Collaborative Tools for Learning Conference
Friday, November 13
Macomb ISD, Clinton Township, MI

The 3rd annual Collaborative Tools for Learning Conference, sponsored by the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) and hosted by the Macomb ISD, will show educators how to make use of the next generation of technologies to support student learning and achievement. A host of new tools and practices of Web 2.0 and beyond are focusing on how learners of all ages and abilities can collaborate to explore new ideas and understandings.

This one-day conference will include both hour-long demonstration sessions and 90 minute hands-on sessions to develop skills and provide ideas of how these new tools address student understanding. Proposals are welcomed from all educators who can show how these tools support and enhance student collaboration and learning.

Two full-day preconference workshops will be offered on Thursday, November 12 by SIGPL on:

1. iTeach: Using iPods and iPhones for Teaching and Learning
2. How to Survive (and Thrive) as a Technology Integration Specialist

Online registration will be available at a later date.  Visit http://macul.org/otherevents/collaborativetoolsconference/ for more information.

TEXT TO MOVIE WEB-BASED PROGRAM

Are you looking for a fun way to have your students practice their writing skills?  Check out the free web-based text to movie program called Xtra Normal.  Let’s say students just finished reading about the Revolutionary War and you want them to summarize what they learned.  You can have them type up a script for one or two characters.  Once they have written the script they can use Xtra Normal to create a short video of their summary.  The free version provides students with 6 options of worlds to be the setting and up to 2 characters for each world.

After the student enters the script into the program they can add other types of actions as well such as different camera angles, facial expressions, looks and other movements by the characters, and sounds like applause or laughter.   Soundtracks can also be added to the video.  Students can even choose what type of voice their characters will have.

Once a movie is completed students can share the results by sending the movie URL via email, posting it to their social networking site (Facebook, MySpace) or bookmarking tool (Delicious, Digg),  or embedding it into a webpage.  Unfortunately downloading the movie file is not available with the free version.

There are some things to keep in mind when using this program with students.  First, when using the free version they must make their video public in order for others, such as you the teacher, to view it.  There is a Keep Private check box for each video created but when checked only the person that created it can view the video.  With this in mind, it would be important to limit the type of videos you have your students create to content they have learned in class.  A video of what they did over the summer or anything else containing personal information may not be a good idea to have available to anyone connected to the Internet. In addition, when they register for an account they should not be providing any personal information that would be visible on the Xtra Normal website.  For example when they choose their username they shouldn’t use their first or last name.  Rather something like Aardvark or Student1 would be better.

Second, students may end up spending way more time than necessary adding the different types of actions.  It would be important to have them enter the entire script first before adding any of the extras and then limiting them to only a certain amount of time to create the entire video.  This will help ensure that the main intent of your assignment is completed before all the extraneous items.  This will also provide students with a reward for completing the main work.

Check the commercial of the MAET program that we created using Xtra Normal by visiting our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc3LbAT-QyQ

Flatten Your Classroom

A few years ago Thomas Friedman wrote the international bestselling book “The World is Flat”, which examined the effects of globalization on countries, companies, and individuals.  Globalization and the latest in Web 2.0 technologies have also affected education.   A new free e-book titled “Seven Steps to Flattening Your Classroom” is based on an Atomic Learning workshop developed by Vicki Davis, who has been recognized for her innovative use of the Web in the classroom.  The book shares seven steps to transform the classroom through global collaboration.

The seven steps that are covered in the e-book include:

Step 1: Connect Yourself

Step 2: Connect Your Students

Step 3: Create Prolearners

Step 4: Communicate

Step 5: Character

Step 6: Citizenship and Safety

Step 7: Choice and Focus

If you are interested in learning more about flattening your classroom you can also visit the workshops that Vicki Davis has created for Atomic Learning at http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/7sfc_wb2.  Several of the workshops are offered as free samples but most of them are only accessible if you have a subscription to Atomic Learning.

Need Professional Development Money? Two Resources for Grant Money

In today’s economic crisis grant money seems harder and harder to come by. With that in mind you will understand my shock when I was talking with an exhibitor at the Michigan Council for Social Studies Conference and learned that he had grant money to give away and had only a few applicants.  In fact they had to extend their original deadline because they had more money than applicants.  He provided me with the information and I knew immediately that I wanted to share it with you, our readers.  Read on to learn more about this great opportunity.  In addition you may want to learn more about professional development grants being offered by the MEA by visiting http://www.mea.org/pd/pdf/pdg-grants.pdf.

