Block-Kids Building Competition

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on December 7, 2009
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This award winning program introduces children to the construction industry in an effort to create an awareness of and to promote an interest in future careers in one of the many facets of the industry. 

Block-Kids Building Program is open to all elementary school children in grades 1-6.   Participants have forty-five minutes to build something with a small rock, string, foil and poster board (all supplied).  The competition is scheduled for February 6, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the LCC West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, MI.  

The competition is free to all participants and substantial prizes will be awarded to first, second and third places.  The winning project will be eligible for the regional and national competitions.  Space is limited, so be sure to register by January 29, 2010! 

For information and registration for this local Block-Kids Building Program competition visit http://lansingnawic.com or contact Traci Sherman at tsherman@clarkcc.com .  The Block-Kids Building Program is a national building program competition that is sponsored on the local level by NAWIC chapters and other organizations. 

MACUL Student Technology Showcase 2010

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Grethel
on December 3, 2009
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The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) and the Michigan Education Association (MEA) proudly invite you and your students to participate in the seventh annual Student Technology Showcase.  The showcase will give your team the opportunity to demonstrate how your students are using technology to support their learning.  Displays in the past showcases have featured simple to very elaborate uses of technology and have included teams of students from grades one through twelve.  Teams should consist of one or two teachers and up to four students.  One teacher from each team that participates in the showcase will qualify for a free registration to the MACUL Conference.

The showcase will take place during the MACUL Conference in the Devos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, MI.  Nearly 3,000 educators will attend the conference, so we anticipate a large audience for the showcase.  The showcase will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  Space is limited so register as soon as possible.

For more information and to register for the showcase go to:  http://classroomhelp.com/macul

Please e-mail the showcase coordinator, Chris Burnett at nct2001@yahoo.com if you have any questions. 

MI Champions Grant

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on November 18, 2009
in Education and Grants
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Want to receive free training worth up to $8,300 to help educators in your school become more skilled at using educational technology?

The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) has received a grant from the Michigan Department of Education to train 70 teams (350 educators) at the school building level.  In the MI-Champions program, teams of 3-5 educators attend the annual MACUL conference (one of the largest in the Midwest) in 2010 and 2011, receive two days of training in the summer of 2010, receive onsite coaching expertise, and a wealth of resources.  MACUL conference registration, as well as stipends are provided each MI-Champion participant.

The purpose of the program is to develop the expertise of teachers to use technology to improve student academic achievement.

Some feedback from MI-Champion participants, as reported in the evaluation study from Eastern Michigan University:

 Conference feedback:

“The conference provided me with new ideas about how to use technology in the classroom.”

“I had never used some of the technologies that we were exposed to at this conference (netcasts, blogs, etc.) and I feel more confident in using them both for my own enjoyment and to assist students in learning content.  It was definitely worthwhile experience for me.”

Summer Two Day Workshop Feedback:

“I enjoyed the wide variety of resources that I was provided with today.  It was amazing how much I have learned in 2 short days.”

Overall Program Feedback:

“This is the best thing I have ever been a part of!”

“Thank you for treating us like professionals (lunch, stipend, paying for the MACUL conference, etc.).  Being so “appreciated” makes us want to work even harder to make learning accessible to all children!”

For more information and to apply for the MI-Champions program for your school team, link to http://www.macul.org .  Application deadline is December 16.

 

 

MACUL Conference Scholarship Offer

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Grethel
on November 10, 2009
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MEEMIC Insurance and Edutek Midwest have announced the funding of a limited number of full conference registrations (value $180 each).  The conference will be held in Grand Rapids on March 10-12.

Seven full-conference scholarships ($180 value each) will be drawn from eligible entries on November 24.  Winners will be announced on the MACUL website on December 1.

Deadline to enter:  November 20, 2009

Other details to be eligible for this offer:

  • must be a current MACUL member
  • must be paying for conference attendance and not by employer
  • must promise to inform school of scholarship, if selected.

Note:  Scholarships will be chosen at random from eligible entries.  If winners are unable to attend the MACUL conference for any reason, they must inform MACUL by March 1, 2010.  Only one entry per person and this offer is non-transferable.  MACUL Board and Special Interest Group officers are not eligible to win.

 Download the entry form from the MACUL website

http://macul.org/conferences/2010maculconference/conferencealternativefunding/

Complete the form and email to macul@macul.org

2009 MVU Online Learning Symposium - December 2, 2009

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Grethel
on October 21, 2009
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The 2009 MVU Online Learning Symposium, Connecting with Youth in a Media-rich World, will explore how young people are using new media and communication tools to build social networks, create content and learn from their peers.  This new environment has significant implications for learning and teaching, and it creates new challenges for students, parents, educators an policy makers.

Keynote speakers include Julia Angwin, columnist and technology editor for the Wall Street Journal, and Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project. 

This year’s symposium will be held on Wednesday, December 2, at the Kellogg Center on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.  A special opportunity for school board members - be sure to check out the School Board Member Waiver on the registration form.

Registration and additional information available at http://www.mivu.org/symposium . 

