Maine Learning Technology Initiative » Making Meaning

February 9 Webinar – The Art of The Digital Graph

Ruben Puentedura — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:40:33 +0000

Any place or time that there is data to be understood, a graph is its natural complement. Bar charts, pie charts, scatterplots – these all have familiar features and uses on the printed page – but how are they transformed in the digital domain? In this webinar we will see how dynamic features like brushing, layers, and animation can all contribute to greater understanding, and how interactive controls allow for student exploration of both data and mathematical concepts. And while digital graphs can be richly informative, they can also be poorly constructed, and act to obscure meaning: we will see how to avoid this, and examine the key features of good data representations. Finally, we will discuss how to incorporate graphs into broader digital storytelling narratives.

The creation and use of graphs is a crucial component of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, as well as of the recently completed Framework for K-12 Science Education. While work on the Social Sciences Framework is still in progress, it is expected that graphs will also play a key role in these standards. Teachers in all of these areas will find this seminar useful in designing and implementing their curriculum.

I hope you can join us on Thursday, February 9 at 3:15pm or 7:15pm. Please click on the Webcasts tab to register. We have upgraded to a new registration system, allowing you to register directly in Adobe Connect, making the whole webinar process smoother and easier! If you have any questions, please contact Juanita Dickson. Click on the time you wish to participate in and you will be directed to an online registration form. Please type your email address carefully as all information will be sent to that address. After registering you will receive a confirmation email with a log in link – please use that link to log into the webinar prior to the start time.

Jan 12 Webinar – Science Session One – Elements of Key Practices in Science Education

Phil Brookhouse — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:36:33 +0000

The process of inquiry-based learning is predicated on good research and has shown that students can achieve deeper understanding of science through engaging and meaningful questions. This session will introduce some of the web-based materials from “Concept to Classroom” (part of Thirteen EdOnline,) and other sites that discuss inquiry-based learning. Participants will also be able to download Ready, Set, Science! and Inquiry and the National Science Standards from the National Academies Press. Then they will reflect on their own practice with a couple of activities based on key elements from those books.

Participants will:

Begin to identify where on the spectra (from Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards) of teacher directed/student directed learning activities a lesson might fall.
Use the “Four Strands of Science” descriptors (from Ready, Set, Science!) to examine one’s teaching of science.
Examine how inquiry-based learning is based in constructvism, the learning cycle and the 5 E’s of science instruction.
Be introduced to a couple of examples of how technology can support a student-centered inquiry based classroom.
Examine web-based resources related to inquiry and classroom practice.

Please join us on Thursday, January 12th at 3:15 pm. or 7:15 pm. You should register for the one you want to attend by clicking on the webcasts tab above. Scroll down to the webcast schedule and click on the time you want to attend. You will then be able to register and receive a confirmation. Be attentive to your typing – a confirmation email will be sent to the address you type.

Oct 27 Webinar: Building Ladders – SAMR and TPCK Part II

Phil Brookhouse — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:37:48 +0000

Deconstructed TPCK Diagram

Now that folks have been introduced to SAMR and TPACK, its time to talk about how practitioners can apply what we know. The question might be, “How can I look at my curriculum and put SAMR and TPCK into practice in my classroom?” And, of course, we will ponder how technology can aid in the improvement of teaching and learning by giving a closer look at the tools that MLTI and the web have to offer. Finally, we will check out one more example of “building a ladder” of classroom practice and discuss how it might be applied to revamping lessons or units you already use.

This webinar will be offered twice, once at 3:15pm, and once at 7:15pm. You may find it useful to read some additional information about participating in our webinars; you can click here right before the start of the webinar for quick access.

October 20 Webinar – SAMR and TPCK: The Basics

Ruben Puentedura — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:08:35 +0000

When designing teaching projects using technology, it is important to employ frameworks that enable the best selection, planning, and use of the tools available. The SAMR and TPCK models have proven themselves in use in Maine’s classrooms and around the world. In 2010, over two thirds of Maine teachers familiar with the models found that they played a crucial or important role in their work.

