LITERACY_SPECIAL_INTEREST podcast.............. Episode #2 POSTED!

 “Author Study for the Connected Classroom”

Featuring Mark Gura and an
Exclusive Interview with T.A. Barron,
author of The Lost Years of Merlin.

 To LISTEN Click Here:
Literacy Special Interest Group Podcast: Episode #2

Go>>> to the Podcast SHOW NOTES Blog

Book Review: Getting Started With Lego Robotics

Book Review: Getting Started With Lego Robotics

Title: Getting Started With LEGO Robotics, by Mark Gura. International Society for Technology in Education, 2011.

Description: The field of robotics can be a bit intimidating. Few debate the merits of robotics education—a powerhouse combination of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Yet putting together a lesson that is appropriate for younger students can be a challenge. Getting Started offers K-12 educators practical lessons and insight from experts. Teachers will learn what LEGO Robotics is, what student activities look like, how to begin, how to manage a class, and how robotics relate to standards. Gura concludes by providing first-hand advice and recommendations via more than a dozen interviews with educators, trainers, and even a student.

Getting Started offers K-12 educators practical lessons and insight from experts. Teachers will learn what LEGO Robotics is, what student activities look like, how to begin, how to manage a class, and how robotics relate to standards. Gura concludes by providing first-hand advice and recommendations via more than a dozen interviews with educators, trainers, and even a student.

Bottom Line: Given the popularity of Lego and the undisputed educational benefits of robotics, Getting Started with LEGO Robotics is certainly worth a look. Once you’ve finished reading it, you may find yourself excited about the prospect of planning a new class.

About the Author: Mark Gura has been involved with LEGO Robotics for nearly 20 years. Formerly the director of instructional technology for the New York City Public School System, he is currently a technology expert with Touro College at Fordham University.

How to Purchase: Getting Started With Lego Robotics retails for $22 and is available through Amazon
Article by Jason Tomaszewski, EducationWorld Associate Editor - Education World®  - Copyright © 2011 Education World

Read this article  in full  at its source @ http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/book_reviews/getting_started_with_LEGO_robtoics.shtml

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Talking Fin Lit PODCAST - Series #3

Announcing the 3rd Series of Talking Fin  Lit Podcast





www.talkingfinlit.org
This third series takes Talking Fin Lit into new and more exciting territory. In series 3,  I interview many educators whose work in Financial Literacy Education is cutting edge. These include:

1. (Mark di Pippa of) The Centsibles:  http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2011/11/14/episode-42-the-centsables-interview-with-mark-dipippa/

2. Selena Shwarzfager (Mississippi Council on Economic Education (MCEE): http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2011/11/14/episode-41/
3. Jennifer Allen (Jump$tart Teacher of the Year): http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2011/11/15/episode-43-banking-business-and-school-stores-paving-the-way/
4. Classroom Inc.  Christina Oliver (VP of Implementation) + Phil Firsenbaum (professional development and instructional consultant): http://www.classroominc.org/
5. Elaine King Elaine King -  CFP, CDFA - Author "Family & Money Matters": http://www.elainekingcfp.com/
6. Stacey Pehosh (Teacher - R.E. Baker Elementary, Bella Vista, AR - Lesson Author EconEdLink): http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/economic-lesson-search.php?aid=212
7. Karen Holden (Professor Emerita of Public Affairs and Consumer Science University of Wisconsin-Madison) - Professor Emerita Meets Elmo
http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2012/02/18/ep47profmeetselmo/
8. Mickey Ebert (Teacher - Blue Springs, MO / Education Specialist - National Archives - Lesson Author - EconEdLink) http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2012/02/06/ep44-mickey-ebert-finlitcurric/
9. Mike Fladlien (Teacher - Muscatine High School/Muscatine, IA, Lesson Author - EconEdLink)
http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2012/02/06/ep46-mike-fladlien-masterful-finlit-instruc/
10. Mack Lewis (Teacher - Author  - Creator of The Checkbook Projecgt)
http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2012/02/06/episode-45-mack-lewis-creator-of-the-checkbook-project/
11. David Anderson (Adjunct professor of Economics at Drew University/Executive Vice President, Working in Support of Education (WISE)
12. Laura Ploss/Secret Millionaires Club ( Chief Operating Officer of By Kids for Kids)
http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2012/02/18/ep48lauraploss/ 
13. Steve Kautz (Teacher & Federal Reserve ChallengeTeam Coach - Waynflete School in Portland Maine)
14. Ditmas Middle School - Brooklyn, NY  (Student Journalists/Dr. Rose Reissman):
15. John LeFeber - Project Director/EconEdLink http://www.talkingfinlit.org/2012/03/02/ep49-john-lefeber-econedlink/

