Maryland Leadership Council

Did you do your homework?  Join us for part 2 of our discussion on Tony Wagner’s book, “The Global Achievement Gap”  Bring a notecard with your favorite PBL sims and sites and your imagination!  We’ll be doing a little building and exploring along with our discussing.  Meet at the campfire Wednesday, Nov 11@ 2DP, 5pm SLtime

Here are the top ten reasons to come to the Powering Up with Technology conference at Dr. Wise High School in Upper Marlboro:

1. Meet Matt Monjan and learn how to utilize DE Streaming!
2. Who would mind winning a new computer?
3. Make new connections in your PLN
4. Aaron Smith, the Art Guy, is presenting Art 2.0 at 1:45 in room  A314
5. Tony Vincent is the keynote speaker. He was the teacher behind Radio WillowWeb.
6. Bag, breakfast, and lunch is included! Need I say more.
7. By coming to the one day conference you have a good excuse to put off house chores.
8. There are sessions for the newbie and the advanced user.
9. Your very own blogger will being presenting two sessions: Social Networking and a Google Docs workshop. I would love to meet other MD Stars!
10. Here is a video in case you need some more reasons….

Here is the link if you want to learn more about this one day conference on November 14th.

Virtual worlds, virtual field trips, machinima, teen grid, Quest Atlantis….

just to name a few of the topics discussed at the SL DEN campfire last night, Nov 4th.  We talked about the book by Tony Wagner, The Global Achievement Gap. We agreed that the 7 skills in the book are essential.

The hour flew by as we shared what we are doing to help change the classroom into a place where students are inspired to learn, create and use their imaginations.  We also talked about how the support each other in that endeavor.
Homework was given and we will be back next Wed to do some building and creating ourselves in SL.
If you want to join us, the SLURL is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eduisland%202/98/98/22

Bring a notecard with a landmark to an island that inspires!
and an image about creativity to add to a sculpture!

Hope to see you there! Telos

The book discussion in SL TONIGHT! November 4th and next week on the 11th.

We are reading Tony Wagner’s book, “The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need—And What We Can do About It”  Scott McLeod mentioned this book in the summer leadership webinar hosted by Discovery in August. So go check it out and bring your thoughts and questions to the discussion with other DEN leaders. -Mary (Telos String)

You don’t need to read the book to engage in the conversation. Just join us at the campfire at 2DP.  5pm Sl time (8 EST)

One of my favorite Web 2.0 tools is Glogster! The simplest explanation of Glogster is a site where the user can create an online multimedia poster. Not only can you add text, but sound and movies including DE Streaming clips. If you are using it in the classroom, I recommend you use the Edu version at edu.glogster.com. It is quick and easy to set up accounts for all of your students and it protects them from questionable content on the regular site. The guide below will help you get started. A quick tip: if you use DE Streaming Clips set the glog to private.

The MD and VA LCs are joining forces at the virtual conference on Oct 24th.  Sessions will run all day at 1DP in Silver Spring and 2DP in Second Life. Register NOW!  Worried about joining us in Second Life?  Even though my hair keeps flying off, I find SL to be the best PD on the web.  But, navigating can be cumbersome to say the least.  The experts in the SL LC will be at 2DP on October 24th to help you get your avatar in order. and even help you find a costume for Halloween!

Saturday, October 24, 20099 AM to 4 PM ETCost: FREE

Register for the virtual sessions.

We have also included a flyer in class you want to advertise the event at your school.

DEN Virtual Conference Flyer

If there is an organization that does a lot for educators, it would be the DEN. As much as I go around and encourage others to join the group, I even forget all of the opportunities there are for teachers. If you have just joined or haven’t visited in awhile I challenge you to try something new in the DEN. Here are some possibilities:

• Read the blogs or start one of your own. The National blog always has great information and of course the Maryland blog is a must. If you are a STAR educator you can create your own blog which is very easy to do. Share your expertise with others.
• Attend a webinar. I promise you won’t be disappointed and the variety of speakers can’t be beat!
• Try Second Life. 2DP is absolutely amazing and if you are a newbie there are plenty of DEN members there to help you in your journey.
• Attend a DEN event. You haven’t been to the Discovery Headquarters in Silver Spring, you don’t know what you are missing. I personally love going there because I meet the most innovative teachers and I make long-lasting connections. The next event will be October 24th when Maryland and Virginia will host an event that will combine the Fall Virtual Conference and local sessions on podcasting, Second Life, Web 2.0 tools, and more. Don’t miss it!

You never can understand the power of the DEN until you jump into the mix!

just wanted to get the word out about the new video Hall and Steve made.  It is a great intro for tech training on web 2.0 tools! Nice job guys, thanks

http://tinyurl.com/ldryhx

As many teachers across the country, I wanted to take time out of the normal schedule to remember the events of September 11th eight years ago. Many of you realized,like I did, that lesson I presented today looked different than it did just a few years ago. For me that event occurred during my first year of teaching and I was located at a small elementary school right on the Maryland/D.C. boundary. There are so many moments from that day that are still vivid in my mind and in the minds of the students I was teaching at the time. For those students this was a day to recount those memories and share them to feel the same connection they felt eight years ago as we united as a country.

Now those students have moved on and there are new faces today. The students in my room were only in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade when those terrible events took place. Most memories shared were the students recalling the reactions of their teachers and parents, but no real idea of what took place. Students wanted to know more information so they could really understand what happened. Of course in a computer lab it would be easy to find information, but not always appropriate or accurate information of September 11th.  That is when I had them shut their computer monitors off and I shared clips from DE Streaming. What happened as the lights went down amazed me…

All of my middle school students were completely silent and engaged as they watched the clips. Their eyes got big as they watched the screen and even when the lights came back on there was a respectful quiet as they digested everything they had seen. They shared their thoughts, asked questions, and we had a meaningful discussion. I know the lesson would not have been the same without the video. Today made me realize the power that video has over text and audio to capture an audience and explain events the viewer never experienced before. Today was a good lesson for my students about September 11th and good lesson for me to remember to take the time to incorporate video into my lessons.

New faces, new schedules, new challenges, the beginning of a new year sometimes seems overwhelming. 

Relax, Discovery has our back.  There are lots of great webinars on the calendar and another great Streamathon is planned for Wednesday Sept 23rd.

I (Telos String) will be hosting a book discussion 2DP in SL on October 7th.   Join me around the virtual campfire at 5pmSL time as we discussion Tony Wagner’s book, “The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need—And What We Can do About It”  Scott McLeod mentioned this book during the summer leadership webinar hosted by DE in August. So go check it out and bring your thoughts and questions to the discussion with other DEN leaders. (you can even where your bunny slippers)

We are working out the details for a Discovey event with our neighbors in Virginia. Stay tuned for more info soon.

Also, for those of you using twitter, you’ll find our own MD_DEN, MaryDB, riptideF, DEN, and Discovery very useful, Follow us!