We met at the IMAX Theater (a hat tip to George Bartnik of the TN Aquarium for providing the space and a boat load of free popcorn!) around 8:30 and began at 9. We spent about an hour together looking at some basics like “the rule of thirds,” framing shots, macro tips, and more. Then, everyone went their separate ways for a two hour photo walk. Discovery had provided everyone with free access to the Aquarium, so some took pictures there. Others walked along the river front, up to the Bluff View Art District, across the Walnut Street Bridge, and elsewhere.

We met back at the IMAX around noon for lunch and then looked at a few websites that allow various kinds of editing and hosting for pictures. (You can see the total list at this Symbaloo page). We highlighted Web Resizer, Pho.to, Pixlr, Blabberize, and Animoto.

After that, we spent a little time looking at Photo Story and how to use the pictures we take for digital storytelling. In addition, everyone was encouraged to upload at least five pictures to a folder in Edmodo and share it with our Photography group. If you would like the code to gain access to the group, please email me at tchilders (at) bradleyschools (dot) org.

Below you will see just a few of the pictures taken that day. You will find more in the Edmodo group!

Join the TN DEN on Saturday, November 12, at the TN Aquarium in Chattanooga for a day of photography training.  We will spend time in the morning looking at what makes a great picture.  Then, we’ll head out into the surrounding area to actually take pictures (you can go in groups or solo).  We’ll meet back at the Aquarium for lunch and spend the afternoon editing our pictures and ultimately choosing five to use in a digital storytelling project with Photo Story.

That alone is a day packed with learning!  But wait!  There’s more!

As part of your participation in our training, you will receive free admission to the Aquarium (and that is one of the places we recommend you take some pictures!).

We will meet in the IMAX Theater building across the street from the Aquarium.  Doors open at 8.  We will begin the day at 8:30.  Coffee will be available (please eat before you arrive, or feel free to bring breakfast with you).  We will end the day around 3:30, but you can continue on with more time in the Aquarium!  If there is enough interest of people hanging around for a while, we can always share dinner together afterward (you will be responsible for your own meal here though!)

Space is limited to 25 participants, so we are giving first priority to STAR DEN members.  You will be notified by email that you when we have confirmed your spot.

Register for this event here.

Questions?  Leave them in the comments section and we’ll answer them as quickly as we can!

In addition to viewing several online presentations, there will be live workshops offered by the Tennessee DEN Leadership Council specifically geared to help you utilize the Builders more effectively in your classrooms.  The Writing Prompt, Quiz, and Assignment Builders are some of Discovery’s most versatile tools available within Discovery Streaming.

This live event will be held at the Christian Academy of Knoxville located at 529 Academy Way, Knoxville, Tennessee 37923.  Breakfast and networking from 8 to 9 will kick off your day.  In true DEN fashion, lunch is also provided! And you can be done by 3 PM!  Register for this live event here.

Two things to note: The agenda for the online event has changed slightly. At noon we will be treated to a special webinar appearance by Astro Teller!  Dr. Teller is Director of New Projects at Google  Also, don’t forget the costume contest!  Dress up for the event and we’ll upload your picture for judging!

See you on Saturday! (Register here)

TN DEN LC Team

This year’s theme is “Producing Digital Citizens” and promises to be a fantastic two days of powerful learning and sharing.  And you can sign up for free!

FREE for any School Districts (before November 15th)
Fee after November 15th = $199 per School District for UNLIMITED ATTENDEES!

You can register online here.

The Memphis area is a great place to visit with Beale Street, Graceland, the Mighty Mississippi River, and some of the best barbeque in the South!  Come join the fun.  See you there!

Checking for Understanding in a Digital World, Kyle Schutt

A lot was learned from all the highly effective educators in attendance and we had fun playing DENGO, eating dinner together, and drawing for Planet Earth, LIFE, and an Ipod prizes each day.

DEN Educators Connecting While Playing DENGO

Our teams want to challenge all Tennessee educators to join the Discovery Educator Network (DEN), a global group of educators who are passionate about teaching with digital media, sharing resources, networking, and collaborating to impact student achievement.  It is absolutely free to become a STAR Educator and you’ll receive some very special benefits, such as:  1) Exclusive promotions and contests; 2) Access to Discovery Communications events; and 3) Opportunities to attend local, regional, state-level and national DEN Events. If you want to learn more about becoming a STAR, click here.

