RJ Stangherlin

Keystone Technology Integrator and STAR Discovery Educator

This site is for Mrs. Stangherlin's classes at Salisbury High School.

“That’s What Family Does”

Cross-posted on DEN PA and Changing Connections

It was the last day of a week-long amazing experience with Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council members from across the country.  Working with 60 DEN STARS who had added state leadership into already hectic schedules hallmarks the personality of the group.  Often I felt overwhelmed; there was so much to learn and I often felt my learning curve was less intuitive and a bit slower.  But I got there, with a lot of help from my friends (God bless Jennifer Dorman, my state-regional-trip-roommate, whose patience I must have tested).  Which brings me to the title of this blog, suggested by a comment from Howard Martin (he so reminded me of Gary Cooper’s “aw, shucks” approach, but Howard is much too young to connect to the comparison).  He had helped me with a tech issue that was eluding me for a long while, and his suggestion (simple to him but out of my league) erased a problem.  So, on Friday morning, when I was thanking him again, he said, “That’s what family does.” I think those 4 words summed up the entire DEN LC experience for me, and I suspect so many others as well.  What do you think?

Trolling the (DEN) State Blogs: Boom-De-Ya-Da and LC and National Institutes

Cross-posted at DEN PA and Changing Connections

Here’s the video that NJ, NY, ME, and PA LCs put together on the first day of the DEN LC National Institute. 

A special thanks to Heather Sullivan for posting the video on the New Jersey blog. Having some “free” time on my hands, I decided to troll the state blogs and aggregate some resources and comments shared by other states who attended either the LC or STAR institutes. Arkansas Mary Frazier and Tanya Gray brainstormed 25 more ways to use Discoverystreaming.  Posted by Brett Harvey, CA--home of DENs youngest STAR, Jannita and Laurian’s son, David--is taking a time out from the busy day’s agenda. 

Florida’s post by Cheryl Woolwine shows how the South East Region created with Tennessee their own version of the Discovery Channel commercial, Boom-De-Ya-Da, Here’s “Find Your Match at D-Harmony”:

Posted on the Iowa blog by Jason Cochrane, the Midwest LCs made this video along with Mike Bryant, their DEN Midwest Manager. Get ready for their deconstruction of DC commercial:

Louisiana LC is Green With Envy.  You’ll remember this team from their D-Harmony commercial.  Michigan’s LC were busy posters during the Institute.  Here’s their BDY commercial: 

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c1b7f60a2b741bbf0de4

Working with teachers from Illinois, here’s their DEN-De-Ya-Da video from the second week DEN Institute:

And their slide show from the second week STAR Institute:

From the NY blog, here’s Steve Dembo’s Learning to Speak Native presentation, Ustreamed from the DEN National Institute:

From my new LC Institute friend, Conni Mulligan shares an update on their LC membership. I really applaud all the states’ efforts in maintaining a vibrant LC, but since I had the good fortune to get to know Conni, I know how hard she has worked with her Council to get the NC blog launched as well, so a special shout out to you and your state. Great progress.

NC had 3 DEN STARS at the National Institute:  Judy, Nicole, and Deb. 

Guest blogger Debbie Wrobel represented the Northwest at the National Institute.  Check out her post here. 

If you still haven’t jumped into (teleported, flown, or swum with the sharks) yet, then you are definitely missing out on your Second Life experience.  On July 16, the DEN SL inducted newbies (I was one of them) into their SL, and I can tell you it is an experience of any/either lifetimes. Just do it.

I love reading Elaine Plybon on the Texas blog.  Her Reflections on Day 2 of the LC Institute and her sense of overload strike a resonant chord with me at any DEN function. We always learn and teach at rapid speed, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. And just in case you thought VA wasn’t at the LC Institute, Ruth Okoye has the photos to prove it.  Check out their Institute blogs here.

I’ll end on 3 “I hope’s”:
1.  that I didn’t forget anyone
2.  that I didn’t make too many typos
3. that all the embedded code works...because this is the first time I worked in code mode all the way, and I’m not even going to entertain an edit on this post. Thanks to all the super DEN STAR power out there, for what you do every day to make learning and teaching THE 21st century experience. A super thank you to our Discovery leaders for making our growth possible.

The World is Flat Audio Giveaway

With the No. 1 bestseller The World Is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman helped millions of readers see and understand globalization in a new way. Now you can have it for free.
From now until August 4th, you can download the audiobook version of The World Is Flat and receive an exclusive audio preview excerpt of Hot, Flat, and Crowded.

