My question - Will this impact the use of Moodle in schools?
Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)
S.49
Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (Introduced in Senate) It is BACK….
powered by performancing firefox
While reading my email this morning, I ran across this article on school uniforms being looked at by a neighboring county. Our district went through a major overhaul of its student dress code last year. Over all, it has been a positive change for student behavior. With all the influence of Gangs and pop-culture on student attire, it is important to consider. I applaud school boards for accessing all factors that impact our schools. This is something that does not cost them any money, just puts the responsibility of enforcement on the assistant principals, and classroom teachers. imho- something else to do- just what teachers need. But on the positive side, if parents and students buy-in it can make a nice looking school. So- focus on the PROCESS! Don’t leave anyone out of the discussions.
New Hanover County BOE considering public school uniformsJan 22, 2007 09:22 AM
WILMINGTON — It’s been a private school tradition for years. But now school uniforms are making their way into public classrooms.
The New Hanover County Board of Education thinks they might be a good idea. It was one of the many topics they tackled during a weekend retreat in Carolina Beach.
Members of the board think standardized uniforms will save parents money, create a better learning environment and boost school pride.
Schools can use uniforms if they choose to. But Gregory Elementary is the only one in the county that does.
The board has had little success with school uniforms in the past. So members want parents to be involved in the decision.
School board spokesperson Karin Cox said, “We really want to find out what the community wants and what each individual school wants. We’re not ready to make a decision for the entire system right now.”
If uniforms are adopted they will be khaki pants and collared shirts. Parents can let the board know what color shirts they prefer by completing the survey.
The results will be presented to the board in may. It will decide then if uniforms will be implemented county-wide.
powered by performancing firefox
Here are a couple of ideas that were tossed out to participants at the NC Science Blogging Conference. The ideas are courtesy of Janet Stemwedel, scientist, blogger, and global thinker.
Image yourself at a open house or a social event in your town. Educators and non-educators are invited. Standing near the back wall, is Sarah B, an teacher with four years experience. Up walks a another party goer and it happens: The spinach dip blow-off. “What exactly is it you do?” Sarah says hello nice to meet you, my name is Sarah and I a science teacher … with …, which we prepare citizens with the skills for the 21st Century …”
“Oh. Hey, is that spinach dip?”
Real communication: a conversation
Traditional educator communication:
Teaching is a process, not just a product!
Knowledge production requires good communication with other educators.
(adapted from H.E. Longino, Science as Social Knowledge, 1990)
This sets up a big question: Why would an educator blog?
Conversations in the blogosphere in edublogs that might not be happening otherwise: I call this topics to blog about…
Educational conversations
Political conversations
Conversations about education literature (scholarly and popular)
The virtual teachers meeting (or virtual teachers lounge)
Conversations about the tribe
What makes blogging a different kind of conversation?
What makes blogging a different kind of conversation?
A real conversation gives you room to grow.
A real conversation gives you room to grow.
Get the ball rolling.
After listening and reflecting on these points, and looking at my blog posts, my blog really is a bunch of junk. I need to refocus my blogging efforts. Thanks Science Blogging Conference. What do you think?
powered by performancing firefox
While attending the NC Science Blogging Conference on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007 in Chapel Hill, one question was asked by a participant: How do teachers know what they are teaching is accurate? That question made me think about the idea of science literacy. As I was going through my email account’s spam folder, I ran across this National Science Teachers Association email. Why this email ended up in my spam folder is a different story. In an effort to help science teacher current on crucial themes in the science field, this organization makes a concerted effort to inform its members of what is the truth. When asked at the conference, my mind went blank. Also, high school chemistry teachers can join the American Chemical Society. They have a secondary educational division and a Kids Site
Teaching Science in the 21st Century: Part 5 in a Series from NSTA ReportsThe fifth installment in NSTA Reports’ series is titled “Teaching the Nature of Science: Five Crucial Themes”. Written by Nancy Moreno, the piece begins “Many candidate races and ballot initiatives in the November 2006 United States elections highlighted science-related issues and debates. Stem cell research, alternative fuels, and climate change were topics considered in regional and national discussions. To understand and choose among conflicting viewpoints, voters needed to possess two aspects of scientific literacy: (1) comprehending science concepts and (2) understanding how science builds knowledge. Unfortunately, statistics compiled by the National Science Foundation indicate little headway in improving the second aspect of science literacy—understanding the nature of science. In 2004, for example, only 23% of adult respondents could correctly ‘explain in their own words what it means to study something scientifically’ (NSB 2006).”
