tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78524744002189217422024-03-05T01:08:22.234-08:00Games, STEM, Social Media and Young AdultsLaura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-14249718841748165382016-10-27T16:21:00.000-07:002016-10-27T16:21:18.872-07:00Pumpkin CatapultPumpkin Catapult!<br />
<br />
I love this idea! A scientific experiment that involves launching seasonal projectiles, bungee cords and some building or sanding.<br />
<br />
http://www.weknowstuff.us.com/2016/10/pumpkin-catapult-for-kids.htmlLaura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-19983249396703350292014-07-26T12:19:00.003-07:002014-07-27T08:18:16.702-07:00Announcing: Book A Rama Game Making CampsFriends,<br />
<br />
Announcing Book A Rama camps. This is a space for elementary-middle school age kids to design games. The name Book A Rama came about because the games will all grow out of the pages of a favorite book chosen by the designer. During camp time, we will also do activities to become completely absorbed in the topics of our games-in-development: crafts, journal writing, research and cooking projects.<br />
<br />
The first phase will be research and story boarding. During later sessions, we will use GameStar Mechanic or Kodu to put together a game prototype, or may create a board or card game, video production or comic.<br />
<br />
Book A Rama will meet alternate Fridays, after school until early evening. Once a month I will offer a parent's night out/monthly movie night opportunity option. Movies will be selected based on the game topics and G or PG only.<br />
<br />
Here are tentative dates for fall:<br />
<br />
Sept. 12, 25<br />
Oct. 10, 24<br />
Nov. 7, 21<br />
Game show: Dec. 5<br />
<br />
I will also offer Winter Break camps. Coaching and support available electronically throughout : )<br />
<br />
Suggested age range: 9-12 yrs<br />
<br />
This is a pilot project, so prices will be very low. Contact <a href="mailto:laura@minnigerode.org" target="_blank">me directly </a>for more information! thanks!!Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-73233991364087766472013-11-29T13:21:00.001-08:002013-11-29T13:35:16.142-08:00Winter Break Fun-shop Camp!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">People between the ages of 5-11 are invited to join us for a fun workshop. The workshop days are January 3 (Friday) and January 6 (Monday) and people may attend one or both, whatever works best! Hours are 8-5. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are super duper excited to get together for some end of break fun. Some of the things we will do: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hiking on the greenbelt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cooking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Writing and drama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Games</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making things</span><br />
<a href="mailto:laura@minnigerode.org" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:laura@minnigerode.org" target="_blank">Please contact me</a> with questions or to reserve a space! I'd love to hear more about which of the activities sound most interesting when you get in touch.And also if you need to tweak the hours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About the workshop and leaders: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From Laura: I am a workshop leader, play producer, mama, and cooking aficionado. The camp will take place in my yard and home near Zilker Park/S. Lamar area, and will be co-led by my 13 yr old assistant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cost: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$35/full day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$20/half day </span><br />
Limited to 10 kidsLaura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-15104072643436573272013-11-06T15:34:00.002-08:002013-11-07T12:52:48.557-08:00Getting girls excited about codingTechnology is not necessarily a subject for students but instead it is part of every minute. Yet, interest in coding and tech careers can be elusive.<br />
<br />
Research based ideas:<br />
<a href="http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/mediaComp-plan/uploads/86/lauren-sigcsePaper-FINAL1.pdf" target="_blank">Media production:</a> This link is to a paper by Rich, Perry and Guzdial describing an undergraduate course that drew women into the computer science field. <br />
Social issue/tech for good: Elaine: it says Not why but what? Needs to have a meaning. Girls make a website for how to boost enrollment for girls in STEM program. 'Let's make a page- we can be one of the stations that we can show what we do' <br />
Tinkering and making (see dollhouse and high tech textile ideas below)<br />
<br />
<b>What are some strategies that you have found effective?</b><br />
<a href="http://www.learninglandscapes.ca/images/documents/ll-no12/minnigerode.pdf" target="_blank">Social issue games: </a>The above case study (link) discusses two 6th grade girls and their
experience making a game about an issue important to them, teen
pregnancy and drop out prevention. <br />
<br />