Be on the lookout for an invitation to join one of the upcoming webinars, hosted by Discovery Education Assessment psychometricians, which will provide an in-depth look at how you can use student data to measure, monitor, and influence student learning.

A big shout-out to you for all the great work you are doing, Tennessee!  We want to continue to work with you to help you meet your First to the Top goals, reinforcing your ability to incorporate digital resources and tools into your teaching, and providing you with the assessment tools and training you need to make formative instructional practices a natural part of your teaching and learning processes.

Let us hear from you and we’ll see you soon!

Kathy Strunk, Hardin Daniels, Kyle Schutt, Whitney Mihoulides, and Matt Monjan

Booker T. Washington High School Won the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, so last Monday President Obama surprised graduates and then gave the commencement speech.  In case you missed it, take a look at some of the following resources.

See the press release here.

Watch the video here.

Congratulations to the students, families, and faculty of Booker T. Washington!

Here is a brief rundown of the day and some of the sessions we have lined up for you!

Opening General Session – An Introduction to the DEN and Why You Should Be a STAR!

Lunch and Learn General Session – Edmodo and the Online Classroom

Concurrent Sessions include the following:

Using DE Streaming and Web2.0 to Engage Students in Math and Reading

Mega Fun Math Games for your Interactive White Board!

Active Students, Active Minds: Strategies for Comprehension and Vocabulary Building

Multi-Media Presentations: As Easy as PB&J

Welcome to….the Progress Zone: A Closer Look at DE Assessment

Space is limited, so make sure you get your name on the list as quickly as possible.

Our registration form is located at this link.  Check-in is at 8:30. Our day ends at 3. We’ll send directions by email.

There will be a total of six workshops for all teachers.  A brief look at our tentative agenda is as follows:

8:30 to 9:00 – Check-in and Refreshments

9:00 to 9:20 – General Session on the DEN and DE Streaming

9:30 to 10:20 – Concurrent Sessions

10:30 to 11:20 – Concurrent Sessions

11:30 to 12:20 – Lunch and Learn – Edmodo

12:30 to 1:20 – Concurrent Sessions

1:30 to 2:20 – Concurrent Sessions

2:30 to 3:00 – Closing General Session

Be sure and bring your laptops for the general sessions.  All concurrent sessions are in computer labs (PC only).

We believe this day will fill up fast, so be sure and register as soon as possible.  You can access our registration Google form at this link.

We will email directions to the school when we confirm your registration.

Date: Saturday, February 26th. 2011
Time: 8 am -10 am
Apple Store in Saddle Creek, 7615 W Farmington Blvd Germantown, TN 38138

The Tennessee DEN LC is hosting a training at the Apple Store.  These trainings are always informative and lot of fun!  During this time the Apple folks and TN DEN will explore Green Screening and iPads.  Join Gail, Julene, and Clif for a great morning of learning!  You won’t want to miss this!

Seating is limited, so you need to sign up NOW.  Click here for the registration form.

You can find more information about the online portion of the day by going here: http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/scicon-2011/.  You will find all times and webinar titles.  Registration for the virtual conference only is also found there.

So why go to a live event?  First, you will get to spend quality time with educators who share the same passions for Discovery and science that you have. Second, there will be live workshops at the events that will not be available to you online.  Third (as if you need another reason), the food is on us!  And fourth, we will be skyping all three groups together so we can all meet one another across the state!

Here are the locations and links to register:

Cleveland, TN: Ocoee Middle School

Register at: http://tinyurl.com/38bue6n

Knoxville, TN: West Hills Elementary

Register at: http://tinyurl.com/2b4vuvz

Memphis: St. George’s Independent Schools, Germantown Campus

Register at: http://tinyurl.com/29v9qzw

On site check-in begins at 8:30 local time.  The first session kicks off promptly at 9 AM local time!

You must pre-register online to attend the live events of the conference.  This will help us coordinate room space and food expenses.  If you register, but later decide you cannot attend, please contact the coordinator for your event at least 48 hours prior to let him or her know you cannot attend.

This year’s SCIcon will have a special presentation from Reed Timmer, Extreme Meteorologist and TVN team leader, for Discovery Channel’s hit series Stormchasers.

Join thousands of educators from around the world for an amazing day of professional development sessions, networking and sharing.