I am hooked on Periscope! The potential for teaching and learning, especially learning, is endless. I have been surfing in Australia, worked out with a personal trainer in Arizona, took a tour of the Palace of Versailles in France, and jumped into a chat with Astronauts about their research while in space. What did I learn? I learned Australia has very different seasons than South Carolina and that I should be sleeping while they are surfing. Ha! But seriously, by viewing Global Periscopes through an educators eyes, a world of possibilities to connect globally is a tipping point technology for teaching and learning. Yes, it is global and you must plan carefully when using Periscope in the classroom. Teaching always takes thoughtful planning and with a few preparations, this can be an awesome learning tool. Check out my infographic for tips and possibilities for using Periscope in the classroom. As always, feel free to connect with me on Twitter @thewendywells, Periscope @wendywellsedtek or Facebook (Wendy Wells) to assist with your global project planning. Happy Periscoping! Note: Mitch Oates is the Australian Surfing Periscope.
ISTE 2015 in Philly
ISTE 2015 was hosted in Philly this year with over 1000 sessions on utilizing technology in education. My first experience with attending ISTE (formally known as NECC) was the year 2000 in Atlanta Georgia. The history of ISTE/NECC dates back to the first conference being in 1979, hosted in Iowa with only 32 sessions. Can you image? Read more ISTE history to see if you recognize a pattern in the thoughts and trends over the years. Hot trends this year were The Maker Movement, 3D printing, 1:1 initiatives and PBL (Project Based Learning), and my favorite....live streaming with Periscope. #ISTE2015 #ISTE15 #NotAtISTE15
If you are not familiar with Periscope, it is an app that allows you to stream live events for your Twitter/Periscope followers to view. Tony Vincent allowed me to be a part of his Periscope ventures into the ISTE Poster sessions and then introduced me to Angela Meirs in the Blogger's Cafe. To learn more about Periscope check out Tony Vincent's blog details here!
First time ISTE goers are always overwhelmed and in awe of the wealth of information. I still get a little "information overload", but what I like most are the connections you make and meeting educators in your PLN (Professional Learning Network) for the first time F2F.
Notable Highlights for ISTES 2015
EdTech Products, Developers, Start-ups to Watch!
- Microsoft Pulse Polling and Analytics Software (launched a new component for education...yet, I was told by the developer at ISTE they didn't test it with educators)
- Tech-Smith's Video Analysis App- "Coaches-Eye" (utilized for sports but TechSmith changing the game to focus on teaching effectiveness or student learning-Educator approved!)
- Remind 101 is now just "Remind" added a new Polling/Chat feature (Presenters can now use this for quick polling and analytics)
- Otus Plus-A new LMS that everyone was talking about! Check them out!
Certifications & Software Updates/Releases
- SMART Notebook (Top secret release of Activity kit)
- Edmodo Certification (Learn how to become a trainer)
- Google Educator (Get Certified here)
Periscope Highlights
Watch Tony Vincent's Session live on Periscope! Click this link for Tony's Quick Tips & more "Worth 1,000 Words: Finding and Designing Visuals for Your Projects"
Bloggers Cafe: Meeting Angela Maiers.... Amazing quotes: "Strangers are friends not yet met! Liberating Genius!" #ShoesMatter #YouMatter
#ISTE2015 Poster Session with Tony & me: Shout out to @wkingbg a Kentucky Principal doing innovative things at his High School
#ISTE 2015 Karaoke Winner Arischa Frierson
#ISTE2015 #ISTE15 #NotAtISTE15 "Fun & Learning was had by all! @TheWendyWells"
How can we create a roadmap for educational clarity & societal buy-in?
As I have embraced a journey of teaching, ed-tech business, learning, and sharing about how effective integration of technology can change teaching, student learning and business, my mission and passion are clear.
It's not about the technology....it is about preparing our future leaders (our children) for a career path that we have not even imagined. It is about helping our students, our teachers, and our leaders utilize the digital information in a way that makes them powerful, productive, and knowledgeable to be successful in whatever chosen career that is held.
Educational reform and systematic change are hot buzz words and these things need to happen. We are wasting time and need to see what is happening globally. This system is broken! How can we create a road map for educational clarity? For societal buy-in?
There is a "Digital Convergence" of learning happening that we cannot ignore! I plan to share my insights with parents, teachers, students, business leaders, and governmental policy makers on understanding the "call to action" that needs to happen.