This series offers opinion pieces by many of the leaders in science education today. To read the fifth installment in the series, visit http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=53152. To find out more about the book by the same name that inspired the series, visit http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB195X.
powered by performancing firefox
Focus: The focus of this years Institute is threefold:
implementing the 2004 NC Standard Course of Study, the High School Exit Standards, and Science and the Graduation Project. We will share materials for Biology, Chemistry, Earth/ Environmental Science, Physical Science, and Physics for both standard and honors courses. Assessment will also be addressed.
School districts are encouraged to send a TEAM of teachers and a science supervisor representing the different high school courses with the expectation that these participants will provide updates for all science teachers in their district. Smaller school districts may wish to cooperate to send a regional team.
Setting: The Science Leadership Institute will be held at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, NC. Situated on the shore of the beautiful Trent River, the convention center is a modern, comfortable, and picturesque venue for this year’s Institute. A map and directions are available with general information about the area found at www.visitnewbern.com and www.newbernconventions.com. Dress is informal and participants might want to come prepared to participate in science activities including some optional outdoor field activities. (Bring sunscreen, bug repellant, good walking shoes, etc). The indoor rooms can be chilly– please bring a sweater or light jacket for air-conditioned rooms as layering is usually the best option.
Accommodations: Participants will be responsible for securing their own accommodations. A list of hotels, contact information, and rates follows. Most are within walking distance from the Riverfront Convention Center.
Cost: $300 per participant (includes materials, all meals and breaks except Tuesday dinner)
NO REFUNDS will be given.
Substitutions: Substitutions of one participant for another will be accommodated. Please call Susan Hart at 919-807-3846.
Registration: Please fill out the attached form and submit by the deadline: JUNE 15, 2007.
Make checks payable to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and send check and registration form to:
Cash Management Section
6336 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6336
Please include code # on check: 0801 43560000008 200021960
For questions about registration, call Susan Hart at 919-807-3846.
powered by performancing firefox
Join us at the upcoming FREE workshops:
“The State We’re In: Science, Citizenship and the Effects of Environmental Toxins in NC”
(for high school teachers)
“Connecting Health and the Environment: Lead, Asthma and Managing Risk”
(for middle school teachers)
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
8am - 4pm
Charlotte Convention Center
Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting
Learn strategies for increasing students’ understanding of environmental health risk, environmental toxins and the relationship between scientific data and human judgment. Teachers will receive copies of environmental health curricula, correlated to the NC Standard Course of Study. License renewal credits, travel reimbursement and substitute teacher reimbursement are also available.
The following partners are providing the workshops:
Community Outreach and Education Program, Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility, UNC Chapel Hill
Society of Toxicology, K-12 Committee
UNC Charlotte Center for Mathematics, Technology and Science Education
NC Office of Environmental Education
DESTINY Traveling Science Learning Program, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Promotional flyers and a registration form are attached. The registration deadline is February 23, 2007. For more information or to register online, visit: http://cf.unc.edu/cep/erp/registration/march2007/index.cfm.
We hope to see you March 27!!
powered by performancing firefox
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Distance Learning Technologies presents a workshop via videoconference
What is computational chemistry?
Computational chemistry, also known as molecular modeling, is
the newest method of doing research in chemistry. Computational chemistry uses computers to build molecules and calculate a wide variety of properties and reactivities about those molecules. North Carolina is the only state to have a dedicated high performance computer available to pre-college students and teachers in computational chemistry. This workshop is funded by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
Center.