Girl Scouts of USA <a href="http://www.girlscouts.org/research/pdf/generation_stem_full_report.pdf" target="_blank">research</a> and personal experience have shown me that engagement in a cause that has personal resonance can be highly motivating. Many girls cite an interest in changing the world as a factor in choosing a career path. <br />
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<a href="http://www.blackgirlscode.org/" target="_blank">Black Girls Code</a>: go to Past Events on site, for examples of the following<br />
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Media production<br />
Web page production<br />
iPod Film making<br />
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<b>Other ideas: </b><br />
Robotics programs<br />
<br />
Contests, such as the National STEM Video Game Challenge<br />
<br />
Mentoring programs<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb9mLic9LUw" target="_blank">High Tech Textile Design</a><br />
<br />
ADA fruit <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb9mLic9LUw" target="_blank"> </a><br />
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<a href="http://gender.stanford.edu/news/2013/girls-practice-engineering-skills-diy-dollhouse-kit" target="_blank">Roominate (DIY dollhouse)</a><br />
<br />
Suggestions about grant funding:<br />
Allstate<br />
Local electric companies<br />
Caterpiller<br />
Region 10<br />
<br />
Other ideas: <br />
Saint Ignatius: Uses students as the Tech crew, architect<br />
<br />
<a href="http://iridescentlearning.org/programs/technovation-challenge/" target="_blank">technovation</a>- NSF funded- girls get together to create android apps with MIT app inventor<br />Girl Startup- in San Antonio <br />
<br />
Hole in the Wall school<br />
<br />
Tools:<br />
<a href="http://amc.pori.tut.fi/game-building-tools/" target="_blank">A very thorough list of game making environments: Digital Game Making Environments</a><br />
<br />
Dot Alice<br />
<br />
App building tools:<br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touchappcreator/id447590667?mt=8" target="_blank">Touchapp Creator</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gamepressapp.com/" target="_blank">GamePress</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://blockly-demo.appspot.com/static/apps/maze/index.html" target="_blank">Blockly Maze (demo) </a><br />
<br />Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-85239744725957668552013-10-07T07:12:00.002-07:002013-10-07T07:12:23.050-07:00Lessons from playtesting slides from Captivate ConferenceHere is a link to my slides from Kids are different: Playtesting talk yesterday. <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=141933fa00f343a4&mt=application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui%3D2%26ik%3De0787d3682%26view%3Datt%26th%3D141933fa00f343a4%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df_hmhrz9rh0%26zw&sig=AHIEtbSJ1-rVboaV0zg3op2uJSkndp47dg" target="_blank">Click her</a>e for a google doc version. Thanks to all who attended!Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-71221281709927771452013-10-06T12:07:00.002-07:002013-10-06T12:07:37.208-07:00First contact: Playtesting with preschoolersExcellent post from Jason Krogh on playtesting with young children from Joan Ganz Cooney center: <a href="http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/2013/10/01/first-contact-playtesting-with-preschoolers/" target="_blank">First Contact: Playtesting with preschoolers. </a>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-51993729033666201742013-10-05T14:58:00.003-07:002013-10-05T14:58:44.471-07:00Sesame Street pitch reel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_l_owoMsujWS_sAHw9b1EtSwgLp2Jk0wvxevc1FrCpTvRMguSS99G-kX6Gjti8elc3Zj9MmwY1LyeLBzJQcVRKDEMFigdSrcPKNYdlSsnxbAmdYBnMMPuAPuTZDem84qetdbhZNZZGY/s1600/gerald-lesser-sesame-street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_l_owoMsujWS_sAHw9b1EtSwgLp2Jk0wvxevc1FrCpTvRMguSS99G-kX6Gjti8elc3Zj9MmwY1LyeLBzJQcVRKDEMFigdSrcPKNYdlSsnxbAmdYBnMMPuAPuTZDem84qetdbhZNZZGY/s1600/gerald-lesser-sesame-street.jpg" /></a></div>
Here is the summary of the <a href="http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Sesame_Street_Pitch_Reel" target="_blank">Sesame Street pitch reel</a>. It features Dr. Gerald Lesser and Joan Ganz Cooney, and is brought to you by the word 'groovy'.Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-74122125517538265912012-07-30T06:40:00.003-07:002012-07-30T06:40:40.043-07:00Letter from the Guy Who Made Monsters IncPete Docter was a pretty good artist in middle and high school, and then became an animator. He has been at Pixar for 20 years. He also became a director for the films Up and Monsters Inc.<br />
<br />
Here are two amazing letters he wrote to middle school classes:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/07/whatever-you-like-doing-do-it.html">http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/07/whatever-you-like-doing-do-it.html</a>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-91947701848000071332012-07-17T18:50:00.003-07:002012-07-18T07:06:03.969-07:00Making Games and Making ChangeThe interview excerpted below is with a student in 7th grade who takes a game design class at his middle school in East Austin. The class, called Globaloria, is required of all students, and this is his second year. He is describing the game he worked on for the class. The link to his game is within the interview and here. <a href="http://www.myglife.org/usa/eacpa/index.php/Special:GlobaloriaGamesGallery/192" target="_blank">Play the game</a><br />
