Into the Future....

Science fiction comes to life. Have you heard of augmented reality? That’s the software that lets you view computer images on top of what you are seeing in the real world. You could use an iPhone or iPad, for example, when you are looking at a place in a city and get information on places to tour.  The augmented reality software, Autonomy, has now added what’s called Aurasma, which lets you use hand gestures to use the virtual content. You don’t have to touch the screen. According to MIT Technology Review (9/15/11), “You reach out your hand and the content responds.” Can you imagine how education might put this type of software to use?

Cablevision’s Power to Learn—$20,000 for Classroom Projects

Working with DonorsChoose.org, Power to Learn will match donations for qualifying classroom projects in the areas of health, fitness, and nutrition.  To qualify, schools must be in the areas serviced by Cablevision. To get started, go to the DonorsChoose site, select “Get Started", check for your eligibility, and then set up a DonorsChoose account. There’s a teacher’s online tutorial to help you. Although DonorsChoose is available to all public schools in the United States, the Power to Learn matching grant is open only to schools in the Cablevision region.

Romance, Weight Loss, Intrigue—Science Books

I was sent a review copy of The Manga Guide to Biochemistry. When it arrived in my office, there were mixed reactions to it, because it was obviously like a comic book—a 250 plus page comic book. Just a look at the cover turned the traditionalist educators off, but others said it looked like fun, not a textbook. It doesn’t look like any textbook I’ve ever seen, but if it can turn students on to science, I’m all for it. Information about the book says that it can be used as a textbook or supplementary source. Students involved in a traditional study of biochemistry might like to have this book at home to help them better understand concepts. Teachers could certainly use it for enrichment, review of topics covered, etc. The book teaches by creating a story in which science is needed to solve problems. In Biochemistry, the problem is a high school girl’s weight loss. Topics covered include what happens inside the body, photosynthesis and respiration, biochemistry in everyday lives, enzymes as key to chemical reaction, and molecular biology and nucleic acids. In addition to biochemistry, Manga offers guides to calculus, electricity, relativity, the universe, molecular biology, databases, linear algebra, physics, and statistics. Prices range from $19.95-$24.95. Digital downloads are available if printed copies are purchased. It’s worth taking a look at these books, because they are unique and interesting. Although I’m not a teenager, I thought I that would like to spend some time learning from them as well. Scientific Computing calls the Manga Guides, “Stimulus for the next generation of scientists,” and an article in the American Journal of Physics recommends the physics guide for all teachers of introductory physics.

Sign Up for Resource Shelf

The Resource Shelf combs the Web for useful resources you might miss. Not all of them will work with your courses, but there are many resources that you’ll find of interest. You can sign up for the Resource Shelf Newsletter, which offers a weekly selection of content and links from the ResourceBlog or look for the Resource Shelf on Facebook. One of the links in the 11/17/11 Newsletter was to a report on Computer and Internet Use at Home and another was about librarians voting to make an alliance with the Internet Archives Open Library.    

The Wonderful New PBS Kids Math Games

In October, PBS Kids added 40+ new games for children ages 2-8. The games, some of which feature Curious George and Sid the Science Kid, are available free and can be accessed through computers, mobile devices, and interactive whiteboards. The games tackle critical math skills to help students find success in their schoolwork.  In one game, for example, Curious George tries to train two dogs to balance biscuits on their noses and must figure out how to give the same number of treats to each dog.  Correct answers result in fun stickers. The content follows the PBS math framework, “which maps out the key building-block skills such as numbers and operations, shape attributes, and data collection and analysis....” Some of the games make use of Webcams and microphones.

Fight Child Obesity with Education

With the growing problems of childhood obesity, educators throughout the nation can do their part in solving this problem by helping children understand why eating the right foods is important. PBS LearningMedia offers a variety of resources on nutrition including a video from Idaho PTV about the absorption of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. The video asks students, “What does your body need?” and explains why food like sugars don’t give the nutrients needed. Another PBS resource covers the role of Genetics in Obesity. Some people lack a chemical in their brains that doesn’t tell them when they have eaten enough.  These people are always hungry and always eating, and therefore, gain too much weight. However, people who do not have this problem can also become obese if they eat foods, such as fast foods, that are too high in unhealthy fats and sugars. PBS Learning Media also includes close to 500 resources related to health and physical education. You can search these by media type such as audio, document, images, interactive, and video. 

For Those Tech Gurus Who Need More

What do you do with that handful of students who want to extend their tech learning beyond what you can possibly offer in high school? — Or if you want to extend your own learning in this area? — Think online help from universities. Stanford University’s UnCollege, for example, offered its highly popular computer courses online for free this fall. The courses were so successful that they will be offered again starting in January 2012. Selections include Computer Science 101, Machine Learning, Software as a Service, Human-Computer Interaction, Natural Language Processing, Game Theory, Probabilistic Graphical Models, Cryptography, The Lean Launchpad, and Technology Entrepreneurship. To sign up for the courses, click on the links. All you have to do is enter your name and email address. The courses require no textbooks and no tests are given. You can read descriptions, watch videos, and learn about the instructors before you and/or your students sign up.

For Those Students Who Like Puzzles

Don’t forget Sudoku puzzles to stimulate critical thinking. Funbrain offers easy to hard puzzles to help students sharpen their brain power. Games come with directions, options such as sound effects, the coloring of illegitimate entries in red, and use of symbols instead of numbers. Hints are provided and students can print the games instead of playing them online. Two hundred Sudoku boards are available.

eBook/App Book/Animated Book for Young Students

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is available at the iTunes store for $4.99.  The reviews are excellent; in fact, it is rated #1 in the iPad App Store. Author William Joyce, who previously worked at Pixar, created this book, which is being called a mixture of a wonderful bedtime story and an animated movie. It includes interactive interfaces, which children may or may not use. The “book” lets children explore as they want through the “book” with or without music, voiceover, and embedded features. If you are interested, you can take a look at the trailer for a glimpse of what Mr. Lessmore has to offer.  I think you’ll like it. And, by the way, it is also a favorite of the orangutans at the Milwaukee and Houston zoos who are using iPads as part of enrichment exercises.

Connecting Students with STEM Careers

ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) is offering a new book, Connecting Students to STEM Careers, which is designed to help students “open their eyes” to careers in science, mathematics, technology and engineering. The book content makes it clear that jobs of the future will involve the STEM subjects and that preparing in one or more of these areas of the curriculum will enhance career options for students. Author Camille Cole shows teachers how to connect their students via video-conferencing with those working in STEM careers throughout the world; how to develop programs so that students can “engage in real-world learning experiences”; how to introduce them to those who can be STEM career role models; and how fascinating and rewarding such careers can be. The paperback sells for $23.07 (ISTE members) and $32.95 (non-members).