All posts by Kate

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Check out the Top 10 EdTech Stories of 2012

I don’t know about you, but I sure love end of the year lists… “Best Of’s”, “Top Stories”, “Top 10 Articles”… they all provide useful information about the most popular or important topics from the past year. Check out EdTech’s list of the Top 10 Stories of 2012. The list will acquaint you with topics that are clearly of interest to others – they don’t rise to the top of the list without good reason! It also includes topics that are still current and timely, that may require at least reflection, if not action, on your part (or your school’s).

Top 10Examples of top stories include: 

One-to-One or BYOD? Districts Explain Thinking Behind Student Computing Initiatives

Why Teachers Worry about Students’ Online Research Skills

10 Education Hashtags to Follow on Twitter

What is Web 3.0, Really, and What Does it Mean for Education?

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Recommended App: GoodNotes

GoodNotes is an app that comes highly recommended by many — especially those in the education field. GoodNotes allows users to take handwritten notes, draw/diagram,Goodnotes mark-up PDFs, and then save it all on a nicely organized “bookshelf”. In addition, GoodNotes allows for easy sharing, page turning, and highlighting. It also automatically saves your work and provides full backup to prevent data loss.

GoodNotes is compatible with iPad and requires iOS 5.0 or later, and is priced at $4.99. Find out more about GoodNotes on its iTunes Preview or at www.goodnotesapp.com

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STEM Day Conference 2013 Registration

From Minitex…

Come to STEM Day Conference 2013, Building Partnerships for STEM Education, and be energized and inspired!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Registration begins at 8:15 AM with the conference ending at 3:00 PM.

Continuing Education & Conference Center, University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus.

At this unique conference you’ll hear from a broad spectrum of STEM educators. Get a fresh take on STEM-based projects and programs, teen tech crews and labs, community collaborations, and curriculum supportive resources and technology that support and advance K-12 STEM education in Minnesota.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Anthony Murphy, newly appointed director of The GLOBE Program. Prior to his current position, Dr. Murphy served as the executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University, St. Paul.

You’ll leave the conference feeling actively engaged, intrigued, and fortified by learning about new, developing, and existing programs, projects, and resources. This conference will also give you time to connect with fellow STEM educators and share ideas. Review these exciting sessions and register today.

Cost: $40.00/person

Space is limited. So, register now to secure a spot!

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TIES Conference Summary: A CMLE Scholarship

The following was submitted by a CMLE scholarship recipient.TIES

Submitted by: Nancy Lorentz, Becker High School Media Specialist
The first session I attended this year at the TIES Conference was entitled “Need More Tech Support? Enlist Some Students!” by Mary Klauk from Osseo Area Schools. I enlisted student help when we went to 1:1 at Becker High School. Mary had some good ideas for me to improve my program –I should have the students trained to run our new auditorium next year, and students who are able to help substitute teachers hook up projectors, etc. I also need to do a better job of training students to create videos for me — concerts, tutorials, etc. all take up quite a bit of my time. She also has a Tech Crew member who supports the Robotics Club–Becker is just starting one up this winter and I have JUST the right boy for the job!

Simon Sinek was the Keynote on Monday: “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action.” So inspirational! My favorite quote was “Technology has to solve a human problem. If achievement goes up, it’s the teacher using the technology and not the technology itself.” This is so true–I believe the value in putting the technology in the hands of every student is that it forces people to become better teachers–and THAT’S when transformational teaching happens!

My last session may have ended up being the most valuable to me. Two teachers from South View Middle School in Edina work together on a Challenge-Based Learning project called “Combating Apathy.” I’m hoping one of my next steps at Becker High School is to create a Challenge-Based Learning project with a class or classes–and this session gave me some awesome ideas on how to get started!

Thanks so much for helping me to be able to attend TIES again this year!

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ALA’s State of America’s Libraries Report 2012

State of America's LibrariesThe State of America’s Libraries Report 2012 sheds some light on what our leading professional organization (American Library Association [ALA]) views as successes, failures, topics of concern, and key focus areas for upcoming years. The document celebrates success stories, while thoroughly documenting the challenges libraries are facing due to budget cuts and the constantly changing digital landscape.

The special report highlights that while change is nearly constant in libraries, one thing will forever remain clear and true. Libraries transform lives. Libraries innovate, and are constantly seeking ways to do more and improve service to patrons.