MCTPS seeks proposals from interested individuals, institutions of higher education, professional development initiatives, library systems, and school districts in the following states: Illinois**, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. MCTPS is looking for opportunities to integrate promising practices in teaching with primary sources into existing pre-service education curricula as well as K-12 professional development programs. Successful projects will be provided a tested professional development guide for all K-12 professional development activities. A copy of this guide can be downloaded for review by all applicants at http://www.mlb.ilstu.edu/tps/MCTPS/pdguide/pdguide_intro.htm

** Illinois proposals will be directed to one of the existing TPS partners. Please contact our office (resatch@ilstu.edu) before submitting proposals from Illinois.

The Library of Congress, as well as, MCTPS will be evaluating activities throughout this pilot program. Principal Investigators (PIs), trainers, and participants may be asked to participate in evaluation activities such as online questionnaires or phone interviews.

Two types of MCTPS awards will be funded:

• Type I awards will require the modification of existing pre-service curricula to include the integration of primary sources from the Library of Congress or research related to the use of primary sources in teaching and/or learning.
• Type II awards will require the training of in-service teachers and library information specialists using an established professional development program that meets the goals of the TPS level one program.

Award Information

Anticipated Type of Award: Subaward Contracts

Estimated Number of Awards: 20 in FY 2009, the number of Type I and Type II awards will be determined based on the results of separate review processes.

Anticipated Funding Amount: Type I awards $2,000-$5,000; Type II awards $2,000 – $15,000

Eligibility Information

Proposals may only be submitted by the following from the states of Illinois**, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

• Universities and colleges: U.S. universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges).
• Non-profit organizations: Independent museums, libraries, observatories, research labs, professional societies and similar organizations.
• Public, private, and parochial schools, State Boards of Education, Regional Educational Systems, and other educational organizations.

Proposals that have a measurable impact and identify stakeholders’ (e.g., in-service and pre-service educators, students, educational systems) benefits and ways that this initial effort may be systemically sustained are encouraged. Although it is not a requirement, proposals supported with matching or in-kind funds from local institutions/organizations are highly encouraged.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

Please contact the Center Director, Richard Satchwell (resatch@ilstu.edu) to discuss your proposed project prior to submission.

When discussing your intent to submit a proposal, be prepared to discuss the following:

• Type I or Type II project.
• A summary of the activities being proposed.
• The PI(s), co-PI(s) and their organizational affiliations.
• Estimated total project budget.

Full Proposals (required):

Full proposals must be submitted to the Midwest Center for Teaching with Primary Sources at Illinois State University. We are currently accepting proposals. (We have extended the original deadline of January 15, 2009.) If interested in submitting a proposal, please contact the MCTPS office prior to submission.

Proposal Preparation Instructions
A. Project Summary (1-page limit): At the top of this page enter a short informative title for the proposed MCTPS project. Indicate a Type I or Type II project. Include contact information for PI(s), Co-PI(s), and organization/institution. Provide a summary of the MCTPS project, including its goals. In a separate statement, provide a summary of the impacts and sustainability of this proposed project beyond this funding.
B. Project Description (6-page limit): The project description contains the following items.

1. List of Participants (1-page limit): Include departmental and institution/organization affiliation of all principal investigators and other personnel expected to have an important role in the project. Include a brief biographical sketch for each person

2. Description (5-page limit): Describe the scope of the project including:

• Project goals and objectives.
• Project audience and numbers to be reached.
• Implementation methodology describing how Teaching with Primary Sources content will be incorporated into ongoing education and professional development programs (i.e., train-the-trainer, direct instruction, curriculum revisions, online/virtual instruction).
• Evaluation methods.
• Time line for implementation.
• Dissemination activities.
• Sustainability efforts beyond funding (i.e., integration into existing educational goals/organization, institutional support, alignment with existing curriculum)

C. Budget (2-page limit): The estimated total project budget and budget justification should be included. Indirect costs are not allowed.

D. Due Dates: The Center is funded through December 31, 2009. Proposed projects that can be completed by this date are encouraged to contact us to discuss the details of your project. Project completion; December 31, 2009

MCTPS Proposal Processing and Review Procedures:

All proposals received by the Midwest Center for Teaching with Primary Sources at Illinois State University will be carefully reviewed by Center staff. Successful proposals will enter into a subaward contract with Illinois State University. The reviewers will ascertain the extent to which proposals relate to the following questions:

• How well does the proposed project meet the goals and objectives of the level one MCTPS program?
• How well qualified is the PI(s) to conduct the project?
• How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity?
• Are the activities reasonable for the given timeline?
• Is there evidence of sustainability beyond the initial funding?
• How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation in the TPS program?

