Skip to main content

Keynote: Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge

Dr. Gary Stager kicked off the conference with the keynote in a packed Science and Leadership Academy IMC.

The goal of this event will be to create collaborative projects while having conversations with really smart people!

Stager began by sharing his "personal odyssey" as a student in New Jersey, where he had a 7th grade computer class from a teacher who was passionate about learning with these new tools, creating things that couldn't be done without technology. It was there that he developed "habits of mind" that have served him to this day.

Ideas:
  • Educational Technology is not about the hardware, it's about the software, as it's the software that allows you to inquire
  • NCTM in 1989 50% of Mathematics has been invented since WWII.
  • Computing used to have to do with Math and Science, then came word processing, now it's an information appliance, it's not being used as a tool to construct new knowledge.
  • Does the child program the computer or does the computer program the child?-Seymour Pappert
  • Design a video game, not just consume them. (Microworlds.com)

    I couldn't help but think that this conference points out what is missing in these standards!

Comments

Mike Dronen said…
Give me 6 Amiga computers and a constructivist teacher over the latest laptops with a passive consumption approach ANY day! Yes, there are some essential elements missing in those standards...hey, let's change 'em!

Popular posts from this blog

Nos Chemins vers la paix: Award Winning Video!

Valley View Middle School French Imersion teacher, Heather Palmer created this award winning video, Nos Chemins vers la paix , for the Tel.A.Vision " Vision For America " Contest. Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com Powered by One True Media , Tel.A.Vision.tv allows students to create videos that share their vision for the future. Heather wanted to use this video to promote the Wiki she and her students created for "6 Billion Paths to Peace." On the wiki, Palmer states: Our project was inspired by the program " Six Billion Paths to Peace ", an initiative of the Shinnyo-en foundation. We like the challenge the program offers us: commit to making a difference in this moment, in this day, in this lifetime! Palmer received her award last week at the National Service Learning Conference, in Nashville, TN. Way to go, Heather! NOTE: A few weeks ago while looking at the copyright free music available on the site, I notice a cover of the "Spinal

TIES 2012: Kathryn Smith: Innovative Spaces Support 21st Century Learning

Kathryn Smith , former Bemidji State professor, presented on Innovative Spaces Support 21st Century Learning. Her presentation slides can be found here . Today, learning can happen anywhere, anytime, and on any device.  She started by using PollEverywhere to ask about the status of mobile technologies and school learning environments. She thinks that the TPACK model is a good one to use when implementing professional development around 21st Century learning. We are using this model in our BYOD professional development. Smith notes that the National Educational Technology Plan , is a great road map for change. Research has shown that the appropriate use of technology and the appropriate design of learning spaces is having a significant positive impact on learning. The learning spaces today are not that far removed from 19th Century classrooms. She showed this video from the University of Michigan on research on design of learning environment. Here are more videos fro