If you are interested in downloading the mp3 unabridged version of The World is Flat, I’d suggest you grab this freebie quickly.  It may take several days for your confirmation link to arrive.  Again, thanks to my PPLN on Twitter who sent out the Tweet.

THE SIEMENS FOUNDATION, DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS AND NSTA ANNOUNCE MAJOR PARTNERSHIP TO LAUNCH FIRST

Found this press release on Twitter courtesy of wakey1971.

(NEW YORK) – The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Communications and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) have joined together to inspire student achievement in sustainability through a comprehensive education initiative, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Announced today, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is an unprecedented partnership between three industry leading organizations that are committed to educating, empowering and engaging students, teachers and communities in environmental sustainability.

Kicking off the 2008 school year in September, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is the first and only national K-12 sustainability education initiative aligned to state education standards and uniquely tailored to match students’ growing comprehension abilities throughout their school-aged years. By partnering with Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications, which provides scientifically proven, standards-based digital media tools and resources to classrooms nationwide, and the NSTA, the largest science teacher organization in the world dedicated to improving science education and increasing student learning by engaging all teachers of science, the Siemens Foundation will serve as a pioneer in recognizing sustainability efforts within the K-12 education system.

“As a leader in environmentally relevant businesses, Siemens knows the answers to tomorrow’s critical environmental questions are in the minds of today’s students,” said James Whaley, President, Siemens Foundation. “Uniting with Discovery Education and NSTA complements Siemens’ commitment to the future and to those who are going to create it. We look forward to unleashing this tremendous reservoir of potential through the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge.”

“Education and the environment have always been part of Discovery’s core mission and we are proud to be a partner in encouraging students to learn about and create sustainable solutions through the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO, Discovery Communications.

“The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will engage science teachers and allow students the opportunity to think like scientists, learn more about key environmental issues, and to develop critical-thinking skills that will help them to make informed decisions regarding stewardship of the planet,” said Dr. Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director, NSTA.

Designed to equip students in every grade level with the tools and inspiration to develop innovative green solutions for schools, homes and communities, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will transform participants into active citizens for a greener tomorrow. The program begins by helping young students understand the basic concepts of sustainability and why it’s important to protect the environment. At each subsequent stage, the concepts expand to engage students beyond their classrooms, into their communities and to the global world.

K-2: My Classroom: Introduce students to the importance of “being green” and provide opportunities for active learning and engagement.
3-5: My School: Inspire students to think beyond their classroom — using science and math skills to take their school “green.”
6-8: My Community: Empower students with tools to apply the Scientific Method to real-world “green issues” in their local communities.
9-12: My World: Connect students with real-world scientists as they tackle today’s “green challenges” — moving from insight to global action.

In September, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge launches with a national middle school competition where teams of students will identify an environmental problem in their community and will research and recommend a reproducible environmental improvement program. Teams will then provide an explanation about how other communities across the country can launch similar environmental improvement programs.

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will expand to kindergarten and elementary school students in 2009 and to high school students in 2010, complete with standards-based lesson plans and teacher materials, student projects and prizing to foster learning, team work and problem solving around sustainability.

For more information about the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, visit http://www.wecanchangetheworldchallenge.com.

About the Siemens Foundation
The Siemens Foundation provides over $4.5 million towards science, technology, and engineering and math initiatives annually. Its signature programs, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology and the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, reward exceptional achievement in science, math and technology. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. The Foundation’s mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens’ U.S. operating companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For more information, visit http://www.siemens-foundation.org.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the world’s number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery’s founder and chairman. For more information, please visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com.

About the National Science Teachers Association
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest organization in the world dedicated to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA works to improve science education and increase student learning by providing resources and training that support and enhance quality teaching. The Association advocates for the importance of science and science learning and works to enhance science education through research-based policy and practice. NSTA’s current membership includes more than 57,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education. For more information, please visit http://www.nsta.org.

Slowing Down

(Image from Nancy White‘s ZAAZ Social Media Event Presentation, July 2008)

It is very hard to believe that a week has passed since the Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council National Institute at Discovery Headquarters in Silver Springs, MD.  Like all Discovery events, this one was a blockbuster with so much learning, so much fun.
What really impacted me so much was not only what we learned, but how we communicated as we learned.  Live blogging on Day 2, Part 1 and Part 2 redefined the use of social media for me with nearly 60 participants blogging live with presenters.  Then add to that mix that presentations were broadcast live with UStream.tv and Mogulus, (broadcast platforms that integrate into CoverItLive), with Nokia phones transmitting live multiple/simultaneous feeds into Mogulus, while we Tweeted and Purked, then updated our social networks simultaneously with Ping.fm.  Sending links and images as well, I learned that participating in live blogging redefined the concept of multi-tasking at rapid speed.  Whether geocaching with Bridget Belardi, teleporting in Second Life with the DEN SL LC, or just absorbing anything from Jennifer Dorman, I was almost overwhelmed when on the last day I viewed the projects that 60 Leadership Council members created.  Creative, cutting edge, and all classroom ready for integration.  Wow, what a powerhouse of learning opportunities.

