http://summerschool.edublogs.org 6-16 January 2008 - Flinders University, South Australia Tue, 15 Jan 2008 05:00:57 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Margaret Meijers' website is a wealth of practical information and resources about software (mostly freely available) that supports student learning through higher order thinking. It is at www.mindtools.tased.edu.au Three that are particularly relevant to my 2008 context are Scratch is a great little program that let's you apply animation and other functions ... http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/12/mindtools-website-simulation-and-modelling-software/ I don't think there was a teacher present who did not have glowing comments to make about the value of the day of ICT workshops provided yesterday. "We'd like more time to play" was the comment heard repeatedly at break time. The sessions offered were: Interactive and Visual Learning with Interactive Whiteboards Digital ... http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/12/day-6-next-praxis-workshops-focus-on-ict/ This morning's keynote was by Dr Christine Redman from the University of Melbourne and is titled Innovative Integration of Technologies into Meaningful Science Learning Experiences”. Technologies in this context are ICT. She used rich visuals and stories (Pooh Bear, Goldilocks) to convey the issues ie using the familiar but with a ... http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/12/day-7-keynote-science-education-and-technology/ Accepting and Coping with Change (Margaret Meijers) A reality of using ICT is the constant change and this can be daunting for teachers. It's actually about change, we are all going to have to change and we need to accept that and get used to it. Although this is a challenge, ... http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/11/key-messages-re-ict-panel-message/ [Keynote Kirsten is Executive Director at the Challenger Learning Center of Southeastern Connecticut (CLCSECT), USA] These centres developed out of the Challenger disaster. The families decided to set these up in honor of and dedicated to the  astronauts who lost their lives. "We believe it all begins with a question - eg ... http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/11/challenger-learning-centres/ Kirsten Hoyt, Executive Director at the Challenger Learning Center of Southeastern Connecticut (CLCSECT), USA (the plan was to use Adobe Connect but due to technical glitches, Skype is being used for audio from the keynote, with feedback our end being conveyed by text chat) The introduction went over the  2001 Prensky view ... http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/11/day-6-virtual-keynote-technology-teaching-and-learning-engaging-students-using-the-tools-of-the-trade/ Various "twinning" schemes have been mentioned in discussions this week ie matching up scientists with teachers so that scientists can be available either in person or virtually to add real life contexts to student learning. South Australia has its own scientist twinning scheme developed as the brainchild of then "thinker ... http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/11/twinning-programs-scientists-and-learning/ A couple of teachers have recommended the Sense about Science site as being as being particularly useful in supporting critical scientific literacy.  It includes a useful brochure called I don't know what to believe (click to donwload) http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/11/resource-sense-about-science-website/ Thanks to Darren for providing this link from the University of Iowa. The collection is a mixture of simulations, animations and tutorials on topics in electrochemistry  http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/animationsindex.htm http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/10/resource-animations-and-applets-for-electrochemistry/ Dr Terry Lyons presented on the topic of his latest research Choosing Science: Investigating influences on students' decisions about taking science courses. The data collection was completed in December and the analysis presented was preliminary but nevertheless very interesting as it showed some trends different to those found in several ... http://summerschool.edublogs.org/2008/01/10/day-5-keynote-engaging-the-disengaged/