In this webinar we will review the basics of the SAMR and TPCK models, using new examples that reflect evolving priorities and projects in Maine schools. We will also see how to use them in practice, introducing the concept of the “SAMR Ladder” — a concept that we will extend and develop further at our October 27 webinar.

October 6th Webinar – Creative Computing: Getting Started with Scratch

Tim Hart — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:42:30 +0000

Increasingly, educators are recognizing that people learn best when they are actively engaged in exploring, experimenting, and expressing themselves. In other words, it is hard to beat creativity as a method for learning.

Scratch is a very accessible programming language that makes it easy to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art. Scratch is appropriate across all content areas, age levels, and ability levels.

Participants of this webinar will be introduced to Scratch and discuss creative computing, a design-based learning approach. Many resources and next steps will be shared as well. Join us on October 6th at 3:15 or 7:15 for an hour of fun and creativity.

MLTI Summer Institute Day 2 Updates

Jeff Mao — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:15:50 +0000

Today’s Poster Session Schedule — please note changes (*) — Session Descriptions

Exploring Co-Teaching & Content Integration	Searles Hall – Room 126
Hands On History : Primary Documents, Oral histories & Connecting to the Community	Massachusetts Hall – 3rd floor seminar*
Maine OER Team Projects: Learnings, OER Sites, and Exploration	Searles Hall – Room 115
Free, High-Quality Online Science Resources for Your K-12 Classroom	Searles Hall – Room 313
Math Snacks – using technology to meet the needs of students	Searles Hall – Room 314
Multiplicity self-portraits using Acorn	Druckenmiller Hall – Room 20*
NAEP Data Explorer – Investigate the Questions Tool	Kanbar Hall – Room 109
Providing Challenged Writers The Tools to Success	Hubbard Hall – Room 22*
The Thousand Word Project-Maine Artists Inspire Literacy/Technology Skill	Druckenmiller Hall – Room 24
Vital Signs	Kanbar Hall – Room 107

Today’s Agenda
Wednesday July 27

7:00 – 8:15	Breakfast at Thorne Hall
8:30 – 10:30	Cohorts meet
9:30	Coffee/Water/Fruit break
10:45 – 12:00	Keynote at Daggett Lounge in Thorne Hall Steve Midgley, Deputy Director of Education Technology at the US Department of Education – Keynote Speaker National Education Technology Plan: A random walk through the implications and opportunities for technology in education
12:00 – 1:00	Lunch at Thorne Hall
1:00 – 2:00	Poster Session – What’s a poster session? Poster sessions are brief one hour sessions covering a variety of topics.
2:00 – 5:00	Cohorts meet
3:30	Water/Soda/Cookie Break
6:00 – 7:30	Dinner at Thorne Hall Lobster Dinner (A steak and vegetarian option is also available) outside of Thorne Hall (near Chamberlain) (If you did not purchase a lobster dinner ticket, you can still bring your dinner outside to the back)

MLTI Summer Institute Day 1

Jeff Mao — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:17:53 +0000

Hannah inspires the audience

Over 150 educators gathered for the MLTI Summer Institute at Bowdoin College. Cohort groups began their three-day intensive workshops, and we finished the day with some fantastic keynote speakers, students Hannah Potter, Yarmouth HS and Chris Jones, Oak Hill HS. In the audience were not only the Institute participants, but senior officials from the Ministries of Education from 12 different Caribbean nations. All were treated to Hannah’s inspiring work connecting Maine teenagers with Iraqi teenagers through her web site, ANewView. Chris Jones followed up with an engaging presentation about how MLTI inspired and provided him the opportunity to become a software developer, and a part of an international software development team. You can learn more about Chris at MrChrisJones.com and Phireware.com

