1 to 1 With OneNote

Pedagogy/EdTech

*All Core Subjects*

Your district is pushing a 1:1 or BYOD initiative but you are stuck on what is your next step. Avoid the xenophobia and join us for an engaging session of how you can use OneNote to enhance the classroom experience while giving the copier a well deserved rest. Come with OneNote (either full program or the App) installed and your curriculum!

Edmodo as your LMS

Pedagogy/EdTech

With the large amount of Learning Management Systems (LMS) available, which one best fits your teaching style and your student's learning style? Come explore Edmodo, an amazing (and free) LMS that both you and your students will love. Come with your mobile technology!

Forensics

Physics/Biology

Participants come in to the science lab and they are witness to a murder scene.  On the floor is blood splattered toward the right and a small pool of blood collected on the floor in front of the opening cabinet.  Police tape circles the teacher station.

The victim, photographed earlier, is shown to have injuries to the head (Increase information about the body picture).  Groups will watch interrogation videos of 5 potential suspects (current student,TA, Coworker, Science Tutor, Janitor/Employee) as interviewed by detectives. What is our next step as forensics experts?

Fun With Digital Assessment Tools

Pedagogy/EdTech

Assessments have multiple uses.  They can be used to gauge what a student comes into a unit knowing in the form of a pre-assessment.  Assessments can be used as a check for understanding to know if concepts need reteaching.  Of course formal assessments to measure comprehension at the end of a unit, grading period, semester, or even a year.  Traditionally, all formative and summative assessments have been done on paper.  As the proliferation of technology embeds itself into all facets of education, assessments evolve as well.

Investigating Newton's Laws

Physics

*GT/TAG*

Real world application of Newton's Laws  are explored and identified.  This multi-activity unit culminates with a lab that integrates all the facets into one large station activity.  Anti-social participants beware!  You will be working in groups throughout the entire workshop and you can even keep what you build.

iTunes U as Your Virtual Classroom

Pedagogy/EdTech

*All Core Subjects"

Our digital footprint is becoming more and more essential every school year. With so many electronic resources available, how can a teacher keep everything sorted? Is there an ideal Learning Management System? With iTunesU, you the teacher can customize your class in any manner you choose. Documents, videos, pictures, or any other media can be embedded and viewed in the order you want. Bring your electronic content and your iTunes account for this exciting journey!

Journaling With a Purpose

Pedagogy

*All Core Subjects*

So you want to journal in your classroom? Journaling or Interactive Notebooks are an invaluable tool to increase engagement and improve retention of content. The easy part is setting up your journal: the hard part is maintaining it. Bring a composition book, a flash drive, a bag of supplies, and an open mind as we dive headfirst into the wonders of journaling!

Newtonian Physics: How I Learned to Love the Apple

Physics

Review of Middle School Physics TEKS using a variety of lab experiences, manipulatives, and notes. Participants will take away multiple resources as well as a Physics project that will engage students and teachers alike!

Ogallala Aquifer & Its Impact on Texas

Geology

Watershed development, groundwater vs. surface water, and aquifer development are the foundation for this free flowing workshop.  These main geologic traits are explored in various hands-on activities such as building an aquifer and a watershed, and using QR codes to learn more about the Ogallala Aquifer.

Stratigraphy & Remote Sensing on Mars

Geology

How can we figure out what is on Mars without setting foot on the Red Planet? Samples from Curiosity and satellite images can provide amazing information to increase our knowledge. In this workshop we will simulate geologic core sampling and remote sensing to give an accurate view of this neighboring planet by conducting two different NASA-based labs.

Using EdTech in the Classroom

Pedagogy/EdTech

*All Subjects*

Explore ways to integrate mobile technology into the classroom. Various mobile applications are presented with advantages, disadvantages, and specific ways to use each application in the classroom. A free iBook or PDF is provided to all who attend this workshop. Bring a Smartphone or Tablet!

Water Powered Flight Plan

Astronomy/Physics

*GT/TAG*

Our own personal twist on an old classic!  We design and create rockets out of 2 Liter soda bottles, launch them, redesign it, then launch again.  Attendees will learn how to differentiate the activity for the lowest of students all the way up the most gifted of students.  Physics and astronomy are both explored in a workshop that is out of this world!