MIDCS

Micdslli09.wikispaces.com 4-day Introductory Integrated Unit for 9th Graders Created an 8th continent to answer the question, “What is civilization and how does it shape our knowing?” One part is highly industrial, an island is mostly natural and a tourist attraction Kids divide up into groups of 10 and decide how they define their civilization, and create a story of how their civilization was created, come up with a constitution (they can decide to be a war-like country) All 40 meet during the day for a UN meeting to collaborate. 2nd day there is an outbreak of the Chimp Flu that affects 1 or 2 of these countries. They will need to negotiate and move around the building to interview and visit various places. Various roles assigned - Sec. of Health, Science Advisor, etc. Wiki set up with groups for each country. Their constitution is set up in various languages and broadcast to meet foreign language component. 10th graders – Lois & Clark expedition and “Discovery” 11th graders – Consumerism The Sudan Project – class for 11th and 12th graders (take2videos.org) projec t to document the conflict using documentary post-production film-making skills using 40 hours of footage. Created a 30-min. documentary that they presented to the whole school, revised then showed to family and public. Used a Ning with a structured forum (they realized they needed to use set discussion topics otherwise it turned too “face-booky” Roles: PR, editing, etc.  **Flat Classroom & AP Statistics –** flatclassroomproject2008.wikispaces.com and flatclassroomproject.ning.com  Goal s: produce convincing arguments, use tech. to find solutions, become critical consumers of information, communicate effectively to a world-wide audience
 * Innovative, Interdisciplinary Learning with Laptops**

AP Statistics – chose a social issue, did research for the project for 3 weeks, then created a video w/ at least 30 sec. of footage. Spent 1.5 class periods per week on this. Teachers have a listserv and the wiki to share rubrics and ideas. Brought together students from all over the world, Sept – Dec., around 120 students involved At the end did an eliminate session.

**Math Research Project** Thematic math, assessing skills, project based learning Interdisciplinary electives – Environmental Statistics (emphasizing applications) **Mini-Term** Took 4 days after finals of 2nd semester Teachers choose a hobby that they’d like to teach, pair with a teacher from another class, post a list of projects, experiential learning (getting off-campus) Examples: One group went to the Ozarks and journaled Geom./Physics of baseball Japan history and culture Abstract Art (went to museum) Allowed them to focus on one thing all day long! Instead of 6 things not so well… “Daylight” video created on youtube

21 July 2009**
 * Importance of a networked teacher

Learning network--not social network!

commoncraft video series and networked students:http://odeo.com/episodes/23715063-The-Networked-Student%E2%80%A6-in-plain-English Connectivism ITunes U

Videocnference with experts using skype


 * Shifts: Info explosion, participatory culture (Clay Shirkey** [|**http://www.shirky.com/**]**),**

Social bookmarking: Delicious / Diigo better for kids) RSS/ Google Reader (Commoncraft video) http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english Flickr Google Docs iGoogle

21 July 2009 ** Dynamic not static curriculum
 * Curriculum Driven 1:1 Program

Cultural Drivers: Information Explosion, (Shirky "filter failure"), Participatory Culture, Social Networking, Flat World Ideology, Instruction Goals: Basic Literacy and Habits of Mind, Visual/Media Literacy, Information Literacy, Inter-cultural Awareness, Digital Citizenship, Networked Literacy

Evolution of Literacy: Student-Centered Curriculum: collaborative, networked, transparent Assessment: diagnostic and formative, summative, performance/project/inquiry-based. converational. sel-reflective Blog at the end of class to provide reflection (easier exit slips) "This machine is your personal learning environment. It is not an entertainment or gaming device."

[] [|http://quizlet.com] []
 * Tools**: ipod, cell phone along with mini laptop
 * Apps**: skype, vyew, google docs, quizlet, ustream.tv (use with a camera attached to computer to broadcast out to the world, comment field attached, allows students to critique archived fellow students’ presentations), xtimeline, CommonCraft videos, Google Reader, Delicious, ComicLife, ArtRage (allows them to trace an image for drawing, can add to comic)

Where are they headed?