Link: Seattle Public Schools builds social-learning site for its tech-savvy teens

The above link is to an article about L3RN, written by Jessica Blanchard, a reporter from the Seattle Post Intelligence. According to the article, "L3RN is aimed at connecting students and enriching their education. Just as on YouTube, students can view others' work, leave comments and rate the quality of videos and other postings." With L3RN, students can upload assignments from home, and teachers will have the opportunity to collaborate on-line.

For more information about L3RN, visit the L2RN website.

This link was provided by the Technology and Education newsletter from Edutopia.

The Neuroscience of Joyful Education: ASCD article by Judy Willis, teacher and former neurologist

Judy Willis, a former neurologist, currently a middle school teacher, has written an article, "The Neuroscience of Joyful Education". This article can be found in the on-line version of Educational Leadership, Summer 2007, "Educating the Whole Child". It is well worth taking the time to read this article and discuss it with a colleague.

Much has been written about the importance of "brain-based" educational practices, which are much different than "teach to the test" practices that have been encouraged in some of our nation's classrooms. Judy's background as a neurologist gives additional support to the "educating the whole child" approach.

Despite the focus on raising educational outcomes - mostly in the form of test scores - our nation has a high school drop-out rate of about 70%. The "teach to the test" approach might help raise student test scores from one grade to another, but doesn't seem to ensure broader educational outcomes such as high school graduation among a large percentage of our nation's youth.

Resources from Judy's article are worth reviewing:

"Teachers can find valuable background materials and human interest connections in textbooks published in the 1990s, before many publishers dropped such information to make room for practice test questions. The Internet is a source of many teacher-shared lesson plans and links to Web sites that provide resources for student activities and information databases that bring the more fact-heavy lessons to life. These are just a few Web sites that teachers can mine for ideas:

• The Jason Project: a multimedia, interdisciplinary science program for grades 4–9, www.jasonproject.org
• NASA Education: resources and information for K–12 teachers, http://education.nasa.gov
• PBS Teachers: multimedia resources for preK–12 educators, www.pbs.org/teachersource
• A to Z Teacher Stuff: a teacher-created site designed to help teachers find online resources, http://atozteacherstuff.com
• Edhelper: theme units, lesson plans, and worksheets, www.edhelper.com"

Judy Willis is the author of Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from a Neurologist/Classroom Teacher (ASCD, 2006; http://shop.ascd.org/productdisplay.cfm?productid=107006) and Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom (ASCD, 2007; http://shop.ascd.org/productdisplay.cfm?productid=107040).

Judy's website: http://radteach.com/

DimensionM: Evolver Pre-Algebra video game from Tabula Digita

Tabula Digita has created a 3-D first-person videogame to teach pre-algebra concepts. Tabula Digita also offers a 3-D Algebra game, Dimenxian, available for PC's and Macs.

Here's some information from the website:

"DimensionM™is an immersive video game world that engages students in the instruction and learning of mathematics. Pre-algebra and algebra objectives are covered through a series of missions that bring math into a world that today's students understand. Students become so captivated in solving problems that they forget they're learning but they don't forget what they've learned."

New and old- RomeReborn, old posts to revisit

I posted a link on my Interactive Multimedia Technology blog to information about Rome Reborn, an interactive 3-D simulation of ancient rome as it exist in 320 A.D. For those of you who work with "at-risk" learners and those with special needs who are visual learners, you'll find that Rome Reborn might be a great way to engage students in learning about world history.

(Rome Reborn would be great on a large interactive touch screen display or table.)

On a different note, I revisited one of my first TechPsych blog posts, Mega List of Resources and References: Technology, Education, Psychology, Prevention and Intervention, and thought I'd update it soon, since I've gathered more great references and resources over the past year. Stay posted!

Technology in Prevention Blog

I came across the Technology in Prevention blog recently. It is hosted by LaDonna Coy, who is interested in virtual learning and social media focusing on using Web 2.0 technologies for prevention and social change.

Those of you interested in technology's use in prevention should take a look at Ladonna's first post, from December 2005, that addresses issues related to integrating technology into the work of prevention:

Research: Robots to help children form relationships

Here is a link to an article about the IROMEC project at the University of Hertfordshire. IROMEC stands for "Interactive Robotic Social Mediators as Companions"

Here is a quote from the article:

"Over the next three years, IROMEC will investigate how robotic toys can become social mediators encouraging children with disabilities to discover a range of play skills, from solitary to social and cooperative play and provide opportunities for other children and carers/teachers or parents to “join” in."

