The Virtual Science Lab

"Oooo...Do I have to touch it? It's so gross!" "I might pass out from the smell!"

Have you ever heard students say anything like that? I remember my friends actually running from the biology room in high school clutching their stomachs... Virtual Science labs have addressed that issue and the Tool Factory has several tools to help our teachers make this virtual reality accessible to kids.

Science Simulations

Teachers have the option to adjust settings and address specific topics and educational objectives. Students perform investigations to answer specific questions. They can observe the simulation or see the results represented in a graph or chart. Students can print, or save information in the simulation to use later in a multi-media presentation.

When I asked a conference participant, who happened to be an engineer, if he believed the simulation would be as good as the real experience, he felt like it would certainly teach them the concept.

Science Diagrams

Teachers and students can utilize this tool to overlay cell structure, label organs or identifying chemical structures instantaneously.

Software such as this simply adds to the ubiquitous information of today. Yet, it could also serve as a powerful teaching tool in a virtual classroom.

Identifying and Measuring the Value of 21st Century Skills

"We need to prepare kids for their future, not our past."

As a technology leader, COSN is certainly an organization to be familiar with as it serves as a voice for K-12 education leaders using technology strategically to improve teaching and learning.

The issue:

The focus of schools is to prepare our students for the future, yes. Well, what skills do the they need to be successful? How will they acquire the skills? How will we assess the skills necessary for the future?

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills provides some insights. Certainly the things students need to learn today are different than what they were 20 years ago... 80% of the general public now believes this. 99% of the populous now recognize that teaching and learning 21st century skills is important to our country's future and economy. So how do we get from here to there? The Partnership for 21st century skills has created a bit of a road map called Route 21. They've included ideas around assessment to assist us in monitoring our success with addressing these skills.

Recommendations

Pick a few skills to focus upon. Develop a partnership with community businesses. Establish Buy-in by a team including the superintendent, administrative leadership, teachers, and school board.

Measure the Value

Which skills make most sense?
What will it cost?
What are the benefits?
How does the implementation meet the strategic plan of the district?
How will we sell it to the constituents?

Value of Investment = Total benefit of proposed project towards school mission or goals vs Anticipated Costs

Money is education tends to be a finite resource... one for which we all compete. By placing actual data in the hands of the decision-makers, provide some sort of scoring model, we will be able to better "sell" our project. according to Mr. Kaestner. Certainly concrete evidence provides measurable talking points, much like a SMART goal.

COSN developed a framework and methodology for schools to use to measure the value of any investment, called VOI.

S.T.E.M. Education from the Ground Up

Remember when you were a kid... building enormous "block" cities and towering pyramids. Or perhaps you were the experimenter...making music out of spoons, pots and pans or formulating your own recipes for your "Easy-bake Oven". Whatever your love, you were constantly creating and dreaming... a budding engineer of sorts.

S.T.E.M - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM Education Coalition

Districts across the nation are examining the need to build feeder systems for STEM education to be sustained throughout high school. Hence, they are developing engineering components for elementary students to begin building that capacity.

Resources

CEE Children's Engineering Educators, LLC
ITEA
Teachers Domain
PBS Design Squad
AIMS
FOSS Science Kits

Getting Back To Our Roots

As children, we loved a challenge... any challenge... including those posed by our parents. "Johnny, don't touch the stove" What inevitably happens? Johnny touches the stove and realizes the consequences in a very formative way. Interestingly enough, educations sometimes forgets that kids love a challenge. STEM integration focuses on the use of design briefs and challenges that expect students follow the same steps an engineer would use in an R & D facility.

20 Education Technology Trends to Watch

The Future of Technology in Education as presented by the NSBA's "20 to Watch Emerging Technology Leaders". The top 3 predictions for what to watch are as follows:

#1 Online Learning Opportunities

The discussion moved from what really is an online learning opportunity to revealing a myriad of styles and approaches. Leaders expressed concerns about a lack of rigor and an absence of teachers in one example. Yet, others emphasized the extended one-on-one time and authenticity provided by incorporating social networking and web 2.0 tools.

#2 (tied with #3) Access to School Related Software Applications and Projects from any Computer in the School Network

#3 Unlimited Internet Access

Participants agreed upon a need for integration and enjoyed quite the discourse on a need for additional policy and practices. Some recommended involvement from ISTE. Others believed we have enough policies and insisted it is more related to culture and communication suggesting that the challenge lies with ensuring all stakeholders feel safe while moving to the "next level".

#4 Online Communication Tools: Global Social Networks

As this prediction was revealed, the following questions was posed... "It's not about the stuff. How are you [technology leaders] changing teacher behaviors?" Dr. Kari Stubbs offered this response, "Research says connecting technology to higher order thinking and the authentic learning experiences provided by Web 2.0 tools and social networking is influencing a shift in behavior of teachers. Thus, we need to move to the next level."

