Update on Project Loon

I have posted about this fascinating project before, and have added an update - so this is now the latest update on an amazing project designed to help connect everyone throughout the world. 

It is a project that been in progress since 2011 - and provided connectivity to schools and small isolated communities all over the world.  It has also been on hand to help with communication after natural disasters as well.  

Check it out:- 

https://loon.co/journey/

It isn't just about having the imagination to dream of it - but having the determination to see the project through and make it work. 

MindShift Weblinks - Teens and Technology

Below are a few weblinks taken from a blog site called MindShift, which deals with teaching and technology.  These were ones that caught my interest so I decided to share them with you.  I think that they are worth a read.

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/03/23/six-powerful-motivations-driving-social-learning-by-teens/

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/02/08/how-has-google-affected-the-way-students-learn/

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/03/06/turned-off-how-teens-respond-to-a-no-tech-challenge/

Have a great weekend.

Mindshift Weblinks

Below are a few articles gleaned from the MindShift web site - which is all about teaching ideas, strategies, technology and so on.  It covers a huge range of ideas - and even though it is American, there may still be food for thought in some of the articles.  Please see the link to the main website below if you would like to browse the ideas and the site is also part of my  blog list on the main page of our blog itself.

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/

The links below are one that caught my attention enough to share with you - most of them are things that have cropped up in discussions in various places recently - especially the ones about Google, internet searching and taking notes - and how our brain appears to work with these tasks.  

Personally, I still write notes out longhand - mainly because I find that I tend to remember more.  And I find it harder to memorise things anywhere near as well as I used to - and I don't believe it is because I am getting old.  I think it is because our brain is no longer being hard wired to perform that task - Google and technology do that for us.  

 http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/02/08/how-has-google-affected-the-way-students-learn/

 http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/08/18/taking-notes-is-the-pen-still-mightier-than-the-keyboard/

 http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/04/03/internet-searches-may-make-you-think-youre-smarter-than-you-are/

 http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/07/01/what-sports-teaches-kids-about-bigger-roles-in-life/

Enjoy your weekend - and be sure to include lots of reading.  Most research indicates that it relaxes your mind and lowers blood pressure.  Include a good cup of coffee in that prescription as well, and lots of time away from devices.

And again, QR Codes

Just thought I would share with you all the web site I use to produce the QR Codes I use here at school.  It is almost totally idiot-proof - and that is coming from me who nearly always manages to run foul of technology.

http://www.qrstuff.com/

Log on, have a play and see what you can create.

Games and Computer coding skills

With computer coding now being regarded as a 21st century skill, there are lots of sites, activities and so on to teach and enhance understanding of coding. Some of these are aimed at students as young as 5!

Below are a couple of links to go back even further than using a computer to develop these skills - using no-tech board games.  Check it out and see for yourself.  Couple of games that have scored high on the reviews are: Code Monkey Island and Robot Turtles.

http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/03/12-games-that-teach-kids-to-code/

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/01/no-tech-board-games-that-teach-coding-skills-to-young-children

The site I took the second one from is called MindShift, and is one that I have linked on the blogroll on the right-hand side, and it is all about different ideas and thoughts on lots of subjects for teaching our students, not just computer coding. 

Also, just thought I would point out that March 5th is World Read Aloud Day.  Probably something worth celebrating, even a little, in your classrooms.  And February 14th is Library Lovers Day - just saying!

Is Technology all it is promoted to be?

There have been a number of articles on the Teacher Librarians list-serv just recently about technology and it's effects on students learning abilities.  Some of the research that is coming in regarding on-line distraction is quite interesting.  Not just in regards to students but for adults as well. 

Below are some of the one I have read just recently.  Speaking for myself, I am aware of how easy it is to be distracted on-line from what you should be doing or to slip into 'multi-tasking', which on-line really means 'surfing the web'. If as adults, we have this problem, how much harder would it be for the students?

Have a look at the articles below.

From a passionate teacher of technology and media, a look from the other side:

http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections/issue_91/articles/a_world_of_online_distraction.html

 

It is also interesting to read Clay Shirky's article on why he banned technology from his lectures:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/25/why-a-leading-professor-of-new-media-just-banned-technology-use-in-class/

 and finally:

Intriguing read on The Waldorf schools in the USA who mindfully do not use technology in their education. Waldorf schools are 'different' but the people who make all these gadgets and technology for us, carefully choose NOT to have their children learning with technology. Their theory is that given just how easy it is to pick up the technology skills, like using toothpaste, that literacy and numeracy should come first - and maybe they should know, given that they make the stuff:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

Interesting reading, given that many schools in Australia have, or are beginning a 'Bring your own Technology' policy.

Blogs for Educational Resources

Below are links to some educational blogs that may be of interest to some.  These have been provided by the Yarra Plenty Regional Library and cover a wide range of areas.

8 blogs for educational resources

  Explore new learning models, thought-leadership and practical solutions for teachers with TeachThought
  For well researched ideas on the emerging movements in education you can't go past Granted and…thoughts on education
  Big Think sources big ideas from experts in many industries and explores their application in the real-world
  The Journal chronicles the latest applications of technology in education
  Mind Shift is a well-researched source for ideas and the application of learning trends
  Explore how digital media is impacting education and civic engagement at DML Research Hub
  For short explanations of a range of concepts explore the youtube channel ASAP Science
  The TED-Ed Blog keeps you informed of the latest TED talks and lessons related to Education

If these have been of some use or interest to you, you may like to check out the following link to see what else is on offer:   http://the-e-list.tumblr.com/
Enjoy.