Art Teacher Honored for Fostering Thinking and Creativity

Amy LangeAmy Lange was named the 2012-2013 Shelby County Schools High School Teacher of the Year. This Millington Central High art teacher inspires her students to be successful in art, as well as their core academic classes” (Source).

I’m enjoying working with Amy as her doctoral advisor and I’m impressed with her abilities to foster creativity. Amy is currently involved in a deep investigation of some of the work from Project Zero at Harvard University (Making Thinking Visible, Artful Thinking, Teaching for Understanding, and the Future of Learning). She and I are beginning to collaborate on the development of teaching materials, professional development workshops, and other resources centered around these ideas. Watch for more about this in the future.

For now, enjoy this video that highlights some of the outstanding work that Amy does to promote thinking, learning, and creativity.

Event Tags: #pzc2013 #hgsepzfol

Series: UM IDT Student Spotlight

Call for Chapters: Digital Tools for Writing

Student Writing

Dr. Becky Anderson and I invite you to consider contributing your expertise by submitting a chapter in a soon-to-be-published edited book. Digital Tools for Writing Instruction in K-12 Settings: Student Perception and Experience is timely because students are currently using technology to write both in and out of the classroom. In particular, students are writing outside of the classroom in ways that are not well documented or understood. Research is needed to report what students are doing both in and out of school and the implications this has on their learning. As a result, there exists a need for an edited collection of chapters in this area to 1) keep educators abreast of how to use the growing number of technology tools, 2) address the growing emphasis on writing instruction in both K-12 settings and in teacher education programs, 3) meet national standards and current initiatives that expect teachers to integrate writing across the curriculum, and 4) inform practice for the growing number of educators involved in K-12 online teaching and learning.

Working Title

Digital Tools for Writing Instruction in K-12 Settings: Student Perception and Experience

Download Call as PDF

Publisher’s Announcement

Editors

Rebecca S. Anderson (The University of Memphis, USA)

Clif Mims (The University of Memphis, USA)

Call for Chapters

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 15, 2013

Full Chapters Due: July 20, 2013

Introduction

Currently, more emphasis is placed on writing instruction in K-12 schools than ever before. Unfortunately, however, students continue to perform poorly on national writing assessments. One possible solution to helping students become better writers is for K-12 teachers to use the growing number of digital tools to teach writing. Another possible solution is for content area teachers (i.e., math, science, social studies, and language arts) to integrate writing assignments into their curricula. Consistent with the present national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiative, which also embraces writing across the curriculum, students are no longer taught how to write just by the writing teacher. Instead, teachers at all levels, and in all content areas, are expected to use writing to help students both become better writers and to learn content knowledge. Therefore, it is important that K-12 teachers learn how to use new digital tools to effectively teach writing in the content areas. In particular, it is important to learn which technologies students are using, both inside and outside the classroom, and the implications this has for teaching and learning. As a result, there exists a need for an edited collection of articles in this area.

Objectives of the Book

  1. To provide research about using digital tools to support writing instruction with K-12 students.
  2. To disseminate information about how students use digital tools to write in school settings.
  3. To disseminate information about how students use digital tools to write outside of school settings.
  4. To disseminate information about students’ perspectives on using technology to write.
  5. To discuss issues and concerns related to students using digital tools for writing.
  6. To discuss the teaching and learning implications of K-12 students using digital tools for writing.

Target Audience

The target audience of this book is educators who are, or who work with, K-12 content area teachers. Thus, the primary audience will be professionals and researchers working in the field of K-12 education and teacher education. Additional audiences are higher education and adult education professionals who can adapt the practical and effective applications for using new technologies to teach writing in their respective content areas.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Hardware (e.g., iPads, Audiobooks, Smartboards, etc.) Used to Teach Writing in K-12 Classrooms
  • Applications Used to Teach Writing in K-12 Classrooms
  • Software Applications Used to Teach Writing in K-12 Classrooms
  • Web-based/Online Tools for Use in the K-12 Writing Curriculum
  • In-School Writing Using Digital Tools
  • Students’ Out-of-School Writing Using Digital Tools
  • Action Research: K-12 Classroom Teachers Studying Students’ Digital Writing Tools
  • Training Teachers: Providing Professional Development for Digital Writing Tools
  • The Future Use of Digital Writing Tools

Submission Procedure

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before March 15, 2013, a 2-3 page chapter proposal clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by March 29, 2013, about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by July 30, 2013. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.

Publisher

This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (formerly Idea Group Reference), “Medical Information Science Reference,” “Business Science Reference,” and “Engineering Science Reference” imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com. This book is anticipated to be released in 2014

Important Dates

Proposal Submission Deadline March 15, 2013
Notification of Acceptance March 29, 2013
Full Chapter Submission July 30, 2013
Review Results Returned September 30, 2013
Revised Chapter Submission October 30, 2013
Final Chapter Deadline December 15, 2013

Inquiries and Submissions

Submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word document)

Rebecca S. Anderson, Ph.D.
Professor, Reading Education
The University of Memphis
406 Ball Hall
Memphis, TN 38152
USA
Website, Email, Phone: (901) 678-3977

Clif Mims, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Instructional Design and Technology
The University of Memphis
406 Ball Hall
Memphis, TN 38152
USA
Website, Email, Phone: (901) 678-5672

Seeking Participants for Exercise Study

UMlogo-HHSdept-500The Department of Health and Sport Sciences at The University of Memphis invites your participation in an exercise study.