Program Description: Explorations in Computational Chemistry is a 15 hour workshop via videoconference
designed for both teachers and students with a strong interest in chemistry or molecular biology. The workshop
consists of eight (8) 90-minute sessions for students and teachers. Teachers can take an additional two (2)
90-minute sessions to learn about classroom integration and support for research activities.
Workshop instructor, Robert R. Gotwals, Jr., will teach participants the technologies, techniques, and tools of
computational chemistry, including the underlying methods, mathematics, and computer programs of computational chemistry. Participants will use the NC High School Computational Chemistry Server for their
lab work.
Pre-requisites for both students and teacher participants: chemistry, solid algebra background, comfort
with computers.
Costs: Instruction, computer access and all materials provided free of charge to all North Carolina pre-college teachers and students
Dates: each Thursday, Feb.1-April 5
Scheduled Sites: Kinston HS., Kinston NC; Davie HS., Mocksville; A.L.Brown HS, Kannapolis; NCSSM,
Durham. For additional sites, please inquire
Time: 3:45 to 5:15 pm
Teachers receive a letter of completion recommending 1.5 CEU for 15 hours of instruction. Optional additional
CEU credit may be arranged. Students receive a certificate of participation and a letter for inclusion in college
application packets.
For questions on workshop content, contact:
Robert R. Gotwals, Jr., Computational Chemistry Educator
gotwals@ncssm.edu
To sign up contact:
Peg Kirk at the Distance Learning Department,
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.
Phone 919 416-2632 Email: kirk@ncssm.edu
Visit the website at http://www.dlt.ncssm.edu/distance_learning
powered by performancing firefox
From: Sanctuary.Education@willamette.nos.noaa.gov [mailto:Sanctuary.Education@willamette.nos.noaa.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 8:04 PM
To: National Marine Sanctuary Program Education
Subject: NOAA Teacher at Sea
NOAA Teacher at Sea
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program is accepting applications from currently employed K-16 teachers. The mission of the program is to give teachers a clearer insight into our ocean planet and a greater understanding of maritime work and studies, and to foster an interdisciplinary educational experience that provides a unique environment for learning and teaching.
The deadline for applications is January 31, 2007.
powered by performancing firefox
From: Sanctuary.Education@willamette.nos.noaa.gov [mailto:Sanctuary.Education@willamette.nos.noaa.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 8:04 PM
To: National Marine Sanctuary Program Education
Subject: NOAA Teacher at Sea
NOAA Teacher at SeaNOAA’s Teacher at Sea program is accepting applications from currently employed K-16 teachers. The mission of the program is to give teachers a clearer insight into our ocean planet and a greater understanding of maritime work and studies, and to foster an interdisciplinary educational experience that provides a unique environment for learning and teaching.
The deadline for applications is January 31, 2007.
powered by performancing firefox
Teachers report that students learn science best by doing science - investigating natural phenomena with student-led, hands-on inquiry. The Science Now workshops are designed to provide teachers the content knowledge and resources they will need to meet the challenges of facilitating inquiry-based science.
Next summer plan to join fellow 8th grade teachers for a week in residence at the NC School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. Share information and ideas as NC begins end-of-grade (EOG) science testing in grade 8.
The Course Registration Fee is $25.00; breakfast, and lunch will be provided each day and participants may stay in the school dorms at no cost.
Through the support of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, participating teachers will receive 3 CEUs, a science kit to keep for their classrooms that includes a GPS, a fossil kit, texts and electronic media. Emphasis will be on NC Standard Course of Study and the topic earth’s dynamic history. Instruction will focus on the development of science process skills needed to investigate ways in which rocks, fossils, and ice cores record Earth’s geologic history and the evolution of life.
According to one of the 2006 participants, “Both presenters were excellent and kept us involved and interested throughout the 5 days. The field trips were wonderful and fit in perfectly with what we were concentrating on. All in all it’s one of the best workshops I have ever participated in.”
Online registration for North Carolina teachers is available at http://ncssm.infonowonline.org/
If you have any questions, contact Carole Stern, NCSSM Outreach Specialist, 919 416-2635
powered by performancing firefox