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</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">My game is about Teen Drug abuse – teens getting
addicted to drugs. Throughout my life I have had experiences..... so I
decided to do that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I researched one of the most popular drugs that
teens use, and what different drugs do to the body, to make obstacles for
characters to get away from drugs- (levels- facts, different levels- it tells
what it does to their body)- kind of like a maze <a href="http://www.myglife.org/usa/eacpa/index.php/Special:GlobaloriaGamesGallery/192" target="_blank">Play the game here</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Do you like to play any games?</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">I kind of don’t play games anymore. Like last year I
used to play games- I used to play all kinds of war games, like Xbox 360 and
Playstation, or what the other company is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">I’m too old, I feel like, I’m too old to play games.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><i>Do you think that is related to knowing how to make
them, or is it just a coincidence?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">I think that …..games, making games, is..... I like
it, because making games is hard
and difficult. But playing games is kinda easy. I feel like that’s for little
kids, kids [who] like games. And
Globaloria is for me. Because I like creating games, and all the code, which
would be difficult for a kid to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-43350983478155341962012-05-22T14:42:00.001-07:002012-05-22T14:42:21.655-07:00Austin Chronicle Review of GamesJames Renovitch from the Austin Chronicle <a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/screens/2012-05-18/local-kids-play-make-games/" target="_blank">reviewed some of the games</a> from the Globaloria game makers in East Austin. He's a great game reviewer, and I think he had some excellent insights about the games. The Austin Chronicle Screens blog is <a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/screens/2012-05-18/local-kids-play-make-games/" target="_blank">here</a>.Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-67363908197917585472012-03-04T07:24:00.003-08:002012-03-04T07:30:12.310-08:00MedussiaThis is a pretty <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2602224">cool looking book</a> - well-written and interesting graphics. It turns out it was written by a teen author. At the above link, you can preview 15 pages of the book. Book buyers can get a version for iPod or iPhone, or a hard or soft cover printed version. <div><br /></div><div>You can read some advice from this author about how she did research, in this <a href="http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/1813.cfm">article</a> called <a href="http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/1813.cfm">Research Advice for Teens Writing Fiction</a>. I think some of her advice for putting research to use in fiction could help game-makers. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-23580305236726020992012-02-22T10:04:00.000-08:002013-01-07T20:36:54.305-08:00We the Web Kids<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;">This essay is translated from Polish. The author states that people born into an Internet world feel that they '<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; line-height: 19px;">do not use the Internet, we live on the Internet and along it.'</span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;">What do you think- do you agree? </span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/02/we-the-web-kids/253382/">Read the essay here</a></span></div>
Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-34267702231655193782012-02-12T07:40:00.000-08:002012-02-12T11:00:16.294-08:00Rep. Mark Strama Attends Digital Learning Day at EA Prep<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxsZNSKkpecvEGa2MGnXPmfoAE3-YbN_1IfIGMYb5_vT3fpUQKSNxxX3sycNodjm1-R4R3N_WvKHll8yEhA4dNS3d4yPqSJMFqnZTOZ-znhIK_gycI0FsEAi2yplff1T_XYO-fSDtZXs/s1600/photo-6.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxsZNSKkpecvEGa2MGnXPmfoAE3-YbN_1IfIGMYb5_vT3fpUQKSNxxX3sycNodjm1-R4R3N_WvKHll8yEhA4dNS3d4yPqSJMFqnZTOZ-znhIK_gycI0FsEAi2yplff1T_XYO-fSDtZXs/s320/photo-6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708319628866276898" /></a><br />At a celebration of the First Annual <a href="http://www.digitallearningday.org/">Digital Learning Day</a>, students from East Austin College Prep invited community members to learn more about their game design and programming skills. The students take a class called <a href="http://globaloria.org/">Globaloria</a>, where they use social media to invent, build and share games. All students at this school have Globaloria class every day.<br /><br />State Representative Mark Strama attended the event. Rep. Strama is pictured, to the right, playing and learning more about games made by Michael, an eighth grade Globaloria student.