“Come and join us as we explore the effects of two exercise modes on balance. The study will include repeated balance tests on a computerized test system in the pre-, middle, and post-training phases. It’s free and fun for everyone!

The study will start in February, 2013. Financial compensation and campus parking are provided” (Source).

Download flyer for full details.

About the Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence [Video]

The Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence provides world-class professional development for educators. The Institute provides on-site seminars, workshops and conferences; a teacher residency program; and funding for off-site professional development, especially Project Zero at Harvard University. The Institute draws on the research and ideas of leading educational thinkers and child development experts, and it blends theory with practical application, including the opportunity for teachers to observe, network and/or develop their craft.

Summer Conference
The 2011 Martin Institute Summer Conference will be in Memphis, TN on June 15-16. This year’s theme is Teaching for Tomorrow, which focuses on 21st century skills. The world-class slate of presenters and workshop facilitators includes Bill Nye the Science Guy, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Tom Barrett (@tombarrett), Paul R. Wood (@paulrwood), and many other outstanding educators and thought leaders.

Free Apple Education Workshops

Instructional Design and Technology at the University of MemphisThe Instructional Design and Technology program at The University of Memphis (UM IDT) is pleased to offer FREE workshops on Apple tools and applications. These will be conducted by Tim Matheny, a Senior System Engineer with Apple. Seating is limited and registration is required…but these top-notch workshops are FREE.

Use the links below to discover additional information and register.

MONDAY, MARCH 21

Accessibility: Technology Enabling All Students
Register at http://umidt-accessibility.eventbrite.com.
Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Place: 310 Ball Hall, University of Memphis

ILife ‘11 in Education
Register at http://umidt-ilife.eventbrite.com.
Time: 5:45 PM – 7:15 PM
Place: 310 Ball Hall, University of Memphis

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TUESDAY, MARCH 22

IPad Tools
NOTE: This workshop is also offered on Wednesday.
Register at http://umidt-ipad01.eventbrite.com.
Time: 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Place: IDT Studio, 320 Ball Hall, University of Memphis

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

iPad Tools
NOTE: This workshop is also offered on Tuesday.
Register at http://umidt-ipad02.eventbrite.com.
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Place: IDT Studio, 320 Ball Hall, University of Memphis

Creating Media for iPods, iPads, and iPhones
Register at http://umidt-iosmedia.eventbrite.com.
Time: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Place: IDT Studio, 320 Ball Hall, University of Memphis

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Notes & Resources from Midsouth EduTweetUp & Web 2.0 Smackdown (Jan. 2011)

The first Midsouth EduTweetUp of 2011 was held Tuesday evening at the IDT Studio. Approximately 10 educators representing several school districts and area independent schools enjoyed an informative evening of networking and idea-sharing.

The evening’s festivities included opportunities for requesting advice/advice sharing, a tour of the IDT Studio, discussion about upcoming events, and concluded with a Web 2.0 Smackdown, where attendees had the opportunity to demonstrate their favorite Web 2.0 tool and share how it can be integrated with teaching and learning.

Thanks to everyone that participated and made this a fun and informative event.

A special thanks to Philip Cummings for coordinating the barbecue dinner and to Trey Martindale for hosting us in the IDT Studio.

Below are the slides from the meeting followed by a few notes and resources from the evening.

Notes

Educational Technology CertificateUM IDT‘s K-12 certificate in instructional computing applications is a series of four Instructional Design and Technology courses designed to prepare inservice and preservice teachers to meaningfully integrate technology into teaching and learning.

Graduate degrees in Instructional Design and Technology and School Library Information

2011 Martin Institute Spring Conference – Those who come to feast with us can choose from the a la carte menu of learning sessions, attending as few or as many as time allows. Registration in each session will be limited to the first hungry learners to “make their dinner reservations.

The 2011 Martin Institute Summer Conference will focus on PK-6 grade literacy and STEM. The call for presentation proposals will be posted in the coming weeks.

E-Learning Network – Monthly lunch meetings for professionals to learn about and share e-learning technologies and strategies.

Web 2.0 Smackdown

Here are the links from the Web 2.0 Smackdown.

Waze – Real-time maps and traffic information based on the wisdom of the crowd

Twitterfall – Twitterfall is a Twitter client specialising in real-time tweet searches. New tweets fall into the page.

Big Huge Labs and Education

SweetSearch – A search engine for students.

SweetSites – Collections of sites organized by subject and academic level for teachers and students.