But after that amazing week (and two in Europe shortly before LC), last week I was off-line, on a curious kind of self-imposed disconnect, feeling guilty about ignoring my digital devices, my expanding network of friends from DEN LC, requests to follow, join, and connect.  I took an online vacation, and strangely it felt good.  Jumping back to my social networks today (I always start with Twitter), I found that a whole new thread developed which explained where I had been, and even perhaps why.  Will Richardson’s July 25 Tweet led me to his post on Controlled Connectedness, which made me realize that “network separation anxiety” was my ailment.  Richardson’s link to “Nancy White’s idea of slow communities” calls into question network participation and how we communicate.  Her presentation reminded me of the importance of slowing and controlling our social connections.

Her slides, “Thinking about ‘Slow Community’” are listed below:

So, where does all of this lead me.  Simply to a reminder to myself that I sometimes need to slow down, to control my connectedness, to take an occasional “time out.” I know that I cannot learn all that is “out there.” I barely keep up with the 5 bloggers I promise to read every day.  Still, reflecting on Richardson and White, I feel better about slowing down enough to lend manageability to my endeavors.  I owe my social network a huge indebtedness every day because I continue to learn from them.  A very special thank you to the Discovery Educator Network for a perfect week, and to all the participants at the Leadership Council Institute for opening a whole new world of social media and PPLNs.

Down the Rabbit Hole with Steve Dembo

A very special thank you to Jennifer Dorman on her cliotech blog for providing the following links:

Discovery
DiscoveryEducatorNetwork
DEN
DENLCInstitute2008
SteveDembo
Teach42
Turbo Tagger

So Much Learning, So Much Fun: The Perfect Day

So Much Learning, So Much Fun: The Perfect Day.  No other organization can pack so much learning and so much fun into one day.  Leave it to DEN STARS and leaders to create the perfect day.  It’s not only that we did some powerhouse learning, but it was HOW we learned.  For many of us, it was the first time we blogged live using CoverItLive.  During Hall Davidson’s keynote, 75 people joined Jen Dorman’s back channel as we input our comments and questions in real time.  DEN STARS are multi-taskers by definition, I think, but today added so many new Web 2.0 tools that simplied and aggregated efforts.  What I really appreciated was the collaborative nature of our endeavors; so many Web 2.0 tools embed social networking into their design, and then let you send your work into your PPLNs simultaneously.  Think Diigo which lets you aggregate your information, choosing and controlling your content and community.

Then there was that fantastic DEN Carnival that our DEN leaders created.  After working our brains on collective overload, we played played DENGO, Wii gaming, and some old-fashioned old-school games like break the ballon, get the tic-tac-toe balls in a straight line (without cheating), and drop coins down a slot, predicting which color you would aim for.  And what was the purpose of the carnival (beyond unadulterated fun)--raffle tickets to win some super prizes at the end of the evening.  Learn deeply, laugh hard, and thank your lucky stars ( pun intended) that you are a part of this Leadership Council Institute, because, quite honestly, I cannot imagine what could top this one.  From the cotton candy, spun live, and DEN leaders, also spun live, living and learning just does not get any better.

Geocaching with Bridget Belardi

Geocaching is the experience where you become the search engine.  Bridget used Glogster to create a geocaching image for her wiki.  GPS requires you to have the latitude and longitude coordinates in order to search for something somewhere in your world.  Garmin and Magellan are the most popular and you can download cache information/coordinates into the receiver if it is properly equipped.

Do all handheld machines have the GPS ability?  Yes, if you have the extra cable.  If you are not a fellow geocacher, you may not need/want a GPS.  You can use iPhone as your GPS navigator, or your Blackberry if you have web access.  Generally speaking, the GPS works by identifying 3 satellites to locate your exact position on earth.  If you lose connection with one of the three, you lose the option to continue, so atmospheric interference can impact the ability to search.The GPS receiver is only as good as what you paid for it.  The ability for the receiver to read the satellites increases with the ability of the equipment, but you still need some geocache sense.

