Be the first to get a look at upcoming enhancements to Discovery Education! This sneak peek will showcase integration strategies for leveraging new tools, content, and resources, including Discovery Education Student Board Builder and the new Discovery Education Streaming Plus with model lessons, assessments, and digital content designed to address specific Math and ELA Common Core standards. We’ll also explore the latest content, features, and resources that are available to you right now, wrapping up with a just-for-students session. Don’t miss this exclusive preview!

http://links.discoveryeducation.com/2013sneakpeek

Discovery Education Sneak Peek Sessions
Tuesday, May 7, 4 PM ET
Wednesday, May 8, 7 PM ET
Tuesday, May 14, 4 PM ET
Wednesday, May 15, 7 PM ET
Tuesday, May 21, 4 PM ET

Discovery Education Sneak Peek: Student Edition
Wednesday, May 22, 1 PM ET

Please join me and hundreds of other educators at the 2nd Annual DPS Technology Conference in Decatur at Hope Academy on April 6 as we spend an exciting morning and afternoon exploring the best educational tools, toys and gadgets that the most exceptional digital playgrounds have to offer. Educators from across Illinois are encouraged to attend but the registration deadline is March 22. Please view the video below to learn more about this exciting opportunity, or follow this link for more details.

A number of educators (including DEN Stars) attending the 2013 Illinois Computing Educators (ICE) Conference were in for a treat at the DEN-tastic I.C.E. Cream Social. The best part of these “social” events is the networking and sharing ideas and discoveries.

We spent some time exploring the “Reflector”  App that allows an iPad screen to broadcast to a computer connected to a projector, and also enjoyed a flashback in time showing random videos using the Video Time Machine App.

Which DEN Stars can you identify?

Contributed by Rita Mortenson WI DEN LC / DEN Advisory Board Member

This past week, I was able to attend and present at the ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) Conference at the Pheasant Run Resort and Conference Center in St. Charles, Illinois with a few other Wisconsin DEN Stars.

First, let me begin by giving a shout out to the amazing people who coordinated this fantastic conference. With DEN Star member Anne Truger as ICE President, I knew it could only be amazing – and it was! It was truly one of the best conferences I have attended. With nearly 4000 people in attendance over the 4 days, I was able to attend some incredible workshops that I hope to share with you over a few blog posts.

When we first arrived, on Wednesday night, we attended the DEN Ice Cream Social with lots of delicious ice cream toppings. This was so much fun and a great way to connect with many DEN members. Steve Dembo, Hall Davidson and other cool DEN members enjoyed time collaborating, sharing stories and laughing. The time flew by and before I knew it, I had collected many DEN trading cards, and meet new friends. Thursday and Friday were filled with keynote speakers, workshops, sessions and more! So much great information.

In this blog post, I want to share some of those pictures from the event, as a picture truly is worth 1000 words. Stay tuned for more updates about the info. from the conference. For now, I hope you enjoy these photos.

Hall Davidson, Rita Mortenson,  Hope Mikkelson and Julie Jenewein.

It’s gonna be DENtastic!

Share your “toppings” (technology tips and lessons) with others while eating your own sundae treat! Be prepared to walk away with a smile, happy tummy and great ideas! If you prefer, we will have a cash bar.

When: Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Where: New Orleans Ballroom at Pheasant Run
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

You MUST register to indulge in ICE Cream! Please RSVP.

Click to register: https://lrougeux.wufoo.com/forms/dentastic-ice-cream-social-illinois/

Please join us during the 2012-2013 school year as we travel the country for local workshops that focus on our Discovery Education Assessment tools. These exciting and interactive afternoons and evenings of professional development will highlight creative ways to meet your students’ needs using your Discovery Education Assessment tools and resources. Prizes will be many! Our first events of the school year will take us to the educators in Illinois and Michigan. Please register if you are interested in attending by following this link.

Event Information:

Tuesday, September 18, 2012
http://links.discoveryeducation.com/newlenoxworkshop
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
District Office Board Room
102 S. Cedar Rd.
New Lenox, IL 60451
815-485-2169

Wednesday, September 19
http://links.discoveryeducation.com/minookaworkshop
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
District Board Room
305 Church Street
Minooka IL 60447
815.467.3127

Thursday, September 20, 2012
http://links.discoveryeducation.com/jenisonworkshop
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Media Center
Jenison High School
2140 Bauer Road
Jenison MI 49428
616.457.3400

Starting August 8th, Discovery Education will be helping teachers with the Back-To-School transition by hosting a series of webinars exploring the exciting 2012-2013 enhancements to Discovery Education STREAMING, student access and engagement, and administrator level tools. Sign up today!

http://links.discoveryeducation.com/BTS

DE: So much more than just a conference and so much more than a Digital Text… 32 teachers from across the nation came together at the University of Indianapolis to dig into the layers of the DE science techbook, realizing what we are really involved in is extending beyond the techbook!