In my opinion, it might be less expensive to develop social skills interaction applications that incorporate virtual humans, and possibly more effective. For example, the virtual "friend" could reside on a multi-media enabled touch table, such as Microsoft's Surface.

What do you think?

http://www.physorg.com/news99649531.html

Microsoft Surface Computing multi touch screen table

Take a look at this demo of Microsoft Research's Surface Computing on a multi-touch table:



I would like to work on applications for use on a touch-table to support students with special needs, especially those who have autism spectrum disorders. Last semester, I worked on prototype applications for use on a touch-screen surface.

I'm planning on posting a "how to" video and related materials for the photo-globe prototype using Google Earth on TeacherTube in a week or so, after the end of the school year- check back here for the link! I've posted a short video clip about the photo-globe on the interactive multimedia technology blog, if you want to take a look!

I wonder if Apple will come out with a similar system...

If you want to see a parody of the Microsoft Surface video, take a look at this
YouTube clip.

Middle school math: Intelligent Tutoring System

Here is an excerpt from a recent article about a new application to assist with middle school-level mathmatics teaching and learning:

"WORCESTER, Mass. – Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Carnegie Mellon University have received a four-year, $2 million award from the federal Department of Education to continue development of a powerful computerized tool designed to help middle school students master mathematical skills.

With the award, researchers will enhance an intelligent tutoring system called ASSISTment, giving it new capabilities and transforming it into an unparalleled tool for both educating students and tracking their progress. The system will give school systems the long-term data on student performance they must report under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. More important, it will provide teachers—and parents—immediate, day-to-day feedback on what students have and have not learned, making it easier to offer individualized instruction to help students master concepts they may be struggling with.

Remarkably, the system does all this at the same time it tutors students. In fact, ASSISTments is the only system that can provide longitudinal data and a benchmark assessment of student skills without taking time out from classroom instruction, says Neil Heffernan, associate professor of computer science at WPI and leader of the ASSISTments research team."

Food for thought! If you know anything about this program, please let me know.

Two Video Resources for Educators: TeacherTube and TeachersTV

TeacherTubeis similar to YouTube, but it was developed with the purpose of providing educators and learners with a safe environment to share education-related videos and materials.

Teachers TVis from the UK. It contains thousands of educational videos that are suitable for classroom use. It also provides a variety of videos that were designed for staff development purposes.

Take a look!

Visit the Interactive Multimedia Technology blog

I've posted a few videoclips of the interactive projects I worked on last semester in my HCI and Ubicomp classes on the Interactive Multimedia Technology blog. The demos were designed for use on an interactive multi-touch table or large-screen display. Here is one example: "Poetry Picture Share", Version 1.

Technology and Alternative Cognitive Assessment?

I've been struggling to provide alternative assessments to use when I work with students who have previously tested within the severe to profound range of cognitive ability. Often these young people have more than one disability and it is very difficult to identify "hidden" cognitive strengths or areas of emerging skills.

Although some of students do not have the skills necessary to point to items on a test stimulus card, or understand the directions required by traditional cognitive test batteries, some of them they CAN point and "click" on a screen, using a mouse or an AT device.

I know of several students who test within the severe range of cognitive ability who who can navigate websites to find entertainment, music, learning activities, and special interests, often without assistance. These skills are important, but they are not included in standarized cognitive or adaptive behavior assessments.

Some people are working hard to figure out a "better way".

Organization SoftTouch, Inc. provided a workshop for educators of students who have severe disabilities addressing this concern. The workshop,
"Show Me What You Know — Alternate Assessment for Students with Autism, Cognitive and Physical Disabilities", was presented at a the Conference 2006: Technology & Persons with Disabilities.

The people at CAST- Center for Applied Special Technology, known for getting the word out about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), are also concerned about the need for accessible assessments.

I'm interested in alternative assessments and how cognitive evaluation procedures can embody the principles of universal design and access. School psychologists need more tech in our toolboxes if we are to provide meaningful assessments. This technology needs to embody the principals of "universal usability", a topic that I'll address more in-depth in a future blog.

We also need to look at current research in related fields, such as cogntive science. Here is an example:

According to the article in the Charlotte Observer (April 12, 2007), IBM volunteered to work with researchers from the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience to develop computer games designed to test the reasoning , learning, and memory skills of primates. The computer games are installed on touch-screen monitors embeeded in primate habitats in several zoos, including Zoo Atlanta.

I haven't done much reading in this area, but from what I can see, the research with primates has the potential to help develop better methods of assessing cognitive functioning of people who have strengths and abilities that can not be assessed through traditional psychological and cognitive tests.