 

Invitation to Leslie Fisher and ‘Tools for Today’s Learners’

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on August 26, 2009
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BAISD (Bay-Arenac ISD) will be hosting Leslie Fisher, one of MACUL’s most popular speakers, Wednesday, September 30, 2009.  Leslie will be presenting on “Tools for Today’s Learners”, but know that her presentation will be directed at today’s educators. 

Other activities featured on that day will be breakout sessions on Pearson Assessment, Data with Mark Wahlstrom and MiTracker, how teachers are using Moodle and will feature several vendors.

There is a $25.00 out of district fee for the days events.  For more information visit www.baisd.net, and click on Quick Links and then Courseware.  Additional information at Leslie Fisher Event Flyer .

 

Using Technology in Career Exploration Training Workshops

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Grethel
on June 15, 2009
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Oakland Schools is offering two different workshops related to the curriculum Using Technology in Career Exploration, which provides performance-based assessments of the Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS).  Both workshops are Free!

Workshop 1 - July 14 and 16, 2009

Work Smart!  Integrate Technology Literacy, Appropriate Online Behavior, and Career Exploration to Address Multiple Requirements Simultaneously

Investigate Using Technology In Career Exploration.  The focus of this two-day workshop is on the content of the curriculum and its assessments.  Experience its tasks through an online course in the Moodle or Blackboard Learning Management Systems.  Come explore how you can accomplish four federal and state mandates:

  • The Michigan Educational Technology Standards for students (METS) and assessment of a student’s technological literacy,
  • The Education Development Plan (EDP)
  • The Online Learning Requirement
  • Responsible and safe online behavior

Audience:  Instructional leaders, technology teachers, career development facilitators, media specialists, life management teachers, technology directors, and counselors supporting grades 6-9.

 Workshop 2 - July 15, 2009

Tips and Tricks for Using the Moodle Version of “Using Technology in Career Exploration”

Explore how to customize and build upon the activities that are used in the Moodle version of the “Using Technology in Career Exploration” course.  Discuss strategies for implementing the online version in a blended environment of face-to-face instruction and online learning.

Join others who are implementing the curriculum to learn how to:

  • navigate the online course and use its features, change settings, and help students submit their work electronically
  • facilitate reflective discussions with students
  • place students in groups and support students’ online collaboration within the Moodle wiki tool
  • provide feedback to students on the work they submit through Moodle in written and auditory format
  • and to use the electronic gradebook and reports to track student progress and provide feedback to students.

Audience:  Educators who have used the course Using Technology in Career Exploration and/or have received training in the curriculum.

More information at links below or visit Oakland Schools website  http://www.oakland.k12.mi.us 

Workshop 1 - Work Smart! 

Workshop 2 - Tips and Tricks for Using Moodle Version 

 

 

MACUL Grant

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Grethel
on May 20, 2009
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Apply now for a Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Grant.  The application window is now open for MACUL members to apply for a MACUL grant (up to $1,500.00) to support effective use of technology in the classroom.  Details are listed below as well as the links to the Overview, Rubic, and Timeline.  Deadline for applying is midnight, June 27, 2009.

Purpose:  To encourage and support members interested in promoting effective instructional uses of the computer or related-equipment.

Grant Goal:  Each project should focus on an instructional use of the computer or related equipment, which has the potential of being replicated in other educational settings.

Grant Limit per Application:  $1,500.00

Eligible Applicants:  MACUL members who are classroom teachers, coordinators, administrators, or higher education personnel.  MACUL Grant recipients from the last two years are ineligible to apply.

Requirements for Acceptance of Grant Funds: 

  1. complete a MACUL-Grant Project Summary Form and Budget Report
  2. Carry out plan for sharing the project with other educators and MACUL members
  3. Submit a MACUL Journal article on the project and present the project at the MACUL Conference in eithera one-hour session or a poster session.

Length:  The recommended overall length of a MACUL Grant is 2000-2500 words.

Grant Information and Overview:  http://www.macul.org/page.php?pid=153

Grant Rubic:  http://www.macul.org/page.php?pid=155

Timeline:  http://www.macul.org/page.php?pid=154

 

Fulbright Opportunity to Study in Nepal This Summer

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on April 7, 2009
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Fulbright opportunity for 15 Michigan teachers to go to Nepal this summer. 

MSU has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad program.  This grant will bring some 15 Michigan educators to Nepal for a month this summer (June12-July13, 2009).  Applications are welcome from K-12 teachers, school administrators and educators.

The theme of the program this year is “Nepal in the Contemporary World”.  Teachers of world civilization, geography, civics and democracy and related social sciences would benefit the most.

Application information is available at:  http://asianstudies.msu.edu/outreach/2009Nepalgpa/index.htm

Contact:  Murari Suvedi, telephone (517) 432-0265, email suvedi@msu.edu

 

 

 

Michigan Educators Get MORE

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Grethel
on April 3, 2009
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The Library of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Education and Wayne State University announced “MORE in MeL.org” (Michigan Online Resources for Educators at http://more.mel.org ) at the 2009 Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) conference.

MORE is a growing Web-based collection of thousands of high-quality, digitally available information resources that gives teachers a significant edge in providing an enhanced educational experience for their students.  Not only offering readily available resources and helping with grade level and high school content expectations, it’s FREE!

More info at:  Michigan Educators Get MORE Quality Teaching Tools and Resources