The DE Science Techbook is an amazing product but building scientific learners involves multiple diverse learning opportunities using both digital and hands on experiences. By encorporating multiple scientific experiences we can create amazing synergy in student understanding and engagement.

After being together for only a little over a day, we had already experienced so many ways to diversify learning in our classrooms!
The first night, I had the opportunity to learn from Dr Lodge McCammon. After learning from Lodge 2 times prior, you may think there would not be much for me to gain but I was once again intrigued and impressed.  Dr Lodge demonstrated effective methods of gaining classroom time while concentrating on student application, analysis, synthesis through publishing.  Lodge explained effective “flipping” lesson techniques and how these lessons lend time to further engage students by explaining what they have learned in the flipped lesson through a paper slide show videos.  As we engaged in a Kinesthetic lesson, I learned a quick, efficient way to assess student readiness for filming.  Dr Lodge has many engaging, content driven songs available on DE Streaming, which also contain the lyrics for teachers to use. This year, Lodge strategically  arranged us into groups around the perimeter of the room so that upon recording, we were prepared to rotate through our parts without chaos.  This organization strategy helped me understand how I could efficiently and effectively  run such a lesson with  25 students in a classroom!

Tuesday, we went to Morgan -Monroe State Park. Two Professors from the Purdue University Extension Joined us to discuss  biodiversity and sustainability of the forest and the dynamics of fragile ecosystem.  Dr. Rob Chapmann, Purdue extension forest & wildlife specialist and  Dr Lenny Farlee, an extension forester professor, explained the many proactive measures the DNR is engaging in to restore the original vegetation including the Red and White Oak trees.  We discussed the multiple  Purdue research projects in progress including effective vegetation restoration through multiple cutting techniques while considering the relative positive wildlife impact of  the clear cutting area which re-established. Purdue has free resources for STEM teachers which you can find here.

After experiencing the hands on activity in the forest, we returned to the university and worked until 9 PM learning to build a techbook lesson around the biodiversity activities. We explored a multitude of relative DE Techbook resources, lessons and tools  to support the experiences of the day relative to our state standards.  This Mini- DE Techbook experience set the stage for a full day of Techbook training on Wednesday.

Wednesday was packed with techbook philosophy, helping educators understand the nuances within each of the 5 E’s and how the Techbook transforms otherwise passive learners to active scientists, exploring experimenting  and exlpaining their findings through scientific inquiry. Patty Duncan shared a model lesson featuring the explore and explain components regarding the 3 essential questions of the lesson.  Mike Bryant shared the many strategies in creating both formative and summative  assessments within the techbook as well as extending alternative assessments.  Lance Rougeux demonstrated how the techbook encourages literacy far beyond  what any traditional text can.  I was impressed with the many layers of literacy within the techbook resources and activities.  ”Text” comes in many forms, including interpreting data, charts and graphs. Text is also found within video, images and songs, where students glean relative information as they conduct their research to support their scientific claims.

Wednesday evening gave all the attendees the opportunity to share their favorite 21st C educational tools.  We all enjoyed the evening of sharing, gaining insight into many21st C. resources and tools.

Thursday Mike Bryant gave us a Sneak Peak into the new series that will air following the 25th anniversary of  Shark Week, which is North America.  he also shared with us a sneak peak of the High School Biology Techbook and STEM resources. The High School Techbook was impressive and I am anxious to see more!

As we wrapped up the conference, I was asked to share my feelings regarding our greatest resource – each other.  The DEN community is what drives our passion. By taking advantage of local DEN Events and  national webinars, we can retain our momentum, always finding support from DEN educators from across the nation.   Teachers were encouraged to continue the conversation, sharing what they have learned, as DEN Star Educators.

The schedule for the Social Learning Summit has been released!!
Here is the link (time is in Central Standard): http://www.classroom20.com/page/sls-2012-schedule-gmt-5

Don’t forget there is an in-person event being held at Hinsdale Central High School. Register here: https://lrougeux.wufoo.com/forms/hinsdale-social-learning-summitvirt-con/

After great success with our November in-person event at the Naperville Apple store, we have set up a second event! This one will be at the Apple Store in Downtown Chicago on April 29th!

On Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 10:00 a.m at the Apple Store Downtown at 679 North Michigan Avenue the Illinois DEN will be hosing a morning to help you learn about how the iPad is being used in education. We will explore how the iPad, and thousands of apps now available in the Apps Store, are being used in education in many creative and innovative ways.

You will have a chance to share and hear from other educators as to how they are using the iPad in the classroom. In addition, you will also learn about Discovery Education’s ground-breaking iPad web app, which focuses on student exploration of safe and appropriate educational content.

Space is limited! We only have room for 35 educators. Click Here to register for this event! Hurry before it fills up!

Join Us!!

April 29, 2012

10:00am- 11:30am (Photo Walk from 11:30am-??)

Apple Store Chicago;  679 North Michigan Avenue

Register Here!!

BONUS!!!! At 11:30am once we have explored the possibilities Joe Brennan will lead us out to explore the city! If the weather cooperates Joe will be walking us down the Magnificent Mile so that we can learn how to take magnificent pictures! Be sure to bring your camera.

Saturday April 21st

8:00AM – 1:00 PM

Join us Live  or Virtually!

The Discovery Educator Network is mixing it up a little this spring and trying something different. Instead of the typical Spring Virtual Conference, the DEN has partnered with Classroom 2.0 to present the Social Learning Summit.

This event will take the place of the DEN Virtual Conference in 2012. In conjunction with the DEN, Steve Hargadon will be organizing the event that will take place on Saturday, April 21st.

The conference theme is the use of social media and Web 2.0 in teaching and learning, and the
conference URL is http://www.SocialLearningSummit.com. To be kept informed of the latest
conference news and updates, please make sure you are a member here at Classroom 2.0. This will
also allow you to correspond with the presenters and other members, and to comment on sessions
and discussions.

The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) Virtual Conference provides an opportunity to learn
powerful ways to integrate digital media and Web 2.0 tools into your instruction as well as discover
an abundance of resources to expand your own professional learning network. And, it’s free!  This amazing free event is open to ALL Educators! Come get a taste of what DEN is all about! 

So maybe you are feeling overwhelmed with the 21st C learning that is sweeping education but you are a bit uncomfortable jumping through tech hoops to experience the ways to easily supercharge your students’ learning opportunities.  Well, we have a great option for you! By attending our Live event in Muskeego, you have the opportunity to learn and experience the virtual conference with DENmazing support. We will provide you the help you need to enjoy both  the virtual and live event options! just register below, bring your laptop & or iPad / tablet and we will take care of you when you arrive!

You are invited to an in-person event hosted by the Wisconsin Leadership Council, with support
from the Muskego-Norway Schools

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Muskego High School ( Map)

Muskego, WI

8:00 AM to 1 PM

Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

For more information and to register visit:
https://lrougeux.wufoo.com/forms/wi-den-spring-virtual-conference-2012/

It started with a Facebook message….39 DEN friends wishing each other luck…. Hoping and waiting for the weekly release of DENSI 2012 picks while sharing how we could not wait to see each other. One message lead to the next and soon a google doc was born, a date and place chosen to get our own little DEN Fix! Destination Chicago. Although most everyone wanted to meet for our mini DENSI Pre-Con, as schedules go, only some of us could make it happen. On March 29, twelve DEN Sisters from across the nation reunited in Chicago, IL to spend 3 nights together, enjoying the city and each other’s company. Four days of tech and DEN sharing was a refreshing charge to get us through the rest of the school year…..and the remaining wait for the DENSI 2012 announcement.

Although we arrived late Friday evening, we stayed up until 2 AM, sharing how to use Discovery Education resources within the Rover app while being advised on Ikea funiture choices.

Much of our late night dinner was focused on motivating teachers and students to become more active as 21st Cent. Learners through DE and how to navigate the different obstacles we encounter.  We were 7 : Liz, Gina, Katie, Trace, Jan, Margie & Peg. Poor  Amy had her flight cancelled so she arrived with  Emma & Wendy  who drove in from MI, on Sat AM.  We took on the city streets, braving the wind, heading to Old Towne for 2 shows of “Second City”.  Thank Goodness we had Liz W. to help us efficiently navigate the city! She empowered us to  use our time together wisely, using the city transit without losing anyone!

Being the Dedicated DEN Sisters we are, we shared geocaching stories and ideas. Once Genny arrived from the PA DOD Sunday morning, we headed out to experience the Science Museum and Mythbusters exhibit! What a great interactive display with a clear educational motive, helping people understand the scientific method and real world connections through testing myths! We all plan to return with our kids to enjoy this exhibit again! There is Great learning and fun for the whole family!

