admin on October 14th, 2008
CMK08,CMK09,David Thornburg,Constructing Modern Knowledge,Educon 2.1,educon2.1,Gary Stager
Dr. David Thornburg, one of the world’s most popular and prominent innovators in educational technology will lead two workshops at the Educon 2.1 preconference event, Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge.
Dr. Thornburg’s latest project is the Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
David Thornburg joins a stellar faculty for this one-of-a-kind professional learning event. The other presenters are: Gary Stager, Ph.D, Brian Silverman, Carolyn Staudt and Ihor Charischak.
Early-bird registration discounts are now in effect.
admin on October 1st, 2008
cmk08,cmk09,Gary Stager,Constructing Modern Knowledge,professional development,educational computing,constructionism
Mark Your Calendars!
Constructing Modern Knowledge 2009 promises to be an even better institute than in 2008. Once again, participants will enjoy a collaborative environment committed to knowledge construction, computing and creativity.
World-class guest speakers (to be announced shortly) will join a stellar faculty dedicated to supporting each learner.
Constructing Modern Knowledge 2009 will be held in Manchester, New Hampshire on July 13-16, 2008 with a preconference event on July 12th.
Registration information will be published soon. Please enter your email address in the field below and we will keep you posted and keep checking this blog for news about next July’s premiere professional learning opportunity!
garystager on September 3rd, 2008
math,science,S.T.E.M.,CMK08,Educon 2.1,Constructing Modern Knowledge
Save the date!
Educon 2.1 Preconference Event
I’m pleased to announce a one-of-a-kind educational event for January 22, 2009 at Philadelphia’s Science Leadership Academy. Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge is a minds-on institute for K-12 teachers, administrators and technology coordinators looking for practical and inspirational ways to use computers to enhance S.T.E.M. learning. Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge is a preconference event @ Educon 2.1
Our presenters represent high-tech pioneers and seasoned veterans at the forefront of innovation in math, science and computing.
- Brian Silverman has been involved in the invention of dozens of Logo versions (including LogoWriter & MicroWorlds), Scratch, LEGO robotics and the PicoCricket. An incomparable presenter, Brian is a Consulting Scientist to the MIT Media Lab, a brilliant mathematician and master tinkerer.
- Carolyn Staudt is a veteran science educator who leads professional development for the Concord Consortium. She will be leading presentations and workshops on scientific modeling with open-source computing tools.
- Ihor Charischak is a veteran mathematics educator and active NCTM member who recently retired from the Stevens Instiute of Technology’s Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education. He will lead workshops on “Mathematics and Computing Innovation for Monday Morning.”
- Dr. David Thornburg is the Director of the Thornburg Center for Professional Development and The Thornburg Center for Space Exploration. He has been at the forefront of educational technology since the 1970s.
- Dr. Gary Stager is the day’s keynote speaker and organizer. He is a Visiting Professor at Pepperdine University, Executive Director of the Constructivist Consortium and a popular education journalist.
The day features a keynote address, two plenary sessions, a choice of four workshops run twice and closing panel discussion.
Come to Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge and stay for Educon 2.1!
More specific information about the day’s sessions will be published in the near future. 
Registration includes the complete conference program and lunch. Bring your own laptop!
Save $35 by taking advantage of early-bird registration before November 1st.
Super early-bird registration (before November 1) - $90
Early-bird registration (before December 15) - $120
Regular registration - $130
You may register for both Constructing Modern Knowledge M/S and Educon 2.1 with one click.
Click here for hotel and travel information.
1 CEU from Pepperdine University is available for an additional fee.
Download & print the Constructing Modern Math/Science Knowledge poster.
Registration is Limited - Click here to register today!
garystager on July 25th, 2008
Fred Martin’s Art of LEGO
Fred Martin, the engineer behind the RCX brick, wrote a terrific paper explaining LEGO engineering principles.
The Art of LEGO 2
MIT Media Lab graduate students, Arnan (Roger) Sipitakiat, Paulo Blikstein and Rahul Bhargava created a handy color collection of strategies for assembling LEGO elements.
MicroWorlds EX Robotics downloadable reference handout.
Great LEGO Challenges
Here is a collection of 13 challenges sure to inspire classroom creativity.
25 Things to Do With LEGO Robotics
A timeless list of project ideas.
Gary Stager’s LEGO Robotics web page
New Workshop!
Improvisational Robotics - Authentic Opportunities for the Construction of Knowledge
LEGO Robotics offers students a high-tech high-touch improvisational medium for interdisciplinary learning. An ability to identify rich problems is required to engage learners of all ages. We will explore different approaches to bringing the curriculum alive through an improvisational approach to robotics. The new MicroWorlds EX Robotics software will be used to create interdisciplinary projects that combine the real world with the screen.
Click here for more workshop information.
admin on July 24th, 2008
Recommended Software
- MicroWorlds EX Robotics (multimedia Logo programming language and robotics control environment - Mac & Windows)
- Inspiredata (data collection, visualization and analysis tool for K-12 - Mac & Windows)
- Tech4Learning Imagination Suite (Frames, Pixie, ImageBlender, WebBlender, Twist - Mac & Windows)
- iLife ‘08 (iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, Garageband, iWeb)
- Sibelius (the gold standard for music notation and composition) - Mac & Windows)
- Finale Notepad (music composition software - free - Mac & Windows)
- Tinkerplots, Fathom and Geometer’s Sketchpad (statistical analysis and geometry software - Mac & Windows)
- Animation-ish (animation software - Mac & Windows)
Programming Environments for Learners
Cool Tools
- Audacity (open source Mac/Windows/Linux audio recording and editing software)
- Delicious Library (catalog books, CDs, videos on a Mac)
- Fission (native audio editing for the Mac)
- iShowU (low-cost video/screen capture for the Mac)
- Tubesock (download YouTube videos)
- TubeTV (Mac software for capturing all sorts of web video, including Google and YouTube)
- Visual Hub (convert all sorts of video formats)
- VLC (play all sorts of video formats including DVDs from other regions)
