Today we learned about "Scratch". It is a program that allows you to create your own game. You need to use codes to make sprites move and make sounds on a set stage. You can also play games other people have created. It is available online, as well as our MLTI laptops. Along with learning about "Scratch", we also learned how to take a screen capture video on QuickTime Player. This is how I was able to make the video below to show you what we did on scratch today!

Today we made SKATEBOARDS! We learned the process which included sanding the deck, measuring and drilling the holes for the trucks, applying and cutting the grip tape, putting on the trucks, and finally adding the wheels. Although the whole process was exciting, the best part was painting the decks to our liking. Overall, a great day 2 of STI!

STI Day 2 - Skateboards

STI - Day 1 Demo Derby

Strand Meeting 1 - Through the Looking Glass (Transparent Classroom)

Choosing the RED or the BLUE Pill

Strand Meeting - Setup and Overview

MONDAY
Through the Looking Glass
We will learn about the concept of a transparent classroom by using reverse teaching techniques through hands on activities.  We will start doing what my 5th grade students do by building cars without directions while taking pictures/video for our blogs.

TUESDAY
Reverse Teaching
After completion of Tuesdays homework we will learn how to use online tools to show our classroom work and the creation of a hands on projects.  We will build a skateboard for the Skateistan program.

WEDNESDAY
Asynchronous Grouping
We will learn how to create groups using online tools so students have students in groups not in the same class.  We will do this through robotics and online communication tools.

THURSDAY
Prototyping
We will learn how to allow students to use online tutorial tools at self paced speed.  We will build 3d prototypes in a virtual world.  We will use a CNC router system to take something we have made in the virtual world and have a machine create it in the real one.

FRIDAY
We will bring all this together understanding how to fight off the "God Complex" and start designing our own hands on transparent classrooms that we reverse teach in.

*We will also learn how to communicate with each other through a blog which we will us to provide feedback on our reading assignments

SETUP

1. First, please make sure you have a Google Account (free) made which will give you access to free online document sharing. (explained below)

2. Once you have created your account please create a blog for this strand.
http://www.blogger.com/tour_start.g


http://www.blogger.com/home


3. Now you can look at Google Reader (well use this with our classmates to connect later on)

Reading Material

There are 2 books to read (if you are taking this course for Grad Credit)

The book I have chose by Matthew Crawford.   Is

Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work

http://www.matthewbcrawford.com/




The book everyone will be reading at the Institute is

Digital Connections in the Classroom (Marcovitz, ISTE, 2012)