<div><br /></div><div>After Rep. Strama had a chance to learn about the students' work, he made the following remarks. A video of the remarks is available <a href="http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGJwq8Vhw34">here.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Representative Strama's Remarks at Digital Learning Day: </div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>I got really interested in technology, professionally, in the late 1990s, which was a long time ago in technology time. </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>At the time, I worked for MTV, and I was running a national voter registration campaign for MTV called Rock the Vote. And what we did was register people to vote at rock concerts and stuff like that. It was very labor intensive- everywhere we wanted to register voters go, we had to send volunteers and table, and pens and it was cumbersome. It was logistically difficult. </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>Around that time, the Internet became a big deal. And I figured out that you could eliminate all that extra work just by putting a voter registration website on the Internet. So we created the first place on the Internet where you could fill out a voter registration form electronically on your computer, without having to ship out all of those papers and all those volunteers and all that extra effort and labor. </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>In 2000, 700,000 Americans used that technology to register themselves to vote, to be able to participate in elections. The old-fashioned way of registering voters, it would have been impossible to register 700, 000 people to vote. It would have been impossible. It would have just taken too much paper, too many people, and too much work. All we did was write some code – Michael just like you showed me – we wrote a little bit of code, we put it up on a server, we published it to the Internet, and 700,000 people used it. We didn't have to lift another finger. That is incredibly powerful technology. </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>Technology like that has changed everything about society in the 15 years since I first started working with it. Almost everything we do is different, except in the education system. For the most part, we still do things the way we have for over 100 years. In the education system, we are still using paper, we are still very labor-intensive, we are still very old fashioned about it. </i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>Which is why I am very excited to see the way you guys are learning here. Not just because you are using technology, but because technology is enabling you to work in groups, to develop problem-solving skills, and to do the things that in the 21st century work force you really actually need to know how to do. Things that don’t get measured on the TAKS test, or the STAR test, or whatever test. Things that are really difficult to measure, but that matter a lot. The skills you’re using here matter a lot. So in the Legislature, one area where we’ve made some progress: we let schools use the money they used to only be allowed to use on text books, on any instructional materials. Computers, software, iPads, whatever is useful to give you the information and the tools you need to learn.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>I think it’s super-cool that you guys are not just using computers to learn how to surf the Internet, you’re learning how to CREATE the Internet. That’s really cool. And I really believe that in ten years, if you keep with it and you finish your education, you will have enormous opportunities. Because all of these grown-ups around you don’t know the first thing about how to do what you’re doing. Michael explained it to me ten or fifteen times; I still don’t understand. It’s alien to us; it’s foreign to us. </i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>When you guys are twenty-five years old, you’re going to be putting us out to pasture. Because you’re going to know so much about the essential things people have to know in the workforce. So stick with it. You guys have real talent. You’re better at this than we are. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; "><i>It’s cool when young people know more than the old people in the room. </i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><i>I guarantee to you, the opportunities that will be available to you from working with this kind of technology are limitless. So thank you for your hard work on this and thank you again for inviting me.</i></span></p><div><br /></div> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-79295724199914697012012-01-26T20:32:00.000-08:002012-02-12T11:39:55.397-08:00Game BrainstormThis is a <a href="http://twitpic.com/8c4yct">brainstorm from a game designer</a> that I follow on twitter<br /><br /><a href="http://twitpic.com/8c4yct" title="Share photos on twitter with Twitpic"></a>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-40195252497186069102012-01-17T10:03:00.001-08:002012-02-12T11:37:38.745-08:00I'm humanThis video was made by a group of middle and high school students in Alabama. Surprising and beautiful.