Haiku – A lesson-centric learning management system built to bring the advantages of the web to your students and classes.

Digital Wish – Putting technology in the hands of teachers and students.

Wetoku – Easily conduct video interviews.

Skype Education – A free directory for teachers who want to use Skype to bring education to life in their classrooms.

Sqworl – A clean and simple way to visually bookmark multiple URLs.

NextUp and Meetzi – In-meeting management tools that helps make your meetings more focused, actionable, and on time.

Kids’ Vid – An instructional web site that gives teachers and students the tools necessary to implement video production in the classroom.

Review the tweets and links using the event tag: #metu.

Future EduTweetUps are already in the works. Please add your information to the Memphis EduTweetUp database to receive information about future events.

Event Tag: #metu

Midsouth EduTweetUp on Jan. 18, 2011

All PK-12 educators (and future educators) are invited to join us for food and fun as teachers from schools and districts all around the Memphis area connect and share ideas. The evening will conclude with a Web 2.0 Smackdown during which attendees can volunteer to share quick demos (under 3 minutes) of some of their favorite Web 2.0 tools and services. Note that free wi-fi will be available in the studio. We’ll also have a computer projector and screen.

We’ll be meeting at the IDT Studio at the University of Memphis (320 Ball Hall) from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on Tuesday, January 18, 2011. Please help spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, on your blog(s), email, etc., and include the event tag: #metu. Non-Twitter-using teachers are absolutely welcome to join us, too. There is no registration fee, but we will be having the meal catered from Corky’s ($5/person). Please help us order the appropriate amount of food by RSVP-ing using the buttons in this Tweetvite or contacting Philip Cummings.

Event Tag: #metu

Midsouth EduTweetUp (Jan. 11, 2011) – POSTPONED

NOTE: This event has been postponed due to inclement weather throughout the region.

All PK-12 educators are invited to join us for food and fun as teachers from schools and districts all around the Memphis area connect and share ideas. The evening will conclude with a Web 2.0 Smackdown during which attendees can volunteer to share quick demos (under 3 minutes) of some of their favorite Web 2.0 tools and services. Note that free wi-fi will be available in the studio. We’ll also have a computer projector and screen.

We’ll be meeting at the IDT Studio at the University of Memphis (320 Ball Hall) from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on Tuesday, January 11, 2011. Please help spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, on your blog(s), email, etc., and include the event tag: #metu. Non-Twitter-using teachers are absolutely welcome to join us, too. There is no registration fee, but we will be having the meal catered from Corky’s ($5/person). Please help us order the appropriate amount of food by RSVP-ing using the buttons in this Tweetvite.

Event Tag: #metu

Wrap-Up of Mid-South EduTweetUp (Aug. 2010)

(Cross-Posted from Martin Institute Press Releases)

The first Mid-South EduTweetUp of the 2010-11 school year was held last Tuesday evening at Panera Bread Co. in East Memphis. 25 people representing several school districts and area independent schools enjoyed an informative evening of networking and idea-sharing.

The goals of the Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence were shared and the details of the 2010 Fall Conference were announced.

Also included in the evening’s festivities was a Web 2.0 Smackdown, where attendees had the opportunity to demonstrate their favorite Web 2.0 tool and share how it can be integrated with teaching and learning.

Thanks to everyone that participated and made this a fun and informative event. The next EduTweetUp is scheduled in conjunction with the 2010 Martin Institute Fall Conference on Friday evening, October 1. Click here for details.

Event Tag: #metu

Wrap-Up of Memphis EduTweetUp (May 2010)

Memphis’ inaugural EduTweetUp was a great event. Eighteen teachers from many different schools and districts in the greater Memphis area, Tipton County, TN, and Byhalia, MS, enjoyed an evening of food and fun as we networked and shared ideas. The Web 2.0 Smackdown was a fun way for us to share online technologies and services and discuss strategies for integrating them with teaching and learning. A special thanks to Melissa Smith for co-organizing the event.

Below are the slides from the meeting followed by a few resources from the evening.



Review the tweets and links using the event tag: #metu.

EduTweetUps for the Fall are already in the works. Please add your information to the Memphis EduTweetUp database to receive information about future events.

MidSouthEdTech is a Google Group open to anyone in the region interested in educational technology.

Here are the links from the Web 2.0 Smackdown.

  • PhoneVite – Community-based voice broadcasting (Phone tree service)
  • Spanish PowerPoints – Games and resources for learning Spanish
  • Google Voice
  • Super Teacher Tools
  • Big Huge Labs
  • Sweet Search – A search engine for students
  • A Thin Line.org – Developed by MTV to empower students to “identify, respond to, and stop the spread of digital abuse”
  • Sync.in and Primary Pad – Alternatives to EtherPad
  • Historical Reenactments with Twitter
  • EduTecher – Resources for teacher
  • Triptico – eLearning design and professional development
  • Blabberize
  • Google Squared
  • Storybird – Collaborative storytelling