest $5.00, together with two hours of your time, to gain the following:

• Opportunity to hear three, 20-30 minute, presentations from educators who share innovative ideas and strategies for engaging students
• Chance to meet and learn from like-minded K-12 educators who utilize technology to enhance their teaching
• Classroom-based activities that you or a colleague might be able to adapt for your own students
• Supper of pizza, salad, and refreshments

If you feel that the $5.00 investment, together with two hours of your time, is a fair trade, then I recommend that you attend the Manitoba Association for Computing Educators (ManACE) Technology Information Night (TIN) on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. This event will be held at Sargent Park School at 1070 Dominion Street from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. If you are unable to attend, please pass this information along to other educators who may be interested. Better yet, print this full-size poster from the link at the end, and place it in your staff room to share this amazing learning opportunity with others.

This PD opportunity is open to all as there is no need to be a ManACE member. All that is required is that one register on-line to help organizers plan appropriately. Show up at the doors with your $5.00 and be prepared to be provided with both educational possibilities and pizza.

The following three interesting presentations will be shared:

Building Broader Minds with ‘Bee-Bots’
Presented by: Kathy Routhier, Winnipeg School Division
Many educators have begun to explore the use of robotics with students of all ages. Some robot hardware & software packages can be expensive to implement in classrooms. Others can come with too steep of a learning curve to appeal to younger students. But not Bee-Bots! Find out how Bee-Bots can challenge your student’s problem-solving and inquiry skills.

Teaching in a BYOD Environment
Presented by: Roy Norris, Louis Riel School Division
How would classroom teaching and learning change if your students were told they could “Bring Your Own Device”? What if this wasn’t just an opportunity – it was an expectation? What would you do differently as a teacher to provide meaningful opportunities for your students to leverage the power of the devices they bring to school with them? This presentation, by a Grade 9 teacher involved with Dakota Collegiate’s BYOD program, will address some of the opportunities & challenges encountered as Dakota Collegiate has broken new ground with their BYOD initiative this year.

“DS106″ – The ABC’s of Digital Storytelling
Presented by: Brian Metcalfe, Life-Long-Learner
Are you interested in powerful, creative ideas and activities to enhance your day-to-day teaching? If so, you need to learn more about a free, 15 week digital storytelling MOOC (massive, open online course) known as DS106. Participants, who enroll in this first year university course, are expected to engage in the learning process through creating, commenting and reflecting within their own blog. However, through sharing first-hand experiences and providing highlights of daily creative challenges and assignments in photography, audio and video formats, it is hoped that the audience will see the potential for adapting many of these creative projects to engage their own K-12 students.

Remember to register and attend. I’m sure that after participating in this Technology Information Night, you will leave knowing that your small investment has yielded a practical, and powerful pay-out.

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Resources:

ManACE Memos – “Another ManACE TIN – April 18th in Winnipeg”
http://manacememos.blogspot.ca/2012/03/another-manace-tin-april-18th-in.htm

ManACE TIN Posters (in PDF format):
- Large Colour Poster (11″ x 17″) & Small Colour Poster (8.5″ x 11″)

Teachers are always looking for resources that can aid them in the teaching process or engage students in their own leaning. Some may be familiar with a free web-based tool called Wordle which can be used to create generate “word cloud” images from text that the user supplies. Although many educators and students have embraced the use of Wordle, one of its big limitations was that users coluld not easily print their word cloud creations. In early January, I created a “DS106 word cloud“, and like many of my colleagues, I had to use a screen capture process to save my Wordle creation as an image or to print out the design.

However, today I wish to share with readers a new word cloud tool, called Tagxedo, which has a built-in print feature as well as other options that will excite educators. This free web application is unique because it can create complex portraits like the one of Steve Jobs. I encourage readers to click on the thumbnail at right to see the detail and words used to describe this industry game-changer. However, rather than focus on the advanced portrait feature, I will share ways this product might be used, with a minimum of time and effort, by students or teachers.  The Tagxedo web site describes this application as follows:

Tagxedo turns words — famous speeches, news articles, slogans and themes, even your love letters — into a visually stunning word cloud, words individually sized appropriately to highlight the frequencies of occurrence within the body of text.

Tagxedo which is pronounced as [tag-SEE-doh] can, like Wordle, create simple displays in which word sizes are based on the frequency of the words provided in a list or web site address. However, teachers and students will appreciate the added features of this educational tool in that users can display Tagxedo word clouds in different shapes, colors, themes and may save and/or print the result in different sizes.

As a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, I chose to have Tagxedo display words in the shape of a four-leaf clover or shamrock. Rather than enter a list of words, I selected Manitoba Education’s “Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum” web site and entered this URL, “http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/tech/lict/show_me/continuum.html” (without quotes), as input.

Imagine the impact that teachers and students might have using shapes such as following:

• Treble Clef: outline formed by a variety of different musical terms;
• Shark: outline shaped by the different predator types;
• Check Mark: outline formed by all students that have completed  a certain activity or project;
• Bus:  boundary delimited by the names of all the students in one’s class who travel by bus to school;
• Bird: display of migratory or endangered birds help  shape this image; and
• Tree: outline defined by coniferous tree names.