Developing Technology-Rich Teacher Education Programs: Key Issues / Chapter 8: Learning to Teach in Web 2.0 - Mark Gura

Chapter 8: Learning to Teach in Web 2.0 by Mark Gura

Soon to be released: "Developing Technology-Rich Teacher Education Programs: Key Issues" (IGI Global).  I contributed  Chapter 8 "Learning to Teach in Web 2.0"

 Developing Technology-Rich Teacher Education Programs: Key Issues

Description

Though technology is expanding at a rate that is alarming to many skilled laborers concerned for the welfare of their industry and jobs, teachers should feel safe in their position; however, teachers who refuse to adapt to technology will be left behind.

Developing Technology-Rich Teacher Education Programs: Key Issues offers professional teacher educators a rare opportunity to harvest the thinking of pioneering colleagues spanning dozens of universities, and to benefit from the creativity, scholarship, hard work, and reflection that led them to the models they describe. Contributors from 32 universities from around the world came together as authors of case studies, methodologies, research, and modeling to produce the work that went into this reference work. The target audience for this book includes faculty, leaders, teacher educators, and administrators within higher institution and every level of education.

New Podcast: 'Literacy Special Interest' - Host, Mark Gura

Proudly announcing an exciting new project, the 'Literacy Special Interest' podcast - please give a listen! Based on lessons learned in co-producing The Teachers Podcast with Dr. Kathy King, I've crafted this one to be vital Professional Information presented in an entertaining, accessible format.

Episode #1 "A Keeping Quilt for Literacy Education - Featuring an exclusive interview with author, Patricia Polacco
Click here to LISTEN >>>>>>> (may take a few seconds to load)
DOWNLOAD: KeepingQuiltLiteracyEd._L.S.I._Episode_1.mp3
Click here for the  Podcast Show Notes BLOG >>>>>>>

Literacy Special Interest PODCAST is produced for
the Literacy Special Interest Group of ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education)

Gallery #1 / East Harlem Performing Arts School pix

To go directly to the Picasa Web Album... click here

From roughly 1985 - 1992, I was the Art Teacher at the East Harlem Performing Arts School (EHPAS), a public school in NYC. Any inner city teaching job is tough, but this one provided me with one of the best experiences of my personal and professional life. My life and career and spirit were enriched immensely by my time there. Several books could be written about the extraordinary students, teachers, and events I observed and participated in... But that's another project for another day.

I am currently in process of digitizing old photos and finally got around to the first batch (of many) from EHPAS. More are on their way. As members of the EHPAS community have recently been actively reconvening virtually through Facebook, I thought I would share these. I’ve always been a photographer and taking pictures was something I did often while at the school. I'd bring a camera in as part of the art project I worked on with my students or to document school accomplishments and events. And, of course, whenever there's a camera in hand in a school, inevitably the kids want to be photographed. I accumulated hundreds while at the school. Admittedly, these are from my own perspective, but they convey much about the reality and culture of the school while I was there. I hope they remind any members of the EHPAS community who care to examine them of good times long gone, but certainly not forgotten.

With affection,
Mark Gura
PS - Gallery #2 / East Harlem Performing Arts School pix (SPIRITS Art Project)

ISTE Author PODCAST - Getting Started with LEGO Robotics - Mark Gura

ISTE Casts - The trusted voice of Ed Tech

Audio podcasts produced by the International Society for Technology in Education
ISTE Books Author Interview
Episode 28: Mark Gura

click on the link above and then on the podcast icon

Mark Gura, author of Getting Started in LEGO Robotics: A Guide for K–12 Educators, discusses the benefits of LEGO Robotics and provides encouraging insight into starting your own LEGO Robotics program. LEGO Robotics is a hands on, multidisciplinary, collaborative learning experience. Mark Gura provides you with first-hand advice and recommendations so you can have your own robotics program up and running in no time.