As I digest the discussions occurring around me, I think about one of the things we all know about good instruction.... make the content relevant and meaningful and they'll get it. Authenticity is key. All learners synthesize information more readily when it is important to them. Thus, when a need is present, it is human nature to acquire the knowledge necessary to fulfill the need.

A school board member in the audience suggests we have a responsibility to provide access to technology and students need to learn how to use it appropriately.(ie cell phones) Almost 10 years ago, at Columbine High School, the only people that could communicate were those in possession of the then banned cell
phone.

I suggest we continue to find ways to narrow the gap between what students view as life - MySpace, FaceBook, Skype - and school or the acquisition of knowledge.

And finally, I thoroughly agree with the number one recommendation for school leaders of Professional Development. Putting technology in the hands of staff simply isn't enough. We must develop models to help staff, students, and parents increase their "comfort level" and become technology leaders in their own right.

Opportunities to Challenge our Students

As I mentioned previously, I began attending workshops at T+L in search of examples for challenging students to engage, to think critically and to be reflective. I have indeed found one such possibility revealed in Apple's research for ACOT2

Why Our Schools Need To Change

As I listened to Karen Cator of Apple, Inc. present her case for why schools need to change, I didn't hear anything especially new. We must keep pace with Global Competition, Global Interdependence, Workplace Innovation, Ubiquitous Information and Student Experiences. However, what she suggested certainly supported the vision of eDCSD. Imagine a school that is mobile (anyplace, anytime); that expects students to collaborate, innovate and problem solve across curricular lines; that harnesses students time in and out of school by applying the "social" tools to academia.

Enhancing Both Virtual and Physical Classrooms

All my conversations with students around why they stay in school, any school, and why they feel successful boils down to two essentials:

1) Somebody cares if I am here or not
2) What I am doing during school has some sort of relevance to me

Challenge Based Learning leverages the social-emotional connection while coupling relevant curriculum with 21st Century skills. The framework is truly that of the scientific method requiring students to work collaboratively to craft a solution to an essential question with a global theme. Much like an R & D lab, there are many solutions; thus fostering innovation. Problems are real and solutions are published (including personal student reflections) bringing authenticity and relevance to the work.

I contend, Randy Pausch, that this approach could indeed help students to judge themselves recognizing both their talents and abilities while providing an opportunity to strengthen their shortcomings. Furthermore, why would one want to "hide" when contributing to something that is important to them....

Which Educational Goals Should Be important?

As I prepare to attend the T+L Conference sponsored by the National School Board Association, I find myself reflecting on an excerpt from "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch.

Goals of Teachers

"It is an accepted cliche' in education that the number one goal of teachers would be to help students learn how to learn. ...... But in my mind, a better number one goal was this: I wanted to help students learn how to judge themselves. Did they recognize their true abilities? Did they have a sense of their own flaws? Were they realistic about how others viewed them?"

Douglas County (Colorado) School District Examples

This stuck with me as I recall the amazing essays and illustrations portraying "Why I Want to be a Part of eDCSD." I recognize that a traditional instructional vehicle may not push students to recognize their true potential. I realize that the adaptability and 1:1 instruction and mentoring available in an online approach may drive students to see their own flaws. I am convinced that in an online approach to instruction, students have less room to "hide" from who they are, what they desire, and the image they leave behind... because the must engage to benefit.

I am eager to see what others in our nation are doing to provide such an opportunity to our children.

Technology-Savvy Students

Wired is just so last year. Among 438 students arriving as freshman at Amherst University, barely one percent have a landline. The rest rely on cell phones exclusively. That's not the only interesting tidbit in a recent post on the Buzz Up! technology blog.



Students Want Mobile Technology



Only 14 incoming Amherst freshmen have desktop computers. Presumably the others will be using their laptops to keep their Facebook pages current; 432 freshmen have a profile. Other popular mobile technology choices are the iPhone and Ipod Touch, brought to campus by 93 incoming students.



Students' comfort level with computer technology is also reflected in the fact that 89% of them filed their college applications online.

NSBA T+L Conference

I'm headed to Seattle for the National School Boards Association (NSBA) annual Technology and Learning Conference. I'm looking forward to meeting educators from across the country who are coming to Seattle for practical and innovative solutions to using technology in the classroom.

IQity Supports T+L Conference

IQity is a Platinum Sponsor of the T+L Conference and will be hosting an exciting special event on Wednesday evening. We'll be going to the Experience Music Project, a unique Seattle venue dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. Interactive displays and the opportunity to see cutting-edge technology will be paired with a live band, dancing and refreshments, so conference attendees can mix networking and fun.

If you'll be at the conference, don't miss the party, and be sure to ask me how IQity can bring technology and learning to your school.