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJymVGJ3Eag&feature=player_embedded">I am human video</a>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-56231870077147486102012-01-11T06:11:00.001-08:002012-01-11T06:12:13.658-08:00Teen ScientistsThree teenage winners of the Google Science Fair discuss their work <br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/award_winning_teen_age_science_in_action.html">here</a> for videoLaura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-76423830821752070852012-01-10T08:19:00.000-08:002012-01-10T08:20:42.699-08:00Good news about teens onlineAccording to new research, most teens report that their peers are mostly kind to each other online. Do you agree?<br />Read more here: <br /><a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20111229-editorial-teens-and-civility-on-social-media-sites.ece">Dallas News/Pew Internet Study</a>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-19181205915945961422012-01-06T09:48:00.000-08:002012-01-06T09:50:30.938-08:00Blogging helps teens develop self esteem“Social support is known to be a major factor in helping people cope with emotional difficulties,” said study co-author Azy Barak, a professor of psychology at the University of Haifa in Israel. “The blogging participants received lots of encouraging messages, ideas, and advice – and very important messages showing that there are people who care for them. These types of messages have very positive support to people in distress, in addition to the very expressive writing experience they went through.”<br /><br />Read more about this study <a href="http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/05/9979295-boost-your-teens-self-esteem-let-them-blog">here</a>.Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-3703068359229640562011-04-04T13:38:00.000-07:002012-02-12T11:43:34.022-08:00President visits technology driven school, grade 6-12What do you think about this school? Do you think the President might visit your school one day?<br /><br /><br />http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=119075&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=clickLaura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-84508953704365155032011-04-04T12:31:00.000-07:002011-04-04T12:37:26.001-07:00Blogging and writingKids blogging in Minnesota. Do you agree with these students that blogging makes you a better writer?<br /><br />Please comment from your experience- how has blogging been helpful to you, if it has. And if not, why do you think that is?<br /><br />http://www.twincities.com/ci_17704014?&nclick_check=1Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-37889555216648060862011-04-04T11:06:00.001-07:002011-04-04T11:06:38.803-07:00Interesting article on students and computer sciencehttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_723777.htmlLaura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-34399942871054269032011-03-23T07:54:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:01:54.364-07:00March 23<span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Survey<br /><br /><br />2. Write a blog post (at least 5 sentences) about the movie The Wizard which they should have seen on Monday and Tuesday<br /><br /><br />3. Go to Cool Math and play games. Make sure they are only on Cool Math. No other game sites are acceptable.<br /><br /><br />4. Post a blog (5 sentences!) about one game from Cool Math that you like, what you like about it, and any ideas from that game that can help you in your own game.<br /><br /><br />Thanks!!</span>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-7682425595021999602011-02-01T08:44:00.000-08:002011-02-01T08:52:23.809-08:00My dreams for the futureWrite about your dream for the future. This is your picture of what you want life to be like for you when you are grown up. It can be a dream that most people would call unlikely. Include details about your dream- try to really describe everything about what you see, feel and experience in your dream future. <br /><br />You can read Martin Luther King's famous speech, I have a dream, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/i-have-a-dream-speech-text_n_809993.html">here</a>.Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-24231719840249566362011-01-06T09:12:00.000-08:002011-01-06T09:14:52.144-08:00Seventh graders and giftsSome seventh graders who also used a number scale to rate their responses, just like EACPA students often do, weigh in on different gifts. <br /><br /><a href="http://http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/12/27/132288035/why-economists-hate-presents-and-how-seventh-graders-solved-the-problem">Why Economists Hate Presents</a>Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852474400218921742.post-7428023658846158232010-09-15T09:27:00.000-07:002010-09-15T09:35:59.841-07:00Sixth graders playing gamesSix B is playing games, and blogging reviews. They have been working on putting their comments on their wiki, pasting text into wiki comments section.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to reading more blogs written by the students in 6A and this class. I noticed, in passing, several girls saying they like to shoot.Laura M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726751017678649394noreply@blogger.com0