After the Museum of Science and Industry, we headed back to the hotel for more iPad sharing, surfing each other ‘s wikis and resources! Genny even held a raffle with tickets and prizes! We had DENnis Grice join in through FaceTime, and the “draw something app marathon” continued!

On Monday Morning, we had our final mission: visit the Discovery Office in Chicago.
We put on our walking shoes and headed out to the Office.  Security was off-balance, but persisted to gain us access. We were thrilled that Mike Bryant was in the building! Mike gave us a tour, introducing us to all the hard working, behind the scenes people, who make the Discovery Education product so great!

Now, I can’t possibly share everything we learned, but here are a few lessons we can share:
1. IKEA supplies furniture to the hotel… Be gentle!
2.  If you forget your smart phone when traveling, it was probably a gift from God.
3.  There is no way to stop room 105 except pure exhaustion.

4.  The safest iPads have iBallz.

5.  Always have a DEN buddy in the City! They catch you when you fall, pick up your wallet when you leave it on the bus, buy tickets on credit knowing you will pay them back, watch your back when you enter establishments
6.  Always carry your  phone charger.
7.  Bus routes matter!
8.  Chad L can’t draw… and blames it on his kids!
9.  Former school administrators become floor managers at Second City
10.  When on a stair case, Shift Left!
11.  You can never sing Happy Birthday too much to a DEN Star!
12.  Not every establishment in Chicago is meant for women!

13.  Steve Dembo has no sticky-notes or tape in his office.
14.  Discovery Streaming has audiobooks for Hunger Games!

But most importantly,  DEN Friends are always willing to share and help each other!  Discovery Education has created a healthy atmosphere of support through constant modeling of professional development and innovative educational approach.    The energy and excitement we share for motivating kids to love learning in the 21st Century never fades!  Our little   “DENSI PreCon” was a great fix! Now we wait for the Real thing with all our DEN Friends!  Hope to see you all in MT!

The DEN hosted an event at the ICE Conference on Leap Day!  Approximately 100 educators received a little taste of the DEN.  The Minute to DEN It event was a great time, with plenty of networking, information sharing about the DEN, and fun times for all.  Attendees were given the challenge to complete 9 Minute to Win It type games to earn valuable DEN prizes.  A few of the challenges included  “This Blows,” “Noodling Around,” “Spare Me,” “Johnny Applestack,” and “Stick To It“.  Some of the challenges were a little easier than others, but the effort involved was fantastic.  The faces of the participants and the laughter heard around the room told much of the story.  A huge thanks goes out to the Illinois Leadership Council (Anne, Lori, Liz, Deb, & Tricia), along with LC members from North Carolina and Florida (Cheryl and Conni), for helping with setup, monitoring the prize table, and keeping an eye out for those needing assistance with the games.

Here’s a brief Animoto that was made with media from the event.

Cheryl Lykowski is ready. Gina Loveless is ready. Scores of other passionate, technology-using educators are signed up and ready.The Discovery team is ready. I just landed in Kalamazoo, MI today so I am definitely ready!

So, I hope you are ready and as excited as I am about the Day of Discovery happening this Saturday, February 18th! Attendees will experience a full day of learning, sharing, and FUN… DEN style! If you haven’t already signed up to be there, do so now at http://dodkzoo.eventbrite.com.

Kalamazoo RESA
1819 E Milham
Portage, MI 49002

The ICE Conference is quickly approaching! On February 29th Discovery will be hosting an evening event at the Phesant Run Resort in conjunction with the ICE Conference. This event will challenge your skills in many “Minute to Win It” type games. Come join us at Phesant Run!!! If you can’t make the conference join us anyways for an exciting evening with Discovery!   Register Here!!!

February 29, 2012

5:00PM- 7:00 PM

Phesant Run Resort

New Orleans Ball Room

4051 East Main Street

St. Charles, IL 60174

See you at ICE!!

The ICE Conference is coming soon and if you’re attending the conference or will be in the area, you must come to the DEN social event on Wednesday, February 29th.  Yes, that’s Leap Day and Leap Day needs to be celebrated and what a better way than with the DEN.

The DEN (Discovery Educator Network) invites you to kick off the 2012 ICE Conference and celebrate Leap Day by joining fellow educators for a fun pre-conference networking opportunity.  Stop by from 5:00-7:00 (immediately following the Exhibit Hall Kick-off) to network with and meet new colleagues, meet the Illinois DEN Leadership Council, learn about the Discovery Educator Network, and test your skills to win prizes in several “Minute to Win It” type games.  You’ll have ONE MINUTE to try and complete several challenges such as “This Blows,” “Noodling Around,” “Spare Me,” “Johnny Applestack,” and “Stick To It“.  The more challenges you complete, the more points you earn.  If you’re successful, you’ll walk away with some great Discovery Educator Network goodies.  If not, well, you’ll at least have a good time networking and meeting new colleagues.  Drinks and appetizers will be served.