Contact Information

All questions should be directed to:

Richard Satchwell
Director, MCTPS
resatch@ilstu.edu
Phone: 309-438-3441
Fax: 309-438-3585

Master Student Participates with her Students in the AT&T/MACUL Student Technology Showcase

Students from elementary, middle and high schools throughout Michigan gathered to participate in the eighth annual AT&T/MACUL Student Technology Showcase on November 12, 2008 at the Capitol Building. The showcase was designed to keep legislators apprised of how technology is being used by schools to enhance the education process and help youth successfully transition from the classroom to a career.

Heather Janik, a student in our Master’s of Educational Technology program and a teacher at Mancelona Middle School, participated with her students.  Her students demonstrated their projects which they created using ToonDoo.  Each student created a page to contribute to a grade level comic book on a topic of his/her choice.

Heather explains,

I tried to come up with a project that is engaging and uses digital media.  For the end of the 2007-2008 school year I put together a comic book unit.  This unit was designed, not to focus on the art, as much as it was designed to focus on what makes a comic; the terminology, the parts of a comic, free comic creating resources online, and finally having the kids create their own full page comic.  I found that this was enjoyed by ALL students; not just boys and not just comic readers.

To learn more about Heather’s project please visit http://hmjanik.googlepages.com/finalproject.

To learn more about the event and to see a complete list of participating schools and projects, visit the MACUL Web site at www.macul.org.

Legislators to View, Participate In Technology

Exhibits at AT&T/MACUL Student Technology Showcase November 12

***

Event is ‘visual report card’ on success of technology in education

WHO: Students from elementary, middle and high schools throughout Michigan…

WHAT: will gather to participate in the eighth annual AT&T/MACUL Student Technology Showcase and demonstrate to Michigan state legislators the wide variety of school projects showing how technology is helping them learn…

WHERE: in the north, south and west wings of the first floor, State Capitol Building, in Lansing…

WHEN: on Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

Three showcase sessions with totally different schools at each session are scheduled as follows:

• First Session- 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
  Opening ceremony will begin at 9:15 a.m. in the rotunda, first floor.  Set up will begin at 8:30 a.m.

• Second Session – 11:30 to 1 p.m.
  Set up will begin at 11:00 a.m.

• Third Session – 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Set up will begin at 1:00 p.m.

The annual event was designed to keep legislators apprised of how technology is being used by schools to enhance the education process and help youths successfully transition from the classroom to a career.

Student demonstrations will feature a wide variety of projects.  Examples of displays from previous years can be found at www.macul.org.

School teams may register at www.macul.org

CONTACT: Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) www.macul.org

Web 2.0 has brought about many wonderful free web-based tools that have been very useful in classroom instruction. I would like to highlight two new tools that are available for teachers to use as learning management systems for their classes. Both of these tools are web-based and are free to use.

The first tool is Google Sites, another great web-based application offered by Google. Google Sites allows you to create a website without any HTML knowledge. However unlike Google Pages (also a free way to create your own website) you can incorporate all types of additional web-based applications into your pages such as RSS feeds, file sharing, announcements, calendars, and much more. You will need a Google account to use this application but signing up for one is free and easy. To learn more about Google Sites you can watch this 3 minute video tutorial. About one minute into the video they describe how a teacher might use this application.

The second learning management system that is available for teachers to use for free is Edu 2.0. This web-based application tool was specifically made for teachers and students. It provides you with all the necessary requirements to put your course online such as an electronic gradebook, assignment drop box, attendance tracker, quizzes, and so much more. Best of all you can make your course private so only your students can access the course site. It is free and easy to sign up. To learn more you can watch this short 3 minute video.

As always, we would love to hear from you if you try out these sites in your classes.  Leave a comment below and tell us about your experience.

We are excited to announce that we now have two social communities available to our readers. For those of you who are Facebook junkies, we have now started a group in Facebook at http://msu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7822384107. If you already have an account you will need to login, become a member of the Michigan State University Network, and then you can join the MAET group. If you haven’t joined Facebook yet you will need to create an account and join the Michigan State University Network, before you can access the group.

MACUL has also created a wonderful and very active social community on Ning. As part of the MACUL Space we have created our own group so past, current and future students of our program can keep in touch and share great ideas on the latest uses of technology in education. To access the group you can go to http://maculspace.ning.com/group/msuedutech.You can see all the information without having to login or sign up. If you would like to become a member and participate in the group you do need to create an account.

(more…)

Back in our March 2007 issue we asked our readers to submit their ideas for uses of Web 2.0 technologies in the classroom. We have compiled the submissions together to share with you. Choose a Web 2.0 technology from the list below to view free or low cost sources, educational benefits, and examples of classroom use. If you would like to suggest your own example to be added to our list of resources you can visit http://edutech.msu.edu/newsletter/news-03-01-full.html#fyc and complete the online form. The drawing for the free USB has already ended. (more…)

THERE’S STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 AT STATE CAPITOL

The seventh annual AT&T/MACUL Student Technology Showcase will be held on Wednesday, September 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the State Capitol Building in Lansing.