Chris wows the audience

More photos from the day…

Del and John discuss the uses of Sketchup Pro

Geogebra helps to stretch your mathematical muscles

Susie discusses digital citizenship

Thanks for providing us some feedback on poster session choices. We have moved a few sessions. Updated assignments

Today’s Agenda

Tuesday July 26
8:30 – 9:45 Check in at Coles Tower
10:00 – 11:30 Meet your cohort
11:30 – 1:00 Lunch at Thorne Hall
1:00 – 4:00 Cohorts meet
2:30 – Soda/Water/Cookie break
4:30 – 5:00 Large Group Gathering – Welcome! at Morrell Lounge in the Smith Union
Student Keynotes

Hannah Potter – Yarmouth High School – How I Took Advantage of the MLTI to Connect Young People from Around the World
Chris Jones - Oak Hill High School – How I Took Advantage of the MLTI to Become an Internationally Collaborative Programmer

6:00 – 7:00 Dinner at Thorne Hall

2011 MLTI Student Conference

Juanita Dickson — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:09:07 +0000

The 8th Annual MLTI Conference was a great success! Over 1000 participants converged on the UMaine’s Orono campus for a day devoted to inspiration and information. Highlights of the day included four powerful student voices in Block 1 – Joe Lien of Poland High School, Hannah Potter of Yarmouth High School, Chris Jones of Oak Hill High School, and Mike Rodway of Telstar Middle School. These student presenters held the attention of Commissioner of Education Steven Bowen and the 1000+ conference attendees as they made clear what can be done when the potential of the MLTI is fully leveraged. Don’t be surprised if you hear from these four – they have compelling stories to tell, and know how to get a message across. Visit the Student Conference Webpage and click into Block 1 and follow links for each to learn more about these amazing young Mainers, and visit other parts of the conference web site to learn more about this incredible event.

Maine DOE Newsroom

Mark your calendars! The date has been set for next year, the 9th Annual MLTI Student Conference Thursday May 24, 2012

May 19 Webinar: Teaching with Batman

Tim Hart — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:22:28 +0000

Graphic novels are often regarded as contraband in many schools. Students keep them hidden in their laptop cases and read them only during study hall. Many say they aren’t real books and aren’t worthy of use in the classroom.

The literature on graphic novels and their use within the classroom is just beginning to surface. Many professional journals tie graphic novels to other literacy ideas such as multimodal texts, digital, visual, and critical literacy skills. The research also suggests that graphic novels can motivate students, especially those who have a hard time with traditional text.

In this week’s webinar we are going to explore graphic novels and sequential art as a tool for learning. We will examine what the literature says and get our hands dirty making a comic or two.

Please join us at 3:15pm or 7:15pm on May 19th! To register for this webinar, select the Webcasts tab at the top of the http://maine121.orgpage and select the time desired to be directed to online registration.

New Information on Science Standards – June 9, 2011 at 3:15pm

Phil Brookhouse — Sat, 07 May 2011 21:38:22 +0000

Good news for administrators and other educational leaders interested in effective science curriculum!

June 9, 2011 at 3:15pm

Recently mathematics and English Language Arts standards went through national review and development leading to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the national science community is developing Next Generation Science Standards that could also be commonly adopted by states. This work will take place on an aggressive timeline. Achieve, Inc., who led the development of the CCSS, expects to deliver the new science standards sometime in the summer or fall of 2012. These standards are a natural progression from the National Science Education Standards, Benchmarks for Science Literacy, and Maine Learning Results which inform our current classroom practice.

This webinar will focus on the upcoming release of the Conceptual Framework from the National Academies and the Board of Science Education. The Conceptual Framework will redefine the vision for Science education and serve as the blueprint for Achieve’s development of the Next Generation Science Standards.

Please join us to understand the timeline for this work and understand how you can provide input into the development of the Next Generation of Science Standards. To register, select the webcasts tab above and scroll down to June Webcasts. Click the time to be directed to online registration.