New York DEN

The fifth annual Celebration of Teaching and Learning is coming back to Manhattan. This amazing two day conference, run by Channel 13 for tri-state area teachers, has top speakers, amazing presentations, wonderful workshops, and incredible sponsors.  This is the conference that got me started on my journey into educational technology.  Although an expensive conference, it is well worth the money.  Save the date: March 5 - 6, 2010. Click here to find out more about the conference.  Also check out the Chase Multimedia in the Classroom Award.  Let’s get some DEN people winning!

On Saturday, October 24, 2009 join thousands of educators online and in-person as the DEN team goes house to house to explore the many digital treats available to educators today.  During this unique professional development event you have the flexibility to attend online or in-person at one of many regional events hosted by the DEN Leadership Councils.

The day will feature special presentations from Justin Karkow and Steve Dembo along with a host of other great sessions guaranteed to satisfy your digital sweet tooth.  Check out the schedule on the DEN blog.

To register for the virtual sessions visit: http://LINKS.discoveryeducation.com/virtualcon.

*originally posted on the DEN Blog.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation offers workshops for teachers, youth group leaders and educators using national environmental education programs.  The workshop activities and lessons correlate to NYS MST standards, and provide teachers with a curriculum guide and tools to help students strengthen their critical thinking, team building, and problem solving skills.  These workshops can be a valuable resource to augmenting an existing science curriculum with hands-on activities and games for your students. 

The workshops occur throughout the year.  See which ones work for you.

The New York DEN is looking to showcase some of your adventures in teaching from this year. We’d love for you to share a picture, a project, a website, etc. that reflects some of the teaching and learning that took place in your classroom or school during 2008-2009. Your adventures may have been practical, humorous, challenging and/or surprisingly successful. Anything goes.

We would like to share your work on our blog. Examples and/or samples should be e-mailed to ChristineSouthard@gmail.com with the e-mail subject: Adventures in Teaching. Don’t forget to include the following information in your e-mail: name; school district; link, embed code or project example (send the file); and a short description that describes your adventure.

It’s official! Registration is now open for the 3^rd annual Games in Education symposium, taking place Wednesday & Thursday, August 5^th & 6^th this summer at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY!

This exciting development opportunity offers educators throughout the greater Capital Region 2 days of FREE presentations, panels, hands-on workshops, and round table discussions related to games and technology in the classroom. Topics presented range from analysis of virtual worlds like Second Life and World of Warcraft from teachers using the games successfully, to the real world pressures teachers face when attempting to straddle two cultures of instruction (old and new).

This year’s symposium will expand to include early childhood and post-secondary education, as well as middle and high school, and will explore the practical application of interactive technologies like video games, social networks, blogs and other media to inspire and promote learning in this generation of “digital natives”.

Don’t miss out! 2009 confirmed presenters include:

· Brock Dubbels, Educator and Technologist

· Bill Shribman, Executive Producer of Kids’ Projects, WGBH Interactive

· Peggy Sheehy, Instructional Technology Facilitator, Media Specialist and a NY Discovery STAR Educator

· Carla Engelbrecht Fisher, Children’s Technology Developer

· Lucas Gillispie, Instructional Technology Coordinator

· Beth King, Senior Doctoral Student, University of Wisconsin

· Andrea Lauer Rice, Founder, Lauer Learning

· Scot Osterweil, Research Director, Education Arcade

· Mark Petersen, Instructional Designer, Hudson Valley Community College

· Marianne Malmstrom, Technology Teacher, The Elisabeth Morrow School

· And more!

Registration is easy and FREE for educators – just go to www.gamesineducation.org and click on Register Now! Stay tuned for updates on program schedule and new speakers as they are confirmed.

Games in Education is presented in partnership by 1^st Playable Productions, WMHT, and Hudson Valley Community College.

Perhaps you joined the NY DEN Event in New York City earlier this month.  Perhaps you were there in person.  Perhaps you were behind your computer joining Christine in the virtual conversation.  Perhaps you were just with us in spirit.  What ever the case may be, care to feel like a fly on the wall?  Here is a video recap of the event:

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=af13665b48c1a592ffc7

Are you connected with the NY DEN?

email: ny.den.leaders@gmail.com

blog:  http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/newyork/

Do you know an exceptionally skilled and effective educator? Nominate an outstanding teacher in your school for the 2010 New York State Teacher of the Year. Deadline for Applications are due by Friday, February 13, 2009. The New York State Teacher of the Year Program, now in its 40th year, is affiliated with the National Teacher of the Year program administered through the Council of Chief State School Officers and sponsored by leading education associations. The nominee must be an exceptionally skilled and dedicated teacher, appropriately credentialed within his or her current teaching area, who works directly with children in a State-approved public or private school, at any grade level or subject from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, and who is planning to continue in an active teaching status. A minimum of five years of current teaching experience is required. The nominee must have the respect and admiration of students, parents, faculty members, the school administration, and local business leaders. The nominee must serve an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school. Because selection as New York State Teacher of the Year carries with it an obligation to make a number of public appearances, the nominee must be poised and articulate, possessing the energy and equanimity to withstand a busy schedule. While all of these qualifications are to be considered, the most important one is the superior ability to inspire learning in students of all backgrounds and competencies. Further information and nomination materials are located at: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/TEACHING/toty/totyindex.htm

If you’re a STAR DEN educator you have access to a *FREE* blog on the Discovery Educator Network….uh, you did know that didn’t you?  Well, if not, now you do! LOL

Steve Dembo has decided to put together a ‘Be a Better Blogger in Just 30 Days’ challenge and I would STRONGLY encourage all the NY STAR DENers to participate.  If you’ve got a DEN blog, here’s your chance to REALLY make it stand out.  If you’re a STAR DENer and haven’t started a blog yet then here’s you opportunity to do so.

Let’s support each other in this challenge.  If you plan on participating, please list your blog in the Comments area below.  I’ll put myself out there…here’s mine:  Just in Time Tech.  Check it out now, and watch it evolve with the guidance of Steve during the month of November.

Hope to see you in the blogosphere!

The New York DEN may be from New York State but we try to support, grow with, and learn from other educators and DEN members.  Our colleagues in New Jersey are asking for our help.  One of their leadership council members, Bev Plein is in the middle of an election project with her students.  They are plotting data based on an online survey.  If you have a moment please pop on over and take their survey.

Election Survey part 1

Election Survey part 2