Interesting Resources:

"The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is the national network of community-based Resource Centers, Developers, Vendors, and Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies."

Julie Martin-Malivel's website Dr. Martin-Malivel conducts comparative cognition research in human and non-human primates.

"Chimpanzee Facial Expressions are Helping Researchers Understand Human Emotional Communication" This is being conducted by the Yerkes National Primate Research Center Cognitive Testing Facility. Food for thought.

"Universal Usability"
Universal Usability principles ensure that web sites and web-based applications are accessible. I think that these principles should be considered when planning cognitive and related assessments for people who have low incidence and/or multiple disabilities. (Leave a comment- I want to know what people think about this!)

Novint Falcon 3-D Haptic Game Controller - This device looks like it will have great potential for young people with visual and mobility impairments.

Link: Spatial Thinking, Education, and the Workforce

If you are working with teens who have mild learning disabilities, you know that some of these students have non-verbal, spatial abilities that are much stronger than their peers, even though some of these teens are struggling in school and have low motivation for classes that are delivered in the traditional word-based lecture-discussion format. Spatial skills are important for many jobs related to science and technology, and new technology will require workers who are good at visual thinking and communicating.

What does this mean?

"Spatial Thinking, Education, and the Workforce", written by Ann B. Johnson, from ESRI(a company that provides GIS -Geographical Information Systems software, training, and related services), discusses a report conducted by the U.S. National Research Council in 2005, "Learning to Think Spatially: GIS as a Support System in the K-12 Curriculum". In a nutshell, the article highlights the importance of spatial thinking in education and in present and future jobs in the workplace.

Parents and educators of students who have good visual-spatial skills need to take a look at this article. How can we assure that our teens have access to coursework that speaks to their strenghths and also prepares them for post-secondary education and employment?

Virtual Field Trips and the TechSavvy Educator

I've been busy with school and work, sorry for the delay in posting to the blog.

A great resource for supporting engaged learning through technology is the TechSavvy Educator blog. You can subscribe to the blog and recieve information about updates through your e-mail.

I especially liked the post about the Kid's Travel Agency, dated 1/31/07, by "Ben", a fifth grade teacher in Michigan. He is using Google Earth and local travel agencies for this project. Google Earth is awesome when you work with on an interactive touch screen, such as a SmartBoard.

Mark van 't Hooft's Blog Ubiquitous Computing

Mark is a technology specialist and researcher at Kent State university. His blog, Ubiquitous Thoughts: Thoughts and Ideas about Teaching, Learning, and Ubiquitous Computing , contains a wealth of information and links. Take a look at his post about the importance of technology and media education.

Mark is the chair of the Special Interest Group for Handheld Computing of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). More information about his research can be found on the Research Center for Educational Technology website.

Technnology is rapidly improving in the area of mobile and ubiquitous computing - visit Mark's blog if you want to keep informed!

GeoBeats Travel Video Resources

GeoBeats is a website that offers a variety of short, professional travel videoclips. These videos would be great for social studies activities. Take a look!

Tango! An innovative augmented communication device from Blink Twice

Tango!

According to the Blink Twice website:

"Blink Twice is led by our CEO, Richard Ellenson, a USSAAC board member and advertising industry veteran whose son, Thomas, has cerebral palsy. Wanting to incorporate some of the energetic communication technologies from his industry into the world of speech-generating devices—and drawing from personal experience—Ellenson reached out to many of the world's most well-respected companies. In the past three years, Blink Twice has worked with companies as diverse as frog design, Flextronics, and Nickelodeon to develop new approaches to building communication for youngsters and school-aged children."

Watch this video about a "super touch screen" for Google Earth from Perceptive Pixel!

This video is a great demonstration of how innovative human-computer interaction technology and techniques can be used with Google Earth (and more), via a wide screen touch screen. Can you imagine what it would be like to have this available to students in every classroom?! Be patient, it takes a while to load. You can link to it directly here or here.

I found this on the Google Earth Blog.

Read this article!

-Lynn

GamaSutra article about children and games

Here are some interesting statistics about children and games from an article in GamaSutra:

"The NPD Group, which also tracks the monthly video game industry sales data in North America, has released findings from an online survey titled Kids & Digital Content, which found that children as young as 2 years old are playing video games and downloading digital content.

The survey, which was completed by U.S. parents, found that children have become increasingly in tune with technology, as children between the ages of 2 and 14 are downloading games and watching downloaded and streaming content over the internet through computers and other personal electronics."

Food for thought!

-Lynn