The best place to build an account is http://www.geocaching.com.  Then, you can search by city, zip code, state, driving route….  Bridget usually searches by zip code, but you can also search by state or driving directions (great for a long ride or a vacation drive).  Record the latitude and longitude coordinates and save to your receiver.  You can also search by your address to see what is in your immediate area.

When you create a geocaching account, you need to pay attention to the difficulty rating (1—5) and the terrain.  Bridget has been geocaching, and she said the hardest one she encountered was a 3.  Clicking on the link you have found will tell you who hid the cache (it could be absolutely anything, small to large), when it was hidden, and the North and West coordinates.  Bridget prints the coordinates so she can add it to her receiver later.  Without the coordinates, you have no geocache.  Caches are often hidden in off-the-beaten paths, and often when you find the cache, you find something else that is interesting as well.  What Bridget likes best is the decryption key to decipher the code, but if you hit “decrypt,” the decoding will be done for you.  In adition, you will find a list of all the people who have searched and found (or not) the cache.  Bridget suggests that for the good of the sport, you go back to the site and log in your results.  If you were using this activity for students, you get a valuable writing activity after the fact.

In geocaching, you always get a Google map, and you can use your GPS to try to find it.  When you click on the map, however, you will find if there are any other caches closeby.  Tomorrow Bridget will host a geocaching event so we have more hands-on search time.  Sometimes you have to answer questions, “The Original,” to prove you had been there, done it.  You can email the owner of the cache and s/he will tell you if you were correct.  Sometimes you get fake coordinates and you find the cache, which gives you new coordinates to get to the real cache.

How do we know that the people who plant the cache replenish the cache?  That’s where responding on the site where you got the coordinates becomes really important.  Searchers need to input data so that future geocachers will find the site viable.  You can flag any potential problems you encounter online, so that owners can replenish/fix the site or remove the cache (just in case a tree was cut down and your cache was a part of that tree).

So after you choose the cache, then what?  After inserting the coordinates into the GPS, you need to follow the compass until it gets to a within 10 feet.  Then, you use your geosense to see if something “isn’t right.” Where could something be hidden within a 15 foot range.  But it is always helpful to know what you might be looking for.  Some examples are a container (they are always labeled; tin, plastic, glass), something waterproof.  Ammo cans often have trade able items, trinkets, toys, stuffed animals, something that could/not have a value.

So, rule of thumb: if you find something, leave something. Leave something of equal or greater value, and that is the first rule of geocaching etiquette.  Sometimes containers are so camouflaged that find the cache is difficult.  The nanocaches are often magnetic and are “evil” because they are nanosized, making them really (almost) impossible to locate.  The space to write your name and date are often microscopic, so there is definitely a challenge to geocaching.  (I finally know what Michael Chicocki was prepping for one day when he Twittered...)

Here’s the good part.  You go through the pain and suffering of finding the cache, trade the items (find something, leave something).  Travel bugs and Geocoins are valuable.  Travel bugs are often attached to a dogtag with a track able number.  That number allows you to track it online.  What makes it interesting is that you can repurpose the cache by adding directions.  A cache can actually travel a path across the United States and the world (very popular in Germany).

You can buy geocaching coins online ("Queen of Caching").  You can even marathon geocache within a contest to find the most caches and collectibles within a time period.  Trillions of designs exist online, and geocache coins make a great trade for the find.  Responsible etiquette asks that you leave a message when you find the object of your search, both on site and online.  You need to re-camouflage the cache if you are asked to leave the cache after you find it.  Jeep even does geocaching, so if you find the Jeep coin, you get to enter into a lottery to win a Jeep.

Geocaching Lingo:

Muggles: those who are not geocachers
TFTC: Thanks for the Cache
TFTF: Thanks for the Find
TNLN: Took Nothing Left Nothing.

Educaching: (a great book about lesson plans and geocaching; has black masters, handouts; $32)

Educational Benefits:
Reading latitude and longitude
Map skills
Using a compass
Can add research to the caching
Cross-curricular connections
Letterboxing Hybrid: done with a compass not a GPS.

Resources:
Geocaching ListServ (check the link on Bridget’s wikispaces)

Check out Bridget’s resources (and other STAR DEN presenters) here.
http://www.podcacher.com (a family that podcasts geocaching)

Second Life: The Adventures of Lost Teacher, Haystack, and the DEN Second Life Group

Creating Your Personal Professional Learning Network: Jennifer Dorman