The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) extends an invitation to K-12 schools throughout Michigan to participate in the event, which last year drew students and teachers from more than 50 schools.  The Student Technology Showcase is free and open to the public.

Student groups set up computers and other peripherals to show Michigan state legislators how technology is being used in the classroom to facilitate learning during one of two separate demonstration sessions in the morning and afternoon.  The projects this year are expected to cover a wide variety of learning areas including distance learning, computer programming, e-commerce, and other curriculum integration concepts.  Student demonstrations also are expected to include video production, web authoring, handheld technologies, robotics, digital imaging, multimedia and student broadcasting.

The Showcase is sponsored by AT&T and the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning, an organization dedicated to bringing educators from all levels together to share their knowledge and concerns regarding educational uses of computers and technology.

To register for the event, or for further information, visit the MACUL website at www.macul.org.

REGISTER NOW FOR STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 AT STATE CAPITOL

The seventh annual AT&T/MACUL Student Technology Showcase will be held on Wednesday, September 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the State Capitol Building in Lansing.

The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) extends an invitation to K-12 schools throughout Michigan to participate in the event, which last year drew students and teachers from more than 50 schools.  The Student Technology Showcase is free and open to the public.

Student groups set up computers and other peripherals to show Michigan state legislators how technology is being used in the classroom to facilitate learning during one of two separate demonstration sessions in the morning and afternoon.  The projects this year are expected to cover a wide variety of learning areas including distance learning, computer programming, e-commerce, and other curriculum integration concepts.  Student demonstrations also are expected to include video production, web authoring, handheld technologies, robotics, digital imaging, multimedia and student broadcasting.

The Showcase is sponsored by AT&T and the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning, an organization dedicated to bringing educators from all levels together to share their knowledge and concerns regarding educational uses of computers and technology.

To register for the event, or for further information, visit the MACUL website at www.macul.org.

Call for Best Examples of Web 2.0 Technologies in the Classroom

When we made the decision to take our Educational Technology Certificate Program classes online, we also decided to revise our curriculum to include more information about Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, and rss feeds. In doing so we are creating a Guide to Web 2.0 Technologies document that we will make available to our current and former students, as well as our newsletter subscribers. But we need your help. We’d like to use authentic examples of successful Web 2.0 technology used in the classroom.

If you have had a particularly successful or exciting technology-supported experience with your students, please take 10–15 minutes to share your experience by filling out the form below.

We’re looking for examples of preK – 12th grade in all subject areas. Submissions will be accepted through March 30, 2007. Teachers whose submissions are selected will be entered to win a free 256MB USB drive as well as receive recognition in the final document.

An example of a possible submission:

Name: Jane Doe
School District: Great Public Schools
Email: janedoe@greatpublicschools.edu
Type of Web 2.0 Technology: Blogs
Free or Low Fee Sources: The service I used to create my blog is http://edublogs.org
Educational Benefits:Provides an opportunity for all students to contribute
Classroom Application:I use my blog to keep students and parents up to date regarding assignments and upcoming events. I also have students post their thoughts to readings we do in class.
Examples of Use: Mrs. Jane Doe’s 4th grade classroom blog http://janedoe.greatpublicschools.com/blog/

We look forward to reading your submissions. We will post the results in our next newsletter in June. Thank you in advance for your participation!

–Carrie Albin, Outreach Coordinator and Co-Editor

Showcase of Teacher Project: MAET Showcase

Each quarter we will be showcasing a teacher’s project completed during his/her participation in our program. Sometime soon we are planning to archive these lessons on our website for you to refer to throughout the year. For any students that have previously taken the Certificate we are asking that you complete a Permission to Use Student Work form so that we can compile the archive. Please download the form here and mail or fax it back to Brook Thompson.

As part of the Master’s in Educational Technology program educators are able to take classes in East Lansing, Traverse City, or Plymouth, England. Over the past two summers in the MAET program in Plymouth, England educators worked on several projects while learning how to integrate technology into their classrooms.

David Wong, Ken Dirkin, Kathryn Dirkin, Leigh Graves Wolf, Danah Henriksen and Sharman Siebenthal were the instructors for the program and helped the educators develop their projects. Ken Dirkin developed a website that showcases the work that was accomplished.

Visit http://maetshowcase.educ.msu.edu to check out the different projects that were completed.

If you find this resource useful please let us know by sending us an email at newsletter@edutech.msu.edu.