In order for teachers to fully utilize Tagxedo, I recommend that they investigate these web sites:

• What is the difference between Tagxedo & Wordle?
• 52 Interesting Ways to use Wordle in the Classroom
• 101 ways to use Tagxedo
• Tagxedo Gallery
• Tagxedo “Deja Vu” Text Comparison
• Tagxedo Tutorial (YouTube video)
• Using Technology in the Classroom: Tagxedo vs Wordle (YouTube video)

So what are you waiting for? Go play with Tagxedo and see how it might be used in your classroom.

Take care & keep smiling

Want to see your students engaged in a creative activity? Want them thinking about the important parts of a story, movie, instructional video, or historical event? Do you want your students engaged using higher order synthesizing techniques rather than regurgitating low level facts? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then I have a very creative activity for you and, more importantly, your students.

In my first year Digital Storytelling course (DS106), Tim Owens challenged participants with a unique Visual Assignment called “The Four Icon Challenge” which he describes as follows:

Reduce a movie, story, or event into its basic elements, then take those visuals and reduce them further to simple icons.

Recently I saw a movie that I have reduced to four icons. In fact I have two slightly different versions (V1) and (V2) that are displayed below. I ask you, the reader, to comment on which version you feel is better and why.

Version (V1)

Version (V2)

I personally think that Version (V1) tells the story best without giving away too much. However, I trust that those who comment will share their reasons for selecting which version of my “Four Icons” best tells the story.

For those who are struggling to figure out the movie, I offer two strategies that I trust you will only use as a last resort:

1. The more technically minded individuals will often click on the picture or attempt to save the image from their browser. These actions will display the name of the image which may provide the name of the story or movie. However, as a teaser, I chose to scramble the movie title in my file name choice.
2. Visit the movie trailer, which not only identifies the movie but also gives the reader a brief overview of the story. Such insight helps, particularly those who have not seen the movie, determine if the four icons chosen are the best representation of the story behind the movie.

Steps in the Storytelling Process
The process that I used began with choosing a movie and then identifying the main elements of the story. Next, I searched for icons or images that I felt might best represented these four elements and saved them to my “Four Icon” folder. In some cases, I had to “tweak” an original graphic to add additional authenticity. For example, the original horse that I selected needed to be “adjusted” to have four white stockings and a white diamond shape on its forehead. As each icon was downloaded, I kept an additional document which identified the graphic and it’s URL address. This way, if I choose to use the icon, I can always give appropriate credit to it’s source address without having to waste time searching again for this important component.

I chose to arrange the four icons in a horizontal strip. To do so, I constructed a table in Microsoft Word consisting of four evenly-spaced cells. I then inserted the four images into each appropriate cell. The last step involved taking a screen-shot of the table, cropping it appropriately and saving it in a  graphic format for sharing.

To many participants in the DS106 course, this assignment would end here. However, for educators reading this post, I am delighted to inform you that this is really the beginning …

Teachable Moment

Tyler Hart, who is also enrolled in DS106, is also a creative Grade 3 teacher at Springfield Park Elementary School in Richmond, Virginia. I was delighted to observe that Tyler tried this Four Icon Challenge with his class as they captured the ideas in the book “The Polar Express”. I encourage my educational readers to visit Mr. Hart’s Class Blogand learn how he engages his students. In particular, one should, investigate the following links: 4 Icon Challenge 4 Icon Challenge – Day 2 “The Polar Express” – 4 Icon Challenge video Educators will immediately recognize Tyler’s passion for teaching. Furthermore, I recommend that readers investigate other creative ways that Tyler’s Grade 3 students are learning by examining other blog posts listed under the various “Category” entries down the right hand edge of Tyler’s blog. If you are not teaching Early Years students, please pass this remarkable resource on to other teachers so both they, and more importantly, their students can benefit.

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Fair Use Educational Image Credits (in order):

• Horse (modified white stockings & blaze on forehead) -
  http://findicons.com/icon/136201/horse_mustang?id=136213#
• Heart - http://www.clker.com/clipart-2585.html
• Plough – http://ztreasureisle.wikia.com/wiki/File:Plough-icon.png
• Barbed Wire (with blood) – http://dragonartz.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/bloody-barbed-wire-vector/
• WW 1 German Tank - http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-3ds-ww1-german-tank/489863

Do you know why tomorrow, Tuesday, February 7, 2012 is special? True, it has been designated as “Safer Internet Day” but this particular day can easily be remembered because each year it will always fall on the second day (Tuesday), in the second week, of the second month (February).

Although the Safer Internet Day (SID) initiative first began in Europe in 2004, it has quickly spread, in eight years, to 74 countries world-wide. This year’s theme is “Connecting generations and educating each other”, where we encourage users young and old to “discover the digital world together … safely”! Expressed another way one might suggest that:

Tech savvy youngsters can teach their elders how to use new technologies, while grandparents can draw on their life experiences to advise younger generations on how to stay safe online, as they discover the digital world together.

The following links may be of assistance:

• Safer Internet Day (YouTube video)
• SID Kits for Schools (including resources & lesson plans)
• SID & Safety Education from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection
• “The Door that’s Not Locked” – Safety and the Internet
  (A Parent’s Guide for Children: Ages 8-9, 10-12 or 13-15)

I apologize that I was unable to provide readers with more of an advanced warning. In fact, I only learned of this special teaching opportunity today, through a colleague’s “timely tweet”. Although this year’s timing is less than ideal, teachers may want to investigate the above SID resources and share this important information with their students. However, to improve on my timing for next year, I am advising you now that the second day, of the second week, of the second month will be Tuesday, February 5, 2013.

Take care & keep smiling