February 29, 2012
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Pheasant Run Resort
New Orleans Ball Room 

RSVP here –>  http://discoveryeducationice12.eventbrite.com

Download an event pdf to share with others.

Now that February is upon us we have a lot to look forward to and I have heard the weather men are predicting a lot of ICE  (the ICE Conference that is)! Quickly approaching are Valentine’s Day, President’s Day but most importantly ICE Conference Week!! 

In less than a month a large group of teachers will descend upon Pheasant Run in St. Charles. These teachers will be wielding great ideas and enough enthusiasm to go around. There will also a group of speakers that are top of the line.

Steve Dembo, Joe Morelock, and Kevin Honeycutt will lead us in learning at Wednesday’s Build-your-own conference.We will kick off the Thursday/Friday conference learning with Peter Reynolds as the keynote on Thursday and William Rankin as the keynote on Friday. Thursday keep the day rolling with the Luncheon Keynote, Karen Cator.

These great starters are followed closely by the featured speakers:  Barbara Barreda, Adam Bellow, Kathy Cassidy, Michelle Luhtala, and Katie Morrow. This year we have the local spotlights from the great state of Illinois: Jon Orech and Kim Zimmer.

If you want to come learn more about technology and its integration into your classroom register for the ICE Conference!!

ICE Conference February 28th – March 2, 2012 at Pheasant Run in St. Charles, IL.

ICE Conference Registration

Northern Illinois Computing Educators held their Mini-Conference on Saturday, January 28th.  The Keynote speaker was Steve Dembo of Discovery, and his presentation of cutting edge Web 2.0 apps provided an energetic beginning to the event.  Would we expect any less?  The crowd was enthused, and Steve was dynamic – his breadth of knowledge and ability to keep up with whats new is amazing.  It was worth being there just for the Keynote but there was so much more.
More than 350 people attended, and were able to choose from 30 different sessions – with such a huge variety to choose from that it was difficult to decide!  For those of you who attended, I am sure you will agree.
Food, snacks, drinks, and pleasant conversation, plus an un-conference – an amazing, affordable event at ONLY $5!
Most attended and talked about sessions:
All iPad sessions (4 to choose from)
The Flipped classroom with Jon Bergmann who is now living in Illinois.  Jon and Sam Aaron originated this concept that is spreading throughout the US.
Interactive teacher session using pop culture – Ryan Goble and Pam Goble with Media  – got us out of our seats and actively participating, learning, and having fun –
Web 2.0 and more
If you missed the event, here are the topics and resources that were shared:
http://iceberg.org/nice/resources
Come to the ICE conference in St. Charles, Illinois from February 28- March 2, 2012 to get energized with new ways to engage your classrooms. Many of the presenters that were at NICE will be sharing their unique ideas at ICE. Below are a few presenters and topics that will be must sees at ICE:
Steve Dembo providing energetic presentations as a feature speaker on Wednesday

Jon Bergmann – The Flipped Classroom during the general sessions

iPad sessions- lots and lots of general sessions

Interactive White Board General Sessions

And LOTS more!

Mobile Learning Sessions

For Registration go to http://www.iceberg.org/ice_conference/registration

NICE will host its 18th annual mini-conference on
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, from 8 am to 1 pm,
Registration check-in and poster sessions will be from 8 to 8:30 am
 
at:
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
1 Stevenson Drive
East Building, Performing Arts Center
Lincolnshire, Illinois
Use Parking Lots – C, D, E

We’re kicking off the day with a keynote by Steve Dembo followed by three 50 minute breakout sessions with 28 sessions to choose from. We will conclude the day with a great raffle! For those who would like to try an unconference” experience, we’re setting up areas for that, too! You’re sure to come away with some great new ideas, and maybe a raffle prize, too.

Admission is $5.00…pay  @ the door!

Pre-registration is now open.
Please pre-register so that we can properly plan our session spaces and time.
Would you like to reserve an iPad for use at the conference?  Pre-register and reserve one.
Link for Pre-Registration:

• http://tinyurl.com/nice-mini2012

You are still welcome to register at the event. 

For more information contact the MiniConference Co-Chairs:

Helen Lazzaro, lazz04@gmail.com, or Stephanie Cardella, scardella@nssd112.org